''Phew... Now, then, there's only Anna's task left... Let me see if I can get Mermaid Queen to introduce us to some—''

''Ah, wait!''

''Hm?''

''Don't do it...! I mean... Giving her the usual version of my image will be fine... I think.''

''We can still do the task now, though? I'm sure everyone has no objection, right?''

''B-But I don't want you to do that now...''

''...Are you backing out because this is reality?''

''E-Esentially.''

''Fair enough.''

A few days have passed since the orgy. With Anna declining the whole NTR stuff, we have gathered enough material for the 'tasks' that the Divine Maiden provides for us.

I'm not sure if she predicted this or not, but after mixing up that day, everything returned to normal. They still shower me mostly with affection like any other day. It's really weird.

When asked the reason for such determined actions, Tina states that she doesn't want to be a hindrance to me and that she is relatively comfortable with Emy. As for Emy herself, she apparently feels a bit reluctant but decides to go for it to explore more things.

According to her, Tina's is too tight for her preference, but I'd argue that if it were used a lot, it would eventually fit perfectly. Maybe. I'm not sure.

In any case, we get right to doing homework again afterward, and after grueling hours of brain-scratching, the last formations are solved.

''Holy hell...!''

As I exclaim, I instinctively lean back on the sofa, stretching my stiff arms and flaunting my proud chest. Erasing every thought. Let's rest for a while...

Unknowingly, after closing my eyes for a while, I gradually drift into the sweet dreamland. When I wake up, my body feels unnecessarily heavy.

Of course, Anna has somehow snuggled her way onto my lap, resting peacefully on my boobs. On the sides, Elysia and Stella lean against my arms, also sleeping.

There's a big blanket covering all of us.

''...''

No, why the hell are you taking up my daughters' place, this silly cat?

Looking over at the table, I notice the piles of magical formulas neatly sealed into packs, together with a thin envelope—the same one that holds the Divine Maiden's cards. Placed under a heat-resistant cup of iced tea is a note saying, 'Put these in your space bag and come to the dining room.'

For a moment, I feel like my heart is bursting with love. They even put snacks there as well...

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Still, looking at the clock, I suppose it is time for dinner.

----------------------------------------

''Mhm...!''

''Dude, stop moaning.''

''But these are so good~!''

In the dining room, which is not far from the guest room, my party is having dinner with Mermaid Queen. After getting a taste of Emy's cooking for the first time, she has become a food fanatic, as one should be.

''Would you consider working for us as a chef again, Miss Emilia?''

''No.''

''I'll pay you generously.''

''I don't need money.''

''Really~? That's a bummer...''

Unexpectedly, even with all the doppelgangers running rampant, Mermaid Queen seems quite relaxed. I mean, she might be hiding it; I'm not quite sure. As I gaze into her eyes, I suddenly notice a change in her expression.

''Well...'' She sighs. ''Now that we have finally solved all the puzzles, I think it is time for us to confront it.''

After all that time, we will soon have to battle IV. Because the Divine Maiden hasn't told the Mermaid Queen how the battle will unfold, I need to rely on someone else for information. Why look at old, unreliable books when we have the goddess on our side, right?

According to Eva, IV's abilities are easy to understand yet incredibly hard to fight against. In her words—

''It is everything.''

Contrary to initial beliefs, doppelgangers can do much more than just imitate. In reality, there is a reason as to why they haven't gone extinct. Apparently, they can copy people's powers.

The higher ranked a doppelganger is, the more it can fully copy an entity's power and the more type of power it can remember. Being an ancient creation, IV is basically the ultimate Jack of all trades at this point.

I thought I was the main character because I had reincarnated, but this dude is even more of a protagonist than I am.

''Where is the Divine Maiden, by the way?'' Liana asks, putting a piece of takoyaki in her mouth.

''She is currently tied up underneath the main city.''

Nevertheless, we have to release this anomaly called Divine Maiden first. To be honest, my impression of her so far is... Quite strange, if I have to put it into words. I don't feel malicious intent from her actions so far, but it's quite troublesome if she actually went for me and my lovers at this point.

For one, isn't she just a child? Feeling something for a loli is quite... Um.

Still, I am indeed intrigued by her identity. A mysterious being who can accurately predict the future to a scary degree... Who wouldn't be curious?

Like, if I can ask her to predict my gacha rolls at certain times of the day, for example, won't I be able to have 'divine luck' by avoiding pulling when it's 'unlucky' and pulling when it's 'lucky'?

It's worth a try, even though I don't have time to play gacha games obsessively like I used to before.

After finishing our meal, Mermaid Queen leads us underground to unseal the Divine Maiden. On the way, she sternly warns us not to stray away from her.

''What's the problem?'' Anna tilts her head.

''Well... It seems I have a special aura.'' Mermaid Queen smiles wryly. ''It can apparently repel malicious intentions among other harmful wavelengths. In fact, it helped me in avoiding the doppelganger that attacked me at the beginning.''

''Is that a racial ability of sort?''

''Maybe. I've noticed mermaids of noble houses having it as well.''

''Hm...''

As we descend into the empty underground city once more, a slightly more suffocating atmosphere greets us. Following the woman in blue, we eventually arrive at a tightly sealed room with a cluster of camouflaging spells applied to it.

So that's why we didn't notice anything.

''Please, Esteemed Saint.''

''Okey.''

Immediately realizing the patterns engraved, I pull out all the solution sheets we've prepared. One by one, I insert the correct magical signals into the right places, successfully peeling off the layers.

It's like solving puzzles.

Soon, I find myself engrossed in the act. When the last formation finally falls off, the door clicks open, radiating a purple light within the house.

A bit nervous all of a sudden, I calm my breath and pull the door—

''...Eh?''

The next moment, my thoughts become paralyzed. My eyes refuse to leave the scene in front of me, and my legs won't move. It's like being struck by lightning.

After all... Kneeling on the floor with her arms tied to the ceiling is a woman whose face is literally unforgettable—in the sense that she is too beautiful. I'm certain some gods created this face themselves.

A divine beauty.

Even I, who is proud of my pretty face, feel a bit inferior. This is actually insane...

''...''

But... Isn't she supposed to be a loli...?