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"What?" The giantess looked confused. "What’s Arcadia?"
"So you don’t remember..." Elayne sighed. "Well, Arcadia is the world we’re in right now. It’s separate from Earth, where I come from."
"Oh! Okay." The giantess nodded. "That’s amazing. I had no idea there were two worlds. I thought the world was... Ah, right, Arcadia... I remember that world now!"
"You do?" Elayne asked.
"Of course. How could I ever forget the world my siblings and I created?" The giantess smiled. "It’s... it’s... Ah..."
"Y-You created it?!" Elayne gasped.
"I... did? I don’t know why it feels like I helped," the giantess said.
"So you’re a goddess!" Elayne exclaimed.
"Oh no! I am not a goddess... goodness," muttered the giantess. "Please, don’t say that. I am no such being. I am... I don’t know, likely a High Divine Spirit. There must have been many like me, hundreds."
"Oh..." Elayne had gotten excited for a moment but then realized it was unlikely she was truly a goddess, especially since the gods were still alive. "Come to think of it... do you remember what happened to them? I used to have the power to call them, but I think I lost it. Or perhaps it’s sealed. When I was fighting the Demon King of Death, that power didn’t work. It was as if the gods weren’t there."
"Hmmm..." The giantess rubbed her chin. "I’m sorry, I just have no idea."
"That’s fine, sorry for asking things you don’t know," Elayne sighed. "Oh well, shall we investigate this place while I can? I don’t even know how to return here once I wake up, so we might as well."
"Hm, I think I could teach you how, but let’s explore first. I’ve been sitting here for a while now," the giantess said.
She began to move, and the world around her rumbled. Forests stirred, and dozens of colorful birds Elayne had never seen before flew into the skies.
They wandered for hours. The giantess was slow but steady, each of her steps covering kilometers. Elayne gazed upon the beautiful, lush forests, jungles, mountains, and the many lakes and rivers.
As they walked, the giantess spread her aura across the surroundings, analyzing the land and its composition. Plants and life sprouted with each of her steps, leaving Elayne amazed.
"This is so beautiful," Elayne smiled, resting her head on the giantess’ neck. "The bright blue sky... the sunlight, the green forests, the life..."
"Don’t you have this where you come from?" the giantess asked.
"In the Netherworld? No, it’s all dark, so lugubrious, so sad..." Elayne sighed. "But this? I can tell this is home. I’ve been feeling depressed despite everything, but this... it soothes my heart like nothing else."
"Is that so?" The giantess wondered. "Well, I’m glad you like it here, Elayne. You’re welcome anytime. I feel lonely on my own, after all."
"Of course, why not?" Elayne nodded, looking around in awe. "I think I needed this." She closed her eyes, feeling the breeze and gazing upon the vast grasslands. The giantess finally rested, sitting across them, her body shaping hills, mountains, and forests.
"Are you struggling right now, Elayne?" asked the giantess.
"Yes... I died, and now I am in the Netherworld. I am with my beloved, but it took me a while to help him," Elayne sighed. "Now I have many people—the undead and noble races of the Netherworld—to care for. The responsibilities never end, even when I’m dead. And sometimes it feels like I’m the only one who can do anything."
"I see..." The giantess nodded with an understanding smile, gently caressing Elayne’s head with her finger. "My dear friend, you are indeed going through many trials. It almost feels like Fate is toying with you, with us. But have you ever considered trusting others more? Leave some responsibilities to those close to you. I’m sure that for someone as kind as you, there are countless people who would do anything to make you smile."
"I know. I’ve been distributing responsibilities as much as I can, but even then, it always feels like if I ask too much, it might be overwhelming," Elayne sighed. "I just... have always lived thinking I don’t want to be a bother to people."
"Hm..." The giantess nodded. "I suppose we think alike. I... I did the same. I lived with the thought of not wanting to bother others. I think I hated making people worry. And I always wanted others to smile and be happy, even at the expense of my own happiness."
"That’s not good either, Lady Giantess," said Elayne. "If you are here and became someone else, I guess you reincarnated? Then you died..."
"I believe so," said the giantess. "Whenever I remember that, I feel so sad."
"It’s okay... We both died now, haha," Elayne giggled. "We are more similar than I thought."
"Perhaps," giggled the giantess. "Thank you for being here with me, Elayne. I was so sad before. I cried for days, weeks, months... but now that you’re here, I feel so happy."
"It’s fine, I don’t mind making new friends," Elayne smiled. "Oh? What’s that?"
Elayne looked down and noticed hundreds of tiny humanoid creatures gathering around Lady Giantess’ legs. They were green-skinned, with bark growing across their bodies and long hair made of flowers and leaves. Their bright yellow, green, or blue eyes shone, and their long arms and legs resembled roots.
These creatures—or perhaps people—seemed to be worshipping the Lady Giantess. They lowered their heads, raised their hands, and bowed constantly. Some brought animals they had just hunted—prehistoric-looking lions, dinosaurs, or giant fish—and placed them before her while praying and worshipping.
"Who are these creatures?" Elayne wondered. "Are they people?"
"Hmm?" Lady Giantess looked down. "Oh my! What is this?! So interesting! I’ve never seen anything like this before..."
"You haven’t?! Well, you really should’ve explored this place a bit, Lady Giantess!" Elayne sighed. "Shall I go greet them?"
"P-Please...!" Lady Giantess grew flustered. Red flowers and mushrooms sprouted across her face, making it seem as though she was blushing with embarrassment at meeting so many new people.
Elayne nodded, jumping down to greet the inhabitants of this mysterious realm. They looked like plant people, though not entirely made of plant amalgamations. They resembled Dryads, with a somewhat human appearance merged with plant life.
"Hello, everyone," said Elayne, slowly walking toward them. "Lady Giantess is quite flustered. Are you worshipping her?"
"Katuka! Karanha!"
"Karanha?! Katakuak!"
"Ketu! Ketuaha? Karanha!"
"Ekaaa?! Ekaatuka! Karanha!"
They spoke a language Elayne didn’t understand, and the System wasn’t translating either. She tilted her head, confused, only to see them begin worshipping her as well.
"Karanha! Karanha! Karanha!"
"Karanha? What does that mean?" Elayne wondered. "Ahhh, I’m sorry, Lady Giantess, I can’t understand them."
"O-Oh..." Lady Giantess grew even more flustered. "Uwaaahh! Then what do we do?" She covered her face shyly.
"Hmm, maybe you should show them you appreciate them?" Elayne suggested. "Ah, right, can’t you give them fruits and vegetables?"
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