''Hic... hic... you must stay healthy, alright?''

''...''

''Seeing you haggard like this... mom is really worried.''

''...Who is my mom again?''

When I sneakily open my eyes, I see Mermaid Queen's beautiful forehead, which has a vein or two popping. Involuntarily, I release her hands and assume a serious sitting position.

''Ahem... the time in Atlas. It was really enjoyable.'' I smile.

''...I'm glad you enjoyed it.'' Mermaid Queen replies. ''Once again, thank you for helping our city. I hope you have a smooth journey, esteemed saint.''

''Thanks.''

As we both smile at each other, I belatedly remember something.

''Right, I was meant to give you this.''

''...?''

Originally, seeing her beauty deteriorate as she gets buried in work, I thought I'd share a few of my beauty products with her. It's something I thought of while roleplaying as the archmage of Aris Kingdom.

As I hand her a box full of different products, Mermaid Queen's cyan eyes turn sparkling. As if to express her immense joy, she lets out a few strange noises and wiggles her body. It's like watching seaweed.

''Heh.''

I swipe my nose triumphantly.

Even the rigid saintess Lucia had to bow down to me for these elven specialties, you know?

Talking about Lucia, it seems she fell for me in the end...

Sorry, Lucia. You're a person of the past, and I am of the present. We did make out a few times, though, so let's consider that a happy ending. Um.

By the way, it seems Emy has spilled our elves' rendezvous to the others, so we got punished. Even the high and mighty Liana was humiliated that night.

Either way.

''Well, well. The fact that I worry about your health is true.'' I pat the woman's shoulder. ''Get someone to help you. My heart can't stand seeing you like this.''

''Saintess...!''

Mermaid Queen looks like she is on the verge of crying.

After a while, I finally say goodbye to her and leave the room. As I stroll in the hallway, I turn to the chat again.

Eva has responded to my messages, and guess what she sent me.

[Xx-DarkLordOfTheFlame-xX]: [Exploding Elf's Head]

It is a chibi image of my brain being blown off. It's kinda insulting somewhat, but it fits—irritatingly so.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Eva has recently become addicted to using this set of emojis. For more information, it includes all kinds of expressions drawn in a cute chibi style. As I can also use it, I know that the set does include a few unhinged ones.

Like the Sylvia with her eyes heart-shaped or the naked prostrating Sylvia.

Either way, Eva seems really shocked about Luna's revelation.

Aside from panicking a bit and promising to re-scan the entire globe for possible leftover fragments, she also expresses a tint of disappointment in herself.

She can be really cute sometimes, I swear.

''Whew...''

For now, though, I'll need to find a way to increase my strength further. Even if the majority of my free time is dedicated to training, it is not enough. Not against a full-fledged god.

As I step out of the palace and down the streets alone, I begin to ponder the solutions to my conundrum.

Firstly, the easiest way to make myself stronger is through consuming fragments of divinity. However, even Luna doesn't know how many of them are left in the world, so this method is highly unreliable.

There is also a global solution: rapidly increasing the collective strength of peaceful races by spreading advanced technology, which Everwood is already doing. I guess I will have to accelerate this process and pray that everything will be alright.

The surest way for it to happen... we might have to join forces with the dwarves. I guess that will be my destination after visiting the druids. For now, let's tell Dad to begin contacting them first.

Sitting down on a random bench, I pull out my phone and dial my Dad's number. As the ringtone—the voice of me singing a song—plays, I gaze absentmindedly forward, observing the curious citizens pass by.

Silly thoughts fill my head. A family of clothes octopuses walk on the street in joy, grabbing each other's tentacles tightly. A dejected tuna gentleman is being consoled by his tuna friend. Even the seaweed is moving...

Under the gentle moonlight, it all seems like a dream.

[Sylvia. I'm here.]

Dad's voice beyond the phone snaps me out. Bringing the phone to my long ear, I speak.

''Dad.''

[Are you alright, still? Your mom's crying has gotten better.]

''I'm fine, I'm fine.''

After relaying the events in Atlas, my parents nearly lost it. It is said that a few days after the call, we have suddenly regained a sizable portion of the lost land from the demons.

[That's a relief... but what's going on this time?]

''Actually...''

I begin to explain my plan to Dad. Of course, I omit the things between the old me and Luna, but Dad should still get the whole picture. Time is running out.

[Those damn dwarves...]

''...We have to, Dad.''

[I know, just... no, I will do it.]

''Thanks.''

[It's only right. You don't have to thank us.]

''Heheh...''

Letting out a sigh after hanging the call, I lean back on the bench.

The difficult thing about this whole 'dwarves cooperation' is... the races. Inherently, elves and dwarves hate each other to the bones. Why?

Cause dwarves cut down trees all the time. To build houses. To get fuel for forging. Whatever.

No wonder elves get mad at them.

Even as a former human, the mere thought of someone cutting down a perfectly fine tree irritates me.

But I guess Dad can do something through the Empire. We basically have somewhat of a control on the emperor, after all.

''Why are you hanging here like a dried fish?''

Right then, I notice someone sitting beside me. Her unmistakably soft and elegant tone, coupled with an immense presence, make me involuntarily shiver for a bit.

''Sariel. Were you following me?'' I say as I lean on her shoulder.

It feels cold but just squishy enough not to cause discomfort. Strangely, Sariel only nods meekly.

''Do you want to talk with me alone? What's going on?'' I keep asking.

''...The things that you are worried about. Tell me.'' Sariel finally replies with a sigh.

''Can you be more specific...?''

''Ever since we got out of the virtual game... you have been looking quite gloomy. It's not the usual energetic Sylvia I want.''

''Do you not love me anymore? That's sad...''

''No. I definitely yearn for you.''

Seeing her determined eyes as she hugs me into her embrace, I realize I might have made a mistake.

''It's a joke, of course.'' I grin. ''But, my worries...''

Enjoying Sariel's soft chest and pleasant scent, I silently ponder. After a while, I eventually decide to tell Sariel about my desire to get stronger. It's not something I need to hide, anyway—just like the story with Luna, but that can be postponed for a bit.

Stroking my long ears gently, Sariel's voice is nonchalant.

''Isn't it simple for you?''

''You mean...?''

''Let yourself drown in the desire of the flesh. That is the surest way to obtain unparalleled divinity.''

''Ah.''

Now that I think about it, aren't I supposed to be a Goddess of Sex?