Chapter: 672
The plan to ride Ziz and visit Leviathan and Behemoth was conveyed to the Imperial Palace through the Chief Maid that accompanied the Crown Princess.
Taking the Crown Princess outside the capital was one thing, but floating her hundreds, if not thousands, of meters in the sky was quite another. Upon hearing this news, the Emperor quickly began making calls so fervently that it felt like the communication pipes were on fire.
– …Is it really necessary to go?
“If we don’t, Your Majesty, she will resent you.”
However, despite the heated messages, the Emperor’s resolve had cooled significantly.
He knew all too well that the Crown Princess’s curiosity couldn’t be held back by his own power. Even if he forcibly tried to block her journey, all he’d get in return were phrases like ‘Daddy, I hate you!’ or ‘I’m not talking to you, Daddy!’—certainly no pleasant outcomes.
Perhaps that’s why, aside from his weary appearance, his eyes had a strangely moist look.
“Your Majesty, please do not worry. Though I’m not bound by blood to you, I consider her like my own child. How could a father neglect his child’s safety?”
Seeing him that way stirred a bit of sympathy in me, and I ventured to comfort him.
If I were in his shoes, and my daughter Pedi was soaring hundreds of meters in the air without my supervision, it’d surely make my head spin. No matter how much I might get hated, I’d wonder if it wouldn’t be better to just try and stop it.
“Not just you, my children will be with her as well. Moreover, for the safety of the kids, the Duke Marcilio will also be on board, so please put your worries at ease.”
Thus, I tried to soothe the Emperor’s concerns as much as possible.
I won’t treat the Crown Princess like some stranger’s kid. My own kids will be riding along, so safety shouldn’t be an issue. If he’s really worried, I could even include the strongest swordsman and foremost magician in the continent! I pulled every card I could think of.
– It’s not a matter of trusting the Minister. If I can’t trust the Minister, who can I trust?
“I’m truly honored.”
My continued persuasion and reassurance seemed to lighten the Emperor’s mood a lot.
– However, if I recall correctly, Ziz has a pretty wide back, and even the liveliness of the children would be too much for just one strong warrior to handle. Like before, I will provide a squad from the royal knights and some magicians to accompany you.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was more of an assurance to support the prevention of any sudden child antics, so I nodded blandly.
The more hands, the better for me. Honestly, covering seven kids with just two adults feels like a torture session, to say the least.
As we moved towards the place where we first encountered Ziz, we could see Ziz sprawled on the ground, scratching its belly.
Now, that’s what I call a truly lazy sloth. I wonder if this is what it would look like if some deity took on physical form.
“Wow! Wowwww!”
“So massive!”
– Ugh?
Then Ziz, scratching its belly, suddenly turned its head at the sound of the cheers.
– Uh, what’s going on? When did you arrive?
“I just got here.”
Upon seeing me, Ziz looked at Trixie, then the kids, and finally the knights and magicians behind me, speaking a little hesitantly.
– …You’re not here to subdue me or something, are you?
A bit overblown for a concern, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Subdue? Seriously? Who would be foolish enough to destroy a massive airship that listens well and costs next to nothing to maintain?
“If that were the case, I’d have ambushed you before you even noticed.”
– That’s true.
Perhaps recalling the slice of heaven, Ziz shuddered and nodded as if convinced.
I appreciate how quickly it grasps things. Even if it may be simple-minded, it’s not dumb.
– But if it’s not about subduing, then what’s the matter—
“I! I want to ride! I want to ride on your back!”
– Aha.
With the Crown Princess’s shout, Ziz’s voice began to swell with pride.
– So, you came to ride me! Those of the Roygas with violet lineage also wanted to ride me and soar through the skies! Of course, it would’ve been impossible unless they were the Emperor or his direct line!
Hearing it was a traditional mount almost made me burst into laughter.
I was worried that it would refuse to let the kids ride, claiming it was undignified despite owing us a favor. Thankfully, forcing a second slice of heaven wasn’t necessary.
– Though these kids may not have violet eyes! But as one under obligation, I will allow you to ride on my back—
“The one with the purple eyes is none other than Her Highness the Crown Princess!”
– I shall do my utmost to serve you!
Ziz quickly lay flat on its belly, adjusting its wings to form steps, making it easier for the children to climb aboard.
What excellent judgement! I’m getting more and more satisfied.
“What a delightful kid. It seems that even after two thousand years, those innocent qualities remain untainted.”
In the meantime, I couldn’t help but smile at Trixie’s effort to soften her words about Ziz sounding ‘childlike.’ Not even saying it without whispers, fearing Ziz might overhear and get hurt—what a heartwarming gesture.
“Sure, by the age it was born, it could be regarded as an ancient ancestor, yet perhaps because it slept for so long, it remains quite innocent.”
I couldn’t let Trixie’s kindness go to waste, so I replied softly too.
Simply considering just the age, it is a two-thousand-year-old monster, but most of that time was spent sleeping. Whether it’s been awake even for twenty years—who knows.
“Well, I think it’s fortunate that it’s still innocent. It’s better for dealing with kids than someone strict and stern.”
