Ch 148

  “You can’t really control that,” retorted Greg after Matt began discussing his concerns about being perceived as divine in some way. “People will believe what they want to and ignore anything that contradicts their worldview. Just look at the flat Earth movement.”

  “The what?” asked Matt, caught off guard. “There were people who believed the world was flat?”

  “Just as there are people who believe that an intergalactic dictator dumped a bunch of dissidents on Earth before killing them and leaving their souls stranded there forever,” commented Emily, or something like that. “Really, if the spokesperson is charismatic enough and the audience is gullible or desperate enough, you’ll find many will believe anything. Honestly, it’s why I love books; even though I know the worlds I experience are fictional, and many of them would never truly work if they were real, at least they never claim to be the truth.”

  “Sorry, I am still stuck on people not believing what should be the most basic of science,” replied Matt. “How?”

  “I personally believe at least half, if not 95% of their community, are trolls with nothing better to do but troll each other, not realizing that each side sees themselves as the troll,” answered Greg. “Then the rest are true believers and see everything as a conspiracy. Given that there are millions of people worldwide who proclaim the world is flat, it’s rather disheartening.”

  “Maybe all those who truly believe in such things got grouped together and forced to confront their beliefs for their integration,” commented Rose. “I mean, I’m not sure how they would, but I think it would be fun to watch as they were all transported to a dome on the moon to see Earth from that perspective.”

  Matt remained seated on Rose’s lap, as she had insisted on savoring the limited time they had together. Although they had abandoned any plans of Matt dating each of the women, Rose asserted that until Matt officially declared their relationship over, she would continue to treat him as though they were still together. From Matt’s perspective, even though he recognized the relationship was doomed, he appreciated having a place to seek comfort when needed. However, guilt was slowly beginning to creep in, as he felt he was using Rose, despite knowing she didn’t mind.

  “Let’s not worry about things we know nothing about,” stated Emily, frowning as she glanced at Matt and Rose. “Right now, Matt has four real options, and each comes with its own set of challenges and benefits. First, he could fail, either intentionally or despite his best efforts. The second and third options involve focusing on Tempormr or Radoznaormr—although he has upset both of them, they might be open to negotiations due to the penalty period. Finally, Matt could place the focus on himself, as Jaelyn wants, which could lead to him becoming the center of a new religion, whether he desires it or not.”

  “I think we can at least delay things from escalating to the point of worship for the last option until after Matt dies, and only if his actions are ultimately seen as successful,” commented Greg. “That is, if he ever dies and doesn’t just reach the same level as Tempormr and Radoznaormr, at which point there will be nothing anyone can do to stop people from worshiping him.”

  "I could order anyone worshiping me to be killed," retorted Matt, crossing his arms defensively.

  "Do you want your own drink-the-Kool-Aid moment?" asked Greg. "You probably don't even know what that is."

  "Sounds familiar, but no idea about the details," replied Matt, his puppet's face scrunching slightly.

  "Mass suicide of a cult, because their leader told them to," stated Emily, frowning as she gave Matt a hard look. "It's more complex than that, as not everyone who was part of the group willingly did that, and many tried to run. There were children there too."

  "You think that someone could kill themselves because I order them to kill all those worshiping me?"

  "Matt, the world is a dark place," stated Greg, looking uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat. "Trust me when I say that I've seen some messed-up stuff that people willingly do to gain someone's attention. Most of the time it's just a scam, and some money is all that is lost, but sometimes it can be way worse. Like, finding yourself cutting off all relationships and becoming wholly dependent on a messed-up organization as they exploit you."

  "You mean like what Rudan makes it sound like the whole universe is like?" asked Matt.

  "No," replied Greg, shaking his head firmly. "To me, he makes it sound like organizations are like countries, and you just have to deal with the rules of the one you live under. I'm talking about if you were to have started requiring the women around you to all share you and pledge their bodies and souls to you."

  "Why must everything always circle back to harems with you," scoffed Emily, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "We understand; you have a wild dream and somehow found a woman, goblin or not, who is willing to let you pursue it."

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  "I’m relieved you’re not on the surface," commented Matt, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "If you were, you would have been turned against me in no time."

  "Nah, I can keep my urges in check," retorted Greg with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Besides, Kall has to approve, and as open as she is to sharing, she flat-out refuses to let me entertain any thoughts about what she calls 'weak women.'"

  "You actually discuss these things with her?" asked Rose, looking quite shocked. "I mean, I suppose you would have to, but still."

  "Open communication is essential in all relationships," stated Greg matter-of-factly. "That becomes even more true when it involves more than just two people—"

  "We understand," groaned Emily, cutting him off with impatience. "Can we please get back on topic?"

  "Right," agreed Greg, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Matt, it is crucial that we manage to present you as a reclusive leader without creating too much of an air of mystery, because that's when people start embellishing who you are."

