"Don't think I will fall for that false hope that easily, you disgusting whore."

Ilias punctuated her sentence with a creepy giggle.

Eden groaned at the lack of progress. She had already been displeased to discover that the Goddess of Light had been found and that she hadn't been informed as soon as it happened. She learned the information from Cupi when the latter said she watched a strange makina that was broadcasting the adventure of Luka into the bar of the Pocket Castle, a place she repudiated herself.

Her anger only amplified when she recognized that she was surrounded with Morrigan and Black Alice, and she wanted to smite every monster on the spot for daring to leave the small goddess alone with those abominations. That damn vicious yoma, Mephisto had stepped forward to say that they also discovered the small goddess recently on the road, which the seraph doubted. At that moment, the broadcast showed the succubus had tried defending the vulnerable goddess from an attack from Zion. Eden had been so furious she stepped outside, accompanied by Micaela-chan and Lucifina-chan to deal with the offending seraph from another world. Right after pushing her back, Eden brought the goddess back to the chapel to heal her. However, it was clear the latter's mind had been affected by the two abominable monsters that had accompanied her.

Eden slowly exhaled as she resumed her effort to help her lord. "Please, your light, free yourself from those abomination and try remembering your splendor!"

"Wow, I didn't know you could hurt someone's brain without hitting them! Her brain is flying above Heaven!"

"Please be silent Lucifina-chan."

The two other small seraph had joined her. She initially hoped that seeing all her creations would help the goddess recover faster, but while Micaela-chan was silently remaining helpful, Lucifina-chan had kept sending pique after pique at the goddess.

"But she's so funny like that! Before she was always like nag, nag, nag!"

"Don't be disrespectful to your mother!"

"Buuut, she's too small to be my mommy! Look how easily I can lift her!"

To show her point, Lucifina lifted Ilias around. However, the small seraph had forgotten her own strength and let the miniature goddess slip from her grip, which resulted in Ilias getting tossed across the room to land harshly on a bench that ended reduced to splinters.

"LUCIFINA! DON'T YOU DARE HARMING YOUR GODDESS!

Ilias got up and removed a few splinters from her dress. "Don't worry, that's wouldn't be Lucifina if she didn't break something... Lucifina? There's no way you..." Her eyes widened as something clicked inside her. "That whore wouldn't be able to be that creative... Actually there hasn't been any sex... This isn't a dream?"

Eden smiled maternally as the small broken goddess finally broke out of her delusion. It looked like Lucifina-chan had actually been helpful.

"Oh, Ilias! Finally, you're free from those mind games!"

"Yay! Wait... Nooooo... Back to naggy mommy ill ass..."

Lucifina-chan silently left to sulk while Eden hugged tightly the small figure. While Ilias appreciated the show of affections, she felt it was going of for way longer than what was needed.

"Please Eden... You're starting to suffocate me... Let me go..."

The third seraph reluctantly let go of her leader. Freed from her lieutenant's clutch, Ilias could finally breath freely. Memories of the last days came back to her. As time passed, anger started growing in her chest. Luka had been responsible for submitting her to that shameless harlot Morrigan and that horrendous Black Alice's torture. This was certainly not a way to treat a goddess! It was time to set her place right.

"Eden? I think we have to see a few people... Why don't you come with me?"

Luka groaned in pain as he woke up. His whole body was still heavily battered thanks to his fight with Zion. After much effort, he managed to get up of his bed and reached the door leading to the common parts of the Pocket Castle. He nearly fell as he reached the hallway with difficulty.

I may need to see a healer. Maybe at the bar…

He made his way through the hallway half walking, half stumbling. Eventually, he managed to reach the bar. He noticed there was an unusually low number of monsters wandering around. As he looked, he saw Eden, Ilias, the Grand Noah Queen, the San Ilia king, Mephisto and Sonya in a deep discussion at a table. The ambiance did not look as tense as he feared, considering that a monster was sharing the table with a goddess who proned their examination, as well as her yes-woman of a second in command. Sonya saw him, and brought another chair as a silent invitation.

