"Oh, before I forget," I suddenly spoke, catching my friends' attention. "I'm holding a small opening ceremony in my domain, and I would like to invite you all."
"A ceremony? For what?" Lora asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm opening a new... attraction," I said, choosing my words carefully. "A city."
"..."
Silence descended upon the room as my friends tried to process my words.
"A... city?" Lucy was the first to break the silence, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Like, a real city? With buildings and people?"
"A city of my own," I confirmed, a proud smile on my face. "A place where my followers can live and thrive. A sanctuary for those who are lost and forsaken."
"Wow..." Lora breathed, her eyes shining with admiration, then she frowned. "But Morgana, don't you already have a city?"
"..."
She had a point.
"This city is open to all," I explained. "It's a free city. Anyone can come and go as they please, as long as they follow the rules."
"Rules? What rules?" Katarina asked, her interest clearly piqued.
"Simple ones," I said. "No murder, no theft, no slavery. And everyone is equal, regardless of their race or background."
"That's... a bold statement," Katarina said, her expression thoughtful. "Especially in a world with many races and deep-seated prejudices. How do you plan to enforce these rules?"
"With a 50-inch dick up the ass," I said, my tone deadpan.
"Pfft!"
Lucy burst out laughing, her chair almost tipping over. Lora's face turned red, and she quickly covered her mouth to hide her giggles. Even Katarina couldn't help but crack a smile.
"I'm serious," I said, trying to keep a straight face. "But I also have other means of enforcing them."
'The Valkyries will be excellent for the job,' I thought to myself. 'The Sentinels too.'
I had already tasked Vicky with creating a new order of warriors, an elite force that would serve as the city's guards.
"Anyway, are you coming or not?" I asked, bringing the conversation back on track.
"Of course we're coming!" Lucy exclaimed, her excitement palpable. "I wouldn't miss this for the world! A new city! This is big, Morgana! Really big! I can use it to scam.... Ahem, I mean to promote my games."
"I would be honored to attend," Katarina said, her smile warm and genuine. "A city built on principles of equality and freedom... It's a noble endeavor. I wish you the best of luck. Just make sure to have a good wine for me."
"Me too! Me too!" Lora chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I want to see your city! Can I bring my animals? Can I build a farm there? Please, please, please?"
"Of course, Lora," I said, patting her head. "There will be a special district for you. A place where you can raise all the cute and fluffy creatures you want."
"Yay!" Lora cheered, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. "Thank you, Morgana! You're the best!"
"Okay, okay, I get it," I said, laughing as I hugged her back. "Just don't get too drunk and pass out in my city's fountain on opening day."
"I won't!" Lora promised, her cheeks flushing.
"Good."
I then looked at my friends, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. They were more than just fellow goddesses. They were my family. My confidants. My partners in crime.
And I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.
"Here, take these." I pulled out three golden keys from my inventory and placed them on the table.
The design was, of course, lewd as hell. The shaft was a detailed carving of a cock, and the bow at the top was a detailed carving of a pussy.
"..."
The three of them stared at the keys, their expressions a mix of shock, amusement, and embarrassment.
"Is this... necessary?" Katarina asked, her cheeks slightly flushed as she picked up one of the keys.
"Yes, it is," I said, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "These are the master keys to the city. With these, you can enter any building, any room, any... 'chamber' you desire. No questions asked."
"..."
"You're just trying to get us to your bed, aren't you?" Lucy accused, though she was already pocketing her key with a grin.
"I'm not denying it," I said with a shrug. "Three cute goddesses in my city? How could I resist?"
"You're impossible," Lora mumbled, but she too took her key, her fingers brushing against mine for a moment longer than necessary.
"I try my best."
The keys were more than just a gimmick. They were 'identity' passes that would grant the right to teleport to my land at any time. The only downside is that they have to use avatars.
A necessary precaution. I couldn't have them walking around my city in their divine forms. That would destroy the entire world, even if mine was created by a primordial goddess.
