138:
Sitting on the throne, Shelley had gradually gotten used to this feeling. By the way, this wasn’t just in Ir. There was an identical hall in Lunt… The relationship between Elena and Nadia had improved, but their obsessions with certain things were also very similar. And they were all in some strange aspects… like whose surname came first, whose came second. They had argued about it for a month. In the end, it was decided by rock-paper-scissors… This throne was also… a hard-won compromise.
“Let’s just get a long bench…”
“And sit in a row.”
Of course, this was Shelley’s inner thought. He wouldn’t dare to say it out loud.
“I am Shelley Fente Meili, an ordinary paladin.”
“I really can’t figure out why you would want to see me at the same time.”
Narrowing his eyes, Shelley observed their reactions.
Surprised, but not unexpected. They must know something…
Having made up his mind, Shelley sat up straight and said seriously, “But I have a hunch…”
“If I had met either of you alone, there would have been some problems.”
“So, I hope you can give me an explanation.”
His silver-gray hair was casually draped over his shoulders. His azure eyes were as deep as the ocean, hiding countless mysteries. The warm smile on his lips seemed to have a hint of coldness. His face looked soft, but surprisingly, it didn’t make him look effeminate.
Aura. The aura of a paladin, the killing intent of a rogue. The combination of these two gave Shelley the aura of a superior. Cold, aloof… that feeling was like… the gaze of a god.
Both Morgan and Erica’s hearts trembled.
Didn’t they say this man was just a male pet who had risen to power by relying on women? What kind of male pet has this kind of aura? An ordinary paladin? Ordinary my ass.
Erica took a deep breath and said pitifully, “Lord Shelley, I am Erica Jasmine.”
“I have received a divine oracle from the goddess…”
“Go west!”
“To find the lost city.”
“Between darkness and lava, there was once a glorious civilization.”
“With him, find that thing.”
“I will give you a reward…”
Morgan then spoke, her voice carrying a lazy charm, “I am Morgan Yuna.”
“The oracle I received was this…”
“Overcome the storms on the sea.”
“You will eventually arrive there.”
“The monsters of the deep, the bloodline of the abyss.”
“That supreme glory.”
As they spoke, although their appearances didn’t change… their auras changed drastically the moment they opened their mouths. Either sunny and cute, or bewitching and charming.
Everyone present perked up.
“A divine descent.”
This was not the Time of Troubles, when the gods were in danger. Now, as long as the gods were willing, they could expend their divine power to descend upon their chosen ones.
[God’s Chosen]
A group of people who enjoyed the favor of the gods. Their talents were one in a million. Their strength could reach the legendary tier overnight, or they could fall to the mortal realm in an instant. It all depended on the whims of the gods, on their favor. However, because the chosen of the gods were generally fanatics, punishments were not common.
Elena and Nadia simultaneously turned to Shelley and gave him a look.
No. This matter is strange. Why would they come with a divine oracle out of the blue? And they had to specify Shelley.
Oblivious to their looks, Shelley’s brow furrowed slightly.
…A divine oracle? Why can’t they just speak clearly?
[How else can they show the profundity of the gods?]
“Oh, you’re back?”
This was the first time the system had spoken in a month. Because it had been angered by Shelley last time, the system had disappeared for a month. Because Shelley had refused to have a five… hmm… a potluck?
“No! It was daytime!”
“Everyone was eating! What do you want me to say?”
Are you trying to kill me?
[Fate has always spoken like this.]
[So? What are you going to do?]
What am I going to do?
His brow gradually relaxed. Shelley stood up from the throne and walked down the steps. He walked to the two of them. Shelley didn’t speak directly, but turned his head to look at their faces.
The priestess named Erica looked much younger than her age. She was even smaller than Lilith, only about 155 cm, a tiny thing. A baby face, with eyes as green as emeralds. Overall, she looked like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, with a sense of fragility and a small animal-like quality.
And that Morgan had also taken off her hood, revealing her face. To Shelley’s surprise, she seemed to have some Eastern blood. Long, pure black hair, and a beauty mark at the corner of her right eye.
17
She didn’t look away from Shelley’s scrutiny, but returned his gaze openly.
“But… there’s a sense of incongruity.”
“It’s like they’re wearing masks.”
A feeling of trying too hard… two not-so-good little actors.
The corners of his mouth turned up. Shelley said with a smile, “Do you two ladies have any other requirements?”
“When do we set off?”
Raising his right hand, Shelley, with his back to the throne, gently waved, stopping the two of them from speaking.
He’s not just talking to two priestesses now… The consciousness of the gods has descended.
“What’s the big deal? Why a divine descent for such a small matter?”
Shelley remembered something… Although the two sisters, Luck and Misfortune, were only intermediate deities… no one was willing to provoke them. Even during the Time of Troubles, they had lived very comfortably. The only conflict that had erupted was the battle between the two sisters…
“I remember the reason was… hmm!?”
It can’t be for that, can it?
Frowning slightly, Shelley took out the coin from his pocket. The coin instantly erupted with a strong electric light.
“You are very smart…”
“A person outside of fate.”
Erica’s voice hadn’t changed, but her tone had changed drastically. As if seeing something new, she looked Shelley up and down, then said with a grin, “Why don’t you just give this to me? I’ll give you a lot of rewards.”
Morgan spoke before Shelley could respond, “Tymora! You have to follow the rules of the game.”
Erica pouted and muttered, “You’re one to talk about rules…”
“Hmph.”
Indeed, the notoriously moody Goddess of Misfortune would actually follow the rules.
Shelley didn’t dare to interrupt while these two were talking. He obediently waited for them to look at him again before he spoke, “Then, esteemed Lady Luck and Lady Doom, what are your instructions?”
Erica and Morgan spoke at the same time, “We have a game.”
