Journey to Become the Zenith

The Goddesses’ Invitation (Part 2)

Ruby folded her arms dramatically.

"I object."

Victor looked amused.

"Oh?"

"You complimented her with poetry."

"But mine was just ’beautiful.’"

Victor pretended to think seriously.

"You’re right."

Ruby raised an eyebrow expectantly.

Victor smiled.

"Then let me correct myself."

He looked directly into her emerald eyes.

"Beautiful is too ordinary."

"Magnificent suits you far better."

Ruby froze for a brief second.

Even she hadn’t expected such a smooth response.

Her confident smile softened into a genuine one.

"I suppose..."

"I’ll forgive you."

Without thinking, she lightly touched Victor’s forearm before withdrawing her hand.

The gesture was brief.

Yet neither Max nor Natalia missed it.

Natalia looked at Ruby with helpless eyes.

She really has no shame...

Max finally coughed loudly.

"Ahem."

The three younger people looked toward him.

He sighed dramatically.

"I know you young people probably have many things you’d like to say to one another..."

"But please remember..."

"I’m still standing here."

Victor rubbed the bridge of his nose.

This old man...

Ruby immediately stepped back.

"Oh..."

"My apologies."

Natalia lowered her head, her face still slightly red.

"I’m sorry."

Max laughed.

"Much better."

His expression gradually became serious.

"Now..."

"Let’s discuss why we’ve actually come here."

The smiles on Ruby and Natalia’s faces slowly disappeared.

Their expressions became solemn.

Victor’s own expression turned attentive.

Whatever had brought two Holy Maidens here personally...

It was clearly no ordinary matter.

The playful atmosphere inside the meeting hall faded.

Ruby straightened her posture.

Natalia’s expression also became solemn.

Even Max’s usual smile disappeared.

Victor noticed the sudden change immediately.

Whatever they had come to discuss...

It was far more important than introductions.

Max cleared his throat.

"Before we begin..."

He looked at Victor with an apologetic smile.

"I should properly explain who these two young ladies are."

Victor nodded.

"I’d appreciate that."

Max looked between Ruby and Natalia before beginning.

"The title of Holy Maiden isn’t simply ceremonial."

"They are the chosen representatives of their respective temples."

"They convey divine messages..."

"Lead religious ceremonies..."

"And, under special circumstances, act as the voices of the Gods themselves."

Victor listened quietly.

His expression remained calm.

Max continued.

"Each major temple is directly connected to one of the Six Great Gods and Goddesses."

"Ordinary priests devote their entire lives to prayer."

"But Holy Maidens are different."

"They occasionally receive revelations..."

"Visions..."

"And even direct commands from the deity they serve."

Victor’s golden eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"So..."

"They can communicate with the Gods?"

Ruby gently shook her head.

"Not whenever we wish."

Natalia continued calmly.

"Only when the Gods choose to speak."

"And even then..."

"The connection is brief."

Victor nodded thoughtfully.

Interesting...

Back in my previous life...

Only Heroes possessed the privilege of directly communicating with divine beings.

This world truly is different.

Max noticed the thoughtful look on Victor’s face.

"I had originally assumed you already knew all this."

"But then I remembered..."

"You and Videl both came from Kanal Village."

"I shouldn’t expect either of you to know much about temple traditions."

Victor smiled faintly.

"That’s true."

"I’ve learned something new today."

Max chuckled.

"I thought as much."

Victor folded his arms.

"So..."

"What exactly brings two Holy Maidens to Fantom City?"

Ruby and Natalia exchanged a glance.

Both hesitated.

Finally...

Ruby stepped forward.

"Lord Victor..."

"Before we explain our purpose..."

"I wish to ask you something."

Victor gestured for her to continue.

Ruby looked directly into his eyes.

"Have you ever heard of the Ancient Continent?"

Victor blinked.

"The Ancient Continent?"

He slowly shook his head.

"No."

Ruby and Natalia exchanged another meaningful glance.

Both quietly sighed.

"As expected..."

Natalia murmured.

Victor noticed their reaction.

"It seems my answer wasn’t surprising."

Ruby smiled helplessly.

"Not at all."

"In truth..."

"The Dragon War Goddess Kia expected exactly that."

Victor became even more interested.

"Oh?"

Ruby nodded.

"Our Goddesses instructed us to explain everything from the beginning."

Victor pulled out several chairs.

"Then let’s sit."

"I have a feeling this won’t be a short conversation."

The four of them sat around the large meeting table while Max quietly remained nearby.

Ruby inhaled slowly before beginning.

"Thousands of years ago..."

"This world wasn’t divided."

"There was only one vast land."

"It was known as..."

"The Ancient Continent."

Her voice echoed gently through the silent room.

Victor remained completely focused.

Natalia continued where Ruby left off.

"It was an era unlike today’s world."

"Humans..."

"Dragons..."

"Demons..."

"Giants..."

"The Ancient Forge Clan from Forge God Mountain..."

"Elves..."

"Beastkin..."

"And countless other races..."

"All lived upon the same continent."

Victor listened without interrupting.

Ruby pointed toward the large map hanging on the wall.

"The land you know today..."

"The New Continent..."

"Is only one half of what once existed."

Victor looked at the map.

"So there was another half."

Natalia nodded.

"The Ancient Continent."

"It remains beyond a massive chasm that no ordinary person can cross."

Victor slowly leaned back.

Another continent...

No wonder there are countless records missing from history.

Ruby continued.

"The Six Great Gods and Goddesses established temples throughout both continents."

"They guided civilization."

"They protected countless races."

"They maintained balance."

Her expression gradually became heavier.

"But..."

"Peace didn’t last forever."

Natalia’s voice lowered.

"A Demon Lord eventually rose."

"His name..."

"Was Anos."

The room became silent.

Max unconsciously straightened.

Even after countless generations...

That name still carried unimaginable weight.

Ruby continued quietly.

"Anos united the Demon Race... Make mighty Demon Empire..."

"He conquered kingdom after kingdom."

"Many races submitted."

"Others resisted..."

"And disappeared."

"The world gradually fell beneath his rule."

Victor’s expression remained unreadable.

Inside...

His thoughts churned.

Anos...

That name...

Why does it sound so familiar?

Natalia continued.

"For centuries..."

"The entire world lived beneath his tyranny."

"Until..."

"He was betrayed."

Ruby finished the sentence.

"His own son led the rebellion."

"The Six Great Gods and Goddesses joined forces."

"And together... They plot and..."

"They brought an end to the Demon Lord’s tyranical reign."

Ruby’s voice softened.

"He was ultimately betrayed..."

"...by his own son."

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