Chapter 535: An Invitation from the Goddess of Nature

After leaving the temple, Shien took a deep breath.

“The first Hero…”

Recalling what Nadue had just told him, Shien felt a mix of emotions.

He would never have thought that he would hear the name “Nien” from Nadue under such circumstances.

And this name actually belonged to the first Hero.

“What is this…?”

Shien didn’t know how to describe his feelings.

He had learned about another big mystery.

Was this just a coincidence, or was there something more to it?

Shien felt like his mind wasn’t enough to process all this.

“That useless goddess, not explaining anything. Now the mystery involves you as well. How can I ignore this?”

Shien sighed inwardly.

He had known that there must be a hidden reason for him being summoned to this world a thousand years after the Demon King’s defeat.

Even though Nien had explained that it was because of the [Original Demon], Shien still found several inconsistencies.

There must be a deeper reason for him being summoned to this world as the Hero.

Shien hadn’t investigated this reason before.

Because he wasn’t strong enough.

This matter was clearly very complicated and even related to the continued peace between the Divine Race, the human race, and the Demon Race. Shien wasn’t some overpowered protagonist and didn’t think he could defy everything with just a Holy Sword, so he chose not to delve into these secrets.

Trying to uncover such world-altering secrets without sufficient power was simply courting death.

Understanding this, Shien suppressed all his questions and focused on improving his strength.

He knew that only by becoming stronger could he have the qualifications to play with the true big shots, and when he encountered secrets he shouldn’t know, he would have the confidence to uncover them and deal with the subsequent dangers. ṟÄNo͍ᛒЁ𝓢

Therefore, Shien had been cautious until now, only occasionally targeting the Old Demon Faction, and hadn’t touched any of those dangerous secrets.

But now…

“Is it time for me to uncover these secrets?”

Shien had this premonition.

The time seemed ripe.

His level wasn’t high yet. Level seventy-seven was considered strong in a single country, but not in the entire human world, let alone in all of Omnipotence.

But his strength had greatly improved.

Two Unique Skills.

A world-class blessing.

Seven Heaven’s Decree skills.

Two magic skills.

A total of thirteen skills had transformed Shien. Without unsealing the Holy Sword or using his trump cards, he could already defeat the strongest legendary knight of the human race.

If he went all out, with his blessing suppressing the Divine Race and the Holy Sword countering the Demon Race, even if Shien couldn’t be invincible, he could at least protect himself in front of the true powerhouses.

Airi even said that with Shien’s current strength, he could rival the Goddess of Life and the Goddess of Nature. And with the Holy Sword, even against a Demon Lord, he wouldn’t be completely helpless. Except for that overpowered Goddess of Fate, he didn’t need to worry too much about anyone.

Such strength was enough for him to uncover the secrets he had deliberately ignored before.

“This incident is a sign.”

Nadue mentioning the first Hero, mentioning Nien, was a sign, a signal.

It was as if something was telling Shien that it was time to act.

“That useless goddess, what is she doing now?”

Shien frowned.

“There hasn’t been any news from her recently.”

Before, that goddess would ignore Shien’s objections and forcefully summon him, giving him advice or even ruining his plans, making him grind his teeth in frustration.

But recently, that goddess seemed to have completely disappeared.

“Could it be because my identity has been revealed to two of the highest-ranking figures in the Divine Race?”

Shien guessed.

That goddess clearly didn’t want to expose herself, especially not to the Divine Race. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have specifically told Shien not to reveal her existence or the details of his summoning.

And recently, Shien had gradually entered the sights of the big shots who could control the future of this world. It was understandable that the goddess would become more cautious and wouldn’t act so recklessly.

He just didn’t know if that goddess was still watching him, fully aware of his current situation.

If she was, then it was intriguing.

Thinking of this, Shien had a plan.

“So far, I’ve been passively summoned by that goddess, without any control.”

Now, he might have to personally go and find her.

Shien decided.

“After dealing with the Empire, I’ll find a chance to go to the Divine Realm.”

Shien made this decision.

Although it sounded complicated, all these thoughts only flashed through Shien’s mind in a few seconds.

So, it only took him a few seconds to decide.

When he came back to his senses, the temple gate behind him was slowly closing.

And ahead, Sophie, Leia, and Nia approached.

“How was it?” Sophie looked at Shien and asked cautiously, “Is the audience over?”

Leia and Nia also looked at Shien, as if trying to read his expression.

Shien’s expression was calm.

“Yes, the conversation is over.” Shien nodded at Sophie. “Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty.”

“You’re welcome. Everything is according to the will of our goddess.” Sophie shook her head, then finally asked, “But why did only you come out?”

Sophie asked the question she was most concerned about.

Not only Sophie, but Leia and Nia were also concerned.

Why was it only Shien who came out, not Melika?

Had something happened to Melika?

Sophie, Leia, and Nia frowned slightly.

Seeing this, Shien said,

“Don’t worry, Melika is fine. She just went back to the Divine Realm with the Goddess of Nature.”

Shien said this casually, but his words shocked Sophie, Leia, and Nia.

“Melika and Goddess Nadue…!?”

“Returned to the Divine Realm…!?”

