[Bonus chapter] Goddess Minerva

Moonlight illuminates the land below. The people receiving it are more than happy to accept it as they continue the night-long celebration.

In the middle of the plateau, Nox sleeps soundly without getting disturbed by the surrounding ruckus. Sharing the same nonchalant demeanor is a silver-haired beauty who's almost in an infant position.

Sudden bursts of chilly wind make them both shiver and crawl in to keep warm, without waking up.

The only disturbance that will eventually wake up Mirena, is a soft voice in her mind, calling out to her.

The girl half wakes and takes a seating position and looks around. To her surprise, there are people everywhere, clinking their glasses, dancing and cheering.

She turns to her side and sees the sleeping young man next to her. She brushes his hair and smiles. An echoing voice in her head calls out once more. 「'Mirena'」

She jumps up and looks around. With a trembling voice, she speaks. "H-Hello?"

「'My name is Minerva! People refer to me as Goddess of the Elves!'」

Lost for words, Mirena unconsciously bows. She takes a few seconds to realize there's no one in front of her and returns to her earlier posture. "How can I help, Goddess?"

From the echoing voice, the silver-haired girl could feel the warmth in her heart. She knew this person didn't intend to harm her. 「'Can you find somewhere for us to talk undisturbed?'」

Mirena nods and walks away from the crowd and to Nox. "Yes, it'll take a while to get there, but there is such a place!"

At a hasten pace, the young woman reaches her home. She makes sure it's empty before she speaks to the Goddess. "I'm home!"

It only took seconds for a blinding green light to cover the entire interior of the small house. Bursts of energy emitting from the light caused the old wooden structure to find its brilliance. Some pieces even produced leaves.

Mirena covers her eyes, but cannot check her surroundings for the next few seconds. Moments later, the light dims down, and a figure appears from it, surrounded by a green aura.

Some physical details are blurry, but her overall distinguishable appearance is quite eye-catching. Mirena removes her hand she previously had covered her face and looks at the divine presence in front of her.

Minerva's stoic posture strikes awe in the young woman's heart. Her gentle movements and warm smile inspire life. The Goddess's presence transforms the rustic wooden house into a blossomed garden.

Mirena's shock is perfectly visible as she looks around, dazzled by the sudden change of her home. Moss covers the aged chairs and table, whereas the floor is like a green tapestry. From the ceiling, vines with white flowers are hanging to provide an all around fragrance.

Goddess Minerva smiles while extending her hand towards the awestruck girl. 「'Nice to meet you, young Mirena'」

The silver-haired beauty kneels and looks down respectfully. "Goddess Minerva!"

In the absolute soothing silence, Mirena doesn't dare to lift her head or speak. She understands that the Goddess in front of her is a mere projection, but the fact remains that the sheer pressure emitted is immeasurable.

「'I wish to have met you under better circumstances, but the situation is dire!'」

"Even though I'm just a half-blood, I'll try my best to help Goddess!"

「'Your words honor me, young one! Blood has nothing to do with what I'm about to ask of you!'」

Mirena remains silent, waiting to hear the Goddess's request. A million thoughts cross her mind, but what she's about to listen isn't one of those.

「'Can you assassinate the Demon Lord?'」

The young woman's expression turned grim. Saying nothing, she stands up and gives the Goddess an icy stare, enough to shutter her projection. She turns her back at Minerva and takes the first step towards the door. "I'm done here!"

「'Please! Listen to me!'」

"I heard everything I needed to hear. I refuse!"

「'Your friend is being used by another God!'」

Mirena continues, taking one step after the other, while thinking about what Minerva is telling her, wondering if it's the truth or not. "Why kill him then? He just saved my town! Where have you been all this time? Why do you appear now when you need something? Do you have any idea what any of us went through until Nox appeared?"

The young woman, unable to hold it in anymore, bursts into tears, while telling Minerva the situation the Heroes caused in Rodena Town and around the world. How poorly the hero and her followers barely scrape the surface of the pain she's letting out.

Minerva knew that the girl's situation wasn't favourable, but she never thought it'd be to this extent. She assumed that Mirena simply had it rough because of her bloodline. Her smile vanishes, and taking its place is a saddened face. Their rules prohibit them from taking any action in the world below, unless it's an order coming from higher up.

Mirena is about to reach the door, when Minerva rushes to her side and places her hand on the silver-haired girl's shoulder. A burst of energy blends in the girl's body. 「'Take this blessing as my sincere apology!'」

She halts in front of the door with her hand on the knob. "I still won't kill him. He's very dear to me and I don't care if I have to fight all the gods to protect him!"

「'I understand your feelings and I won't force you!'」

After some time passes, Minerva smiles again and in a soft voice utters. 「'Let me warn you instead!'」

Mirena turns around and looks the Goddess straight in the eyes. With a light nod, she urges her to continue.

「'The Gods now are deliberating whether they should use Reboot! Basically, is a massive spell that will negate everything in this world and restart it!'」

"Everything will go back to how it was?"

「'Yes! Nox's presence is forcing them to such an extreme measure. A friend of mine lost her ward and is reluctant to use it!'」

"You mean, the Gods will be affected as well?

Taking the time, Minerva explained what the situation is over at the Floating Palace, and how they blame Nox.

Irritated, Mirena interrupted her by slamming her slender hand on the wooden door. "Why do you blame others for your own shortcomings?"

Minerva looks at her, confused. The Goddess cannot grasp what Mirena is saying.「'What do you mean?'」

The silver-haired beauty lets out a long sigh and utters with audible frustration in her voice. "If you took care of your wards and guided them properly, do you think Nox would be in this situation?"

The Goddess understood her misguided belief and poor sight. With a swift motion of her slender hand, the old wooden house returns to normal and Minerva disappears. 「'If you don't mind, I'd like to talk with you from time to time!'」

Mirena smiles and relaxes her muscles. "As long as you don't interfere with Nox, I don't mind!"

「'Very well! Remember to be careful and warn the Demon Lord about that person!'」

Mirena brushes her silver hair and gets out of her house. As soon as she steps foot outside, a sinister presence forces her to raise her guard up. Mirena's first thought is. 'Did they send someone else?'

With quick steps, she returns to the plaza where Nox is sleeping. An unfamiliar face holding a dagger hovers Nox.

She hastens her pace. The dagger descends on Nox when Mirena extends her palm.

Gusts of wind whoosh where she's aiming, hitting the unknown person, sending him a few steps back.