WM – Chapter 278: Teach me, Destiny Goddess-sama!

◇Takatsuki Makoto’s POV◇

—Before we landed on the Demonic Continent. At the space of the Destiny Goddess, Ira-sama.

“Ira-sama, uhm…are you okay?” (Makoto)

A fancy space where dolls are moving around restlessly.

I was called to the office room of Ira-sama inside my dream.

“Aah…Takatsuki Makoto. Sorry about the sudden call.” (Ira)

“I don’t mind the call, but you aren’t looking good there, you know?” (Makoto)

There were deep bags under the eyes of Ira-sama who was doing paperwork, and there were a massive amount of empty energy drinks scattered about.

Aren’t you working too much?

“It is okay. Finally to the Demonic Continent tomorrow, huh. There’s a number of things I want to tell you. Sit wherever.” (Ira)

“Yes.” (Makoto)

I sat in the seat close to Ira-sama. 

“First word of advice. There’s a barrier from the Great Demon Lord set on the Demonic Continent. There’s a chance you won’t be able to hear my thought transmissions.” (Ira)

“That would be troubling.” (Makoto)

How can this be.

To think I won’t be able to hear the voice of Ira-sama who has been giving me lots of advice until now. 

“Oh? That’s quite the admirable attitude there, Takatsuki Makoto. That’s not like you.” (Ira)

“Really? I always rely on you, you know?” (Makoto)

Saying this, Ira-sama made a slightly happy face. 

“Hmph, is that so. Well, there’s no need to worry too much about it. You won’t be able to hear the thought transmission temporarily, but I will poke a hole in the barrier and send my voice. I might need a bit of time for adjustments though.” (Ira)

Ooh! 

That’s great.

I sighed in relief, and Ira-sama pushed out her faint chest while going ‘hm hm’.

Cute.

“And so, what is the important thing you wanted to talk about?” (Makoto)

When I asked this, the Goddess changed into a serious face. 

“You remember Demon Lord Bifrons, right? The one that switched day and night with a God Rank Spell.” (Ira)

“Of course I do. I was prepared to die at that time after all.” (Makoto)

“That spell can’t be performed with just the power of someone from the Mortal Realm. I did tell you before that a God somewhere must be lending their help here, right? I was searching who that was.” (Ira)

“Have you found out the culprit?” (Makoto)

I ended up leaning forward.

But she shook her head to the sides.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t manage to tell who was pulling the strings from the back. But what’s clear is that it wasn’t the Devil Gods.” (Ira)

“…?”

What does she mean?

“No matter how much I investigated, I couldn’t tell who was the one that helped with the spell Bifrons used. That would have been impossible for the Devils. They are not specialized in destiny magic, and it would be impossible for them to control time without me -the Destiny Goddess- noticing. The ones at the back of this are not the Devils, but a higher divinity that can control time better than me.” (Ira)

“Higher than even you, Ira-sama…?” (Makoto)

It is true that I was told Ira-sama is the youngest amongst the Holy Gods. 

In other words, there’s quite a lot above her? 

“S-Shut up. That’s right, I am just an underling!” (Ira)

“My bad. I was rude there.” (Makoto)

“Well, fine. There’s a lot of people with higher divinity than me, but when it comes to suspicious people, it is limited.” (Ira)

I gulp.

The main topic must be coming here.

“The most suspicious one is…Noah.” (Ira)

“……Eh?” (Makoto)

I couldn’t understand the words of Ira-sama and my thoughts grinded to a halt. 

Noah-sama did it? 

“It isn’t that weird, right? The Noah of this era is an enemy.” (Ira)

“No, but…!” (Makoto)

I ended up denying it reflexively. 

That’s way too much.

Whose sake do you think I came to the past for?

“Calm down. I am talking here about a ‘can’ or ‘cannot’. Noah is a Goddess that is far higher than me and she is on the same level as Althena-oneesama. While at it, she is also good in time magic -to a vexing degree…” (Ira)

“…”

What she said reminded me of the time in Great Keith when time stopped, and when she turned back time in Highland. 

I did think she was doing some outrageous stuff as if nothing, but…

“If it is the Time Spirits that Noah controls, she can do evils while managing to slip past the eyes of the Holy Gods.” (Ira)

“…What are even Time Spirits?” (Makoto)

I just copied what Noah-sama did before when I called them at the fight of the Immortal King, but in the end, I couldn’t see them. 

