Horuz was floating somewhere. It was a void space where not a single ray of light entered.

She opened her eyes and let out a bitter laugh.

"Did I... lose? To Mother and her Apostle?"

It was absurd. A mere mortal. To think a mere human could unite with a god and stand against her.

Wasn’t that an unheard-of method? Yet, Horuz didn’t feel all that bad.

"Strange. I lost to Mother, who is full of flaws. I lost to a mortal."

She touched her chest, then gripped it tightly, and Horuz clicked her tongue.

She touched various parts of her body and sighed.

"Even so, I can’t stop here. I... must do what I have to do. The extermination of humanity."

Her belief that humanity must be eradicated remained unchanged. Of course, she knew what ideology Isis held to protect humanity.

"Humans are peculiar beings. They can even perform such miracles. But... that’s precisely why they must be eliminated."

As long as humanity existed, there was no guarantee that the past incident wouldn’t repeat itself.

Therefore, Horuz decided to rest more in this void space. At least until she could erase an entire country with just a gesture.

Nevertheless, Lucian’s face, which had charged at her, remained unforgettable.

"Lucian... was it? I wonder what kind of appearance you’ll show next. I look forward to it. Even if you’re just a mere mortal."

Smiling gently, Horuz closed her eyes again. As soon as she closed her eyes, the void space became dark once more.

＊＊＊

The first thing I saw upon opening my eyes was this:

[Emergency Quest ’Apostle’s Duty’ Cleared!]

[Reward 10000 CP Acquired!]

[Random Item Appraisal... Appraisal Complete!]

[Female Uniform (Officer’s Military Uniform)]

[Tape Lingerie]

[Title ’Spirit of the Warrior Race’ Activated!]

[All Stats Increased by 5!]

[World Influence Increased for Overcoming Hardship! ★ → ★★]

There was even another title.

[Reversal Charm (Narrative)]

Type: Title

Effect: When disguised as the opposite gender, you can deceive enemies below your level.

To be greeted by such a flurry of notifications. Still, it felt good.

Did I grow again?

This sense of accomplishment was always thrilling. And look at these clothes?

"More clothes...? Let’s make Aunt wear these. She was a former adventurer, so a military uniform would suit her well...hehehe!"

Then I felt a warm touch. I shifted my gaze slightly.

I saw the Goddess’s hand resting on mine. Following that, I saw the Goddess’s face.

"Goddess...."

Tear streaks ran from her eyes. Seeing the Goddess like that made me laugh. A very bitter laugh.

"If you’re tired, you should be inside me, why are you in this state? Though I know the reason."

She must have stayed by my side. As a god.

I sighed and reached out my hand. I stroked the Goddess’s head.

Then I heard sounds from outside the window.

"Hey, Mr. Johnson. Let’s start here!"

"Understood. Bring the materials."

"Is this really a temple? Why is it in such bad shape? It’ll take ages to restore it all, ages."

It seemed the laborers had arrived.

I glanced out the window. I could see the restoration work beginning.

I got up. I laid the Goddess down on the bed.

"Goddess, I’ll be out for a moment."

I went out of the watchtower. Kelsas must have delivered the message properly.

Seeing as the laborers came so early.

"Hello? I am Lucian, the Hero of Ravenscoft!"

"Oh, how nice to meet you!"

I exchanged greetings with the laborers. I bowed my head respectfully.

"Please take good care of it!"

"Hahaha, we’re the ones who are grateful!"

The person who seemed to be the leader of the laborers came over, a yellow towel draped over his shoulder.

"To think the Hero would be such a young person. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. How long will it take? It’ll take a long time, won’t it?"

The leader glanced back and shook his head. That’s surprising.

"We did start the work as early as possible. But since we’re not restoring everything completely, just the basic entrance, it won’t take long. About a week or so?"

"Oh, I’d like to earn more money and meet you all more often, then?"

"Hahaha! We’re the ones who are truly grateful. Recently, strange monsters have blocked the roads to other countries, and work has decreased."

Is the construction industry struggling? That shouldn’t be the case, as the Empire is currently in a period of rapid development.

"Are things difficult these days?"

"Don’t even get me started. There are countless laborers ending up on the streets."

"What are these strange monsters?"

"Ah, they’re monsters enveloped in black smoke, and they’re said to be unusually violent."

Black smoke? When I hear black smoke, only Kahlum comes to mind.

"Are the monsters perhaps addicted to Kahlum?"

That’s strange. Why would monsters get addicted to Kahlum?

Kahlum should definitely be held by Those Who Recite Sins Cult.

Many thoughts came to mind, but I decided to ponder them later.

"I’m tired right now. Standing is all I can manage."

I shouted energetically to the laborers.

"Anyway, please take good care of it!"

"Yeah! Don’t you worry! Hero! Hahahaha."

I watched the laborers work. Perhaps because it was their first time working in a while, their eyes looked good.

Their energetic approach to work was also reassuring.

"What a relief."

Should I compose a hymn for Goddess Isis now? Because I need to properly introduce the Goddess.

"Yes, Goddess."

She must have woken up. I immediately entered the watchtower.

When I went up to the bedroom, the Goddess was sitting on the bed with a gloomy expression. Her face, as she looked at me, was by no means bright.

"Apostle, when I unified with you, I could see my past that you saw."

"So it was indeed your past."

"...Are you disappointed?"

The Goddess scrutinized my gaze, as if she had committed some wrongdoing. When I tilted my head, the Goddess spoke with self-deprecation.

