Myths Reawakened

“You have no idea, Goddess. Great Sage Garville of the Church of Moonlight has absolutely no manners, and your subordinate god, Tyrol the Cleanser, is even more morally bankrupt!”

Wayne shouted in a hoarse voice, eyes bloodshot and arms flailing. He was on a roll, getting more worked up as he talked.

“Garville accused me of being one of the Seven Deadly Sins first thing and called me a demon, while he was the one with Pride’s Book of Hell. He’d betrayed his faith and sided with Hell, yet accused me of being a demon? Isn’t that laughable?”

“I didn’t want to lower myself to his level, but he saw my tolerance as something to exploit, making a ruckus and slandering me right in front of a crowd. All of Londan’s nobility was present, including the Queen herself. She was the Queen I swore to follow for life!”

“It’s over. The reputation I’ve spent twenty-odd years building is completely ruined!”

“I value my reputation more than my life. I wanted to die in that moment...”

“Garville was under Pride’s control, so I won’t hold his words against him. I’m not petty like that. When he realized he couldn’t defeat me, he summoned the Cleanser to the mortal realm.”

“The moment I saw that it was Tyrol, your subordinate god, I treated him with the proper etiquette, thinking justice had finally arrived, that the whole misunderstanding would get cleared up. However...”

He sighed. “It’s a long story!”

“Tyrol was even worse than Garville. He called me a son of a beach as soon as he appeared and spent over half an hour cursing me out, convinced that I was a demon. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain myself.”

“I’ve never provoked anyone or started anything. Should I just swallow the injustice? Of course not. But then I thought, we were allies. I had to respect you. So I gritted my teeth and let him finish before I tried to explain.”

“Do you know what he did? He slapped me across the face and told me that I wasn’t worthy. He humiliated me thoroughly.”

“I was furious!”

“Goddess, please be the impartial judge here. Is that a slap to my face, or a slap to your backside?!”

“...”

I’m sorry. My backside isn’t as thick-skinned as your face.

Siluk sighed, thinking back to that morning.

Tyrol had come to Her with a grave expression, explaining the bizarre incident that he’d encountered in the mortal realm: Hell’s demon and Heaven’s angels had clashed on earth, at the level of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Sacred Virtues. It was a one-sided fight where the angels were overpowered.

The Deadly Sins that Tyrol had confirmed included Envy and Lust. It seemed that Hell had secured a passage to the mortal realm, which was something they should treat seriously.

Siluk didn’t quite follow. She had been visiting the mortal realm quite frequently lately, and if what Tyrol said was true, She should’ve heard about it sooner.

When it seemed like his goddess didn’t believe him, Tyrol created a projection of the battle. An ugly face did its best to slam itself into Tyrol’s fist before letting out a yelp and dropping to the ground. Then the person got hit by volleys of arrows.

Siluk was baffled.

Frowning, Tyrol pointed out the strange part of the fight: his opponent could’ve won—easily, in fact. However, his opponent seemed dead set on losing and let him go on purpose.

The more he thought about it, the more it bothered and unnerved him. Thus, he requested an audience with the goddess, hoping She could resolve his concern. What was the demon up to? Why did the whole matter seem so suspicious?

What else could it be? It’s a fraud!

Without explaining, Siluk kicked Tyrol out with a smile. Once the punch landed, it didn’t matter whether Tyrol was in the right. She would have to pay for it. If She didn’t, all the investment She had made would be for naught.

The thought of paying for a punch Her subordinate threw made Siluk’s blood boil. She made the order to have Tyrol thrown into confinement and descended to the mortal realm personally to settle things with Wayne.

She had to move fast, before Ines could fan the flames and double the price.

“Say something, Goddess!” Wayne reached back and grabbed Vichy’s hand, using it like a handkerchief to wipe the nonexistent tears from the corners of his eyes. He continued in anguish, “You’re bullying me for being a pushover. Is there no justice in this world?”

Siluk stared at him impassively for a long moment, taking in his shameless, perfectly composed face with no shred of decency. Finally, She said, “True, there is indeed no justice in the world. A pushover is being bullied.”

