''So that's your deal with Sylvie?''

''Mhm.''

''It's hard to believe. How about you, Emilia?''

As Raeliana turns to her fellow elf, Emilia, the white-haired beauty shakes her head.

I understand them. Suddenly, being told that your lover and even you are connected to another person in the distant past... will probably fail to convince anybody.

''You just need to know it. It's... my side of the story.''

Perhaps puzzled by my unfazed reaction, both of the elves can't find anything to say further. It's quite surreal because they look nearly identical to their past selves.

In any case, as I do to Hanako, I also cherish these two very much. Getting close to them... is important, but it's not as urgent as guiding them to aid Hanako. The reality is that we don't have much time.

If I am lucky, I can find moments to score points during the guidance, but that's about it.

Taking a deep breath, I organize my thoughts.

''Emilia, Raeliana. I have something to ask.''

''Go on.''

Receiving Raeliana's remark, I decide to be direct.

''Are you two worried about your performance?''

''In combat.'' I clarify.

For a moment, I notice their eyes shake. As expected. Although I have only prophesized the 'main' and 'crucial' bits of this timeline, I can more or less deduce many things from the way things unfold.

Emilia, as I know her, has always felt insecure about her strength, although it is undeniable that she is a few steps behind Hanako and Raeliana.

Raeliana, on the other hand, is also starting to worry about this same problem since the gap between her and Hanako has widened noticeably. This is mainly because of Hanako's... um, let's say, advantage in her training for godhood.

With so many flesh-hungry futanaris around her, advancing at that speed is honestly reasonable.

It isn't about competition. They are doubting their worth as Hanako's helpers.

Their love for Hanako is admirable, really.

''I can help you get stronger.''

And that is why when I utter that sentence, I know I have already grasped their attention whole.

''As a... former goddess myself, I know more than anyone how divinity works. Please believe me.''

'''' ... ''''

Although there is a bit of reluctance, they eventually agree to follow me.

''Where are we going?''

''The training area.''

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''You have one...?''

Well... it's not like the druids don't harbor the desire to get stronger or anything. They, the druids, are sentient and intelligent consciousness born from spirits of ancient times when they come into contact with nature.

When all life perished... they were the only ones left. In a way, they serve as proof that our civilization—my children existed. I couldn't help but shelter them from the eras of chaos that ensued.

''Oh, there are people.''

Since the training ground is not too large, they must be assuming that we can't use it when there are occupants. However, they are forgetting something.

''Hm? Ah! It's the elven misses!''

''Really?!''

''They actually came out of the house!''

''I told ya! There was one coming out yesterday as well!''

In an instant, sweaty druids surround us. Still unfamiliar with this development, both Raeliana and Emilia stammer their words, almost tumbling their way backward.

''Muh...''

''C-Calm down, people...''

''Are you here to train? You're in the Saint party, right? That's so cool!''

''Please let me watch!''

''Me too! We'll watch together!''

After just a few minutes, the whole stage is ours. Although it is indeed a bit awkward with so many people watching us, there should be no problem.

''So? Where should we begin?''

Twirling her scythe, which is nearly as tall as herself, Raeliana speaks with determined eyes. On the side, Emilia slowly brandishes her sword as well.

''Put away your weapons first.'' I sigh. ''I am not a martial artist, nor am I proficient in using weapons, so I cannot teach you combat techniques.''

''...What, then?''

''I will simply give pointers for your divinity cultivation, of course.''

As if understanding the assignment, the two obediently retrieve their excited mood and look at me with their golden eyes, seemingly anticipating my words.

''Firstly, Raeliana.''

''Yeah?''

''As someone who chose to walk on the path of war, what you need is an abundance of battling experience on top of rich theory knowledge.''

''...Admittedly, my experience is quite lacking. Aside from back in the first trial, I really didn't have many serious fights.''

''It's good that you know. From now on, please devote as much of your time as necessary to practical duels and battle simulations.''

''Duels... I've been doing that, but battle simulation?''

''Is your dueling partner Sariel? Please increase the intensity if you can. As for simulation... you do realize that you have divine power now, right?''

''Oh.''

''Escaping the 'mold' of a mortal is also important in the journey, so please remember that. For a deity, the second most crucial part of their strength is willpower.''

''Thanks.''

''Please don't mention it. Also, I can provide you with some useful samples for your simulation targets. Come over here. Both of you.''

Moving my divine power, I draw out the detailed information and footage of the extraterrestrial force that we had to fight and transfer to their brains.

'''' !!! ''''

''This...!''

''Ugh...''

Predictably, they both seem disgusted.

Those things are quite unpleasant to look at and be around, after all.

''Please take it easy. Spend some time to get used to them first, and you will be fine.'' I say as I pat their trembling backs slowly. ''Now then, Emilia.''

This time, the gorgeous elf of few words, Emilia, has her eyes fixed on me.

''Once again, what you need is extensive experience, whether tasting or making, in the world's many wonderful cuisines. I suggest considering visiting Aria's cultural centers in the near future.''

''...Mhm.''

''One more thing. Cooking at the particle level is, fundamentally, chemistry. Although there is an argument about food carrying intangible values, cooking is ultimately about pleasing the tastebuds of people.'' I explain. ''Once you have acquired profound knowledge of 'technical' cooking, you will gain the ability to gaze deeper into the 'matters' of things as well.''

''...''

I don't even need to say why it is so powerful. Seizing detailed information about the opponent's state is as advantageous as it gets. Even if they are beings from beyond this planet's orbit, assumptions can be made. After all, those things are also living beings.

''Thank you.''

Deep in my thoughts, I am utterly awakened by Emilia's sincere sentence. Yet, even after hearing her being so eager like that, I can't bring myself to smile.

It's my incompetency.

Originally, they shouldn't have died. They shouldn't bear this responsibility at all. I, the goddess, the one who was supposed to protect the planet, failed.

It's my fault.

Should I have trained more instead of being content with my strength? Should I have cultivated humanity to resist them? Should I have burned my life to rebel until the end?

What about now? Do I deserve these people's affection and gratitude?

I wouldn't know.

At the destination of this journey... I hope I can reach a conclusion for myself.