In the first place, there should only be Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind Spirits for the four elements…supposedly. 

At the very least that’s what I learned in the temple, and that’s what was written in all the magic books. 

But probably…

“……Haah…” (Ira)

The questions in my mind must have reached her, she made a big sigh.

“Takatsuki Makoto.” (Ira)

“Y-Yes?” (Makoto)

“I think you already know, but don’t go speaking about what we will be talking about here, okay? As you have imagined, there aren’t only 4 types of Spirits.” (Ira)

“…Right.” (Makoto)

I did think it was strange. 

There’s few compared to the 7 elements of the Holy Gods, and there’s the contradiction of Spirits residing in all creation. 

I imagined there should be Light and Dark Spirits, also…

“Stop.” (Ira)

Ira-sama pushes a finger on my lips. 

“Mgh?” (Makoto)

“Stop going any further. Just by being a powerful Spirit User you end up attracting the eyes from the Angels of the Holy Gods. You don’t want to be kept on surveillance 24/7 after saving the world, right?” (Ira)

I wouldn’t.

“We went out of topic there. Anyways, it wouldn’t be hard for Noah to switch day and night, and she could easily hide that from me. That’s why she is a suspect, but…” (Ira)

“Can we even win?” (Makoto)

I don’t want to think about the possibility of Noah-sama assisting not only Cain but the other Demon Lords as well.

Most of all, it would really lower my mood. 

“Don’t worry. I do think the chances are low. Cause Noah has become the 8th Goddess in the future. Your fiance Sofia-chan is increasing her believers in Rozes, you know?” (Ira)

“Really?” (Makoto)

I have been the only believer, so it is hard to imagine Noah-sama having other believers. 

Princess Sofia is doing her best?

I am grateful for that. 

“In the capital of Horun, a statue of Noah has been made by the side of Eir-oneesama. And even in Spring Log and Great Keith, the believers are increasing bit by bit apparently. In other words, there’s no reason for her to take the side of the Great Demon Lord.” (Ira)

“I-I see…” (makoto)

That’s a relief. 

Looks like Noah-sama is slowly being viewed as a Goddess in the future. 

But there’s still a worry.

“The Noah-sama of this time doesn’t know about this, right?” (Makoto)

“Noah should be able to send messages to her past self. From the fact that Cain easily allied with you, it is most likely that Noah won’t be doing anything unnecessary.” (Ira)

If she can send messages from the future so easily, I would like to get some too though…

I am not the believer of Noah-sama right now, so it is probably difficult. 

“In this world, the ones hostile against the Holy Gods are the Devils and the Titan Gods. It isn’t the doing of the Devils, and the only remaining Titan God, Noah, is being taken out from the candidates… In that case, the only one I can think of is…” (Ira)

“A betrayal from a relative…?” (Makoto)

I tried speaking out what I thought.

“Can’t really say it is impossible…” (Ira)

“You can’t?!” (Makoto)

Please spare me any more.

“The parent generation with father at the top tend to not take the Divine Realm Regulations seriously… But they wouldn’t do something so stupid. The most they would do is make children in the Mortal Realm.” (Ira)

“No, that’s plenty troublesome.” (Makoto)

As of currently, the most dangerous battle I’ve had since coming to this world has been the Alex battle. 

He was far stronger than a Demon Lord.

Isn’t that weird? 

“I am truly sorry about that. But there’s no way a relative would do something like being so blatantly on the side of the Demon Lords. In that case, the ones remaining would be the Neutral Faction Gods.” (Ira)

“Neutral Faction?” (Makoto)

Were there such Gods?

“Did I not tell you? The Moon Goddess Naia is an ‘Outside God’. A God that differs from Holy Gods.” (Ira)

“The Moon Goddess Naia-sama… The Goddess Furiae-san is a believer of.” (Makoto)

I heard from Furiae-san that it is a Goddess she doesn’t hear the voice of at all.

That she has only had a conversation with her once. 

