By 1200, the pantheon delegations began arriving. Word had spread about the Devils' elimination, Indra's humiliation, the new power structure. They came to assess where they stood.
I presided over meetings. Michael wanted to handle them, but these were potentially hostile entities evaluating Heaven's strength. Better they see me first.
The Norse envoy came first. Odin, Thor, and Vidar.
I met them in the main hall alone in a confidence display.
"You're different from reports," Odin observed, single eye studying intensely. "Angels and gods speak of Heaven's Wrath with fear and reverence, but you seem calm. Controlled."
"I've changed since the war."
Thor stepped forward, Mjolnir humming. "The rumors are impressive. Lucifer dead by your hand. Satans destroyed. Indra dragged through the sky like conquered prey."
"All accurate."
"We came to assess where Asgard stands with Heaven now that the balance of power has shifted so dramatically." Odin's eye never blinked.
"Your God is dead. Devils are extinct. A new angel leads. And you..." He gestured at me. "You've apparently reached or surpassed Shiva's level of power. The supernatural world is nervous."
"Michael leads Heaven. I merely eliminated threats to our survival."
"What does Heaven want from other pantheons?" Odin asked.
"Peace. Stability. Non-interference with internal affairs. If you respect our boundaries, we'll respect yours."
"And if we don't?" Vidar's quiet voice carried weight.
"Then you'll learn why the Devils and Indra's army no longer exist."
There was a heavy silence. Then Thor grinned. "Direct. I like him."
"Heaven will serve as arbiter between pantheons," I continued. "Mediate disputes, maintain balance, prevent realm-destroying wars. My personal strength serves as deterrent against breaking agreements without consequence."
Odin studied me longer. "You're not bluffing about being able to destroy entire pantheons. Or about preferring peace."
"War is wasteful. Peace is efficient. Logic supports cooperation."
"Logical, not emotional. Purely practical." Odin nodded. He then thought of something and his face curved into a weird smile, something similar to Penemue's when made me touch her that day.
"So, you guys got any collectible stuff here? Nude pictures, sexy stories and sorts? " He asked in a low voice.
Vidar groaned and Thor just shook his head.
I thought for a moment. "Indeed we do have some. Azazel used to collect those sort of things, but they are banned in heaven. Would you like to take them away?"
Odin literally had stars in his eyes. "YES! I mean, if that's not too much trouble."
I summoned an angel and asked him to bring those, saying It will be given to Asgard as a gift. He looked... rather disappointed?
Odin coughed. "Asgard accepts these terms. We'll test Heaven's commitment to neutrality, but we are in alliance for now. And I will personally grant you any favor you ask for as long it's within my powers."
Vidar muttered on the side. "Unbelievable. We are signing alliance treaties over porn!"
They left peacefully. First delegation successful. Although some male angels looked sad.
*****
The Greeks came next. Athena, Apollo and Artemis.
Athena smiled and hugged me upon seeing me. "It's good to finally see you again, Kokabiel. How are doing? I sensed your transformation. You feel different now."
I awkwardly hugged her, and apparently it was the right choice. "It's good to see you too Athena. I have indeed changed somewhat. But I'm doing fine."
Athena looke into my eyes. "Are you sure? If you feel overwhelmed, take a break. Maybe come visit me and we can take a walk through Athens again?"
"Sure, if I find time."
Artemis coughed awkwardly. "We're here to discuss peace Athena, on behalf of Olympus."
Apollo circled me slowly, his golden eyes curious. "You're strange. Angels speak of you with reverence but also deep discomfort. Why is that?"
"Because I'm no longer what I was. I'm strong and effective but uncomfortable to interact with."
"Honest answer. I appreciate that." Artemis spoke up, her silver eyes sharp. "Athena says you're trustworthy despite being stronger than all of us. Is she correct?"
"I have no motivation to deceive. Heaven wants peace. We'll honor reasonable agreements." I paused. "If agreements become unreasonable, we'll negotiate until they're reasonable again. Problem-solving through discussion."
Athena smiled slightly. "Olympus will cooperate with your arbiter proposal and alliance. I'll personally see to it."
We discussed the terms and adjusted some of it. Before they left, Athena held my hand. "Don't be a stranger. I understand you don't feel the same way I do, but I do consider you a close friend, someone who understands me. Although you feel different, there is still remnants of yur old self. Talk to me if you need anything,okay?"
"I will. Thank you Athena."
She smiled and kissed my cheek before walking away. Artemis gave a glare and Apollo was smirking for some reason.
Greeks are weird people.
****
The Egyptians sent Osiris and Horus . Both radiated ancient power that predated most modern pantheons, carrying themselves with dignity.
