Myths Reawakened

Wayne narrowed his eyes. “What about the price?”

“You’re a part of Ines’s conspiracy. I don’t know what it is, but I know who her targets are, Kaleb and I being among them. It’s beneficial to me if you can grow quickly out of Ines’s control,” Siluk explained Her stance. “You’re unwilling to submit to a god, but I want to have you. I’ll give you knowledge with strings attached—if you fail to resist, you will be our third subordinate god. What do you say?”

Can someone fail to learn something? Aren’t tentacles the only things needed for learning?

Wayne nodded. “I’m in.”

You’re too arrogant, Goddess!

You’re too arrogant, Wayne! x2

Siluk nodded and raised a hand, conjuring a map with moonlight. “Here is the knowledge. Whether you can get it and what you will become after getting it will depend on you.”

Wayne memorized the complex map, putting his hand on his chest. “My goddess, thank you for your generosity. If one day I become Darkness’s enemy, I will for sure pledge my loyalty to Goddess Kaleb.”

...You aren’t even going to mention Goddess Siluk, are you?

The Goddess of Moonlight cursed the ungrateful bastard out, losing more of Her interest in Wayne. He was talented, but unfortunately, they were all racing against time. Even if She had the patience to cultivate someone, She wouldn’t have the chance to.

After the conversation, Siluk prepared to leave.

“Please wait, Goddess.”

“What do you want?” Siluk opened Her eyes.

“Goddess Kaleb, I have something else to tell you.”

(는_는)

There’s a reason this human attracts Ines’s attention, Siluk thought.

“What is it?” Kaleb asked. “Are you selling me candies?”

“I don’t do that kind of business.”

Wayne wiped his forehead. With their pretenses dropped, the goddesses’ true forms very much challenged their followers’ faith.

“I have a friend named Valkyrie. Well, that’s her current name...” He explained Valkyrie’s history. “Her thoughts have been almost exhausted during her long slumber, and she only survived because of the ancient god’s blessing. She’s been waiting for the Sun to summon her...”

That intrigued Siluk. “The ancient god’s blessing? You’re bold to make that claim. What about you? What did you gain from the blessing?”

“My desire for knowledge.”

Siluk was even more interested. “Then haven’t you become the ancient god’s vassal?”

Wayne shook his head and didn’t follow up on the topic. He turned to Kaleb instead. “Valkyrie requested an audience with you. She would like to return to your Divine Realm with your permission.”

“Honestly speaking, I most likely cannot bring her back to my Divine Realm,” Kaleb said regretfully. “The ancient god’s rules trump all. They cannot be understood or directly observed. If she enters my Divine Realm, it’ll be a catastrophe to everyone else.”

Out of respect for the ancient god, Kaleb turned down the request. Still, She wouldn’t just let a loyal subordinate rot on her own. She decided to meet Valkyrie.

“A moment, please.”

Wayne messaged Valkyrie with his thoughts. Soon after, a full set of armor appeared in a flash of light and got on one knee. Valkyrie greeted her goddess as a knight would.

“Goddess...” She was beside herself. She wanted to introduce herself, but she had forgotten her name and didn’t know what to say. She had forgotten anything and everything aside from her battle techniques and faith. It proved her incredible loyalty that she continued to fight for her faith even after forgetting who she was.

“Cyrus. This is your name.”

When facing Her loyal knight, Kaleb held Herself completely differently. She appeared dignified and reserved, perfectly fitting a follower’s imagination of their god. She said Valkyrie’s real name and placed Her right hand on Valkyrie’s pauldron, injecting it with a ray of golden light to bestow upon her glory and a divine power that could enhance her thoughts.

The tattered armor became brand new, shimmering with golden light. However, Valkyrie’s thoughts had not been enhanced. The ancient god’s blessing allowed her to retain her thoughts, but also restrained her thoughts and made them immutable.

Kaleb sighed. Splitting space, She summoned a drop of golden blood from Her Divine Realm and cast it into the empty armor. The drop of blood quickly expanded, creating a new body for Valkyrie.

Long blonde hair that seemed like sunlight given form cascaded down the pauldrons. The knight on one knee appeared noble and graceful. Wayne looked over and saw the handsome side profile that had made him fall in love for the first time on August twentieth.

He could create a body for Valkyrie, too, but the result would be... obvious. That was why he had never done it.

This body was what Valkyrie deserved after the endless waiting. It was the best reward for her loyalty. It would be too cruel for her to receive a pale body that made her betray her faith as soon as she assumed it. Wayne couldn’t do that to her.