“Right. The Outside Gods rule celestial bodies different from ours, and there’s normally no need to get involved with them. But if both sides don’t interact for way too long, there’s the chance of a momentary happening to suddenly be the trigger of a conflict. Because of that, both sides have been sending one God as an envoy. Putting it in a way a human would understand, it would be a ‘hostage’.” (Ira)

“That’s quite the bloodthirsty story.” (Makoto)

So Naia-sama was treated as such a Goddess, huh.

“It is not like we are treating her badly, you know? We have properly given her the position of 7th Goddess, and she even has authority. She has the ability to manage the world by using Heroes and Oracles, and yet…she doesn’t show signs of having any motivation.” (Ira)

“Is Naia-sama strong?” (Makoto)

“I haven’t spoken to her much, so I don’t know that well, but…Althena-oneesama says that she has quite the strong Divinity. At the very least, stronger than me.” (Ira)

“By the way, the possibilities of her lending a hand to the Demon Lords?” (Makoto)

“…None. I at least can’t think of a reason why she would.” (Ira)

Figures. 

Judging from what I have heard now, she doesn’t sound like the kind of Goddess who would meddle in things.

“Why does she have no motivation?” (Makoto)

If possible, I would like her to give advice to Furiae-san.

Furiae-san must be doing her best in bringing back the Moon Country after all.

“Eir-oneesama asked her once, and she apparently said ‘because it is boring’. What’s boring?! Don’t seek amusement from work! Do you know just how much I crammed for the goddess exam, and how hard I worked for the rank raise test even after becoming a Goddess…?” (Ira)

“Ira-sama, Ira-sama…” (Makoto)

I call Ira-sama who was muttering with dead eyes. 

Hmm, I really think she is overworking herself here. 

I feel like she is getting mentally unstable.

“You get it now, right? It is unknown who lent a hand to Bifrons.” (Ira)

“This is troubling.” (Makoto)

“But don’t worry. Right now you have the Divinity that I have given you. You most likely can only shoot 1 God Rank Spell max, but it will pay off and even come with spare change.” (Ira)

Ira-sama looks at me with a face full of confidence. 

As for me, I can’t say I am confident. 

“Is it going to be okay?” (Makoto)

“What? Not confident? That’s not like you.” (Ira)

“It was only by synchronizing with you that I finally managed to change day and night…and I immediately fainted afterwards…” (Makoto)

It was thanks to Ira-sama being by my side at that time that our fight with Demon Lord Bifrons managed to be that close. 

We are going against the Great Demon Lord this time around. 

Even if we have Anna-san who has grown as the Light Hero, my uneasiness is still not going away. 

Ira-sama made a surprised expression while I was thinking that.

“Now that I think about it, when you synchronized with me, why did you use destiny magic?” (Ira)

“Eh? Because if I didn’t turn night to day, you can’t use the Light Hero Skill, right?” (Makoto)

That was my only option. 

But Ira-sama’s words went against my expectations.

“Huh? What are you saying? You could have used water magic to defeat the Demon Lord.” (Ira)

“Eh? No no, what are you saying?” (Makoto)

It is not like I can defeat a Demon Lord with water magic.

It is the weakest element, you know?

“I am the one who should be going ‘what are you saying’? Of course you can defeat one easily.” (Ira)

Ira-sama refuted me cleanly. 

“…What do you mean by that?” (Makoto)

“Why did you arrive at such a misunderstanding? Eir-oneesama…hates fighting, so it is possible that she purposely didn’t tell you, but Noah could have told you… Geez, what is she doing?” (Ira)

Seeing Ira-sama placing a hand on her chin and mumbling, I began to question my own view. 

“Ira-sama, water magic is weak, right?” (Makoto)

“It isn’t weak.” (Ira)

The common sense I learned in the Water Temple was crumbling. 

“N-No, but the firepower from a fireball and that of a water ball is completely different, you know?” (Makoto)

One of the reasons why water magic is called weak.

The power of elementary attack magic is fatally low in only water magic. 

Water Ball can’t even defeat a horn rabbit. 

Ira-sama directed eyes of sympathy towards me. 

She beckons me with her finger without saying anything. 

It must mean she wants to come closer.

I slowly walk towards the small Ira-sama.

“Closer.” (Ira)

Ira-sama’s thin arm stretched, grabbing the collar of my clothes, and pulling.

The young and beautiful Goddess grew closer and closer. 

