Kaze came to shortly after blacking out and found himself in some sort of subspace. Looking around himself, it felt as though he was surrounded by the night sky. Countless stars pierced through the lonely darkness and lit up his surroundings along with the vibrant streaks of purple and pink that helped colour the universe.
"You're awake."
In response to the voice, Kaze twisted his body around to see a female floating mid-air. To be precise, they were both 'floating' since Kaze was literally standing in a space without a platform with his legs, but the female was floating without her legs touching the floor. As if sitting on an invisible chair, the female smiled warmly at Kaze.
"I hope this wasn't too much of a shock for you."
"W-Where are we?"
"In your consciousness… or something like that. Basically, your body is still physically at Aravel's palace."
"Ah! That was you in the hallway and back at the cathedral!"
Nodding with a knowing smile, the female simply giggled at Kaze's outcry.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Goddess Tiel. Pleased to meet you, Kaze."
"… No way… you're telling me you're Goddess Tiel?"
"Do you not believe me?"
"I don't think anyone can easily believe if you suddenly told someone that you are a goddess, much less THE Goddess Tiel."
"That is true. Then how do you explain the dimension we are in?"
"T-This could just be an illusion or a mind trick that you trapped me in. I don't know, please prove to me that you aren't lying."
"Hm, would this suffice then?"
Goddess Tiel 'got up' and walked towards Kaze. In response, Kaze focused on how the female looked along with her attire. Certainly, she had a sort of aura around her that made Kaze feel like she was no ordinary person, especially combined with the drapes she wore around her body. With the white drape acting as a cape that wrapped around her body, the occasional flutter her drapes made as she walked revealed a sort of armour underneath that Kaze had never seen before. Even calling it an armour was inaccurate, since that was just what it looked like, but it didn't feel the same.
"Kaze, you are a devotee of Goddess Tiel, right? Do you perhaps not know how I look like?" The female stopped in front of him and asked him a question.
"I am, but we have never been thought how exactly the gods and goddesses look like. It would be absurd to think the mortals could be able to meet a god after all," Kaze answered honestly and shook his head.
"Then how familiar are you with the scripture and doctrines?"
"Fairly…? I grew up in an orphanage which taught us the doctrine itself on a daily basis."
"Alright. Based on your knowledge, give me a way for me to prove that I'm not a fraud."
"… That means any text from the scriptures itself wouldn't do as knowledge can be learnt by anyone. Would I have to request for a demonstration of your powers?"
"I'm fine with that."
With a sigh, Kaze thought about it in silent before continuing to speak.
"Goddess Tiel was said to be able to provide a blessing along with Goddess Artemis during the Moon Festival that just passed. If you want me to believe that you are truly Goddess Tiel, please show me you can provide a blessing this instance."
"Oya? But I believe you would know that blessings rarely occur, even during an event as big as the Moon Festival? Why are you trying to make me give you a blessing?"
"Well, it is precisely because it is so rare that it could only be the work of a goddess who would provide certain individuals they have randomly chosen-"
Before Kaze could finish speaking, he felt a swift change in his body. It was the feeling of him receiving some sort of buff effect from a caster, only different in that it felt like it directly impacted himself than it being an artificial support. In other words, it was definitely the effect of a blessing, even if he had not experienced it himself.
"Do you believe me now?" The female asked with a smile, knowing that Kaze felt shocked from what she had done. "I just applied a 1% boost to your body from your original strength. That should be enough for you to distinguish that I'm not some fraud. Besides, even mind control or any illusion magic wouldn't be able to provide you with a stimulation as solid as what I have done to you."
"… Forgive my rudeness, Goddess Tiel," Kaze fell to his knees and let his head touch the floor. "I was acting out of line without realizing the light."
"It's fine. I didn't expect you to simply go along with my self-introduction so easily either. On the contrary, I praise you for not falling prey to anyone randomly addressing themselves as a goddess, much less the goddess of Love and Sex that is worshipped by a lot of people."
"Wait, Goddess of Love and Sex?"
