I Became a Human's Daughter

Chapter 24

 

Ariel, who was so shocked and almost lost her mind, came to her senses after a while.

 

“W-What are you talking about, a Goddess? I’m not…”

“The one I’m willing to give everything I have.”

“What?”

 

‘What kind of nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden?’

 

As Ariel tilted her head, Hertian opened his mouth again.

 

“Do you know why I decided to follow her?”

“…How do I know that?”

 

Ariel’s face hardened.

 

‘Why do you keep talking about your other owner? I feel bad.’

 

As if he didn’t care about Ariel’s feelings, Hertian continued.

 

It was a very nonsensical statement.

 

“Nineteen years ago, an unprecedented drought struck. I was only five years old at the time when people starved to death, clutching their stomachs one after another.”

“……?”

“As a child, it was difficult for me to endure hunger. So I complained that I’m hungry, and asked for something to eat. My mother, who’s carrying my younger brother in her belly, led her heavy body out to get some food. But no matter how much she went around, she couldn’t get a grain.”

“Why?”

“Even though the Imperial family and nobles harvested the grain, it was an extremely insufficient amount compared to the number of people. After two days and two nights of wandering, my mother headed to the temple. She believed the rumors that there is a relatively large amount of food left.”

“…Temple?”

“Yes, it was the temple of Akelon, who is called the King of all Gods.”

“Temple of Akelon…”

“But when my mother arrived, the first comers had emptied the rest of the food.”

“……”

“My mother cried and asked again, even a handful of grain is enough. She said that her son has already starved for a week. She told them she’s fine, and pleaded for her son.”

“……”

“However, the priests went back into the temple without saying anything. In despair, my mother sat down on the floor and cried out while bleeding. It was only natural for a pregnant woman who was starved for over a week and wandered around for two days and nights.”

“……”

“My mother passed out and when she saw the blood splattered on the floor, she then said that she had a premonition of death. I was so afraid, as if losing my father when I was young wasn’t enough, and now that I’m about to lose my mother. Even at the moment of her death, she was only concerned about me, thinking of how would I live once she’s gone. Even though I had brought my mother to the brink of death by my immature whining.”

 

Hertian laughed weakly.

 

“But unexpectedly, my mother opened her eyes again. A little girl was sitting beside my mother, pouring water into her mouth. Upon waking up, she thought her belly would be flat, but it was still bloated. After all, as a mother, she instinctively know that the child in her womb will die.”

 

She’s only listening about the story, but the situation is slowly unfolding in her mind.

 

“Then the little girl wiped my mother’s tears and kissed her on the forehead. It wasn’t just consolation. Because at that moment, the surroundings, which had been quiet, shook like crazy. And the child who died in her belly came back to life.”

“The little girl gave my mother three loaves of bread and a bag, and told her to go home as the little life in the belly was already safe. At that moment, my mother felt a sense of awe that she never felt before. She said that she bowed her head several times and saluted the little girl.”

 

And now, she became the main character of the story.

 

“Do you know what the little girl said when my mother asked her how she should repay her?”

“…I don’t know.”

 

She thought she will remember something at some point, but she couldn’t. As if there’s a fog in her head.

 

When Ariel was silent, Hertian closed his eyes and opened his mouth slowly.

 

“Teach your son martial arts, and he will later become my sword and shield to protect me from the wicked.”

 

It was a very familiar phrase.

 

“My mother insisted on getting her name, and returned home barely finding it out.”

“……”

“The bag that the little girl gave my mother was full of gold coins, and she used it to let me study swordsmanship. Thanks to that, I became a knight.”

“……”

“My brother, who was in my mother’s womb, was also born safely. My mother always reminded us not to forget that grace.”

 

Then Hertian asked quietly.

 

“Do you know what the little girl’s name is?”

“……”

“An incompetent God who couldn’t do anything even though she was born as the King of all Gods. A God who was pointed out as an idiot even by humans. But she was the only God who saved my mother and my family, whom no other God ever did.”

 

Hertian, who was staring blankly at Ariel, knelt in front of her.

 

“Her name is Ariel.”

 

A soft touch touched Ariel’s feet.

 

It was the pledge of allegiance of a knight who met his master after 19 years of waiting.

