The church was silent, sunlight penetrating through the stained glass and illuminating a silver-clad knight and a praying nun.
"Lord Ahtal, do you wish to become a servant of the gods?" the nun suddenly asked, her gentle voice like a flowing spring, cleansing one's soul.
"You also believe in the Goddess, don't you?"
"..." Xi Mu glanced at the statue of the Goddess of Life, then averted his gaze. He shook his head, uninterested in worshipping an NPC, even though many players liked to call the Goddess of Life 'mother,' desiring to bask in her nurturing bosom and the intense maternal love that seemed to encompass everything.
However, for him, it wasn't of much interest. Initially, he was indeed attracted by the excellent modeling of the Goddess of Life, but later, to complete the ending of the "Ash," he personally killed the Goddess of Life... and then there were no more fluctuations.
Although he initially didn't want to opt for the Ash ending, without clearing all the game's routes and experiencing all the different endings, he felt there was a knot in his heart, constantly scratching at it.
Then, he chose the Ash route, annihilating all life, civilization, and cities in his path, burning the entire world down with a single fire.
That settled everything, making him feel utterly unburdened.
"Is it because of Her Highness the princess?" the nun elegantly stood, looking back at the knight, her hands clasped in prayer.
"I hope you can successfully help Her Highness reclaim her throne, so you might then rest peacefully in the Goddess's embrace."
"Perhaps." Xi Mu replied gravely. He had no interest in following the Goddess of Life. The game offered another ending where one could become the consort of a deity.
Of course, this consort could be either male or female. If a certain level of intimacy was reached, the player could share divinity with the god, becoming an executor of the god's will.
Players who chose this path needed to help their divine consort ascend to become the new Lord of All Gods.
And the player would share the world with their divine consort.
But from his perspective, since he could conquer the world by himself, why share power with someone unless he was really fond of a particular god? That would be a reason to choose the path of accompanying a deity and forming a divine covenant.
"With that in mind, would you like to learn some new prayers?" the nun asked with a smile, observing the knight's astonished eyes.
"Learning more prayers could be helpful to you."
"Please." Xi Mu nodded, his attitude less distant than before. Initially, he had little intention of engaging with the nun.
However, due to either the game optimization or some special condition he triggered, the NPCs began teaching him prayers voluntarily.
An unexpected pleasure, it was.
The nun smiled, patiently guiding this talented individual in prayer. She understood Ahtal well, impressive for a man who had mastered Magic Power in a day and effortlessly learned the Goddess of Life's prayers.
Such a person deserved her dedicated guidance.
And as expected, Ahtal was brilliantly gifted as she had anticipated; he learned everything she taught immediately, as if he had studied it before.
His genius reminded her of the Time Witch of the past.
She hoped he would not follow the wrong path, bearing malice toward the All Gods like the Time Witch, intending to assassinate a deity.
[Nest of Life "Entry"]
Xi Mu glanced at the new skill that appeared in his vision, a prayer that could temporarily endow him with different life attributes, enhancing himself.
Theoretically, in later stages, it could allow him to possess the breath of a dragon, the terrifying strength of a giant, or the aquatic ability of a merman.
However, he needed to max out both his level and skill proficiency; otherwise, it simply strengthened him a bit, giving him the bear's strength, eagle's sight, or the cheetah's speed as preliminary enhancements.
The effects of enhancement were not as straightforward as a Magic Potion.
At that moment,
"Lord Ahtal, I have recovered." A pleasant voice, accompanied by approaching footsteps. Xi Mu instinctively looked towards the source of the voice.
Letixia, clad in leather armor with a rapier at her waist, hurried toward him with a delicate, smiling face:
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine." Xi Mu shook his head, joking, "I guess I won't need to carry you this time, right?"
"Don't treat me like a fragile princess." Letixia's smile was bright, her green eyes exuding confidence and determination. Her recovery of mobility not only meant more autonomy but also meant Ahtal no longer needed to sacrifice his body for her.
To that, Xi Mu smiled and turned to thank the nun: "I hope your life from here on is peaceful."
"I wish you and the princess everlasting happiness." The nun smiled gently, watching the silver-clad knight lead the princess out of the church.
She was already looking forward to the joyful news that Ahtal would help the princess reclaim her nation and that the knight and princess would live happily ever after.
Meanwhile,
The dueling field.
Xiyel yawned lightly, watching the fierce combat in the arena, feeling somewhat uninterested since seeing Ahtal's battle made today's fights seem especially dull.
"Is it that boring?" A light laughter suddenly came from beside her, like a friend's greeting, hinting a touch of closeness.