Silence fell for a moment...
The Goddess looked at the faces of Duke Elgard and Duchess Larina in turn.
"Because in truth, Kazien is my second son. He is an entity I created directly from shards of my own bone and drops of my own blood." Goddess Nirfelia answered, echoing the absolute truth.
As if struck by lightning in broad daylight, Duke Elgard and Duchess Larina jerked backward. Their breath hitched.
For over a dozen years, they had cared for, raised, and given all their love to Kazien since he was born. Just finding out the fact that the youngest son they loved and protected so deeply was actually the biological son of the Goddess they worshipped nearly caused their sanity to crumble.
"I deeply understand the shock and confusion the two of you feel right now as his parents." the Goddess said, her voice softening, radiating a warmth that soothed the inner turmoil of the both of them. "You do not need to feel afraid or keep your distance. In this mortal world, he is indeed the son of the two of you. I deliberately sent my son's soul to this world so that he would be conceived and born directly from your womb, Larina."
Hearing her first name called so gently by the Creator, Duchess Larina gathered the courage to lift her face. Her logical, motherly nature suddenly brought forth a question that had been snagging at her heart.
"Forgive my insolence, Goddess Nirfelia." Duchess Larina said, bringing both her hands together in front of her chest. "But... if Kazien is indeed Your son, a grand divine entity, why does he possess such unusual attractions? Why does he desire men to be his spouses, instead of marrying women like men in general?"
Hearing the innocent question from the Duchess, a faint smile and a soft sigh escaped Goddess Nirfelia's lips.
"Honestly, I myself never expected that such a thing would happen." Goddess Nirfelia answered, her tone sounding a bit resigned yet amused. "When I sent his soul to this world, I had to erase all his past memories so he could live as a human. And somehow, the effect of that memory erasure instead caused Kazien's sexual orientation to deviate slightly from my original plan."
The Goddess looked at Kazien's face, who was sleeping soundly on the altar.
"However, even though he has a deviated sexual orientation," the Goddess continued straightforwardly, "I do not mind it in the slightest. Because he is not like his older brother. Kazien possesses a pure heart and will never cause chaos or destruction like Lunarias did in the past."
Goddess Nirfelia smiled serenely. "He only wishes to live peacefully, happily, and comfortably together with those three. And I am very certain, all of you who know him surely realize that the heaviest burden Kazien carries in his heart is not about saving the world... but rather about you all, his beloved family."
The Goddess's gaze slowly shifted and locked directly onto the crown prince of the Garveon Kingdom.
"His greatest fear is watching all of you mortals age, then die and leave him for all eternity." the Goddess said meaningfully. "Especially since you, Felixius, discussed death moments before this wedding ceremony began. His fear of losing the people he loves has burdened him even more."
Prince Felix widened his eyes in shock. The fact that Kazien harbored a fear that deep slammed into his chest hard. The prince bowed his head deeply, guilt squeezing his heart.
Forgive me, Kazien. I truly didn't know... I didn't expect that you carried such a heavy mental burden that made you so terrified of our parting due to our age limits. Felix lamented inwardly.
"There is no use in you regretting your past actions, Felixius!" the Goddess suddenly reprimanded, piercing through and directly answering the prince's thoughts. "Just make sure, never again discuss the topic of death in front of him."
Felix jolted in surprise, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He only fully realized now that in the presence of the Goddess, not a single mortal thought could be hidden.
"That strict rule also applies to all of you here!" Goddess Nirfelia declared, her voice echoing with a warning to everyone. "Just let life and death flow naturally as they should! Never complain about your mortality in front of him, because in the end, all of your souls will return to the Creator through death!"
After delivering that reprimand, the radiant light surrounding Goddess Nirfelia's body vibrated slightly. She knew that the presence of her true form in this mortal dimension could not be maintained for too long, or her energy resonance would accelerate the cracking of the seal imprisoning Lunarias.
"I do not have much time. I cannot stay long in this world." Goddess Nirfelia said, her tone of voice turning highly authoritative. "Listen carefully, I will directly convey the crucial points regarding the fate of this world to all of you!"
Everyone in the hall sharpened their hearing, preparing to receive the revelation of salvation directly from the Goddess.
"Within a period of eight years and nine months from now, that seal will shatter and massive chaos will occur in all corners of the world."
The Goddess's eyes glared sharply into every corner of the hall, ensuring her message was etched into their souls.
"Therefore, listen to my decree. Exactly after three and a half years counting from today... you must spread this warning to the entire world! Warn them that everyone must prepare to face the impending disaster! Fortify your ranks, hone your magic and individual combat abilities. Because the enemies you will face later are not humans, but rather terrifying monsters the likes of which you have never seen in this world!"
A moment after that decree was spoken, a beam of golden-yellow light descended again, piercing through the roof of the hall, creating a pillar of divine light that warmed the altar.
"However, remember this well!" threatened Goddess Nirfelia, placing absolute emphasis. "All of you present in this room are strictly forbidden from leaking this information before that three-and-a-half-year time limit arrives! If any of you dare to violate my warning and cause premature panic in this world, then I will deliver the punishment of suffering to anyone indiscriminately!"
The Goddess softened her voice. "But, for those of you who are obedient and follow my command... I will bestow the blessing of fertility both upon the people and upon their lands!"
"As You wish, Goddess Nirfelia!" answered everyone in the hall in unison, bowing their heads, swearing with profound reverence, fear, and deep adoration.
Slowly, the gravity around the altar began to change. The body of the Goddess and her two angelic attendants began to float up into the air, slowly drawn toward the pillar of golden light.
"My one final message..." the Goddess's voice drifted down from above. "Let no one ever leak or say anything about Kazien's true identity to him! Let him continue to live his life in this world like a normal human, without needing to know of his grand existence."
The Creator's gaze shifted for the last time to the ruling couple of the Altavis territory.
"And specifically for the two of you, Elgard, Larina... treat Kazien just as usual. Regardless of everything, in this mortal world, he is indeed your son. Even though Kazien is my flesh and blood, he can no longer return to reside in the divine realm, because his soul has reincarnated and is bound to this world."
"As You command, Goddess Nirfelia." answered Duke Elgard firmly, looking up with teary eyes full of respect. "I swear upon my life, I will never change my treatment or affection toward him."
"My husband and I love Kazien with all our hearts." added Duchess Larina, her voice straightforward yet enveloped in a mother's warmth. "As the woman who conceived and gave birth to him into this world, it is highly impossible for me to keep my distance or change my treatment toward him. He is my son."
Hearing the sincere vows from the two of them, Goddess Nirfelia smiled. A highly beautiful and sincere smile of relief was carved upon the Creator's face.
"In that case, I entrust this world into the hands of all of you!" said Goddess Nirfelia, her voice slowly beginning to fade as her body became increasingly enveloped in light. "Together with Kazien and his three spouses, you must work together to destroy all the dungeons that will someday emerge in all corners of this world."
The echo of her voice gradually became a whisper that filled everyone's mind.
"If even a single dungeon is left alone and not destroyed... then absolute destruction will definitely erupt from that place, before finally spreading widely, devouring all life in the world."
As that terrifying warning of the future ended, the pillar of golden light shrank very rapidly, shooting up into the sky and disappearing completely.
The presence of the Goddess had vanished, leaving Kazien and his three spouses who were still sleeping soundly on the altar, as well as everyone who was still kneeling in a long silence inside the hall.