Chương 151: Chapter 134. Awakening

John Ericsson's Point Of View Where am I? I can't see? It's so dark here...

"....." Bubbles when I scream? I'm underwater? What the hell? I try swimming... Not working...

"...." I activated Holy Mana Body. It works." Oh, Good! You're here now!" I heard a girl's voice from inside my head, like when my Summons or when Scarlet or Julia talk to me." Who are you!?" I called out to the voice. It didn't take long for a response. The darkness that surrounded me moved back, from the new space given to me, I could see again. A young woman began to stare at me. She had deep, dark-blue hair and eyes. Who is she?" Let me explain." Again, she spoke to me through my mind."

We can speak through our mouths now, I apologize. You see, I just woke up, so everything wasn't perfect. To explain it, it's like I was just woken up and I can still close my eyes and return to my slumber. But your presence, your Magic, it was like the sun's morning light landed directly on my face, so I called for you to see what you wanted. Why did you wake me up?"" What do you mean!? I didn't wake you up! I was fighting a Wyvern just now!"" Ah, that explains the quakes that shifted my body.""

You were asleep near the Wyvern? Where were you? Underground?"" Yes, underground, as well as above ground. I surrounded the Wyvern even. As well as you and your group." This woman wasn't making any sense. I decided to ask my first question... Again." Can you just tell me who you are? So I can figure out what to do?" The woman had a teasing smile as she began to respond to my question." Honestly, aren't you a bit dull? I've given you so many hints already."

I was confused by her words, and I tried to think about these "hints" she gave me, but I have no idea what she's referring to. She seemed to have finally given up on beating around the bush. She began to speak with an exasperated tone." How did you become a Paladin if you're this slow!? I'm the Goddess of Water around these parts, you dullard!" I cocked my head at her words." What is a Water Goddess doing here? Have you seen this place? Its nothing but swampland.

Wouldn't a Water Goddess want to be somewhere else... Like a lake?" The Woman laughed at my reaction." Who's to say there isn't a lake here?"" I do. I checked the maps. There's only waterways that lead to oceans and a bunch of swamp pools and bogs."" Again... So dull!" The "dull" comments are getting old... But with what's she's saying..." Let me guess, you did something as a Water Goddess, didn't you?" The woman flashed a grin." Look at you! Using that head of yours finally!"

Instead of responding, I just decided to wait and hear what she had to say. In time, she continued." You see, before I went to sleep, this place was a thriving land! It was a beautiful place! Then the Demons came. I was welcoming to them at first and they revered and celebrated me for years. Then, a Lord came and asked something special of me."" What was it?"" I can make different drops of water with special effects. This Lord in particular, wanted a Drop of Other Sight from me."" Other Sight?"

I've never heard of something like that before, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked about it. The Water Goddess decided to answer my question." The drop of Other Sight lets a mortal view a Soul they're bonded with in the afterlife. This Lord wanted to meet his daughter again. Apparently, the girl was frail and was taken from Gaia due to a sickness breaking out."" I see. I'm guessing you asked for something in return.""

You'd be right, I asked for Offerings, but the first thing I demanded was the most important. You see, mortals... Have this idea, that just because they can see something, that means there's a way to touch it. The only way for someone currently living to find their way to the afterlife without dying is to make a Contract with certain.... Individuals. My first demand was to never seek them out. That rule was broken."" So, in return, you razed the land and made it what it is now?"

The Goddess had a different smile on her face now. It was colder." Look at you, figuring it out. Good job." With that information, I thought of a few questions, I decided to ask the easiest question first." I'm guessing it took great effort to turn all of this land into swamp? I'm guessing that you went to sleep soon after you were done doing that task?" The Goddess nodded." Do you know how long it's been since then?" The Goddess shook her head right to left." It's been millenniums.""

That isn't too shocking, Usually, us Gods will rest for around 10, 000 mortal years before feeling well-rested. Thankfully, I just needed a nap, which is why you were able to wake me today. I nodded to the Goddess's words. I then asked the most important question to me." Whatever Spell you used on the land can be reversed, can't it?"" It could be, if I so wished."" Well, the Lord you punished is long gone. Why continue making the land and the innocent people and animals suffer?"

