Chapter 228: Book 17 (3)

The goddess of darkness and rest, Mora, unlike her twin brother Luminous, has a strong mischievous side in addition to being headstrong. Sometimes she teases her followers or plays pranks, and if someone among her followers scolds her sternly, she might sulk.

Because of this, there are doubts not only about whether she is truly a goddess but also whether she has spent an unimaginable amount of time as a transcendent being.

Luminous, on the other hand, presents a more genuinely divine demeanor. However, the skepticism isn't malicious. It's merely a desire for her to maintain her dignity as a deity.

Moreover, Mora's behavior may seem mischievous, but she is a benevolent deity, showing a different kind of compassion and kindness to her followers compared to Lumine.

[You're late! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?]

'Sorry.'

[You might as well have been an hour later! Then I could have turned you into a woman!]

Her playful nature is a bit excessive, but I breathed a sigh of relief internally, hearing Mora's tantrum.

I could tolerate having long hair. Although it was uncomfortable, it didn't interfere much with daily life. However, changing genders was something I needed to prevent at all costs. Imagining the awkwardness of losing what was below and gaining what was above made me shudder.

'I'd appreciate it if you didn't make such horrifying comments.'

[Oh! Horrifying? Sure, your shoulders might be a bit stiff, and you might feel a bit empty down there, but it won't be that bad.]

'If you're going to joke like that, I'll leave.'

[Sorry.]

When I earnestly declined, Mora seemed puzzled but immediately apologized. For some reason, Mora's face, awkwardly smiling and sticking out her tongue appeared in my mind.

Dealing with her was draining in many ways, but I couldn't help but feel she's human. That thought alone eased my mind.

Though she displays childlike behavior, it's oddly endearing. It's as if I'm interacting with an ordinary person, not a deity.

'By the way, do you have something to say?'

[No, not really? Just wanted some company, that's all.]

'But there are other gods.'

[They're themselves, and you are you. You're a soul from a different dimension, truly special.]

Initially, I wanted to retort, questioning what she meant. Yet, Luminous showed similar behavior. He even patted my head last time.

Being a soul from another dimension, Mora's interest in me must naturally be high. Thanks to that, my feelings were rather peculiar.

'If Cecily knew, she'd probably be upset.'

[That child isn't a soul from another dimension like you. And to me, all children are special. You're just exceptional.]

'Um... Okay, I understand.'

Even if she seems unreliable, Mora was still a goddess. Despite her playful manner, sincerity was woven into every word she spoke.

I pondered what words might please Mora and decided to bring up any topic. Since she mentioned being bored, I figured I'd go with the flow.

'Mora, you mentioned offering protection to demons and dark elves. Are there no other races?'

[Not really. Humans and elves mostly believe in Luminous, while dwarves and giants believe in our mother.]

'When you say 'mother,' you mean the goddess Harte, right?'

[Yeah.]

Harte was the goddess of life, nature, and the mother of the twin gods. I've heard many stories, but unlike the twin gods, I've never spoken directly with her.

According to Leona, rather than building 'temples' like Luminous or Mora, they commune with her through a kind of 'ritual.' She explained that by offering appropriate offerings and performing the ritual, one can converse with her without needing to build a temple.

For this reason, the races who worship Harte possess a unique power called 'sorcery,' not 'magic.'

Sorcery was a different power from magic and scrolls, a force used by both giants and humans in the distant past. Even now, in undeveloped civilizations, there are primitives who use sorcery.

While magic operates like programming to derive results, sorcery was an inexplicable and mystical ability. The prime example is the 'rain dance,' and sometimes, in drought-stricken areas, they invite sorcerers.

'I've never met Goddess Harte before. There's a temple of Harte in the Makina Kingdom, right?'

[Yeah. Want to meet her later?]

'Don't you think I should see her once? So far, I've only met Luminous and Mora.'

[Got it. Wait a moment. Mom! Can I ask you one thing?]

Mora's voice gradually faded away. Listening to that, I sensed a very familiar memory from my past life. The situation of requesting to switch to someone else during a call.

Thinking back to Luminous and the last time, I suddenly became curious about the form in which the gods live. Are there 'angels,' the ancestors of elves, there too? According to myth, those who wronged the gods lost their wings and fell to the earth, but it wasn't explicitly stated if it was one person or many.

Furthermore, there are documents mentioning that the one who delivered the seed of the World Tree during the Devil War was an angel. From this, it can be inferred that angels are not just one, but multiple individuals.

As I pondered these irrelevant thoughts for a moment, the call with Mora, which had been interrupted in the middle, reconnected.

[My mom said it's up to you. But since you seem busy lately, it's not necessary for you to come. Or you could ask that kid, Leona.]

'Ask Leona?'

