“By the way, what just happened? I seem to have a bit of a memory gap.”
“I was just joking a little.”
I hid my bewildered feelings behind a gentle smile.
Then Cubica’s face turned bright red.
“I’m sorry! I must have been short on sleep after working so hard last night!”
“…I see.”
Cubica shook her face and chest, feeling embarrassed.
It was exactly the kind of gesture you’d expect from someone named ‘Cubica.’
The unusual spirit she’d shown earlier had vanished. The strange sparkle in her eyes was gone as well.
This made it feel as if I had been caught in a daydream.
Of course, it wasn’t like I actually dreamed.
→[Supreme Holy Knight]: What was that just now….
→[Supreme Holy Knight]: I temporarily became someone else.
Yao looked at us with wide eyes.
She seemed just as bewildered by Cubica’s sudden change as I was.
“I think I need to cut down to about three times a day from now on.”
Meanwhile, the party that had surprised us was casually spouting nonsense.
“If possible, cut it down to two times.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t that make the occasional pleasures even more enjoyable?”
“Truly, you’re the Pope!”
I pondered as the conversation continued without a hitch.
‘It’s probably another personality.’
The returnee, Cubica Psycheless, reborn in the world of the game [Aigis].
The so-called ‘Lustful Pope’ habitually spoke with a lisp whenever she started talking.
She also filled conversations with lewd talk, making things awkward for many, including me.
However.
The one who had just exuded a remarkable atmosphere was no longer that person.
Her tone and expression were laden with gravity, presenting logical questions regarding the criteria that define heresy.
A disposition and attitude totally different from her usual self.
It was another personality that couldn’t be anything but that.
Yet, for some reason, the Cubica talking to me now seemed completely oblivious.
“Eluke Pope, please visit my room tonight. Being touched by someone else doubles the excitement!”
“…I’ll decline.”
This Cubica was just a pervert with no understanding of any other pursuits.
A naive and innocent Pope who saw succubi as akin to gods of love.
Aside from her extreme promiscuity, there was nothing notably special about her.
Thus, until I saw Kim Ji-yeon’s analysis results, I had no idea how powerful she truly was.
On the other hand.
The Cubica with the sparkling eyes was entirely different.
The usual lustful Pope seemed to have some knowledge of something she didn’t normally know.
She even admitted to voluntarily going under the succubus, saying it herself.
Why did she do such a thing?
Thinking back on her sensitive response to the criteria dividing benevolent and malevolent gods, I nearly had my answer.
However, I wasn’t at a stage to be entirely certain yet, so I decided to borrow the power of magic as planned.
→[Magic Genius Guardian Dragon]: That human is peculiar. I want to peer into their mind.
At that moment, Yao, who was ready to cast mental dive magic, messaged me telepathically.
←[Pope]: Shall I start right away?
→[Magic Genius Guardian Dragon]: That would be advisable.
←[Pope]: Then I’ll create the atmosphere. Please assist me for a moment.
→[Magic Genius Guardian Dragon]: What should I do?
It was quite simple to get Cubica to cooperate.
Having shared my thoughts with Yao, I looked right at Cubica.
“I’m afraid this won’t do.”
Feigning seriousness, I frowned and solemnly began.
“Cubica, you are seriously addicted to self-comforting activities.”
“Excuse me?”
Cubica blinked innocently for a moment before tilting her head.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You’re excessively indulging to the point it’s harmful to your health.”
“I don’t think it’s that severe…”
“Cubica, I’ve treated countless people over my ten years as pope. You must believe my words.”
Authority and experience.
Mentioning those two values bolstered my opinion, and Cubica nodded as if persuaded.
After all, a Pope is someone whose words are accepted with interpreted meaning, regardless of what is said.
“What should I do then?”
“Please refrain from giving in to lust for the next week.”
“Seven days? Could you shorten it to just seven seconds instead?”
“…That’s not how negotiations work.”
I was almost at a loss for words at her absurdity but quickly regained my composure and naturally pointed to the side.
“Instead of self-comforting, have healthy interactions with the Guardian Dragon.”
“Excuse me? With the Guardian Dragon?”
