My Goddess is Good at Pretending

"What do you think about the summoned heroes and their decision?" Elysia turned around, looking at her family members. "The six of them made a risky decision, but they seemed to put a lot of faith and stake at us, or perhaps, at Miko." Rhea was the first to comment. "Hmm~ I think..." Fortuna crossed her arms, then tapped her chin. "That demon pioneer guy is actually the most reasonable one. He stood by his convictions and came here to ensure something. He knows that we won't harm him just because of his identity as a demon pioneer." "Yes, but Ely exposed him blatantly. I wonder how he will resolve the matter with his comrades." Elena shrugged. "It's his choice anyway. It has nothing to do with us if he wants to stay in this world. As long as he doesn't cross our bottom line, he is just like a random passerby." Ella shook her head. "That sounds a bit cold and irresponsible, but I understand what you're trying to say." Sylvia responded as if to deny it, but she nodded in agreement. "What can we do? Our pantheon does not wish to rule the world, and we have no responsibility to control them. As long as no great evil causes trouble, we won't pay them any mind as nature will take its course." Nell heaved a subtle sigh. Their stance was already good, and she didn't want her family to shoulder that unnecessary responsibility and burden. As the girls discussed it and somehow it got a bit heated, Elysia put her hands together for attention. "It's the middle of summer. In my days, we'll hold a small open party in mid-summer, after this season's big harvest. All of my people (employees) will participate in this festive event." "..." Everyone went quiet instantly, listening to Elysia. "So, how about we make warm gifts as special souvenirs for our visit to Earth and Vrelenia?" Elysia proposed an idea happily. "Mm! Family summer cooking festival? Ah~ when I think about it, we missed a lot of special days from winter..." Miko recalled about it through the shared memories with her mama. She wished it was still at the end of winter or early spring... or maybe in the second month of the year because back on Earth. It would be fun to make lots of chocolate treats, cakes and sweets! "Summer festival?" "No, it's our exclusive family party!" "Mm, no outsiders. It's nice. We can do it right away." "I'm looking forward to it!~" "I remember that friendship day also happens in this season. I guess, it should be this month, right? I lost count of time here." "Yes, we can celebrate it as well, Erina. But, I think we've long passed the friend's boundary. It's sister's day, and this sounds more appropriate for us~" The girls chatted happily in a cheerful atmosphere. The quiet Evelyn joined in Erina and Sylvia's conversation because she was not understanding what they were talking about. "Ah? What do you mean by it?" "You say it as if you don't know what I'm talking about, innocent girl. Come clean, who do you belong to? Don't you enjoy it? As for me, I wish to experience more private sessions... Ah, I should ask for it this night~ Those vixens won't be able to exploit anything." Sylvia put her finger on Evelyn's cheek, smiling meaningfully. Evelyn was silent for a moment. When she recalled her current relationship with Elysia, especially after the polyvalent cultivation technique, she slowly blushed. Elysia's aura and spiritual energy flowing in her body also indicated her owner, but it sounded a bit wrong. Even so, yes... they had long passed the friends, but the close sisters, maybe friends with benefits... "How naughty. Are you thinking about the indecent thing about our master, Eve? It's our magic circuit interlinked with our master's aura and divine energy. Don't let the worldly desire consume you." Ella nudged Evelyn's arm, talking like a sage without any desire. "Fufu~ I'm sure you will gladly embrace Ely's love when the opportunity arises." Luna put her hands on Ella's shoulders, whispering like a devil. "..." Ella went quiet instantly. "???" Elysia was taken aback a bit. The topic of conversation between the girls was so swift to change. They initially had somewhat conflicting opinions regarding the summoned heroes, then she invited them for a family cooking event, and yet, some of them suddenly talked about something a bit off-topic. Even so, she couldn't deny that because the polyvalent cultivation technique literally intertwined her aura and divine power with their body and soul. It was not just the core and magic circuit, but as a side-effect, they experienced an intense sense of pleasure during the cultivation session, which, made them somewhat addicted, and would ask for more periodically either as a group or privately. 'Isn't that a big deal?' Elysia asked Elena for her opinion. 