If lifting a mountain had shaken the heavens—
The aftermath shook the village.
Vrindavan did not wake up the morning after the storm.
It celebrated.
Children ran through the streets reenacting the scene with exaggerated gestures, tiny fingers raised proudly. "I lifted it like THIS!" one boy shouted, promptly falling over.
Cows mooed approvingly.
Butter was churned in record quantities.
Someone composed a song before breakfast.
Krishna sat on a rooftop, legs dangling, eating stolen butter with zero remorse.
Radha climbed up beside him, arms crossed.
"You're enjoying this too much."
He licked butter from his fingers thoughtfully. "I nearly lost an arm holding a mountain."
"You didn't even blink."
"I blinked internally."
She laughed, sitting beside him. "The entire village thinks you're… different now."
Krishna shrugged. "They already did."
Below them, Nanda was trying—and failing—to maintain order as villagers brought gifts.
"Please!" he shouted. "No more sweets! We cannot store them all!"
Yashoda eyed Krishna suspiciously from afar.
He felt it instantly.
The system chimed.
«Maternal Suspicion Level: Rising.
Probability of Ear Pulling: 62%.»
Krishna sighed. "I should go."
Too late.
Yashoda grabbed his ear with precision.
"Mountain-lifter," she said sweetly. "Care to explain?"
Krishna winced theatrically. "Mother, you always told me to help others."
"With hills?"
Radha covered her mouth, laughing.
Yashoda dragged Krishna inside. "Sit."
He obeyed.
She crossed her arms. "Are you a god?"
Krishna met her gaze calmly.
"No."
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you going to become one?"
"No."
"Then why did you lift a mountain?"
He smiled gently. "Because it was raining."
Yashoda stared.
Then sighed.
"…Eat your breakfast."
The system chimed approvingly.
«Crisis Averted.
Explanation Rating: Impossibly Effective.»
Later that day, elders gathered.
They spoke carefully now—not in fear, but in respect.
"What is Krishna's path?" one asked.
Nanda answered honestly. "He is our son."
And that settled it.
Radha watched from the side as Krishna handled the attention with ease—never demanding worship, never distancing himself.
She pulled him aside near the riverbank.
"You know," she said softly, "they will expect things."
"Like what?"
"Marriage."
Krishna blinked.
The system chimed immediately.
«Romantic Flag Raised.
Destiny Threads: Multiple.
Jealousy Index: Zero (as requested).»
Radha smiled before he could speak.
"Not today," she added. "And not only me."
Krishna studied her face.
No pain.
No insecurity.
Only calm certainty.
"You already know," he said.
She nodded. "I always did."
He took her hand. "You will never be replaced."
"I know."
They sat in silence, watching the river shimmer.
Far away, destiny stirred.
Not in tragedy.
In harmony.
That night, Krishna lay beneath the stars again.
The system spoke quietly.
«Phase One Complete.
Childhood of Butter and Blood: Stabilized.
Arc Progression: Rise of Krishna Approaching.»
Krishna smiled.
"Good."
Vrindavan slept peacefully.
No storms.
No demons.
No sorrow.
Only laughter.
Only promise.
--chapter 20 ended--