Cubica’s eyes widened as she glanced at where my finger was pointing.
“Don’t stare so openly.”
What had caught Cubica’s attention was a woman who suddenly appeared in the gym.
With a short bob and attractive bronze skin.
Wearing a daring sleeveless top and shorts.
And standing confidently with her arms crossed.
It was none other than Hekatrith, transformed into human form.
The human-shaped Yao glanced at Cubica and smiled slyly.
Gone was the childlike demeanor she usually displayed—now she wore a charming, refined smile.
She looked like the upperclassman that young girls would dream of.
→[Supreme Holy Knight]: What a disgusting display of arrogance.
←[Pope]: I agree completely.
Yao and I were unfazed, but Cubica was not.
“Wow….”
Had she truly fallen for the human Hekatrith?
Cubica stood there, mouth agape for some time.
Now was the opportunity.
“Hey, you. Your name was Cubica, right?”
With a cool smile, Hekatrith slowly approached.
Then she stood directly in front of Cubica, leaning down to whisper warmly.
“You need a health checkup. Can you spare some time?”
“N-no, I….”
“If you behave yourself, you may indulge in whatever you wish later.”
“Okay!”
With sparkling eyes, Cubica immediately lay down flat on the gym floor.
It was quick compliance that paid off with Hekatrith leading the way.
But one annoying thing followed.
“I’m far too attractive; it’s a problem. At this rate, I worry people will pile on me, regardless of gender, requesting a hug.”
Boasting, Yao wrapped her arms around herself, lost in her own appeal.
Should I send her back to Kelaout for a lesson again?
It was such an embarrassing spectacle that I frowned and gestured.
“Cast the magic quickly.”
“Pope, be patient. Do not rush, and view the world with a relaxed heart. Then everyday life will become more beautiful than before.”
“…….”
Shouldn’t it be Hekatrith getting a mental check instead of Cubica?
“If you keep this up, I will eliminate snack time.”
“But I like your impatience. Thus, I must have developed this way.”
Quickly changing the topic, Yao briefly glanced at me before clapping her hands.
At that moment, black smoke seeped into the air and enveloped everyone except Yao.
“Ugh….”
“What is this?”
The nauseating and revolting feeling characteristic of our Guardian Dragon’s magic quickly brushed through my mind.
Then, a dizziness that made my consciousness feel hazy began to wash over me.
I was being pulled into the mental realm.
Having experienced it once already, I simply stood still without panic.
Then finally.
The scenery before my eyes changed.
“Where is….”
Yao quickly glanced around, soon frowning.
“The sky?”
“So it seems.”
Before we knew it, Yao and I were floating in the high skies.
Of course, this wasn’t the real sky; it was the mental space of Cubica conjured by magic.
There was a reason I could quickly realize this.
“Hello again! I’m a scuba diver!”
A bat wearing a snorkel, the scuba diver,
The mental entity I had seen during my preparations to become a demigod was flying around me.
As if offering assistance once more.
“Nice to meet you. Where exactly is this?”
“This isn’t exactly the depths of the heart; it’s a world recreated from the darkest memories this Cubica Psycheless wishes to forget!”
“A moment of a tragic experience, is it?”
“Precisely.”
Then we needed to look closely to see what had transpired here.
With that thought, I looked down and saw a village.
A perfectly ordinary rural setting.
It didn’t seem like a particularly wealthy place, but the residents appeared to have good relationships.
People greeted each other warmly on the streets, laughter blooming here and there.
It was a warm place that reminded me of the hometown village in that world.
“Pope, look over there.”
At that moment, Yao pointed to a certain area.
There stood a mother and daughter.
A young woman with a good figure and a girl who appeared to be in her late teens. Both had pink hair.
“That young lady is Cubica from her childhood.”
“Indeed!”
The two were happily talking and hanging out laundry together.
Nearby, a man who appeared to be the father looked joyfully feeding the puppies.
A typical family life where despair and misfortune didn’t even linger slightly.
Just looking at it brought a smile of happiness to my face.
“An issue is impending shortly. To be honest, I feel a little uncomfortable starting from here….”
