After the shock and delight calmed down slowly, they finally realised that the situation was not actually so good as they thought. Although it was a huge blessing for them to have a miraculous child blessed by the gods and with a promising future that was never seen before nor might they ever be able to again, the information about this matter could not be hidden from the outside world no matter how they tried and will definitely cause a huge stir.
If others got to know that such a child blessed by gods was born in the Avilion kingdom, although the fame and power of the kingdom will rise tremendously, the other countries will also see them as a great threat to each of their countries' development and the hardly maintained balance in the country's politics will collapse, setting off huge waves among the nobles.
It wasn't a good thing to be in this limelight for the kingdom and also for the house of Callisto who were known for their utmost loyalty and their military strength that would've most likely been seen as the greatest threat to the throne if the person sitting on it was someone else other than Arthur, who was the sworn brother of Johann and knew that his friend would never do that nor was he interested on the throne.
The other cunning nobles were already displeased and wary of the fame and high status of the house of Callisto, now with this matter, they would most likely react to it by either trying to ingratiate themselves to the house of Callisto or bear more hatred towards them, choosing to oppose them discretely. In other words, by eradicating the root of the cause, Avalyn.
It would have been fine if she was already grown up because at that time, she would be able to protect herself but right now, she wasn't even a day old and yet she would be seen as a threat by many, having enemies in both the shadows and light. She was just a little baby, how could she be able to handle such pressure?
This thought passed through the royal and Callisto couples and realised how troublesome the matter was. But they didn't blame Avalyn for that. She was not in the wrong for shining brightly like a sun high in the sky that could only be stared at from below, the fault was the greed and uninvited jealousy of the humans.
"You do not have to worry about that. She has the blessings of us gods, no one will dare to touch her unless they are foolishly trying to get themselves killed for trying to hurt this child protected by us."Asteria's carefree voice rang out again.
Among the seven gods, Asteria was said to be the most carefree and mischievous god who kept touch with the mortals frequently. If it wasn't for the fact that the balance in the world's nature would be shaken, she would've definitely descended to the mortal world to have fun.
Listening to her words, the others also quickly remembered that Avalyn was protected by the blessings of the five gods. There was really no need for them to worry about it but just in case, the four of them decided to be wary of the movements of the group of nobles and other countries after the news of this matter spread out and keep their guards up.
I must assign more security around my daughter. Maybe I should hand over protection of my daughter to the black dragon legion. Mm, sounds good. Johann made a quick decision inside his mind with a serious face.
The black dragon legion was the strongest group of knights under the house of Callisto. Every single knight in the legion went through hellish training and participated in various wars and secret operations of national level alongside with the Duke Callisto. They were people who earned their deserved fame of being on par with the strong imperial guards under the King by bathing in the blood of their enemies. Almost everyone in the country admired and feared them. Their fame was even spread outside of the kingdom and were given the name 'Blood demons'.
And to think that he would think of assigning that same legion to protect his daughter....others might have wondered if he was on his right mind.
"Hm...Johann, do you want me to assign the imperial guards to protect my little niece?" said Arthur after contemplating for a while with a serious face.
The bishop as well as the two priests flinched visibly at his words. They were now more than dumbfounded at his casual words of wanting to assign the imperial guards that only followed the King to protect the child instead.
"No, your majesty will need the imperial guards by your side to protect you. I have already decided to assign the black dragon legion with the task of protecting my daughter." Johann shook his head, he knew that he shouldn't overlook his own status and cross the line of his duty just for his personal matters. Although it wasn't entirely a personal matter now that it also involved the wellbeing of the kingdom, he still felt that it wasn't necessary.
Yet again, the bishop and the two priests flinched which almost looked like they jumped up in shock on their spot, their jaws nearly touching the floor.
Is this what they call, 'birds of a feather, flock together' ? No wonder they are sworn brothers. Even their logic and way of thinking is the same!
"Ayy, you don't have to worry about his safety with me here. I alone am enough to protect him. But since you have already decided to let the black dragon legion handle it then there is no need for the imperial guards to take part. Although they say the two groups of knights are on par in strength, we all know that your black dragon legion can leave the imperial guards to dust in seconds." Isabella proudly stated from the side as she crossed her arms on her chest, her fiery red hair flowing to her motion.