"Ah, I forgot. You humans tend to only refer to me as the Goddess of Love because they view 'sex' as something vulgar. If you ask Lunaria or Laevia, they will inform you of my correct title."
"… Is it just me, or has everything around me become related to sex the moment I became lovers with Lunaria?"
"It's just you. Before then, you were simply blind to a truth that you had not discovered yet. Now that you have a rather adorable dragonkin girlfriend, you should be exposed properly."
"Forgive me for asking, Goddess Tiel, please tell remind me of your title again."
"Goddess of Love and Sex. You might not know this, but the title is simply honorifics. I am just a high-level goddess who works as a corporate slave for another higher-level god."
"…. This is a lie…"
Kaze felt his innocence crumbling away, more than ever this time. It wasn't like he hated the idea of sex or anything related, it just happened that he couldn't believe the goddess he had devoted his life to had a slightly different title that completely altered his recognition of her contribution to humanity. What Kaze thought about Tiel being a Goddess of Love simply meant her love and compassion for all life in the world, yet that meaning was immediately changed with the added additional title behind what he knew.
To this, Tiel could only offer Kaze a wry smile. Helping him up, Tiel dusted off his clothes before taking a walk with him accompanying her. It wasn't until he calmed down and accepted the fact that he began talking with her again.
"Goddess Tiel, why was I summoned?"
"To be exact, you weren't 'summoned'. I simply wanted to have a chat with you."
"With me?"
"Oh right, you don't know. I'm actually close friends with Laevia. While I don't appear in person often, my relationship with that girl is undeniable. There are times where we would have casual chats like this too."
"W-What?! How??"
"When you return, ask Laevia yourself. I bet she wouldn't have expected me to approach you like that too. Anyway, back to the topic. While there is no real reason why I decided to approach you instead of the thousands of people available, I would call it fate."
"You mean… you chose to interact with me intentionally, not because I was a random person or something?"
When Tiel confirmed his question with a simple nod, Kaze sighed in exasperation before he stopped walking. It was almost as though he refused to believe the situation he was in.
"It's true, you know? You might continue to deny it because of the recent few events you were involved in, but you are speaking to a goddess right now."
"B-But… wouldn't it be too much of a stretch to say it is fate?"
"That's true. I do have my reasons for summoning you, of which I don't mind revealing. Before you question me, this isn't related to your betrothal. The gods wouldn't be so petty as to intervene in something like a marriage proposal between a dragonkin and human."
"Goddess Tiel, is it possible you are reading my mind?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Also, I know that I might not meet your expectation to be the absolute divine goddess you imagined me to be, but please don't stop that from keeping your image of me in your head."
"… You are totally reading my thoughts, Goddess Tiel."
"That said, I summoned you in hopes we could keep a relationship between us, Kaze. What I mean is to remain something like I have with Laevia."
"Um, as acquaintance or a direct devotee?"
"I was thinking of the word 'friend'."
"N-No way! I can't possibly be a friend of Goddess Tiel. I mean, you're a goddess! Isn't it weird for a god to randomly befriend a mortal?"
"Not if I have an agenda for doing so."
Kaze paused once he heard what Goddess Tiel told him. From the start till now, it was never mentioned before what reason that Tiel had to suddenly summon him into a mental world. For a goddess, who was known to never directly interfere with any humans or living soul in the world, to suddenly visit him and admit that she had been Laevia's close friend, created slight suspicion and worries.
Seeing that Kaze was going to remain silent, Tiel decided to restart the conversation.
"While I can't go into full details, all I can say is that by decree of the gods, you will be placed under observation."
"W-What? Under whose observation? For what reason?"
"Mine, of course. For the reason that 'your existence is being defined'."
"… Eh?"
"I'm sorry, I can't say anything beyond this. I should also remind you that you are not restricted from telling anyone about our encounter and anything we have discussed, though I hope it would be kept to a bare minimum."
"Please hold up, Goddess Tiel. I felt like you glossed over something very important that can't simply be ignored."