“Right? I knew you were the most reasonable, Goddess.” Wayne extended his hand to Her. “Given our relationship, let’s settle this in private. Just pay the medical fee at your discretion. It’ll be awkward if you pay me too much.”

Siluk looked at the hands that were cleaner than the face for a silent moment. “We settle the account once and for all. Don’t ever mention it again.”

“Of course!”

“I’ll confirm once more...” Siluk looked over Wayne’s shoulders at Vichy. “Once I pay, a certain goddess isn’t going to jump out and dredge up the case, saying that I’ve paid too little for the medical fees, is she?”

“We’re among friends, Goddess. Let’s be open today so that you can conduct business with a peaceful mind.” Wayne’s expression turned solemn. “My relationship with Darkness isn’t as unbreakable as you think. I know the kind of goddess She is. Her adoration and love are nothing but empty promises. You and Sun are my ideal business partners.”

No, neither you nor Darkness has any decency! Siluk smothered a sneer. Wayne had only met Ines a few times. What did he know about Darkness? Not even She or Kaleb would say anything about Ines with certainty.

However, Siluk had to admit that Wayne was right. Ines was too shrewd and cunning to make a good business partner.

Wayne knew himself and had a deep understanding of Darkness, which was what Siluk wanted. Rather than badmouthing Darkness more, She changed the subject. “You said that we’re among friends, yet the Darkness Knight has always been here. What gives? Are you going to wait for me to make an extra investment before seeking Darkness out to make her choose to follow suit?”

Juggling three masters? What a shrewd businessman you are!

What god are you going to be? The god of business?

“You misunderstood, Goddess. Vichy is mine. She’s long betrayed the Goddess of Darkness.”

Wayne patted his thigh. Vichy sat down on his lap with perfect ease and, as Darienne gaped in shock, kissed Wayne on the face.

Look at your fellow knight and then at yourself. If you can’t even do something this simple because of your cowardice, what good are you?

Siluk threw Darienne a derisive glance, finding the knight increasingly lacking. If she had a screw loose in her head, she should let Wayne screw her.

“Goddess, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“There are things I do not want to say to the Darkness Knight’s face. You may not know it, but a goddess can not only descend through her Holy Maiden, but also her chosen knight.” Siluk started a private conversation with Wayne. “Ines could learn everything about our negotiation through the Darkness Knight. Even if she is yours, she does not belong to you.”

“Ah, I learned something useful,” Wayne responded telepathically. “Much appreciated. I’ll give you a 0.01 percent discount for the medical bill.”

Siluk rolled Her eyes. Why, thank you. I need that 0.01 percent discount!

“Wayne, you’re right about one thing. Darkness has never been a good choice. She’s only forming an alliance with you to use you. Unlike her, Kaleb and I truly treasure our partners.”

“But without Her, it’ll be difficult for me to earn investments from you and Goddess Kaleb,” Wayne lamented. “That is an undeniable truth.”

“She’s paying you out of our pockets while she gives you nothing,” Siluk said with a smile. “She’s earning your goodwill and making you stay away from me and Kaleb subconsciously. Isn’t that the case?”

“Well said!”

“Think about her unexplainable affection and appreciation for you. Don’t you see that you’re getting toyed with by Darkness?” Siluk said in a hardened tone.

“You’re so right.” Wayne nodded vehemently. “No wonder I feel like something is wrong.”

Stop pretending. You’re not any better. You’re willingly letting her use you because you’re benefiting from it.

Siluk smiled, continuing their silent conversation. “You’re a smart one with your own agenda. You’re wary of Ines while keeping your guard up against me and Kaleb. I know that you don’t trust anyone.”

“No, I’m willing to trust Goddess Kaleb. I quite like Her.”

“...”

Siluk was speechless for a moment. She took a deep breath to recover. “This is a conversation between smart people, so let’s cut the formalities. You, Kaleb, and I should form an alliance. We’ll help you fool Ines into investing in you. She’s too arrogant. However she toys with you, you’ll toy with her the same way. What do you think?”

