Village Head's Debauchery

"What is it?" Orion asked.

"What I remember about her is that 'she is a defective product.' I don't know what Naka was trying to do, but whatever it was, he was attempting to create something more akin to a genuine god rather than a man-made one," Aegis of the Arctic Deity explained.

Aerialia's expression darkened as she grasped the gravity of Aegis of the Arctic Deity's words.

"Are you suggesting that 'Naka' was attempting to recreate a god?" Aerialia's voice held a trace of scepticism.

"I don't know, goddess Aerialia. Perhaps such information could be one of the reasons why my memories were blocked. But unless I choose to unlock them, I'll never know," Aegis of the Arctic Deity replied with a heavy sigh.

Though Aerialia found it difficult to believe and understand how such an inconceivable thought could be possible, her experiences in this world left her lingering feeling that achieving such a feat might not be entirely impossible.

'No! I must be going crazy,' Aerialia thought, her mind reeling with disbelief as she shook her head in response.

The gods were the only beings in this world that had existed since the dawn of the heavens and creation itself, so there was no way such a thing could be possible.

Despite her rational thoughts, Aerialia couldn't shake off the wave of fear that gripped her heart.

Meanwhile, a solemn frown creased Orion's brow. His heart raced as he also sensed the hidden implications behind Aegis of the Arctic's words. However, he swiftly regained his composure and rearranged his expression before nodding in understanding.

"I know I shouldn't be asking you this after everything you've revealed to us, but you see, I've already made a promise to the Pixie High King before coming here," he said, recounting his conversation with High King Eldric.

Aegis of the Arctic Deity nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I've been avoiding this issue because I can't bear to part with the Divine artefacts bestowed upon me by my god, Aerendir, before his death. They're the last tangible connection I have to him and the remaining divine apostles of our race. But it seems the time has come for me to let go," he explained.

"Inform High King Eldric that I won't give the Divine artefacts to him or any of his generation. If he truly desires them, he must send me his most exceptional children. I'll determine their worthiness and bestow the two Divine artefacts upon two selected individuals."

Orion nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as he listened to Aegis of the Arctic Deity's decision. "I'll relay your message to High King Eldric and await your final decision. Whatever it may be, I won't press you further regarding your connection with Naka," he assured.

Though he had been putting on a brave front, he was a little nervous about Aegis of the Arctic Deity's response when it came down to it. After all, despite his tough yet easygoing personality, Aegis of the Arctic Deity was a being who had lived for several thousand years, so anything was bound to happen.

However, thankfully, nothing of the sort had transpired.

Also, with the explanation that Aegis of the Arctic Deity had given him, he didn't need to be greedy by asking any more questions, regardless of the situation's importance. His only worry was Aerialia. Regardless, he could unsummon her if she decided to cause any problems.

Aerialia nodded in agreement, sharing Orion's sentiments. "Though I agree with his words, I think it will be better if you decide to reveal everything that remains to us so that we can finally learn everything we need about Naka and put this matter to rest," she responded.

Orion's lips immediately twitched irritably. Before Aerialia could say anything else, Orion quickly interjected, "We'll be taking our leave now," and summoned back the Crimson Greatsword.

As he did, Aerialia also scattered into various specks of light that entered the small greatsword mark on his right hand.

Aegis of the Arctic Deity nodded, paying no attention to Aerialia's words, as he was familiar with the behaviours of goddesses like Aerialia. He opened up a passageway for Orion to return to the surface.

Orion gave one last goodbye to Aegis of the Arctic Deity before he passed through the passageway.

…......

Garden

Besides the Divine Essence lake, three Pixies stood before the Princess of the Garden: High King Eldric and the two High Elders, who had come to meet and discuss with her.

Unlike their hopeful and admiring expressions on the first day, their faces now bore clouds of hopelessness, doubt, and a hint of fear and defeat in their eyes.

"I'm sorry, but as I've said before, I don't know when he will arrive. It might take a week or several weeks, so all we can do is hope that he returns as quickly as possible," the Princess of the Garden responded, shaking her head in defeat.

For the past three days, they had been coming here in search of Orion, desperate to know when he would return. It wasn't just them; Orion's partners—Celestes, Greta, Seraphina, and a few others—alongside the Village Chief and even Queen Selene had been searching for him.

At this moment, their anxiety was beginning to overwhelm them, causing doubts to creep in and making them fear that something terrible had happened to Orion.

High King Eldric and the two High Elders heard the Princess of the Garden's words and nodded in understanding.

"We'll be taking our leave then, Princess, and we'll come to check if he has returned some other time. Goodbye," High King Eldric responded.

There was nothing he could do except leave and return the next day. But as he soared into the sky with his wings and attempted to turn around and leave, he abruptly halted mid-air, along with the two elders beside him, catching sight of the swirling distortion that had appeared at the surface of the Divine Essence lake near the edge of the ground.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the distortion, rising as the swirling water spat him out, landing before them.