LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 129:
Blessing in Disguise (2)
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The one thing I confirmed from that divine punishment was that Gulak cherishes Kara dearly.
It’s clear that he doesn’t mind us admiring her, but anything beyond that warrants a lightning strike as a warning.
In some ways, he could be considered an even bigger fool than Hector. His love for his priestess is overflowing.
‘But how can anyone resist that…’
However, it still feels unfair. Kara’s current appearance is more than enough to ignite a man’s desires.
‘Thank goodness everyone here is a woman except me.’
I stared blankly at Kara’s back as she placed the remains on the altar.
Her back alone was magnificent, but it truly began when she started dancing.
Once she danced, her clothes would flutter gracefully, especially her lower garment, which would sway freely.
If that happens, the fire kindled in my heart will burn even more fiercely. I’m truly relieved.
‘Wait a minute. The fire burns hotter when the dancer performs, could it be because of that?’
A dancer’s performance is essential in the ceremony dedicated to Gulak.
If Gulak likes the dance, the flames on the altar burn more intensely, and the ceremony becomes more fervent.
Of course, getting to that point takes a long time. Therefore, dancers who perform in ceremonies usually have great stamina.
‘It makes sense considering the effort and sincerity they demand…’
I don’t know. How can a mere mortal understand the will of a god?
It’s easier to think that Kara is beautifully adorned because she is Gulak’s cherished priestess.
Moreover, anyone harboring impure thoughts like mine will also face divine punishment.
“Everything is ready. Let’s ask Lord Gulak first.”
“Now we bow, right?”
“Yes. You’re going to bow in that form?”
“As a Holy Warrior, I need the right mindset, so I’ll do it in this form.”
It seemed all preparations were complete. Hearing their conversation, I quietly moved closer to Kara.
When I approached, she smiled softly and looked at the altar. I followed her gaze.
On the altar were the remains of the Usk axe and the broken pieces of Ragnarok.
However, I couldn’t see the offerings. Upon closer inspection, something was sprinkled on the remains.
“What is that?”
“It’s oil made from starfruit seeds. It’s a rare oil that only comes from Tatars.”
I had heard the name somewhere before, but I couldn’t recall it.
As I tilted my head in confusion, Rize, standing to Kara’s left, spoke up.
“Starfruit seed oil is quite expensive. It’s used in cosmetics and as a spice. Plus, its value is high since it’s only grown in Tatars.”
“That’s right. My father even used it for diplomatic purposes.”
Given the times, oil, especially cooking oil, is incredibly valuable.
Most of it is used as a spice rather than for cooking.
The fact that they used such an expensive oil means they were determined.
“I don’t know if Lord Gulak will respond, but we have to try.”
“He will respond.”
Kara spoke anxiously, while Rize was confident.
I didn’t know why, but it seemed she was determined to get a response by any means.
“Then let’s bow first. Sivar, join me.”
“Alright.”
I wondered if it was necessary for me to participate. Gulak clearly dislikes me.
But repairing Ragnarok is crucial for Kara’s sake. So, I grumbled internally but moved my body.
Fwoosh!
As soon as I bowed, I heard the sound of flames rising from the altar.
When I lifted my head, as expected, flames were roaring on the altar. Maybe because of the oil, they were larger than I thought.
“It seems Lord Gulak is positive.”
“Really? I thought he’d be angry that we broke the weapon he bestowed.”
Unlike the calm Rize, Kara seemed quite surprised.
It’s understandable since last time, merely getting a response was easy.
But now, we want to restore Ragnarok, which means receiving a blessing again.
No matter how much Gulak cherishes Kara, this situation could upset him, so I thought it would take longer.
“What should we do next?”
“Both the Holy Warrior and Sivar should step back. I have to take over now.”
“Are you going to dance?”
“Yes.”
Finally, I would get to see Kara’s beautiful dance. Honestly, I was really looking forward to it.
Even in the Soul World, Kara’s dance was rare. It was the same during the Tatars storyline.
She only danced in very few situations, like during a ceremony or banquet.
And she never wore such a revealing outfit. I was truly looking forward to this moment.
Rumble-
Come on, I’m just looking forward to it. Why are you warning me?
I grumbled internally at the thunder rumbling from the sky.
Rize, who also heard the recent thunder, looked up at the sky before turning to Kara.
“How long should you dance?”
“Until clouds gather in the sky. After that, whether lightning strikes or rain falls will determine if it’s positive or negative.”
Ragnarok was originally a ceremonial axe. But during the ceremony, lightning struck it, making it Ragnarok.
And at the time, Hector was holding it. Yet, the lightning struck only the axe.
So, interpreting lightning striking the altar as approval is reasonable.
“In my opinion, if lightning strikes the remains, there’s a high chance Ragnarok will be restored. Since it was originally blessed by Gulak, only he can repair it.”
“Precisely. But the process will be arduous, won’t it?”
“It’s fine. I plan to do it diligently, even if it takes days. Even if it rains.”
It reminded me of an Indian rain dance. There was a strong willingness to do anything to restore Ragnarok.
But the sincerity felt a bit lacking. More preparation was needed for a divine blessing.
There was no music to elevate the atmosphere, and we lacked people. I wasn’t sure if it would be enough.
“Also, it’s fine if it rains. If only thunder rumbles without lightning, it means it’s insufficient. We would have to prepare thoroughly next time.”
