PREVIOUSLY

Morphée: And you didn't come just to tell me that, did you?

Wan: Indeed, I came here to make an exchange with you.

END OF PREVIOUSLY

Morphée: An exchange? Hahaha, I don't see what you could possibly have to trade with me; if you saw my treasure vault, hahahaha.

Morphée owns tens of thousands of treasures and stored them in her castle before sealing herself in her world. She was later transported to the world where IT0's protagonist is, as explained in IT0, but what I didn't know and wasn't specified was that it was in a sub-dimension.

Wan: Yes, an exchange, but let's make a deal first. For one week, let me live by your side in your castle. And if you're thinking, "You might try something against me," I remind you that poisons below mythical rank don't affect you, and you're also stronger than me.

Morphée: Ha... just like that?... no transition...

Wan: I also remind you that you've been prone to loneliness for a little over 500 years.

Morphée: Aargh... you're not entirely wrong about that...

Wan: I know, so let me stay in your castle for a week, and afterward, I'll present the exchange I have to offer.

Morphée: Well... I hope you're funny and know how to have fun! (A wide smile that Wan can't see)

To be honest, this wasn't part of my original plan, but since Morphée changed genders, I had to adjust it a bit. Originally, I just wanted to become friends with her like the protagonist did and then sweet-talk her to get what I wanted, but now that has changed. I don't really believe in my ability to become friends with a girl as extroverted as her, so I'll just focus on business. The week I plan to spend with her will serve to figure out where to press and what to say to win her over.

Morphée: (floating toward the castle) I didn't even ask what your name was.

Wan: (walking beside her) Well… normally, I don't give my real name to others, but I'll make an exception for you.

Morphée: An "honor"?... I think you're forgetting who the mortal is between the two of us…

Wan: … My name is Wan, and you're Morphée.

Morphée: Tell me… I hope it's not too forward, but… how do you know so much about me and about Zeus' defeat at the hands of a human? You're a mortal and from another world, so…

Wan: "It's not normal," that's what you're thinking, isn't it?

Morphée: Yes, that's what I think...

Wan: I love reading stories, and I particularly enjoy fantasy mythology, so knowing as much as possible is a bit of a goal for me.

[The title "Perverse Manipulator" cannot be activated due to the restriction imposed by the "Domain of Morphée."]

Wan: °I was really telling the truth… well, maybe IT0 helped me a bit too, but that's all...°

Morphée: Hmm, Athena would probably have liked you.

Wan: I imagine so.

She then gave me a tour of the castle, which wasn't very useful since I still had the blindfold over my eyes.

POV Morphée

I am Morphée, daughter of Hypnos, the being of Olympus who rules over sleep, and Nyx, the being of Olympus who reigns over the night. My domain is dreams, where I rule as the mistress, bringing visions to mortals while they sleep. My sisters, Phantasos and Phobetor, and I handle different aspects of these nocturnal journeys: Phantasos creates deceptive illusions, Phobetor engenders terrifying nightmares, while I, Morphée, give shape to dreams by taking on human forms.

My power is unique. I can transform into any person, appearing in dreams under various forms, delivering messages or omens to sleepers. This is how I guide and inform mortals, offering them glimpses of the future or advice from the beings of Olympus.

Each dream I bring is a story, an ephemeral vision that can inspire, warn, or simply provide a moment of respite. I have been invoked by the beings of Olympus themselves, notably by Hera to influence Zeus during times of war, or to offer omens of the future to heroes and mortals seeking answers.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

At night, I silently spread my dark wings, hovering above sleepers, penetrating their subconscious. My realm is vast and limitless, a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, where desires and fears come to life.

But that was before I had to seal myself. Now I manage everyone's dreams while staying within my domain.

Morphée: "So, when you close your eyes and enter the realm of sleep, know that I am there, I, Morphée, weaving the threads of your dreams, sculpting the faces and scenarios that populate your slumbering minds. Remember me, and welcome the messages I bring, for they come from the depths of the cosmos, carried on the wings of the dream being of Olympus."

Wan: (sitting on a chair) You're indeed the being of sleep, to manage to put me to sleep when it's barely 5 PM.

Morphée: (sitting in another chair) I was introducing myself just in case you didn't know everything there was to know!

Wan: If that's the case… may I ask you a question?

Morphée: Hahaha, now you want to ask me questions? (Acting superior)

Wan: (stands up and turns) I guess a mortal shouldn't dare ask Morphée anything.

Morphée: N-no! It's fine, I was just kidding… come back!

Wan: °So predictable.° If you ask so nicely (sits back down).

Morphée: (annoyed) Hrrrr, what did you want to ask me?

Wan: May I? Or is it perhaps too much to ask from a mortal like me?

Morphée: Raaaaah! Speak, I'm listening!

Wan: It's fun teasing you.

Morphée: ...You know you're really annoying!!!

Wan: Yes, yes, I wanted to ask if you also sleep.

