Chapter 300: Ch 300: Goddess Astoria’s Wish

Goddess Astoria’s army did not feel like home, but it was better than having nothing. Shuu remained in his room, but he also felt the people’s interest in him growing.

It was not uncomfortable, but Shuu also did not see why he needed to interact with others. It felt like he had a hole in his chest when he looked at them interacting.

It made Shuu feel... odd. He wanted to be in their shoes and have someone to rely on and talk to, but he also felt no desire to approach these people. They were not the one he was waiting for.

So he kept to himself, and in return, the others kept their distance from him as well. It was a harmonious relationship between them until Goddess Astoria decided to interfere.

She was the first one to approach Shuu after three days, and her presence felt unwelcome in Shuu’s room.

He almost growled and attacked her, but the Goddess used her magic to calm him down.

In her own territory, Goddess Astoria’s magic was unparalleled. She was easily able to weave a trap that made Shuu feel tired. Once he was drowsy enough, she reached him and placed a hand on his shoulder in a concerned manner.

"I can see that you are not adjusting well to this place. Is there anything you want that could help you? Don’t hesitate to ask for help."

Shuu was a naive god with not a lot of experience. Thus, he could not make sense of the feelings inside him. His instincts told him that he could not trust anyone, but Goddess Astoria’s soft nature won him over for the time being.

He opened and closed his mouth, hesitating about how to bring this topic up. But finally, he found what he wanted to say and hardened his heart.

"I... feel like there is something wrong with me. I feel something hurting inside me when I look at other people’s bonds. I don’t think it’s jealousy, but maybe it’s envy? Emotions are... hard to understand."

Shuu decided to confide in the goddess who had brought him here. He still did not trust her, but there was no one else he could talk to either.

Goddess Astoria looked at Shuu with pity-filled eyes, but that did not feel right to Shuu. Her gentle expression got on Shuu’s nerves, but he did not want to say anything to her in regard to this.

His silence was acceptance in Astoria’s mind, so she continued. She hesitantly touched his arm, and when Shuu did not pull back, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a gentle hug.

Shuu felt nothing when his body touched her, but he tolerated her attempts in order to figure out whether she was the one making him skip a heartbeat or if it was something else.

Her hug felt warm, but it was not the kind of warmth Shuu wanted to grab and enjoy. Still, it felt like a step in the right direction, and he shivered when he felt Goddess Astoria pulling back from the hug.

Shuu unconsciously pulled her sleeve close without realizing it, and the Goddess patted his head to humor him.

"The thing that you are longing for is family. If you stay with me, then I and the others can fulfill this longing inside you."

Goddess Astoria offered Shuu her aid, but he did not feel lonely. He felt something else entirely.

But her offer was not bad. Shuu had nowhere to go, and until he found what he needed, he could stay with her.

"Alright."

He gave his consent and immediately felt magic binding him to the Goddess. It felt oddly unpleasant, but not enough to cause distress. By the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late.

Goddess Astoria smiled at him, but satisfaction lingered in her eyes. She patted Shuu’s shoulder before she got up to leave.

"Come and find me in the throne room if you need anything. From today onwards, you are a member of my family. And as a family, we shall march toward the same goal."

The goddess assured Shuu before she left.

Shuu had never felt the need to do as he had been asked until now. But the foreign magic he had consented to made his mind a little foggy.

He was well aware that he had agreed with Goddess Astoria about something, but he could not recall why he had not wanted to in the first place. All she had done so far was offer him help.

Goddess Astoria was a good person, and Shuu would be honored to serve her.

...

He went out to meet Goddess Astoria and her guards sometime between dinner and the sleeping hours. But her chamber was filled with people even at this time.

Everyone paused whatever they were doing and instead looked at Shuu when he entered. He ignored them all and kept walking until he was in front of Goddess Astoria’s throne.

She looked down at him from on top of her chair, but it did not feel intimidating. Oddly enough, Shuu felt like he could intimidate her if he needed to.

But he had no desire to make an enemy out of someone who saved him. So he gave the goddess a bow and watched as everyone became alerted.

"Shuu, it is nice of you to join us here. Come up over here. I will introduce you to everyone."

Goddess Astoria held her hand out, and Shuu went to stand by her side. Everyone turned to look at them with wonder-filled eyes, and Goddess Astoria wasted no time in introducing him to the others.

"Everyone, this is Shuu. He’s a new and powerful addition to our family. He shall become my general as well. I hope you all will treat him kindly."

This felt like a warning to the others to ’play nice’ with Shuu, but Shuu had a feeling he could take almost everyone here without breaking a sweat.

No one spoke up at first and just looked at Shuu, wondering where he had come from and what he wanted. Then, an old general stood up and shouted.

"Goddess Astoria, this is not fair. We spent so much effort to show our loyalty and get promoted and be of help to you. This kid looks too young to even hold a weapon. Please, reconsider your decision."

Once one person complained, the others also got the courage to speak up. Goddess Astoria heard them all, but her temper had started to worsen at each question.

Shuu found it odd that her subjects continued to complain despite her obvious sour mood. Did they not notice? Or did they not care?

Whatever the reason was, Shuu found that he did not like the Goddess’s disappointment. It felt like a sharp stab to his chest, and he decided he needed to help her out at all costs.

"I’ve heard enough of your chatter. I can tell that a lot of you have a problem with how I do things here. You are free to leave whenever you want to. But if you leave, then I will consider you my enemy and show no mercy."

Goddess Astoria was firm in her decision, and her people knew her temper. If she was telling them that she would show no mercy, then she meant those words as well.

No one questioned her decision. They stepped back and looked at her with uncomfortable expressions.

But the old man who started this all did not back down. If anything, he became even more serious and looked at Shuu with a dark expression.

"Kid, I don’t know what your deal is, but I want to... no, I need to challenge you to a fight. I won’t let you tarnish the honor of my goddess by dying on the battlefield."

The old general was fierce and did not hold back. He was calling out Shuu openly.

Shuu looked at Goddess Astoria for her next instructions. He felt like he had to wait for her to tell him what to do.

Goddess Astoria made a face filled with suffering and let out a heavy sigh. Her eyes looked at her old and faithful general with annoyance and pity.

"You have served me for so long. Can you not even trust my judgment this one time?"

She asked, and the general flinched before jealousy flashed across his eyes.

"I do trust you, my goddess. But it is also my duty to protect you. That even includes protecting you from yourself and any wrong decisions you could make. Please do not take it personally."

The man bowed and said these words with a straight face. He was still not backing down, and Goddess Astoria made a decision.

She turned toward Shuu and patted his shoulder.

"Shuu, it is time to prove that you are powerful enough to stand by my side. You can do whatever you want during this fight. Just make sure not to kill any of my generals, alright?"

The goddess asked in a clear voice, and Shuu felt like he had to oblige her wishes.

__________

Note