National City Hall, in a room specially prepared for characters and creators from the semi-dimensional realms.
Noah, Ophis, and Dream sat calmly on the sofa, enjoying the pastries and fruits laid out on the tea table. Though they only tasted them lightly, Noah had developed a good habit of savoring the delicacies of different worlds.
Around them, several manga and novel creators, along with characters who had come from the semi-dimensional realms, watched the trio in disbelief. At times they wiped cold sweat from their foreheads, at times swallowed nervously, and sometimes looked on with faint anticipation.
These individuals included:
The balding middle-aged writer Takashi Matsubara, author of "Elemental Symphony of Vogelchevalier." Selesia was the heroine of that novel.
The timid young female illustrator with glasses, Marine (real name: Ayano Kōura), who worked on "Elemental Symphony of Vogelchevalier."
The middle-aged, overweight corporate scriptwriter Masaaki Nakanogane, writer of "Infinite Divine Machine Mono Magia." The robot pilot Rui Kanoya was his creation.
The cool-looking young female mangaka Shunma Suruga, author of the manga "Code · Babylon." Her lead character was Blitz Tokar.
The grumpy middle-aged man Ryou Yatouji, original creator of the manga "Lockout Ward Underground -Dark Night-." His character was Yuya Mirokuji.
The average-looking young corporate worker Gai Takarada, author of the manga "Alicetaria of the Scarlet," whose female lead was Alicetaria February.
Besides the manga authors and characters like Selesia, Meteora, Yuya Mirokuji, and Rui Kanoya, there was also the national official responsible for this special situation meeting, the senior female officer Aki Kikuchihara.
Marine stared at Noah in disbelief, using her handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead.
"I-I can't believe... the most powerful male lead from a globally popular IP is actually here... This is... just unreal."
Takashi Matsubara rubbed his bald head and nodded. "Yeah, and with the two most popular characters too. Well... I suppose it makes sense for such a world-famous IP. It's not too shocking... just that..."
Ryou Yatouji's furrowed brow finally relaxed. "Doesn't this mean we're invincible now? No matter the issue, we can solve it, right?"
Masaaki Nakanogane nodded furiously. "Exactly, exactly! This is the top-ranked super IP in today's world, and it's red-hot in popularity. If we can't win now, it would defy the Heavenly Principle!"
Aki Kikuchihara looked at the manga in her hand. "I'm not well-versed in this field. Excuse me, but... can this gentleman and the two ladies really resolve our current crisis?"
Takashi Matsubara widened his eyes. "More than that!"
Selesia asked curiously, "Is he really that powerful? Stronger than Altair?" She blinked at Noah as she spoke.
They had already fought Altair, who was frighteningly strong—able to modify her abilities at will, like a walking bug.
Altair could freely travel between their world and the real world, something utterly unimaginable.
Marine clutched a manga about Teyvat and looked at Noah with excitement.
"In Mr. Noah's story, he single-handedly elevated a bubble world step by step into a multiverse-level divine realm. He's even stronger than a creator, truly omnipotent."
"To this day, among all stories from Teyvat, Mr. Noah is the true ceiling."
"Moreover, Miss Ophis and Miss Dream are gods among gods."
"With a wave of their hands, they can create countless worlds."
"So far, no other story's cosmology has reached this level. A multiverse as a map—it's simply incredible. Miss Utako Kasumi really is a once-in-a-millennium super genius. No! A god! A god of the manga and novel world!"
Everyone present took a deep, cold breath.
...
Selesia stared at Noah in disbelief, who appeared no different from an ordinary person. "Hiss... an omnipotent creator! Creating countless worlds with a wave of the hand... that's just absurd!" Her whole face twitched.
"No wonder people say he's unbeatable..."
Meteora interjected, "It may not be that simple. Based on our previous battle with Altair, we can be certain—"
"Once power usage exceeds a certain threshold, or rather, exceeds the level reality can handle, one will be ejected from the real world and pulled back to their original world."
