The Pervere Kingdom.
Now a fallen nation that no longer exists, its land was mostly frozen and dead.
And if one were to put it in order, it could be said that death came first, and the freezing happened afterward.
Thus, as Aslan approached Ereta, he widened his eyes in surprise at the scenery before him.
What he saw surpassed even Aslan’s expectations.
The route that Aslan and Ereta took toward the seaside fishing village clearly bore signs of utter devastation.
The grass was frozen, the soil shattered and scattered, and something that was neither sea nor land spread everywhere in abundance.
Amidst all this, the sea remained pristine.
Stretching toward the horizon, the sea.
An unfathomable sea that made one doubt whether it was truly the sea.
Nothing existed on that sea.
Not only life, but time and space themselves seemed frozen upon that sea, so what could be seen was akin to profound darkness.
Yet, it wasn’t complete darkness.
From the horizon, with the rising dawn and the moonlight, the sea, dyed black, shone blue.
This was the trace left behind by the Veil of Mercy.
A trace left by the strongest of evil deities, capable of erasing the vast world of Geladridion with just a gesture.
At the same time, it was also a landscape Aslan had never ventured into, even within the game.
Because even when using cheats in the game, approaching the trace of the Veil of Mercy was not permitted.
Hence, this landscape was unfamiliar to Aslan.
Whether it was a good scene for boating or not, one couldn’t tell, but as they walked on, the sound of crunching footsteps came from behind.
As the wind blew, ruffling his hair, Aslan naturally brushed it behind his ear while wearing a gentle smile.
The woman beside him, Ereta, possessed ample bosoms and a smooth figure that flowed elegantly down her body.
Carrying a basket in one hand, the woman walked ahead of Aslan, then paused.
“Ah.”
Perhaps aware of Aslan’s gaze, she met his eyes and let out a small exclamation.
Slightly embarrassed, she lowered her gaze and smiled shyly.
Then, pressing her chest, she grinned seductively.
“Do you find looking at me more enjoyable than the view?”
Her tone subtly reprimanded while betraying an inner joy.
Aslan, trying desperately to avoid the blush he caused, responded ambiguously.
“No, it’s not like that….”
Aslan wore an awkward expression, neither denying nor confirming, while the woman laughed aloud, covering her mouth as if she knew everything.
Currently, Aslan and Ereta were heading to the seashore for a boat ride.
It wasn’t too far from their campsite, but the distance was considerable.
Even if there were no interruptions likely, considering potential disturbances would still make one hesitate due to the distance.
Ordinarily, leaving the site unattended would have been avoided.
If Ereta left, the campsite would be unprotected against the death brought by the Veil of Mercy.
This displeased the woman, so she honed her divine power to create new skills.
Specifically, the skill involving her twin battle-axes, which served both as her weapon and sacred relic.
By leaving her divine axes imbued with her power, she could burn away the divine energy of the Veil of Mercy within a certain area.
As proof of this skill, the only weapons Ereta carried now were a small axe and hammer.
The campsite would be protected by the twin axes she left behind.
All this became possible because she had attained godhood.
In such circumstances, Aslan had no reason to refuse when suggested to go boating immediately.
Though neither had a specific desire to go boating, it did seem beneficial for alertness.
Moreover, there was nothing urgent or actionable to do right away.
So, as Aslan strolled along, he turned his gaze from duty and mission to admire the scenery.
And indeed, apart from the grim fate of those who perished in this landscape, the view was quite beautiful.
The sea drawing near, stretching endlessly to the horizon—a sea of green and black.
The sky and horizon seemed split in two, pale and frozen as if locked in place.
As they approached, the sky began to melt and flow.
Ereta’s presence alone revived the once-dead world.
Aslan marveled at the sight.
In his amazement, the two sets of footprints gradually neared the sea.
Beyond the characteristic crunch of the sandy shore, the waves soon crashed.
Swishhh.
They surged forward.
Splash.
Striking the shore.
As the dead world regained its pulse, Ereta led Aslan to a small rowboat left on the shore.
The boat swayed alone amidst the frozen world.
It was a picturesque scene.
The boat left behind by Ereta and Lumel during their departure remained damp as if it had just finished sailing, frozen in time.
Moist and salty, it was a small vessel suitable for three people.
The oars leaned precariously inside, creaking slightly as they rocked. Watching this, Aslan thought.
Certainly, Ereta had accomplished something even her own mother couldn’t.
Surprisingly true, though evident.
Simultaneously, this entire scenery was undeniable proof that Ereta functioned entirely as a distinct deity.
Neither an evil deity nor an ancient one, but a completely new divinity.
Perhaps the possibly foolish choice of having Ereta as a companion resulted in this outcome.
Exaggeratedly speaking, it could be called a divinity created by Aslan himself.
This realization unsettled Aslan.
While Aslan was lost in these thoughts and paused momentarily, Ereta turned her head and looked at him.
“Aslan?”
“…Ah, sorry. I was just thinking.”
“Thinking about another woman perhaps?”
“No, just…,”
It was a joke. While Ereta smiled bashfully, Aslan awkwardly replied.
“I was thinking about you.”
“About… me?”
As Ereta handed over the basket, Aslan nodded and accepted it.
Listening to the faint clinking sounds from inside the basket, Aslan boarded the boat. Ereta pushed the boat effortlessly despite Aslan’s weight.
Splash. A wave rippled across the non-blue sea carrying human weight.
Once Ereta climbed aboard, the wave trembled gently and moved slowly forward.
With the woman and Aslan aboard, the boat steadily advanced across the melting sea.
Slowly but surely, it crossed the thawing waters.
Ereta smiled faintly, her face slightly flushed amidst the melting scene.
