Half an hour later.
After leaving some words of warning, the Supreme Mage Ancient One stepped into a ring of sparks and vanished.
The warnings were straightforward: no world-destroying actions here, and a reminder not to casually end people's lives.
Lake brushed it off with a smile, explaining to the Ancient One his three self-asked questions before killing.
The Supreme Mage listened, her expression turning silent. After that, she lost all interest in further conversation and left.
Lake watched the shrinking ring of sparks, shaking his head with a grin.
Mikaela, perched on a high stool at the bar, shrugged. "So, your funding source is completely gone?"
Lake turned, sipping his bourbon. "Looks that way. But don't worry, there's still a million left on the card."
Clearly, the Supreme Mage wasn't keen on playing the perpetual fall guy. Truth be told, Lake's crash landing here was entirely due to Captain Marvel ascending to godhood in 1995—so it wasn't the Ancient One's fault.
Before this, the Supreme Mage had figured a million-plus would easily last Lake a decade or so. After all, Kamar-Taj's annual expenses were only a hundred thousand or so.
But she'd severely underestimated Lake's spending habits. Kamar-Taj had money, but it couldn't keep playing the sucker like this.
So…
The Supreme Mage made a smart move—cutting her losses. At Lake's rate of extravagance, it wouldn't take a year before Kamar-Taj's mage apprentices would have to leave the sanctum and busk on the streets.
In short.
You crashed here and, strictly speaking, you're a refugee. We took you in, but not so you could lord it over us.
While Lake remained optimistic, Mikaela rubbed her forehead in distress. "Let me teach you another mortal lesson, oh great god. This house you bought? It comes with taxes."
Lake walked to the bar, pulling out a fresh bottle of bourbon that came with the place. "I know. Didn't I already swipe one-point-two-five million Franklins for the tax?"
Mikaela's lips twitched. "Sorry, that was the transaction tax. There's also property tax. New York's rate is low—only two percent. So even though you bought this place, you'll need to pay nearly seven hundred thousand in property tax every year, plus the other upkeep costs…"
Lake paused. "Wait, what do you mean 'every year'?"
Mikaela shrugged. "Exactly what it sounds like. Otherwise, why do you think this mansion with a view of half of New York sat unsold for a whole year? That's why. Congrats—you're about to go broke."
The corners of Lake's mouth twitched.
Alright.
Let's say it again: this is America, a capitalist society. Not his private planet Liss, not the Eastern Kingdom where you pay once and enjoy it for seventy years. This is the capitalistic America where you buy a house, but it's never really yours.
Lake thought as much, sipping his bourbon, then said calmly, "No worries. It's not due until next August anyway."
By next August, his divine power would be back. Then he'd like to see who dared ask him for money. Anyone who tried would get their legs broken.
If they pissed him off? Heh, this planet would blow up.
As for the Supreme Mage? Big deal. Worst case, he'd compensate her with a new planet. He was the Lord of the Stars—planets were the one thing he had in abundance. Forget one; he could custom-make one for the Ancient One however she liked.
Mikaela gave a dry laugh. "Sorry, not next August—it's due by the end of this year. New York City passed a proposal in '99 to set property tax deadlines, so people wouldn't forget."
Lake's face darkened like a tidal wave. "I paid in full. This is a mansion. I shelled out over thirty million to enjoy it, not to suffer."
Mikaela stood, took the glass Lake was about to crush in his hand, and set it down. "This is the mortal world, oh great god. Get used to it."
Lake took a deep breath.
Get used to it?
Heh.
The phrase "get used to others" wasn't in his dictionary.
The next second.
"Agatha!"
"Here, sir."
"Have you cracked Heimerdinger's rules?"
"Cracked them. I can access the planetary database anytime. But without pinpointing Valoran's data location, jumping in recklessly might attract the attention of Valoran's constructs and could expose our position."
"Heh, our position's already exposed. Start the access procedure."
"…Yes. Initiating access procedure. Target: Terra database. Accessing…"
Lake watched the interface projected in midair, his eyes flickering.
"What are you doing?"
Mikaela asked suspiciously from the side. "Didn't you say you didn't want your wives finding you?"
Lake said, "Agatha's accessing it now just to let my wives know I'm really on this planet. As for my exact location, they can't track that. Agatha was specially crafted for me by the demigod Ornn, the Forge of the Mountain. Sure, Valoran's database was built by Ornn too, but if I don't want them to, Valoran can't trace my precise location through Agatha."
Mikaela nodded, half-understanding, and finally said, "…You guys sure have a lot of gods over there."
Lake smiled. "Valoran has mortals too. Those mortals might go their whole lives without meeting a god. It's just that I'm a god, so I run into them more often."
Mikaela nodded.
Fair enough.
Before April Fool's Day three months ago, she'd thought this world, while not great, was at least calm and peaceful.
But after April Fool's?
A god popped up, followed by some white-and-yellow-robed figure who seemed to be this planet's guardian, switching outfits at will.
Maybe that's what levels were all about.
Mikaela muttered inwardly.
Just then.
Beep beep beep!
Mikaela snapped back, staring at the red-flashing interface Agatha projected. "What's going on?"
Agatha responded, "Detected signal source from the Angel Throne. Releasing interference program."
Lake frowned instantly. "Angel Throne? Impossible. If Keisha descended here, she'd come with an army of angels."
Agatha didn't answer Lake's question. After a moment, the alarm quieted down. "Angel Throne signal source identified as residual. Also detecting signals from the Source of Dawn, Source of the Moon, and Source of the Void…"
Lake was stunned. "How's that possible? The Supreme Mage only mentioned a demigod coming. Keisha's ascension to queen makes her a high god. Empress Rena and Diana are the same. How could three high gods show up here and the Supreme Mage still be so calm?"
This was baffling.
If Keisha, Empress Rena, and Diana all descended at once…
No question.
The Supreme Mage would probably forcibly eject Lake from Earth. A single enraged strike from three high gods—even just the shockwave—could split the planet in two.