Souta: "Chelsea, all I did was create a few Headless Horsemen because I was bored. Sure, it caused you a few administrative headaches, but do you really have to hold a grudge this long? Now you're even spreading rumors about me. So petty."
Souta: "Careful, or I might just make a few more."
Chelsea: "Fine, I'll stop. I just think creating beings like Headless Horsemen isn't exactly... good. Don't summon those things again, okay?"
Chelsea: "Anyway, I've got state business to handle. Talk later."
It was obvious Chelsea had read between the lines of Souta's messages.
That was a straight-up threat.
And it just so happened... that kind of thing worked pretty well on her.
Altair: "Why the heck were you creating Headless Horsemen in the first place?"
Souta: "I wanted to test if divine power could be used to create life."
Rin Tohsaka: "@Souta. You still haven't answered my question. Why'd you rush back to your world so suddenly? Did something happen?"
Souta: "No real trouble. The system gave me a prompt, a newbie was in mortal danger. I got an emergency rescue mission, so I had to leave in a hurry."
Altair: "A newbie was in danger? Who was it?"
Souta: "Inori. Don't worry, she's safe now. I got there in time."
Rin Tohsaka: "So you've gone to a new world again? It's not dangerous, right?"
Souta: "Nope. You should have a little more faith in me—I am a god, after all. I've got enough power to stroll through most Earth-based worlds without issue."
Souta: "I'm planning to stay in this newbie's world for a while, to collect faith. The people here have exceptionally strong spirits. The quality of their belief is miles ahead of that garbage Akame world. Man, I wish I'd come here earlier."
Altair: "Didn't you say you had political duties, Chelsea?"
Chelsea: "Because of time differences between worlds, it's already been a day on my side. I've finished my work."
Rin Tohsaka: "So you're planning to start a new religion in the newbie's world?"
Souta: "Yup. But this is a modern society, so I can't just copy the Bible or anything. I'm going to transplant the mythos I created for the Path of Peace unto here."
Shiroyasha: "Recycling mythology between worlds, to avoid recognition risks? Clever."
Shiroyasha: "That's our Souta for you. Respect."
Ruri Gokou: "Wait, Emperor? God? Religion? Belief systems?"
Ruri Gokou: "Now that's interesting. I wonder... as a fallen angel, a Demon King cast from the heavens, may I join this conversation?"
Altair: "Ah, another newbie finally speaks up."
Shiroyasha: "Oho? A Demon King?"
Shiroyasha: "Looks like we've got ourselves a big shot this time."
Ruri Gokou: "Naturally. You're a benevolent god, yes? Then we must be natural enemies. What a curious group, bringing both gods and demon kings into the same chat."
Shiroyasha: "Don't worry. I may be a god now, but I was a Demon King for ages. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about."
Shiroyasha: "You should visit sometime. Also, if you don't mind, would you care to video call?"
Rin Tohsaka: "Shiroyasha's at it again. Same way he tricked Athena last time."
Ruri Gokou: "'Tricked'? Is this some kind of setup? Also... why are you so sure I'm a miss?"
Chelsea: "Because there aren't any guys in this group."
Chelsea: "Alright, I've got today's state business to handle now. Later."
Souta looked at his phone, falling into quiet contemplation.
Chelsea was getting bolder.
Maybe it was time to threaten her again?
Souta felt that if someone like her "so quick to fold", could mess with him without consequences, then what dignity did he have left as a god?
Clearly, the Headless Horseman bit still had potential. He'd have to escalate it.
Souta: "Alright, Shiroyasha, stop teasing the newbie. She claims to be a Demon King, clearly a formidable being. Careful, or she might take you down."
Altair: "Huh? Wait... Souta, you didn't recognize who the newbie is?"
Souta: "Nope. I don't know everyone, you know."
Rin Tohsaka: "A Demon King and a fallen angel just joined. No way, I have to master the Second Magic and become a True Magician! I'm falling behind!"
Ruri Gokou: "Oho? You even have magicians? This group gets more fascinating by the second."
Souta: "Not just magicians. We've got magicians, spirits, god-slayers, vampires, celestial star spirits... and by the way, I'm a god. Since you're a fallen angel, you've probably been in the Celestial Realm before, right? We might have lots in common. Want to meet up offline sometime?"
Ruri Gokou: "A god, huh? Noted. Let's talk about that meetup later."
Souta chuckled behind his hand.
Of course he knew who the "black cat" was.
But if she wanted to play, he'd let her enjoy the game.
No harm in it... okay, fine, he admitted it—his mischievous side was acting up again.
He really wanted to see what her reaction would be when she realized everyone in this group was a real big shot... and she was the only ordinary human.
Would her face go from stunned, to panicked, to yeeting her phone in 3 seconds flat?
Souta: "By the way, where's Kurumi today?"
Altair: "Now that you mention it... yeah, weird. She never misses a chat."
Rin Tohsaka: "Maybe she's hit a critical moment in her evolution and doesn't have time."
Souta: "@Tokisaki Kurumi. Everything alright on your end?"
Feeling a little worried, Souta pinged her directly.
He tried pinging again, several times—still nothing.
Normally, he might've assumed she was just napping or offline.
But considering she was currently evolving her spirit crystal, the chances of something going wrong were high. He couldn't help but worry.
"If she still doesn't respond later, I'll go check on her."
Just then, as his focus drifted away from the phone, a melodic nursery rhyme reached his ears.
"London Bridge is falling down, falling down..."
Souta blinked. The sweet voice carried a soft rhythm, instantly calming the mind. A picture formed in his head of a little fairy twirling and dancing with joy.
For the first time, Souta felt the full charm of a pure, unadulterated singing voice.
Compared to Miku's, this one held a surreal quality—something dreamlike, like a sound that only existed in fantasies.
A feeling of appreciation and peace welled up in him.
He turned toward the source of the sound—and saw Inori, singing softly as she played with a red string, folding it into patterns like a cat's cradle.
"Your voice... is really pretty."
Souta walked over and spoke gently.
Inori raised her hands, fingers intertwined with the red string.
She stopped singing and asked:
Souta reached out—and solved her intricate string pattern in one second flat.
Inori stared, stunned, momentarily speechless.
Souta chuckled. Back at the orphanage, he'd spent plenty of time entertaining the younger kids with games .
There was no way he'd lose at this.
"You've already contacted Gai, haven't you?" Souta asked.
Inori took back the red string and gave him a location.