"Ra sends his regards," Osiris said, his voice warm despite the formal context. "He's pleased you survived the war."
"Tell him I appreciate the sentiment."
"He also said..." Osiris paused, choosing words carefully. "He's glad he lived long enough to witness something beautiful. That watching your tranformation was worth eons of existence."
I froze. Carefully controlled my reaction. "He knows what I've became?"
"Ra is old. Older than most gods remember. He recognizes cosmic significance when he sees it. ALthough he didn't say exactly what it is, just to never make an enemy of heaven or you. "
Osiris smiled gently, reassuringly. "Don't worry. He won't spread that knowledge. Neither will we."
"Why not? That information could cause significant problems for Heaven."
"Because you're trying to maintain peace and balance. Revealing that a transcendent being walks among angels would cause panic across all pantheons. Father respects your discretion and effort to minimize chaos."
Horus stepped forward. "Heliopolis accepts Heaven's peace proposal. We'll work with you and recognize your authority as arbiters."
They left with knowing looks that would have made me uncomfortable if I could still feel discomfort properly.
****
The Hindu pantheon arrived last. Just one god, but the strongest.
Shiva.
The Destroyer entered Heaven's main hall with quiet confidence that needed no display. His third eye remained closed, but I could feel its latent power—barely contained destruction that could unmake concepts if released.
"You humiliated Indra. Dragged him across continents like a war trophy while every god with eyes watched." His expression was neutral, impossible to read.
"The entire Hindu pantheon witnessed their king's defeat." he said without preamble.
"He attacked Heaven. Consequences followed."
"Brahma wanted retaliation. Vishnu counseled co-operation. I agreed with Vishnu because you would have destroyed most of us."
"If necessary for Heaven's survival, yes."
Shiva studied me. "What are you truly? You don't feel like any angel I've seen. Not even like your god."
"It's beyond your concern. Just know I won't use my strength unless Heaven is threatened. "
"Fair enough." He relaxed. "The Hindu pantheon accepts your peace terms. Indra is recovering, unlikely to cause problems for centuries."
Shiva turned to leave, then paused. "One question, if I may?"
"Ask."
"With your power, you could have claimed absolute rulership. Forced every pantheon into submission. Made yourself king of the supernatural world."
He looked back at me. "Why didn't you? Why give control to Michael instead?"
"Because power without purpose is meaningless. Heaven needs a leader who genuinely cares about angels as individuals, not just as resources to deploy. That's not me anymore. Michael has the empathy and wisdom for actual leadership. I'm just good at detroying things that threaten what he's trying to protect. I don't seek power or glory, I don't require it."
Shiva's expression shifted to something like respect. "You are wise and kind. I believe that's good for the balance. I can't sense your limits and they say you are strong as me. How foolish."
"Thank you. Strength isn't important to me. I just wish to protect what matters."
*****
The smaller pantheons came in waves after that. Shinto sent Amaterasu and Susanoo. Celtic sent Lugh and Morrígan. Regional gods and supernatural factions followed.
Each meeting had similar patterns. Assessment. Negotiation. Agreement to arbiter framework. Some with additional concerns or specific requests.
Amaterasu asked that I ensure the Church in Japan respected Shinto shrines. Missionary activity had been aggressive, causing tensions.
"I'll send updated directives. The Church will respect pantheon territories and not pursue conversions through coercion or territorial encroachment."
She bowed gratefully. Another problem solved through clear boundaries.
Morrígan was stranger. The Celtic goddess of prophecy and death studied me with eyes that saw too much.
"War and death follow you like loyal hounds," she observed, voice carrying weight of certainty. "I can see it. Smell it. You reek of endings that haven't finished ending yet."
"The war is over."
"Your war. Not War itself. Not the endings still coming." She smiled eerily. "But you know that, don't you? You can feel them approaching even if you can't feel anything else anymore."
Lugh interrupted before I could reply. "We also accept Heaven's terms. I believe a presence like yours could maintain the Peace between pantheons."
I nodded. "Thank you. I'll ensure peace is established."
I reported to Michael. "All major pantheons have agreed to the arbiter framework."
He smiled happily. "That's... actually amazing, brother. You did that alone?"
"The framework was logical. My power provided convincing deterrent. The combination made agreement optimal for everyone involved."
"Don't undersell it. You established a new supernatural world order in a few decades. Nobody thought such a thing was possible."
He patted my shoulder. "I don't know if you understand the importance or value of it, but I'm proud of you, my brother."
I replied casually. "Careful now, pride caused Lucifer to fall."
He looked at me stunned for a second. "Did you just make a joke?"
I tried to smile but failed." I thought it would lighten the mood."
