On the imposing wooden gate, the words "Glazed Shrine" were elegantly carved from smooth willow wood. Behind the gate stood a modest hill, adorned with lush greenery. Although the trees were not towering, the melodious chirping of birds mingled with the golden sunlight filtering through the foliage, casting bright patches of light—a serene and natural spectacle.
Xiao Mu Yu, with a cold expression, stood at the entrance of the shrine, facing a neatly arranged stone staircase that led gently into the depths of the verdant woods, while behind him lay the bustling streets of the city.
The tranquility and the clamor seemed to be separated by but a thin veil.
The girl named Freya smiled warmly at the foot of the stairs, her gentle expression directed at Xiao Mu Yu. "Welcome home."
"…" Xiao Mu Yu, his demeanor icy, remained silent for several seconds before slowly stepping forward, leaving behind the city's cacophony and entering the seemingly secluded sanctuary.
"This isn't… my home, is it?" As he crossed past the cheerful girl and stepped onto the clean, orderly stone steps, he remarked coldly.
"Who says this isn't your home, Mr. Mu Yu?" Freya frowned slightly, her expression turning serious as she quickened her pace to block his path. "Didn't I say? You are my senior, which means the Glazed Shrine is not only my home but yours as well."
Raising a finger, Freya met Xiao Mu Yu's icy gaze with earnestness. "Moreover, since you are Master Yi's disciple, the Ancient Moon Pavilion is also your home, and so is Teacher Sona's Purple Grove… Mr. Mu Yu, this is quite important; don't forget it next time."
"…" Xiao Mu Yu maintained his cold stare at the blue-haired girl, remaining silent.
In the realm of consciousness, the sound of manic laughter erupted from the demon.
(Ha ha ha ha… Human boy, our lovely little songstress is trying to get close to you, heh heh… Why do you think she wants to be closer to you? Has she fallen hopelessly in love with you, wishing to understand you better? Heh heh heh…)
(Ha ha ha ha… This is hilarious! "Welcome home" indeed… Ha ha ha… It's as if a devoted wife is greeting her husband returning home, ha ha ha… Tell me, has your luck with the ladies turned recently? Even such a beautiful girl is throwing herself at you, heh heh… You truly are fortunate, human boy… ha ha ha…)
Ignoring the demon's taunts, Xiao Mu Yu nodded coldly. "Ah… I won't forget next time."
With that, he did not cast another glance at the girl, bypassing her and proceeding toward the end of the stone steps. Only the little fox perched on his shoulder occasionally glanced back at the curious girl, seemingly intrigued by the beautiful songstress.
In the realm of consciousness, the demon's uproarious laughter did not cease due to Xiao Mu Yu's indifference; however, as he continued to disregard its presence, the raucous laughter gradually subsided.
Yet, after a brief silence, the demon's voice returned, feigning seriousness.
(Well… who would have thought that this renowned songstress, celebrated across the continent, would be hiding in this little shrine? And according to her, she seems to be a priestess? Heh heh… Who would suspect that the beautiful songstress is actually this seemingly ordinary priestess? Heh heh… Human boy, the world is truly wondrous, wouldn't you agree?)
"..."
(Tch? Ignoring me? You're as dull as ever. Do you realize you walk around with that cold expression, as if everyone owes you a fortune… Aren't you tired of it?)
"..."
(Hey, hey, hey! Don't be like that, human boy. We've been friends for years; it hurts when you don't speak to me… Since you have nothing else to do, why not keep me company?)
"..."
(I can't believe it! You scoundrel! Ignoring me? Do you even know who I am? I'll tell you, human boy, you're doomed! This time, you're truly finished! No one in heaven or earth can save you!)
(This time, no one can plead for you; you're done for! You emotionless jerk! Scoundrel! Filthy pervert! Psychotic killer! You're finished! Go to hell, scum!)
"..."
(I… Fine, getting angry at you is the most foolish thing in the world. I'll be magnanimous and not hold a grudge… I'm not angry at all… Really, not angry at all…)
In the realm of consciousness, the demon's voice carried a hint of dejection.
