Though she appeared as a young girl, she radiated an immense, all-encompassing tolerance. This was the larval form assumed by Tiamat, the Mother of Creation, for a certain reason.
As for that reason...
"Is that so? Even if I could break through your mental defenses, I would still end up touching your Sea of the Heart afterward. No, rather than that, I would be coming into contact with the Goddess of Creation who remains constantly linked to your spirit?"
Aphrodite frowned, displeasure clear on her face.
This was the Sea of the Heart. Aphrodite, this man, and the goddess Tiamat had become entangled through the mental interference caused by the true form of a Machine God, resulting in this unusual encounter. Even if the mental connection were severed immediately, there was no way to escape quickly.
Time within the Sea of Mind was stretched almost infinitely in relative terms. What might have been only an instant in the outside world would require a long span of time here. Aphrodite had no power to manipulate the scale of time, but for Tiamat, doing so was as effortless as a casual gesture.
"That's why I said your assessment of 'small and powerless' isn't entirely wrong," Shiomi said calmly, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood beside Tiamat. "After losing the initiative, there was no way for me to do what Artemis did. I couldn't plunge down to strike you and protect the people at my side."
As he spoke, Tiamat smiled warmly and lifted her hand. However, her petite manifested form couldn't quite reach Shiomi's head. Realizing what his mother intended, Shiomi slowly lowered himself to one knee and accepted her touch.
"There's no need to feel ashamed," Tiamat said softly. "No matter how many ages you live through, no matter how powerful you become, to me, you will always be a child who needs looking after."
Her gaze then shifted to Aphrodite, and her smile faded away.
"A goddess who governs beauty and love, yet does not understand what love truly is. That shallow conduct shall be judged by me."
"Mm..."
In an instant, Aphrodite felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon her.
This was something she had never experienced before. Since arriving on this planet thousands of years ago, she had never attempted to interfere with the mind of an existence like the great god Zeus, nor had she ever come into contact with the native gods of this world.
Tenkei Shiomi had led her straight into a massive trap, luring her into forcibly meddling with his spirit. Unprepared, she had ended up facing the Goddess of Creation herself.
The pressure wasn't fear or any other negative emotion. It was pure powerlessness.
Her body lay dormant in the Sea of Imaginary Numbers, and she interfered with the Real World only through the spiritual plane. The sheer weight of that presence was something even Zeus might not be able to rival.
Aphrodite reached that conclusion in her mind.
In any case, she might never get the chance to compare them again. Once she returned from the Sea of Mind to reality, the outcome between them would finally be decided.
"Pitiful, tragic mechanical goddess. Love is not something that can be measured by value, nor is it a tool for domination."
Tiamat extended her hand toward Aphrodite, her palm supporting her from afar.
"You gave birth to humanity, yet in the end, your own children, the humans of the earth, cast you aside as something useless. After experiencing all of that, do you still choose to love humanity, O Primordial Mother Goddess?"
Aphrodite and Tiamat gazed at one another in silence.
"Whether humanity is outstanding or utterly worthless, I will love all humans without distinction. Just as humanity still loves me. Even if the day comes when I must leave this planet, I will watch their departure with a smile."
Tiamat's smile was gentle, tinged with sorrow.
She had already made her decision. She would forever watch over humanity's future, and watch over this "special child" at her side who fought and strove tirelessly for the sake of that future. To her, lending him a bit of strength now and then was nothing more than natural indulgence.
"If that is the love you acknowledge, then I truly do not understand it."
With a cold scoff, Aphrodite vanished from the Sea of Mind.
"Aphrodite has withdrawn from here. It's time to say goodbye again, Mother."
Shiomi, who had been silently awaiting the outcome, finally spoke in a low voice.
"Of course, my child."
Tiamat turned toward him, looking at him with unmistakable pride.
"To think of using yourself as bait to draw a goddess's spirit in so deeply. That was quite impressive."
"I've caused you trouble again, Mother."
Shiomi shook his head lightly.
"There's no need for such formality. Since you are my child, no matter how much trouble you encounter, or how much help you need from your mother, it makes no difference."
Tiamat smiled warmly.
"Next time, let's talk properly in the dream world again, just like we always do."
She was referring to how, once Shiomi fell asleep, their connected spirits would allow them to meet often within dreams. Because of this bond, even while dwelling in the cold and desolate Sea of Imaginary Numbers, Tiamat would never again experience the loneliness of being abandoned by her child.
"Thank you for everything, Mother."
Shiomi looked at Tiamat and asked the question he hadn't been able to raise earlier.
"But… why do you appear as a young girl?"
"If I were to grow larger, human language would become distant and impersonal. That wouldn't work if I wanted to speak with you properly."
Tiamat smiled softly.
"After all, this time is very short."
"I see."
Understanding dawned on Shiomi. He prepared to stand and return to the real world.
"Have you decided?"
As she watched him leave, Tiamat asked quietly.
"Decided what?"
Shiomi looked confused.
"Your divine name," Tiamat said softly. "To become a god, you need a name that belongs to a god. You are an exceptional existence, so the name must be decided by yourself."
"Can't I just keep using my human name?" Shiomi asked.
"A human name is merely a provisional name chosen for you by the one on the moon," Tiamat replied. "You may continue using it, but it will reduce your output as a god."
"So that's how it is."
Shiomi hadn't expected something like this to be an issue.
"When you were human, you used a human name. As a god, you should also have a name that belongs to a god," Tiamat added.
"Then, Mother, please grant a fitting name to this unfinished, immature god," Shiomi said after a moment of thought. "A name worthy of the child of the Goddess of Creation."
Tiamat clearly hadn't expected him to hand the decision over to her. Her smile grew even gentler. She lifted both hands, cupped Shiomi's cheeks, and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"If my child asks it of me, then I will think of a name for you."
After that, the goddess Tiamat leaned close and whispered softly into her child's ear, bestowing upon him the divine name that would belong to him alone.