Upon seeing him, everyone fell silent and the Grand Noah queen bowed. "Thank you for gracing us with our presence, hero Luka."

Luka felt weird to have one of the lords of the human kingdom bow in front of him. But at the same time, he wasn't surprised by anything anymore.

Maybe it's Ilias who asked them to show me some respect for a reason?

He silently took the seat offered. The Grand Noah queen cleared her throat and started speaking.

"After a long discussion, we decided to make some… compromises that will impact your future adventures."

Luka looked at Mephisto and Sonya to try to learn more, and neither seemed happy with the situation.

Ilias declared solemnly. "I want to make it clear that I am still making way more effort than one should ever demand to a goddess to tolerate monsters." She glared at the yoma magician. "It is only because you are necessary to me that I don't ask my angels to cut your head right there and now."

"Also because as the goddess of light, you are above resentment, and this will not let such pettiness get in the way of your honor and your grace." The angels glared at the mecha pope who just said the sentence. "As despicable as succubi can be, you currently owe your life to one." Ilias groaned, but was forced to concede the point.

I guess we better keep for ourselves that she was the reason Zion attacked. And that her presence was an idea of Mephisto to prank Ilias. It's a miracle things ended that well. Now, onward to buttering up a goddess…

"As I said, from now onward I will refuse to actively travel with monsters in my party. Also, one of the seraph should always be accompanying me to ensure my personal safety."

Luka sighed. "I accept. Can I do anything else for the Goddess of Light?"

"I also require to be fitted with the best equipment you acquired during your travels."

We're going to give weapons that can nuke a town to an untrained goddess who hates monsters. That won't end well.

"We will do so. Anything else?"

"Last, I want Morrigan and Black Alice's heads on a plate. Also Alma Elma's. Actually, I want you to eliminate any succubus that is currently defiling this castle with its presence."

Eden nodded solemnly in approval of her goddess's worlds. The other persons around the table had a more mitigated reaction. Sonya was merely taken aback, slightly shocked. Mephisto slammed her elbows on the table and had started massaging her temples. The Grand Noah Queen closed her eyes and sighed while her counterpart from San Ilia remained stone faced, but his arm kept switching from function to function, confirming him he was also worried by the subject.

"I am obligated to decline your request. Also I wish to remind you Morrigan saved your life."

The silent tension became unbearable.

"It is not a request, it is an order I give you as your goddess."

"And as the hero who was ordered to save the world by Ilias, I refuse to kills innocent monsters."

Eden nearly choked on her spit. She prepared to materialize a weapon, but Ilias made a gesture to tell her to hold back.

"I do not remember asking you to save the world. Are you telling me I am wrong?" Her tone was laced with venom.

"You are right, you are not the one who asked me. But Ilias still gave me this mission, as the pope and Sonya, a priestess of Ilias temple, could testify."

The interested parties nodded silently. Luka continued.

"In any case, I refuse to kill several of my friends without a valuable reason."

The Grand Noah queen took the relay. "I concur. We currently cannot afford to lose such a large number of allies and possibly antagonize another race. Furthermore, this would guarantee the survivors would bolster the Monster Lord's army out of fear or a desire of vengeance."

Eden slammed the table with her fist. "They're succubi! They're oversexed fiends who only live to deviate men from the righteous path of Ilias!"

Luka looked at the seraph straight in the eyes. "I maintain my stance on the issue. Any being currently residing in the Pocket Castle is under my protection. I am ready to go through hell, back and forth for Ilias, but I will not betray any of the monster, humans, or angels who supported me and are currenly placing their trust in me."

Eden snarled as she kept glaring at the hero, but she eventually backed down, surprised by the hero's resolve, as well as by his loyalty to the one he considered his allies.

"I speak in the name of all human kingdoms when I say we trust the hero Luka. We do not want to wage a war against monsters as aggressors."