“Cyrus, I cannot do anything to restore the thoughts you’ve lost. This drop of divine blood comes from me. Consider it my compensation...” Kaleb spared no praise, complimenting Valkyrie’s loyalty and gifting her with an audience that had come a little late.

At this moment, Kaleb seemed like a respectable god.

Valkyrie lowered her head. A few drops of tears landed at her feet. This living body was a sacred one created from divine blood. She felt like her life had been worth it.

“Unfortunately, you cannot return to my knight order. You pose too big a risk, and I cannot let the other knights shoulder the risk.” Kaleb patted Valkyrie on the shoulder. “Stay here. The blood will allow you to hear my oracles. If one day I discover a way to complete you, I’ll lead you to my Divine Realm in person.”

“Thank you for your blessing,” Valkyrie said with a trembling voice. “For your sake, I, Cyrus, will stay in the human world until my end.”

Siluk shook Her head. She was about to depart when She remembered something. “Is there anything else, Wayne?”

“I don’t think... Well, there is.” Wayne thought for a moment. “Goddess Kaleb, my first messenger owl is a divine messenger who’s made a mistake. It still has fifty years to serve. Would you... make an exception and pardon it?”

...Should you be this direct? Valkyrie thought.

“Cyrus can help it.” Kaleb didn’t ask for more details. A goddess could not lower Her pride. She could be compassionate, but that wouldn’t stop Her from being aloof. She had no reason to care about a messenger. Her answer was more than enough.

The thoughts of the two goddesses departed from the Holy Maidens’ bodies. During their departure, they held a private chat.

“Siluk, aren’t you worried that Wayne would learn too much with the legacy of the Life Alliance you gave him?”

“It’s knowledge that cannot be acquired. Our old friends went mad because of it. You don’t dare touch it, and I’m incapable of doing anything with it. As for him... I have a feeling that he’s related to the ancient god.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“He doesn’t want to say it. Then why should I press? If he succeeds, even if it’s an incomplete success, it’ll benefit me.”

“What are you trying to do?” Kaleb asked. “You aren’t using him as a guinea pig, are you?”

“I’m trying my luck. What if he succeeds?”

“Don’t mess around. I quite like him. Look at these images. Tsk, Ines... she impressed me. She always pulls a long face when she’s with us. I never expected such lewd behavior from her.”

“I’m warning you, Kaleb, do not bring these images to Ines.”

“Why? Aren’t we in an alliance?”

“Don’t play dumb. You and I are allies, while she isn’t. If she learns that we’ve stolen Wayne from her, she will adjust her plan. Do not make things more complicated than they already are...”

“What about your oracle? What oracle did you give your Holy Maiden?”

“The same as yours.”

Their thoughts pulled away, leaving the two Holy Maidens slumped on the floor. The goddesses’ prolonged possession caused weakness in the limbs. They would need to rest for some time to recover.

“Valkyrie, you’ve become more beautiful!” Wayne helped his first love from August twentieth up, ready to launch into his usual compliments.

“I’m Cyrus. Thanks.”

Valkyrie took two steps back. She knew Wayne too well not to see what he was thinking. He coveted her body and would like to get her into his bed.

When Wayne took two steps forward, she pushed him back with her sword.

“Wayne, my body is made from the goddess’s divine blood. You’d better give up and keep your distance. Do you understand?” Valkyrie rolled her eyes. Her body was an infinitely close approximation of the goddess’s, making it a replica of sorts. Wayne should give up now.

“I’m just worried about you,” Wayne huffed petulantly. “You misunderstood me.”

His first love from August twentieth had always been difficult to win over. Now, she had become even more difficult to woo, more so than the Goddess of Sun.

***

That night, Wayne drove his black car back to his place. In the living room, Hesione was praying on her knees, with Hestia watching over her coldly. They were joined by a newcomer.

“Why are you here, Olga?” Wayne turned to the golden carpet curiously—oh, that was rude of him. She was a scholarly golden carpet with a reserved personality.

“Śār, she came seeking your protection,” Hestia said.

That piqued Wayne’s curiosity. “Well, I’m Hesione, while she’s Mikhael’s subordinate. Shouldn’t she be staying away from me? Is she not a spy?”

“It’s because of this...”

Hestia explained what had gone down during today’s meeting. Dissatisfied with Mikhael’s response, Auriel would take his anger out on Olga. Without hesitation, she sought out Hesione—Wayne.

“So you want to become a double agent...” Wayne eyed Olga for a moment. “It’s not impossible, but are you sure you’re not a sp—Forget it. Just show me your stigma. I’ll see if you have the potential to join Hesione’s legion.”