[Yeah. Just convey what you want to say by possessing that child. Of course, only in the situations you desire. She insisted that there's no hurry, as we have plenty of time.]

'Understood.'

I wonder if Leona can also use sorcery. I had no idea about that at all.

Indeed, even though she was the third wife's daughter, she must have learned a considerable amount as the chieftain's daughter.

'Do you perhaps have something to ask of me, Mora-nim?'

[If I had to, turn you into a woman...]

'Except for that.'

[Ah~ Why~ just once. Can't you close your eyes and do it just once? You're so pretty like this.]

The phrase 'You're so pretty like this' somehow irritated me. As soon as I heard those words, I widened my eyes in shock.

However, there was no change in my body. The lower garment was still sturdy, and my chest had not changed.

Then what could it be? With doubts in my mind, I asked Mora while keeping my eyes tightly closed.

'What do you mean by pretty? Nothing has changed.'

[Open your eyes again and take a look in the mirror.]

Mirror? Come to think of it, there was a full-length mirror in the private worship room of the Helium Temple.

It was placed there as a suggestion to tidy up before praying to Mora. This was not only Mora's temple but also the same in the Luminous Temple.

With that in mind, I opened my eyes and shifted my gaze to the full-length mirror placed right beside me. After blinking for a while, I slowly stood up and checked my reflection in the mirror.

'...Oh, please.'

The reflection in the mirror was truly that of a heavenly woman. The hair that was originally tied up was now flowing like a waterfall down to my waist, for some reason.

My face naturally resembled my mother's, boasting a radiant beauty, but it became more refined than before, and my physique completely changed. Shoulders and waist narrowed, while the hips widened to boast graceful curves. Even that alone was shocking, but what stands out the most was undoubtedly my chest.

HUGE. There was a presence that defied simple description, a giant mass that hung on my chest.

I'm currently wearing a school uniform but the buttons were about to pop! Even though it's a male uniform! What kind of unfair body is this? Not just me, but even Nicole, Cecily, and Cherry couldn't possibly have this. To put it bluntly, it's like walking around with explicit material.

Damn it. Can't help but swear. I covered my face with my hands and cursed. The beauty in the mirror mirrored my actions.

Absolutely, absolutely not. Rather than being like this, I'd rather bite my tongue and commit suicide.

With a body like that, even daily life itself would become uncomfortable. I knelt down again, feeling defeated.

[How is it? Pretty, right? Living like this for at least one day...]

'Mora-nim.'

[Not bad... huh?]

'If you continue like this, I'll describe you as an evil spirit in my book.'

[Hng...]

Realizing the sincerity in my words, Mora responded with a sulky expression. Even if an image of a puppy soaked in a downpour came to my mind, some things just shouldn't happen.

However, even though she was a self-proclaimed goddess, she seemed so depressed that I felt a little sorry. I sighed and, with a hint of apology, quietly spoke up.

'...But isn't it a bit too much to inject your personal preferences?'

[Huh? What are you talking about? If you were a girl, you'd be exactly like that.]

'This is insane.'

I couldn't help but curse inwardly. Sure, Nicole exercised and had a good body, but why did I look like that? Not even my mother looked like that.

Maybe Morah overheard those doubts because she kindly explained.

[That's because it's not from your mother; it's the potential that's stored in your father. Was it Lily? That child will probably grow up to be just like that. Appearance might be a bit different though.]

'...My younger sibling will grow up like that?'

[Yes.]

The moment I heard that confirmation, one thought came to my mind simultaneously: The bugs are going to be a real mess. I must definitely protect my younger sister.

By the way, Father really has exceptional physical talent. Thanks to that, I learned about our family's true potential.

'Haah... Mora-nim.'

[Why are you like that?]

'Firstly, I'm sorry for cursing. It's just too shocking...'

[No, it's okay. I can be quite mischievous. Instead, I'll sprinkle plenty of sanctity on you today. Don't you have any other questions?]

The situation almost became a bit awkward, but thankfully it was somehow resolved. I listened to Mora's question and pondered for a while before speaking up.

'Could you please tell me a few things I should be careful about in the future? I meant to ask Luminous, but I forgot.'

[Things to be careful about... Even though my brother already mentioned it, at least in the near future, there won't be any looming dark clouds. Something slightly troublesome might arise, though.]

'Troublesome?'

[Yes.]

At my puzzled question, Mora gave a cryptic answer.

[In the future, the content of the 18 volumes you will write. The world will come to know that content. And it'll happen soon.]

'...?'

At that time, I couldn't grasp the meaning.

*****

Around a similar time, in Xavier.

"Oh! Welcome back, Kate, the Chosen One!"

"I hope you've been well, Lord Deimos."

Kate, equipped with a pure zeal in her heart, returned to Xavier's territory.

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