Got Engaged to the Man They Call Ugly - Chapter 27

“That’s just too much. Why go to such lengths?”

“It’s because of the prophecy stating that the god who defeats the Curse of Eternal Winter will become ruler of Elysion. She’s likely waiting for the curse to come true, so she can claim the glory of ending it herself.”

“But… if everyone waits like that, won’t all the other living beings freeze to death?”

“Exactly. That’s why Vishtar laid out her terms. If one bows to her and pledges loyalty, she’ll help them survive the Long Freezing Night.”

Of course, the prideful gods wouldn’t accept such conditions, so each had gone their own way to prepare.

…Hmm. That’s understandable. It was Vishtar we were dealing with.

Elinne nodded.

For the first time in all these far-fetched stories about these transcendent beings, this was something she could actually relate to.

“I think I can understand. I mean, if it were me…”

I’d rather freeze to death than spend eternity groveling at Vishtar’s feet.

She nearly said it out loud, but bit her tongue just in time.

The memory of Vishtar’s terrifying fury when casting that curse sent a chill through her, as if a Frost Giant had appeared at her side.

“Yes. Her head is always held far too high. And she never understands that the higher it’s raised, the easier it is to break.”

Nerva’s tone was uncharacteristically cold.

“I’ve spent centuries trying to understand why the Fire Giants are so loyal to her. If she’s blackmailing them or if she’s bound them with something. But Venus is so sealed off, there’s nothing we can learn.”

“Couldn’t you send a spy?”

“They can’t even get past the outer barrier without getting discovered. Most powers don’t work on Titans, and Venus’s walls are guarded day and night by the Fire Giants.”

Well, if she’s been trying for hundreds of years, she’s probably already thought of everything Elinne could come up with.

Still… shouldn’t there be a way?

The fact that the opponent was Vishtar just made her more inclined to try.

“…Then can’t we just charge in? You’re the Goddess of War, aren’t you? Vishtar doesn’t even seem like she’d be good at fighting.”

“Hahaha! You really are my daughter!”

Nerva’s eyebrows rose at her bold and straightforward suggestion, and she burst out laughing.

It was the most boisterous expression Elinne had seen on her all day.

“I’ve thought about that too, of course.”

Nerva’s smile lingered as she answered.

“But I’m not a god who starts wars. Before I’m a Goddess of War, I’m a Goddess of Wisdom.”

Her calm voice brought Elinne’s reason back.

“War must always be the last resort. It comes only after exhausting all wisdom and considering every possible move. Because unlike wisdom, once war is fought, it is irreversible.”

“You’re right.”

Elinne let out a sigh and nodded.

She’d spoken out in a moment of frustration, but it wasn’t as though she truly wanted Nerva to start a war.

In the end, war is only a war of attrition in which someone dies and is injured. As Nerva said, it should only come after everything else has failed.

So in the end, the conclusion was the same. Vishtar held all the keys.

She was more influential than Elinne had realized. She didn’t look it at all.

Elinne frowned slightly at the thought.

“Well, I should take my leave. I need to receive reports on today’s events.”

Finishing her tea, Nerva rose from her seat.

With a sweep of her hand, the long green braid hanging down her back vanished beneath her helmet.

In a flash, she was once again clad in gleaming light armor, the Goddess of War and Wisdom, smiling serenely.

“Don’t dwell too deeply on today’s conversation. For as always, the answer will come through wisdom.”

But perhaps because her back was to the light, Nerva’s confident expression looked… oddly dim.

* * *

After that, Elinne began researching Vishtar.

“I want to know about the relationship between Vishtar and the Titans.”

【No relevant records found.】

But to no avail.

She scoured the archives with all the search skills she’d refined over time, but came up empty.

Then again, Nerva herself didn’t know, so it was probably to be expected.

Which meant the only option was to ask Vishtar directly, but that was impossible, and not something she wanted to do anyway…

The divine bookshelves fluttered with glowing pages.

Nerva had said she was still searching for a way, but even the Supreme Deity, the ruler of the Divine Empire, didn’t know when the Curse of Eternal Winter would come.

The frost serpent might swallow the sun at any moment. It could happen tomorrow.

She felt uneasy.

Someone once said they’d plant an apple tree even if the world were ending tomorrow, but here she was, not even eating an apple properly.

For some reason, she didn’t feel like doing anything at all.

“Elinne, no cookies today?”