One month later.
The past month had been, overall, remarkably calm. Small skirmishes had occurred on Andromeda Island, as expected.
But.
Just as Alistair had predicted, they were fleeting encounters—mere probes.
To be precise.
For the Sanctuary, it was about testing the waters.
For Alistair's kin, it was about improving themselves through battle.
The third portal's cooldown was complete, with one hour remaining.
Najenda, Akame, Kurome, Leone, Mine, Sheele, and Chelsea.
The former Night Raid team, plus Kurome, had returned from Andromeda Island to the Pure Land of Bliss under Najenda's leadership.
"Your Majesty!"
The seven women bowed.
Alistair waved a hand: "Alright, take a seat."
"Yes!"
Najenda and the others each found a place to sit.
Alistair clapped his hands: "Let's keep this brief. This world conquest is simple—handle everything in the shortest time possible. Tentatively, let's set it at three days."
Alistair paused, setting a timeline.
The women had no objections.
A slice-of-life world!
Please.
Wasn't that just a vacation?
Wasting time on such a conquest would be the strangest thing.
"Pandora, as the commander, lead the remaining Demon Stars to conquer the entire world in the shortest time."
"Charon, lead the Demon Teigu wielders to set up the barrier."
"Beyond that…"
Alistair rubbed his brow, spreading his hands: "Honestly, that's it. I don't even know what else to assign."
Truly.
Alistair had no strategy this time.
Modern technology.
A mundane setting.
A slice-of-life world.
No mystical systems whatsoever.
Its technology was laughably weak.
Alistair didn't even know what else to say. Three days to resolve it? That was already generous.
"Hmm…"
Najenda considered: "Your Majesty, in a modern setting, won't faith be harder to establish?"
It was a valid concern.
After all, in a modern world, the concept of gods was endlessly diminished.
"Indeed," Leone chimed in, lounging on a sofa: "Your Majesty, in a modern setting, what if the world's leaders resist to the death?"
Alistair waved dismissively: "These are minor issues. They won't pose any problems."
"Pandora will handle it."
"Your Majesty."
"Rest assured."
Pandora smiled, voicing no objections.
Alistair mused: "Speaking of which, Persephone, want to take a look?"
"Go see…"
Persephone hesitated, tempted, but considered the Underworld's current state.
At that moment.
Demeter, her mother, spoke lazily: "Persephone, go have fun with Dust. I'll watch over the Underworld. A short break won't cause any issues."
"Besides."
"With the portal open, if anything happens, I can notify you instantly."
"Relax."
Demeter's languid yet maternal voice soothed everyone's chaotic thoughts.
Persephone, initially conflicted, smiled softly: "Mother, thank you."
"We're family."
Demeter's eyes brimmed with tenderness. She had followed her daughter here.
Though.
The outcome had deviated slightly.
But.
That didn't matter. As long as her daughter was safe and thriving, that was enough.
As for herself, as a mother?
Watching her daughter flourish was more than sufficient.
Moreover.
Demeter was quite satisfied.
Her golden hair now elegantly pinned up, the widow's aura she once carried had vanished, replaced by the refined grace of a poised matron.
"Then it's settled," Alistair said with a smile. "These will be the ones going."
"Though."
"A modern society is quite suited for strolling around."
"We'll discuss that later."
"And."
"The portal's cooldown is done."
Alistair stood, raising a hand. A radiant portal shimmered into existence.
He led the women through it.
"Hmm…"
As they left, Demeter reclined lazily on the sofa, her black lace pajamas accentuating her allure, like a quintessential elegant matron.
"This life…"
"Heh…"
Demeter's lips curved into a rich smile. She leaned back, closing her eyes, drifting into a serene slumber.
How long had it been?
Demeter couldn't recall. Since her creation, she had never truly slept.
But since arriving in the Pure Land of Bliss.
These past one or two months, every day had been filled with joy, contentment, and fulfillment.
…
Code Name: Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend World
The group emerged from the portal.
"A modern society…" Pandora and Charon gazed at the towering skyscrapers, a hint of nostalgia in their expressions.
Alistair, observing, asked: "Pandora, Charon, have you been to a modern world before?"
"Your Majesty!" Pandora said with a wry smile. "Technology and mystery are, in a sense, two parallel systems. You're aware of that, right?"
"Of course," Alistair nodded. He knew this.
"Exactly!" Pandora continued. "For gods, after creating a divine realm, many experiment with different paths for their creations. Long ago, I saw the beings Prometheus created—they had developed terrifying technology."
"I recall…"
"Their most powerful weapons could kill a High God in a single strike."
"And crucially."
"Those weapons could be mass-produced, given enough resources."
Alistair nodded at Pandora's explanation.
"The mystical system defies fate, each step arduous, but it grants eternal power to the individual."
"The technological system is collective, each barrier surmounted allowing rapid spread across humanity."
Persephone spoke softly.
Alistair blinked, rubbing his chin: "Why do I feel you all know more about technology than I do, a modern-world native?"