“Haha, that’s true.”
Trixie chuckled, her gaze warm as she looked at Ziz and the kids.
The kids riding on Ziz, cradled by the knights, and Ziz standing still without any motion, so the children wouldn’t be startled. Even the magicians discussing scholarly curiosities while observing Ziz—what a peaceful sight, considering there’s a living airship right before them.
‘With the kind of power that could burn a modest territory to ashes at a moment’s notice.’
Even leaving Ziz as an outright cheat, if a squad of royal knights and some royal magicians gathered, they could effortlessly smash one or two territories. It’s amusing yet strange that such power is merely gathered for a trip for the Crown Princess and the kids, cuddling them in its arms.
Although that’s not exactly something I or Trixie should comment on.
“Let’s get on too. The kids will be waiting.”
“Yeah, let’s.”
Once we confirmed that all the kids had boarded, we also climbed onto Ziz’s wings.
Though I kept thinking of it as an airship, riding on it really felt like being on a ship.
*
Living peacefully day by day, taking the World Tree as my base. There’s nothing happier and more fulfilling than this.
Life’s great. Even when Constantina starts nagging me about heading north, I just let it in one ear and out the other, and she eventually gives up and goes back.
Of course, I will head north someday. That place is my homeland, and it’s where my faith tiptoed back to life again. A place where the deity of the skies is meant to reside.
‘But not now.’
But now is definitely not the time. Considering the shares I have contributed to the resurrection of the World Tree, I think a little staying here is just fine. Not to mention, heading north sounds like a hassle.
Besides, before Constantina’s resurrection, I found dealing with the fairies annoying, but now it seems they’ve been a bit kinder since they’re looking for their mom. As a result, tending to them has become enjoyable. Chatting with the spirit kings is also quite nice.
…And to be honest, the main reason I don’t want to go north is that there’s no one to talk to there. No matter how much I’m used to playing alone, there’s a difference between being a voluntary loner and being forced into solitude. Choosing to be alone is one thing; being alone because no one’s around is a whole different issue.
‘Gotta hold on for as long as I can.’
Thus, I resolved once again today. To live as a newborn god as long as I can while sticking close to the World Tree.
Sometimes, playing with fairies and reminiscing with spirit kings sounds fun, maybe…?
‘Huh?’
Suddenly, an unsettling feeling crept from the northeast.
It’s quite a distance away. Yet, even from afar, I could sense something massive was amiss.
At the same time, it felt familiar yet strange—like a peculiar sensation that stirred some old memory within me. It’s truly nonsensical and indescribable.
‘This isn’t the first time I’ve felt something like this, is it?’
It was complicated. I had no idea where this aura was emanating from or why it was tugging at my memories. Could it possibly be something like the lost relics from the past?
But if such a thing existed, I would have known already. There’s no way a relic that I haven’t caught on to could evade my attention.
‘…Honorary Priest?’
As the unease from the northeast inched closer, I could feel the aura of the Honorary Priest intertwined with it.
What the heck? Why are you there? What are you up to behind my back?
‘Just when I take my eyes off you!’
Rising resentment surged from the depths of my heart. No matter how much my faith was reviving, the Honorary Priest was still the Honorary Priest. They had my seal and also held sacred objects!
There’s no way I could accept seeing someone like that alongside a third aura that isn’t Enen or Constantina! This is something I must stop for the honor of the skies!
– Honorary Priest.
Of course, if I suddenly shouted, the Honorary Priest would no doubt be upset. So, I spoke in the softest and warmest voice I could muster.
It’s definitely not about being cautious around the Honorary Priest due to Enen and Constantina’s traces. I’m just a considerate deity, after all.
– Long time no see. How have you been?
In reality, my careful approach did prompt a calm response from the Honorary Priest.
Indeed, communication should be built on consideration and respect. Without the need for prefixes like ‘blessed’ or ‘benefactor’, I, a deity, naturally fit better with the Honorary Priest. I can surely reaffirm that.
– Oh, I’m doing well. How about you?
– I’m also well as usual. Busy taking care of the children.
With the relaxed tone in that voice, I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
That’s not a tone that hides something secretive. The Honorary Priest being with that strange aura might just be a coincidence, or perhaps they weren’t trying to ignore me.
– Ah, there was something unusual that did happen.
Interesting, the Honorary Priest opened up before I even got to ask.
– Was there anything going on during the Trika Empire’s time?
– Of course. I was there when the Muno Empire was founded.
– Then have you heard of Leviathan, Behemoth, and Ziz?
At that, the Honorary Priest’s eyes widened in surprise.
– They’re creatures created during the Trika Empire era, and they’ve recently awakened. Right now, I’m riding on the back of the bird called Ziz.
– Oh…
My head went a little blank. It’s not that I didn’t know the three beings mentioned.
In fact, I knew them well. Among them, I knew Ziz better than anyone, and that made me bewildered.
– Ziz, you say?
– Yes. Do you know it?
– It’s my sister…
– …What?
Ziz was once a being of divinity.
It had once followed me, calling me its sister.
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