It sounded lively, but at the same time, it felt like it was coming from the depths, making it uncertain whether it was good or bad. Their presence didnât get caught by either Maxwellâs detection magic or my own presence detection, yet they managed to approach close enough to talk. Someone who could manage that⦠There was only one.
âOracle, you fancy an Oracleâ¦?â
Maxwellâs living room faced the garden, and had a glass sliding door on that side. It also had a veranda from where you could overlook the garden as you relaxed. Someone was currently half-peeking their small white head from that veranda.
âGoddess, what the heck are you doing?â âGeh, you arenât surprised? I was planning to take you by surprise.â
She waved her hand with those words. With just that one motion, Mateus turned into stone.
She probably used a spell called Stone Curse. It shouldâve been quite a high-ranked Earth magic. She did that in an instant⦠Though I suppose it was pointless to be surprised about it at this point.
Looking at the silent statue of Mateus, the two of us broke into a cold sweat as we received the God of Destruction. Rather, we were busy being astonished at how mercilessly she turned him into stone.
âYou donât need to be so considerate. Just show up normally for once, normally.â âBut where is the fun in that? Leaving that aside, I am here to bring you an oracle.â
She ignored my opinion and brought up her own topic. She looked like a harmless and charming person from the side, but she was a slightly suspicious character that was on the verge of being recognized as an Evil God. I didnât want anyone to see her.
Given that I wanted to avoid attention, I wanted her to get over her business fast and go away.
âA great Goddess is about to speak so listen carefully.â âYou totally ruined that impression with that entrance.â âIndeed, even I would much rather you showed yourself normally.â âOh, are you bad with startling pranks, old man?â âIt startled me so much I thought I would die.â âNow that sounds serious. I should prepare Resurrection just in case.â âSo I cannot even die easilyâ¦â
Maxwell sighed depressingly as the God of Destruction declared with a puffed chest. The World Tree Religion banned the use of the resurrection magic, but that apparently didnât concern the goddess.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Even if it ended up scaring him to death, she could easily bring him back to life, so she could prank to her heartâs content.
âNow then, since I got your agreement about Resurrection, letâs go with that next time. Now as I was sayingâ¦â âWait, what is that about an agreement?â âAs I was saying! It would result in something crazy if you go and visit that person now, you know? Ever since he got his hands on the Evil Dragonâs materials, his urge to create things has been itching hard.â âAste huh⦠I totally can see that happening.â
No way that workaholic can remain calm with all those rare materials before his eyes. Still, I was a little curious why the goddessâ expression changed when she heard Asteâs name.
âIf you approach him to make something for you now, he might make Mythril baby clothes fortified with the Evil Dragonâs membrane. Or a talisman that could withstand a Fire Giantâs punch without a scratch. Or a stroller that wouldnât get dented even if it was stepped on by a Behemoth.â âThat would already be on the level of a Divine Treasure, would it not? Even if it is Sir Aste, That would be too muchâ¦â âActually, he already has past records of doing exactly that, so it would most certainly happen.â âHe already has!?â
Maxwell objected while breaking into a cold sweat, but the God of Destruction provided a counter argument while raising her index finger.
Wait, so that means he had obtained materials that could rival the Evil Dragonâs before, and made baby clothes with it? At any rate, something that risky is surely⦠surelyâ¦
âWell, yea, the safety of your family comes first.â âWe have a crazy person here too!?â
Seeing me decide to make Divine equipment for my new family member, the Goddess of Destruction held her head in pain.
But wait, making just one set might have a measurement error.
Also, newborns had an exceedingly high mortality rate. If I can lower that risk even slightly, I donât regret using Evil Dragon materials at all.
âHold it, hold it, Reid! That would be far too reckless.â
Unexpectedly, Maxwell was the one to put the brakes on my pondering. Given how much he thinks of his allies, I thought he would agree with me on this, but it looks like he had a different opinion.
âWhat. Is there a problem somewhere?â âIt is full of problems! In the first place, Evil Dragon materials are unique in this world. Only we, the Six Heroes that subjugated it, possess them. The moment you bring out the baby clothes made from those materials would be the moment your identity gets busted.â âThen canât we just say it is from you?â âTrue, if I give it as my share, we might deceive them, but that would be a present from me, not you.â âAh!?â
This was a present from me to my new family member. It would be unwelcome if the old man ended up taking credit for my feelings.
On the off chance that the same kept happening, it would look like Maxwell was the one spoiling them with presents while I, the sister, did nothing. I wanted to avoid that at all costs. I had to prevent it.
âThatâs no good. I want to avoid anything thatâd diminish my existence. My goal is to be a big sister that is looked up to.â âOh, you wanna be a âbig sisterâ eh?â âGhh⦠The way I am, I canât be a âbig brotherâ so it canât be helped. Besides, if I tried that, itâd get my identity busted.â
To become a big brother, I had to first learn Polymorph. If I showed up with Reidâs appearance and told them to call me a big brother, Maria and others would start to suspect something. Rather, they would definitely catch on to it.
âHmm, what to doâ¦â âAnd thatâs where my oracle comes into play. First, if you wish to keep them healthy post birth, you would need the charm to protect them against illnesses.â âThatâs true. But I donât know what materials it would need.â âWell, the easiest and fastest approach would be to use the Carbuncleâs dragon orbâ¦â âRejected!â
Kabby was already a member of my family. I couldnât go pulling out the jewel on its forehead. Besides, I wonât know whether it is a boy or a girl, but just imagining how they would play with Kabbyâ¦
The baby swinging its tiny arms around and running with tottering steps. And Kabby worrying about them but also maintaining enough distance to not get caught. Then finally, the baby crying itself to sleep while holding Kabby to their chest. And I would be there to witness it all.
âOh s?h?i?t?, this is incredible. This is too much.â
I started squirming around while holding my nose. It really felt like Iâd get a nosebleed.
âI donât know what you just imagined, but your answer is within my expectations. Letâs go and obtain a replacement material then.â
The God of Destruction flashed me a charming smile.