We are guided to a side hall.

Did I already mention how ridiculously big my castle is, so it has more than one hall for people to gather, eat, and such?

Really, it's not the slightest bit surprising that several hundred people can live comfortably here.

We've been left alone again, so we can eat our meal in peace.

It's some kind of dark broth.

While the bowl's content looks extremely disturbing, I think the taste is fine.

Also, I'm very aware that there are guards positioned just outside the room.

However, I see no reason to do something about that.

They are certainly as well at a loss about the situation and need to figure something out.

This audience with the king took quite much from me.

I was never comfortable in this kind of situation.

I am quiet, reserved, and cautious.

My new identity isn't interacting too well with those traits.

Because of this, I can't bring myself to say anything after this newest display of how my inner dream has literally a life of its own, or many.

Fortunately, I'm not the first one to get involved in this discussion.

The first one to say something is Makoto, and his target is his mother.

And I can very well understand why.

"What was that, mum?! You're seriously intending to let me fight with these people?! And then? Do I have to help them on their subjugation missions?!" (M)

"You neglected your training recently. Especially in comparison with your friends you certainly cannot be satisfied with your current level." (H)

"I have no real desire to compete with gods and whatever Chiaki is." (M)

"Still, things might get rougher from here on out, so I want you to be prepared. A bit more practice won't hurt." (H)

"I'm not too sure about this." (M)

"Ehm, this sounds like a bit of a long-term plan. Are you really considering staying here?" (I)

"We wanted to go on a vacation. So why not here? Don't tell me you never wanted to go on an isekai adventure, Iori." (C)

"Chiaki, did you goddamn lose it? We're here at a real place, with real things that could harm us. Well, you." (I)

"But you're controlling everything here, aren't you?! Didn't Zika say you could even heal our bodies? Is it even possible for us to die here?" (C)

While I'm sure I could mend any kind of injury, it's certainly possible to get beheaded, or whatever else those people have in store for execution practices.

"They said they're the fifth generation. Some at least died due to time." (I)

"Did they really?" (M)

"What are you trying to say?" (I)

"I find it strange how they can exist in the first place. How are they made? Are they actually proper people or just constructs?" (M)

"You mean if they have souls? They have. I can see them." (I)

Regarding what I know about souls, they're stored inside me.

This means they can't drift away, dissipate, or get reincarnated without my will.

If anything happens to them I should be able to create another body for them and just stuff their soul in there.

"Uh, I'm not so sure there. Some looked rather dull." (C)

"But they're souls nonetheless." (I)

"As I already have mentioned, "someone" managed to set up a working soul cycle. However, regarding what they were initially made of, that's actually an issue. To be honest, this could be considered one of the great secrets of the beginning of creation. And "someone" just does it by accident." (H)

"You're aware that you can drop the 'someone'?" (I)

"Yes, but it's just so much fun." (H)

"So, does that mean we don't know what is happening here?" (S)

"Sadly, yes. It's certainly weird. Something like a soul isn't simply mashed together. I wouldn't even know where the base comes from, or what it is. All I can say is that on a fundamental level certain unknown energy is transformed into souls. And this is just crazy. That's not even breaking the universal laws which govern the multiverse. That's saying to creation itself 'Fuck you! I'm doing my own thing.' So pretty much what is to be expected from an outer god." (H)

"Wait, I already created Kuri. And this is strange now?" (I)

"Yes?" (K)

Kuri promptly emerges from mum's shadow, who's clearly taken aback at this.

"Kuri! What did I tell you about hiding in my shadow without telling?!" (S)

"Sorry grandma!" (K)

That doesn't help Kuri!

"Ehm, well. It's not really the same. Kuri's base is obviously miasma. A corrupted and deeply twisted form of the life force you've absorbed before. However, now that I think about it, her character is truly far more elaborate than should be possible. As if she has more than just a programmed personality. As if she's more than a mere construct. Yet if she is, does that mean that any base would suffice? But... Whoah!" (H)

"Ehm, mum. You're worrying your son." (M)

"And an outer god!" (I)

"Sorry, but the implications." (H)

"What kind of implications?" (I)

"The mere idea, that you somehow can take any form of energy and turn it into something completely else. Maybe even generate it from nothing. The laws are gone! I mean, it's not just something so simple like turning kinetic energy into heat, not even turning energy into matter. We are here talking about divine, universal, most fundamental constructs. About setting completely new rules into place." (H)

"Didn't you just say that before? You know, fuck creation?" (C)

"Sorry, I didn't follow this idea through to the end. Because if that's true, and it probably is, then we're talking here about big bang shit. Then even a stone can become a soul. Or the very essence of the fabric of a new reality. It just has to be treated and refined. I... I probably should stop talking. I already feel how my sanity levels drop. Fuck creation! Ahahahah!!!" (H)

I feel at the same time disbelief, how she could become any crazier, and deep dread that she might be right.

I turn to Makoto.

"Sorry that I made your mum go crazy?" (I)

"Might be one of her more severe fits, but till this point, it's sadly nothing out of the ordinary." (M)

"My condolences." (C)

"Hey!" (H)

Is she seriously denying that she's crazy?

Even I'm aware that my mental state is worrisome at best.

But her's is off the charts!

"So, what now? Do we really want to spend the weekend here and then plop out of existence with Iori's help?" (M)

"Well, I was thinking that we should vanish ASAP before we're rippling too big waves." (I)

"Well, I thought we could maybe look for a way to help these people. You know, make their life better. " (C)

"And how? It's not like I can just dump them somewhere." (I)

"And because of this, I think we should stay at this place and figure something out." (C)

"Actually, I think Chiaki has a point, Iori." (S)

"Mum?" (I)

"This place is important to you, I get that. Also that those people are somehow your responsibility. I don't claim to completely understand the situation but sorting it out sounds about right." (S)

"And I have the chance to visit an outer god's library. If anyhow possible I won't give up on this." (H)

"Someone has to watch my mum." (M)

"So you all are really voting for staying here?" (I)

"I'm happy wherever mum is." (K)

"Seems like it's decided!" (C)

"Do I have no vote?" (I)

"Yes, but the majority overweighs." (C)

I could say that an outer god should maybe have a bit more say in what happens inside it, but this is exactly the kind of person I don't want to become.

I'm not interested in the slightest in forcing my will on others.

That's the way you get a superiority complex.

"Fine, then just finish your broth. We're about to have a busy time." (I)