Another week has passed, and I can finally walk. Thanks to Old Mona's therapy and the care of the others, I'm as good as new. During this inactive time, I wasn't just resting; I took the opportunity to come up with a plan. It might not work, but there's nothing to lose by trying.
According to Janeth's account, that Augusto guy has a regeneration power that makes him practically immortal; it's also possible that this is connected to the sinister sword he carried and Mother Karlota. In my world, there are many fictional characters with that kind of power, and the conclusion is always the same: to finish them off, you have to pulverize every single one of their atoms. That is extremely difficult without nuclear radiation. I would have to make an atomic bomb, and that's impossible—I don't know how to do it, nor do I have what's necessary.
So, another option remains: we must find the origin of that power. I have several clues. Something must have happened after the "Master" supposed death in the war, and it has to do with those red threads coming out of his body. I assume it must be something evil and forbidden; that cliché is always used in stories. Authors should put in a bit more effort.
The supposed god I rejected also has something to do with it; he himself said his "puppets" were going to raze everything. Maybe he gave them power or something like that. If I want to find a way to win, I have to know what kind of deity he is. There are always gods of rain, water, or fire; from what the giantess described, I can deduce it has something to do with blood and flesh. It must be something dark and horrifying, like a God of the Dead. Although the being that calls himself the strongest god, DyTPo, said it was a lesser entity.
If the guy said "puppets" and the King's brother has threads that regenerate him... Now it all makes sense! I must find a way to break the bond between those two so we can win. The thing is: how is that done? I can't think of how to intervene in the realm of the gods. They always approach me, but I never approach them.
I do have one advantage, though: the System. Maybe through it, I can find a way or contact someone who can offer me help. Although I don't think I want to do that; it's always so mocking toward me.
—System! —I shouted, sitting on my bed.
[The user has called me]
[What does the user desire?]
The electric blue letters appeared in my vision. I found it very strange that it appeared so quickly this time; I usually have to beg for it to pay attention to me.
—Do you have information about someone named Diva? —I remembered the name DyTPo told me before kicking me out of his space.
[Searching for information…]
[Information found]
[The entity named Diva is the goddess of love and fertility. She is also known as ‽‽‽‽]
Her other name appeared with static and was blurred. I remember the voice from the hut in the white place told me her name, and I heard static then, too. Maybe I'm too inferior to know those names?
[Note: this goddess was the one who gave the main quest to the user]
What? The voice in the hut is this Diva? Then why did that kid tell me to be careful with her? This has turned ugly. Does that mean I shouldn't kill the Leviathan? Or is it that I have to watch out for her later on? It doesn't make sense; I only have one year of life left. I don't understand anything; my head hurts.
It could also be that DyTPo is lying. Why should I trust him? I can't trust any of them.
[The user looks very pensive]
[Does the user wish to ask another question? Or is the user finished?]
For now, I must focus on what's in front of me; I must get information about Augusto and that mysterious god.
—I have another question. Do you know anything about the entity that is helping a demon named Augusto? —I asked the System.
[Searching for information…]
[Information blocked]
[It can only be read that there is a connection between the demon Augusto and a dark entity]
Bingo! I was right, although I wanted to know more. At least I have more clues.
—I have one last question. Can one intervene in the bond between a god and a mortal being?
[Searching for information…]
[It can be intervened, but only by a more powerful entity]
Shit! That means I can't do anything. I'll have to ask for help.
[The user's daily questions have ended]
[Goodbye]
I wouldn't want to have to rely on gods that aren't trustworthy. The last one who offered me a pact is now throwing this tantrum. Is there anything else I can do?
Then I remembered something I was overlooking. I have a very powerful friend, so much so that no monstrous animal would want to get near him: Uuk! My pseudo-dragon companion. I haven't seen him since they killed my Liva parents and kidnapped me. Where could he be?
I know where his home is; it could be that he returned there. I also know he liked to sleep in the mountains. I must go look for him; I'm going to talk to Janeth and the others about my plan. I can only talk to those I trust; I don't know if there are moles around here.