My forehead and hers stuck to each other.

“I-Ira-sama? What are you…” (Makoto)

“Shut up and close your eyes.” (Ira)

“Eeh…” (Makoto)

“Hurry!” (Ira)

“O-Okay…” (Makoto)

The breath of Ira-sama was hitting my face.

C-Calm down.

Clear Mind 99%!

When I close my eyes, there’s a sphere floating inside the pitch black darkness.

It was mostly blue, with green and white erratic patterns. 

It was like…

(Earth?) (Makoto)

It is the view of a planet that is similar to Earth.

But the continents were shaped in a way I haven’t seen before. 

That’s why it isn’t Earth. 

“This is the world you are currently in, Takatsuki Makoto.” (Ira)

“Is that so.” (Makoto)

It is only until now that I learn that this planet is also spherical.

The geography may be different, but it resembles Earth. 

Even so, what is it Ira-sama wants to achieve by showing me this?

“Now then…” (Ira)

Ira-sama separates her forehead from mine. 

The image of before disappears. 

When I opened my eyes, there was the face of a slightly tired beauty in front of me. 

“The tired part was unnecessary.” (Ira)

“It is better to rest for a bit.” (Makoto)

“I will get some sleep after I finish this talk.” (Ira)

Ira-sama exhales languidly. 

I silently wait for her next words.

“Takatsuki Makoto, you are a Water Spirit User, right? Go ahead and tell me what the strength of a Spirit is proportional to.” (Ira)

I couldn’t tell the intention of Ira-sama here, and I dig the knowledge that I learned in the past about Spirit Magic.

“If I remember correctly…it is the number of Spirits. The bigger the water body there is, the more Water Spirits there are, so it gets stronger proportionally to that.” (Makoto)

“Right. By the way, if you have Divinity, you can control the Spirits of the whole world.” (Ira)

“…That’s…” (Makoto)

I remember the scene of the planet that Ira-sama showed me a bit ago.

I am beginning to understand what the Goddess is trying to tell me here. 

“Hey, Takatsuki Makoto, what color is the world?” (Ira)

Ira-sama narrowed her eyes. 

‘Earth was blue.’ 

I remember the phrase of a famous astronaut in my previous world.

“Blue.” (Makoto)

“Right. Why’s that?” (Ira)

“That’s…” (Makoto)

Because Earth is made up of 70%  water.

It was similar to the state of the planet I saw just a moment ago. 

Water Spirit Users get stronger the more Water Spirits there are. 

The more water there is in the place, the more Water Spirits there are. 

This planet is covered in water.

In other words…

“Amongst the four Spirits, Water Spirits are the strongest.” (Ira)

Ira-sama asserted.

“S-Strongest?!” (Makoto)

“Obviously.This planet has oceans, and is covered in water. Why didn’t you notice something so simple?” (Ira)

Ira-sama sighed and shrugged her shoulders as if saying ‘good grief’.

No, but isn’t calling it the strongest an exaggeration?

“But Wind Spirits are…air literally covers the planet, so…” (Makoto)

“It is not like wind is always blowing, right? I think you won’t understand because you yourself can’t see them, but there aren’t that many Wind Spirits. It would be a different story if a typhoon or a tornado were to happen though.” (Ira)

“T-Then, considering the properties of the planet Earth Spirits should be…” (Makoto)

“If it were underground, that might be the case. If you were to go deep underground, Earth Spirit Users would be the stronger ones. But where is it you are fighting?” (Ira)

“…Aboveground.” (Makoto)

“That’s right. The surface of the planet. What’s covering that is water. When it comes to the world aboveground, Water Spirits are the most abundant.” (Ira)

So that’s how it was.

“I say that, but it is impossible for your average human to control the Water Spirits of the whole world, you know? You would have to be a God like Noah in order to do something like that. But right now, you have my Divinity.” (Ira)

I was at a loss for words at what Ira-sama said.

A Water Spirit User isn’t weak…?

I look at my own blue right arm. 

At that moment, Ira-sama poked my cheek with her finger.

“By the way, do you know what is God Rank Water Magic?” (Ira)

“I learned about the hell world, Cocytus, in my magic lessons.” (Makoto)

“Aah, the spell Eir-oneesama used to destroy the ancient people that wanted to rebel against the Gods, huh. Sounds good.” (Ira)

“Destroyed?!” (Makoto)

She said something outrageous as if nothing.

