A Divine Bargain and Unexpected Gifts

“God of Stars and Wisdom, I have information I wish to exchange with you.” Ophelia declared, rising to face the God of Stars and Wisdom.

Among those gathered below, only the Swordsman seemed unfazed; the others were momentarily taken aback.

To strike a bargain with a deity, even one merely in the throes of recovery, one neither omniscient nor omnipotent, was an act recorded in countless legends.

The Queen, typically reserved, now spoke only to broker deals with a god.

Who, then, was she truly? Was she a high-ranking member of some clandestine church? Or perhaps one of those wandering sages, privy to vast knowledge, whose sole aim was peace?

“Oh, an exchange with me? Do tell.”

The voice of the Starry Loli sounded ancient and pleased, though the affectation was undeniably transparent.

One could only conclude that her divine majesty had long overshadowed this obvious pretense.

With a mere wave of her hand, the perceptions of the remaining individuals were shielded from the exchange between these two—or rather, one human and one god—leaving only the sound of their conversation to reverberate between them.

“Speak, then. What news do you bring before me?”

It was then that Ophelia finally discerned the true visage of the Starry God.

A cascade of blue hair, streaked with dazzling hues like the endlessly swirling nebulae around them, flowed down to her waist.

Her eyes, too, twinkled with myriad stars, radiating the brilliance of the cosmos.

She wore an intricately patterned blue dress that barely reached her upper thighs, revealing divine legs of perfect form, utterly devoid of blemish.

“Are you awestruck by my appearance?”

The Starry God let out a soft chuckle.

Ophelia nodded.

The novel had described her appearance only once, depicting her as weeping in terror upon witnessing Luca’s heaven-defying method of stealing divine authority.

Now, seeing her firsthand, Ophelia was struck by a beauty so profound that it left her breathless.

“Very well, make haste with your report.” the Starry God urged.

Ophelia paused, considering her words.

“First, regarding the God of War and Fantasy.” Ophelia began.

“Whoa! That god—don’t even utter their name to me! No, wait, I suppose I’ll listen. Speak.” The Starry Loli (TL Note: A term for a young, often childlike, female character) instantly bristled with fright, yet, clearly aware of her undignified reaction, she straightened her posture and assumed an an air of composure.

“The God of War and Fantasy has no intention of claiming your divine authority.”

“Ah… what???”

‘Little loli, where is your majesty now?’

“Is that… truly so? *cough, cough* Yes, I understand. Is this all you wish to report?”

‘Of course not.’

‘The little loli’s cultivation value is still at zero.’

However, Luca’s interactions with this Starry God had always been insincere and manipulative.

Ophelia had no desire to reveal everything she knew at once, yet seeing the cultivation value remain at zero after sharing so much was undeniably disheartening.

‘Was it merely an illusion, brought on by the rapid increase in cultivation values for the other heroines, that made me expect a faster rise?’

“Um…”

The Starry Loli spoke again.

Her gaze darted nervously, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

“Well, could you… perhaps help me acquire this?”

Ophelia was momentarily stunned.

“Why me? My kingdom is on the brink of war with the Empire; there’s no way I can venture into imperial territory.

And isn’t Mr. Clown already among the Empire’s high-ranking officials? Couldn’t he simply go?”

The Starry Loli’s eyes dimmed slightly.

“Lu… Mr. Clown. My divine intuition tells me he cannot be trusted.”

“It’s alright, there’s no rush.

Before those others… I simply can’t.

I can’t bring myself to ask them.

So, you are the only one I can rely on.”

The Starry Loli appeared somewhat abashed.

Ophelia pondered the novel’s contents.

It did seem to be true.

In the Starry Tea Party, the God of Stars had always been merely a target of Luca’s schemes, a mere backdrop, her personality remaining obscure beyond her being an adorable little loli, until her divine authority was ultimately stolen.

Ultimately, Luca had resorted to an utterly preposterous tactic.

He had discerned the Starry God’s face, then used her likeness to create numerous statues.

A god must not possess a form; to have one signified blasphemy.

Thus, the deity had been stripped of her divinity.

“I believe I can manage it.” Ophelia mused after a moment’s consideration.

With Vina leading the war, defeat was impossible.

It would likely rage for a time before both sides sought peace.

During that interval, she could dispatch someone to retrieve the staff.

“You would have to wait for some time—a few months at the least, perhaps even several years at most.

If you are willing to wait, I see no issue in acquiring it for you.”

“Splendid!” The Starry Loli clapped her hands together in delight.

Immediately, however, she composed herself, clearing her throat twice.

“Then I shall trouble you, Ophelia.

But I have made a request of you.

What, then, do you seek from me?”

‘The cultivation value has risen to 2.’

‘Though only 2, it indicates efficacy.’

Ophelia had largely surmised the truth: the Starry Loli desired an unconditional worshipper.

In other words, devotion to her was the means to gain cultivation value.

“I seek nothing, save to offer you my devotion.” Ophelia replied.

‘The cultivation value increased from 2 to 3.’

“No, no, that won’t do! How can I simply take advantage of a worshipper?

Tell you what, I shall bestow upon you an artifact capable of breaking armies, to aid you in the coming war, and another for self-defense, so you don’t perish so carelessly in the future.”

The Starry Loli waved her hand.

A scattering of particles, akin to stardust, materialized before Ophelia, accompanied by an amulet.

“These particles: when faced with a vast army, scatter them towards your foes while chanting: ‘Form of the cosmos, form of eternity, form of the stars; human wisdom springs from the starry expanse, and beyond the stars, divinity is achieved. This is the wrath of the God of Stars and Wisdom, this is the shadow of a divine hand.'”

“Once uttered, this can slay approximately ten thousand individuals by preliminary estimate.

In your human wars, eliminating ten thousand is usually enough to turn the tide, is it not?”

“Then there is this amulet: should you encounter peril, raise it and invoke my name.

Thereafter, you shall be safe.”

‘These are all incredibly practical!’

‘None of this was ever recorded in the book.

It seems I am privy to benefits the male protagonist never enjoyed!’

‘This feeling is quite pleasant.

To faithfully worship the little loli and become her angel—that’s not a bad path at all.

Why bother stealing someone else’s divine authority?’

****

Meanwhile, among the other individuals.

“Miss Fruit Candy, could you perhaps elaborate on… the extent of your relationship with your Queen?”

The Novelist was the first to break the silence.