Chapter 244

Chapter 242 – Eclipse

I suggested we move to another location as the six of them demanded a more detailed explanation of what it all meant. After some discussion, we ultimately decided on the Moon Cathedral.

Getting there was no problem at all. Three out of the six could use teleportation.

However, I freaked out when I glanced outside the cathedral window and saw a crowd densely packed in the square, offering their prayers.

According to the Pope’s explanation, they were expressing gratitude for the miracle that had just unfolded. The sun and moon rose together, and on top of that, there was a holy radiance.

‘I can see why they’d call it a miracle.’

After hearing the explanations from Floretta and Luna, it all made sense.

The sun and moon rising in the same sky, with a radiance so vast it could cover the entire continent. Two events that could each be called a miracle happened simultaneously.

It was immediately understandable just from hearing about it, and the reactions of those who witnessed it were needless to say. They must have all rushed out to praise the deity.

In such a situation, anyone who wouldn’t praise the sun and moon must surely belong to the Empire, not the Holy Kingdom.

The Popes were itching to spread the news that the source of that radiance was me, but I firmly rejected the idea. At least not right now.

Plus, I was in a pretty terrible state to present myself to anyone. I hadn’t noticed it when I looked down, but when I slowly checked myself in the mirror, I looked like a corpse.

No wonder everyone freaked out the moment I opened my eyes.

As I was going to be restored once I met the goddess anyway, I firmly told them not to mention or mourn over my wounds any longer. It was to avoid worrying them.

Especially Floretta and Luna, who looked like they were about to cry, returned to their usual selves only after I reassured them several times.

“Stay here as long as you wish, Lord Delta. Or, you can stay for a lifetime, if that’s what you wish.”

“What do you mean by ‘fine’? Our Holy Kingdom will do its utmost to serve you, Lord Delta.”

“Cut the nonsense, Pope.”

Luna led us into a grand space located on the middle floor of the Moon Cathedral. At this, Kaiquilia immediately snarled at the words the Popes had added.

It seemed that the Moon Cathedral was trying to live up to its name; the room was extravagantly luxurious enough to rival the Imperial Palace, except for its overall silver color. I had no idea where such places kept coming from.

Of course, there was only one bed, and it was so large that at least six people could comfortably lie on it with space left over. The purpose of bringing such a large one was all too obvious.

The Popes carefully supported me as they laid me down on the bed, sitting beside me and clasping my hand tightly.

Looking at that, Kaiquilia clicked her tongue, her displeasure evident. A soft tsk sounded, yet Floretta and Luna pretended not to hear it.

“We’ll take our leave now.”

“This isn’t a place for us.”

As Stella and Selene stepped back, the scattered gazes focused back on me.

“The clingy ones beside you are rather annoying, but… I don’t want to start a fight here, so I’ll graciously overlook it. Now, spill it. What happened?”

Kaiquilia urged me, which was rare. Minerva was also quiet but looked extremely curious, while Floretta and Luna’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Before I tell you what I experienced, I have a request.”

“A request?”

“Yes. I won’t be able to share everything that happened.”

“……”

Her expression immediately distorted.

“Do you have a valid reason that could convince us? Or is it just a whim of yours?”

“What I experienced isn’t solely my affair. It involves the goddess of the Holy Kingdom as well. Thus, until I get a clear answer on what I can relay in the presence of the goddess, I can only do this.”

Once I mentioned the involvement of the sun and moon, the previously tense atmosphere eased. Kaiquilia spoke with a hint of disbelief.

“You casually talk about meeting the goddess. Had it not been your words, I would have thought it was the delusion of a lunatic. You would surely have been executed for blasphemy.”

“I was able to be calm about such matters since it was something that happened not long ago.”

“You’re the only one who could remain so composed after conversing with a deity, Delta.”

In stark contrast to the bewildered Kaiquilia, the Popes looked extremely happy as they rubbed the back of my hand against their cheeks. I could feel the soft touch of their chubby cheeks.

“So, our sisters must have dedicated both body and mind to you, Lord Delta. What a truly delightful thing it is.”

“You’ve already created numerous miracles, but another has been added to that list. What an honor it is.”

Displeased by how they were treating my hand so carelessly, Kaiquilia crossed her arms to accentuate her chest and irritably tapped her foot.

The soft silver carpet covered the floor, which muffled any sound, but it was enough to tell she was very uncomfortable.

“If you’re going to be melodramatic, I suggest you cut it out, Pope. Now isn’t a good time to express your filthy and ugly desires.”

“What’s wrong with being close to someone whom the deity looks after? This is a very sacred, holy, and divine act. Please reconsider your thoughts, Your Majesty.”

“If Your Majesty wishes to engage in such actions with us, do not hesitate to reveal your desires. We are all already yours, Lord Delta.”

“You arrogant—”

“First, let me share everything I can.”

Before the argument escalated, I quickly interjected and opened my mouth. The eyes turned back toward me again. Curiosity was definitely far greater at the moment.

“The identity of the dragon is….”

I explained everything else, excluding anything that might be problematic. How the goddess had overwhelmingly lost to the creature that devours the world and was pushed back infinitely, and how I had ended up rolling around four times before being dragged by the goddess, among other things.

