500 (and four) hours later…
"...and that is why Edge Requiem is the best among all of the lookalikes, in my humble opinion."
It took us a fair bit of time, but we just finished playing, watching, and reading everything. The Goddess absorbs information at an absurd rate. So she’s already gotten used to terms like the ones I’ve been using. I didn't even need to give her my speed runner's guide for the portable spin-off before she started destroying every battle, even the difficulty mode where you use the squishy, fluffy snow fox character. She can read a lot faster than me too, so the visual novels were like snacks for her. But she really wanted to see all the endings, so the playtime was still normal even by my fast reader standards.
"Hmm… I can see your point, but I think Guardian-chan could be tied with Edge Requiem."
Obviously, we've been playing the mobile game in between bouts of the other materials. And thanks to where we are, the Japanese version was automatically translated for our enjoyment, plus...UNLIMITED CURRENCY. YEEEEEEEAH! I did tell her that she shouldn't use her power to do that because the salt was part of the experience, but once she got hooked it was inevitable… "I understand. I really do. But Edge Requiem being an Angelusia gives her more points."
"Then plain Angelusia would be better since she is not a lookalike nor an altered version. I mean, she is the original from the first game."
… She got me there. I really wanted her to enjoy the crossover between the other titles too. So I also ‘pulled out’ the Blessed in the Gardens movies and novels, as well as the Astral Princess: Solaris visual novel. She liked it so much that she pulled its remake out of an alternative timeline. Yep, this Goddess is that OP. But that remake… OOF… it was… OH SO GOOD! And… I can't even… yeah. I think it is something you must experience instead of me telling you. Sorry.
"Fufu~~, that's the first time I won. You should praise me." She says while making a smug smile and puffing out her ample chest. But now it is covered by the Batty-chan cosplay she is wearing. Yeah, her favorite character is the vampire princess who acts like a villain for most of my dear best waifu’s game but is actually a good-hearted slouch that loves to collect and use hoodies.
As for the barbaric healer, she said that she doesn’t think of her as a waifu because they sound somewhat similar and she isn't the type of deity that enjoys narcissism. But she did say that she would cosplay as her since she loves her wild style. YES! OH YES!
I also liked her Batty-chan style hoodie, so I asked her if she could make one for me and she did! It was red instead of pink, but since red is my favorite color, along with black, I didn't have a problem with it. More so... I'M COORDINATING OUTFITS WITH AN ACTUAL GODDESS, HOW COOL IS THAT?
“Hey, didn’t I tell you after we finished the first game’s anime that we are friends? Because we are! So, you are coordinating outfits with a really good friend before a goddess..."
Sorry, I kind of got hyped up for a moment. But you are right, it was my first time doing something like that with a friend too so I'm happy. Wait, I think it is my first time doing a marathon with anyone. Ah, I can feel a tear coming out of my right eye.
"Eh?! Wa-wait! Why are you crying?! D-did I say something bad?! Don't cry!"
Suddenly, I feel a warm and soft sensation enveloping me from my back. The Goddess, Nerinne, is hugging me and it really is warm. Comforting too. "Don't worry, these are tears of joy."
"Really?"
"Really. It seems I’ve become more emotional since I became a soul." I wipe my tears away and smile at her. Then, something occurs to me, something quite curious. "You know, you are more like a heroine type than just a friend."
She did a double take in surprise, before giggling sweetly. "Wouldn't that mean that you are the protagonist?"
Heh. "Well, considering my circumstances I have a really good chance, right?"
"Indeed, and since I'm the first woman you met right after the introductory event, then that would make me the main heroine."
For a moment, we both just looked at each other curiously, considering what we just said, until I broke the silence with what is pretty much one of the most common tropes in regard to first heroines.
"Huh, that means that I will most likely end up with you." We both started laughing the moment those words left my lips, but then the Goddess started pondering in her usual pose. Like, seriously pondering for a moment.
"I wouldn't mind, you know?"
"…eh?" I'm kind of flabbergasted. No. I am totally flabbergasted and flustered. To the point it’s kinda messing up my internal narration. This Goddess...!! That personality of hers!!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO RESPOND TO THAT?! AREN'T EVENTS NEEDED FOR THE PROTAGONIST AND THE HEROINE TO BUILD CONFIDENCE BEFORE THIS?! NO, WAIT, MY WAIFU.
"No, you can't end up with yourself. Remember what is going to be your new body."
AAAAAAH SHE IS RIGHT AND SHE KNOWS IT. SHE IS ENJOYING THIS A LOT!! EVEN HER EYES ARE GLOWING!! WHAT CAN I DO?!
"If you want, I could take a look into the future with my power and check if you end up with me~."
"NO! I don't want spoilers!!!"
"Fufufu~~~, I just love how honest you are regarding those values of yours. You wouldn't just tell me the story because you wanted me to experience it myself."
"Because there’s no point if you don't get to experience it firsthand!"
"Yes. Yes, indeed. But I meant what I said, Auros. You could even experience mortal love in my world, and I wouldn’t mind. After all, as the Goddess of Love, I am not bound to one form of it, just as I’m not bound to earthly values." That’s quite a convincing argument, especially if you add the incredibly seductive smile she’s making right now.
