Eclipse

I suggested to the six people, who were asking what on earth that meant and demanding a more detailed explanation, that we first move locations. After some discussion, the finally decided location was the Grand Cathedral of the Moon.

Going there itself was no big deal. That’s because three out of the six people could use teleportation.

The only problem was that I glanced down outside through the Grand Cathedral’s window and was startled by the sight of the entire plaza packed tightly with people praying.

According to the Popes’ explanation, they were grateful for the miracle that had just unfolded. Not only did the sun and moon rise in one place, but a divine radiance also spread.

‘It’s certainly worthy of being called a miracle.’

As soon as I heard Floretta and Luna’s explanation, I easily understood.

The sun and moon rising in the same sky. Between them, a radiance spread out large enough to cover the entire continent. Even if only one of the two had unfolded, two events that would be called miracles occurred simultaneously.

It was a sight that would be immediately understandable even just by hearing about it, let alone the reactions of those who witnessed it directly. They all rushed out and were likely praising God.

In such a situation, anyone who wouldn’t praise the sun and moon should be in the Empire, not the Holy Nation.

The Popes had expressions that showed their mouths and bodies were itching to spread the fact that the radiance’s true identity was me throughout the entire Holy Nation, but I firmly refused. At least not right now.

Besides, to appear before anyone, my body’s condition was quite a mess. I didn’t know it when I bowed my head to look down, but when I slowly looked myself over in front of a mirror, I looked no different from a corpse.

That’s why as soon as they saw me open my eyes, they all reacted with shock.

I told them firmly that since I would be restored anyway once I met the goddess, they shouldn’t mention or grieve over my injuries anymore. It was to keep them from worrying.

Especially Floretta and Luna had expressions as if they were half-crying, so only after I had comforted them several times could they return to their usual selves.

“Please stay here as much as you wish, Delta-nim. Or, it’s fine if you stay for life.”

“How could it just be ‘fine’? Our Holy Nation will assist Delta-nim with all its might.”

“Don’t spout useless nonsense, Pope.”

Luna led us into a large space located on the middle floor of the Grand Cathedral of the Moon. As she did so, Kaikilia immediately growled at the words added by the Popes.

Perhaps trying to live up to its name as the Grand Cathedral of the Moon, except for being entirely silver, it was a luxurious room splendid enough to rival the Imperial Palace. I don’t know where such places keep coming from.

There was only one bed, as if it were obvious. And what’s more, it was a bed large enough for at least six people to lie down comfortably with space left over. The purpose for which such a large thing had been placed there was obvious.

The Popes supported me from both sides and carefully laid me on the bed, then sat on the edge next to me and tightly clasped my hand.

Kaikilia, seeing that, clicked her tongue with a face that looked extremely displeased. Even though a low ‘Tsk’ sound echoed, Floretta and Luna didn’t even pretend to hear it.

“Then we will withdraw now.”

“This place is not where we should interfere.”

As Stella and Selene withdrew, the gazes that had briefly scattered refocused on me.

“Those things clinging to your side are quite annoying, but… since I don’t want to start a fight here right now, I shall mercifully overlook it. So tell me right now. What happened?”

Kaikilia uncharacteristically urged me. Minerva too was holding her tongue, but her eyes showed extreme curiosity, and Floretta and Luna openly had sparkling eyes.

“Before I tell you what I experienced, there is something I must ask of you.”

“A request?”

“Yes. It’s a request that I won’t be able to tell you everything that happened.”

…….

That expression immediately twisted.

“……Is there a reason that can convince me? Or is it merely your whim?”

“What I experienced is not just my own business. It’s also something the Holy Nation’s God is involved in. Therefore, until I have an audience with God and receive a definite answer about what parts can be spoken of and what cannot, I have no choice but to do this.”

At the mention that it was an affair involving the sun and moon, the harsh atmosphere softened. Kaikilia spoke in a slightly dumbfounded tone.

“You speak so casually of having an audience with God. If it weren’t for your words, I would surely have considered it the delusion of a madman. And you would have been caught and killed for blasphemy.”

“Since it’s something I was doing until recently, wouldn’t it be natural to be calm about it?”

“Even after conversing with God, the only being who could remain so calm would be you alone, Delta.”

In contrast to Kaikilia’s dumbfounded expression, the Popes, with extremely happy faces, rubbed my hand against their cheeks. The soft sensation of their cheeks was conveyed to the back of my hand.

“Therefore, wouldn’t it be that we sisters have dedicated both our bodies and souls to Delta-nim? It is truly a joyous occasion.”

“You have already created countless miracles, but a new one has been added to those miracles. It is truly a glorious occasion.”

The sight of them arbitrarily sucking and licking my hand seemed to displease her, so Kaikilia crossed her arms, emphasizing her chest, stood with one leg bent, and nervously tapped her foot.

Thanks to the plush silver carpet on the floor, not a single footstep could be heard, but it was enough to tell that she was extremely displeased.

“If it’s useless flattery, it would be best to stop it, Pope. For now is not a good time to express your filthy and ugly desires.”

“How can you say that touching bodies with the one whom God watches over and cares for is a useless act? This is extremely sacred, holy, and divine behavior. Please reconsider your thoughts, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“If perhaps Your Majesty the Emperor also desires the same actions as us, do not be shy and feel free to reveal your desires as much as you wish. Aren’t all of us already Delta-nim’s possessions?”

“Such insolence-“

“For now, I will tell you everything I can tell you.”

Before the argument could truly escalate, I quickly interjected and opened my mouth. Then, their gazes gathered on me again. Because for now, their curiosity would be much greater.

“The identity of that dragon is….”

I explained the rest, excluding anything that might cause problems.

