Dragged to Another World… and I Took the Goddess with me!

Majestria had already beaten Finn before he could explain, and just when he thought things were safe, he realized they weren't.

She punished him for chasing the thief—the very chase that had accidentally sent the man crashing into the knight, which in turn sent the knight tumbling onto her. Finn tried to explain that it wasn't his fault, that he hadn't meant for any of it to happen, but Majestria didn't care—not one bit.

"It doesn't matter what happened or why," she said, crossing her arms. "What matters is that it happened in my presence. And that it spilled onto me. That's why it matters more."

Finn blinked. Whatever logic she was using, it felt less like reasoning and more like, she just wanted an excuse to beat him again.

He picked up his precious hat, plopping it back on his head like a king crowning himself. Majestria's eyes narrowed as she stared at him, silently questioning how much he really loved that ridiculous piece of fabric.

With Finn in his hat and Majestria radiating divine wrath beside him, they approached the man slumped against a tree. His armor was shattered—the chest plate gone, leaving only tattered leggings, one arm piece, and a helmet.

The man groaned, lifting his head. "What… do you want from me?"

Finn tilted his head. "What do you mean? You stole my hat! Of course we're coming over."

"And… do what?" the man wheezed, barely able to sit up.

Finn thought for a long moment. "…Oh, right. Question you!"

The man blinked, suspicious and confused.

"Why did you steal my hat? What could possibly be so important that you'd take it?"

"Because it looked cool," the man replied simply.

Finn's jaw dropped. Wait… that's it? Just because it looked cool? His mind raced. I have to guard this hat like it's the crown jewels now.

'I thought this was a fantasy world, not Chicago…' Finn muttered grimly, trying to find some deeper, sinister motive behind the man's face or words. But there was nothing.

Finn sighed. "Okay…"

The man's eyes lit up, silently praying to be spared.

"Majestria, this man said your dress isn't that good, nor are you pretty."

Her fist began to glow, eyes flaring like twin meteors ready to obliterate everything in sight.

"Okay, okay!" the man cried, raising his hands in surrender. "There's more! I didn't say that! You're… you're pretty!"

Her glowing hands and eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a satisfied smile.

Finn mentally noted: another trick for getting what he wanted, to use when necessary.

And also how to survive Majestria's divine wrath.

The man finally began to explain…

"I took your hat because it was given to you by one of the wizard-men at the towers."

"So…? What does that have to do with anything?" Finn asked, tilting his head.

"Well, I noticed how striking the hat was, and when I saw you in the dining hall, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to ask about it."

"So you assumed I'd just spill everything about myself?"

"Yeah," the man said sheepishly, shrugging. "You seemed like the kind of guy who talks about himself when asked. No one else would, so I thought you'd answer. And… I was right—when you trauma-dumped me, I knew you'd brag about yourself or your accomplishments if given the chance."

Finn cracked a grin, glancing at Majestria, who was trying not to laugh, then at the man giving him a sheepish, snake-like look. Without warning, Finn stomped on the man's leg and smacked the back of Majestria's head.

"That's enough from both of you!" he barked. "You asked about my hat, and I told you how I got it. Screw you!"

Majestria tensed, claws ready, but Finn beat her to it. She muttered angrily under her breath, clearly plotting revenge.

The man yelped as Finn wiggled his foot against him, making him cry out even louder.

"Enough! Just tell me what exactly you wanted from my hat!" Finn demanded.

"Okay, okay, stop! I'll tell you!" the man yelled.

"Tell me!"

"Because… your hat gives you mana! Not a lot, but some mana to help you cast spells and other stuff."

Finn's eyes gleamed as he looked down at the cool white wizard hat perched on his head. Oh, how neat! Not only was it a gift from the wizards, it actually boosted his magic—maybe even gave him a little! He puffed his chest out, feeling ridiculously proud.

"Is that all you needed? I promise I won't bother you again, and I'm sorry for ever crossing your path," the man added quickly.

Finn paused, thinking for a moment. Part of him wanted to let the man off, but the memory of all the chaos and hassle he'd endured flared up.

He turned to Majestria. "Step away with me for a second—we need to talk."

Majestria gave him a skeptical look, but agreed anyway. Finn gave the man's leg one last satisfying stomp for good measure, making him yelp again.

Once aside, Finn spoke quietly. "Do you know how they usually punish thieves in this world?"

Majestria blinked, processing the question.

"Please don't tell me you don't know—"

"They usually publicly shame them… or send them to prison. If I remember correctly," she answered casually.

Finn's eyes glinted with mischief as he looked back at the man still lying by the tree.

"I actually have a really good idea for him."

Finn slowly approached the man, his grin stretching in a way that made the man's stomach do a nervous flip.

"Don't worry," Finn said in a low, almost… unsettling tone. "I won't be reporting you to the court… or whatever rules you're bound by."

The man let out a shaky sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing as he began to believe he might just get away with it.

Finn tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting, and the grin widened. "Oh, but don't think for a second that I'm going to let you off the hook for what you did."

The man swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He wasn't entirely sure what Finn meant… but the way he said it sent a shiver down his spine.

"You… you mean…?" he stammered.

Finn leaned in closer, whispering just enough for the man to hear. "Oh, you'll see soon enough…"