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Chapter: 296

Encia was hoping for the truth.

Who I am. She just wanted to know.

So then… what should I tell Encia?

The answer was clear.

“You are the Goddess of Life.”

“Really…?”

“Yep. Really.”

I had never lied to Encia. Not until now, and I wouldn’t in the future.

How could I lie to this child who hears my voice, cherishes it like family, and follows me like a sister? I have a conscience after all.

Lying to her would be like betraying her trust.

So…

“I am the Goddess of Life, the Creator Dragon God, and simultaneously the Mother of Earth, the God who created the Underworld, Paradise, and the Divine Hall.”

“What…?”

“What else is there? Hmm… Ah, the Elves called me the Goddess of Hunting, and the Dwarves knew me as Silver Wisdom. Also, I am the Mother of the Ancient Gods… and I am the one who started this world.”

“…….?”

Encia was in chaos!

She tilted her head blankly, as if she couldn’t quite grasp what I was saying.

Well, that’s understandable. I merely asked if I was the Goddess of Life, and I threw a bunch of titles at her, so it makes sense she’d be confused.

But what can I do? All of that is me.

Honestly, looking at it now… I had quite the resume! I could charge in and take credit for any tale that came up, huh? I’ve really been working hard.

“Tia…? You’re joking…?”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

Encia shook her head lightly. I never lied to her. Never have.

“So really…?”

“Yeah. I’m the Goddess of Life and all that jazz.”

“All that jazz…?”

But how could I shorten it? I’ve done so much!

“Anyway, it’s true that I was the Goddess of Life, right?”

“Yeah. I am the Goddess of Life. Worship me!”

“Even if you say that… I don’t really get a divine vibe from it.”

“Well, it’s because you can only hear my voice. If you saw my true form, it would be different.”

The beautiful silver dragon, my worshipping would be mandatory!!

But, honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve shown that form. To be frank, I can’t even recall the last time I did.

For some reason, dragons seem to have a lot of bad rep, so it’s a bit risky to show my face. Why is that, anyway?

As far as I know, dragons have never caused trouble for humans. Sure, wyverns have attacked humans, but I doubt it’s just because they can’t tell the difference between dragons and wyverns.

Well, I suppose those perception issues can be resolved gradually. If the need arises, I could instruct the dragons to be kind to humans too.

Anyway…

“Have your doubts been cleared up?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Tia.”

“Don’t mention it. Considering what you’ve done for me, telling you this is a minor thing. But um, just to be safe, can you keep it a secret from others?”

“Why? Is there a reason to keep it secret?”

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing. I’ve gone to great lengths to get this world running smoothly…”

Encia tilted her head at my words.

“Why is that embarrassing? It’s the outcome of your hard work for everything in this world, right?”

“Yeah, you might think that, but… still, just keep it a secret. If that fact spreads, it won’t just be a few people confused.”

Like the Lizardmen, or more Lizardmen. And even more Lizardmen.

Other races might be confused too, but the Creator Dragon God is mainly revered by the Lizardmen. They wouldn’t be as confused as Lizardmen would be.

“Um… I don’t quite understand how you feel, but if that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”

“Thanks a lot.”

With that, I could smile at Encia.

Well, it’d be a smile she wouldn’t see since she can only hear my voice.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“What’s going to happen from here on?”

After watching the changes in Procyon, Encia said in a low voice upon returning home.

Her disciple, Cecil, was out for a bit, so she was clearly asking me.

“Well, how the changes will be accepted will be decided by others.”

The book Encia published would turn the perceptions of the previously instinctive mages upside down. It laid new choices before those who had no alternatives.

She had shown the possibility that besides using magic instinctively, one could also learn other forms of magic through practice, so many things in the world would flip on their heads.

The original mages, who had gained privileges by using magic since birth, would fade away due to these changes.

And those who admired such mages would strive to become mages themselves after learning they could do so through training.

“Speaking of which, I heard my book spread not just through Procyon but all the way to the Romania Empire. How did it reach there?”

“The longing for magic runs deep, you see.”

It’s likely not just the Romania Empire. Perhaps it has spread to other races as well.

The speed at which this new knowledge spreads is incredibly rapid. It’s not difficult to move a few books.

Unless there were absolutely no trade routes at all.

Knowledge about magical power must be something all races desperately want. This new wave of knowledge will become an unstoppable wind of change.

Who knows… perhaps among the other races, there might be those who will learn magic too.

“Oh! Right! Tia, there’s someone who wants to meet you, can I call them?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. The person we talked about? The one we met in Sirius.”

“Oh…?”

The one who has lived beyond human lifespan, that guy? Arthur?

But how on earth has he managed to stay alive this long? Seriously, what gives? I really don’t understand.

When we last parted, I thought I’d left a bittersweet vibe for a good goodbye, but why is he so obsessed with me?

Being the Emperor of an Empire, he should let go! Forget about me and live well!

“That guy… I’m a little… well, how should I put it… hesitant…”

“Why? He didn’t seem like a bad guy when we talked?”

“Well, I guess he’s not a bad guy.”

He’s a nice person, for sure. No one would bat an eye at calling him the ideal knight.

Had it not been for his great-grandfather, who was known as the King of Knights, it wouldn’t have been weird if he was called the King of Knights himself.

Though technically, he’s an emperor, not a king!

“So why are you hesitant to meet him?”

“Well, when I parted from him… at that time, my body’s lifespan ran out, so how do I put it… it felt like a somewhat tragic separation.”

“Tragic separation? Oh, I see.”

Encia nodded as if she got what I was hinting at.

“I took him in when he was young, provided a safe place for him, and taught him many things, so we had a pretty good relationship. But… when we parted, it felt bittersweet because my lifespans ended…”

Now to show up and say, “Surprise! I have a whole separate body and can talk again!” would just ruin the mood!

Hearing this, Encia looked at me with a face full of disbelief.

“Tia… you’ve got some weird corners in your head.”

“What?!”

“Maybe since you’re this incredible deity who birthed all life… you just don’t grasp human emotions? The Goddess of Life doesn’t understand humans’ feelings?”

“Hey! I understand human feelings!”

I was human originally! It’s been ages, and I might be a bit hazy on it now, but I can assure you I once was!

Maybe it’s part of the reason I’m overly favorable towards humans! But anyway!

“But after hearing what you just said… it’s kinda obvious you don’t get human emotions.”

“Ugh…!”

“Let’s just go meet him and have a discussion, okay? He’d be satisfied with just that.”

“Satisfied…? That guy lives beyond human lifespan and is chasing my shadow. You think he’d just be satisfied with that?”

Or maybe he’s transcending humanity to become a god to reach the Divine Hall…? Nah, that seems far-fetched…

“So, just have one conversation with him. Okay?”

“Ugh….”

“If it comes to it, I’ll use a Wish Ticket! I owe him some debt too! Right?”

“Enough with the Wish Ticket nonsense. Since you’re asking so nicely, I’ll humor you and meet him.”

Though, since Encia is around, the chance of him hearing my voice is slim. But Encia will have to convey my words for me.

 

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