Chapter 122

Not only was Xiarette not in a hurry, she even wanted to join Sheffy in throwing stones.

This kind of contagious behavior stemmed from acting freely and from the heart.

Golden particles shimmered, forming a circular flow that swirled around the phantom like a dragon. Just as the Pope lowered his head even further, the golden phantom unexpectedly changed posture.

—She suddenly sat in midair, resting her cheek on a fist and crossing one leg over the other, exuding a haughty and superior demeanor.

The long dress of the phantom draped down in the air, resembling a heavenly stairway.

Holy majesty, illusory and mysterious—somehow different from the deities described in myths.

But in the eyes of a certain Demon Clan Princess...

She really looked like she needed a good beating!

No chair, yet she insisted on crossing her legs. Just because her legs were long, she thought she was something special!

Before Sheffy could grab two new stones and launch a double bombardment, a rift connecting to the outside world appeared beside the Pope within the golden space.

As the wind from the outside forest swept in, a solemn female voice echoed crisply, issuing an irrefutable command.

“Gustana, you may step back now. What I’m about to say next has nothing to do with you.”

“Ah... Lady Aimeris, may I be allowed to listen to the divine oracle by the side...!”

“I don’t wish to repeat myself.”

“Yes... I shall obey the divine oracle.”

Even though Gustana was reluctant, he still struggled to his feet and respectfully stepped back out of the golden space.

Once he left, the rift sealed itself, and the enclosed domain reformed completely.

Xiarette remained vigilant the entire time. She activated the magic within her body, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

But at that moment, she was surprised to discover that she could barely access even one-tenth of her usual magic. Her body felt extremely weak, and just standing made her legs feel as heavy as lead.

It was as if... this golden space had suppressed the flow of magic entirely.

“Human child who bears the title of Hero, there’s no need to be so alert. My divine authority is called 【Reverence of the Gods】. Those who stand before me will have their magic suppressed to the lowest degree. This is the power belonging to divinity. You need not be alarmed... Hmm, it seems that’s not entirely the case...”

Her eyes could not be seen, but it was still possible to sense where her gaze fell and detect changes in her emotions.

She was surprised.

The one she was looking at was none other than Sheffy Harl, still standing firm as ever, her six black feathers upright and shimmering.

“The magic circuits of the Demon Clan are concentrated in their wings... Yet even after entering my domain, your wings have not dispersed. Little demon, has your magic truly not been affected by my authority?”

“What authority.”

“I just told you, it’s called 【Reverence of the Gods】.”

“What does 'Reverence of the Gods' even mean.”

“......”

The golden phantom slowly descended through the air toward Sheffy.

Xiarette quickly stepped forward to shield Sheffy.

But the phantom had no physical form and passed straight through Xiarette, stopping right in front of Sheffy and scrutinizing her gaudy yet hollow head.

“Strange… I see your head looks normal, and you’re not dumb either…”

“So you were just waiting for a chance to insult me, huh.”

Sheffy waved her hand casually, stirring up a light breeze.

—And that phantom, clearly untouchable, actually floated back to its original position as if pushed by the wind.

Before the phantom could show any surprise, Sheffy had already placed one hand on her waist and pointed sternly with the other.

“What divine authority or whatever—you think I’m deaf and can’t hear you? I’m just a practical person. Since I was young, I never really believed in gods or ghosts. You say you’re a god, but what proof do you have?”

The phantom froze for a moment, then after a brief contemplation, cautiously replied.

“The proof is… my divine authority, 【Reverence of the Gods】, which suppresses magic.”

“Huh? And where’s that supposed effect? Look at me, I’m still lively and bouncy. No effect—doesn’t that prove you’re not a god?”

“That’s why I also don’t understand why it’s ineffective against you… But my authority definitely activated.”

“No effect, yet you’re still going on?!”

“It should have worked.”

“But it didn’t.”

“Even if it didn’t, I am a god. That fact is eternal.”

“No, I’m asking where’s the effect?! I’m about to lose it here!”

“It sh—tch… You damn brat, I don’t want to argue with you. Are you a ghost or what?!”

“You’re the one who first said you’re a god! Now you’re asking me if I’m a ghost? Mm… Xiarette, let me go! I need to settle this with her!”

Wuwu what to do now—Sheffy's mouth could bicker with a fish below and argue with the heavens above. Please, give it a rest already!

Xiarette held Sheffy in check with both arms hooked under her armpits. As Sheffy kicked her little legs wildly, Xiarette leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“That magic suppression effect she mentioned—it worked on me. And Sheffy… when the Pope addressed her earlier, he called her ‘Lady Aimeris’. I just remembered… in human mythology, the deity representing ‘War and Life’ is called Aimeris…”

“Ah…?”

Sheffy’s face, previously full of righteous fury, slowly turned pale.

She slowly turned around, folded her wings, and nervously clasped her hands in front of her.

“This is bad, Xia… Don’t tell me… just like that golden midget said, she really is…”

“I think… considering how much the Pope respects her…”

“Maybe she really is what she says she is—a ghost!”

“She said she’s a god!”

Xiarette finally couldn’t hold back and shouted her retort, giving Sheffy a light smack on the head in the process!

The golden glow floating in the sky, called “Aimeris,” appeared to have ample patience.

Or perhaps, she didn’t have that much patience after all.

But for certain reasons, she had no choice but to tolerate Sheffy’s shameless mouth.

She floated in midair, ignoring space like a golden shooting star, circling around Sheffy and Xiarette. After a soft and bell-like chuckle of “Hehehe,” her questioning voice echoed once again across this seemingly endless space.