"Before I became a goddess, I was just an ordinary woman... are you disappointed? Even after becoming a goddess, I am not a perfect being, merely one who gets betrayed... is that why you’re disappointed?"

I looked at the Goddess. Isis before me seemed to have laid everything bare, as if confessing.

I walked over to her. I smiled faintly and met her eyes.

Then I extended both hands and cupped her face. A warmth spread from her cheeks.

"Why should I be disappointed? On the contrary, I’m happy."

"Happy?"

"I was glad to learn more about the woman I like, to know how benevolent a goddess she is."

"Even though I... get betrayed."

"Aren’t humans inherently imperfect beings? Rather, just seeing that you didn’t destroy humanity despite all that. Goddess, you are truly the most magnificent being."

I spoke with sincerity. That she had done nothing wrong. That she was truly magnificent.

Isis shook her head, as if lacking confidence.

"But I am weak. Horuz will return someday. When that time comes, we...."

"Goddess."

I shook my head. I placed my index finger on her lips and let out a short sigh.

What could she be so anxious about? Is it because she fears I might leave?

If so, then this woman before my eyes must be the most foolish, yet cute and lovable woman in the world.

"So what?"

"...Wouldn’t it be better to follow a goddess like Horuz instead?"

I shrugged my shoulders. I scratched my neck, putting on airs.

"Our Goddess is a fool."

"What?"

"You still don’t know me? Lucian Vane. A one-track mind for Isis! Who else in this world is like me?"

"Still...."

I was confident. Let her come again if she dares.

How dare she covet our Goddess? Let’s see her try to stand against us!

"If Horuz comes again, tell her to come. Just like this time, we’ll block her together, the two of us."

"Lucian...."

"What are you afraid of? We’re the strongest couple. A couple that is two in one!"

I declared confidently. At that, the Goddess was shocked, and her face flushed bright red.

"Co-co-couple...? Hngh♥ What kind of trivial word that only humans use...♥"

"Well, you can decide on the title yourself. Anyway, I like Goddess Isis. From the first time I saw you until now, that hasn’t changed."

"I feel the same way."

"So please guide me. My Goddess."

I lowered my posture. I knelt on one knee before her.

I looked up at her with reverence, then kissed the back of her hand.

"Mwah."

With the fireplace light at her back, Goddess Isis simply gazed at me.

In that state, tears welled up in her gem-like eyes.

"Ugh... Lucian, you’re really a fool, a fool! Hngh, you’re a foolish idiot!"

"I guess so. The fool only you know, was right here."

"Hngh, oh, hngh, thank you, thank you. To me too, hngh, you are everything... You make me complete!"

She cried out with courage. As soon as her heartfelt words reached me, my chest tightened.

Because the emotion she expressed was so wonderful. Because it contained such deep sincerity and was so sweet.

I stood up and leaned my body against hers. And then I kissed her.

"Goddess, Heueung."

"Lucian... Hwoop.. slurpp...haaang♥"

After we finished kissing, I said,

"That’s enough. Don’t cry anymore. Foolish Goddess."

I lay down on the bed with Isis. We smiled awkwardly, facing each other.

[Affection for ’Isis’ Increased!]

[Current Affection with ’Isis’: Lust♡→Lust♥♥♥]

Oh, my affection increased a lot. Goddess, you were really moved.

I recalled someone once saying I was like a prince from a fairy tale. A prince from a fairy tale, huh.

As a mere mortal, it might be difficult to become one. But I might be able to try.

If it’s for just one woman.

Isis suddenly snorted.

"Hmph, don’t misunderstand. I am a noble goddess. If a stronger Apostle appears than you, I will immediately switch to them!"

"Whoa, then I’ll have to work hard to grow, won’t I? So I don’t fall behind others! So I don’t lose my Goddess!"

"Yes! Work hard! Lucian, because you’re a fool!"

"Yes, yes. My lovely Goddess!"

I stroked the Goddess’s head. She pouted but didn’t pull her head away.

That must mean she likes it. Haa, she’s cute.

"B-but...."

"Yes?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Thanks to unifying with you, I was able to approach your heart. To see what resolve you live with, and what you strive for."

"Really? I felt a bit like that too. I like Goddess even more now."

After unifying, her life felt as vivid as if I had lived it myself.

It’s truly unique. I didn’t know there would be such a benefit.

"Hehehe, I’ve also grown stronger. Next time, I’ll be able to show only magnificent things!"

"Oh, I’ll look forward to it. My Goddess!"

We exchanged smiles like that, looking at each other. Then I pointed outside, where it was gradually getting noisier.

"Ah, the laborers are outside."

"Are they trying to fix the temple?"

"Yes, for now, just the preliminary work. Next time, I’ll earn more and have it all properly restored."

"Thank you, thank you... My Lucian♥"

"If you’re grateful, how about having a child for me? Haha, just kidding!"

A lewd and vulgar joke, befitting a Debauched Hero, deployed!

Surprisingly, the Goddess was laughing. Then she looked at me intensely and pointed to her lower abdomen.

"I feel something squirming inside me, could it be that? Ufufufu♥"

Isis laughed lewdly. I doubted my ears as I looked at her.

What, already? Pregnant already?

"Al-already?!"

"Already? Even though you’ve been cumming so intensely inside me♥"

I was flustered. No matter how intensely I cum, can that... really happen? It’s not like it’s rapid pregnancy.

I stared blankly at the Goddess, then showed her a smile.

Strangely, I felt even better.