This instantly doused everyone's enthusiasm.
Ryou Yatouji sighed, "Ah! I forgot that rule."
Shunma Suruga said, "Still, having someone that powerful present greatly increases our chances. No need to feel too discouraged."
"That's true."
Aki Kikuchihara looked at Noah and said, "In any case, Mr. Noah, Miss Ophis, Miss Dream, welcome to the real world. We'll be counting on you going forward."
"Also, the author of 'Teyvat: For All That Is Beautiful, We Fight' will be arriving shortly."
Noah smiled. "Is that so? It's been a long time since someone heard my name and remained so calm. Interesting indeed. But, as long as you fight for all that is beautiful, I will watch over you."
Marine's eyes sparkled. "As expected of the universally recognized perfect protagonist. Just his presence alone brings such peace of mind."
Selesia muttered, "It sounds arrogant, but there's something strangely calming and reassuring about that air of detachment."
Was this a creator? Creating countless worlds with a wave of the hand?
Uh... feels a bit like inception.
The real world creates their worlds.
And the creator of the real world creates a creator who can create countless worlds. So... what even is this? Selesia scratched her head, thoroughly confused.
Meteora blinked and asked in her slightly emotionless, eccentric tone, "Mr. Noah, Miss Ophis, Miss Dream—how much of your power can you still use here?"
She had found some of her own powers—like forbidden magic—unusable in this world.
At once, everyone turned to look at him.
"Yes, that's a crucial question."
"He's the strongest protagonist, after all. Even if he can't use his full powers, he should still be on par with Altair, right?"
Noah smiled and conjured a universe between his fingers. "Probably just a billion times stronger than Altair."
"That's great! As long as he's stronger than Altair!"
"Now we finally have equivalent power on our side."
At that moment, Aki Kikuchihara's phone rang.
"Yes, alright, I'll bring her up right away."
After hanging up, she announced:
"The genius young author and mangaka who created Mr. Noah's story has arrived."
Takashi Matsubara was thrilled. "So fast? That super genius novelist and mangaka arrived already?"
"A world-class creator, no less."
Even though he was already a middle-aged man in his thirties and the other party was just a high school girl, wisdom and talent knew no age. She had already stepped onto the world stage—something he could never achieve in a hundred lifetimes.
Shunma Suruga's eyes sparkled, her fatigue from all-nighters and deadlines instantly swept away. "Oh! Miss Utako Kasumi is here already? Incredible."
Aki Kikuchihara adjusted her glasses and said in her usual disciplined manner, "Miss Utako Kasumi happened to be in this city, and at a nearby hotel, so it didn't take much time."
Ryou Yatouji nodded. "Though I've met her before at a book signing, this is our first formal meeting. Honestly, when I first heard she was coming, I was really nervous."
They were bestselling authors and artists, but compared to world-class Utako Kasumi-sensei, it was the difference between giants and ants.
Marine clasped her hands together in a hopeful pose. "They say the top-tier illustrator 220 Kashiwagi Eri, who always collaborates with Utako Kasumi-sensei, will be coming too."
"I wonder if I can get some advice from her? She's a world-class illustrator!"
Selesia blinked. "World-class... just hearing that title feels intimidating."
Meteora nodded solemnly. "It really is overwhelming. Even in the world of gods, society exists. And wherever there's society, there's hierarchy. 'World-class' must mean top tier in this world."
Takashi Matsubara scratched his bald head. "Yeah... it's a bit of a blow to the ego, but it's true. All of us combined can't match even a finger of Utako Kasumi-sensei."
"She's not only a world-class writer but debuted at age seven with world-class status. In just ten years, she's published over a hundred novels and dozens of anime."
"'World-class' might be the highest praise possible, but it's still not her ceiling. She's a god."
"And she's only seventeen..."
Yuya Mirokuji took a deep breath. "Over a hundred novels and dozens of anime... doesn't that mean she's created nearly two hundred worlds? Hiss..."
Rui Kanoya's jaw dropped. "That's amazing!"
