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The spacious bathroom was filled with white steam.
Submerged in the hot water, Mika closed his eyes, savoring the moment.
"This is the life," he murmured, a contented sigh escaping his lips. He thought of Couronne, who had renovated the bathroom, and nodded in satisfaction.
The cramped, spartan bathroom he had first used was now a spacious, luxurious retreat, its design a stark contrast to the settlement's rugged aesthetic. Couronne had built it specifically for Mika and his companions.
Their arrival had brought a profound change to the settlement, a newfound hope that had filled their lives with a joy they hadn't known before.
Couronne, in her gratitude, had catered to their every need, though their requests were simple, mostly concerning food and other daily necessities. It was during that time that she had built this bathroom, a small token of her appreciation.
And since then, it had become a regular part of their routine, a simple pleasure they had all come to enjoy.
"By the way, how are Couronne and Riku? I didn't sense their presence when I returned," Athena asked, her voice a soft murmur as she waded through the water towards him.
"They're on an expedition," Mika explained. "Couronne, despite her quiet demeanor, has a thirst for adventure. Besides, with the items I gave them, and with Riku and Schwi by her side, they're in no danger."
"I see. That's a relief." Athena sat down beside him, her voice a whisper in his ear. The warmth of her breath sent a shiver through him, his earlier calm replaced by a sudden surge of—anticipation.
But as he opened his eyes and saw Yahweh approaching, Alfia in tow, he quickly suppressed it. He was outnumbered. He wouldn't stand a chance.
Yahweh and Alfia sat down, Alfia taking the spot beside him.
He turned to look at her, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"You're... beautiful," Mika said, a smile playing on his lips.
It was a rare sight. The Alfia he had known had been a warrior, her expression always a mask of calm determination—as if nothing in the world could faze her. She had been a true hero.
And this Alfia, she was the same person, yet different. A side of her that few, if any, had ever seen.
And she was right here, beside him.
"Don't look at me like that," she whispered, her arms tightening around her chest. Although, at Yahweh's insistence, they had been in this situation many times before, she still couldn't get used to it.
"Alright, alright," Mika chuckled, turning away, though not before giving Yahweh a knowing glance.
He knew her plan. He had known for some time. He and Yahweh were old partners—he could read her like a book. While he had been puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor, Athena had quickly clued him in.
Yes, it had been Athena who had revealed Yahweh's true feelings. Yahweh had hidden them well, but not well enough to fool the Goddess of Wisdom.
Athena, sensing Yahweh's hostility, had chosen to—inform Mika, hoping to mend their relationship. She had no desire to be Yahweh's rival. With Yahweh's unique bond with Mika, Athena knew she wouldn't stand a chance.
After all, to Mika, Yahweh was irreplaceable. Therefore, Athena had chosen to play matchmaker. As for who was first or second, she didn't particularly care.
————
Mika had been stunned. He hadn't anticipated such a development. He was certain that once Yahweh had made up her mind, nothing could change it.
Gods, after all, were notoriously stubborn, especially Goddesses.
And just as he was contemplating his next move, Yahweh had pushed Alfia towards him.
This time, he wasn't confused. He understood instantly. And he wasn't opposed to the idea.
Mika was fond of many of the women he had encountered during his travels. After all, his image was always one of—heroism. However, he rarely acted on these feelings. His relationships were built on mutual understanding and respect, forged through shared experiences.
He was promiscuous, but he wasn't a scoundrel. To take advantage of someone's admiration, to engage in a physical relationship without any emotional connection—that wasn't his style.
Mika had his principles.
He had known about Alfia's feelings for some time. After all, she had refused his offer to restore her body, to grant her a new life. However, out of respect for her unspoken reservations, he hadn't pressed the matter.
Until now...
With Yahweh's encouragement, Alfia had finally begun to lower her defenses. After all, if she had truly been opposed to the idea, even Yahweh couldn't have forced her. And Yahweh wouldn't have tried.