"Indeed. With Bella here, no one would even dare to lay a finger on Arthur." Violette chuckled as she went along with her.
While the atmosphere surrounding the four close friends was harmonious, Shizuki was currently going through yet another shocking matter unbeknownst to everyone else.
Staring at the bluish transparent panel hovering in front of her eyes, Shizuki's reaction to it was as if seeing a ghost dancing to belly dance in the middle of the day. She tried closing then opening her eyes for the nth time again and yet the transparent panel stayed hovering in front of her eyes. She couldn't make any sense of it, no matter how much she used to like to read novels where the main character transmigrated to another world with a system as a cheat, after it happened to herself, she couldn't make herself to believe that it was true.
G-god...what is happening now?!
[What do you think? Do you like the gift? I gave it to you after considering it for a long time according to your memories. Are you happy to get this 'cheat' or something you call?] Asteria's playful voice transmitted to her mind through telepathy magic. Shizuki had already become numb to the scare after experiencing all these tumultuous situations one after another with no rest in between.
So it's your doing.
Shizuki sighed a long sigh internally after finally understanding what was going on.
[Hey hey, why do you sound so accusing? It's such a great gift, you know. If you want to express your gratitude then come to visit me in the cathedral from time to time. It's really boring here with no one to speak to.]
Asteria complained grumpily. Shizuki could imagine her pouting in her head which just made her shake her head in disbelief that this childish girl was a god.
Why? You don't speak to other gods?
[They are all busy with their own stuff so we only get to speak to each other if something happened that needed their concern. Sigh.]
Listening to her sad and sulky answer, Shizuki could only feel her mouth twitch.
What about you then? Aren't you also a god? Why do you have so much free time then?
[Ehh? I'm also very busy, you know? Everyday, I give names to people and observe what fun things-- I mean, what the mortals are doing to maintain the balance of the world. I'm a very diligent god, I tell you!] Asteria tried to sound convincing with her proud tone but Shizuki didn't believe her the least.
Rolling her eyes, she said, Fine, whatever. I will try to visit you after I get older and can walk properly. But can you tell me what this system really does?
[It works the same as the 'system' in your memories. You must understand it more than I do so good luck trying to figure it out yourself.]
Ugh, that's the same as not telling me anything at all. And also, when did you look into my memories?
Asteria just pretended to not hear her and said, [Oh, and also take this to cover your left eye. Don't take it off no matter where you are until you have reached tier 4 in magic. Or else you won't be able to handle the magic power in your left eye with your current form. Remember my words.]
After she finished speaking, an item suddenly appeared out of thin air in front of her and wrapped itself on her left eye. It was an eyepatch with a magic circle in a star's pattern emitting a blue glow. Although it covered her left eye, she could shockingly still see through it as if there was nothing blocking her eye at all. The eyepatch contained the overflowing magic currents in her left eye and the magic circle in her eye slowly faded away.
What is this? Shizuki asked in confusion.
[A divine item imbued with my magic. It can help you stop the magic in your left eye from activating automatically.] Asteria answered.
Divine item? Magic in my left eye? What kind of magic is it to need such a powerful sounding item with a god's magic imbued in it to suppress it like this? Shizuki asked in a surprised tone.
[I can't tell you that right now. You should find out yourself but better wait until you are tier 4 to seek for an answer. You are too weak right now to handle it properly. Oh and also, the item is invisible to others so they won't be able to find out.]
Oh, so it was actually invisible. No wonder.
[Anyway, don't forget to visit me. Or I will possess one of your people near you to play with you.]
Shizuki sweated at her words and could only agree to her again.
"The ceremony has ended. Make sure to take good care of the child. I don't know about other gods but I won't tolerate any mistreatment against the child whom I have taken a liking to. Bear it in mind. You may leave now." Asteria left her warning as she allowed them to leave.
The couples expressed their gratitude to the goddess and left the room along with the bishop trio.