A Gamer's Guide 370

One thing I really should have considered before we set out was to ask Rice for the map. No, better yet, I should have made a replica of it long ago. For some reason, I never even considered the idea that Rice might not come with me the entire way.

Now she’s gone, and everything feels bittersweet. 

If only to distract myself, I direct my attention towards the scenery passing by beneath us at frightening speeds. It’s still nighttime, so everything looks like a big black blur, but I can still spot the occasional village or town as we pass by. This is mostly because the ever-encroaching forests yawn open around them, the trees replaced by currently unused fields. I actually feel a bit impressed by it, all things considered.

Though, now that I think about it… If we don’t have a map, where the heck are we even going?

<North.>

Oh, really? Wow. Very cool. And you know that, how…?

At the edge of my vision, just below one of the horns I’m using as protection against the wind, his vibrant pink eye turns skyward. 

<The constellations light my way.>

Ah. I see. That makes a lot of sense, actually… And, of course, you know that Loathe Summit is up North because you’ve seen my memories. Excellent. It’s really convenient, honestly. No need to get you up to speed on why I’m doing any of this, no need to doubt your intentions, as you have no need to doubt mine… This is nice. I wish I knew other people as well as I know you, Garrie.

<Indeed. Had Ferruem and I 

been joined in such matrimony,

I doubt we would ever have turned against one another.>

Absolutely. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

There’s a shiver, and I look down, recalling, that Lett is in my arms. I pulled out like three of my finest pelts for him to keep warm with, but he’s still cold. Which isn’t too strange, even when you ignore our altitude and the fact that it’s November, technically speaking. Since we left the church without having the time to check if any of his things survived the fire, he’s still wearing the frankly odd, garish outfit that he had on before. It’s like a purple pixie in a garage band mixed with a fairytale prince. Hm. Actually, now that I think about it, the issue isn’t the outfit, but rather that he doesn’t own it. If Lett had been fully confident wearing it, it would look dope. Instead, it just looks… bad.

And also cold. The boy is wearing poofy shorts and stockings, for God’s sake!

Yeah, once we’re far enough away for Simel to no longer be a factor, we should really find a town to stock up at. Right now, we don’t have anything in terms of food or other resources. Hmm… 

I turn my eyes to Garath with some suspicion.

<I have no need for feed.>

No? Ah, how useful. How about sleep?

<None.>

Interesting. I do wonder how you work now, considering that you’re not really a dragon anymore. You must be tied to me somehow, probably in the same way that Simon is. Though, on that note, I’m not entirely certain in what way Simon is tied to me…

{::w::}?

That is, in the sense where, like… Could you leave me? Either of you. 

{::w::}?

…You don’t know, huh?

<I am likewise uncertain.

However, I will admit to a certain…

Attachment.>

Attachment?

<It is difficult to explain.

I can leave, but I would prefer to stay.>

{::w::}!

{>>w<<}/!!

<It would seem my senior

shares the sentiment.>

It certainly would, huh? I know I should worry about the possible ramifications regarding this, I mean, it’s not like you knew your soul would be linked to mine in this way when you agreed to this whole thing, but…

<You do not care.>

I chuckle. Yeah, and neither do you.

A deep rumble emerges from the throat beneath me.

<Indeed.>

Sinking into another comfortable bout of silence, I resume my watching of the ground. The moons slowly sink further and further, and, in time, the sun begins to rise. Personally, I don’t need to sleep or anything, but it has been a little worrying to feel Lett slip into uneasy, whimpering sleep only to wake up less than an hour later, startled at our position. Only to then fall asleep once more to repeat the process. Poor guy. Thankfully, considering the speed we’ve had this evening, there should be no need to hurry like this throughout tomorrow. We’ll be able to go to sleep, and Lett will be able to relax. 

Hm. I wonder if Lett will need breakfast? Or is breakfast more of a want than a need? Unsure. 

In the meantime, I guess I should consider what the message I got from clearing the ledge of gluttony might mean. What does it mean the skill is incompatible with my divinity? 

{::w::}/!

<[Innocent Adoration(Lv.MAX)]

Lesser Miracle granted to the God of Hope

by the Goddess of Children (aspect of God of Multitudes)

Utilizes divinity of the Multitude domain.

Error! Incompatible divinity.

Please edit.>

Right, so… Since my divinity is of the hope domain, I can’t use it? Unless I edit it, that is. Simon, if you’d please…?

<Skill script:

>Define soul: [child]

>Define soul: [God of Hope]

>Activation: [Sensory input]

>Designate emotion: [Love], [Trust]

>Induce [emotion] in [child]

>Enact parameters [Standard; 

additional functions enabled]

[Total divinity usage: 0,0]

Divinity used: [Multitudes]>

Right, that’s about what I expected. So, to edit this…

<Level 4 clearance required to

alter lesser miracles designated to own soul.>

…Hey, I have that! Nice, very useful. In that case…

<Level 5 Clearance accepted.

Entering skill script editor.>

If this doesn’t work, does that mean I can’t use the skill? 

Well… Let’s just hope for the best, I guess!

I press the ‘Multitudes’ box and pretend to hold my breath.

<List of available substitutions for

usable divinity as per Your

current rulings:

[Hope]>

It—there it is!! There’s something! It isn’t empty! This is—wow. Wow. Amazing. 

Only pausing to let out my fake-breath, I press the hope button, watching with savage satisfaction how the multitudes button is replaced with hope.

<Applying changes…>

<Success! Lesser miracle 

[Innocent Adoration]

has been integrated.>

Amazing. Lovely. The world is a kind place after all! And now, with that done, I can just close down the skill editor and do the same thing for All-Tongue, since it clearly needs the same fix. Yes, there is nothing more to be done here. Everything is well and good and…

I turn sly eyes on the skill editor. Can I do… other things here…?

I press one of the boxes. Nothing happens. But then I realize that I must have pressed it for too long, because I can now slide it around. I can put it elsewhere. 

Dumbfounded only a little bit, I stare at the editor and imagine all of the possibilities. 

But there’s no way to tell if it really works like that. I mean, surely, it can’t be that easy, right? 

…Right?