"You will have to explain why you have such a statue." She began by asking him about the matter. "You don't often go out from your room, and if you do, I would've known it. Now tell me how you acquired that."
'W-What do you mean?" Her instincts are really sharp, Reynald thought. It had been the case ever since he knew her. She could pinpoint whether something is wrong or missing just by her gut, and it would be terrifyingly accurate. That is also one of the reasons why she was declared as a strategic genius, for she knows what could be wrong in a formation or if there is a missing enemy regiment that might ambush them.
"I can't tell you." Reynald shook his head rapidly.
"You will tell me." She immediately rebutted.
"It was bestowed by the deity Amanael's weak apparition!" Being scrutinized by her is very uncomfortable, especially for her husband. Reynald couldn't do anything but answer her.
"Bestowed?" Upon receiving an answer that satisfied her, the intensity in her glare somewhat lessened. "How was it bestowed?" She asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Through dream." Reynald answered fast. If he even hesitated for a second, her suspicion would rise again. His fast response, as expected, was directly considered by Athenasia as true, sending her to a state of silence thinking.
The only reason his reasoning worked was because, although uncommon, there are a lot of recorded instances such as bestowal of blessings by spirits in Telhaven. It really isn't that farfetched for a deity to be able to do the same.
Reynald inwardly wiped the sweat and heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing his success in steering the ship away from the shore. He then added more fuel to it by saying, "The deity came to me and told me to restore the faith in him so that he can defeat the deity Aparthanum and re-instate the fate in the true Mother Deity Espherel."
"Hmm." Athenasia slowly nodded before looking at Reynald, "Then, you really are establishing the Church of Amanael and a new church for Lady Espherel?" Her inquiry contained a worried tone.
Reynald, seeing her like this smiled and walked to her side and sat, nodding to her before saying, "It is for the best. Don't worry too much about me, worry about the family, our children, and yourself. We can't be sure that Weise and Voltaire would be the only heirs to the throne of Asturas." He teased, which was met with a playful punch in the arm from Athenasia who was now blushing. He then pulled her into a hug, where they stayed for several minutes, ignoring all of the problems they have now and savoring the moment that they have now.
An hour into the night, everyone had retired into their own estates and quarters. Reynald returned to his room and lunged into his bed, exhausted by everything. Since he wasn't able to erect the Statue of Amanael in a church, he would have to do so tomorrow.
Seated on his huge bed, Reynald was in a deep thought whilst looking at the two-meter tall hologram-like passage in front of him. Having addressed everything that needs to be addressed for this day, he wanted to go and test the Otherworldly Gate now.
Still the same as before, he had wanted to come back to Terra to see Mother Lily. It has been 35 years since he went away, and the nun was already getting on in age. She was already a mature 33-year old woman when he was transported to this world. Although it's not that old compared to the other nuns who lived to be in their 80s and 90s, she is still an old, mortal woman.
No one knows what could or would happen in the near future. And with what's happening now, he wouldn't be able to find another time to come there before another chaotic war breaks out.
Exhaling deeply, he was now fully determined. He stood up and hovered his palm over his chest and legs. Mystically, the clothes he was wearing suddenly distorted as the stitches suddenly came undone, dematerialized, materialized once more, then proceeded to be woven to a clothing that was foreign of this world; it was the clothing style of Terra.
Considering that he was meeting Mother Lily, he chose a more professional look; a formal black suit and tie paired with black trousers and belt. Since his face hadn't changed that much, he didn't go and modified his face through shapeshift but instead styled his hair more slicked-back.
"Well, here comes nothing." Reynald breathed in deeply before stepping into the passage.
When he opened his eyes, it was soon assaulted by the bright light coming from the cloudless sky. The heat that assaulted him made his entire body feel weird. Previously, he was just resting within a world with cold winds and fresh air.
Now, he couldn't help but cough at the faint yet obvious smoke that permeated the surroundings. Looking around, the familiarity caught up to him; this was where he got lost and reappeared in a forest in Telhaven.
This area as he recalled it was just behind the orphanage that he was staying in. Before, he was lost because of the swathes of trees that stood here. But now, only one tree remained standing. Looking at the tall tower— about 30 stories tall— that replaced the small forest, he shook his head. He had heard of this issue from Mother Lily.
10 years after he vanished from Terra, Mother Lily messaged him about a rapid modernization that was happening in the town. She said that multiple houses and industrial complexes were being constructed and some ragtag gangs that were hired by companies began pressuring people to sell their lands under the lowest possible cost and vacate the area. If not for an orphan that once stayed here who became a businessman, they wouldn't have been able to stay afloat.
Unfortunately, it seemed that that orphan had died about three years ago, and the orphanage is only currently standing by paying rent to the orphan's company. Before he leaves again, he should help them find a solution for this. Take it as him paying a token of gratitude to the orphanage for taking care of him for 15 years. But before all that, he needs to first do what he needs to do.