With a giggle, Goddess Tiel turned her head to the stars and universe around them.
"Kaze, what do you think about the place we are in right now?"
"We are in my consciousness, are we not?"
"Yes, but I mean the scenery. What does it look like to you?"
"… The night sky when there are no clouds at the end of the year, where the stars are best reflected along with the colour of the universe."
"That's right. Have you ever thought if there was a reason for your existence in this vast world?"
"You mean, we all need a reason to exist? I simply assumed that we were given life by being born into this world."
"Yes, some would accept that to be the truth. However, would you believe if I told you that everything, be it something as small as stepping on a stone to something as big as the fall of a kingdom, was already decided? What if the reason for your existence had already been made from the moment you were born?"
Kaze widened his eyes at Tiel's words. As he gazed out to the expansive world he had never thought of before, Tiel giggled at his bewilderment and pointed to a random star overhead.
"Let's say that the star over there is where your world is. If tomorrow, the world itself exploded, would you agree that it was something planned all along that can never be changed?"
"… I-I don't know. Anything feels possible."
"Well, the answer would be that the course of whatever happens to anyone, and everything is being taken into the most precise measurement and calculation you can ever imagine. Now, what if tomorrow, a new star appeared all of a sudden? What if it exceeded the calculations provided by this omnipotent being I keep speaking of, that was in charge of making all the decisions in the universe?"
"Wouldn't that be impossible?"
"That impossible feat you are speaking of is standing in front of me right now. Even the gods and goddesses' existence have been calculated to a certain extent, but yours was declared to be somewhat of an oddity by the 'system'."
From what Tiel had told him, Kaze understood through comparison that he was an existence that couldn't be defined by even the universe itself. While the exact meaning of it was unknown, it still was able to bring to light for Kaze to a certain degree that it meant Kaze himself being alive was not predicted or planned at all. In other words, there was no way of knowing what exactly he was by the universe, or why it was that he had to be monitored to determine his worth.
"Tiel-sama, why are you telling me this? I mean, if this system you speak of is so powerful that it even exceeds the power of the gods, then wouldn't it solve the issue by simply getting rid of me?"
"Ah, that won't do. It is true that the system is something we all obey and something I can't speak of much, but it can't do things like suddenly removing a being or an object out of the equation. There comes a price for whatever actions you do, and that even includes the system itself. It is hard to explain without you getting a mind implosion, but just know that you are being fairly evaluated by none other than me. Until then, you will be left to continue with your daily life."
"T-Then, the reason for our talk is…?"
"So that we get to introduce ourselves. So far, I think we both have done a pretty good job, don't you think?
"Yes…"
"Think of me as your guardian, hm? I am still a goddess, and you can keep praying or devoting yourself to me without fear that I would retaliate whatever thoughts you have. Unless absolutely necessary, only then would I come in contact with you again. The main purpose of my visit with you today has been fulfilled, so we can end this interaction anytime possible."
"Please wait, Tiel-sama. I have a few questions to ask."
"Alright, go ahead."
"Um… is it possible to seek advice through these questions? I know we just had a rather mind-blowing talk about my existence and all, but at the end of the day I'm just a human. I want to get back to Lunaria, who's waiting for me about the talk with Laevia-sama and Reginsleif-sama."
"In short, you want simple advice for your human worries from a divine being?'
"Y-Yes, if it's… not too rude of me."
As if contemplating whether or not she should follow along with Kaze's request, Tiel tapped the side of her cheek lightly while assuming a thinking pose. Obviously, her decision was clear from the start but she intentionally wanted to have a dramatic pause.
"You may ask away, though I'm not exactly sure how useful my words would be to mere human events."
"Thank you, Tiel-sama. So-"
"My guess would be that Lunaria would reject the proposal."
"I didn't even get to ask the question…"
Once again, Tiel employed her mind-reading abilities to answer Kaze. With a light giggle at Kaze's exasperation, Tiel decided to take him seriously and allow him to ask whatever he had to say without reading his mind beforehand.