When the diver spoke softly, a loud noise drew our attention.
Kawaaah!
Something sped past us with a rough sound.
It was just a fleeting moment, but I saw it clearly.
A glowing orb of light.
A massive, potent sphere of sacred power that would cause an explosion akin to a nuclear bomb when it detonated.
Even a gigantic monster with a strong vitality wouldn’t survive such a blow.
Furthermore.
That powerful sphere of sacred power was about to fall on a peaceful village.
“What the hell….”
As Yao exclaimed in shock, a massive roaring explosion erupted from below.
The village, its residents, and the surrounding forest were all engulfed.
Then, a storm of pure white flames raged recklessly, determined to leave no survivors.
Though white in color, it bore no signs of purity.
It was sacred power yet devoid of holiness.
A horrific tragedy unleashed by divine might.
This was nothing more than a mass slaughter distant from any noble conviction or will.
“…I’ll rewind time by just one day.”
With the diver’s words, the surrounding time sped up.
Soon the desolate land swept away by the sacred power bomb revealed itself.
An open expanse painted entirely white, with not a trace to signify the village that was once there.
In the center stood a formation of individuals clad in white robes, perfectly lined up.
Before them, a girl, unscathed, was kneeling.
It was Cubica.
“Why… did you do this….”
Before the sobbing girl on the ground, an old man approached steadily.
Then, the elderly priest, showing a hint of disapproval in his voice, spoke.
“You worshiped a misguided idol as a god. In adherence to the will of the glorious One, we have delivered judgement.”
“But that’s just the village’s traditional guardian statue! No one truly worshiped it!”
“Heretics always claim that.”
The coldly scoffing old man turned away, commanding his subordinates.
“Take her and interrogate how she survived. If she resists, feel free to use force.”
“She seems quite lively. May I have a bit of fun with her?”
“Do as you wish.”
At those words, the scene shifted.
Into a small room flooded with bright light.
A girl covered in bruises was curled up in the corner of a bed.
Around the bed, used contraceptives were scattered haphazardly.
“This one’s getting dull.”
“Seems it’s time for a change.”
The men sitting on the bed suddenly began speaking.
Then, the subordinate, who appeared to be of lower rank, traced a pointed finger, imbued with sacred power, along Cubica’s thigh.
…It was part of the obscene graffiti I had erased during treatment last time.
“This is the decisive moment for fate.”
The moment the diver finished speaking, time accelerated once more until night fell.
The girl, bare and gazing out the window, shed tears while clasping her hands in prayer.
“Please. Anyone, help me. If it’s a demon, I’ll sacrifice my body and soul to gain enough power to take revenge….”
At the whisper of Cubica’s quivering voice, a reverse spark of magic emerged in the air, revealing a demon.
A succubus with a revealing outfit and a captivating appearance.
She was a succubus.
With a smile, she appeared, looking at the human who had summoned her with a raised brow.
The succubus seemed startled, quickly checking the girl and her surroundings before beginning to panic.
“Oh no, what a mess… they’ve done something worse than a demon!”
There was something strangely benevolent about her words for a demon.
Perhaps Cubica felt the same as she cautiously lifted her head.
The succubus approached and gently patted Cubica’s back.
“Hey, are you okay? How’s your body holding up?”
“…….”
“Why so quiet? Does it hurt?”
Cubica merely stared at the succubus.
Then, she nestled into the succubus’s embrace, burying her face.
“…There, there. You’re okay now, so cry all you want.”
With Cubica’s shaking shoulders and the succubus comforting her, Yao and I returned to reality.
“How was it?”
Cubica asked, her eyes dazzling with reverse sparkles, still hazy in my mind.
“I decided that day to serve the demon, Lady Lilith, of my own volition. Does this make me a heretic who deserves judgment?”
It was the same question she had asked earlier.
And my stance was the same as before.
“…As you just mentioned, all standards are dictated by the ‘Goddess’s will.’ And our Goddess has this to say.”
I smiled gently and conveyed the words directly spoken by the Sun.
“No matter one’s origins, a good person deserves respect.”
Cubica’s succubus was a demon worthy of passing our Goddess’s standards.
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