The atmosphere in the main hall seemed frozen in time. For a moment that felt like an eternity, not a single sound could be heard other than bated breaths and racing heartbeats.
Slowly, as the golden luminescence left by the Creator faded, one by one they began to muster the courage to lift their faces. Their bodies still trembled, absorbing the lingering pressure of the divine aura that had just suppressed their mortal existence.
However, that sacred silence did not last long. In an instant, the tranquility erupted into massive uproar. The initially suppressed murmurs now turned into a clamor of conversations filled with disbelief.
The arrival of Goddess Nirfelia and the revelation of Kazien Altavis's true identity had shaken the sanity of everyone in the hall.
It was not just within the hall; the same uproar was sweeping across every corner of Lazavis City like a tsunami crashing through the entire city, following the Goddess's words that had echoed to them all.
None of them, not even in their wildest dreams, had ever expected that Duke Elgard's youngest son, known for his genius and humility, was actually the reincarnation and biological son of Goddess Nirfelia, the Supreme Creator of the universe.
Inside the hall, King Nalvon slowly rose from his kneeling position. The man who always appeared so dignified now stared blankly toward the altar where Kazien lay.
No wonder I always felt a sense of reverence and respect towards him from the very beginning. King Nalvon murmured in his heart, piecing together all the puzzles that had been weighing on his mind. I never even hesitated in the slightest to carry out whatever he suggested.
And today, everything has been answered with absolute clarity. His magic power, his knowledge that transcends time, down to his absurdly intimidating aura...
The King let out a long sigh.
I never expected Kazien to be the son of Goddess Nirfelia. King Nalvon noted again, his eyes fixed on Kazien's body atop the altar. No wonder his blood possesses properties that can make others grow stronger and retain their youth. That is not magic... that is the blood of a God.
On the other side of the hall, Virena stood rooted to the spot. The silvery-white-haired woman stared at her younger brother's figure with clenched fists. She never thought that the little brother she often teased and hugged was the reincarnation of a divine entity.
No wonder you possess an immortal body that cannot age, Kazien. Virena said inwardly, finally finding the answers to all her brother's nonsensical powers and knowledge. Your strength, your mindset, and the burdens you always keep tightly hidden... all of it is truly beyond the capacity of a normal teenager.
Yet, instead of feeling afraid or wanting to worship her brother, the beautiful woman's face was instead filled with a look of profound concern. The instincts of an older sister could not simply be erased by cosmic facts.
I know your burden is incredibly heavy right now. Harboring that fear all alone while watching us age before eventually dying. Virena's eyes grew slightly teary as she looked at her brother's face. But I am certain, you will definitely be able to get through it, strong and steadfast. If you ask how I know, then I will answer... because you are my brother! Until the end of time, you will always be the little brother I love.
The exact same feelings flowed fiercely in the hearts of Selena, William, Davin, Raliana, and the rest of the Altavis family relatives. The fact that Kazien was the descendant of a God did not dilute the familial affection that had been woven between them.
Atop the wedding altar, Duke Elgard suppressed all his inner turmoil as a father. He had to regain control of the situation before the panic devolved into chaos.
Assisted by William, Davin, and Prince Felix, who immediately ran to approach the altar, they began to lift the unconscious bodies of Kazien and his three spouses.
Duke Elgard positioned Kazien's body into his arms. He then turned around, looking at all the invited guests who were still shrouded in shock.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I ask for your attention!" Duke Elgard spoke in a loud and firm voice, using his noble aura to calm the crowd. "Please return to your seats and continue to enjoy the banquet that has been served!"
The Duke swept his sharp gaze across the room. "Remember and obey what Goddess Nirfelia has just directly commanded us! Behave as usual. Continue your lives as if this newly revealed truth never existed, and never bring it up in front of my son!"
After delivering that absolute warning, Duke Elgard gave a brief, respectful nod to all the invited guests. Along with Duchess Larina, Elisa, William, Davin, and Felix, they carried the bodies of Kazien, Alvin, Allen, and Arken out of the hall, heading to the mansion's master bedroom to lay them down.
While their physical bodies slept peacefully in the mortal world, the consciousness of Kazien and his three spouses was pulled across the boundaries of space and time.
....
In a place incredibly foreign and completely beyond the reach of the human universe, Kazien slowly opened his eyes. He blinked, realizing that he and his three spouses were no longer on the wedding altar.
The four of them now stood in the middle of a place radiating a mesmerizing and dazzling white light, yet it did not hurt their eyes at all.
Surrounding them were rows of giant pillars adorned with beautiful gold carvings. The columns towered limitlessly into an unseen ceiling, emitting a gentle light that enveloped the entire dimension in absolute peace.
"It seems... the souls of the four of us have been forcibly pulled to this place by Goddess Nirfelia." Kazien said calmly, breaking the silence among them. His pair of sapphire blue eyes swept over the surrounding scenery with vigilance yet full of awe. "But, for what reason were our souls brought here?"
Hearing their husband's voice, Alvin, Allen, and Arken, who had just regained their consciousness, immediately turned their heads. They looked at Kazien's face with evident confusion.
"My Dear..." Alvin called out softly. The High Elf looked around in awe. "What is this place? The holy energy here feels so pure and dense. Are we currently in the divine realm?"
"You are right, Alvin!" Kazien answered, looking at his spouse gently. "This is the divine realm. It seems Goddess Nirfelia wishes to speak directly with the four of us beyond the reach of human ears."
Right after Kazien answered Alvin's question, a beam of golden light descended from above, coalescing to form an elegant silhouette.
"Welcome, to the four of you!"
A gentle voice filled with authority drifted through to greet them. Goddess Nirfelia descended slowly, the tips of her toes stepping lightly onto the cloud-like floor.
"Forgive me for suddenly pulling and bringing your souls here in the middle of your sacred ceremony." the Goddess said amiably, welcoming their arrival with a motherly smile.
Alvin, Allen, and Arken instantly froze. This was the first time the three of them had seen the true form of the Creator in reality.
Before them stood a female entity with a beauty that was impossible to describe with words. Her hair was as fine as shining golden threads, and on her back spread six magnificent, glittering silver wings, wings that reminded them of Kazien's true form.
The three of them truly could not depict a beauty so far beyond mortal comprehension.
Seeing the three youths rendered speechless in awe, Goddess Nirfelia smiled understandingly.
"I do not have much time, so I will directly state my intentions to the four of you." the Goddess continued, her facial expression now turning more serious. "I brought your souls here for one purpose. From this moment on, you will train under my direct guidance... so that someday, you will possess enough power to face Lunarias in the future."