Sonya shrugged. "I'll also trust Luka's judgment on that one."

Ilias looked around her for possible support, but only Eden was really approving this while the other ones did not want to commit a small genocide. After an awkward silence caused by this dead end, Mephisto found a solution.

"If I may invite the Goddess of Light to consider this possibility, some monsters are still willing to follow her teachings. Even a succubus joined the chapel, maybe she could invite her kin. As far as Morrigan is concerned, she is ancient succubus stuck with her own ideas, but she may still change like the other monsters. Furthermore, she will still prove an invaluable pawn when we will be forced to deal with her sisters. It would be a waste to kill her ourselves when we could make her fight against her own family."

Ilias pondered the yoma's words for a few seconds before answering. "Very well. In that case, I will tolerate the existence of these abominations. For now." She then glared and deployed her godly aura, but it was more pathetic than anything. "But hear me well, should they step out of line, I will personally smite them down and cast them to hell. No objection?"

Everybody remained silent. While Ilias took this as an approval, in reality, most people around the table knew that the Goddess and her angels could easily be kicked out by the other castle's inhabitants should the latter get tired of the former's antics.

"In that case, let us rally our fidels at San Ilia and march on Mt Amos."

Luka raised his hands defensively.

"Hang on, we still have to complete the side quests on the way. We have a certain path to follow or we may accidentally accelerate the world's destruction."

Ilias scowled. "In the past, I would have smitten you to dare speak your mind against my plan."

The hero backed down. I don't know if I didn't prefer her when she was catatonic.

She continued on a haughty tone. "But I will humor you for now. I do need to get stronger myself after all, so that I can personally dispense justice on those abominable monsters. What is our next destination?"

Mephisto answered before Luka could say the name of the location.

"A small village south east of Ilias Continent. They're known for the quality of their iron, and we need it to train our smith. Our next stop afterward will be the southern Tartarus, where you will see the White Rabbit again. But first, I suggest Her Light go the castle's armory to see how we can give her the equipment fitting of her name."

Sonya and the pope got up. "We'll accompany her."

"I shall always be there to protect Ilias." Eden followed her leader.

Mephisto closed her eyes. "Very well, we will discuss a few other matters in the meantime to be sure the adventure proceeds more smoothly from now on."

A minute later, only Luka, Mephisto and the queen were remaining at the table. The yoma got up and respectfully bowed in front of the hero.

"I really, sincerely, absolutely apologize for placing you in this situation. I thought we could have some fun at the depend of this little goddess's inflated ego while humbling her, and I didn't think this could have gone so wrong. The only reason this didn't get worse can be accounted to pure luck. That was shortsighted of me and I should be more careful from now on."

Luka nodded, lost in thoughts. "What about Morrigan and Black Alice?"

"Morrigan will be kept under watch for a while. Alma Elma has decided to take this role seriously for once, so we've got two birds killed with one stone. Furthermore, that little pest is too wounded to accompany you for a while. However…" Mephisto cringed. "She may decide to look around for some relief that would help her recover faster."

"She can look for all the support she wants, as long as she doesn't harm anyone."

"We can as well ask a water stream to stop. Dryfishing her preys is in her instinct."

Luka sighed. "I considered rewarding her for saving Ilias, but after she kept pulling me through the mud…"

Mephisto nodded. "I have an appropriate solution that will fit in our plan perfectly." She started fiddling with her wand once again. "Concerning Alicetromeria, she went back to Heinrich's side. He had slightly more difficulties waking up from our trip than expected, and she said she'd like to travel with him alone afterward. We can safely assume that he's more than able to rein her in."

"And Zion?"

The Grand Noah queen answered. "I received a report that a large arrow of light entered Tartarus near Esta. I don't think it could be anything else than the seraph that attacked you." She leaned back on her chair. "I do not know as much as I wish about the mindset of angels, but based on what we saw, she will likely come back with support, craving for vengeance."

