Chapter 1115 — Revisiting the Age of Myth
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 4
As Gao Yang's words fell, the Defiance Courtyard fell silent once more.
Amoen suddenly felt that this little courtyard of his had seen rather too many awkward silences today.
But this silence did not last long. Amoen soon grasped something deeper in Gao Yang's words, and as understanding gradually dawned on him, the holy radiance shrouding his whole body flowed like water, and his tone carried a soft sigh: "Ah, yes—she does not worship me. That is exactly right..."
The former God of Nature murmured to himself, then suddenly asked, "When exactly was the original Upper Veilmist Church reorganized?"
"About a thousand years ago—perhaps a little earlier," Gao Yang nodded, and recounted the history he had heard from Bellantia. "It was a gradual process. In the Silver Empire, the Upper Veilmist Church first stripped a series of fringe dioceses of their privileges, then steadily gravitated toward secular imperial power, finding new support in the Elven Court and the Upper Elven Council. About a thousand years ago, the symbolic significance of the elven royal family's role as 'Druidic High Priest' had already surpassed its practical significance—but even before that, the Upper Veilmist Church had long existed in name only."
Amoen pondered in a brief silence. No one knew what the God of Nature was thinking in that moment; in the end, he put it all into a single exclamation: "I was born in the hearts of mortals, and I ought to die in the hearts of mortals."
"But not all mortals chose the 'Age of No Gods,'" Gao Yang looked into Amoen's eyes, which seemed forged of molten crystal. "You should know—three thousand years is not enough for the elves to complete a full turnover of generations. A few elves who once believed in you still live in this world, especially... those priests who received your blessing and were granted longer lives. They are still alive."
Amoen gazed quietly at Gao Yang, and after a moment said softly, "That Silver Empress—she has come to resolve this very matter, hasn't she?"
Gao Yang did not answer, and his silence served as affirmation—though he had not yet mentioned Bellantia's purpose, the former god had already guessed the answer, so there was no need for him to say more.
"I understand," the radiance flowing around Amoen gradually calmed, and his tone carried a sudden relaxation. "That is a good thing too. Let the Silver Empress come—I am ready to see her. By the way, where is she now?"
"She is in Xuanyao City," Gao Yang said, "waiting with trepidation and nerves for me to arrange her meeting with you."
"It seems you decided long ago that I would agree," a hint of amusement entered Amoen's tone as he spoke half-jokingly. "Where does such confidence come from? Have you considered what if I refused to meet her?"
"You will certainly agree," Gao Yang said with composure, his smile as confident as the other had described. "Three thousand years ago, you went to collide with the Pathfinders' space station—surely it was not merely to lie here for three thousand years, was it?"
Amoen narrowed his eyes and made no further sound, while Gao Yang looked with a smile at the two deities present, then took a step back: "Then allow me to take my leave first—I have arrangements to make."
After Gao Yang had left, Mirmirna looked at the great stag Amoen, who still lay quietly on the ground without a word, and only after a long while did she suddenly break the silence: "What are you thinking about?"
"I was suddenly reminded of the Silver Empress from three thousand years ago... she should be that 'Bellantia's' grandmother," Amoen said softly. "She often used to speak with me beside the altar in the holy land—though most of the time I could not respond directly to her voice. She also often offered fruits she had picked herself from the garden upon the altar... until the day I suddenly left. Thinking back now, I did not even say goodbye to her."
Mirmirna lowered her eyelids: "Do you feel regret?"