Everyone is now walking toward the church, with His Majesty leading the way. I walk beside him, trying to recall what happened earlier.
My body still aches from Kael's training. Every step reminds me of that nightmare. I glance at Kael, who is walking on the other side of the King.
I'm never letting that monster train me again...
I let out a sigh, remembering how he chased me around the Kingdom with that terrifying grin on his face.
...But at least my stats have gone up like crazy...
The King, who's walking with me, notices my sigh and looks at me with concern.
"Are you okay?"
He asked.
"I-I'm good, just tired..."
I said with a dismissive wave.
"Alright, if you want revenge for that training, just tell me. I'll make Kael pay for it."
He said with a gentle smile.
"O-okay...?"
I replied.
Kael walks beside us and overhears everything. He slowly turns to look at me, his eyes practically begging me to spare him. But I ignore his look and turn my attention to the King.
"Um... Your Majesty? What do you mean "Not Actual Training"?"
I asked curiously.
Hand on his beard, he strokes it while answering my question.
"I planned to go to your house first and guide you to the church for a blessing, then start the training after. But Kael ruined it by waking up earlier than us and dragging you away."
He said, with an angry glance at Kael.
Kael seems to shrink as the King explains what he had planned.
"I told you... I'm sorry..."
Kael said sadly.
I glance behind me and see Serelith and Alice chatting. They seem to be getting along really well, almost like siblings. The two elf guards walk behind them, accompanied by the mage who was with His Majesty earlier.
"Your Majesty, do you know why Alice and Serelith get along with each other so fast?"
I whispered to the King, not letting them hear that.
Instead of answering my question, the King seems to be hiding something. His eyes dart away, avoiding my gaze.
"I don't understand what you're talking about..."
He clears his throat and changes the subject as we reach our destination, the church.
"...Let's stop our conversation and get inside the church, shall we?"
We stop in front of a big white building. Although its walls are painted in plain white, the building still has a unique appearance. Many windows line the church, and two large wooden doors stand at the entrance. What impresses me the most is the giant silver cross mounted above the front of the church.
{Church}
When we step inside, I can feel how airy and large this place is. Inside the church, rows of wooden chairs are arranged neatly on both sides, the clear path in the middle covered with a red carpet. And at the end of the building is a podium, and a stage behind the pulpit. The thing I am surprised and aware of is the giant statue on that stage.
A gray stone statue of a mature woman with long, wavy hair. She wears a long robe carved from gray stone. The face of the statue really impresses me.
Those eyes... look so calm...
I said, looking at the statue's face having calm mix emotionless face and daydreaming.
"That's the Goddess of Fate..."
The King said, snapping me back to reality.
I turn to him, and he stands next to me; a genuine smile appears on his face. My eyes widen and surprised for a split of a second before turning back and look at the statue. I look down and see a person on the stage.
That person is an old priest. That elderly priest has a completely bald head and a long gray-white beard. His eyes are always closed, and a gentle smile rests on his face as he turns back and notices us inside the church. He wears elegant white priestly robes with subtle gold decorations.
"It's been a while..."
He said gently.
"...What brings you all to this desolate place?"
The King smiles and leads the group toward the stage. The priest steps down from the stage to greet us.
"It seems like you are doing well, Your Majesty."
The priest speaks, but his attention is focused solely on me.
"Oh, priest, I know it's all sudden, but I'm not here for praying today..."
The King said, moving aside.
"...We are here for that chosen kid to get his blessing."
He said, their eyes locked on me.
My attention is still on the statue. A strange feeling goes through me as I'm getting closer to that statue. I feel like I'm illusion when seeing like that statue is staring at me and calling me.
"Your Majesty?"
The priest's voice snaps me out of staring at the statue.
"Yes?"
"May I ask what this young man's name is?"
The priest asked, turning his attention toward me.
"His name is Zin Fortis. He's the one who was summoned to our kingdom."
The King said proudly.
"Oh?"
The priest tilts his head slightly.
"So, you're the chosen one everyone's been talking about."
He chuckled softly, stroking his beard.
"Well then, shall we begin?"
Begin?!
I thought cautiously.
"Haha! Don't be like that!"
Kael said from behind.
"Are you afraid that you will be in that situation, like what happened earlier?"