Such as the goddess being overwhelmingly defeated by the World Eater and endlessly pushed back, or the fact that I had actually been dragged and rolled around by the goddess four times.

Especially, the fact that the sun and moon were not two goddesses but one absolutely could not be revealed. Hadn’t it been said that the concept of a monotheistic God was corrupted by a creature abandoned by God?

In the worst-case scenario, something like a creature abandoned by God might be created again. It’s right to avoid stirring up trouble unnecessarily.

To summarize what I finally told them, it was the story of a dragon with black scales and red eyes that tried to swallow this world with wicked schemes, and how I received the goddess’s power and fought against that bastard.

…….

At the fact that the world had almost been destroyed, everyone present became silent without exception.

“……The one that appeared in the Imperial Palace, was it such a formidable fellow?”

“Honestly, even I didn’t know it would be that strong.”

This is true. I also had no idea that bastard would be crazy enough to directly shatter a goddess. I just thought it would be a very strong dragon, that’s all.

“Anyway, this is all I can tell you right now. I will explain the rest after receiving permission from the goddess.”

“……I understand. If we must await God’s answer, then it would be impossible for humans to interfere further. Instead, hurry as much as you can. I have many questions for you.”

At the mention of being involved with God, Kaikilia backed down a step, and while Minerva was deep in thought, Floretta carefully opened her mouth.

“Um… Delta-nim. Perhaps, may this lowly one ask one question?”

“Just speak comfortably, Floretta. I have no intention of treating you roughly. And don’t call yourself so lowly either.”

At my words, Luna, as if she had been waiting, whispered, ‘I’d like it if you treated me a bit more roughly in bed,’ but I tried hard to ignore it.

“Yes, Delta-nim. Then I will ask. Have you met all of our Gods?”

“That’s right.”

Since it’s one person, it’s a bit ambiguous to use the expression “met all,” but.

“How were their bodies?”

“……What?”

For a moment, thinking I had misheard, I asked back.

“According to the scriptures, the Sun and Moon created us humans in their own image, and are said to possess female bodies more beautiful than anyone else’s. How were the Gods’ physical bodies? Could you please give us your assessment?”

…….

I fell silent.

‘What… am I supposed to evaluate?’

So now, they’re saying I must have seen their God’s naked body, and they want me to tell them what my impressions were? Is that what they’re asking me to do, give an evaluation?

‘…….’

I, who had momentarily lost my words, gave the answer that though I couldn’t confirm everything because the intimate parts were covered by light, the visible parts were perfect.

It was a very objective evaluation. It was an urgent situation, so I hadn’t taken my time to slowly confirm it, but as soon as I saw the body, the word “perfect” automatically came to mind.

After hearing my answer, Floretta and Luna were very pleased.

I’m not sure what exactly was the point to be pleased about.

The first time I set foot in the goddess’s world, I was dragged there without knowing why, but the second time was easy. I just closed my eyes and concentrated as if praying, and before I knew it, I had moved here.

‘She’s not outside… So maybe she’s inside the house?’

I took one last look around and walked towards the two-story house built precisely straddling the boundary between day and night, flowers and grass.

It was something I learned after wandering around everywhere looking for the goddess, but the world, which had been shattered into pieces due to the aftermath of the battle, had somehow regained its original form.

‘Yet my body is still the same.’

I reached my hand behind my back and put it into the gaping hole. The hand that went in from behind popped out in front of my chest. It was a sight that would only be seen in a cheap slasher movie.

Staying like this, it keeps bothering me, I can’t stand it. Before asking anything else, I should at least get treated first.

I, grumbling, stood in front of the two-story house’s main door, and after confirming the door was open, I entered without knocking.

‘Indeed, who would come in here that she would lock the door?’

The interior atmosphere strongly felt antique overall. I had expected it to be plastered with gold and silver, so honestly, it was a bit unexpected.

Except for sunlight shining through the left window and moonlight shining through the right window, it was believable enough to be called an Imperial noble’s mansion.

“Goddess-nim? Are you not here?”

I, calling out to the goddess, wandered around the entire first floor. But despite that, I couldn’t find the goddess. She definitely wasn’t outside, so if she wasn’t in the house either, I wondered if we had perhaps crossed paths.

This concern of mine was soon resolved. While I was climbing the stairs to the second floor, I heard the goddess’s voice.

“Hmm… No… The pose a bit more like this… And the expression too….”

The source was the room facing the stairs. The location was quite close.

‘Did she not hear my calling?’

That’s why it was even more puzzling. My voice was clearly quite loud, I thought.

“Indeed, this pose is… Good, the line is…”

Through the half-open door, the goddess’s voice was heard once more. Wondering what on earth she was doing inside that she didn’t even notice someone had arrived, I abruptly pushed the door open without warning.

“I am Goddess Eclipse, and I will-“

“What on earth are you doing inside-“

The voices of us two overlapped.

The goddess was striking some kind of pose.

With an extremely captivating expression, her right hand resting on a round table, her left hand thrown behind her head, naturally revealing her armpit, her legs slightly crossed, emphasizing her buttocks.

Her head was slightly tilted to the left and her eyes faced forward. Wind blew in from outside the window, fluttering the fabric that barely covered her body.

At her figure and appearance, which could only be described as perfect, I momentarily lost my words and stared blankly.

“Uh…?”

After a brief moment of doubt, it was the goddess who first began to act. Her face, which had been wearing a captivating expression, gradually changed to one of embarrassment.

“H-how did you get here… No, wait, why already…?”

“Well… didn’t I tell you? I have many questions, but given the situation, I said I’d listen after fighting that bastard. So I came as quickly as I could… What on earth were you doing…?”

…….

I couldn’t finish my sentence, and the goddess also couldn’t answer.

Silence continued.