Chapter 252: Heart Resonance

As we walked back to the Cursebreaker, I could see Isabella constantly surveying the surrounding area for potential threats.

However, many of the gods walking the streets recognized me as the one who razed Excelsis to the ground. The one who brought death and destruction to their realm.

The result, was that they were absolutely terrified of me and made no attempts to approach.

After all, many of them had actually been killed as a result of my actions.

All the while I secretly remained on the lookout for a potential candidate. One goddess from this realm would join us on our ship. They would become mine forever and dedicate their existence to serving me and stopping the Corruption.

But unfortunately, none of these would do. They were weak. I decided to ignore them and focus on something else.

I had other plans, currently.

I would be speaking to Iris and everyone about what she had to show them. They were valuable crew members, so I wanted to see what she had planned.

Once we reached the Cursebreaker, we got onboard and I found Stella waiting for me.

"Master Mizik. It is wonderful to see you again! May I escort you through the ship?" Stella asked with an excited bow.

"By all means. Please," I said in the best regal tone I could manage.

"Hnn... Yes! Of course!" Stella said.

"Have no fear, my darling. I will also be your escort!" Cassandra said proudly.

"And I, as well. Though we may share a body, I also wish to serve Master Mizik," Isabella said.

As convincing as Isabella was, I knew that truthfully, she was just having fun with this. She wasn't nearly as mentally compromised as the other two women in the room.

Regardless, I was hoping I could separate them soon.

We began making our way to the bridge of the ship after that and soon came across Iris and the Enforcers.

"Hey! Mizik! Come here for a sec, would you?" Iris said.

We approached and I waved at her.

"Alright...what is it that you wanted to show the Enforcers?" I asked.

"I call it...Heart Resonance! After several all-nighters with Johann trying to figure these stones out, we found a solution!" She said cheerfully.

"Several all-nighters? Were you just playing video games again?" Jallah said.

"Shhhh! Sometimes I need inspiration! And SOMETIMES it helps to just step away and take your mind off of it...especially when you're hanging out with your bestie, doing some gaming, and having lots of pizza!"

"Typical Iris...never change, okay?" Jallah said with a smile.

"Lady Iris...is it not improper for you to stay at your apartment alone all night with a man?" Leiso said curiously.

"Huuuh? It's just Johann. He's not interested in that sort of thing at all and even if he was, he's waaay out of my league! I mean, come on..."

She seemed disappointed for a moment but quickly composed herself.

I think I see the problem between them...

"Iris, I think he actually-"

Leiso put a hand over Jallah's mouth.

"Maybe she should figure it out on her own, Jallah?" She said.

Jallah seemed slightly annoyed and slumped his shoulders.

"Fine...not like investigating and figuring stuff out is my job or anything..." He said.

"If you all are finished muttering amongst yourselves, I'm sure Mizik would appreciate an update. Right Mizik?" Iris said.

"Sure. But don't stop on my account. I like seeing my friends having fun," I said.

Despite my current disposition, they were still precious to me. In fact...it was no exaggeration to say that I had gathered them all up here for their protection...rather than to use them for war. They could be killed in such a thing.

It wasn't that I didn't trust them...I was sure of it.

They represented the tiny part of my mind that was still intact.

Iris smiled.

"Well, aren't you sweet for someone called 'Destroyer'? Okay, so here's how it works... I took three heart stones and used purified divine energy to modify them. Then, I connected them to my Enforcers and...eureka! I created an environment to manifest a third aspect in all of my beloved soldiers! You and the twins might be exempt, however."

"That's pretty amazing, actually... And why are we exempt?" I asked.

"I wanna say it's because I'm lazy. That would save my pride and shift the blame to something I could actually fix...but I'd be lying. I don't have enough power to modify a legendary heart stone. Like, not even close. I feel pretty inadequate..." Iris said.

Isabella switched over and smiled as she stepped forward.

"No, it's quite alright, Iris. We understand. We're plenty strong as is and can still gain more strength indefinitely. We'll be fine!" she said.

"I'm glad you see it that way... Well, as soon as my Enforcers have their third Aspects, we can see about starting this war in earnest. Right?" Iris said.

"I agree. I'll have to destroy a lot of worlds to gain the necessary power, but once I have enough, I'll find a solution to the Valtheim problem. And as soon as she's dealt with, we'll kill Difar," I said.

"Uh-huh...but there's one little problem, Mizik. How will you go to the Abyss without Valtheim? I mean...won't Difar be trapped down there without her?"

"..."

I hadn't thought about that. 

If Valtheim was gone, I couldn't go to the Abyss and kill Difar. Or he would be trapped on some random world and we'd never find him.

I would have to modify my strategy...

"I HAVE A NEW IDEA!" I shouted.

"Huh...?" Iris said.

"We'll take control of Valtheim, instead. She'll become MY bodyguard. How does that sound?" I said.

Jallah shook his head.

"Sounds like a good plan, but how the hell do you plan to execute it? We'd have to be able to defeat her to control her," he said.

"I'll work on that, Jallah... I just need time. Now then...how soon can your Enforcers be ready, Iris?"

"I dunno. I've never done this before. Could be a few hours...could be a few years. But the process has already begun," Iris said.

"Great. In the meantime, you can all prepare for the upcoming festival," I said.

"Festival?" Leiso said quizzically.

"Yeah, I told the Artificer to set up a celebration over the entire realm. I'm going to execute the Oracle in front of everyone and proclaim my intentions to the gods of Excelsis."

"Oh right...I forgot she was still alive... And that sounds super. She kinda deserves it for doing absolutely nothing to help my world...and sanctioning its destruction during the Reset Incident..." Iris said.

I could tell she was still angry about her world, but she remained composed.

"Oh, and Iris...I have a request," I said.

"I don't wanna join your harem. I prefer you as a friend," Iris said.

I just sighed.

"No. Not even close. I'm not interested in you like that, Iris."

"Ooooh. Good! I like you, but you aren't really my type..."

"I can say the same. Besides, a certain someone would probably try to kill me if I did anything to you," I said.

"Who?"

"Forget it. I'm planning on recruiting a goddess to join our crew. I want you to train her how to make Enforcers and use Heart Resonance," I said.

"Why does it have to be a goddess?" Iris said.

"Personal preference."

"Fair enough...okay. Sure... Just bring them to me once you've made your selection and I'll train her. Sound good?" Iris said.

"Great. If you need us, we'll be around on the surface monitoring the situation with the festival. The Artificer plans to build an anchor for the ship as well," I said.

"Cool. If you need us, don't hesitate to say anything, okay? We're here to help, Mizik," Jallah said.

"I'll keep that in mind."

After our talk, I had Stella and the twins escort me off of the ship.