Chapter 934 — The Second Invitation
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 4
Gao Yang was not at all surprised by Little Pony... by Metzenn's second visit. Ever since he had first declined the "invitation" from that dragon deity, he had known it would not end so easily. A god inviting a mortal could not be a mere whim; there was no chance that it would simply lapse after he casually turned it down—the gods were patient, and they did not mind waiting a moment.
His only surprise was that the second invitation had come so soon, before even a single winter had passed.
He nodded to the agent before him and asked casually, "Does your 'god' have something new to say this time?"
"She says you may still refuse, or postpone the visit as circumstances require—this is merely a friendly invitation," Metzenn said gravely, her manner growing cautious whenever the topic touched on her deity. "She also asked me to relay one additional sentence."
"One sentence?" Gao Yang showed a flicker of curiosity. "What sentence?"
Metzenn lowered her head. "...Not all gods depart as harmlessly as the Goddess of Magic did. What binds gods and men is not merely a single chain."
Gao Yang's expression turned grave in an instant.
He had in fact already resolved to refuse again, for no matter how he looked at it, he had no spare capacity now to travel to distant Talrond for an appointment, and he was even less inclined to take such an enormous risk—yet the words Metzenn relayed stirred an unexpected ripple in his heart. The first half of the sentence was easy enough; of course he knew not all gods departed as harmlessly as the Goddess of Magic. One need not look far—the God of War over in Typhon was plainly in no mood to leave quietly. But the second half of that sentence...
Not merely a single chain... There was clearly a deeper meaning in that.
Gao Yang frowned slightly, his face thoughtful, while Metzenn offered a faint smile. "You may take your time considering. Our god has not required you to answer quickly."
Gao Yang laughed. "And if I consider for a whole year without giving a definite answer?"
"Then consider for a year," Metzenn said with perfect composure. "I can find somewhere nearby to stay."
Gao Yang was speechless for a moment, then shook his head with a helpless laugh. "...Long-lived races really are patient. You and your god both."
"So do you intend to consider for a year?" Metzenn asked curiously. "If so, I shall go look for lodgings shortly."
"Wait a moment, let me think first." Gao Yang waved a hand, signaling Metzenn not to leave just yet, then narrowed his eyes slightly as his mind began racing.
This was already the second invitation from that mysterious "Dragon God"... and a second invitation at such a brief interval. Though the other party's manner seemed patient enough, two invitations in succession were themselves enough to say something...
That deity seemed eager to meet him. As a god, she had even reached the point of setting aside a certain dignity—if the standards by which one judged mortal conduct applied equally to gods, then Gao Yang could be nearly certain that the "Dragon God's" attitude toward him was not merely "a desire to talk out of curiosity."
But the crux was this: a "god," a god who ruled the dragon race—what reason could she have to insist on meeting him, the ruler of the human world? Gao Yang did not think he and she had any prior connection, and he truly could not imagine what about him was worth her attention—unless it had to do with the satellite system behind him, and with the "Voyager" fleet behind that satellite system.
So should he really go?