While she had intended to use Alfia as a pawn against Athena, she had other methods. This was simply the most—convenient.
She had, in fact, been planning this for quite some time.
———
The four of them sat in the steaming water, a comfortable silence settling over them.
"This might be the last moment of peace we have before the war begins," Mika said, breaking the silence.
"Indeed," Athena replied. "According to our plan, we'll be engaging the Gods soon. And to defeat all of them, besides Artosh, without alerting anyone—that will be a challenge. We'll be spending a lot of time on the front lines."
"That's right. It's finally time for me to get busy." Mika smiled. He had come to this world for a war, yet he had spent most of his time cooped up in the settlement. For a warrior like him, it had been—trying.
But now, the wait was over.
The battle he had been craving was about to begin.
"You really do love to fight, don't you?" Yahweh said, her head resting on her hands, her gaze fixed on him, her eyes peeking over Alfia's shoulder. "But since the battle is imminent, have you finished your preparations? For instance, your ability to consume God Essences?"
"That's already been taken care of—" Mika replied cheerfully. "While it was initially a challenge, with a certain God of Games's help, I was able to solve it quite easily."
"The God of Games?" Yahweh chuckled. The others smiled as well. They all knew the story.
Mika's inability to understand God Essences had been a major obstacle in his plan to modify the Falna system. He had even considered postponing his plan until after he had defeated a God.
However, during a conversation with Riku—he had remembered the existence of the God of Games. And after a thorough search, he had found him, hiding in a corner of the settlement.
Since Mika and Athena's arrival, he had been in hiding, too afraid to show himself.
As the personification of the concept of "Games," Tet was undoubtedly a God. However, he had only just been born. In this era, no one poured their emotions into games.
No one. Therefore, the concept of "Games" had remained unactivated.
Until Riku.
He had poured all his yearning, all his belief, into games. And so, the concept of "Games" was activated, and the God of Games was born.
But he was still weak, unable to truly interfere in the world. Even in the original story, his ascension to One True God had been a consequence of Riku's victory.
Riku had won the war but couldn't claim the Star Grail.
In his despair, he had prayed for someone, anyone, to take the Star Grail and end the war. And Tet, who had been watching him, had appeared, claiming the prize and becoming the One True God.
But that was the past. In this timeline, the Star Grail would be Mika's.
However, the God of Games still had his uses. As a God, he was the perfect subject for Mika's research on God Essences. And with his help, Mika had been able to quickly modify the Falna system.
————
"He's so unlucky," Yahweh said with a sigh. "To have just been born, only to run into us and become Mika's test subject."
"Don't make me sound so evil," Mika protested, though Yahweh simply ignored him.
"I simply invited him to my lab for a while. I didn't do anything to him. He's with Riku now, isn't he?"
"Isn't that because he was terrified of you?" Yahweh's smile widened. "I remember his expression when he left your lab. He was practically shaking."
"He was probably just scared of the equipment," Mika said, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Perhaps," Yahweh said with a smile, letting the matter drop.
"That's enough for today." Mika, unable to withstand her teasing, decided to retreat. Escape, while shameful, was effective.
"Then let's go." The others agreed.
As they left the bathroom, Athena gave Mika a subtle glance, and he nodded in understanding. Yahweh, seeing their silent exchange, also understood.
After they had changed, Athena said to Yahweh, "I have a few new ideas about our plan. Could we discuss them?"
"Of course." Yahweh, intrigued, followed her out of the room, leaving Mika and Alfia alone.
————
Mika walked towards Alfia, who sat on the edge of the bed.
"I know about you and Yahweh," he said, his voice soft.
Alfia started. "Wait, I—"
"Relax, I know it was Yahweh's idea," he reassured her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
Alfia sighed in relief.
But Mika's next words made her tense up again. "But I want to know how you truly feel."
He looked into her eyes, his own gaze steady, his hands holding her firmly, preventing her from escaping.
"Tell me, Alfia. What do you want?"
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