True Magician

Chapter 85

Belnargo.

I looked at Hardy while her gaze ran over me and the landscape of my Noble Phantasm.

Frankly, like I mentioned earlier, she is nothing out of the ordinary. There is no point in re-educating or lecturing a god. The worldview and common sense of mortal and deity are too different from each other. But there is something that can be done.

Perhaps if Hardy was a piece of garbage doing basically whatever she wanted, I would use force and lay siege to her. Or maybe even get rid of her. But only if it was personally or those I cared about who were hurt. In this case, that's not happening.

I could clearly see her shining eyes, in which there was first fear and worry, and then interest and enthusiasm. She was like a child who had been exposed to a new side of the world. An interesting and unexplored one that she couldn't wait to feel with her own hands. Her gaze naturally blazed as it traveled toward the huge hole in the sky where the stars shone.

Speaking of her. Quite entertaining to have such a presence here. Ars Paulina is a Mirror of the soul, that manifests itself in the form of a Noble Phantasm. And it's 'my' Mirror of the Soul. Not Solomon's, not the original Romani's. And I'm really interested in what this hole symbolizes.

It's also worth mentioning the throne that appeared near mine. The horns and scales speak directly to what it's doing here, and who it belongs to. I guess Tia has really taken up residence in my soul.

Beast II herself curiously poked her tiny head out of my robe and looked around. And when her gaze fell on her own throne, she tilted her head thoughtfully to the side, then slowly flew to it.

Carefully sitting down on it, Tia froze for a few moments and then, smiling happily, made herself comfortable on it. It was as if she could sense that it was meant for her and no one else, and because of that Tia looked very relaxed and satisfied. Even if her current size and the size of the throne together looked a little ridiculous.

Toward the end of my observations, Hardy came out of her curious mode and looked at me.

- "This place is beautiful, Romani. Interesting and beautiful," she declared, and then, seeing Tia, she genuinely wondered, "Who is she? Why do I get a sense of divinity from this babe?"

- "Because she's a goddess?" I brushed it off, "Not only in this world there are gods, you know."

- "Oh? I see. She is dear to you since her own throne is present here," Hardy nodded to herself, and then a curious expression appeared on her face, "Why has your appearance changed? What kind of magic is this? And what is this place? Before I was transported here, you recited some aria. I'm really curious about all this."

- "Magic," I grinned, "It's the answer to all your questions at once."

- "B-o-o.... But you didn't explain anything," she pouted, "Well, you still don't trust me. I can accept that. Perhaps you'll be more open next time. However, can you answer my other question?"

- "Which is?"

- "Why did you bring me here? This place looks mesmerizing. So beautiful, interesting and unknown. Especially the stars. I don't recognize any of the ones that shine in this sky."

- "To see your reaction." I shrugged.

- "What?"

- "In the world I come from, the gods are quite varied in both power and character. Some are good, some not so good. I just wanted to see how you'd react to something like this. I also wondered if I should resort to violence. There was no intense greed or baseless vanity in your eyes. And you didn't order me to obey you immediately. You can take that as a compliment if you like."