CH 16

By the side of a big river.

Something was strange. Anemones and daffodils were blooming together. There were also roses. The lawn was receiving the morning sunlight and the trees were dyed red with dew.

As I was bewildered by the scenery that ignored the season in my field of vision, someone called out to me.

“Sorry, I called you out a bit forcefully.”

When I turned around, there was a woman with long silver hair. She was wearing a loose robe like the ancient people and had a mysterious atmosphere.

The woman smiled brightly.

“Eleni, congratulations on your marriage first. Well, I told you to do it.”

“You did?”

“Yes, it’s me, Styx. I am one of the gods you worship.”

Styx puffed out her chest with a childish air, but she looked like an adult woman. And above all, if her self-introduction was true, she would be the main god of the Oceanids religion.

In such a strange scenery, if a person suddenly appeared, it would be better to believe them. Even I, who had no faith, couldn’t help but accept that the woman in front of me was the main god Styx.

Perhaps sensing my confusion, Styx continued speaking.

“Ahem. I called you here because I have an important matter to discuss. Eleni, you’re going to become one of us, right? You converted to our faith from Lethe.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, here’s the thing. I want you to become my priestess.”

Styx closed one eye and winked at me mischievously. She was a playful goddess. Seeing me stunned, Styx quickly added an explanation.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to give you divine guidance at the temple. You might wonder why I’m asking you, but there’s a reason for it.”

“I see. May I ask what that reason is?”

“I give the most blessings to Athanasios. He’s handsome, virtuous, kind, and has no flaws as a prince. He’s also deeply faithful. I’m not interested in human countries, but I’ll support him with all my might as long as he’s there.”

Styx’s free-spiritedness stood out more than her authority as a main god, but that’s what being a goddess is all about. They become obsessed with a single human and create a hero like the protagonist of an epic tale. Their capriciousness is what makes them gods, and even in times of war and chaos, they fulfill their role of guiding humans. Well, the goddess I served, Lethe, didn’t do that kind of thing, but let’s leave that aside.

“So, my dear. If you, a pure and devout priestess, become Athanasios’ wife, his foundation will be solid! Isn’t it a good idea?”

There are many things to consider, but I agree with that.

“Certainly, if it’s for Thanasios-sama’s sake, I would like to receive the blessing of the main god Styx.”

“That’s right. It’s also to make you more accepted in this country, and above all, he will love you properly. I guarantee it.”

In the first place, I received a divine oracle about it, and Styx is in a good mood with a smile. Apparently, Styx is blessing me and Thanasios being together.

That’s good. That’s fine.

But the truth is, I don’t really believe in gods. No, I hate the heart of believing in and praying to gods.

So I had to ask.

“Main god Styx. I have something I want to ask you.”

“Why didn’t I listen to my mother’s prayers?”

As if reading my mind, Styx was one step ahead.

Her gaze darkened. The innocence from earlier disappeared, and her voice became calm.

“Countless prayers, wishes, and faith may seek something. However, the gods are not all-knowing and all-powerful enough to answer them all. Your father’s god and your mother’s god fought, and your mother’s god lost. That alone greatly influenced your life and caused you suffering.”

Styx said calmly. As expected, she was a god. She knew many things, including about my parents. Things that I couldn’t know—and things that others wouldn’t understand. With her power, Styx knew.

I believed Styx’s words.

“So… does that mean my mother was indirectly killed by my father?”

“That’s right. Now, Eleni, I have a question for you. Do you want revenge? If you do, I will give you my protection. As my priestess, I favor you.”

There was no need to hesitate or doubt. I didn’t even need to hold back.

I answered immediately.

“Please. I don’t mind the suffering I’ve endured, but I cannot forgive the despair and death that my mother, as a wife, was given by my father.”

For my mother. My father killed my mother, who was praying but her prayers went unanswered. Even if it was the result of a dispute between the gods they each believed in, my father drove my mother to her death.

I cannot forgive him. Why did he kill his wife, whom he should have protected? Why did he let my mother die? Why is he still alive and well?

These feelings overflow from the depths of my heart. The feelings and memories that I have tried so hard to forget until now come gushing back. Isn’t it natural for a person who is offered a means of revenge to accept it without hesitation? Even the Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe, could not make me forget my feelings and memories.

If revenge is possible, then I will become a priestess of Styx or anything else. Styx nodded generously and agreed to my determination.

“Understood. I can’t be too gentle, but I will bless you and punish your enemies!”

I closed my eyes, overlapped my fingers, and offered my prayer hands to Styx.

Wrapped in a sense of exhilaration, I lost consciousness again.