[Vol. 7] Chapter 254: The Return of the Goddess
A holy and vast voice slowly rose into the air. Black and white light gently faded from the girl’s body. “Tiffany” softly collapsed, but the old Tower Master quickly caught her in his arms. Even so, the divine message began to spread, carried by air and magic alike.
It turned into a breeze and floated toward the wider sky and city...
As the divine presence faded, the girl who had served as the vessel slowly opened her eyes, a little dazed but completely unharmed.
“Ugh… my head hurts… It feels like someone hit me in the back of the head. How did I end up here…? Eh?! Mentor?! S-S-Sorry! I swear I wasn’t slacking off! Please don’t make me write a reflection again…”
Before she could panic at the scene around her, the old Tree Spirit, already several hundred years old, gently placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Then, he turned and slowly stood up, letting out a deep breath.
Under the shocked, confused, and nervous stares of his followers and students, he walked over to the control room’s still-working speaker system. With slow but firm hands, he turned on the broadcast device.
“People of Nature, I am the Tower Master of the [Tower of Nature] and the Great Chief of the Lingmu tribe, Carol Lingmu! What you just heard was not an illusion. Right now, our Academy City is facing an unimaginable crisis. An evil god and disaster have come into our world. What you’ve seen so far is only the beginning... our world is in grave danger!”
“But the Great Mother has not abandoned her children. Her messenger has given us guidance. For the survival of our civilization and future, I ask all people of nature to praise her with me, drive away evil, and welcome the return of the Mother of All Life!”
Facing the direction the holy voice had gone, the old Tree Spirit man knelt to the ground with deep respect. From his mouth came a prayer, calm and solemn, as if it followed ancient divine laws. His words echoed across the land, carried by the tower’s loud hum.
[O Great Mother of Life, you are the shelter of your many followers, the guardian tree of all beings and spirits. You plant the seeds of life and nurture all of heaven and earth… O source of life, ruler of the land and fertile soil!]
[We, your faithful believers, sing your praises and long for your blessing! May the Tree of Life rise from the rich earth and become a crown of green shade! May the white flower of creation pierce through decay and cut away evil and blood!]
Following his lead, the loyal followers inside the tower were the first to respond. They bowed respectfully, copying their leader and Tower Master, and joined in the grand and sacred chorus.
[Life never ends, it goes in cycles, and the rebirth of life creates eternal miracles. Under the gaze of your green eyes, we will call out your name!]
More and more people of nature, moved by the call, knelt to the ground. They faced the roaring sound that echoed endlessly, growing more vibrant and green, as the tower, like a giant tree, honestly prayed, calling the sacred name once again, turning it into a strong foundation of belief.
Its power roared across the earth.
"The Goddess of Life, Eternity, and Nature— [Sethlin]!!!!!!!"
"Boom!!!!"
A flawless, turquoise light beam shone down from the sky the moment the goddess's true name was revealed.
It appeared without warning, as though it naturally followed the laws of heaven and earth. The [Eternal Day] Barrier, slightly dimmed, seemed to vanish before the immense power of the goddess. The light of life fell directly on the giant green gemstone at the top of the [Tower of Nature], infusing it with endless vitality.
The tower... began to hum like never before.
The towering structure, reaching from the earth to the sky, burst forth with brilliant green light. Vast life energy and natural power surged out from the god's force, transforming the entire tower into a giant tree made of flawless jade. The light from the tree extended upward, branching out into limbs and leaves, growing like a natural divine tree.
Under the supreme power of a true god, the gray matter around the tower quietly turned to dust. The plague that had been spreading wildly became blue smoke, disappearing without a trace.
The plants in the sixth district, which had been out of control, also began to calm down, shrinking back to their original sizes. It was as if they had a mind of their own, and they all knelt toward the tower that had transformed into the Tree of Life, offering silent praise.
The miracle, like a divine spectacle, seemed to be the strongest proof of the Tower Master's call. The countless residents, tourists, and workers in the sixth district, who had just survived the chaos and were still confused about what was happening, almost instinctively turned their gaze toward the Tree of Life made from the tower.
They looked on in awe and shock. More and more devoted people knelt to the ground, joining in the prayer, murmuring the words that echoed through the heavens and earth.
The power of prayer and faith rose into the sky. They transformed into countless streams of light, merging into the divine tree, making its glow even brighter and more brilliant. The waves of life spread out from the giant tree, like ocean waves, driving away the malice that had been disturbing the city and purifying it.
In this moment, it was not just Academy City Sainz, even farther places, where countless voices from the past, present, and future joined together in praise. The glory that belonged to her, which had been hidden by history, was now revealed once more.
Because life is like that, it is everywhere, endless and continuous. Even if traditions fade with time, as long as the world remains, the cradle remains, life will never cease.
The existence of the Goddess of Life, Eternity, and Nature was the same.
Goddess Sethlin, this new and ancient title, as it was revealed to all living beings and sung again, her concept rose and expanded with the faith that followed, pushing the Law back to its highest position.
In that instant, flowers bloomed, and all trees grew lush with leaves. All beings with life in the world felt the presence of that noble will, whether they were filled with joy, awe, or fear, they realized the truth.
God had once again descended to this world. The beginning of a new era had already begun!
“......”
At the top of the [Tower of Nature], where the tree crown nearly touched the clouds, the goddess with green hair and green eyes stood, floating in the sky. She quietly felt the growing power of faith spreading across the land like wildfire, yet remained silent.
After a moment, she turned her head with a slightly helpless expression, looking at the black-haired, white-robed girl who had appeared by her side.
“What’s going on? This is just a small part of [Desecration] law. Even using that child’s body, you could easily remove it, right? Isn’t this a bit too much, gathering so many forces?”
The mastermind behind the whole process, the girl with the mischievous expression, tilted her head. She puffed out her cheeks in frustration and complained,
“Hey, hey, what’s with you… Getting something for nothing and acting all innocent? I took the time out of my busy schedule to design all this. Didn’t you want to make some chosen heroes and guide the people to protect them in the coming disaster? I can’t just leave the Goddess of Life to fight alone up front while the ones she’s protecting do nothing and enjoy the results, right?"