Huh?

Where am I?

It's pitch dark.

It feels like I'm floating in water... this sensation is familiar.

I am being called to Zeus's place...

Usually, I'm somewhere else immediately, but this time, the darkness feels unusually long...

Darkness is inherently terrifying.

For an ordinary person, it's normal to go mad.

But Yume is different.

Although she's been here many times, her trust in Zeus prevents her from feeling fear.

Rather, she finds it comforting.

As she floats with her eyes closed,

a sudden light almost burns her eyes.

"Seriously, leaving you in such a place, it's the worst!"

"Um... where is this...?"

She knew without asking; it was the usual place.

And then,

"Hi there! How have you been?"

The highest-ranking goddess, Hera, was peering at me.

"Why am I here?"

"Your consciousness has swapped with that old pervert's right now."

"But I wasn't asleep..."

"This time, we forcibly put you to sleep."

"Is that so?"

"That's right."

... Some time passes

"Yume-chan, you're really adorable. Why don't you become my child?"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"My dad and mom are my parents..."

Hera seemed to have taken a liking to Yume and clung to her persistently.

"Your real parents are fine as they are. How about in other ways?"

"What do you mean?"

"For example..."

With a snap of her fingers, the empty space transformed into a meadow...

"How do you feel about this view?"

The soft sunlight, the pleasant breeze that doesn't resist, and the green smell from the swaying grass.

"It's very beautiful and feels good."

"That's right, if you feel the same way about me, it's enough."

"Is that really okay?"

"That's exactly what I want."

With another snap of her fingers, the scenery changed again.

This time, they were above the sea.

"How do you feel?"

"It feels like I'm flying over the sea."

"This is the actual scenery a bird sees."

One moment they were flying over the sea at tremendous speed, the next they were stopping. Shiny silver things glimmered below.

"Looks like they're moving!"

Then, suddenly, they were underwater, and the silver things turned out to be fish.

As they leapt from the sea, the little fish were wriggling and sparkling.

"Congratulations on catching your meal!"

Somehow, we high-fived.

With another snap, the scene changed again.

They ascended from above the sea, passing through clouds until the Earth was visible... it felt like flying at high speed among various stars.

"Hey, Yume-chan."

Hera called out.

In the center of the universe, seeing the scenery fly around Hera, she spread her arms and said to me,

"We 'gods' created this world."

"And it's the gods' job to protect this world."

"We are always by your side, even at this moment!"

... Floating in the middle of the universe, Hera gently embraced me and looked at me.

What beautiful eyes...

I felt so happy, I wished time could stop here forever.

This is... a god...

Suddenly, I was back in the usual room with nothing.

"Oh, I've been looking for you..."

It was Zeus.

"I met your dad and mom, they're a lovely couple. I see why you're such a good girl."

He said, patting my head.

"So, how about becoming my daughter? I can make the arrangements."

"Yume-chan is my daughter! I'm not giving her to an old pervert like you!"

Hera pulled me away while hugging me... Warm, soft, nice-smelling...

"I see, that's unfortunate. In that case, I will grant you some of my powers."

"Yume-chan, you like books, don't you?"

A ball of light floated towards me and burst into fireworks when it hit me.

"All done!"

"Don't misuse it."

"What kind of ability did you give me?"

"You'll understand as you read books."

"And remember, you can meet us anytime."

"How can I meet you?"

"You've got a mark on the back of your hand, right?"

"Focus on it and call for us, then you'll be able to meet us. Can you do that?"

"Yes, I'll do my best."

"See you then."

I was sucked into the darkness.

... Do your best! ...

I could faintly hear Hera's voice...