To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“I have never seen actual goats before.”

“Then let’s go observe them together.”

Liv found it unbearably delightful whenever Emmett took the initiative to propose something to her. As she and Emmett exchanged warm smiles, Hayden intruded with an annoyed tone:

“Ah, I can see just how close you two are. So will you be journeying to this sacred ground, then?”

Those words prompted Liv to immediately shake her head, her voice completely altered from when smiling at Emmett:

“No.”

“Why not go?”

“I’m afraid.”

She had simply smiled appreciating Emmett’s suggestion, not because she wished to visit that place. Liv averted her eyes as she flatly explained:

“I fear withstanding the divine power. It’s already so taxing as is, who knows what might happen if I ventured there…”

Liv recalled the memory of once nearing the sea – merely approaching had caused such torment, so entering the sacred grounds themselves might very well shatter her mind.

It was then that the silently observing Emmett spoke up:

“Liv, wouldn’t you consider visiting that sacred ground, if only once?”

“What?”

“Are you not curious what it feels like to draw strength from the gods?”

“Well…”

Had it been anyone else, Liv likely would have immediately declined – but because it was Emmett, she couldn’t help but hesitate. Seizing that opportunity, he added:

“A single experience may not be so terrible.”

“Is that so…”

“Yes, what kind of deity is this Lufasha?”

Emmett’s question prompted Liv to recount the myth about Lufasha she had heard while in Abgrund:

Originally, Lufasha was but an ordinary shepherd boy tending goats.

One day, a demon appeared and slaughtered all the goats under Lufasha’s care. Blamed for failing to protect them, Lufasha was then expelled.

The demon offered to revive the goats if Lufasha took its hand, but he refused.

To make a living, Lufasha became a monkey caretaker, only for fire to break out killing all the monkeys.

Again the demon extended its hand, and again Lufasha refused.

Lufasha then participated in city wall repairs, but the demon caused the wall to collapse, killing all except Lufasha.

As Lufasha faced starvation after being exiled from the village, the demon tempted him once more with its hand – but he refused unto death.

Yet something miraculous occurred – from Lufasha’s corpse, a crimson flower bloomed.

And from that flower was reborn a child who immediately ascended to become the God Lufasha.

Lufasha came to symbolize an unwavering refusal to compromise with evil, no matter the circumstances.

After hearing this myth, both Emmett and Hayden wore dumbfounded expressions.

“The content of that myth is… quite peculiar.”

“What kind of myth even is that? Sounds like they’re just telling you to take the demon’s hand already.”

While such myths felt perfectly natural to Liv, humans tended to struggle accepting them at face value, interpreting them through their own subjective lens. Liv could only smile at their inability to grasp the story’s essence:

“Humans can never truly comprehend the world of gods, after all.”

So it was only natural they couldn’t understand the myths either.

‘What power might I gain by visiting that sacred ground?’

You will receive my strength, child.

Though Liv wished to ask Lufasha for specifics, the god only offered vague responses. As Liv’s brow furrowed in contemplation anew, Emmett addressed her:

“Liv, are you truly unwilling to accompany me to that sacred ground?”

“Accompany you…?”

“Yes, I’ll go there with you. In truth, I had business to attend there myself.”

Liv carefully considered his words. While the sacred ground filled her with dread, perhaps Emmett’s presence could embolden her – for her love could overcome anything.

Yes, she doesn’t need to actually enter, simply observing from outside with Emmett would suffice.

“Very well…”

When Liv finally nodded, Emmett smiled faintly:

“I wish for you to reclaim your rightful place, Liv.”

“What?”

“No, it is nothing.”

* * *

The next day, Liv and Emmett set out directly for the sacred ground. Donning a yellow ankle-length dress for the rugged terrain, Liv steeled herself.

“Shall we go, Liv?”

“Yes!”

Though Hayden protested accompanying them to the Lufahidism shrine, Liv shook her head – as a scion of the Shultze clan devoted to the ‘Gracia family beloved by God’, it seemed unwise to involve him in Lufaid matters.

Unable to disclose their true reason for visiting Lufahidism shrine, their official outing was billed as a picnic. Upon learning Liv would be going alone with Emmett, Laga’s eyes shone with delight:

“Ho ho, I had a feeling! But are you sure none of the servants should accompany you?”