At this moment, Xiao Mu Yu and Freya had reached the end of the stone steps, arriving at the summit of the hill.
Here lay a relatively spacious platform, surrounded by lush trees, with several wooden pavilions scattered about. The tallest pavilion, standing at four meters, was the most meticulously constructed.
The wooden sign atop the pavilion, inscribed with the elegant characters "Glazed Shrine," shimmered under the morning sun. Standing at the end of the steps, Xiao Mu Yu's cold gaze was fixed on the shrine's entrance, where he could faintly see the idol of the God of Harvest, Gunnar, enshrined within.
"The God of Harvest… Gunnar?" Xiao Mu Yu observed the dimly lit interior of the shrine, his voice icy as it echoed in the realm of consciousness.
(Huh? Human boy, are you… talking to me? Are you sure you're talking to me? Are you really, really sure you're talking to me?)
In the realm of consciousness, the demon suddenly perked up, a mix of surprise and disbelief in its tone, despite the insincerity of its demeanor.
"…" Xiao Mu Yu coldly rubbed his forehead. "If you keep rambling… you won't need to speak again."
(Um… cough cough… Alright, alright, I won't ramble anymore. After all, you're the boss here; a pitiful little demon like me will do whatever you say…)
(The God of Harvest Gunnar, huh… cough cough… If I'm not mistaken, the God of Harvest should be Levi, right? When did it become this Gunnar? Gunnar, Gunnar? Um… I've never even heard that name…)
"Are you saying… this God of Harvest is a fake?" Xiao Mu Yu turned coldly to glance at the girl behind him, his eyes glacial.
Sensing Xiao Mu Yu's gaze, Freya offered a gentle smile. Unfazed by his frigid demeanor, she replied, "Well, Mr. Mu Yu, this is the Glazed Shrine, and I'm its priestess… though I'm the only one here."
Smiling shyly yet proudly, Freya continued, "But I truly love this place. Such a tranquil and harmonious environment is rare in Maple Snow. It took me a great deal of effort to establish this shrine."
"…Ah, it is indeed quite nice." Xiao Mu Yu nodded coldly, his agreement seemingly perfunctory, lacking any hint of sincerity.
(Well, I can't say this Gunnar is a fake. Perhaps the Levi I knew has perished in the Apocalypse War, and this Gunnar ascended to divinity later… Though the likelihood is low, it's not impossible.)
"The Apocalypse War? What is that?" Xiao Mu Yu asked coldly.
(The Apocalypse War? Heh heh heh… That's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?)
"..."
(Cough cough… Alright, since you want to hear it, I'll graciously share it with you. Pay close attention, and don't faint from shock, for what I'm about to reveal is a secret known only to the deities!)
"..."
(Cough cough… The story goes like this… Once upon a time, on the continent of Valoran, there was a brilliant era of mythology. During that time, the gods often rode chariots ablaze with golden divine flames, soaring across the heavens, spreading their faith upon the earth.)
(For the deities, it was the most resplendent of ages, where they held their divine positions, receiving worship from mortals. However, all of this came to an end during the age of the Magical Empire, thousands of years ago.)
(The Magic King Xerath, that scoundrel you should remember, the unfortunate soul who was dragged to the depths of hell by Nasus using the "Divine Rite" in the desert… At that time, this magical genius, who desecrated the divine realm in mortal form, though he did not achieve the divinity required for godhood, possessed unparalleled power even among the gods.)
(He unified the strength of all races on the continent and personally established an immortal magical empire. During that time, under his leadership, the mages of the continent created the most dazzling magical civilization, and at the height of his magical empire's power, even the gods above found it difficult to confront the invincible flying warships of the empire.)
(However, such overwhelming power ultimately drew the gods' envy. The War Goddess Sivir, the Dawn Goddess Leona, and the Storm Goddess Janna led the charge, commissioning the youthful Goddess known for her invincibility—"In the Kingdom of the Gods, in the Sky Above, and Under the Stars"—to deal with that old scoundrel Xerath. Well… I believe you know the outcome that followed.)