Chapter 5: We go that direction?

“So you guys knew? Who, no… what she was, but you continued on anyways?” I sigh as I talk with my phone on speakerphone.

“We are extremely sorry. We were aware of it from the moment she took over our AI. Actually, she took over the AI as soon as we started its first test. We were forced to keep quiet about. Even if we told anyone, they would just say, ‘Did the devs forget to take their medicine again?’ I mean come on, half of us aren’t even on meds anymore.” The man on the other end of the line sounded slightly frantic.

“So you are saying that she made your game based off of a world she once ruled over? Is that something you guys should really be doing? What happens if someone learns a skill and then they are able to bring that skill to the real world? For example, magic.”

“I understand your concerns, but we were told to just do as we were told. Top brass didn’t let us have any say, we just moderated the goddess and asked questions as she made the world.”

“So you are puppets.”

“Puppets with lots of money!” He sighs quite heavily. I wonder if his lungs can handle how much he sighs. “In all seriousness though. You probably don’t have anything to worry about. Any magic that players can learn in the game will most likely be limited to support class magic.”

“You said probably.”

“I did. However, we are actually more worried about you and your… mental health.”

“That would be a concern. I assure you that I am of right mind, for now. I just wanted to play a game. At some point I will need to go get a job again, and I will leave the game. Hopefully I can just put it down. There’s no heroic quest, there’s no time limit, there’s no threat to our world other than the dumbasses that will eventually learn assault class magic.”

“We will deal with that when it comes to it. Maybe that could be the job you are looking for. I will discuss that with some higher ups later.” The man sighs on the phone one last time. “So, you’re okay with having a goddess, slash, AI stuck in your head?”

“Not for a moment, but she says she won’t leave, and more specifically, she can’t leave just yet. So I will bide my time. But hey, it can’t be all that bad to have an all-powerful being inside of my head.”

[Pardon my intrusion] Ireina suddenly speaks up in my mind, [I think you are misunderstanding something]

“Give me a moment, Ireina speaking to me.” I say to the phone and lean back in the chair I was sitting in.

“Of course. Please do take your time.” I can hear a slight smile in his voice.

[First of all, the limitations placed upon me are massive. I am unable to read your memories of your current life with any degree of proficiency. Plus, I can only hear your thoughts when you actively think of me. Your desires I can listen to, but that only comes with being a goddess, which I am only half of now, so it is unreliable.]

Didn’t you say you could know everything I do!?

[I was just trying to scare you at the time. I kind of regret it now since you feel this way towards me.]

So you aren’t going to actively ruin my life?

[Why would I do that to you?]

Because you are a sadistic and crazy goddess?

[No… why would you think I would be like that? I am just interested in you, so I have chosen to be with you.]

Really? Is being a goddess really that simple?

[Yes.]

So, you aren’t going to torture me for no reason at all? You aren’t going to make me a miserable mess? In stories I’ve read all the goddesses either: Hate everyone and everything, or, they are so bored, they will play with poor mortals in their struggle to rise to power.

[I see. Your view of gods and goddesses is quite corrupt. There are indeed a few gods and goddesses that would do that, but they are all dead now. The era of gods is coming to an end. All the gods and goddesses are dying.]

Wait… immortal beings are dying? How?

[Being immortal when you become a god, is just a misnomer. We are just beings that are incredibly old. There have been no new gods in ages. You can become a god by reaching the absolute peak of power, whether that be physically or magically.]

So you are saying… it is possible to become a god!?

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[Very much so. However, the difficulty of it is insane. In your previous life you were close. That is why you were able to keep a few of your more powerful memories.]

Now reincarnation is a thing!? A concrete thing! My goodness. I should have figured that out last night though…

[So, there is no such thing as truly immortal. I may be something close now, but eventually I will die.]

Wait… so what is the lifespan of a god?

[A couple billion years, give or take]

That’s a long time!

[Compared to a human’s lifespan. Yes.]

We… we need to stop talking about all of this. I feel like my mind is going to explode.

[I see. That is fine then.]

I take a few deep breaths to calm myself and lean forward in my chair, leaning my head on to my hands that have been placed on the table in front of me.

“So I have a dying being in my head. She can read some of my thoughts, but not all of them.” I say loud enough for the phone to pick up.

“That is all correct.” The man on the other end kindly says.

“So really, isn’t this just like living with someone of the other gender? They know what you do most of the time, they know what you are thinking, they know what you actually want, and they know what you like.” I cradle my head in my hands.

“Well… yes. Actually. It’s like you are married now. Congratulations.”

[I’m so honored.] Ireina says happily in my mind.

“Shut up… sorry, that’s for the goddess. You should also try and help me here, not make the situation worse Mr. Puppet.” I sigh as my head hits the table.