“No, just the two of us will go.”

“Goodness…!”

Leaving the ecstatic Laga behind, Liv boarded the carriage with Emmett. The coachman seemed puzzled by Emmett’s instructions to head for the cliffside, but appeared mollified when told it was to show Liv the goats.

“So many fields.”

As they passed farmlands where peasants dwelled, Liv opened the window and leaned out, the pleasant breeze caressing her face. Emmett then pulled her close, circling her waist to draw her into his embrace.

“Don’t lean out so far, Liv. You might injure yourself on a stray branch.”

Blinking in surprise at finding herself cradled against him, a flustered Emmett swiftly released Liv, fidgeting awkwardly with his hands.

The ‘Land of Goats’ wasn’t too distant from Lartman Castle itself. Having already endured the long carriage journey to the Duchy, this additional travel likely didn’t feel overly taxing.

Upon finally arriving at the sacred ground, Liv was confronted by an immense cliff face.

“Wow…”

“Even I have never viewed it so close…”

The awestruck Emmett beside her echoed Liv’s sentiments. They immediately grasped why this was considered a ‘sacred ground’.

For its bizarre form defied human comprehension.

The towering cliff inspired vertigo from merely gazing upwards, plainly unsurvivable for any who dared set foot upon it. Its jagged, razor-sharp edges instilled an uncanny sense of disquiet, as if this entire space threatened imminent human destruction.

“In the Lufaidism, goats are considered divine animals.”

“I can see why.”

Emmett nodded at Liv’s words.

“To dwell upon such cliffs, they would indeed be divine creatures.”

Unlike the sea where myriad divine powers converged, Liv had yet to feel an oppressive force here.

Come closer, child. Touch the cliffside.

Though Lufasha addressed Liv in an even louder, more dreadful voice than before, the other deities remained silent. If anything, Liv’s mind felt clearer compared to her usual state.

As if entranced, she slowly approached the precipice. And just as her fingertips extended to make contact…

“Ah!”

Something erupted from within, obstructing her very breath. Strangled gasps escaped as her body crumpled, unable to withstand the crushing pressure. For daring to confront what humans could never comprehend, her head began to throb agonizingly.

“Ah, I can’t…”

As Liv lay sprawled, muttering helplessly, Emmett rushed over and dragged her away from the cliff face. Only after regaining her breath did Liv frantically shake her head.

“I can’t, I can’t do it. It’s too much to bear.”

“It’s alright, Liv. We can try again another time. If you feel too afraid, you don’t need to attempt it.”

Child, why do you reject my power?

“I can’t withstand you…”

Liv tearfully pleaded, prompting the concerned Emmett to escort her back to the carriage. After settling the distraught Liv inside, he gently brushed away the tears streaking her cheek.

“Don’t weep, Liv.”

“Mmm…”

“All is well now. Nothing will torment you further.”

“Yes…”

Sniffling, Liv gradually regained her composure. Perhaps due to her previous experience with the sea, recovering didn’t prove too arduous. Where the sacred ground had made her feel on the verge of death itself, she now only felt the usual mild heaviness.

“By the way, Your Grace, you mentioned having business at this place as well…”

“It is fine. I can attend to it separately at another time.”

After Liv had calmed down, rather than immediately return to Lartman Castle, they truly did go on a picnic as claimed. Emmett stated that since he had told others they were picnicking, they ought to follow through – but Liv wondered if this was perhaps for her sake as well.

* * *

It was the dusky evening hours when Liv returned to Lartman Castle with Emmett. Having spent many hours outside, Liv blankly gazed ahead with a weary expression – only for the entrance door to suddenly burst open amid a raucous bang.

“Congratulations, my lady!”

The abrupt noise jolted Liv to alertness, banishing her fatigue. Looking around in bewilderment, she saw all the servants gathered on the first floor applauding her, firework confetti raining down.

“What is this?”

Liv asked with a dazed expression, prompting Emmett to respond with a smile:

“Liv, do you know what day it is today?”

“The 27th of July.”

“Yes, it is your birthday.”