Morphée: Well… that's a smart question you're asking, but no, I don't sleep. I can, but I don't feel the need.

Wan: Hmm, it's weird to say this, but you're really missing out. I've rarely seen anything as great as sleep.

Morphée: (places her hand on her heart, raises her chin, and closes her eyes with a proud smile) I know! I'm the being of Olympus in charge of sleep, and have been for hundreds of thousands of years.

I've been in charge of sleep since shortly after my birth, so it's been hundreds of thousands of years, but I haven't kept count. I started counting at first but quickly lost track.

Four days later

Wan: (sitting in the same chair) Tell me, in Olympus, do you understand the concept of "pedophilia"?

Morphée: (sitting in the same chair) Pedophilia? Ah, that… that only concerns mortals. As beings of Olympus, it doesn't apply to us.

Wan: That's disgusting; Zeus with nymphs, who surely weren't all of age, also Zeus with Ganymede. I was going to mention Hades with Persephone, but she was only a few days from coming of age, so I won't use that one.

Morphée: Haa… I-I understand what you mean, but let me remind you that your norms and ours are very different, and also, we're beings of Olympus, so there's no real problem with our actions.

Wan: ... If you could see the look I'm giving you under this blindfold, you'd understand.

Morphée: Okay, some of our actions are blameworthy, yes, but don't forget all the good we've generously offered to mortals! Like with Pygmalion!

Wan: Okay, let's say I overlook the "pedophilia," which is very serious, by the way. What about the rapes?

Morphée: Haa… it's...

Wan: Fine, no comment? Let me elaborate then; the rape of Leda by Zeus. He took the form of a swan to rape Leda, queen of Sparta. From that rape came two twins, Pollux and Helen. Though some fools might consider it "symbolic," this myth clearly involves an element of sexual abuse.

Morphée: ...

I had nothing to say, he was completely right.

Wan: The "rape" of Io by Zeus. Zeus took the form of a cloud to seduce a woman of faith. Despite Zeus' vain attempts to protect Io, she was found by a gadfly sent by Hera, a gadfly that would also harass her. This myth isn't necessarily described as sexual abuse, but there's certainly a question of consent.

Wan: Zeus with the golden rain… Zeus when he disguised himself as a queen's husband and pretended to be him while her real husband was occupied with work and only came home every three days... Zeus with Diane... Zeus with... Zeus with...

And he continued for a long time, listing many of Zeus' "misdeeds" while I listened without saying a word.

Morphée: °Zeus, you're not helping!° Okay, I got it about Zeus!

Wan: I have others than Zeus. I mainly cited him because he's the boss of the beings of Olympus, but there's also—...

Morphée: (cuts Wan off) That's enough! You know what… let's stop talking about these things, okay?

Wan: "Tired of fighting your own kind," is that it? That's funny.

Morpheus: (takes a breath and exhales) Yes, that's it, so stop, will you?

Wan: Well, I've only exposed the bad sides of Greek mythology, but there are plenty of stories revealing the good sides of the Olympians.

Morpheus: (perks up) ?

Wan: But well, the great Morpheus has requested that I, a mere mortal, stop talking about it, so that's what I'll do.

Morpheus: Aaaargh! (really annoyed) I'm going to make some tea! (walks away)

Wan: This mere mortal will eagerly await the tea you'll bring him.

Morpheus: Stop! (leaves completely)

I was now in the enormous room that served as my kitchen.

Morpheus: (still a little annoyed) He's so unbearable…!

I once again stared for a few seconds at this kitchen, far too big for me ; this huge castle was only for me, and had been since I was sealed 700 years ago. Wan is the only person to come here to this sub-dimension and not succumb to my curse. He also has one himself and asked to stay here for a while. As for the castle, with my treasures and the furniture already inside, it was well filled, but despite that, I was still alone.

Morpheus: °He's unbearable!° ... but still... His presence isn't unpleasant.

Having a bit of company after all these hundreds of years didn't hurt; in fact, it actually felt good.

Wan: (behind Morpheus) Hooo~ (still monotone, I remind you) My presence isn't unpleasant to you...? How amusing.

Morpheus: (jumps) W-What are you doing here?!?!

Wan: I got lost, you see. But not me, obviously. Oh, and that was a joke, despite my somewhat monotone tone.

Even after 4 days, he still hadn't taken off his blindfold, nor changed his tone or facial expression. I think even on Olympus, I've never seen anyone like that.

Morpheus: Y-... (blushing with embarrassment) You heard what I said?!?!

Wan: Yes, and so, is my presence pleasant to you?

Morpheus: N-No, I j–... well, maybe I appreciate your presence just a little...

It's true that having someone to stay with isn't so bad, and I do rather like Wan.

Morpheus: But don't go imagining things!

Wan: But I don't imagine anything, I hear. And yes, I heard everything.

Morpheus: (even more embarrassed) Stop it!!! (flails around)

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