“Oho, but you don’t seem to realize who this puppet works for. The goddess that is stuck in your head!” The man sighs as I hear an audible thud. Probably just did what I did.

“I see. So, that seems to clear up most of my concerns for now… I guess.”

“That’s good. I have to get going now. I have a few other players I need to contact over the problem of them being turned in to slaves. So, if you don’t mind, I will be on my way.” He sighs one final time and hangs up the phone.

I can’t believe you, Ireina. You make my head hurt.

[Why? I don’t think I have done anything wrong. You should be happy. You have your privacy and I have my man.]

Your man? Oh well. I guess I get ready and go in to the game now.

I stand up and push the chair under the table. I turn around and see Cecilia standing there with a shocked expression.

“Yo Cecilia.” I smile, “How long have been there?”

“I… uh… I was sent home early… because they overbooked workers today, and it was slow.” Cecilia calmly backs away from me.

“So… why didn’t you shout that you were home like you normally do?”

“I didn’t want to disturb you if you were sleeping, so I thought I would come in quietly. I then saw you were on the phone and you were looking quite distressed. So I thought I would just wait quietly and… uh… surprise you…”

“Your intentions were good, but your timing was bad.”

“Yeah… but is it true? Is there… something in your head?”

“It’s kind of hard to show proof. I will say yes, whether you believe me or not is up to you, but I don’t have any issues either way.”

“Can she hear me?” Cecilia asks with a sad expression.

“Yes. She can hear everything that I can hear… I think.”

[I can]

“She says she can.” I sigh.

“Is there any way for her to talk to me?” Cecilia says

“I can relay messages from her. That would be plainly simple.” I sigh as I pull out my chair and sit down. I gesture to the other side of the table. “Please, have a seat.”

“What’s with this interview like atmosphere?” Cecilia laughs and sits down in the chair.

[Ask her why she likes you.]

“I was told to ask why you have feelings for me.”

“Geh.” Cecilia looks shocked for a second then frowns, “I don’t know.”

[Ask her why she lied about having a boyfriend in the first place.]

“I didn’t know that one. Why did you lie about having a boyfriend in the first place? That’s interesting though. I’ve never met any of them, I said you couldn’t keep any here overnight, not that you couldn’t have them over for dinner or something. There has to be at least one guy around that wouldn’t care that you have another guy as a roommate.”

“I would like to exercise my right to not say anything.” Cecilia nods with a stiff smile. “Also, why is she only asking me questions? And why are they all pertaining to you?

“Okay, that’s plenty fair, but you know. That just proves the answer to me. To answer your questions, I shall await her answers.”

[I’m only asking her questions because I feel like she was too slow to start, and I am asking because he is my man. Remember the bet about magic? The devs said it was true and you have therefore, already lost.]

“Oh my god.” My head slams in to the table. “I’ve just realized I’m in a deeper hole than I thought.”

“Why?” Cecilia tilts he head, “Was it that bet you made?”

“Yes. Oh, and she was only asking you questions because you were too slow to ask questions back. The questions all pertain to me because the goddess technically owns me. I said this, ‘Myself. You seem to like me so much. If I lose, I will gladly submit myself to you.’ In response to ‘Fine, what are you willing to bet’ that from her when we were making the bet.”

“You regret it don’t you?” Cecilia smiles at me.

“I REGRET EVERYTHING!” I shout with my head pressed down to the table. “I’m so stupid for betting myself! I can’t believe I made a bet with the AI that just happened to be a goddess!”

“You know. All you can do is sigh. The reason you were so freaked out last night was because the goddess thing had just showed up in your head and you thought it was a nightmare.” Cecilia sighs, “And now your body and soul are owned by this mystery goddess that also happens to be running a game at the same time?”

“It seems that all of it is true.” I sigh keeping my head on the table. Crying on the inside.

[You know. This isn’t really all that bad for you if you think about it. You could have a goddess and a human in your harem if you accept both her and myself.]

“I refuse to have a harem!” I raise my head and shout. “I also don’t feel like being in a relationship at all. In any way, shape, or form!”

“So… the goddess recommended a harem…” Cecilia looks at me with a complicated expression. “I have to say a harem sounds weird and knowing Phillip, there’s no way he’d do it. Especially not after what happened to his relationship when he was going through school.”

“Yeah, you’ve got that right.” I nod and agree with Cecilia.

[Then… what happened to you, Phillip? Was the girl someone who you thought loved you, but she just turned out to be using you, stringing you along for some random reason? Betraying you in the end for someone else?]

“I hate how your predictions are so accurate, Ireina. Ah whatever. I’m just going to play Forged Path now.” I stand up and walk towards the basement.

“I’ll see you later Phillip.” Cecilia sighs as her head slowly rests on the table. “What is going on?” I hear her quietly breathe out as I leave for the basement.

Cecilia, if I knew, I would gladly tell you.