I got up from my bed and prepared to leave the hut they put me in; it had been a long time since I'd seen the outside. I moved the curtain covering the door frame, and the light blinded me for a moment.
When I could finally see clearly, I saw the beauty of Bigue's landscape. This coastal village is gorgeous.
—Hey, the purple Liva came out of his house —a voice whispered.
—It was about time. He's so cute; he looks like a demon stuck in a pet's body —another female voice whispered.
—I am NOT a pet! —I shouted while pointing at the people who were gossiping.
—He's so cute —they just laughed.
I didn't want to fight with these people anymore, so I started walking. I felt the soft sand on the soles of my paws; it burned a little, but it was pleasant. I've been here a month, but I still haven't been able to enjoy the wonders of the beach. I'll do that later; for now, I must find the others.
The beautiful girls here greeted me as I walked; the men, on the other hand, gave me dirty looks. Normal, I'm going to take their girlfriends away—even though they only see me as an adorable animal. Not like I care.
I walked for a while until I saw the twins playing on the shore. I approached them.
—Hello, girls —I greeted them kindly.
—Hey, it's the perverted cockroach! —Petra shouted, a bit astonished. As soon as she saw me, she came running over.
—What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting? —Anastasia asked me, coming up behind Petra.
—I'm better now —I said calmly—. Do you know where Janeth and the old woman are?
—They went to the council —Anastasia announced.
—Yes, they said something about planning the offensive. They've been at it for a month and can't reach an agreement —Petra finished the sentence.
—Okay, can you tell me where it is?
The brats grabbed my hand and led me to the place. As we went, I realized this villa is like a labyrinth: there are narrow alleys between the houses and a ton of little streets. I even got dizzy from so many turns. In a blink, we reached the place; it was a large building built over the water. It had walls made of a fiber similar to bamboo and a pointed roof like the other houses.
—It's here! You go in alone; they don't let us in —Anastasia said, as the two of them sat on a bench next to the entrance.
"Okay, I just have to go in and find the old woman and the giantess," I thought as I moved the door curtain and walked in. Before passing through, people could be heard talking inside, but when I entered, everyone turned to look at me and fell silent. "Why all the attention now?"
—Have you never seen a talking Liva? —I made a little joke to break the tension.
—Does it really exist?! —someone shouted from the back.
—I thought it was a lie that a talkative purple Liva had arrived from the capital —another voice exclaimed.
—The boss wouldn't give us permission to see him —a third voice announced.
Suddenly, everyone approached me; they were all around me, looking at me as if I were a fairground attraction.
—Everyone calm down! —exclaimed the voice of the woman who welcomed us to the village—. We are here to talk about serious matters; you can see Janeth's pet later.
—Sorry, boss —everyone responded as they returned to their seats.
I saw Janeth and Mona sitting next to the village head. I approached them. Janeth, without warning, moved her hair tentacles and sat me on her lap. Since when is she like this with me?
—He's so cute! —shouted a girl sitting in front of us.
—Calm down, Antonella! —the boss ordered her.
—Sorry —the young woman murmured.
—Well! Now let's proceed with what we were talking about.
A muscular older man raised his hand to ask for the floor.
—I propose going straight ahead to avenge our king. That "Master" will see that nobody messes with His Majesty —he said in a deep, imposing voice.
—That is not a good plan! Attacking head-on is suicide. Did you not understand that that guy defeated the King and Lady Janeth with ease? We must go with a better plan —a slightly older woman interrupted him.
—We must attack head-on like true warriors! —the muscular guy replied.
—No! We have to devise a different strategy —the woman shot back.
Out of nowhere, everyone got agitated and started shouting. Old Mona raised her hand, and everyone fell silent.
—As His Majesty's mother, I believe the following will be for the best —she paused for a moment and turned toward where I was—. Look at this cute little animal here! —she pointed at me—. He is an Envoy!
Everyone in the room froze and looked at me with amazement. That damn woman! I knew she had discovered my secret, but I didn't think she was going to reveal it in front of everyone.