“What will happen?”
At the same time, High Priest Kailus was also watching the scene.
“Didn’t you bring me that woman’s hair?”
Then, the consciousness of Ananke, rising like smoke from the altar, answered. It was as if he was asking why he was even questioning it when the answer was already obvious.
The blue sea spreading in the temple’s void was sparkling brilliantly for the first time in millennia.
“That’s why I’m asking. The answer is already known, but it’s taking too long.”
The once fierce waves were now very calm. But it was impossible to predict what was happening below.
“In the face of long-lost memories, anyone would become weak.”
By now, the sunset was glowing red, and a faint moon was starting to appear. The woman had entered below the surface early in the morning, so quite a bit of time had passed.
“Even the being that created this world would be the same.”
Surviving and returning from the Sea of Ananke was considered sacred for a reason. Because it contained precious memories that had to be forgotten.
“It’s beautiful yet cruel.”
No human willpower could resist such an enchanting illusion. It was better to embrace those memories and sink.
“Of course. That sea resembles our goddess.”
“What did Redian see there?” Then Kailus, who had been silent, asked Ananke. Surely Ananke, who had guarded this sea and its memories for thousands of years, would know.
“Who knows.”
But Ananke looked at the shoreline tinged with red. More precisely, at a boy sitting blankly on the sand.
“…”
Though much time had passed, Redian remained there. His blue eyes were fixated only on the water that had swallowed the woman.
“Heh, that boy is Lucifer,” Ananke muttered, seemingly more surprised the more he looked. “In the old days, he would’ve already jumped in or turned everything into hellfire. Tsk tsk.” Recalling the past, he clicked his tongue. “With that foul temper, no wonder he fell.”
By now, the sunset had faded, and darkness was creeping in. Yet, Redian occasionally buried his forehead in his arms or looked up at the sky, not leaving his spot.
“Looks like he’s learned how to wait.” Ananke chuckled low. “Well, he has waited for thousands of years for the goddess to forgive him.”
“Ananke, do you truly believe the goddess will return?” Hearing Ananke’s muttering, Kailus asked again. “I don’t think she will return.” This time, his tone was very straightforward.
Only those who received the goddess’s salvation could emerge from that sea. But since Siani was the incarnation of the goddess, only she could save herself. Thus, whether she emerged or sank depended solely on Siani’s will and choice.
“Why?”
“The conclusion was already determined from the beginning.”
Kailus remembered Siani. Her eyes seemed indifferent as if she had found the world tiresome. She had left everything behind and gone to paradise, so why would she return?
“Moreover, she has no reason to come back to this land.”
Time was quickly passing, and dawn was breaking. The boy’s shoulders, enduring the night wind, looked pitiful.
“I think differently.” But then, Ananke gave an unexpected answer.
Ananke was the first archangel and was sealed within the World Tree by Theia herself. Thus, he had served the goddess’s will the longest.
“The goddess will return to this land.”
“Why…”
“The love the goddess taught us is singular. That love just took various forms.”
So, for some, love became pain; for others, it was jealousy and hatred. Just as everyone here loved Siani in their own way. Despite that,
“The only one still holding onto that love is that foolish boy.”
As Ananke said, the boy remained there. His back, endlessly waiting, was love. He had a gaze that could only be described as love.
“You seem to find my words difficult.”
“How could a human like me understand the love of goddess? It’s just, you know, something like really liking someone…” Kailus answered as if deciphering a prophecy.
“So, to put it simply.” The smoke containing Ananke’s soul suddenly swirled. “The goddess has always been weak for cute things.”
“Pardon?”
At the end of the smoke’s trail was Redian’s drooping silver hair.
“Look, doesn’t he look like a white fox, waiting for his master, looking dejected?”
Cute, huh. Suddenly, Kailus remembered Siani’s gaze when she looked at Redian. Yes, that gaze was definitely…
“Lucifer was born with immense holy power, so very few have seen him directly.”
At the same time, Ananke lowered his voice as if revealing a secret.
“All beings in the heavenly realm are originally summoned by the goddess and born in the form of animals.”
Depending on their innate holy power, they transformed into human-like archangels or fairies with part-human forms.
“Lucifer was a fox. A white fox with blue eyes as clear as the first snow. Imagine how beautiful he must have been.”
“…Very.” Kailus unknowingly nodded. “It fits him well.” Seeing the boy sitting under the night stars, he was completely convinced.
“But he was very cold and aloof. Yet, in front of the goddess, he was so gentle.”
“I can’t imagine.”
“He would follow her around or pretend to limp just to sleep on the goddess’s lap.” Kailus, who rarely showed emotion, flinched. “Even though he didn’t seem like it, he had a lot of charm, so the goddess found him very cute.”
Though he was technically Kailus’s nephew, Redian was a being with a divine presence that even elders with white hair couldn’t dare approach. But… a fox? Had a lot of charm even though he didn’t seem like it?
“Ahem.” Kailus cleared his throat awkwardly.
“…Oh.” Ananke’s exclamation was heard.
The sea, which had been gently rippling, started to surge more violently.
“Could it really be?”
“Look.”
The waves, now crashing white, filled their vision, making everything blurry.
“I told you she would return.”
Kailus knelt before the glowing surge that seemed ready to swallow the world.
“Our great master.”
“She has finally returned.”
Ananke’s form started to become clearer.
The spray from the waves was so dazzling that it seemed to obscure the vast sea and the brightening sky. It felt like a glow heralding the goddess’s return.
“With that, it’s no wonder she found him cute.” Even Ananke’s whisper faded.
“Master…!”
But Kailus clearly saw the boy running toward somewhere.
“Nia!”
When the silver hair fluttered in the wind, revealing his flushed eyes.
“Come here, Rere.”
Even as his consciousness blurred, he saw Siani reach out to him.
“Sorry, did you wait long?”
“…It’s okay.”
Seeing Redian hug her tightly.
“You finally came back to me.”
Afraid that his overwhelming desire might hurt her…
“That’s enough for me.”
Redian’s large hands trembled as he held her, trying to control his emotions.
Kailus felt he was beginning to understand the love of the goddess.
* * *
I don’t want to get up. Lying in bed, that was all I could think.
Days passed, turning into weeks, until I lost track of time.
My body feels so heavy…
No matter how soft the bedding was, it couldn’t compare to the waves in the sea. That incredibly comfortable moment kept appearing in my dreams. So, I kept choosing to sleep deeply.
“…Master.”
But,
“Nia.”
Every night, like a vow of loyalty, lips softly touched my ankles, wrists, forehead, and earlobes, calling me.
“Why won’t you wake up when I’m right here?”
“…”
“I want to hear your voice. I want to see you smile and hold you. But why…”
His nightly whispered confessions grew more desperate. And then, drip…
What is it?
Finally, when something cold fell onto the back of my hand.
“Are you… crying?”
I had no choice but to force my heavy eyes open.
“Rere, are you crying?”
“…”
Redian, leaning on my hand, slowly lifted his head.
Wait.
Seeing his tear-stained, red eyes, my mind froze.
How much time has passed? Had the grand duke started something while I was lost in dreams?
“Who bothers you?” Instinctively, I asked, as I did that day in the underground castle.
“Ha…”
Redian closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again.
“What, did that arrogant Grand Duke Benio act up?”
“It was you, Master, who bothered me.” His unusually low voice was filled with emotion.
“Me?”
“Really…”
It happened in an instant.
“I felt like I was going crazy.”
Redian urgently pulled and kissed me, his hand cradling the back of my head.
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Okay fineee he’s being a lil cute again 🙄