Ada looked at the broken golden pieces of what used to be Shutana. The trio of miniature tornadoes have cast the head at least fifty feet to her left while the rest of her body was scattered in a rough semicircle on the other side. She grimaced. "Before I answer that, I have a request...excuse me let me rephrase that - a demand. Can you return the priestess Shutanan to human form?"

For someone who was trapped beneath mud and clearly on his knees literally, the god Yuano somehow maintained his arrogance. Chuckling, he said, "You destroyed my Golden Stone so how are you expecting me to turn her back? I guess you should have thought about this before you broke it."

"In the middle of battle, I'm not going to be overly cautious about damaging some of your prized jewelry. Can't you just make another one and turn her back?"

"Foolish girl, your kind cannot even conceive how hard it is to make a Golden Stone. Creating divine artifacts require both diligence and time. If I rush it, it may end up not working at all."

Thank you Mr. Idiot for revealing that vital piece of information, Ada thought. From her own experience, creating divine artifacts have been remarkably simple and safe. Unless Yuano was trying to be purposely deceitful, which she highly doubted given his lack of mental prowess demonstrated thus far, his statements have solidified her hypothesis that the other gods do not have either knowledge or capability to access the system. Ada caught up to what Yuano was saying who was going in depth into how intricate the process to make his Stones are and how mortals are idiots when it comes to making anything magical.

Usually, the bad guy gloats after he thinks he has won. Yuano was doing the same though he clearly has lost. In her eyes, he really was a small man with a big ego. Ada called up systemshelper and converted everything that was not the granite slab or the quicksand into another solid block that now rested on top of the first one. She has observed that systemshelper was intelligent enough to identify which objects to transform into which other objects. The process that systemshelper could implement this intelligently wasn't clear to her but she would like to research into this in the future. Yuano yelped. "What are you doing?! I'm now on my knees in this filthy mess."

Ada smirked. "Well, I had to find some way to cut you off. This seemed the simplest. Back to the point though, you're telling me that you can't turn her back?"

"I can but that won't help you."

Ada felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Why?"

"I can't put together the pieces. You'll just have body parts strewn about in the same pieces. Not a pretty sight if you catch my drift. But really why are you so concerned? Ayula's temples grow priestesses like weeds."

How can a guy sink so low that he doesn't even care about a human life? Well, perhaps that's where he belongs -- literally sinking in the mud. Ada said coldly, "What about you? If I destroy you, will you grow back like a weed?"

Yuano scoffed. Ada could imagine the condescending sneer on his face with his reply. "Really now? That's impossible for any mortal or even a daemon or demigod. Speaking of mortality, I know you're not a mortal. I suspect you're a demigod which in hindsight would make my loss much more understandable."

"If you already think you know what I am, why are you asking?"

"It never hurts to confirm my own intuition."

Ada paused as she debated on what to say. She really felt like putting him in his place and telling this arrogant son of a b* the truth. However, doing so would reveal her identity to an unfriendly god who would have no compunction to tell everyone else who she was. The smarter choice was to follow along with his 'intuition'. She nodded. "Good job. I suppose you're not completely stupid."

Yuano ignored her insult. "So a demigod of stone then?"

Ada gasped which she attempted to do genuinely but which came out as completely fake. Well, sarcasm is fine since he obviously knows I hate him, she thought. "Good job again. How did you know?"

Yuano sounded incredibly smug at his own perceived sense of intelligence. "Well, you were able to withstand all my elemental attacks and ignore the Golden Touch. There are few entities outside of true gods who could do that. You were also able to easily create sand and stone. As far as your tricks with fire and water, I'm sure you've managed to buy some magical artifacts which can manipulate these other elements."

Ada clapped. Satisfying his massive ego by just agreeing wasn't difficult. "True words. I still don't like you but I admit I was wrong for insulting your intelligence earlier."

"I'm glad you realized your error. Some lesser beings never do until too late. You know it's funny how some demigods think that just because they have a bit of divinity, they're somehow worthy enough to be on the level of gods. Really, they're still mostly mortal -- on average about 5% divine which is nowhere near to being a true god. Even if they're 99% divine, they still lack that 1% which would make them pure."