'They're also your girls, so you need to take responsibility~' Elena replied with a wink. Those girls entrusted their souls and future to Elysia, so it was Elysia's responsibility to take good care of them. Just as she was about to return to the Elysian Realm, Elysia pulled her out of her dematerialized form. "E-eh?" "You'll cook something nice with me. Ai will join us as well." Elysia pulled Elena out of her body. She then stretched her other hand down, inviting Ai and Zera to come out. At that moment, the imaginary domain and the celestial palace collapsed, bringing back everyone to the outside world. As the Elysium's girls returned to the shrine abode at the Sacred Mountain's summit, the seven summoned heroes engaged in an intense confrontation. It was one vs. six between Liu Kang and the rest of the hero party. The golden scroll of the hero contract hovered in midair. One by one, the heroes swore their oaths, binding their souls to the contract. But one of them, Liu Kang, the Water Devil, stood apart from the group. The Sacred Sakura Goddess exposed his secret identity calmly like it was nothing, but she let him go just like that. Sadly, the other heroes were less patient. By the time they returned to their respective lodging room, they immediately stormed into Liu Kang's room. "Liu Kang, why aren't you taking the oath? No conditions are unfavorable to us in all aspects as long as we're good heroes." The White Hero, Mashiro, demanded. His voice echoed across the room, full of disbelief. He found it hard to believe his comrade served one of the Demon Kings without anyone knowing it, but he pushed this pressing matter aside for the time being because he had to know the real reason why Liu Kang refused to return to Earth even though they had gone this far. Liu Kang sighed, but a small smirk played on his lips. "Because I changed my mind." The room fell into silence and the tension crackled. "What the hell do you mean? Also, since when did you become the Demon King of Pride's underling?! Have you been a liar all this time? A spy for the demons to destroy us?!" Richard snapped. A fiery aura radiated from him due to his irritation. Kael turned to face them fully, his hands in his pockets. "I'm saying I'd rather stay here. This world gave me something I never had on Earth. A place to belong. Also, the Sacred Sakura Goddess never scorns the demon and devil unjustly. You shouldn't shout at me. You knew it... I never harmed you in any way." Mashiro furrowed his brows. "We fought together all this time! We suffered together! How can you turn your back on us now?" Liu Kang chuckled, shaking his head. "No, Mashiro. I'm not turning my back on you. You're all the ones leaving, and I'm the one staying." Katsue clenched her fists in frustration. She shared some chemistry with Liu Kang, and yet, she felt that she didn't know anything about him. "You're running away, Liu Kang. Why? What is it that you're not telling us?" Liu Kang exhaled slowly. "There's no point in hiding it anymore, is there?" He lifted his head, and his crimson eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight. The moment the other heroes saw that unnatural gleam, they felt their breath suppressed. The six heroes stiffened, but their instincts screamed at them. Mashiro took a step back. "You're the Demon King's Pioneer, partially demonized..." The weight of those words settled over the group like a crushing mountain. "You dare to deceive us all this time?!" Ash growled in fury. Without further ado, he charged at Liu Kang, about to deliver a frontal assault. Richard's flame flickered in his palm, Katsue instinctively muttered her magical spell, and the Storm Archer, Harriet, reached for her bow. Yet, Liu Kang did nothing. He didn't deny it nor justify it. He didn't even attempt to explain anything anymore. Mashiro's knuckles tightened around his blade. "So all this time, you were working for the Demon King?" Liu Kang scoffed. "That's a stupid question. You fought alongside me. Do you really think I was working for him?" But Mashiro wasn't listening anymore. His rage boiled over, and before anyone could do anything, he moved like a flash. *Bam!* Mashiro's fist slammed into Liu Kang's face, preceding Ash's move. The impact echoed through the room, and Liu Kang was sent flying to the wall, breaking it apart. The commotion caused the pedestrian below to glance up with mild curiosity. Liu Kang fell to the ground. He staggered back a step, his lip split and bleeding, but he made no effort to retaliate. Instead, he wiped the blood away with the back of his hand, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping his lips. "I deserved that, huh?" The other heroes were still frozen in place as their emotions became a storm of confusion, anger, and betrayal. Liu Kang looked at them one last time. "You can think what you want of me. But this is my choice." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away. The Sacred Sakura Goddess let him leave, and nobody would stop him from leaving. Even though he was a demon, a supposed enemy of humanity, the Sacred Sakura Holy Land had only one rule. "If you do not cross our bottom line, we won't punish you." And so, Liu Kang disappeared into the dark of night, leaving behind his former comrades, his past, and his ties to Earth. Mashiro's fists trembled as he watched Liu Kang's retreating figure. Katsue looked away, unable to bear it. Richard clicked his tongue, feeling betrayed and disappointed. Harriet snorted in contempt. Ash gritted his teeth in frustration. Yet, only Nyla stood calmly in silence, never ever once making a move against Liu Kang. There was no lie in his words. Regardless of anything, Liu Kang never harmed them. He just made a choice to form a contract with a Demon King for unknown reasons, but she had to respect his choice, considering their past as former comrades. However, the rift the rift happened, and it couldn't be repaired as before. The truth came so suddenly, and it caused them to part ways with Liu Kang. "Who dares to make a scene in Sakura Town?! Don't you know that fighting is prohibited?! Go to the town's arena if you wish to fight, dammit!" A Sacred Sakura's disciple shouted out loud from the building across, feeling annoyed.