Selesia looked at the ever-calm Noah and the two goddesses beside him, eyes closed as if asleep.
"Mr. Noah, you're about to meet the person who created your world. Isn't it a bit complicated emotionally?"
Noah smiled faintly. "Not really. I'm just looking forward to seeing how the two of them react when they meet me."
After all, when someone turns that kind of information into a story or artwork and then realizes his perfection as a creator, it was only natural they'd be enchanted by him.
Once enchanted, the emotional gap with reality made it difficult for them to feel affection for any man other than him.
It was like how otaku who loved perfect two-dimensional heroines found it hard to fall for real women—2D girls were simply too perfect. Reality couldn't compare.
Selesia: "Uhh..." All she could say was—so this is what a creator in a story is like? When she first arrived in this world, she had been so flustered.
As the creators continued discussing, the door swung open, and a girl's impatient voice rang out.
"Seriously, what's wrong with your city hall? Writing my latest volume to the single-universe level was already mentally exhausting."
"I finally carved out time for a book signing, and you drag me in here instead."
"Fans who want to meet me could wrap around the Earth. And you want me to meet a cosplay fan? A fan cosplaying the most perfectly conceived protagonist—Lord Heavenly Principle? Absolutely ridiculous."
"No one in this world could cosplay Lord Heavenly Principle. Not even a billionth resemblance is possible."
Another lively voice chimed in, tinged with a slightly aristocratic London accent.
"Utako Kasumi-sensei is right. Anyone trying to cosplay Lord Heavenly Principle is just a deluded fool."
"No one can capture even a billionth of His essence!"
"I want to see just who managed to use public authority to bring both of us public figures here!"
"Uh... Ladies, we didn't misuse public power. This is strictly official business. We also invited other manga and novel creators."
The two beautiful girls entered the VIP reception room, visibly irritated.
The slightly taller girl had a voluptuous figure, waist-length black hair hanging straight down, a white headband pressing her bangs back, and dark red eyes that exuded mystery. Her shapely legs were wrapped in black stockings—a captivating sight.
At a glance, she appeared elegant and reserved. But her earlier impatient, sharp remarks revealed a rather sharp-tongued personality—a stark contrast to her appearance.
The slightly shorter girl with equally straight black hair had twin tails of golden hair tied with black ribbons, like fine art pieces. Her porcelain-white skin and clear blue eyes were filled with irritation.
Naturally, she was annoyed.
Recently, Utaha Kasumigaoka had expanded her worldbuilding again. From single-universe to multiverse—the workload for her illustrator had grown immensely.
And none of the assistants they hired could satisfy her standards, so she ended up drawing everything herself.
She had barely managed to carve out some time for a fan book signing, and now she had been dragged inexplicably to city hall.
They claimed the protagonist of Teyvat had appeared and that they needed to see it in person.
Hmph, such a lame trick. She and Utaha Kasumigaoka had encountered this kind of thing countless times.
Back in the U.S., a senator's daughter had tried to forcefully buy Utako Kasumi's manuscript. When the media found out, the senator apologized at lightning speed.
This was probably more of the same. Some high-ranking official's daughter must want Utako Kasumi's original draft.
After all, Utako Kasumi loved ending chapters on cliffhangers, which drove readers crazy. Not everyone could read her drafts like she could.
In the VIP room, everyone stared at the two high-school-aged beauties walking in.
"Utako Kasumi-sensei!"
"And Kashiwagi Eri-sensei!"
All the authors and artists stood up and politely greeted them, clearly thrilled.
Utaha Kasumigaoka and Eriri remained unfazed—they were used to large audiences. After all, they stood on the international stage.
But the moment they saw the sofa behind those respectfully greeting uncles and aunties, they froze.
Eriri's eyes widened. "Oh! Such high-quality cosplay! The Infinite Dragon God Ophis! The Red Dragon God Emperor Dream! Lord Heavenly Principle Noah!"
"Such insanely high-quality cosplay!"
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