Okay, okay, okay.

Don't panic.

Don't panic!

"Grumble"

Fine, not panicking doesn't work.

Rather I'm completely out of it at the moment.

Now that I am aware of it, I have to ask myself how I didn’t notice that past the bars of this cell, tentacular growth layered over the only door to the dungeon.

I'll admit that the appearance of my other me was distracting, but one would think that so much wriggling might draw my attention.

Or at least the banging and shouting from the other side.

However, what truly makes me nervous is the question of what my dark self is going to do once they get inside.

"Oh, it seems I misunderstood something here. It's not my job to deal with them. I'm only the embodiment of reactions I should undertake to solve a situation but am too fretful to pursue consciously." (I2)

"What are you trying to say?" (I)

"That I can't push my troubles to another part of myself. Or, in easy terms, you are and always were literally on your own in this." (I2)

The moment my other self finishes this sentence, she jerks and collapses to the ground, where she under intense writhing slowly mummifies.

Naturally, Eryna is totally freaked out at this sight.

"Sigh, don't mind her, that's just her thing." (I)

"You... She... You!" (E)

"Yes, I admit I have some personal issues, but that won't help us at the moment." (I)

Especially, since my other self somehow delegated the control over the barrier to me, so I am now disturbingly aware of what is out there.

It's not great for me.

Apparently, a locked door is reason enough to call over a dozen knights and raise a general alarm.

Whatever I decide, I doubt I can just tell them off and have everything settle down.

"Okay, Eryna. I'll be honest. I have no idea what to do, how to solve this, or how I can help you. But naturally, I'm willing to do anything in my power to do so. Which is kinda unlimited, by the way." (I)

I feel quite guilty and would like to enable her to go about her life like before.

Yet, understandably, Eryna looks now rather puzzled.

"Wh-what is it that you could do?" (E)

"Oh damn, that list might go on forever. Summarized, I can create absolutely everything and have total control over this whole realm." (I)

"Th-then tell them! If they'd know that you're our goddess then this would justify all my actions!" (E)

"Do you have any idea how badly religions can implode? If they knew that the only reason and deciding factor for their existence are the whims of an adolescent girl it's extremely unlikely that this will calm them down. Just think about how you reacted." (I)

"I understand. It's impossible to align you with Aureas." (E)

Okay, I really have to ask sometime how that belief could even establish itself.

Yet this makes for another factor why I shouldn't claim to be their only goddess.

Not only because I don't look too impressive in comparison but especially because it might turn into an actual religious war.

"You said you'd erase my memories. Couldn't you do just this?" (E)

How would erasing her memories...

Oh!

She doesn't mean hers.

"Ehm, sorry. Technically I could, but free will is too important to circumvent it as an easy solution. I mean, mind-controlling others is plain evil, and taking their memories is about the same thing since it takes from them every base to act upon." (I)

Thinking about this, just by influencing someone's memories it's possible to mind control them.

You tell them that this person did something bad and they attack.

You make them believe they had a traumatic experience in their childhood and they might be mentally crippled.

Playing with others' minds is really not a nice thing to do.

"Then this means I'm done for? S-sorry, I don't want to be impertinent. Just, they believe I'm a traitor, or irresponsible at best. Yet given my reputation, the former seems more likely. I'm going to get exiled, or even outright executed. If you won't convince them that I had reasons or make them believe something like this then this will be the result." (E)

I feel so extremely guilty right now.

Okay, she was sometimes a bit rough, but she's not a bad person and I basically ruined her life.

Wait a moment!

Make them believe?

That's it!

"Whosh"

"W-was there a wave?" (E)

Okay, the elation of being inspired apparently carries over into this world.

"Sorry, just had an idea. I think I can convince your people of your innocence." (I)

"Really!? But you said you wouldn't influence them." (E)

"Oh, we're going to influence them. At least they will think so." (I)

If I can pull this off I might actually get out of all this without having to deal with the terrible burden of godhood.

I mean, those people are lunatics, so founding my own religion can't go well here.

Speaking of them, by now the knights managed to get an actual ram down here.

The reason why something like this was even stored in the castle is beyond me since it won't help them to defend themselves against monsters.

Well, it might have something to do with certain locked doors they didn't have access to while claiming the whole castle as theirs.

Though, I'm not quite sure how effective hammering with a reinforced piece of wood against a malleable, ever-regrowing wall of flesh will turn out to be.

Because that's exactly what the entrance to the dungeon is at that point.

On the other hand, it won't work if they can't get in and give up their attempts, so I should finish my preparations quickly.

"Okay Eryna, first things first, I just want to be honest with you. I plan on leaving this place and your people to their devices. I'll try to improve the living conditions but I doubt anyone is complaining about how you live here. At least, I can't imagine a better place." (I)

"You're abandoning us?!" (E)

She almost looks hurt.

I guess gods shouldn't tell their believers they don't want to deal with them.

That might cause some deep-rooted issues one needs therapy for.

"Sorry. I'm really not cut out to be a goddess. You can testify to that. Already those few days of having my attention raised so many problems for your people. And I'll still look at everything from afar. Just no direct involvement anymore." (I)

I guess I can just come for a general status report once in a while.

"And what will happen to me?" (E)

"I was getting to that part." (I)

"Wham"

Okay, they got the ram ready, I need to make it quick.

"Eryna, they'll enter any moment. I have a plan to exonerate you from all the charges. Please, just work with me." (I)

"Yes, my l-lady?" (E)

"Wham"

"Okay, you only have to play along, I'll do all the talking.

"Wham"

Seems like it's due.

I pull the tentacles away from the door and let the next impact come.

"Whams"

And with this the door is open.

"We made it!" (knight)

"Enter! There's no other exit, they must still be in there!" (officer)

The bars of the cell give way with a single thought of mine.

I move past them and stand in the center of the room.

As soon as the knights catch sight of me they stop in their tracks.

Obviously, my return was unexpected.

Well, it's showtime!

"Oh, seems like you're a bit too early! I couldn't finish gobbling up this poor soul. But don't believe you have a chance. I'm the primordial evil, Oroi, the soul devourer, and your bodies and minds are mere playthings to me! Muahahahahaha!" (I)