# Chapter 16. Meeting with the Goddess (2)
“Then does that mean my past self is dead?”
“Yes. Bringing the soul of a living individual from another world could severely disrupt causality, so instead, we chose to bring a soul from beyond the current existence—one that had already passed on and wouldn’t disturb the causality as much.”
“Hmm…”
“…I apologize for informing you of your death this way… Though it was unavoidable, I still regret bringing you without letting you rest in peace. On behalf of the other deities and myself, I offer my apologies.”
“Ah… no, it’s fine.”
It’s hard to believe, but what they’re saying is likely true.
If I died by electrocution after punching a wet computer in anger, I need to face my death with composure.
It’s my own foolishness that caused my demise, so I’m not the type to lash out at divine beings like this.
Besides, wouldn’t anyone be grateful for a second chance at life?
I passed away at a young age, and being human, it’s only natural that living is better than dying.
“But why me, specifically? Surely there were others who played that game, and among the souls of those who had passed, there must have been people much smarter and braver than me.”
To be honest, I’m far from a paragon of virtue.
I’m neither strong nor intelligent, and I don’t have any firm convictions. I’m just an average citizen who doesn’t excel at anything.
It feels like too much to ask for me to save the world.
Players who get transported into works of fiction are typically deeply immersed in them. They’ve either read the novel dozens of times or spent thousands, even tens of thousands, of hours playing the game.
If someone who truly loved this game had been transported, we wouldn’t need to worry about the future…
“That’s not true. We chose you for a good reason.”
“What is it?”
“Because you’re the one who can make Cecilia the happiest.”
Hmm… That part, at least, seems accurate. From the moment I was reincarnated, my goal was to ensure Cecilia’s happiness.
Of course, let me be clear—it’s not because I’m romantically interested in her or anything like that.
I’m just a pure-hearted supporter of her happiness. I couldn’t stand to see the NTR (Netorare) ending looming over her in the game.
“I believe you’re the one who can bring the greatest happiness to Cecilia.”
“Uh… I guess you’re right.”
“Ho ho, isn’t that so?”
“But wouldn’t it make more sense to recruit someone from this world to save Cecilia? In the game, the protagonist had a good connection with her, as far as I remember.”
“Ah, about that…”
The Goddess hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“There were some things we found difficult to fully disclose. When we transformed this world into a game, we had to adjust some details to ensure it wasn’t too foreign to the players.”
“…And?”
“The protagonist from the game, that boy, did care for Cecilia. That part is true.”
“…Wait, didn’t the game show him and Cecilia getting along well?”
“At the same time, he fell for the Holy Maiden as well.”
“……”
“And countless other young ladies from the Academy too.”
“……………………”
“Ah… Let’s just say, he was a bit of a playboy. Once he became famous for solving problems at the Academy and recognized his own talents, his desires began to grow.”
Okay, plans have changed.
Once I arrive at the Academy, I’ll have to start by breaking the legs of the “main character.”
“Didn’t it feel strange when Cecilia, who had been so close to the protagonist, suddenly gave herself to Rab—a complete interloper? Even considering her mental state being deteriorated and corrupted by the Evil God, it still seemed unnatural for her to so quickly abandon her love, didn’t it?”
“Surely not…”
“Exactly. As that boy became more and more distracted by other women, Cecilia grew increasingly disillusioned with him. The Evil God took advantage of that void in her heart and succeeded in corrupting her completely. That’s the real ending.”
What should I do? Should I castrate the protagonist?
Severe therapy would be necessary for a boy with so little self-control, acting like a cat in heat.
The Goddess looked at me with a troubled expression as I pondered these serious matters.
“Consider the child who, since childhood, endured abuse due to his ugly parents, then entered the Academy with no friends to console him. When his only source of comfort began to stray and neglect him, imagine how deeply his heart must have been wounded. Those resentments were like a sweet feast for the Evil God…”
“So that’s why you chose me—a person who could make Cecilia happiest.”