Can't risk it. Besides, they didn't know that I could walk among mortals in my divine form.
As far as Herma could tell, only I could do it, a unique trait of my ascension as the goddess of breeding.
No other god knew about this little secret of mine, and I planned to keep it that way for as long as I could.
"So, when is the big day?" Lucy asked, her excitement bubbling over. "I need to plan my outfit. And maybe create a few 'special' games for the occasion."
"It's in a week," I said, then I stood up. "But I have to go now. I have a prince to... 'enlighten.'"
"Go get him, tiger," Lucy cheered, winking at me.
"Be careful, Morgana," Katarina said, her expression turning serious. "Try not to start a war before my party."
"I'll do my best," I promised, then I turned to the red-headed loli and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"You'll be a good girl while I'm gone, right?"
"Y-Yes!" Lora stammered, her face turning red. "I'll be good! I promise!"
"Good girl."
With a final wave, I turned, attempting to leave, but I caught something in the corner of my eye.
Outside the cafe's window, I spotted a group of gods, and one of them was wearing a familiar style of armor.
The Roman Legionnaire style.
That made me pause, not because of that god. No, it made me recall another god.
"Hey, Grape Juice!" I called out. "Do you know where I can find Mars?"
Mars was the god of war that I had fun with, playing that war game after winning it. I was rewarded with the Iron Medal that I used to upgrade my divine rank.
I added him as a friend but never spoke to him ever since.
"Mars?" Katarina paused in the middle of wiping her dress. "The God of War? He's probably in his domain right now, sharpening his swords and counting his scars. But why do you ask?"
"I need to have a word with him about a certain... shield," I said, my gaze still fixed on the window.
"Are you still trying to have him fuck you?" Lucy asked, a sly grin on her face. "I told you, he's not into that. He's more into... well, war. And maybe a little bit of bondage."
"It's not about that," I said, shaking my head. "It's about his wife."
Mars' wife was a tragedy. She was sacrificed by a group of fanatics who used her to forge a bronze shield.
Now her soul was stuck in that shield, unable to move on, unable to rest.
And I was going to change that.
...
Leaving the cafe, I decided to walk around the city for a bit before heading to my... secret business.
The Nexus City was, as always, a sight to behold. The district that I was in was a mixture of like 50 distinctive cultures all squished together.
You have a big pyramid next to a big Japanese castle that was next to a futuristic skyscraper.
A chaotic harmony.
It reflected the nature of the gods themselves.
I passed through a bustling market square where gods were haggling over artifacts of immense power, trading them like trinkets. I saw a goddess of luck selling "blessed" dice, and a god of smithing arguing with a god of fire over the price of a star-forged sword.
As I navigated the throng, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. I had felt it ever since I left the cafe. A subtle, prickling sensation on the back of my neck, the kind that told me someone was tracking my every move.
I ducked into a narrow alleyway between two buildings, one shaped like a spiraling seashell and the other carved from a single, massive emerald. The alley was dark and quiet, perfect for losing a tail or confronting one.
I leaned against the emerald wall, crossing my arms, and waited.
It didn't take long.
A figure detached itself from the shadows at the far end of the alley. They moved with a silent, fluid grace, their steps making no sound on the obsidian pavement.
As they stepped into the dim light filtering from the street, I saw that they were clad head to toe in form-fitting, obsidian-black armor that seemed to absorb the light. Their face was hidden behind a featureless mask, but I could tell who that was from a mile away.
"Come here." I swiftly grabbed the figure, smashed them against the wall, and ripped the mask away before smashing my lips against theirs.
"Mmmph!"
The surprise was evident in their muffled gasp, but it quickly melted into a familiar, hungry response. Their hands, which had been reaching for a weapon, found their way into my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss deepened, a desperate, passionate reunion that spoke of long months apart.
When we finally broke apart, panting for breath, I looked into the familiar red eye.
"Augusta," I smiled, my thumb gently stroking her cheek. "Long time no see."
"Morgana," she replied, her voice a low, husky whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. "I missed you."