“You say such embarrassing things without changing your expression.”
“…”
It was undoubtedly a statement open to misinterpretation. However, Aslan didn’t correct the misunderstanding.
Since Ereta already displayed a seductive smile, revealing that she fully understood.
She knew well that Aslan hadn’t intended anything suggestive.
Ereta liked Aslan and understood him somewhat.
The Aslan she knew was extremely serious.
And Aslan was well aware of that fact.
Showing a smile indicating discomfort with being teased, Ereta giggled and opened the basket.
“So, what were you thinking about?”
Inside the basket was a long-necked bottle.
A prized vintage wine given by Regyn Solis to Ereta before their departure.
Wine that Ereta had kept aside to enjoy with Aslan in a pleasant mood.
“If I may ask, will you share your thoughts?”
The reddish liquid swirled faintly in the murky glass bottle as Ereta uncorked it.
Aslan, upon seeing the bottle, chuckled awkwardly at the strong smell of alcohol wafting out.
He’d always been weak against alcohol and wasn’t sure if drinking it now was wise.
There had been times when he’d spoken ill of noble employers after drinking, so Aslan hesitated.
But Ereta had already taken out two glasses and poured the wine, leaving Aslan no choice but to accept.
‘Just drink moderately.’
As he always thought before causing trouble, Aslan reluctantly took the glass. Ereta sat across from him, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“I was thinking about your divine power.”
And as soon as the topic arose, any hope for a romantic conversation seemed dashed, much to Ereta’s disappointment.
“I was hoping for something more atmospheric… How disappointing.”
Ereta sipped from her silver goblet while Aslan gave an apologetic smile.
Sorry for the lack of atmosphere.
“It’s fine. It would feel awkward if Aslan tried to match the mood.”
“That’s harsh.”
Despite Aslan’s words, Ereta giggled and took another sip of wine.
“So, why my divine power?”
Her question came with half-closed eyes, her face tinged pink from the wine.
Aslan glanced at her eyes before taking a sip of the wine.
And immediately regretted it.
‘I’m still not used to alcohol.’
Aslan had to hastily swallow the sharp aroma in his mouth, wincing slightly at the warmth spreading through his insides.
Though his sensitive senses allowed him to perceive the lingering fragrance, it didn’t help much.
Bolstered by the alcohol, Aslan spoke.
“Your divine power is very different from that of evil deities or ancient gods. So, I wondered…”
“Wondered what?”
“What if, on that day, instead of bringing you with me, I had killed you? There might not have been the birth of an entirely new deity.”
“…”
The words coming from his lips greatly deviated from Ereta’s expectations.
The woman appeared momentarily flustered, opening her mouth before lowering her gaze.
“Indeed… If Aslan hadn’t taken me, I wouldn’t have become a deity. Even if I had, it would have been vastly different from now.”
We probably wouldn’t have been able to go boating either.
Although Aslan didn’t understand her implication, Ereta genuinely believed it.
The deity of compassion and fire that Ereta became was shaped by Aslan and the humans inspired by him to live passionately.
Ereta learned from humanity through Aslan and decided to protect them after truly encountering them.
Had Ereta not been with Aslan, her deity status would have been vastly different.
Could she have enjoyed this boating trip while leisurely sipping wine?
Likely not.
She would have certainly met her end under Aslan’s hands.
Glancing at the melted divine power of the Veil of Mercy, Ereta reflected.
Aslan followed her gaze, surveying the surroundings.
What they saw was the sea that once belonged to the Pervere Kingdom.
Though the land of Pervere Kingdom wasn’t fertile, its vast territory allowed for self-sufficiency.
Thus, the passing scenery from the boat was distinctly unique.
Between the advancing sea routes, one could see fragments of broken earth and splashing seawater.
Among them were frozen ground, shattered buildings, collapsed soil, fragmented mountains, and forests, all tangled together without discernible up or down.
Caught in the frozen spacetime, they lay dead.
It was unmistakably an alien atmosphere.
As if pausing time within a collapsing world and floating a small boat.
Aslan understood Ereta’s words upon witnessing this spectacle.
Had Aslan not taken Ereta that day, she either wouldn’t have become a deity or wouldn’t have possessed such divine power.
By the time Aslan realized what Ereta implied, she had already moved to sit beside him.
Pushing Aslan slightly with her hip to make room, she settled next to him.
Smiling warmly, she spoke.
“Therefore, I really think it was fortunate that you took me out that day.”
The warmth radiating from their touching shoulders was comforting, and the soft hand resting on Aslan’s thigh conveyed tenderness.
Leaning closer, Ereta gazed up at Aslan and whispered her honest affection.
“Thanks to that, I found a man I love and can spend time alone with him without anyone interfering.”
A statement that, if uttered by another woman, would hint at further developments.
But it was Ereta speaking.
There was no fear of being overwhelmed.
Rather, the opposite concern lingered.
The woman stared at the motionless Aslan with strangely passionate and moist eyes.
“While we’re alone… With no one to interrupt… Would you like to share a real kiss?”
Clearly referring to the interrupted kiss in the wizards’ city.
Presumably halted due to concerns about Phey watching or potentially interrupting.
Aslan instinctively understood Ereta’s intention and blushed in embarrassment.
Overlaid with this embarrassment was a growing desire.
Aslan inhaled deeply, sensing Ereta’s intense fragrance through his heightened sensitivity.
At this moment, Aslan realized the source of the unease he felt when setting out for the boat ride.
His worry wasn’t about being overwhelmed by Ereta.
It was about overwhelming Ereta himself.
Unaware of any impending crisis, Ereta pressed herself close to Aslan, almost leaning her chest against him, and smiled provocatively.