  "And just who am I?" asked Matt, a touch of uncertainty in his voice. "Honestly, how can I avoid mystery when I’m not even fully aware of where my own powers originate?"

  "Just keep that under wraps," advised Emily, her tone firm. "Really, your biggest challenge is that you managed to kill an A-rank while still a D-rank. The good news is that, along with most of your other feats, it will remain largely unknown to anyone back on Earth. So, as long as you don’t brag about it, you should be fine."

  Matt was just about to respond when a system notification chimed in his mind. "Song Xiang has formed the Nightguard organization." There was a sudden silence as they all processed the fact that a new organization had been formed. It wasn't completely unexpected as Matt had already done it himself, but it also hadn't been something that they were certain would happen so soon. The implications for their plans were what really caused Matt and the others to exchange worried glances as Greg spoke first.

  "Well fuck. They couldn't have waited a few more weeks, now there are other avenues for Tempormr and Radoznaormr to explore if our working theories are right."

  "Let's just hope that our theory that they won't have access to them and others like them will be correct," commented Emily, her fingers drumming nervously on the table. "Still, I don't see this as a good thing for us as a whole."

  "Yeah, from what we've learned, the odds are that we will have to fight them," commented Greg, his expression grim. "Now securing this world is an even bigger deal."

  "It's fine," stated Matt, trying to sound confident. "Really, this could be a good thing as it will give me an out if they are a decent person—"

  "Just stop," cut in Rose, her voice sharp with frustration. "Honestly, you can't revert back into a hermit by kicking everyone out of Scattered Stars—"

  "I can and I will," retorted Matt defiantly. "Even if Nightguard isn't the right organization to trust with the masses, I still envision Scattered Stars as a gathering of elites who will focus on reaching the peak of the power curve and navigating the universe without concerning themselves with who controls what."

  "That isn't likely to work out," commented Greg, sounding worried. "Matt, we know that's what you want, but we need to have some sort of population to recruit members from. Unless you think other organizations will be fine with us poaching their members—and that's if we can even convince them to join. I think the idea of sending members out to act as a neutral force and seeking to establish trade is a great idea. It's just not one that will succeed unless we have at least Earth under our complete control, as that's the minimum needed for anyone to respect us."

  "I take it this topic has been discussed while I've been focused elsewhere," replied Matt as he glanced at Emily, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

  "Extremely and thoroughly," stated Emily. "We figured your agreement to our plans to turn the mess you're in to your advantage was you agreeing to it."

  "I see," muttered Matt, frowning as he pondered. "I think I need some time to think."

  Without waiting for a response, Matt returned to his main body and remained still, lost in thought. He didn't feel like conversing with Rudan, and he couldn't bear the thought of tracking the group that was trying to kill him. Honestly, a part of him wouldn't mind if they did succeed, as it would at least end all his worries. Not that he would willingly lay down and die for anyone. He couldn't accept any death but one where he did everything he could, and it still wasn't enough. Even then, part of him expected that he would just end up in one of his puppets, permanently weakened but still alive.

  Thoughts like these lingered for a good 20 minutes before Matt sighed, signaling that he was conscious once more. Only Rudan seemed completely indifferent, merely casting a bored glance in Matt's direction. So, Matt stepped forward and walked outside, only to witness something extraordinary in the sky. The heavens were painted in a spectrum of colors, reminiscent of the aurora borealis, but far more vibrant than he had ever seen, enveloping the entire sky. He was just about to turn back and inquire with Rudan about this phenomenon when he noticed a new figure standing beside him.

  “It’s quite the spectacle, isn’t it?” commented the man, who had a pair of short antlers and skin covered in yellow-tinted scales. “Don’t worry about your guard or guide; he is currently lost in a curious thought. He will eventually find his way back to reality, and even if that happens after we’ve concluded our business, there isn’t much someone as weak as he is can do for you.”

  “Radoznaormr, I presume,” Matt replied.

  “Yes, it is nice to see that you can grasp the obvious. However, I am still deciding if you are interesting enough to let live.”

  “I take it you have a way to kill me after the penalty period is over, then,” Matt ventured.

  Radoznaormr chuckled at Matt’s remark, responding with a predatory grin. “I don’t need such a way. You see, as an administrative-level entity, I am exempt from those restrictions, even if the system doesn’t often disclose this. So, you see, I can kill you at will, but I am curious to hear what plan led you to think you could make a deal with me.”

  “All you care about is witnessing how new things unfold, correct?” asked Matt, feeling as if his life was hanging by a thread.

  “No, that is tedious, as so little is truly new. What I enjoy is witnessing events that have never occurred before. Like a weakling stealing from me, attempting to implicate another organization, or at least make them seem culpable, all the while planning for a future he isn’t likely to have.”