Finally, preparations were complete and the festival began.
Currently the three...or four of us? Were walking through the city streets and looking at the different attractions.
That is to say, the Albatross twins and Stella.
I allowed the others off of the ship so that they could enjoy themselves for a bit. The Artificer assured us that the area was secure. He was certain that the Oracle's Faithful had completely abandoned Excelsis.
On every corner, we saw a squad of six drones. Additionally, other groups could be seen flying around above.
Still, despite all of this...
Isabella remained ever vigilant. Always clinging to my arm and staying right next to me. Despite the Artificer's reassurance, she continued to protect me.
Stella followed behind with a content smile on her face.
After a short while of looking at the different attractions, I found Iris along with Carlos and Leiso.
Carlos looked a bit bored while Leiso seemed out of place.
Iris was playing a game at a stall featuring several characters from a comic book series that was popular here in Excelsis.
I only became aware of this because I had seen Iris reading many of these comics.
"Bam! Ha!!" Iris shouted.
"Lady Iris...you've been playing this game for three hours... Can we please move on...?" Carlos said.
"Hold on! I'm having way too much fun! Ugh...if only Johann were here. He wouldn't mind playing with me!" Iris said with a hint of irritation.
I approached from behind and looked at the game.
It was an electronic device. Like a screen set up in front of the stall. One could pay money to the man operating the stall to get time to play. It seemed like you could win prizes by playing this game.
The man behind the counter looked annoyed and half of his stock was gone.
"Iris?" I said.
She turned and glanced at me before directing her attention back to the game.
"Hey, Mizik! Wanna play with me?" She said.
I felt a great reluctance to join her for something like this...but I approached the device next to her.
"How does it work?"
"Are you kidding me? It's a video game! Haven't you been invited to Michael's house for gaming or something? Everyone else has. Even Leiso played. Although she was terrible at it..."
"Hey! I don't spend all of my free time on nonsense like he did!" Leiso said.
"No. I've never done something like this," I said.
"Well...here. Let me show you, then," Iris said.
Iris proceeded to demonstrate how it worked and paid for me to have some time on it.
After that...
"Alright! Now you're going to be my opponent!" Iris said.
I was actually intimidated.
Mainly because I still had no idea what I was doing. Carlos and Leiso had suddenly become interested in watching.
"Don't worry, darling, we're cheering for you!" Cassandra said.
I could see Stella watching with great interest.
And then...it began.
A fierce battle, unlike anything I had seen before.
I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so completely and utterly powerless. I could do nothing but watch as Iris annihilated me on the field of battle.
I fell to my knees in defeat and felt Stella and Cassandra...or maybe Isabella trying to comfort me.
I had no idea which one was out because I wasn't looking.
"I...I lost..."
"HA! TAKE THAT, DESTROYER! NO ONE BEATS ME ON MY OWN BATTLEFIELD!" Iris mocked.
I peered up at her.
"How about a real fight, then?"
She immediately hid behind Leiso.
"Eeeehhh...I'll pass!"
"Don't use me as a shield, lady Iris! I don't want to be caught in the crossfire!" Leiso said.
As I stood back up, I saw a beautiful woman in a luxurious and shining robe approach us. She had long, silvery hair with blue eyes.
"Oh my...what do we have here? Are you this Destroyer I've heard so much about?" She said.
She leaned forward as she came close to show off her cleavage. Although her chest was much more average than large...
I wasn't really staring, however.
"I am the Destroyer, yes. Who are you and why are you bothering us?"
Obviously, it was a goddess of some sort. And the more I looked at her, the more impressed I was...
"I only wanted to see one of Iris' precious Enforcers up close. But I have to say that I'm impressed. Very handsome... And your eyes shine just like emeralds! My name is Masina, goddess of moons!" She said.
I simply raised an eyebrow.
"Masina...please go away. I should really warn you that Mizik is not to be disturbed..." Iris said meekly.
Masina peered over at Iris in disgust.
"Ugh...the ugly goddess of flat-chests is talking to me again, isn't she? Iris, why is it that you always manage to find such handsome men despite looking like a boy? This Mizik is clearly too good to be in your presence! After all, I'm sure someone as mighty as the Destroyer could keep much better company," Masina said mockingly.
Iris seemed to sink down and averted her eyes.
The look of someone being tormented by an abuser.
"I'm not a boy... How many times do I have to say it...? I'm just...lacking..."
I think I see what's going on here.
Despite this woman bullying Iris and clearly having a troublesome personality, it seemed like she was exactly what I had been searching for.
This 'Masina' could very well be a valuable asset to me if I could get rid of her annoying disposition.
I decided to test the waters.
"Iris, do you know this woman?" I asked.
She nodded slowly.
"I see. Is this the first time she's caused you problems?"
"D-don't get the wrong idea, Mizik! Masina is a friend! R-really!" Iris said nervously.
It was obvious to me that she was lying.
Did she know what I planned to do? Why was she trying to protect this woman? Masina clearly wasn't a friend to Iris.
"Huuuuh? Us? Friends!? Don't be ridiculous! Ahahahahaha!" Masina laughed.
Case and point. Iris is just trying to be nice.
"Masina...I'm trying to help you!" Iris said.
I looked at Masina.
It was time to test her.
'Masina' seemed very hostile and selfish. I would need to make it look like a response to her behavior instead of an unprovoked attack on her to save face with the crew members.
But if that didn't work, I would absolutely attack her unprovoked, anyway.
"I'll give you only one warning. Leave and never speak to Iris again. Actually, don't insult her either. Go away," I said calmly.
I was already allowing some of my power to rise to give her an idea of how strong I was.
I hope you take the bait, Masina. Please...give me a reason to dominate you.
Masina smiled.