“Hmm. Does insufficient mean lacking divine power?”
“Usually, yes.”
“Got it. Leave that to me.”
Kara looked puzzled at Rize’s request to handle the insufficient divine power. She seemed unsure.
But Rize wasn’t one to make empty promises, so it should be fine.
Even if she performed eccentric acts like me, the results were always good. Except for breaking Ragnarok.
“Should I beat a drum for you?”
“N-No, that’s alright.”
Kara barely managed to stop Rize from playing the drum and approached the altar.
Rize and I retreated to where Luna and Ellie were.
Staying behind wouldn’t help at all, so it was better to keep our distance for now.
“Sivar, what do you think of Kara?”
Ellie asked as soon as we stepped back. Her question was filled with curiosity.
I glanced at Ellie, then looked at Kara, who was warming up. She looked beautiful no matter how you saw her.
“Beautiful.”
“How much?”
“Very.”
I saw no need to lie, so I answered honestly.
Ellie nodded as if she expected that answer and spoke in agreement.
“She really is beautiful. I want to try wearing that too.”
You also have many excellent skins in the Soul World, no less than Kara. Whatever you wear, you’ll have overwhelming presence.
I wanted to say that but held back. Ellie had a body that would look good in anything.
Flutter-
While we talked, Kara began to dance. The wing-like cloth attached to each hand fluttered beautifully.
There was no ceremonial music or assistants, creating a quiet atmosphere, but it suited her well.
She resembled a small butterfly flying in a quiet forest.
‘The ground is solid stone, yet she moves so gracefully.’
Her movements were as smooth as those of a professional dancer. And she was barefoot.
I heard she learned to dance from her late mother. Her efforts were evident in her dance.
Flutter-
Kara spun around, and her lower garment fluttered like wings, revealing most of her private areas.
It was a relief she wore underwear; otherwise, it would have been quite shocking. I watched her dance intently.
it slide due to the atmosphere.
“Uh?”
“The clouds…”
How long did I watch in a daze? The sky darkened, filling with clouds.
The clouds gathered quickly, though the time felt neither too short nor too long. It seemed Gulak truly cherished Kara.
During all this, Kara didn’t stop dancing. She continued, sweating profusely, maintaining her focus.
Rumble-
A faint thunder rumbled in the sky, and the flames on the altar burned even fiercer.
But the decisive ‘lightning’ didn’t strike. As if to signify that this wasn’t enough.
I wondered if our sincerity was lacking. Then, unexpectedly, someone stepped forward.
Bang!
“H-Holy Warrior?”
“Where are you going…”
“I’m going to do my part.”
It was Rize. She approached the altar in her Holy Warrior form, not her Holy Warrior form.
Even while dancing, Kara noticed Rize’s approach but let her be. It seemed she trusted her.
Rize passed by Kara and looked up at the sky. The flames on the altar burned even fiercer.
“I address the god of the sky.”
Rize spoke calmly. Kara didn’t stop dancing.
“I broke your blessing, so please bestow it again with my power.”
Rize spread her arms wide as she spoke. Simultaneously, a navy blue aura began to radiate brightly from her.
The navy blue aura was undoubtedly magical power, but it felt indescribable.
“All of this is!”
Rize took her stance and shouted.
“By the will of Chaos!!”
Mentioning Chaos, the god she serves.
“As he wishes, bestow your blessing!!”
She channeled all her energy and punched the sky.
Boom!!
Her punch sent a navy blue pillar soaring into the sky. It was similar yet different from when she destroyed space.
Space destruction literally broke space, but now…
“T-The sky…”
“The sky… split?”
“…”
The navy blue energy Rize unleashed split the sky.
Like a scene from a pirate comic, the immense energy split the sky in two.
That alone was a miraculous ‘miracle,’ but it wasn’t the end.
Rumble!
A foreboding thunder echoed.
Crash!!
A massive lightning bolt struck between the split sky.
It was more powerful, intense, and destructive than any lightning bolt I had ever seen.
The lightning struck the altar precisely. As Kara explained, it was Gulak’s positive response.
Kara stopped dancing and stared blankly at the altar. She was drenched in sweat.
Crackle!!
The lightning didn’t strike just once. It poured down like water from a faucet.
Such a bizarre phenomenon. I watched in stunned silence.
Crackle!
Finally, the downpour of lightning ceased. The split sky returned to its original state.
Another unusual phenomenon occurred as the previously split sky was filled with clouds.
It seemed the clouds were acting on their own to mend the split sky.
Thanks to this, the cloudy sky cleared up in an instant.
It became a clear blue sky, as if nothing had happened.
“Is it… over?”
“Who knows?”
Ellie and Luna exchanged thoughts while I hurried to the altar.
I instinctively knew the ceremony was over. All that remained was to check the results.
Before that, I had to thank Rize for her effort. She had reverted to her Holy Warrior form, seemingly exhausted.
“Rize. Are you…”
I was about to ask if Rize was alright when I stopped. Because…
“I’m tired after using all my strength.”
Rize had changed dramatically.
Kara felt it too.
“H-Holy Warrior? Your…”
“Hmm? Oh, you mean my chest? I mentioned it before.”
Rize’s ample chest had completely disappeared. It was even smaller than Luna’s.
But Rize didn’t mind our shock and smiled.
“My divine power is all concentrated in my ‘body.’”
So that’s what she meant.
End of Chapter