Published: August 10, 2026
When I stared at Ferdinand after he suddenly said something completely outrageous, Ferdinand clicked his tongue in irritation.
"What do you mean, 'not yet returned,' Lord Ferdinand?"
"RozeMine, name someone who is important to you. When I threatened you, who did you think of? Can you remember what the goddess who gained control of your body did? What were you doing before you lent your body out? Do you know what must be done next?"
"Eh? Um..."
I was given no chance to object to his abrupt line of questioning before he fired off one question after another, and my mind went blank from confusion. Even though I tried to remember while still confused, it felt like a haze had settled over my memories, and I couldn't bring anything to mind clearly. The only things that came to me immediately were the contents of the books I had been reading in the library until just a moment ago.
"I don't know. ...But I clearly remember the contents of the book I was reading earlier. It was a story about the gods, and I..."
"You do not need to remember that. In fact, forget it as soon as possible."
Ferdinand grimaced as if disgusted and cut off my words.
"Eh? That's awful, telling me to forget the contents of a book I worked so hard to read."
"The goddess apparently interfered with your mind a little to make it easier to borrow your body. Though it seems less like 'a little' and more like a rather deep influence..."
I had only thought I was lending my body for a short while, and I had no idea mental interference had been involved. Thinking about what was happening to me made me a little scared. As I drank the mana healing potion that was offered to me, I asked, "...What kind of interference did I receive?"
"How should I know? You could not answer me. Even without extra interference, you would probably lend your body easily if books and a library were dangled in front of you, but try not to do this again. ...You are too strongly affected by other mana."
Ferdinand mouthed "Because you're a self-eater" without saying it aloud. I could see a certain indescribable anguish in his expression. I reached out and poked at the crease between his eyebrows.
"I apologize for worrying you. But it is fine, Lord Ferdinand. I've developed an ambition to build a library like that before I die, so I won't be going off to some exalted height so easily."
"...That somehow makes me worry even more."
Even though he wore a displeased expression, some of the anger and irritation had left his pale golden eyes. He really was an unreadable person. As I felt relieved that he seemed to be in a slightly better mood, an exasperated voice different from Ferdinand's came from a little distance away.
"Is that enough?"
"Eh? Is someone else here?"
I could only see Ferdinand in close range within my field of vision, so I hadn't imagined there was anyone else. While I blinked in surprise, Ferdinand stood up and stepped away from me.
"This is the Garden of Beginnings, and Aervelmine and Gervasio are here."
"A-ah! Ahh! I remember now! We were in the middle of a battle, weren't we!? Lord Ferdinand, why are you acting so relaxed!?"
I quickly jumped to my feet and shielded Ferdinand with my body. The moment I tried to take a combat stance against Aervelmine, Ferdinand jabbed me from behind.
"Calm down. The battle is over. Mestionora has forbidden any life-and-death struggle here."
"Eh?"
When I looked more carefully, both Aervelmine and Gervasio were simply facing us, and the tense battle atmosphere had vanished completely.
"To think the fighting could be ended so easily. Goddess, you are amazing. To the gods Iā"
"Do not pray, fool! Do you want to suffer the same fate again!?"
Just as my raised hand was abruptly held down, Aervelmine gave a wry smile.
"Myne, you are a self-eater and easily accept other mana. If you pray in this place, where communication with the gods is being conducted, the gods will likely find it amusing and descend. For me, they are familiar beings, so I do not mind allowing them to descend as much as they please, but the burden on you would be enormous. You would be wise to be careful."