[So, what is your name?]
“Liv Gracia.”
[Liv, a name with a good ring to it.]
Next, they began to show interest in Liv’s white hair.
[I’ve seen many foreigners, but it’s my first time seeing someone with such snow-white hair color like yours.]
“It’s a rare hair color even in my country.”
[No, your hair is giving off a mysterious light.]
They asked Liv various questions. What position she held in the Holy Hilysid Empire, and how she was able to arrive here.
Liv answered that she was married and was called a ‘duchess’ in her home country. She also explained that she had reached this place through the power of the gods.
However, Liv could see in their eyes that her words weren’t being taken seriously. The emotion they had towards Liv was merely curiosity. In fact, she should be grateful that they weren’t chasing her away as a fraud, a foreigner from another country claiming to receive the love of the gods.
At that moment, the one sitting in the highest seat opened his mouth.
[Well, I understand that you have lived with quite a high status in your country until now.]
As soon as the Ayr opened his mouth, the air instantly became heavy. All the royals who had been chattering freely lowered their eyes. Seeing this, Liv realized how powerful the Ayr’s authority was in this country.
According to what Liv had read in books, the Ayr is considered the incarnation of the god of the universe itself in the Kingdom of Ashur. The god of the universe is the highest-ranking among the gods worshipped in this country, and it is said that when an Ayr is determined, the god of the universe dwells in his body for amusement.
Thus, in this country, when an Ayr dies, they hold a grand funeral over several years and build a large maze tomb to worship the body in which the god of the universe had dwelled. The authority the Ayr holds in this country was incomparable to the emperors or kings of the Ein continent.
Indeed, the Ayr sitting upright despite wearing a massive golden crown looked like no ordinary human. A blue jewel was embedded in his nostrils, and several layers of golden necklaces hung around his neck. But because of the charisma emanating from him, those decorations didn’t feel excessive at all.
[But that’s all. There’s nothing more interesting beyond that.]
At those words, Liv looked straight into the Ayr’s eyes. Such a strong aura emanated from him that even looking at him would feel burdensome for an ordinary person.
“No, you have no choice but to be interested in me.”
“The Ayr asks for the reason.”
“Because I receive the love of all gods.”
At those words, silence fell in the Room of Cycles. And then…
“Hahaha!”
The Ayr threw his head back and laughed loudly.
[I’ve seen many foreigners, but this is the first time I’ve seen one so insolent! How dare you speak falsehoods in the name of the gods in the Kingdom of Ashur!]
“It’s not a lie.”
When Liv said that with her eyes wide open, the Ayr’s expression, which had been full of laughter, hardened. Now the other royals had uneasy looks in their eyes. Princess Rania, who had first met Liv, spoke to her.
[I could accept that you are loved by your god, but I can’t believe that all gods love you.]
“But it’s true. Even the gods of religions you don’t believe in are looking after me. I couldn’t say this fact in other countries, but I can say it in the Kingdom of Ashur because you worship multiple gods.”
[You’re an insolent one. Then can you show us your power?]
“Of course.”
Having gained the power of all gods in the sea, Liv was now in a state overflowing with divine power. Even Liv’s white hair was giving off a faint light. The reason the Ayr didn’t immediately order to behead Liv was probably because of the mysterious aura emanating from her entire body.
“Actually, I don’t know much about the Kingdom of Ashur. All I have is knowledge from books. Moreover, that’s all just past history, so I know even less about the current Ashur. But…”
Liv’s eyes shone sharply as she said this.
“I know what I should do now.”
Liv stared intently into the empty air. Perhaps the gods were watching Liv from a transcendent space incomprehensible to the human mind of Liv.
“Please convey your beliefs to this space.”
As Liv said that and used her power, suddenly a bright light burst from Liv’s body. The moment the royals surrounding Liv squeezed their eyes shut and opened them again…
“Ah!”
The wall paintings densely covering the room began to emit light. Then strange music was heard from somewhere. Liv had never heard such music before, but she could guess that it was traditional music of the Kingdom of Ashur. As instruments began to play, a mysterious melody filled the space. The figures painted on the wall paintings came to life and began to stride around the room.
[Oh, Lord Lunas!]
[Lady Talia!]
Those gathered in the room prostrated themselves on the floor, calling out different names. Liv guessed that the names they were shouting were those of gods.
The only ones standing amidst this were Liv, and the Ayr who was said to be the incarnation of the god of the universe.
The Ayr stared into Liv’s pale pink eyes with interested eyes. His mouth opened with reverence.
[You… are real…]
“It’s not over yet. I have more to show you.”
There are thousands of sanctuaries in the Kingdom of Ashur. Naturally, shouldn’t one gain power from the sanctuaries now that one has come here?
‘Where are the sanctuaries?’
When Liv asked that, the voices of the gods were heard from the sky.
Child, just walk. Then you will reach the sanctuaries.
This land is full of our power, everything will be yours.
At those words, Liv smiled faintly.
“Let’s go out of the castle together. I have more to show you.”
Now that I’ve come here, I should take everything I can get.
* * *
The procession of royalty extended outside the palace. Wherever they went, people prostrated themselves to worship the Ayr. The sound of lutes rang out, and instruments Liv didn’t know the names of joined in, creating even richer music. However, people glanced more often at the unfamiliar foreigner’s face than at the familiar royals.
Because miracles happened every time she walked on the sandy ground.
“Ooh…!”
Even though Liv didn’t know their language, she could guess from their tone that they were showing admiration and respect for her. With each step she took, white petals scattered from the air and fires lit on extinguished logs. Dried-up wells filled with water again.
“How can this be… Princess Nadardia says.”
“You don’t need to interpret that far.”
Liv said in a small voice, but even the interpreter translating for Liv was spewing out words filled with wonder about Liv.
[Oh, how can you, a person from the Holy Hilysid Empire, receive the love of all gods? Don’t you actually have Ashurian blood mixed in?]
“There’s no law saying only those of Ashurian lineage can receive blessings. Rather, isn’t the existence of the god you believe in proven when blessings are bestowed upon all people?”
They seemed full of curiosity about Liv, and Liv unraveled their curiosities one by one. In fact, they looked like they would accept whatever answer Liv gave.
As they walked like that, Liv stopped in her tracks. A massive sanctuary spread out before her.
There are thousands of gods in the Kingdom of Ashur, and among them are gods that people don’t know well or don’t consider important. Most of the paths Liv had trodden so far were those of such gods. But the path spread out before Liv now was none other than…
‘The god of the universe.’
It was the domain of Nel, the god who oversees all things and is considered the highest god even in the Kingdom of Ashur.
Suddenly curious, Liv asked Nel.
‘Does the god of the universe really dwell in the Ayr’s body?’
I don’t directly dwell as they believe, but I always watch over him. Just as the Gracia family received the love of the god of the Holy Church, I also have affection for them. If they wish, I give them rain, and help protect the country.
So if Liv hadn’t been confined in Abgrund, the abilities of the Ayr and Liv would have been similar. Although the Ayr can’t sense divine power and receive power from sanctuaries like Liv, Nel still helps him become a great king.
Nel’s sanctuary was a desert where cacti grew naturally. Cacti were plants of a shape Liv had never seen before in her life.
‘They say they can live without water.’
The cacti looked grotesque to Liv. Cacti with hideous thorns and twisted lumps stood much taller than Liv’s height. The flowers blooming on the cacti gave a feeling of being bizarre rather than beautiful. The inherent appearance of nature that gives humans a sense of alienation. This was undoubtedly a sanctuary.