Chapter 66.1

Everyone was unfamiliar with him, but upon seeing him, one title immediately came to mind: Empress God.

Oswald was taken aback when he first saw the man. A sense of awkwardness emanated from his back, like a cold, clammy hand.

He couldn't pinpoint the source of this discomfort. Was it the man's piercing gaze? His sharp, angular features? Or was it something else entirely?

He assumed it was because he had a preconceived dislike for the man, causing him to find him visually displeasing.

But there was something more to it than that. There was a sense of menace about the man, as if he were hiding something dark and dangerous.

It is well-known that gods are not like mortals. They are beings of pure light and energy, and their presence can be overwhelming to those who are not used to it.

This is especially true for those who genuinely see themselves as gods, just the sight of his back gives off an overwhelming sense of purity.

Even someone like Oswald, who does not have an absolute belief in gods and doesn't particularly like this man, couldn't help but look away, no longer meeting his gaze head-on.

However, when his eyes unintentionally fell upon Kevin, his steps faltered. He furrowed his brows and stared at Kevin's back, who was two steps ahead, for a moment.

He then shifted his gaze back to the man in the temple, his surprise evident. After scanning between the two a few times, he finally understood the reason for his unease.

The man's back looked strikingly similar to Kevin's from height to figure, and even the way he stood and the slight curvature of his fingers hanging by his side were almost identical.

The man's back was smooth and flawless, like polished marble. It was as if the light of the sun was shining directly on it.

It was as if he had been molded from the same clay as Kevin, except their temperaments were completely different, and his hair had grown exponentially longer.

It was as if Kevin's body housed another soul. If it weren't for the eerie similarity, one might even suspect the presence of a ghost.

Oswald had a possessive desire for Kevin. Although he usually kept it restrained and concealed, truthfully, he cared more about everything that belonged to Kevin than Kevin himself, including his physical form.

Just as he couldn't tolerate someone else being taken seriously by Kevin and not knowing him, he couldn't bear another person who resembled Kevin.

However, this Empress God seemed to hit all of his sensitive points head-on, unabashedly and domineeringly.

Thus, Oswald, who was already irritated with him, hardened his expression and cast away any trace of reverence he had left.

He descended the last two steps with a cold gaze and positioned himself beside Kevin. His half-opened wings extended, effectively shielding half of Kevin's body, adopting a protective stance.

"Sirius..." The black-haired man seemed to have eyes on the back of his head.

He smiled without turning around, a touch of nostalgia in his voice, and remarked, "You still have a penchant for raising such a magnificent and beautiful for someone who dislikes being close to others."

Oswald was disturbed by the goosebumps that cropped up all over his body upon hearing this tone. It made his hair stand on end, as though he were being tickled by invisible fingers.

When he had noticed the uncanny resemblance between the man's back and Kevin, he didn't know if it was a result of his own imagination or not.

Suddenly, he realized that even the man's speech pattern was reminiscent of Kevin's.

Subconsciously, he envisioned Kevin uttering impolite words in that soft, languid tone, which was far more terrifying than encountering a ghost.

However, this Empress God seemed to possess no self-awareness and displayed no intention of stopping.

Individuals who have truly achieved a certain status seldom exhibit excessive emotions, such as anger or resentment. Even if they hold murderous intentions towards someone, they can engage in small talk before carrying it out.

This is particularly applicable to the high gods.

Kevin had a playful temperament. Even if the heavens were collapsing, he would raise his arms nonchalantly and maintain a sharp tongue. In this situation, since the other party showed no signs of urgency, his calm only increased.

He even lightly brushed against Oswald's wings twice, flicking off a feather stuck to his fingertip, and nonchalantly quipped, "Yes, indeed. Magnificent and pleasing to the eye. When there's a need, it's pleasing to have him around, but when there's no need, he can serve as a food reserve. Of course, I enjoy having him as a pet."

Oswald: "..."

Suddenly, he recalled that Kevin had mentioned at one point that he had kept a Sirius before. Why hadn't that thought crossed his mind earlier? Ordinary individuals cannot possibly domesticate such creatures.

"You're still as amusing as ever." The Empress God's tone carried a tinge of regret. "I can't help but envy how I felt as a child, even wanting to get closer to you. Unfortunately... there have been too few opportunities."

Kevin chuckled, playing along with the casual politeness. Although he spoke casually, with a dismissive and ambiguous demeanor, he knew in his heart what the individual was referring to.

This statement involuntarily reminded him of the time when Melo was young.

Back then, Melo was extremely timid and shy. He was the youngest and the only child among the gods. He was constantly guided by Thenis, his curiosity leading him to explore everything.

The numerous gods were fond of teasing him, making him cry one moment and laugh the next. They were akin to elderly people who suddenly had a grandchild in the mortal realm, showering this child with affection to the point of spoiling him.

The gods continuously blessed him, hoping for a smooth and joyful life.

In fact, Kevin, who was then the God of Light, was no exception. After all, Melo bore an uncanny resemblance to him when he was a child.

When most people encounter a child who bears a striking resemblance to them in their youth, they can't help but feel a closer connection to them.

Kevin had always been somewhat sentimental, and he couldn't help but develop a similar sentiment towards Melo.

However, he didn't particularly care for children who were overly soft and fragile, lacking in patience to spend a great deal of time with them. Hence, he expressed himself more subtly.