 

* * *

 

Despite receiving the oath of allegiance that she wanted so much, Ariel couldn’t be happier.

 

‘When was it?’

 

If Hertian’s words were true, she was the little child who saved his mother.

 

In fact, Ariel had really come to the ground with Akelon 19 years ago.

 

However, she sat in an empty room in the temple and waited for Akelon to come back after finishing his business.

 

In short, she never came out.

 

‘So when did we meet?’

 

Ariel tried to recall the memory of that day, but it wasn’t easy.

 

It was as if someone had forcibly sealed her memories.

 

‘It’s kind of embarrassing.’

 

Ariel tugged her hair. Although there were many Gods who disapproved of her, none of them held a grudge enough to threaten her life.

 

‘What the hell happened.’

 

Ariel was confused, but Hertian spoke.

 

“But why did you come down to earth and become a human’s daughter?”

“Ah, that…”

 

Ariel explained what had happened from the moment she landed on the ground until now.

 

Hertian made a puzzled expression.

 

‘Then why is it that she was an illegitimate child instead of a picked-up child?’

 

He was very curious, but there was something else important now.

 

“A God fell to the ground, how did that happen?”

“That’s it, I don’t know.”

“Why don’t the other Gods come to find Ariel?”

“Well, because everyone hates me. I can tell from the fact that Arande and Veto didn’t help me.”

 

Ariel said sullenly.

 

“Is that so, but maybe Akelon-sama will.”

“Huh?”

“According to the myth that circulates among humans, it is said that the one who takes care of Ariel-sama is Akelon-sama.”

 

Ariel snorted.

 

“What do you take care of?”

“Are you not on good terms with Akelon-sama?”

“No, that’s not it. Akelon is one of the few Gods I am on good terms with.”

“Then why didn’t he take Ariel-sama with him?”

“Because Akelon doesn’t know that I fell to the ground.”

 

Ariel shrugged her shoulders and said indifferently.

 

Hertian asked in an incomprehensible tone.

 

“There are three Gods who directly confirmed that Ariel-sama came down to earth. But why does no one tell Akelon-sama?”

“Because they are bad things. They’re determined to play tricks on me, especially the ugly one!”

 

When she thought of Arande, who made her get down on her knees and then disappeared, her anger suddenly surged.

 

Ariel, who had been running wild for a while, collapsed back into her seat.

 

“Well, okay. Because I promised myself that I would go up on my own anyway. At this point, I must definitely develop my divine power.”

 

Hertian still looked uneasy, but when Ariel waved her hand, he forced himself to nod.

 

“Anyway, it’s fortunate that Your Highness is the one who picked up Ariel-sama. If you get caught by evil humans…”

 

Hertian closed his eyes tightly as if imagining them was terrifying.

 

“Yeah, right. I’m just glad I found dad.”

 

‘I can eat a lot of delicious desserts. It was a wise choice too.’

 

As Ariel praised herself and laughed, Hertian said.

 

“Then I will call you my lady for the time being. It would be difficult if your identity was exposed.”

“Yeah, do whatever you want.”

 

Ariel readily agreed.

 

Suddenly, Hertian’s expression hardened.

 

“My lady, please don’t move.”

“Yes?”

 

The moment Ariel tilted her head, Hertian drew his sword and charged.

 

“What, what are you doing!”

 

Just a moment ago, he said she was his owner and even swore allegiance, so why did he suddenly do that?

 

“Put away your weapon!”

 

Ariel shouted, but it was already too late.

 

Hertian, who already got close to her, thrust a sharp sword at Ariel.

 

‘Oh no, the story of the past was just to catch me off guard!’

 

Ariel shut her eyes tightly, blaming herself for being complacent.

 

Shuk—

 

She heard a cutting sound.

 

‘You dare to injure the body of a Goddess. I won’t let you go later!’

 

But it was strange.

 

She didn’t feel any pain at all.

 

‘Huh? Did he made a mistake?’

 

Ariel quietly opened one of her eyes and witnessed a startling scene.

 

“What, what?”

 

Hertian was pointing his sword at a huge man.

 

“Wait, wait…!”

“You sneaky bunch…!”

 

Hertian shook his head resolutely.

 

“I am a kidnapper sent by His Majesty.”