Chapter 567
If two people are lying in the same bed, waking up to morning chirps is a given.
And newlywed enthusiasm could easily break that rule for ten days straight.
“O-opp…! Just, just a bit slower…!”
“I’m already going slow!”
Instead of just waking up in the morning, our daily routine involved staying up until morning.
“I feel weird… I haven’t even drunk that much water…”
“It’s not weird, so don’t hold back.”
Even at night, instead of sleeping, we were more active than ever.
“Today marks a week, right…?”
“Yep. Let’s stay three more days.”
“Huh?”
Our daily life felt like the karaoke owner who stacks on extra time after the usual hours.
It was truly a fruitful and fulfilling ten days. Although we ended up extending our stay longer than planned, how much could a vacationer’s schedule really go awry? I’d already told Mar that we’d linger just a bit longer, so there were no problems at all.
“The view is nice.”
After patting Lynn’s head as she lay passed out, I strolled over to the window to gaze at the towering mountain ash and tulips.
What a beautiful sight! Although hastily arranged, this was a perfect spot for a cozy honeymoon for a sitting Imperial Count and Countess. Thanks to magic and a generous budget, we created a safe and aesthetically pleasing honeymoon destination. It’s not easy to harmoniously blend trees, flowers, and buildings.
‘It’d be a shame to use it just once.’
As I watched the flower petals dance in the breeze, I gave the window frame a light tap.
Having placed a building in someone else’s territory, I had plans to hand it over to my father-in-law. For him, this building would hold significant meaning as a place to cherish his daughter’s marriage.
But no matter how I thought about it, the scenery felt too precious to give up. Besides, after spending ten days here, I’d grown attached to the place itself.
‘What if we just use it as our vacation home?’
It bothered me that this tulip garden was a major tourist attraction for Count Flanbel’s territory, but luckily, this area near the peak was off-limits to outsiders. There shouldn’t be much impact on tourism; a reasonable fee should get my father-in-law’s approval.
Right, once we go back, I’ll formally start the purchasing process. I can’t just set up an unauthorized structure on my father-in-law’s territory as a son-in-law.
‘Huh?’
While pondering whether to use the territories I farmed in Leon for the purchase cost, a signal light blared from the communication device I had placed on the table.
– I’m glad you’re awake.
“Trixie?”
To avoid waking Lynn, who was still asleep, I activated the device from the corner, and Trixie’s face appeared.
– Sorry for reaching out suddenly. Did I interrupt something?
“Nope. Just enjoying the view.”
I shook my head at Trixie, who seemed uneasy as she lowered her ears. If she had contacted me yesterday, it would have been a bit tricky, but right now, I was all wrapped up in a break after completing everything.
“More importantly, what’s the matter? Did something troubling happen?”
With a hint of apprehension, I opened my mouth. Everyone in the mansion knew that Lynn and I were having some cozy time together. Even that we planned to return today, which I had mentioned three days ago.
However, Trixie reaching out first thing in the morning meant something significant must have come up. If they were calm, that would have been more unusual.
– Ah, well…
Trixie briefly paused before cautiously replying.
– The World Tree has become infused with greater divine energy than before. Even Constantina can now converse with Grandmother.
“…What?”
I was taken aback with a surprise I didn’t see coming.
Since the resurrection of the World Tree, Constantina had been quiet. While she had received the elven worship, the number of elves in the interspecies protection zone wasn’t large. The reincarnated Constantina seemed more interested in living a peaceful life with her children than spreading her faith.
And now, Constantina could suddenly converse with a mere follower while the divine energy of the World Tree has increased?
‘Is religious war returning?’
But I doubted that Constantina, who had cooperated peacefully with Enen in the past, would act differently now.
– So, I personally looked into it…
After hesitating, Trixie glanced around before whispering.
– Just a few days ago, the council concluded, and an official announcement is pending.
At that, I went silent. The results of the council are only known to the Pope, Cardinals, and select theologians until the official announcement. For Trixie to have found out implies her connections are burning bright.
If the timing of the council’s conclusion coincides with the surge in divine energy of both Constantina and the World Tree,
‘In the end, they’ve acknowledged it.’
It seems the Dawn Sect has officially recognized the existence of different deities, following the Pope’s intent.
Of course, faith is established through respect and adherence to deities. Even if the Dawn Sect acknowledges the existence of other gods, that doesn’t mean it seamlessly translates into faith.
