There are only a few insignificant shallow white marks, proving the futility of these uninvited guests.

"Holy Sanctuary."

The shamanesses once called this place, saying it was a divine domain where all weapons were forbidden.

It is nothing but a slightly harder stone.

And until all the attackers could no longer hold their weapons, falling helplessly under the dual pressure of strong recoil and harsh domain, the remaining ones despairingly gave up,

they left with the corpses of their companions, cursing the evil god of the enemy nation.

The boulder stood immovably, not responding to the curses of humankind, just as it had never responded to the prayers of the shamanesses.

Some humans chose to touch it, some chose to attack it.

But it is just a stone, merely existing here.

Once, a shamaness leaned against it, saying thus: There exist life forms made of earth and stone, Earth Element, Gargoyle, Gemstone Person... These peculiar beings, despite their bodies being earth and stone, live as active life forms.

Even without exceptional wisdom, they follow some kind of rationale, some kind of trajectory.

'All beings, whether they understand it or not, will act for some purpose... Perhaps you will also have that day, or perhaps you won't.'

So the shamaness spoke, bowing her head to it.

'At the very least, please continue to watch over us… keep observing us until we cease to exist.'

Just by existing here, it embodies the supreme sanctity.

But it is neither sacred nor an evil demon, only a stone.

Without warning, the body of the boulder was covered with cracks.

The massive mountain-like rock began to shatter continuously, stone fragments falling like a sculpture gradually taking form.

Actually, it had always known where it came from.

The shamaness had told it, and it had seen that scene—a star coming from beyond the skies, landing upon the earth.

It merely happened to fall on this mountaintop.

Finally, the boulder ceased its fracturing.

Left behind was a tall, elegant, flawless female statue.

Its form was identical to humans yet seemed to fuse all human imagination of beauty, reaching an ultimate that transcends human understanding.

[Wings (Influence transformation agility coefficient)]

1.5. Feather Wings

2.6. Dragon Wings

3.7. Dust Wings

4.8. Light Wings

9. Star Wings

10. Great Success/Great Failure

D10=d10(9)=9

♛: Star Wings

Behind the tall statue, starlight converged into flowing light, transforming into a pair of vague, invisible wings.

It looked up gazing at the night sky, its endless and boundless homeland.

"Observation... has ended."

The statue bowed its head and softly sighed.

"I shall return."

[Farewell (Influence transformation perception coefficient)]

D100=d100(29)=29

Earth began to tremble, distant sounds of fear coming from beneath the mountains, but it was not caused by the statue.

The adjacent peaks of the ancient mountains slowly opened their eyes, deep and massive snake-like eyes rising, looking at the neighbor that had shared the long years with them.

Similarly looking at the Big Snake that came here unknown years ago and coexisted as neighbors, the statue hesitated for a moment, somewhat clumsily waving its hand at it.

The shamaness had said this was the gesture of farewell.

It took one last glance at the earth beneath, seeing countless people, countless lives also gazing up at it.

Then, the light of the Star Wings grew intensely bright, sacred radiance spreading from the mountain top, covering the entire night sky.

The statue spread its wings, rising from the ground closest to the sky towards the remotest heavens.

The Returning Star ascended from the summit of the Holy Mountain, tracing a brilliant arc in the firmament, disappearing into the infinite sky.

"Whether it made any further gestures or left any words, no one truly knows. Stories abound, but only the record of the ending is consistent.

"The supremely benevolent Star Spirit returned to the celestial sphere, and the kingdom that desecrated the stars, having lost the watchful eye of the god, soon utterly perished, turning into ruins, vanishing into the river of history.

"Congratulations and celebrations."

[Reason for the new nation's downfall (Influence special skills)]

1.5. Magic Disaster

2.6. Soldier Disaster

3.7. Famine

4.8. Plague

9. Death Disaster

10. Great Success/Great Failure

D10=d10(8)=8

♛: Plague

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

"No, what's so celebratory about this story exactly?"

The Depraved Hero casually tossed the book aside, propping his legs up on the sofa, watching as a deputy temporarily appointed by the Judgement Court picked up the book with a helpless expression.

"Also, doesn't the church not believe in gods? What's this book about? Are you a heretic? Do you want to die?"

Though only a few days had passed, the deputy had gotten used to the girl's cold and strict demeanor, hardly bothered by her attitude, simply sighing softly:

"Boss, please give me a break. Didn't you say you wanted to look at the Stargazing Church's texts to consider whether to join, that's why I brought the book for you?"

The deputy shook his head, then continued:

"Besides, the Church may not believe in gods, but they only deny the existence of an all-knowing and all-powerful creator... Or rather, even if a creator truly exists, they wouldn't be the gods as we comprehend them."

"You sure talk a lot, so what's the meaning of this story?"

Replying patiently to the impatient Depraved Hero, the deputy responded:

"The Returning Star in the story is not a deity, merely the faith humankind misplaced in a piece of stone, yet despite this, it is not to be desecrated lightly.

"Therefore, even if gods do not exist in this world, there are things we humans should hold in reverence."

The deputy smiled, raising a finger upwards.

"—For example, the starry sky above us."

"What's above you is a roof." The Depraved Hero rolled his eyes.

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