Above all, I had to ensure that the truth about the sun and moon being one goddess did not get out. Wasn’t it said that the concept of a monotheistic god was tainted due to a creature abandoned by God?

If unluckily things went south, something like a creature abandoned by God could emerge again. It was best to avoid unnecessarily stirring things up.

To sum up what I shared, a dragon with black scales and red eyes attempted to swallow this world with sinister tricks, and I fought it with the power of the goddess.

“……”

Upon realizing that the world was almost on the brink of destruction, everyone present fell into silence.

“……Was the one who appeared in the Imperial Palace such a formidable foe?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would be that strong either.”

That was the truth. I didn’t expect the creature to be such a lunatic capable of smashing the goddess head-on. I thought it was just a very strong dragon level.

“Anyway, this is all I can tell you for now. I’ll provide more details after receiving permission from the goddess.”

“……Understood. If you await the deity’s answer, it’s beyond human involvement from here on out. Instead, hurry as much as you can. I have many questions for you.”

As Kaiquilia stepped back at the mention of being intertwined with the goddess, Minerva pondered something deeply while Floretta cautiously opened her mouth.

“Um… Lord Delta? May I ask you a humble question?”

“Just speak comfortably, Floretta. I don’t think of you that way. You don’t have to demean yourself like that.”

Luna, as if waiting for this, whispered, I hope you treat me a bit more casually on the bed, but I deliberately ignored it.

“Yes, Lord Delta. Then I will ask. Have you met all of our deities?”

“Right.”

Using “all” is a bit awkward since it’s technically just one.

“How were their bodies?”

“……What?”

I asked back, wondering if I had misheard.

“According to the scripture, the sun and moon created us humans in their image, so they must have possessed the most beautiful female forms. Please share your evaluation of the physical state of the deities, if you can.”

“……”

I fell into silence.

‘What… evaluate?’

So right now, it’s as if you’re asking me to share my impressions after seeing your goddess in the nude, isn’t it?

‘…….’

After momentarily losing my words, I gave my response that, while I couldn’t see everything since they were covering certain parts with light, the outwardly visible aspects were perfect.

It was a remarkably objective evaluation. Even in a rush, just seeing their bodies immediately brought “perfect” to my mind.

Floretta and Luna looked extremely pleased with my answer.

I really had no idea what there was to be pleased about.

When I first set foot in the goddess’s world, I was dragged in without understanding anything, but the second time was easy. I just prayed, closed my eyes, and concentrated, and before I knew it, I had been transported here.

‘There’s nothing outside, so… maybe she’s inside the house?’

I walked toward a two-story house built precisely on the boundary between day and night, flowers and grass, after looking around one last time.

I had discovered this while wandering around looking for the goddess, but the world, which had been shattered due to the aftermath of the battle, had largely returned to its original state.

‘My body, however, remains the same.’

I turned my hands backward to poke the gaping hole in my back. The hand that went in the back came out in front of my chest, looking like something from a budget slasher movie.

Being like this was becoming bothersome, so before asking anything else, I ought to get treated first.

I grumbled as I stood in front of the main gate of the two-story house, checked that the door was open, and stepped inside without knocking.

‘Well, who would bother locking the door here for someone to come in.’

The overall atmosphere inside was strongly reminiscent of the vintage style. I thought it would be decorated in gold and silver, but honestly, I was a bit surprised.

Except for the fact that sunlight streamed in from the left window while moonlight poured in from the right, it looked like a nobleman’s mansion from the Empire.

“Goddess? Are you not here?”

I walked around the first floor calling for the goddess. However, even so, I could not find her figure. If she wasn’t outside and not in the house either, did we perhaps miss each other on the way?

This concern of mine was resolved shortly after. I heard the goddess’s voice while climbing the staircase to the second floor.

“Hmm… no… More like this… the expression…”

The source was a room facing the staircase. It was quite close in position.

‘Didn’t she hear me calling?’

That thought made me even more confused. My voice had felt pretty loud.

“Indeed, this posture is… good; the dialogue…”

Once again, I heard the goddess’s voice through the partially open door. I wondered what exactly she was doing that she didn’t notice someone had come in, so I abruptly pushed the door open without any warning.

“I am the goddess Eclipse, and you—”

“What the hell are you doing in there—”

Our voices overlapped.

The goddess was striking a pose.

With an incredibly enchanting expression, she leaned on a round table with her right hand, letting her left hand flow back over her head, naturally showcasing her armpit, while slightly crossing her legs to accentuate her behind.

Her head was slightly tilted to the left, and her eyes were facing straight ahead. The breeze coming in from the window rustled the fabric that barely covered her body.

With a figure and appearance that could only be described as perfect, I momentarily lost my words, staring blankly.

“Uh…?”

After a brief moment of confusion, it was the goddess who acted first. Her enchanting expression gradually morphed into one of panic.

“W-What are you doing here… No, why so soon…?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I have many questions, but given the circumstances, I’d wait until after fighting that guy to ask. So I hurried a bit to find you… What on earth were you doing…?”

“……”

I couldn’t finish my sentence, and neither could the goddess respond.

A silence ensued.