"Aha! You're so cute! I'd love to tie you up in my room and show you how a real woman looks! How about we ditch this wall of a goddess and snuggle up in my bed together?"
Before I could respond, she lost herself in a fit of laughter.
"Ha! Just kidding! I'm not that easy, you know~? You probably thought I was being serious! That's hilarious!"
"Is it necessary to mock me without cause?" I asked.
"Oooooh fine! Good point. I'll stop just to be nice. Here, how about I let you grope me as an apology?" Masina said as she placed one of her hands on her chest and squeezed herself.
I was taken aback by the crude suggestion. This goddess had a lot of nerve to talk like that in front of so many people.
But just as before...
I didn't have a chance to respond before she began laughing obnoxiously and pointing at me.
"Ahahahahahahahaha!!!! What are you, stupid? There's no way in hell I would let a stranger touch my body! Why would you-"
"Oh by the Creator...JUST SHUT UP, MASINA!!! He warned you already and you're just mocking him!!! RUN AWAY!!!" Iris shouted.
That's enough for me.
Sadly, Iris was too late.
My hand shot out and connected with Masina's face.
I blasted her mind with magic and destroyed her will to resist me.
She dropped to her knees as she began foaming at the mouth and her eyes rolled back in her head.
Next, I began thinking.
I needed to keep her close. She would have to have the desire to be nearby and serve me without question.
Also, it would help if we had a very close relationship of sorts...
I decided to place myself as someone of great importance in her mind.
"Now then...I'll restore your mind. But this time, you will be someone different. From now on...your name is Masina Iratus. You are the goddess of moons and the patron goddess of the Iratus clan. I'm the current family head, Mizik Iratus. I am someone very important to you. These feelings made you want to serve. And you've served me loyally for many years as a result. Iris is your best friend," I said.
She didn't make a sound or even a movement.
Yes...perfect. You'll serve me as our patron goddess. No one will question it. Not even you.
Then I snapped my fingers.
Masina shakily stood up and wiped her mouth. She looked around and her eyes stopped on me.
"B-big...brother Mizik!? Thank goodness you're safe! You need to be watched at all times on Excelsis! Please, let me take care of you!" Masina said worriedly.
Why the hell did she call me big brother? Did I break something? Did she have some kind of weird hidden fetish or something!?
"What did I just witness...?" Iris said.
"Absolute power. The ability to rewrite the memories of even the gods if I desire it. Control the mind and you have everything. Thanks for the Archmage Aspect, Iris," I said with a smile.
I truly had no idea that it would work so well on a goddess...but I was exceedingly happy that it did.
Now I had the perfect tool and an irreplaceable ally. Even if she was a little weird...
"I created a monster..." Iris said.
"You're not...planning on doing that to me, are you?" Leiso said.
"Absolutely not. You've been a good friend to me, Leiso. I won't harm your mind in any way."
"Ah! Another person has realized the glory of his Majesty!" Cassandra said happily.
"I have no idea what any of you are talking about...but all I know is that since big brother Mizik is safe, I am quite relieved," Masina said.
I'm not your brother!
Then Masina looked over at Iris and her eyes went wide.
"Oh, Iris! How are you? It's been a while since we last spoke, hasn't it? Are you still into comics? I'd love to read with you at some point! Maybe I could show you some of my own books as well!" Masina said.
"But we were just... You hate comics! You hate me!" Iris protested.
"What? Why would I hate my best friend? You're so silly, Iris!"
Iris gave me a defeated look.
"You've basically killed the person she was!" Iris said.
"Is that a problem? She was harassing us and bullying you. I just dealt with an enemy and acquired a new ally. This also solves the problem I was having," I said.
"Ugh...Mizik! I know you were looking for a goddess, but that's murder! It's wrong, Mizik!" Iris said angrily.
"Does it matter? The problem is solved. Now we have a goddess on our ship."
Iris seemed to realize something as Masina smiled at me.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, big brother, but I can't wait to be of assistance!" Masina said.
"What about her world!? She has an assigned world, Mizik! She can't just abandon it!" Iris protested.
"The Artificer can take care of that. He'll assign someone else to it," I said dismissively.
"That isn't how that works! There's an entire civilization that worships her! For only the Creator knows why...but still!"
"She'll be more useful to me than them. The greater good demands it. Besides, she doesn't even remember which world it was to begin with."
Then a drone approached us and bowed its head.
[This is the Artificer speaking. In concordance with the Destroyer's wishes, Masina, goddess of moons has been relieved of her duties as a member of the pantheon of gods residing over Ecetnia. She will now serve the Destroyer as his personal goddess to use as he sees fit. And his...patron goddess of the Iratus clan. Another god or goddess will immediately be assigned to fill her role on Ecetnia.]
"What's this about...? I've been the goddess of the glorious Iratus clan for as long as I can remember. And I've served big brother for a long time. Haaa...such a shame that Avernia is gone..." Masina said.
Iris just looked at me with concern.
"Mizik...are you sure that you want to take this path...?" She said.
"Quite sure. I have no other options, Iris. You, of all people, should know that by now. My actions will be a benefit for many in the end. Even yours."
"I...okay... I'll believe you... By the gods, I'm so sorry...I'm sorry I couldn't help you..." She said sadly.
"We all bear that burden, lady Iris... We'll do everything we can to not make things worse," Leiso said.
Even Carlos seemed disturbed.
"Why do you all look so sad? Creation will survive as a result of my actions. Many will suffer and billions may die, but I'll get us through this crisis no matter what. If I have to, I'll destroy creation to save it. Isn't that what the Oracle wanted?" I said.
[Destroyer, speaking of the Oracle, the stage has now been set for you. We are ready for you to begin your spectacle at any moment.] The Artificer's voice said from a nearby drone.
I smiled wide.
"Excellent... Lead the way, Artificer."