“Exactly, my child.”
“Hmm… Originally, my plan was to reunite Cecilia and the protagonist, and make them happy together. But now, it seems I must scrap that plan entirely. What should I do…?”
“Ho ho, don’t worry. You already know the answer, don’t you?”
“What?”
“Are you truly unaware, or deliberately pretending to ignore it?”
The Goddess’s gaze turned slightly disappointed, though I couldn’t understand why.
“It’s about time we end our meeting here. I’m using up the last of my strength to maintain this space for you. This takes quite a bit of energy.”
“Ahh, just one last question then. Why did you grant Cecilia the power of healing? Healing divine power belongs under your jurisdiction, so if this happens, it blocks Cecilia from becoming a great mage, right?”
“Ah, you mean that? Cecilia earnestly wished for it.”
“…Cecilia wished for it?”
“Yes. That power isn’t given to just anyone. It is bestowed on those who truly desire and yearn for it. Cecilia wished to save you when you were injured protecting her. Her desire was so intense that it granted her the power. Besides, if I hadn’t bestowed her with it, seeing your injuries would have made Cecilia sorrowful. As someone who seeks to bring happiness to Cecilia above all, surely you wouldn’t want that?”
“You’re right…”
I would reject such a future.
As someone who deeply cares for Cecilia’s well-being, I cannot endure seeing tears in her eyes, no matter how much suffering I endure myself.
“By the way, did you know? You might actually have a greater talent for magic than Cecilia.”
“Haha, no way.”
A magical genius in my new world? Come on!
Even if a story like that gained only five views, it’d be considered a miracle.
Nowadays, even hardcore otakus who’ve seen it all would avoid clicking on such clichéd titles in isekai stories.
“Well then, it’s time for us to part. We likely won’t meet again.”
“Hum… This is my first time meeting a goddess, and it feels a bit regretful.”
“Dear me, are you trying to flirt already? Please don’t be like that…”
Ah, flirt? Such blasphemous thoughts!
Fortunately, the Goddess seemed to be joking, as she covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.
“Finding happiness for Cecilia is important,”
—Snap!—
“But don’t forget to seek your own happiness.”
With that, the world around me began to blur, and I felt my consciousness slip into the darkness beyond.
My happiness…?
Now, my happiness is finding and eliminating the Evil God, introducing Cecilia to a suitable man, and helping her lead a happy married life.
But perhaps, after securing a happy ending for Cecilia, I should take some time to think about my own?
—
After Rab left, the space became quiet.
“Thank goodness. The child we’ve chosen is kind-hearted, although his lack of awareness is a bit of a flaw… But I believe this will improve gradually. Thanks to him, Cecilia is already showing signs of change.”
In the vast empty space, Nephthys muttered to herself, then gave a bittersweet smile.
“I do hope… This time, she truly finds happiness.”
Isn’t that right, Nephthys?
—
Three days after meeting the Goddess.
Today is the day I finally meet the person who will be my magic teacher.
Father says he’s hired a very skilled individual, but I’m worried it might be a scammer lured in by our wealth.
Ah, Cecilia is with my mother.
Mother seems to truly like her as she’s started treating Cecilia better than me recently.
Lately, they’ve been doing something together, but whenever I ask, they evade the subject. I have no idea what they’ve been up to…
Also, the servants’ gazes toward me have recently become warmer… for some reason.
“Master, your teacher has arrived!”
“Huh? Come in.”
Lost in thought, I barely noticed the sound of the butler’s voice outside the door.
As the door opened, my future magic teacher entered confidently—
“Hello, Young Master! I’ll be your magic teacher, Rahel! Please take care of me!”
First of all, it’s a girl.
Ah, true, it’s outdated thinking to imagine all mages as bearded old grandfathers.
Appearances can be deceiving, after all.
Still… my first impression upon seeing her was—
“…Kid?”
“…”
Punch!
“Aaaah!”
Correction. A bad-tempered kid.