"Why does Tiel-sama think Lunaria would reject the proposal put forth by her parents?"
"For a few reasons I can think of, but I believe I am unsuitable to answer this in her stead. It would be better for you to get her answer directly."
"I see. Alright, Tiel-sama, I will take your advice and personally consult her myself. My next question would be a follow-up to the first, being if there is a way I can consult Lunatea and Lucentia regarding their feelings."
"Ho? Are you asking this because I'm the Goddess of Love and Sex, or because you are worried about jeopardizing your relationship with Lunaria?"
"A bit of both, honestly."
"In my honest opinion, you do not need to worry about either. Be it that they like you or hate you, what is more important is how you treat Lunaria. Hasn't that girl already told you beforehand that she was aware of what Lucentia felt towards you? If that is the case, she must have been aware that whatever actions you or Lucentia take, excluding Lunatea who is considered an odd variable, would result in something she is fine with either way. What that matters to her most, who is rather vulnerable considering she is still recovering, is your support."
Kaze felt impressed and surprised by the level of advice that he was receiving right now. On the surface, Tiel might just seem to be nonchalant and chill, but she was really someone who thought things through carefully. To Kaze, Tiel lived up to his standards as a Goddess in a completely unexpected way.
"Tiel-sama, were you perhaps already aware beforehand about what Lunaria told me before?"
"A simple gloss through your memory was all I needed."
"Does that mean you have unlimited access to whatever is in my head?"
"Not necessarily. I only take what I have to. While it certainly is possible for me to access anything I want with my power, I refrain from doing so out of respect for personal privacy. And yes, I did take your chat with Lunaria into consideration when providing you an answer."
"… Alright, I will act according to what you have said, Tiel-sama. That will do for now. When will be the next time I see you again?"
"Who knows? It is hard to predict certain things," Tiel shrugged playfully. "I ma happy enough you found my advice helpful, even if what I just said was mostly generalised."
"It doesn't feel that way to me, Tiel-sama. Also, I want to apologise for my insolence and impudence earlier."
"Please don't apologise. As I have said, I forgive your actions since you didn't directly scorn me or directed hate. While I am tempted to call you gullible from how you immediately reacted when I displayed a mere fragment of my powers in giving you a buff rather than a blessing, I will accept that as a sign of your absolute devotion to me."
"I-I apologise for that too."
Kaze stared at the ground while blushing immensely, feeling too embarrassed to look at his goddess calling him out like that. It was almost as if she was trying to guilt trip him into submitting to whatever she said in a way that she was taking advantage of her position as a goddess. Kaze knew that whatever he thought wasn't the case, knowing that Tiel had exhibited compassionate behaviour that reflected her honest and playful attitude.
In response, Tiel made a smile that said 'it can't be helped' to Kaze. It was rare that she even interacted with mortals, so she rather treasured her short talk with him.
As a goddess, it must have been rather terrifying for Kaze to be summoned all of a sudden, yet he coped with it better than she had expected. Even when told that his existence was being judged, he accepted it and got over it, instead focusing on what he had to do immediately. Too innocent to judge or ignorant of the ways of the world, Tiel didn't know the reason for his reaction. Perhaps he was the type to focus on what he could control and leave any external factors to fate.
"Kaze, I changed my mind," Tiel called out to him as Kaze looked around the place.
Waving her hands in front of his face, Kaze could feel Tiel removing the previous 1% buff she placed on him and replacing it with something else.
"I bestowed you a different blessing, hopefully you will find it useful," Tiel explained.
"Will I not find out about it directly from you, Tiel-sama?"
"Nope, it should be fairly easy to spot. Also, think of this as my gratitude for keeping me entertained," Tiel gave him a word of advice. "If you truly want to look out for Lucentia, make sure to talk to her under the large tree tomorrow."
Tiel's statement was intentionally made vague. Still, it was more than enough for Kaze to determine his actions that would lead to a peaceful and successful resolution that he hoped for. Bowing once again to the goddess he revered, he lifted his head to find that he was standing in the empty hallways of the palace once again.