Mephisto pulled out a paper. "We have to take into account all the times you encountered the seraphs and the Lilith Sisters in your adventures so that we can prepare in advance. While you will be on the road with Ilias, we will create a strike team to come support you in case of emergency. That way, we should be able to limit your party's size and let you stay under the radar most of the time. If we make one with fliers and wind users, they could reach you extremely fast from afar while still being ready for combat."

Damn, now I have to make more plans for every one of my moves. I'm going to miss those serene days of old, where I was carried around by the events… Why didn't this happen last time?

"We will keep track of you thanks to our new tool. I would also suggest avoiding bringing people from the castle to meet their counterparts on this world. The situation is confusing enough for several people as it is. And that would only attract even more attention." Mephisto got up and gestured toward the stairs. "I think you may want to get acclimated to your new party members." Luka already heard a dissatisfied Ilias browsing available equipment from where he was. "I wish you luck. You are going to need it."

As Luka left the room, The Grand Noah queen joined her advisor.

"It seems you are the one with the best grip on the situation."

Mephisto sighed. "This situation is such a mess. I understand the hero is using another chance to save the world, but… there are too many variables I can hardly grasp. And I am afraid Morrigan's little stunts only worsened them. My only regret is that I'm not using that time to teach the little ones." The yoma looked at the queen, who was looking unusually tired at the moment. "Are you alright, your majesty?"

"When I took the throne, I did not expect to have to deal daily with supposedly dead legendary monsters and their antics, nor did I expect to travel with a hero on his way to save the world. And now, we have travelled through times find ourselves stuck in the middle of the war between two gods from different worlds while we visit other ones as tourists to satisfy a whimsical entity."

The Grand Noah Queen got back to her seat and completely wallowed in it. One of the maid brought her a stylized goblet filled with Noah wine. She took a sip before asking a question.

"How do you cope with this insanity?"

"To tell her majesty the truth, nothing surprises me anymore. If I heard a rumor about a potato growing legs and uniting an army of tubers to conquer the world, I would only ask for the location to send a fire mage to cook them up before it becomes a threat."

"And what if someone uses our gullibility to mislead us?"

Mephisto smiled evilly. "Then this will be the last mistake that one will ever make."

Luka kept hearing the goddess going on and on about the equipment available. As he was making his way to the armory, he saw a large pile of discarded items on the floor. Coupled with Ilias indignant tone, it was clear the goddess was unsatisfied with what was offered to her.

Orlan, the human smith, was currently focused on striking a sword with much more enthusiasm than usual, her red hair turned into a mess. Salamander, who was usually examining the equipment herself, had wisely decided to wander somewhere else with Papi, the young dragon smith. Ilias was holding one of the enchanted blessed veils.

"A glorified marriage veil? Don't you have a headdress more fitting of a goddess?"

Luka could finally see Ilias. She had grabbed one of the archangel bras that had come straight from Grand Noah's treasures and a copy of the legendary Artemis Bow. The equipment itself was enough to turn her into a powerhouse able to slay most yomas.

"As it stands, we currently do not have anything more powerful." Sonya was looking down, clearly exhausted with the demands of the Goddess of Light. Luka wondered for a moment if seeing her goddess in the flesh acting like a petty bully could turn Sonya away from her calling.

Ilias sighed. "Fine, I will accept this. Finding a new headdress will also be a priority." She tested the string of her new bow a few times. "Although, as the one true goddess, I know how to use a bow, I shall be taught additional skills by the best bowmaster around."

Sonya talked in an exhausted voice. "The elf queen is the most skilled archer in the castle. I am pretty sure she would be willing to teach you advanced techniques."

"I refuse to get further indebted to monsters. I am pretty sure I can learn new skills from my cupids later anyway."

She got taught most of her new skills by Freya herself. Close enough I guess.

The goddess condescendingly sighed. "Well, I think I am now adequately prepared to go out as it is then."

Luka started walking toward the exit.

"In that case, off to Pornof!"

Everybody else in the group froze.

"Wait, what?"