Eh, Eir-sama did something like that? 

She really was a scary Goddess.

But I am glad I heard about this from Ira-sama.

I am sure what I have been taught here will be of use in the future. 

“Then, it is okay to just use a God Rank spell on the Demon Lords.” (Makoto)

I asked as a last confirmation, and Ira-sama made a thinking gesture. 

“The Ancient Dragon King, Astaroth. In the case that guy shows up, use God Rank Magic. The current Anna-chan would have a hard time against them.” (Ira)

“It is that strong…?” (Makoto)

The strongest Demon Lord amongst the 9 Demon Lords.

Even Anna cannot win…?

“Astaroth has thick dragon god blood… As a living being of the Mortal Realm, they would be considered a balance breaker.” (Ira)

“D-Dragon God?” (Makoto)

More unfamiliar words. 

“It is one of the remote Gods that us Holy Gods eradicated in the far past. Don’t mind it. There’s no need to defeat the Ancient Dragon King in this era.” (Ira)

“It is a Demon Lord that is alive even in the future after all.” (Makoto)

There’s no need to force ourselves to defeat them.

Let’s avoid unnecessary battles.

“Right right. Head to where the Great Demon Lord is while avoiding as many battles against the Demon Lords as possible. After that, you just gotta hit them with a good God Rank Spell and it will be OK!” (Ira)

“Got it, Ira-sama.” (Makoto)

I kneeled and thanked her.

“Do well, Takatsuki Makoto.” (Ira)

“Yes, Goddess-sama.” (Makoto)

Saying this, I left the room of Ira-sama.

This happened a few days ago inside my dream.

◇Present◇

The world was changing to white as if it were slowly falling asleep.

A wondrous sight. 

Contrasting that beautiful spectacle…

“You dummy dummy dummy dummy! Why did you plunge into an army of a million and get surrounded by Demon Lords?! I shouldn’t have told you a Water Spirit User was the strongest!” (Ira)

The Destiny Goddess was making a ruckus in a loud voice.

Eh?

I thought you would be happy (spaced out)…

“I now understand plenty well why Noah didn’t tell you about how strong a Water Spirit User is! Giving you confidence only makes you lunge into danger even more!!” (Ira)

“No, it couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t just abandon the people of Laberintos. Also, fighting against the million demon lord army is exactly how history states, right?” (Makoto)

“If you want to do it exactly as it was recorded in history, fight them in the West Continent! Fighting in the Demonic Continent, is your head cracked?!” (Ira)

“Now now, it has been wrapped up now, so what do we do now?” (Makoto)

“Aah… History is…being changed at a fearsome rate…” (Ira)

Could it be…could it possibly be…that the reason why Ira-sama is lacking sleep is because of me?

“U-Uhm…Makoto-san? Is it possible that this female voice is…the Destiny Goddess Ira-sama?” (Anna)

I was questioned by Anna-san who was hugging the Holy Sword Balmung with both arms and is continuously using barrier magic.

“You can hear the voice of the Goddess?” (Makoto)

“Y-Yes…I suddenly can hear it. I wonder why…” (Anna)

“That’s because God Rank Magic is activated. The surroundings of Takatsuki Makoto have become a place similar to the Divine Realm temporarily. That’s why my voice can reach.” (Ira)

“I see. That’s handy.” (Makoto)

“Listen to me this time for sure, okay?” (Ira)

“Got it.” (Makoto)

“…Do you really?” (Ira)

“Come on, since when have I gone against what you’ve said Ira-sama?” (Makoto)

“The rate of you not listening to me is higher!” (Ira)

“M-Makoto-san! Front!” (Anna)

Anna-san raises a scream to please look.

I direct my gaze to the Demon Lords that are looking down at us. 

The Demon Lords who have the Ancient Dragon King as their center. 

“Takatsuki Makoto, I won’t forgive you if you lose even after borrowing my Divinity.” (Ira)

Ira-sama’s voice resonates in my ears. 

“Of course, Goddess-sama.” (Makoto)

I answer bluntly. 

Even though we are surrounded by Demon Lords, I am strangely not scared.

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