However, to respect and follow a specific deity, acknowledging and accepting that deity’s existence is the first step. The core of faith is recognition, and the leadership of the Dawn Sect accepting and embracing the existence of another deity should significantly aid Constantina, who was a formerly lesser-known deity.
…
‘Lesser deity?’
Instinctively, I thought of the true lesser deity, not Constantina. With the definitive symbol of the World Tree and an elven race as its committed believers, it could be argued that Constantina is a small but powerful god.
In contrast, the Eternal Blue Sky has nothing. It’s a pitiful deity that could barely be described with the term ‘lesser’ and is clearly weaker than Constantina.
Yet, if merely being recognized made Constantina stronger… what about the Eternal Blue Sky?
‘Whoa.’
Could it be that the sky, which has always been filled with dark clouds, is finally turning blue?
“Ugh…”
“Oh.”
Just then, Lynn, who had been peacefully sleeping, started groaning and stirring awake.
I’d let Lynn rest comfortably at the mansion while I winged over to check on the World Tree.
Upon returning to the mansion, I immediately moved to the elven residential area. Confirming the surge of divine energy from the World Tree and wanting to check on the statuses of the Eternal Blue Sky and Constantina, I had no choice but to go there in person.
‘What the…’
And the World Tree indeed looked exceptional.
It seemed even larger than the last time I saw it, with a gentle glow that didn’t hurt the eyes, and fairies and spirits hanging from its branches.
It was undeniably divine. Even an atheist would likely find it hard to disbelieve in the presence of a deity in such a scene.
– Oh, benefactor.
As I stood there, gazing blankly at the luminescent World Tree, the fire spirit king that had been circling around in the sky descended.
– Welcome. I felt a familiar aura, and it was you after all.
“Ah, yes. Long time no see.”
– Long time for humans? It feels like I’ve just seen you.
Naturally, the fire spirit king perched on my head and fluffed its wings.
– So, I hear you’ve recently gained a daughter?
“Yes, I’ve been blessed with three lovely treasures.”
– If you have the chance, bring them here. Being a spirit king, I can give them my blessing.
The mere thought of a blessing from a spirit king sent my mind racing. The water spirit king’s previously gifted orb had already been beneficial; how much more effective would a direct blessing be?
“Thanks for your kindness.”
– No need to mention it; we’re grateful instead.
As I watched the fire spirit king flap its wings and disappear, I redirected my gaze back to the World Tree.
‘Hmm.’
Is it just my imagination, or does the place seem brighter than before in just those few minutes?
*
I feel happy. This is the first time I’ve felt this way since the Apostle and Temple crumbled.
This overwhelming elation, this overflow of divinity, this abundant happiness. Compared to the prime of my days, it’s still miles away, but it’s sufficient to reign as a god.
Heh… heh heh heh…
– Hoo hoo hoo hoo…
– Can’t you maintain any dignity while laughing?
– Quiet! Do I have time to care about dignity right now!?
I barked at Constantina, who was picking a fight for no good reason, but soon after, my anger morphed back into joy.
So what if Constantina has something to say? I’m a god! An undeniable deity of the heavens, looking down upon all.
– Hoo heh heh…
– You’ve completely lost it.
I don’t hear the chatter of lowly plants growing in the dirt.
‘Huh?’
Having laughed for quite a while, I felt a familiar aura and glanced outside of the World Tree.
– Oh.
The honorary high priest has arrived.
I’m feeling fulfilled. Though they may deny it, that really is my honorary high priest. A god reclaiming their strength comes to celebrate with me personally.
– Such a committed priest.
Feeling quite proud, my lips curled into a smile. Whether it’s Enen’s Blessed or Constantina’s benefactor, it matters not. I’ve spent years in that child’s body, and I can communicate with her anytime at will. I’m closer to that child than any other god.
– No, that’s because you tried to curse them and failed…
– High priest!
Ignoring the jealous remarks from the humble plants, I engaged the honorary high priest.
– Did you come to see me?
‘Well, kind of.’
That satisfying response made me chuckle again.
Indeed, for gods to be strong, their followers must also be devoted. The god must remain steadfast for the nearby followers to feel secure.
– Long time no see. Have you been well?
‘Ah, I see Constantina is with you too.’
Usually, Constantina’s intrusion would annoy me, but now I could smile at her presence.
– Given your lack of questions, I can guess that you already know the cause of this anomaly?
‘Yes, that’s correct.’
– Huh?
And looking at the confusing dialogue exchanged between the honorary high priest and Constantina made me tilt my head.
– The cause of this anomaly?
What’s that? Was there such a thing?
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