Would that work? Wayne frowned. The plan changed, and the outcome wasn’t what he had imagined... The plan had become better.

“What say you? You haven’t developed genuine feelings for Ines, have you?”

“Not really. Goddess Kaleb has always been the one I have feelings for.”

“...”

Siluk couldn’t believe him. He kept talking about Kaleb like the Goddess of Moonlight was dispensable, and Her involvement was the icing rather than the cake. It was infuriating.

“I’ve thought about it, Goddess. Your proposal would only benefit me. However, there’s one thing I can’t figure out. By juggling three goddesses, I can guarantee my profit no matter who my true ally is. You know me. I can never and will never develop feelings for you or Ines. You choosing me as an ally won’t change anything.”

“No, it changes a lot,” Siluk said slowly. “Ines has always had a plan, and Kaleb and I are both included. You’re a variable that’s appeared all of a sudden. That’s why she’s in such a hurry to control you.”

“You’re important to me. Not only can you tip the balance, but you can also foil Ines’s plan. I don’t even need you to become my ally. I just need you to distance yourself from Ines when the time comes.”

“I’m good with that. Let’s be allies.” Wayne nodded and made a promise. “I’m a sentimental person. I remember who’s treated me well and who’s wronged me.”

Siluk nodded. Darienne had said the same about Wayne. To deal with someone like him, Kaleb would be the best sacrifice. If they weren’t true friends, Siluk would’ve tossed Kaleb into the pit of fire already.

Their thoughts connected. Siluk sent him a bundle of resources, feeling some reluctance when it left Her grasp.

Wayne took it and consumed it, raising an eyebrow. “That’s not a lot, but the quality is high. The corruption level is low. Where did you get something that good, Goddess, and why didn’t you consume it yourself?”

“It’s what I’m using to cultivate my third subordinate god...” Siluk said ruefully. She had even come up with a name for the subordinate god. They would be Moonlight’s third avatar, the Punisher.

Reality was rarely as good as the ideal, however. It was easier said than done.

Since becoming a god, the Pale Moon had been stagnating, unable to acquire more knowledge. Her plan to recruit a third subordinate god had thus been indefinitely postponed. Now that She saw the hope for progress, though, She didn’t have the time to raise a third subordinate god.

Wayne ended up enjoying the resources.

“The gift makes me develop quite a lot of goodwill for you, Goddess,” Wayne said earnestly.

“No thanks. Save your goodwill for Kaleb.”

“That hurts, Goddess,” Wayne grumbled. “You shouldn’t say something that’ll undermine our union.”

Although it would be lip service, it would benefit everyone for him to give disingenuous compliments and for Her to disingenuously believe his words. Why wouldn’t She do that?

Siluk shook Her head with a smile. “I want our communication to be open. I’m not Ines. If you prefer lies, you’re welcome to deepen your relationship with Her.”

“Then I’ll have the truth.”

Siluk had paid and resolved the shameless conman’s distortion and deepened Her partnership with him. She considered this visit satisfactory. Whether Wayne believed Her or not didn’t matter as long as he didn’t trust Ines.

Siluk was in a hurry to return to Her Divine Realm now that She was done with business. Her main body was conducting experiments there on the filtering of the Laws inside Her. The ordeal took time, and there was a risk of the white foam corrupting Her main body. To make sure Her main body was safe, She should avoid dividing Her thoughts too much.

She glanced at Vichy and pondered for a moment. “I’ll give Darienne to you. She will be your knight from now on.”

“Huh?!” Darienne’s eyes went wide. Tyrol had carelessly allowed Wayne to fool him into making a swing, so Tyrol should be the one taking the responsibility. What did that have to do with the Moonlight Knight?

Was there no justice in the world?

Siluk didn’t deem that a response. Regardless of Darienne’s reaction, that was Her oracle and order.

Do you have any complaints?

What could Darienne say? She rolled her eyes so hard that her irises almost vanished.