Chapter 36: Digging Up the Wall!
Soren finally persuaded the Agricultural Goddess.
With the support of the Agricultural Goddess, the next steps became much easier. However, among the gods, unless there is a particularly close relationship, even allies require a price for their help. Just as Soren was preparing to consider what the Agricultural Goddess might need from him, she tossed her long hair and gently smiled, saying, “There’s no rush; I’ll let you know when I need something.” Soren frowned and seriously looked at her. The principle of reciprocity dictates that if she is not in a hurry to make a request now, any future demands cannot exceed what he currently puts in.
However, this was not the time to dwell on it. He smiled and said, “Then I’ll wait for your good news.”
The Agricultural Goddess nodded. “Yes. I will visit the City of Radiance tomorrow.”
Time was not abundant.
After receiving the Agricultural Goddess’s promise, Soren immediately set off back to the Overseas Islands, but his destination was not Modo, but rather the City of Wealth on the Southern Coast.
Not long had passed since the end of the Saint’s Cataclysm.
In the blink of an eye, so much time had passed, and after experiencing numerous shocks, the past glory of the City of Wealth was no more. However, the Church of Wealth remained the strongest power here. As the war faded, commerce and trade would inevitably regain vitality.
The Goddess of Wealth was very welcoming to Soren.
Through their in-depth exchanges in the past, Soren had already provided guidance to the Goddess of Wealth, giving her adequate confidence to restore trade and the economy after the turmoil.
Now the Goddess of Wealth only needed to wait for the end of the Saint’s Cataclysm, at which point many merchant caravans from the Church of Wealth would return.
The gods had already sensed something.
Perhaps due to Soren’s interference, the trajectory of fate had deviated, and while there were still many fallen gods, there were fewer compared to the past. Furthermore, due to the lack of interference from adventurers, the number of participants directly involved in the struggles among the gods had significantly decreased, lowering the number of casualties. Perhaps Soren had set a precedent; it was evident that more gods had shrunk back to farming, and even the resentment of the Spider Queen, Rosla, had diminished significantly compared to before. Many among the gods had suffered losses at Soren’s hands, with some of the hostility shifting toward him, while the Spider Queen’s greatest enemy remained the Elven Pantheon.
“Welcome your arrival, Lord of Shadows!”
The Goddess of Wealth, dressed in a shimmering golden gown, appeared gracefully at the temple front to greet Soren.
Soren smiled and followed her inside.
This negotiation was very easy, especially after gaining so much support; the Goddess of Wealth offered significant assistance. Soren stayed at the Temple of Wealth for a day and then proceeded to the place where he initially rose to power, Taro Port, controlled by the Ocean Goddess.
Taro Port.
Being an island, it had not been significantly impacted.
The High Priest of the Ocean Church still maintained the previous order and began praying every morning.
However, today seemed a bit different. As her prayers rang out, the statue of the Ocean Goddess emitted a golden light. She thought it was a response from the goddess to her prayers, but then she saw a beautiful woman holding a trident stepping down from the statue.
The Ocean Goddess’s target was not her but was directly walking toward the front of the temple, as if to welcome someone’s arrival.
Soren’s figure appeared.
He smiled and nodded at the Ocean Goddess, who slightly bent down as a gesture.
Both parties ignored the other people around, while the High Priest of the Ocean Church stared blankly at Soren. Noticing an almost imperceptible gaze, she quickly humbled herself and lowered her head.
Soren was now a great being whom she needed to look up to!
As an initial collaborator, the Ocean Goddess was easily persuaded by Soren, and she was willing to help him seize the God of d*ath profession.
This was good news.
Soren had already gained an impressive amount of support after his persuasion.
Now.
Soren only had one final goal left.
………………
Moonlight Grove.
This beautiful forest is located near the ruins of Silver Moon City, possessing a special maze and being the core area of the Silver Moon Conflux.
To prevent attacks from the Lady of the Night, many Moonlit Walkers were stationed here. The magic circle here can absorb the tide power of the moon; even gods might not be able to breach it easily. When Soren arrived, it was still tranquil. As the Magic Goddess had not died, Lady Silver Moon’s power had not recovered much, keeping her at a level of medium divine power. If the Magic Goddess were to d*e and Lady Silver Moon’s power came fully back, she would at least have strong divine power; it could be said that Soren’s interference had the greatest impact on her.
Although Lady Silver Moon herself did not know this, she even hoped that the Magic Goddess would not perish.
Historically, every Magic Goddess was like a close ally and daughter to Lady Silver Moon. Soren could not find the Magic Goddess’s trace, but he believed that Moonlight Grove was the most likely place to hide her.
This space was protected by a powerful maze.
Here, there were Moonlit Walkers patrolling, and in addition, there were powerful Silver Star Envoys, who were spellcasters capable of harnessing moonlight.
Soren’s arrival was not concealed.
Accompanied by divine light, Soren’s avatar appeared directly outside Moonlight Grove.
Soon, a team of tall Moonlit Walkers appeared, their leader being a prairie elf. The elf furrowed her brows as she gazed at Soren, slightly bending down before saying, “Lord of Shadows! Welcome your arrival!”
In the depths of Moonlight Grove, a radiance rose.
Lady Silver Moon was already aware of his arrival and conveyed a divine message to welcome Soren.
Soren slightly nodded, then followed the Moonlit Walkers inside. This was a private realm, primarily consisting of Lady Silver Moon’s believers. However, Soren also saw some figures of secret law knights, further confirming his belief that the Magic Goddess was hiding here. The two goddesses had united and were plotting something.
“Lord of Shadows!”
Lady Silver Moon’s figure appeared at the altar ahead. Soren had not interacted much with her; their relationship was not particularly close, but neither was it unfamiliar.
Soren lowered his head slightly in respect. “Lady Silver Moon!”
Lady Silver Moon studied Soren before her, her brows slightly furrowing as she smiled and said, “Welcome your arrival. However, I’m curious why you chose to visit at this time.”
Soren met her gaze calmly. “I come to pay a visit to you, and to Lady Mystra.”
Lady Mystra was the Magic Goddess.
In response to Soren’s straightforwardness, Lady Silver Moon hesitated for a moment before saying, “How do you know she is here with me?”
“Just a guess,” Soren smiled.
This was the most likely place for the Magic Goddess to remain hidden; only here could she evade the probing of the gods, given that they had not located her for so long.
“Long time no see.” A tall, beautiful young woman with tender, luminous skin and flowing black hair materialized. She wore a simple but elegant dark silk robe and a gem-studded netted corset, representing the magical network controlled by Mystra.
This was the common avatar of the Magic Goddess.
Soren possessed the divine profession of Tracking, so none were surprised that he could find the Magic Goddess, hence Mystra appeared promptly.
Soren met Mystra’s gaze and smiled. “Long time no see, Lady Mystra.”
This was Soren’s final goal.
Due to the previous relationship between the Magic Goddess and Klanvor, she was a significant ally in supporting Klanvor’s efforts to reclaim the God of d*ath profession. Since the Lady of the Night was also involved in this struggle, according to past trajectories, both goddesses would secretly aid Klanvor in regaining the profession.
They were Soren’s last obstacle.
What Soren needed to do was figure out how to persuade them, securing the support of the Magic Goddess and Lady Silver Moon, weakening the opposition while strengthening himself.
To put it bluntly.
Soren needed to dig into Klanvor’s territory; only thus could he gain the greatest advantage!
………………
(PS: This book is nearing its conclusion. Everyone need not worry. After this volume is finished, there will be an afterword. The afterword volume is about the Divine Kingdom, with a timeframe spanning ten years.)
