''A-Ah, okay, so it was like that...''

''Yes.''

''...''

''...''

''A-Ahem. Shall we continue the discussion with the crew inside?''

''Alright...''

In a rather awkward manner, Eva and I return to the room, where everybody looks at us suspiciously.

In short, Eva is saying that since she is the most powerful person in this world, not counting Eve, if she... um... do the deed with me, it should boost my divinity by a bunch.

Which, you know, I welcome with my whole arms and holes open, but that doesn't mean I'm not surprised. Is the situation so dire that Eva herself agreed to step down and willingly have sex with... me?

If so, I'd be a bit sad. If anything, I want to seduce her normally...

Well, we're staking the world right now, so nothing can be done.

''So, when are we leaving?''

Either way, since the second trial has been cleared, we need to move on right away. By the way, Eva has already decided on the destination.

We'll be going to Vurgon, the dwarves' country of fire and steel. It already sounds suffocating enough, so I wonder how much worse it can get.

Now, Vurgon is really the only place where their production prowess can match that of Everwood, so naturally, if we were going to universally 'upgrade' the technology of this world, a close and extensive collaboration would be needed.

That stuff... well, I can largely leave it to my dad. I don't have the time nor the expertise needed to secure the result. My role is simply to pump out suitable blueprints for them to manufacture.

Instead, we'll be there for another reason—a fragment of divinity.

Somehow, a piece of ancient divinity is present somewhere in Vurgon. In Eva's own words, 'I do not know why, I do not know how, but I do know that I can track the other pieces once we obtain this one.'

Is it like a 'mid-boss' kinda piece? Divinity is bizarre.

Nevertheless, keeping a determined and constant mindset, we bid goodbye to the druids living in Sharne and exit the dimension with Eva's help.

Even though I've only been here for a short while, it was enjoyable. The atmosphere is nice, and the people are wonderful.

As soon as I step into the real world, a short breeze greets me as if welcoming me back. We have returned to the forest near the beach, and...

''Huh?''

If I'm not tripping, which I might be since I've literally been reborn, but is that... a fighter aircraft...?

''It's a Hellcat...''

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

I'm not exactly sure what the model is as I'm not as well-versed in aircraft, but that is indeed a Hellcat sitting on a deserted beach. When I squint my eyes and zoom in further, I can see a silver-headed woman carefully wiping the exterior of the vehicle with an excited face.

Her attitude is admiring, her clear elven ears are surprising, and her face is alarming.

It's my mom.

''Um... mom?''

''Oh, baby!''

With a speed akin to that of a bullet, Mom shoots herself toward me and takes my whole body into her embrace. Initially confused, I hug her back instead since I don't have a better choice.

''M-Mom, why are you here...?''

A kind smile blooms on her face as she rubs my cheeks.

''I wanted to do a test flight with the aircraft.'' She says. ''Coincidentally, I also intend to pay Vurgon a visit, so I thought, 'Why don't I accompany my daughter there?'''

''But I haven't told you that we're going to Vurgon...?''

''You didn't. I heard it from a kind lady with purple hair.''

''Oh.''

So Luna told her that.

''Is Dad coming, too?''

''He should have arrived by now.''

''Okay, cool. Can that Hellcat keep up with a dragon, though?''

''I haven't tried, but with mana boost, then...'' Mom trails off, then lets out a curious 'hmm.'''Did you finish your second trial?''

''Oh, I did. How do you know that?''

''Your heart is different, and... something tells me that you can't use mana anymore. Is everything alright?''

''I'm good. I switched to pure divine energy, that's why.''

''So my daughter is a goddess? I'm proud.''

''I'm just a trainee goddess...''

''Why? I like you better than the real one!''

'''' ... ''''

D-Does she not see Eva standing over there...? I don't know if that hurts her feelings, but...

''Either way! Let's take off immediately since there's no time.''

''Ah, that's right. Do you want to ride with me?''

''Can I?''

Soon enough, the scene becomes slightly breathable again. Fortunately, Mom does greet Eva properly afterward. As we slowly make our way to the perched aircraft and prepare to take off, Tina suddenly interrupts us.

''Um... won't it be faster if we have mother goddess create a portal for us...?''

'''' ... ''''

And so, the flight is promptly canceled in favor of saving time. In style, Eva snaps her finger and manifests a house-size portal, then uses something similar to telekinesis to move the aircraft through.

As soon as we cross the portal, a drastically different scenery greets us.

Instead of lush green plains or bountiful forests, everything in the observable distance is either rocky mountains or highly industrial-looking metropolises. The main city looks huge as well.

''That's Vurgon...?''

It actually resembles something that comes out of a steampunk movie.

While everybody is busy marveling at the scene, I notice my mom looking a bit lost, rubbing her chin as she ponders over her aircraft.

''What's wrong, Mom?''

''Ah... I was wondering about how to move this thing inside the city without startling everybody.'' She says. ''As you know, dwarves are gingerly curious about new technologies.''

''I can put it in my space bag.''

''Is there enough space?''

''More than enough. Don't underestimate divinity, Mom.''

''Fufu, I'll leave it to you, then.''

*****

In a subdued room, gentle clacks of glasses bumping echo.

Two men sit across each other, each holding a wine glass of their own.

''Don't.''

The handsome man with lustrous blond hair says, furrowing his brows. Hearing this, the bearded man carrying bulging muscles bursts into laughter.

''Hahahahah! You elves are really weak, hm? Can't even handle cigarettes?''

''I can handle them. I just don't want to.''

Dwarf King shrugs his shoulders as if his hands are tied, then quickly puts off the cigarette. Normally, he isn't one who will go out of his way to be 'respectful' like this, yet the situation forces him to.

Sitting in front of him is Louis Everwood, the elven king. Over the course of just a few months, Everwood, a historically and generally conservative country, has been branching out into the world at a breakneck speed, imprinting its marks on virtually every land as everybody knows it.

Today, Louis has come for a negotiation.

When a king personally comes, it is a serious occasion. Even if Dwarf King would rather spend his time immersed in the world of steel and steam, she can't ignore someone of this caliber.

''So, what do you have for me?''

Getting into the topic, he asks as she strokes his thick beard. In response, Louis simply leans back on his chair with a smirk on his face.

''You will see it soon.'' He says, turning to the window.

Soon enough, his wife will have a grand entrance with the latest aircraft model, potentially bringing the renowned Saint party with her as well.

It will surely impress Dwarf King.