Michael laughed happily. "That's more like you! That's the brother we all love and care for. I'm glad you are getting better."
***
Heaven's position solidified. Peace took hold across the supernatural world.
The years became decades. The decades became centuries.
Heaven rebuilt stronger than before. Michael grew into the leader Father had envisioned—strong, wise, genuinely caring. Angels recovered, found purpose in peace rather than constant war. The reconstruction succeeded beyond what anyone had hoped.
My presence became increasingly symbolic. I attended important meetings, handled complex negotiations, but day-to-day operations belonged entirely to Michael. Exactly as intended.
I continued documentation with Penemue, filling journals with clinical observations and aspirational descriptions. Maintained combat practice with Raphael despite his complaints about emptiness. Kept Tuesday walks with Gabriel even when they hurt her more than helped.
The chat group remained constant support over the decades, checking in regularly, offering advice, and somehow making isolation feel less inevitable even when I couldn't properly feel grateful for it.
[Flash Goddess: Kokabiel-san! How are things going? It's been like two months since you last checked in!]
[Heaven's Wrath: Functional. Heaven is stable. Michael is increasingly confident in his leadership role. Angels have recovered significantly from the war trauma.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: You ALWAYS say functional. Never happy, never excited, never "oh man things are great!" Just... functional. Like a really depressing robot.]
[Heaven's Wrath: Because I'm incapable of those emotional states. Functional is the most accurate descriptor.]
[Shadow Monarch: Okay but like... any improvement at all? Because I'm invested in your recovery now. Mainly because my own situation is a nightmare and watching you struggle makes me feel less alone in suffering.]
[Heaven's Wrath: I'm uncertain how your personal situation relates to my emotional deficiency, but I appreciate the solidarity? I think?]
[Shadow Monarch: Don't worry about it. Just answer the question.]
[Heaven's Wrath: Minimal. I can simulate emotional responses more accurately now. Recognize social context better. The other angels are less uncomfortable around me. But genuine feeling remains distant, like trying to remember a dream after waking.]
[Girl Who Loves Reading: That's still progress though! You're learning! I think that counts for something even if it doesn't feel like much to you.]
[Shadow Monarch: Yeah, that's actually pretty good for someone who became a cosmic horror like three days ago. You're doing better than I expected.]
[Heaven's Wrath: Your expectations were concerningly low then.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: THERE IT IS! That's the Kokabiel we know! The sarcastic asshole is still in there somewhere!]
[Heaven's Wrath: I wasn't being sarcastic. That was a factual observation about statistical probability and baseline expectations.]
[Flash Goddess: That makes it even MORE sarcastic somehow! Kokabiel-san is definitely still in there!]
[Last Master of Humanity: How are your siblings doing? Gabriel-san and Michael-san? Are they adjusting to the changes?]
[Heaven's Wrath: Michael has adapted well. He's become an effective leader, better than I could be in many ways because he actually cares about the angels as individuals rather than as variables in optimization equations. Gabriel still cries sometimes during our scheduled interactions, but she keeps showing up anyway. I believe that demonstrates remarkable emotional resilience on her part.]
[Shadow Monarch: "Scheduled interactions." You literally schedule time with your sister like she's a dentist appointment. That's so sad it loops back around to being funny.]
[Heaven's Wrath: It ensures consistent contact and prevents accidental neglect due to work prioritization. It's efficient.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: IT'S SAD, MAN. That's what it is. But hey, at least you're trying. That's more than some people do even WITH emotions.]
[The Fool: Speaking of trying, I have a question. You said you can simulate emotions better now. Does that mean you're getting better at faking it, or does the simulation sometimes trigger actual emotional response? I wonder if I'll become like that if I become one?]
[Heaven's Wrath: Purely simulation so far. Like an actor performing a role they've studied extensively but never actually experienced. The responses are more natural now because I've cataloged thousands of interactions and identified patterns. I'm essentially running social interaction algorithms. And I don't think you will become like me Klein, your world's understanding of outer gods are way different.]
Youruichi sighed and smiled wryly. She was pitying Kokabiel despite his strength.
[Flash Goddess: That's... actually really depressing when you explain it that way.]
I shook my head and typed.
[Heaven's Wrath: Yes, Gabriel said something similar. Then she cried. I attempted to comfort her but apparently patting her head while saying "your distress is noted and acknowledged" made it worse.]
Kazuma almost fell down laughing from the couch.
[Advocate of Gender Equality: HAHAHAHA! Oh my god, you're so bad at this!]
[Shadow Monarch: That's the most autistic thing I have ever heard and I fight monsters in dungeons for a living.]
