The goddess of foresight, Lappei.
A goddess whose believers had abandoned her to swear their faith and allegiance for the god of prophecy and future calculating.
Foresight was simply a domain that wasn't as impressive as both prophecy and future calculating. Lappei was overshadowed by a stronger, more effective god.
Thus, she spent her days depressed. Scrounging for every bit of faith she could get and doing her best to hold even a single believer to her name. She was weak. Vulnerable.
She was the only god who would sympathise with me, and the only god I could use for my purposes.
I looked around the treasure room and discovered an enchanted sword where I had written it to be. It gleamed with a beautiful crimson hue, pouring out from its black iron blade. I gripped the sword in my hands and it responded to me with apparent joy.
I watched the fluctuations in its mana as it basked in the feeling of having an owner once more.
If anyone else had made it here, they would've drooled over this sword. After all, it was sentient. It had a soul, and therefore its power, according to cliches, was immense.
The only drawback to it would be the fact that it might just disobey its master if said master grew too weak.
But this sword was different. It accepted me even when I was weak.
It was a sword that anyone would love.
A thin smile wormed its way onto my lips. Unfortunately, I wasn't a swordsman. I could barely even lift the blade off the ground as I dragged it towards the altar.
The sword expressed its confusion as I moved closer and closer to the goddess's altar. It kept on making such an expression even as I placed it atop the smooth marble stone that signified where I must place my sacrifice.
It seemed like it never had expected in all its life, that it would be sacrificed to a god. It vibrated as if to say, "Impossible!"
"I'm too useful to be sacrificed!" I mimicked a desperate shout, "Is that what you want to say? I'm sorry, Raasthad."
I gave the blade a few pats, "You're more useful to me as a sacrifice."
I then took a few steps back and knelt at the base of the altar after clearing it of garbage.
Earnestly, I began to pray.
Lappei was very much unlike the Alliyaha who was addicted to ceremonies and all their formalities. To sacrifice to the goddess of foresight, all I needed to do was speak to her.
"Oh great goddess of foresight," I began, "This young mortal wishes to offer thee a portion of this mortal's wealth. May your greatness find this sacrifice sufficient, for this mortal requires thy timely aid."
Swaaaaaah—!
The sound of a lengthy exhale resounded from at the highest point of the altar. White fog poured out of the gemstone embedded in Lappei's symbol, forming the figure of a beautiful woman in white robes with glowing white eyes.
—I have heard your prayers, mortal.
The goddess spoke to me in my mind. She used a tone so holy and noble, I almost believed she was truly that kind of god.
The truth of the matter was that she was barely holding in her tears of joy and relief— this sacrifice meant that she could live longer as a god with actual powers and not fall into slumber.
She was just an inch away from begging me to be her faithful priest and believer. And I wanted to see if I could make her do that. You know, for fun.
—I have seen your sacrifice.
She said as she looked down. Her eyes scanned the sword for a brief moment.
—And although it is small, I am a graceful god...
Her voice turned into a whisper as she realised the value of the sword atop her altar. Her eyes dilated in shock. Her expression was comical.
"Oh my gods," Her real voice escaped from her lips.
It was a beautiful sound that could capture the hearts of many. Just hearing even one syllable blessed my ears for years to come.
Lappei was stunned in place, and the corners of her eyes were growing wet.
I watched her, silently. I was also a bit smug. After all, I was sacrificing a sword that could kill even the gods if properly cultivated. It was a sentient sword, with latent power beyond the imagination of all common folk.
But it was nothing to me. I knew stronger treasures, more powerful weapons.
Among my creations, this sword, Raasthad, was ranked among the hundreds.
Of course, I did not let my emotions show on my face. I stood there, with a pure gaze and a faithful disposition.
I made it seem like I did not notice Lappei's abnormalities.
"This... I cannot believe it," She whispered so softly that I might've mistaken it for my imagination.
Sniff—
Lappei sniffled. Ah, this goddess was as adorable as I made her out to be. But things had to be done. This sad god needed to give me the stuff I need.
I cleared my throat.
"Uhm, goddess? Is something wrong with this foolish one's sacrifice?" I said, trying to make sure that Lappei wouldn't be embarrassed.
"Ah?" Lappei was startled by my voice, "Ah!"
"I'm sorry," She shrank before realising her mistake. She was too shocked to function properly.
—I mean, no, mortal. There is nothing wrong with the riches you have shared with me. I will accept it. Now, what is it that you wish for? I will grant it to you.
There. She was able to put on her mask of holiness once more. I could not help but smile.
"If it is alright," I looked up, pleadingly, using my nonexistent acting skills to the maximum, "I would like to have a Fruit of God. As well as a bit of your blood."
The sword I was sacrificing was roughly equivalent to those two items. After all, if I used that sword now, I could even slash a bit of essence out of Lappei. That was how weak she was right now.
She had to appear personally for every prayer that was sent her way. She had no power to spare to create a clone consciousness.
I believed she was smart enough to realise that I could have ambushed her despite my absolute weakness. That, and if I had malice within me, she would no longer be an active god, and I would have the achievement of sending a god straight to slumber.
Hopefully, I would receive what I wanted.