Leia and Nia exclaimed.

Sophie was also stunned.

Seeing the reactions of these three legendary elven magicians, Shien chuckled.

But he wasn’t lying.

Melika had indeed returned to the Divine Realm with Nadue.

…

Time rewound to about ten minutes ago.

After their conversation, Nadue made a suggestion to Melika.

“Do you want to become my blessed one?”

Nadue extended a sincere invitation to Melika in front of Shien.

But for Melika, this invitation was like a bolt from the blue.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Become… become the blessed one of the Goddess of Nature…!?”

Melika’s eyes widened, and she was completely stunned.

Her reaction was even more intense than when she learned that Shien possessed the [Supreme God’s Blessing].

Nalue’s proposal was simply too shocking for Melika, an elf who regarded the Goddess of Nature as her highest deity.

Melika panicked.

“H-how… how could I be worthy…!?”

Melika was at a loss.

Not only Melika, but even Shien hadn’t expected Nadue to suddenly propose such a thing.

However, they didn’t know that Nadue had already planned this.

“I said, I’ve been watching over the Hero by your side for a long time, and naturally, I’ve also been watching over you for a long time, Melika.” Nadue smiled kindly at Melika and said gently, “You’re a good, well-behaved child, although a bit inexperienced, with a kind and pure heart. And you’re also hardworking, constantly pushing yourself forward, even when feeling nervous and afraid. In the end, you always overcome your fear and bravely take your own path.”

“You, now possessing magic power comparable to royalty, are fully qualified to become my blessed one and walk the human world in my name.”

Nadue said sincerely.

“Therefore, I extend this invitation to you. I want you to become my blessed one. Are you willing?”

Nalue’s polite words made Melika panic.

“P-please don’t say that, Goddess Nadue!” Melika said in a panic, “I… I’m just an insignificant elf. I don’t have any extraordinary talent, and there are many in our race who are stronger and more capable than me. How could someone like me become your blessed one!?”

Melika’s panic had turned into terror.

Nalue’s invitation was a huge shock to her.

After all, this was the blessing of the Goddess of Nature!

The highest honor dreamed of by every elf!

Even the current Elven Queen hadn’t received such an honor. She was just an ordinary elf, how could she be worthy of such glory?

Melika was understandably nervous and panicked.

But Nadue kept staring at Melika, her gaze unwavering.

“I know, suddenly asking you to become my blessed one must be quite a shock.” Nadue said seriously, “But I’m sincere, my child. I’ve been watching you, so I can be certain that you’re qualified.”

Seeing Nadue staring intently at her, although Melika was still in disbelief and a little uneasy, she wasn’t as panicked as before.

At this moment, Melika recalled the time she encountered the young master of the Lucica family.

Shien had told her that the reason he was able to arrive in time and save her was because Nadue, the Goddess of Nature, had sent him a revelation.

This proved that Nadue wasn’t lying.

She had indeed been watching over her.

“Perhaps you underestimate yourself, but please trust my judgment.” Nadue smiled. “I am a goddess, after all. I’ve seen countless humans and guided several Heroes. I know who is qualified to be my blessed one, and who isn’t.”

Nadue’s tone turned slightly somber.

“Actually, the current Elven Queen, Sophie, is also qualified to be my blessed one, but she was unlucky, born at the wrong time, and encountered such misfortune, resulting in her receiving a different blessing.”

“She must feel very regretful, right?”

“I feel heartbroken for her, but there’s nothing I can do. After what happened, I can no longer bless her and can only bestow my blessing upon another member of the Elven Race.”

Under such circumstances, Melika was chosen.

“I…”

Melika was speechless, at a loss, and could only look at Shien for help.

Shien had recovered from the shocking news Nadue had inadvertently revealed.

Seeing Melika’s pleading gaze, Shien shrugged.

“Isn’t this a good thing?” Shien said, “I think it’s great.”

Shien approved of this.

This was only natural, right?

“Haven’t you always felt inferior to others, afraid of not being able to catch up to your childhood friend?” Shien poked Melika’s forehead. “Now, you have an opportunity for transformation right before you. Do you really want to refuse?”

Melika naturally didn’t want to refuse.

Becoming the blessed one of the Goddess of Nature was an honor no elf could refuse.

Even Melika was the same.

However…

“Am I really worthy?”

Melika was extremely unsure of her own abilities.

“Trust me, and trust yourself, Melika.” Nadue patted Melika’s head and said gently, “You’ve already transformed. Being able to be with the Hero, and also changing because of the Mother Goddess’s blessing, you’re completely different from before, and you’ll become even stronger.”

With Shien and Melika’s relationship, they would definitely become even closer in the future.

And once they were closer, Melika’s magic power would become stronger and stronger because of Shien’s blessing.

Under such circumstances, if she also received the Goddess of Nature’s blessing and the protection of nature, the benefits she received would be even greater.

This was a path with no end. Wouldn’t it be a pity not to take it?

Moreover…

“Don’t you want to become stronger?” Nadue looked directly at Melika. “Don’t you want to become more outstanding and worthy of staying by your beloved’s side?”

These words made Melika’s breath hitch.