Kael said sharply, knowing why I'm cautioning.
The King notices that and sighs, coming near me and hand on my shoulder.
"Ignore him, Zin. He is messing with you."
He said, with a gentle smile.
"All you need to do is step onto the stage, kneel before the statue, and pray."
He gently pushes me toward the stage. Knowing that, I slowly walk up onto the white stage. The sunlight streams through the window behind the statue, its silhouette stretching across the floor and falling over me. I slowly kneel on one leg, bow my head, and close my eyes.
Pray? What should I pray?
A thought comes through me as I never pray before.
I don't even believe that God can be real or not...
A strange feeling suddenly washes over me, and my body begins to tremble. I open my eyes in panic, only to notice something strange happening around me. Everything seems to have frozen in place, except for me. The place is slowly changing, distorting.
{???'s Realm}
When I blink, the place has turned into a beautiful garden filled with colorful flowers and green plants. I'm surprised to find myself standing on a white marble path. I look down, then toward the center of the garden. A beautiful white pavilion stands there. Its details are painted gold, making it look majestic.
Inside the pavilion is a white marble table with decorative holes in its surface and legs, with two chairs that have the same decoration as the table. On the table is a white pot of tea and two white teacups.
"Where am I?"
I mumbled, questioning myself.
Is this what they call... god's realm?
A small gust of wind appears out of nowhere, blocking my vision. I cover my eyes and wait until it disappears. As soon as I lower my hands, I notice a woman sitting in one of the chairs. She has midnight blue hair that flows down to her waist. Her golden amber eyes open and turn to me. She wears an elegant ivory-white gown embroidered with antique gold patterns, with long sleeves.
"You are... Goddess of Fate?"
I asked, stepping closer with caution.
"Yes! I, Elena, Goddess of Fate, who governs both fate and destiny!"
She said, smiling at me.
"No need to be shy; please take a seat."
A chair opposite from her seat moves slowly away from the table, suggesting me to seat on it. Looking at the chair move on it, I seat on it.
"It seems like you have many questions to ask me; let's drink and talk."
She said calmly.
She stands up, picks up the teapot, and pours the orange colored tea into my cup.
"Do you like tea?"
She asked.
"..."
I look at her silently, not answering her question. Knowing that, she sighs and goes back to her seat after finishing pouring tea.
"I guess you're cautious around me because I'm a goddess, Zin Fortis."
My eyes widen in surprise. I've never met this woman before, yet she knows my name.
How does she know my name?
I thought, even more cautiously.
"How do you know me?"
Elena looks surprised by my answer before chuckling softly.
"You forgot that I, Goddess of Fate, don't know anyone?"
My face turns red with embarrassment as I realize I'd completely forgotten about that. I'm even more embarrassed that I forgot such an important detail in the novel.
"Alright! Alright! Forget the question I just asked..."
I said, looking for another question to change the subject.
"...Are you the one who chose me and brought me to that world, where those people at the church are waiting for me?"
She stops laughing, her interest piqued by my question.
"Hmm... What if I did?"
She tilts her head with a playful smile. Frustrated by her attitude, I feel uncomfortable, I stop asking a question and rummaging my memories of her character detail in the novel.
I need a way to make her listen to me!
I stare at my teacup for a moment, searching for useful details in my memories. While I am staring at the cup of tea, Elena slowly drinks her tea. But as soon as she is about to sip it, my hand grabs hers.
"I get it now..."
I smirked, my eyes looking at her sharply.
"W-what? What are you talking about?"
She asked, shuddering.
My face darkens as I lower her hand, revealing the inside of her cup of tea. As soon as the cup reaches back to the table, I look down and notice that there is a red liquid in the cup. Elena's dropping sweat as being figure out.
"Stop the act now, Goddess."
I said firmly.
"Your acting... won't work on me when you are trying to drink wine too blatantly like that..."
She swats my hand away dangerously. In her eyes, she sees me as a dangerous person, as she is surprised by my observation. But I still smirk even wider at seeing her react like that.
"...And you are not a Goddess..."
The word comes out of my mouth, Surprising Elena. She narrows her eyes dangerously as I feel my body being pulled back into the seat.
"Who actually are you?"
She glared at me with a suspicious and lethal look.