"Dust," Persephone said, naturally linking her arm with his. "As we've said, gods often explore systems to elevate humanity. Technology is one many have studied."
"Fine," Alistair waved. "Let's drop this for now. Pandora, Charon, begin."
"Yes!"
On serious matters, there was no room for jest. Pandora and Charon, along with the curious Najenda and her seven, departed.
"Once this is done, I'm definitely going shopping," Leone declared. "A tech world is amazing!"
"It feels like…"
"Technology boosts human happiness."
"Hmm!"
Najenda and the others chattered as they followed Charon.
Now.
Only Alistair and Persephone remained.
"Hmm…"
Persephone scanned their surroundings. The bustling humans couldn't perceive them.
"Want to take a walk, Dust?" she asked softly.
"Let's walk," Alistair replied. "This world's like a vacation. No rush."
He waved a hand, transforming their attire to match a vibrant young couple.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
Alistair and Persephone strolled into the distance, ready to explore.
Night fell.
The two had a blast.
Then…
"Emergency Broadcast!"
"Emergency Broadcast!"
"Today, our nation has surrendered to the supreme Lord of the Underworld."
"As of today, our nation is dissolved."
"We await integration under the Lord of the Underworld, becoming citizens of the faith."
"Oh?" Alistair looked up at the blaring screen, amused. "Pandora's efficient. Conquering this land so quickly?"
"But."
"Likely a full march. If nothing goes wrong, by tomorrow night…"
"All nations will be dealt with."
"After all."
"Humans are the hardest yet easiest to control."
"When faced with power beyond life and death."
"That's how it goes."
Alistair and Persephone discussed as they headed to a luxury hotel.
For them.
This was purely a vacation. No need to overthink.
In truth.
Alistair had wanted to bring Nezuko Kamado.
But!
Nezuko, having created the Demon Clan, which became Alistair's kin.
Or rather.
Nezuko became a Demon God, one of Alistair's subordinate gods.
The Demon Clan became his kin.
Plus, she was now managing the Underworld and Hell.
Nezuko was igniting her divine spark, in seclusion in the Pure Land of Bliss. Would anything go wrong? With Demeter watching, it was impossible.
Once Nezuko emerged.
She'd likely be the fifth god under Alistair.
"What's happening?"
"What is this?"
"Huh?!"
The duo ignored the surrounding cries and roars, as if none of it existed.
Elsewhere.
A black-haired boy with glasses dashed out.
"Hm?" Alistair paused, surprised, then said: "It's him. Perfect…"
He waved casually, and Persephone stopped.
They stood quietly.
The next moment.
"Get out of the way!"
"Idiot!"
"Running a red light!"
"Damn it!"
With a screech, the boy who ran the red light collapsed. A glow, invisible to mortals, floated from him into Alistair's hand.
In an instant.
It became an anchor nail.
Tomoya Aki!
Alistair toyed with the nail, musing: "This world's world force isn't much. Maybe four or five anchor nails. Anchoring it will take one and a half to two months."
"No rush."
"While anchoring, we can prepare for the next world. Once it's conquered, we can explore others."
Persephone considered the next steps.
Alistair nodded: "Indeed. It depends on what comes next."
"Um…"
"You two?"
A nervous female voice interrupted.
Alistair and Persephone turned.
A girl in a school uniform, with a white headband, deep red eyes, and striking features framed by long black hair—a perfect black-haired beauty. Her black stockings gave an exaggeratedly voluptuous impression.
In a way.
She was like Demeter, exuding a sensual aura.
"Utaha Kasumigaoka," Alistair said, amused. "I thought you'd watch longer."
Persephone sighed: "Dust, don't scare her. For a mortal hearing our talk and daring to approach, that's courage enough."
Persephone gazed warmly at Utaha.
"…"
Utaha fell silent.
Though sharp-tongued, she wasn't fearless or thoughtless.
From their conversation and the national broadcast, she knew what was happening.
The internet was in chaos.
She'd seen it herself—no guards, yet society remained balanced despite the upheaval.
Anyone with dissent was instantly restrained by skeletal spirits rising from the ground.
Then.
A trial she couldn't comprehend. The qualified were taken; the unqualified, sent to Hell for eternal torment, supposedly as dark divine power generators?
Like human batteries!
"Um…"
"You two?"
Utaha opened her mouth, at a loss for words.
She'd acted on instinct, wanting to ask something.
"Hmm…" Alistair rubbed his chin, his eyes glinting darkly. "Utaha-chan, want to sit and chat? If a voluptuous beauty like you is pleasing, I might share a lot."
Persephone looked at her god-lord helplessly.
She could tell Alistair was having fun—immense fun.
And he was.
Teasing a sharp-tongued beauty like Utaha, who trembled and dared not retort, was endlessly entertaining.
"…"
Utaha instinctively sensed Alistair's wicked amusement.
In that moment.
After a brief silence, she made her choice. Though he was clearly toying with her, this was her world. She couldn't save it, but before dying, she wanted to understand what was happening.
***
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