((Who are you?))

Those words held many subtleties in the manner of its projection.

It claimed to know of the presence of any malice? Goodwill? It seemed like the ability to sense intent. How frightening.

However, it seemed incapable of sensing my origins, leading to a curious situation.

After a brief moment of thought, I opted for silence. In the first place, what Minerva had captured was merely an extension of my senses. I wasn't capable of telepathy in any way, shape, or form.

She could speak to me only because I could perceive her existence, and not the other way around.

I then realized that she had no power over my life.

Good thing.

I was lucky in this regard.

I calmed down, breathing a virtual sigh of relief. There was nothing here that would implicate me.

While Minerva seemed to observe the manner in which I existed, I made use of the fact that she was currently supplying me with energy.

My awareness shifted, and it seemed like the goddess felt it.

((???))

Tapping into the knowledge I wanted, I heard a short gasp. A crazy amount of mana was expended as I isolated a truth of the world and stole it for myself. I also took hold of various names and identities despite my inability to memorize them all.

((YOU—!))

Minerva sensed it, hurriedly cutting of her mana supply. I could feel the restraints on my being disappear, along with the ability to become aware of so much.

The sheer magnitude of a goddesses' mana reserves were no longer available to me.

Now, I was free. She could no longer hold me here. However, I felt that it was a shame. I could've learned a lot more if only I was given more time.

It only took an instant for my awareness to disappear from where it was.

"It seems like even the gods aren't truly gods. They're still mortals. Weak, fragile, and incapable of true immortality." I chuckled.

To blaspheme against the heavens... perhaps I could do it more often.

***

Those were my thoughts just yesterday. Now that I was in the city of Minerva, however, I had a few regrets.

That lingering anxiety was there.

Would Minerva recognize my presence, somehow?

I didn't know.

And I didn't want to risk checking.

Being in such close proximity to her temples, my origins may be discovered. One slip up, and I may just doom myself to eternal torment.

Sighing, I placed my bag down in the room I got at an inn. I was sharing the room with Melia since the girl didn't have any money, and the inn itself was actually pretty packed. Young Lady Archisse was renting out a different inn for her and her subjects. It was a much higher-class one.

I expanded my senses, observing the beauty of Minerva City despite the darkness of the night.

Buildings built in greco-roman architecture were everywhere. Marble staircases climbed up and down the city streets, and the large rectangular windows were very obvious at a glance. The only difference this place had from Earth's Greek and Roman cities were the sprinkled magical architecture here and there.

Floating balls of light illuminated the streets, and colors were abundant throughout the city. Either from the children playing with their mana, or from the various magical spells being cast by local mages.

The people of Minerva City were in a festive mood.

No wonder the inns were filled. From a cursory eavesdropping of nearby conversation, it seemed like tomorrow was Minerva's blessed day. The Wisdom Monks were going to return to their hometown, and many wandering adventurers were coming to visit.

Spreading my senses further, I noticed someting peculiar.

"Hm?" I opened my eyes and looked out the window. My gaze pierced through the ground, and as I drained my mana, I saw it.

A bubbling mass of dark energy. Malevolent and ominous in nature. A bunch of people in robes were meticulously going about their jobs all around it like busy bees. However, that was not what piqued my interest.

There was an area in the city that seemed difficult for my senses to pierce into. When I so tried to pry, my mana hit rock bottom in an instant. It was clear that whatever was there was hiding a great secret.

Fighting the piercing headache, I decided to take note of this place and return in the future.

For now, I wanted to enjoy the city.

"Melia, you awake?"

The room had two beds, and the girl had already claimed one as her own.

"Yeah," She grumbled, "I am."

"I'm going out to explore the city. You wanna come with?"

I never saw someone spring into action so fast.

With a wide grin, Melia fixed her hair and said,

"Of course! Let's go!"

***

After a night of roaming about the city, mingling with the friendly locals and tasting the various street food, morning arrived after a good night's sleep. Melia and I met up with the young lady and her subjects and departed once more.

Sitting in the carriage, I noticed Melia's expression.

"I wish I could've stayed for the main event," She said with her eyes still set on Minerva City's walls.

Hearing these words, I let out a chuckle.

"I'm not sure you would." I blinked, recalling the image of the black mass of energy.

It seemed like even a goddess like Minerva still had enemies in this world. I wondered how she would deal with it.

Melia looked back at me with a curious gaze.

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since we entered the city, I had a bad feeling that something was going to happen." I continued my lies. "It might be a bit dangerous to be in Minerva City for the show tonight."

Hearing my words, Melia seemed to believe only half of it. She stayed silent, which was a bit unusual for her as she pondered.

"I hope they can win against the bad, then."

I nodded, silently admiring the kindness of Melia's soul. She wasn't the hero of Leisha for no reason.

"Let's hope they do."

***

Several hours later, as the caravan stopped to camp, I felt a minute fluctuation in the atmosphere. My heightened senses barely caught this change.

The fluctuation flew over from down South.

"That is... in the direction of Minerva City..."

My eyes sharpened, and I invoked [Absolute Awareness]. I recalled the conversation I had with Melia earlier this morning.

"Aventine?" The girl in question noticed the change in my expression, "Is something wrong?"

Overlooking the city enshrouded by a dark miasma, I felt a shiver run through my spine.

They didn't win.

The city of Minerva was in ruins. Smoke rose into the heavens like dark grey pillars. Flames covered the streets, burning the blood of the corpses littered about. The beautiful white buildings had been reduced to rubble, and the cries of damned souls bombarded my ears.

I couldn't sense the presence of the goddess any longer.

Something happened to the goddess Minerva.