If this god was a man in Ada's world, he would probably be a raging neo-Nazi, Ada thought. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to agree. "Yes, that's true. Some of my brethren do it take a bit too far in their claims. Now, can you answer a few of my questions?"

"Ah yes, I don't feel too bad now knowing that I was defeated by a demigod instead of a mere mortal. You know -- I can just give you a book which would have all your questions answered. This could save both of us some time."

"I don't plan to accept any gifts from you. This won't take long. I'm sure your minions are already on their way and we plan to be gone before then."

Yuano snorted. "Minions? Ah, yeah, that's a good name for them isn't it? Mostly a useless bunch but a few do surprise me with repeated displays of competence."

Yuano continued in a whisper which was clearly meant only for himself. It was nearly inaudible but Ada's senstive ears could hear every word. "Demigods aren't much better of course. There's no chance that I will be caught offguard again. Just you wait, little girl."

She was tempted to drop another granite slab on him but held off on it. His disgruntled mutters could provide her some insight that he wouldn't disclose to her directly. "So, first question. Why do you exist?"

"What? I'm the God of Wealth. Commerce is everywhere. Of course I exist."

"No, let me be more specific. What is your purpose in this world? What do you hope to see in mortal society?"

Gosh, that really sounded like a job interview question, Ada thought right after she said it. Yuano answered pompously, "This is a very simple question to answer. Like all gods, I hope to increase the number of followers that I attain so as to increase my power and influence in this world. Since I'm the God of Wealth, as long as I have worshippers who are greedy, which almost all mortals are and those that aren't can be tempted to be, I think this is fairly easy."

"Why do you wish to hold power and influence? Did the one God tell you to grow the realm of commerce for the mortals?"

There was a pause and then a loud cackle. "God? Does anyone really believe in that one God? Perhaps, the old gods and a few foolish other ones still thinks He exist but I have never seen His face or interacted with him. No, my motivation is purely self-centered. I think all the other gods would agree. I admit that some may be a bit more altruistic but that's just a thin veneer hiding their selfish desires underneath. I for one don't care to hide that."

He's despicable but I applaud him for his honesty, Ada thought. She would rather not fight him again in the future but if this was his attitude and the attitude of the other gods, she might not have a choice. With this limited time, she really needed some insight into his powers. "How come none of my attacks could hurt you?"

"Mortals have no powers to hurt gods. That is a fact which even a school child knows."

But she actually was a god. Ada kept that thought to herself and moved on. "What about the other gods?"

Yuano answered defensively. "I don't think how this is of relevance to you. Just know that if you're not 100% divine, you can never truly hurt me."

Ada was relieved to hear that there was a way to injure or God forbid, even kill him. He really wasn't very good at lying. If he ever became a merchant, she was sure that every swindler would have a field day with someone as gullible as him. "So what can they do that I can't to hurt you?"

Yuano laughed. "You want to learn how to kill a god? You can dream but you don't have the divine powers to do it. Ask me something else."

So he was stupid but still was wary enough to not tell her exactly what could hurt him. Moving on to the next question then. "I hear that all gods have palaces. Why do you choose to be here and not in your cloud palace?"

"My cloud place? It's up there some where. I usually let my retainers take care of it. If I just sit there all day, how am I going to get more followers? Mortals' whims are like flies and if I don't watch them, the other gods wouldn't hesitate to fill the vacuum. Mortals are known to be attracted to all types of vices."

"Are the other gods like you as well? In other words, actively participating in mortal affairs?"

"I will say yes but some take a more discreet hand than I do. Others are blatantly obvious. Take two examples. The God of War is almost always openly fighting on the front lines in some battle somewhere in this world where they worship him. The God of Thieves likewise loves to take part in piracy. On the other hand, I never hear mortals discuss much of the activities of the Goddess of Truth or the Goddess of Sky. And I don't think I need to tell you about the reclusiveness of the Goddess of Life."

"Why do you hate Ayula so much?"

Yuano sounded surprised. "Oh, does she really let you say her name without honorifics? Well, not a surprise since you are extremely rude. Why do I hate her? Isn't it obvious? She's a roadblock to trade which means she's a roadblock in my goal of attaining more followers."

"I think I've met some of your followers. Aren't they just rich people and their lackeys?"

"Is that really what you think, little girl? My followers are in every echelon of society."