[Heaven's Wrath: I'm not certain what autism has to do with combat proficiency, but I accept that my social skills are severely impaired.]
[Girl Who Loves Reading: Have you tried just... being honest? Telling them "I don't know how to help but I want to" instead of trying to give comfort you don't feel?]
[Heaven's Wrath: Actually, yes. Results have been mixed but generally better than attempting perfect simulation.]
[The Fool: You're learning through pure observation and pattern recognition. That's actually impressive in a weird way.]
[Heaven's Wrath: Thank you? I think that was a compliment. Social praise recognition is still difficult.]
[Last Master of Humanity: It was definitely a compliment! You're doing great, Kokabiel-san! I'm so proud of you!]
[Heaven's Wrath: I appreciate the encouragement Ritsuka, even though I can't feel appropriate gratitude. Please continue providing it anyway as it appears to be motivationally effective on some level I don't fully understand.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: "Please continue providing encouragement as it is motivationally effective." You sound like you're filing a customer service survey!]
[Heaven's Wrath: Was that inappropriate phrasing? I'm still calibrating communication style.]
[Flash Goddess: No no, it's fine! Weird but fine! We'll keep encouraging you! That's what friends do!]
Jin Woo was smiling as he read the chats, then he paused. He typed nervously.
[Shadow Monarch: Speaking of friends... I have been meaning to ask. Can you still see what's happening in our worlds? Like, right now? With your Omniscience?]
[Heaven's Wrath: Yes. My awareness extends across dimensional boundaries without conscious effort now. I can observe all your worlds simultaneously if I wish to. Why do you ask?]
[Shadow Monarch: ...Can you NOT look at my world for like, the next few months? Maybe forever? That would be great.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Okay, NOW I'm curious. What's happening in Jin-Woo's world?]
[Shadow Monarch: NOTHING. Nothing is happening. Everything is fine. Normal. Please don't ask Kokabiel to check.]
[Heaven's Wrath: I already observed your situation during the initial system reboot. The stepmother route development was... unfortunate. You have my intellectual sympathies.]
Ritsuka sat up in her dorm bed, blushing furiously.
[Last Pillar of Humanity: STEPMOTHER ROUTE?! WHAT?!]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Oh man, this is gonna be good. Spill it! Is it some parody version where he operates like a dating sim or something... Wait, he has to raise his stepmother's affection level?]
[Shadow Monarch: KOKABIEL WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT.]
[Heaven's Wrath: Was that information confidential? You didn't specify. I apologize for the breach of privacy.]
[Shadow Monarch is offline]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Dude, tell us! I'm dying to know what made the Emo lord Sasuke lite here so flustered.]
[Heaven's Wrath : He threatened to commit suicide in my dm if I reveal it. So no.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality : Alright, now I'm definitely going to find out!]
[Flash Goddess: I don't know what this 'Route' thing is, but it sound funny.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: Yes it's hilarious if what I'm guessing is true.]
I closed the chat with a sigh. They were rather chaotic sometimes. But it felt.. nice?
Progress was measured in centuries and fragments of feeling. But it was progress.
By 1340, Heaven thrived under Michael's leadership. Angels had found new purpose. The pantheons cooperated through the arbiter system. Peace was stable and sustainable.
My presence had become more liability than asset. Angels were uncomfortable around me despite my improved simulation attempts. My siblings tried connecting but couldn't reach who I'd been. I was a ghost haunting a home that had moved on without me.
Time to leave. Time to try recovering through different methods. Time to live small again.
"I'm leaving soon," I told Michael one evening in 1348.
He didn't look surprised. "When?"
"Couple years. Once I've ensured transition is completely smooth."
"Where will you go?"
"Mortal realm. Live among humans. Experience limitation. Try to remember what it means to care about small things."
"Will you come back?"
"Eventually. When I've recovered or accepted that recovery is impossible."
"That could take centuries."
"Probably."
Michael was quiet for a long moment. "I'll miss you. Even this version of you."
"I know. I'm sorry I can't miss you back. Not properly, not yet." I paused. "But that flicker Gabriel saw? That fraction-second of almost-feeling? It gives me hope that maybe, eventually, I'll remember how."
"That's enough. Hope is enough."
We stood in comfortable silence. Brothers who'd fought together, led together, survived together. Even if one of them couldn't feel any of it properly yet.
"Two years," I said. "Then I leave."
"Two years," Michael agreed.
The journey toward recovery would be long. Measured in centuries rather than years. But for the first time since my transformation, I had evidence it might actually be possible.
That was enough to keep trying.
*****
Hopefully by Christmas, I'll be posting on RoyalRoad. Created an account and all that. Maybe I'll start writing my original novel there as well.