“I bear no hostility. The gods love all people, and you too are children under my protection.”

If Xiarette hadn’t been covering her mouth, Sheffy would have definitely raised her hand and said, “Then give me a fish and show your power.”

If the gods loved the people but couldn’t even hand out a single fish, wasn’t that just empty talk?

“Today, it wasn’t that Gustana boy who wished to see you, but rather my invitation. I have important matters to discuss with the two of you. Little ones from the Demon Clan and the Human Clan—you come from different nations, but do you know the deeds of the gods?”

“......”

Sheffy looked at Xiarette with eyes full of helplessness, the kind that belonged to someone who didn’t like studying.

She hated studying the most. Why would she have read any mythology stories?

Great—now the pressure shifted back to Xiarette.

She let out a light sigh. Moments ago, she had felt an immense pressure from this little golden figure, but after everything Sheffy did, all that tension had completely disappeared.

“Ah… From what I know, the gods only exist in myths, with no factual basis. According to the mythological epics of the Kingdom of Aurus, the world was created through the combined efforts of four creator gods.”

“Ohh, now that you mention it, I remember too,” Sheffy said. She hadn’t learned much at the Demon King’s Castle, but she had a good memory for numbers. “On the Demon Clan’s side, it’s also said that there were four gods who held up the four poles of the world, but they all vanished later for some unknown reason. Uh… which four were they again?”

“The Demon God Tieer, who governs 【Magic and Hatred】. The Dragon God Sanolade, who governs 【Strength and Dominion】. The Elf God Enor, who governs 【Infinity and Harvest】. And finally… the Human God Aimeris, who governs 【War and Life】.”

When she mentioned the last deity, Xiarette observed the golden figure drifting through the void from the corner of her eye.

She was also doing her best to determine whether this mysterious being before them was truly the Human God of legend.

“Wrong~”

The little golden figure suddenly halted midair, lifting a hand to her lips as if chuckling.

“Well… the records themselves aren’t mistaken, but my authority doesn’t include anything like ‘war’. I am the goddess who symbolizes 【Peace and Life】. Hahaha… that so-called ‘war’ must have been added by that damn Tieer on her own! If she were still alive, I’d wipe her out to the last scrap!”

The golden space trembled slightly, as if reacting to Aimeris’s unstable mood.

But this little golden figure’s temperament was like July rain—completely unpredictable.

She remained floating in midair, still with one leg crossed, then spread both arms outward and began recounting tales of the gods.

“Since I’m the one asking for your help… I’ll make an exception and share some stories mortals aren’t allowed to know.”

“Oh no, she’s about to start storytelling.”

Sheffy muttered a tiny complaint, then casually raised her hand, activating Storage Magic.

Aimeris watched as Sheffy freely used magic under her supposedly magic-suppressing 【Reverence of the Gods】 authority—and was utterly speechless.

Even more speechless was what came next…

Sheffy actually pulled out two small stools—and a whole bag of donuts.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s the fine tradition of listening to stories.” Sheffy patted the small stool and motioned for Xiarette to sit too. “Listening while eating is a good habit.”

“You…! Ugh, forget it… Your free-spirited nature reminds me of an old acquaintance—just as irritating as you.”

“Then she must have been an exceptional person.”

“Silence. Listen to my words. I shall lead you to the origin… the primal truth of this world.”

37. Are You Willing? (5K)

Pulling out a little stool to listen to a mythological epic somehow felt... underwhelming in terms of grandeur?

No matter—so long as there were donuts, Sheffy could still listen with relish.

“Xia, here’s another one for you—strawberry filling.”

“Thanks? A bit sweet… Mmph, where was she in the story?”

“No idea. Just act like you understand. Don’t ask too much, or you’ll look dumb.”

“Fair enough.”

After all, Aimeris was an ancient deity.

Some of her words sounded like they were encrypted—full of roundabout phrases. Without a background in ancient cultures, it really was hard to understand.

Of course, even those who had studied ancient cultures couldn’t understand her.

Fortunately, when it came to recounting the main events…

She was still clear enough.

Long before the birth of life, in the primordial era, the four original gods had already descended upon this barren land.

They came from the radiant light of the sun, moon, and stars; they were formed from the shimmering of mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas—beings of supreme existence beyond all mortal comprehension.

Since they had descended to this land, each carried a singular vow—

—To change, to advance, and to create.

The Dragon God Sanolade soared through the sky, devouring lightning, shattering magma, calming tsunamis—he transformed the extremely hostile natural world of the primordial era into a peaceful and comfortable environment.

The Elf God Enor bestowed blessings upon heaven and earth, bringing timely rains and favorable weather, bountiful harvests, fields of flowers, forests, and sunshine that pierced through millennia of dark clouds to illuminate the lands and mountains.

The Demon God Tieer sang upon the world’s dome, infusing magic into every corner of existence. The sea’s reflection began to mirror the stars. She created twin moons that filled the sky and gifted the world with alternating night and day.

The Human God Aimeris prayed at the center of the world, and the skies poured down life-giving rain that covered the globe. All life on the world began to sprout from that rainfall. Across the vast plains, embryonic forms of fish and insects also began to stir and break free.

The four gods each stood at one of the world’s four poles.

Influenced by their distinct magical essences, and over spans of tens of thousands of years, the creatures of different regions gradually evolved unique characteristics—giving rise to a multitude of vastly diverse races.

The once-silent world… became lively.

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