Ada heard him mutter in a whisper, "To think I was beaten by someone who is so stupidly ignorant. What kind of infantile questions are these?"

She felt great satisfaction imagining various tortures enacted on him. Maybe she needed to do something else which would make his situation even less comfortable. Ideas started floating around her head but she quickly shook off the thoughts. She needed to ask some more legitimate questions.

/**************************/

Ruciella, Leanne and Sçæaisøh have stopped gaping at the battle that has just transpired in front of them. Though they were a good distance away, the scars of the short duel has left indelible marks on the landscape. If Ada has retreated any further, their location would have been in the path of destruction. They all realized that none of them would have stood a chance against the god. Sçæaisøh has turned his head away from the scene below and now sat looking towards the dusty landscape outside the city deep in his own thoughts. Leanne had asked him if he was feeling alright to which he has grunted a confirmation and waved her away. He appeared to like his quiet time to digest what has transpired and Ruciella and Leanne didn't bother joining him.

Ruciella turned to look at the city. "Oh, darn it. I was hoping to at least get some fishblood wine before we left. Hope Master Obar managed to procure some."

Leanne glanced at the city wistfully. Her stomach rumbled. "Ah, those are good. But I think we can agree that the quest Ayula gave us is far more urgent right now."

Ruciella shrugged. "It was just a thought. I didn't even get a chance to go to The Three Rings this time."

"Three Rings?"

"The best chanteuse on the western part of the continent was planning to perform there tonight. People say she was blessed by the Goddess of Beauty and Arts from birth."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but it might be total hogwash. You know how merchants get when it comes to promotions. On second thought, I don't mind not going. Being in a suffocating smoky room with a bunchy of sweaty people who are most likely balding older men doesn't sound that appealing."

"I would not know. I have never been to a place like that before."

Ruciella sighed. Leanne looked at the two gods below the hill. "What do you think they are conversing about?"

"More important things than what we mortals are doing here. I mean we almost died down there if it wasn't for Ada."

"Ayula helped as well."

"Honestly, Leanne, I know you still think really highly of your former goddess but from what I see, I think Ada could handle any of them even without Ayula's help."

"Not all gods are as foolish as Yuano. I will add that he behaved the way he did because he thought she was a mortal. This led him to underestimate Ada. I also suspect he was constrained by his unwillingness to cause collateral damage with his city right there."

"Okay, I concede on this one. I just really hope Ayula will hold up her side of the deal."

"She is known to be an honorable goddess. If we can prove our worth to her and establish mutual trust, she can help us greatly with our confrontations with the less friendly deities. I know little about their capabilities."

"This is actually a good point. I mean how much do you actually know about the gods? I'm not trying to insult you but you were clearly admittedly ignorant about Yuano."

"In Ayula's temple, the younger gods did not often come into discussion. My mentors never said anything more on them beyond what the layman knows."

"What about your records? Then again I don't know how good priests are at keeping records. I daresay that the libraries in the Academies have more info on the gods than your temple records."

Leanne's eyes darkened. "That is an outrageous claim! Many of the Goddess of Life's temples have existed for thousands of years. Your Academies are barely a fraction of that age. Furthermore..."

Ruciella raised her right palm and interrupted. "Sorry, Leanne. That was overstepping the line. I shouldn't have said that."

Leanne smiled. "Thank you for your apology. I was not expecting that."

"Well, even I know my limits of rudeness ...sometimes but really, do you know if there are any records on the gods?"

"I do not, unfortunately. However, I do know of the locations of several ancient libraries built in honor of Ayula providing the trees for the scrolls. These are long abandoned but perhaps there are some knowledge that can still be found in their ruins."

"So, here's the plan that I think you two should follow. My Academy library is closer and that's where we have to go first anyway. I have never delved into research on the gods but I think we have a few books on the topic. After that, we can lay out on a map the locations of the other Academies and the libraries you speak of."

Leanne admonished the girl. "I will follow whatever plan Ada says. Did you not say that you want to follow us?"

"Argh, sorry again. Well, it was just a recommendation. I agree. Ada is in charge in here."

Leanne's expression softened. "I like your idea. I am sure Ada will agree."

"Well, some of my ideas do hold some water. I hope their conversation ends soon so we can get moving."