If there’s one gripe that I have with one of my favorite genres of novels, it’s that the protagonist is a dense idiot who is blind and deaf to any type of advances until the last volumes. Some of them have good battles but that's beside the point and I'm going off topic now...
"You also said that you would live your life to the fullest~."
I did say that.
"So, there's only one answer for this situation. Right~?"
Yes. I think so too.
"Can I hear it~?"
OF COURSE, SINCE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN READING MY MIND ALL THIS TIME, RIGHT?!
"Ehehehe~."
Dummy laughs don't suit you, Goddess. "Anyway, I...will accept the Goddess route. Please take care of me." I think I'm red as a tomato right now. Meanwhile, the Goddess looks somewhat surprised at my answer for a moment, which is weird…BECAUSE YOU CAUSED THIS! NOW TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! YES! KEEP SMILING AND GIGGLING JUST LIKE THAT! But, you’re still missing something, Goddess! Your response!
"Yes, please take care of me too."
There, heh. With both our answers said and done, we just look at each other for some time, not knowing what to do next. Wait…that’s just me. And I think she sensed my ignorance, because she just hugged me and kissed my forehead.
"Let's make you a body so that we can go further than this."
"Ahm, yeah...further! Yeah! Right!"
"We have a problem."
"What?"
Nerinne, who was in the middle of creating my new body, backed off a bit from the console like magic circles she was using and turned to me. "I can't give you what you want and still make your body human." To be honest, it’s a bit surprising to hear that since she IS a Goddess. "It's a problem with the limits a human body has."
"Oh, and I suppose there is no way to put a dragon's blood in it, or something like that to make it go further?"
"I actually tried already, but it didn't work. And you also need a physically strong body too, so it can endure the [mana burst] original skill. I can't do that while maintaining the physique you want… also that chest… strong back and shoulder muscles are needed..."
Well, that makes sense… While disappointed for a moment, we immediately start thinking about solutions, bouncing off ideas for a while until we both reach a similar conclusion.
"Do you mind if you are reincarnated as a different race?"
"I don't mind if I'm reincarnated as a different race." Would you look at that? We said it at the same time. That’s funny enough that we both started laughing. Heh, it really seems that we clicked very well with each other. Who would've thought?
"So, am I going to be an elf or a vampire? A dragonewt? A demon? A beast-kin?"
"None of those...it is kind of a race that lives in my world, but I didn't create it. It’s more like an evolution of a creature I made. Still...it was a surprising development, to say the least."
"Life takes its own turns and all, huh. I get it. So, what's the name of that race? If you don’t mind me asking." And I say that because I couldn’t help but notice a certain reticence to the subject of them.
"Dragon Lord. They are the result of powerful dragons attaining the ability to take a humanoid form, further increasing their power. And sadly, they are also the ones causing trouble in my world.”
"That’s…!"
"This would be my first time making one, but I think your body should be able to handle everything you want and some extras. But I don't know if you'd feel comfortable being the same race as the enemies of the world. Especially since it might cause problems with social interactions..." She looks worried. I thought I told you to not make that kind of face...
"Do it. I don't mind. Heck, it even sounds cool! I socialized for my work more than from my own volition, so I'm fine with not being so social. More importantly, can you make the horns look like a crown and so on?"
For a moment she looked perplexed at my statement, but then she started laughing as if all her worries had vanished, which is good.
"Yes, I can make that and even the armor, which I can make even edgier. I can also make the bodysuit under it and that one outfit you really like."
"Do it! DO IT! JUST DO IT!" I'm so lucky!
"Any colors you want to change?"
"Ooh, can the ‘crown’ be solid black instead of having purplish highlights? Also, the armor-"
"Black with red accents? Claws too, right?"
"YES!" She knows me so well! I’m so happy! “Oof!” Suddenly, while I’m in the middle of being all giddy, a bright flash blinds me until I recover a few moments later and look towards Nerinne, the origin of the flash.
"Sorry about the flash, but it’s done. Check it out." I walk to her side and look at the magic screen in front of me. I couldn't believe my eyes. The body she made, with the exceptions of some changes, looked identical to my besto waifu...
"Wow."
"I'm really glad you like it. The height is different because the Dragon Lord race is tall on average, but I see that you didn't mind that."
"It's even better for me since it’d be weird for me to go from being tall to being small." Yes, I said that.
"With this we can get to skills and magical affinities. This body can handle up to five. They are-"
"Fire, Ice, Light, Darkness, and Space. I want those." I know I just interrupted her, but I couldn't stop myself. I’M TOO EXCITED, OK?
"Fufufu~, very well then. And what skills besides [mana burst], [sublime charisma], [universal riding], [royal presence], [abnormal status resistance] and [thunderous instinct] do you want?"
I make a straight face so that she can take me seriously. "Pleasurable hands, underwater breathing, shapeshifting touch and universal weapon mastery."
"Pleasurable… hands?"
"Pleasurable hands." I nodded with an expression so serious that it leaves no room for doubt.
"Understood. Add in my divine protection, some other surprise skills of my choosing, the holy sword/lance Nern and now we just have to summon Yawue. Are you ready?"
"I died ready."
To be continued...(cue anime adaptation's opening)