The Goddess placed her hand on her chin and began to think. She answered my question after a few moments passed." Well, I don't really have a reason to. I mean, I could. The Spell I used has an automatic function to reset the land if I wanted to. But I have no real reason to. The concerns of mortals who don't even worship me, are none of my concern." I sighed at her words." What would it take to have you return these lands to how they were?

And, if possible, keep the lands to the West as a swamp for the Animals or Monsters that need a swampy environment to live."" How nice of you to think of the wildlife. But... What exactly would I get from you? I take it you're the Lord of the Roselands now?"" How could you tell?" I was puzzled by her question. She began to walk towards me as she answered my question." Why else would a Human care about territory in Diablos? You're even an Otherworlder.

It'd be even stranger if you weren't a Lord and were still asking for the land to change. Besides, after I looked, it became clear." That last part intrigued me." How do you know I'm an Otherworlder?" Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more." All secrets of mortals are viewable to the Gods. We gave you the Appraisal Orbs, did you think that Magic was so "special" that we couldn't do it ourselves? You have much to learn if you do." She continued to walk towards me.

Now she was in arms reach in front of me." As for what I want... Maybe I'll have you become my Paladin, instead of the God you serve?" She smiled at me as she reached her hand out to touch my cheek. /SCREECH! /" What!?"" What is that?" A loud noise scared us both. /BOOM! / And then there was the sound of an explosion? PULL!" How dare you try and take advantage of the Skills I've given him to steal him from me! You.... You thieving cat!"" Woah!" I was pulled from behind and I was smothered by someone. Wait...

That voice..." Angela?" GRIP! The grip on me grew stronger." W-W-What is someone like you, doing here!?" The Goddess sounded like she was afraid. What is going on?" This is unforgivable! To try and snatch away MY Bonded One!"" I-I-I only thought he was the Paladin of a Lesser God! I'm sorry Ms---"" Don't try and say my Real Name in his presence! You know what that would do to a Mortal! And you thought it'd be okay to take a Bonded Mortal of a God if they were a Lesser God!? Do you have any shame!?"" EEEE!

I'm sorry!" Release! I was finally able to separate myself from Angela. What I saw was a little shocking in a way. The Water Goddess was on her knees, bowing to Angela and begging for forgiveness. Angela was still fuming. She began to speak in an ice-cold tone. She was trying to hide her anger, but anyone could tell she was failing." You must have thought well of yourself, right?

Just because we didn't bother lifting a finger because you punished that traitor of a mortal, it doesn't mean that you're given a free pass to do whatever you please! Why shouldn't I strike you down where you kneel!?" Angela was fuming. The Water Goddess seemed to be crying. And if I'm not mistaken... There was a pool of yellow liquid forming where she sat. I started to feel bad, so I decided to try and mediate a decent solution." Uhmm. Angela... You could tell I was going to refuse her... Right?"

Angela looked at me and her mood did a 180." Of course, I know, John! But you see, this is about punishing someone for even daring to try and steal something from me. Let alone, abusing your Divine Contact Skill and forcing you to enter her Domain without consent! I can't allow someone to create such a precedent. It's a danger to your wellbeing!" Angela was worried for me. So, I was brought here because of Divine Contact... I'll need to be more careful when dealing with areas Gods could be in.

Regardless, I spoke to Angela about her plans." Well, don' you think... Killing a Goddess is a bit extreme?"" It just goes to show how much Our Bond matters to me! Hmph!" At her words. Angela puffed her cheeks and looked away from me. She seems... Upset... But in a different way now?" Angela... What's wrong?"" Nothing, it's just that... I'm willing to go so far for you. Yet you haven't even visited or so much as talked to me since we met for the first time! Why is that, John!?"" What!? No! I mean!

You said you were busy! I thought you would Contact me first! I don't even know how to use Divine Contact directly. Speaking of which, I haven't been able to practice my other Skills much because I've been focused on Angel's Swordsmanship! I wanted to talk to you! I swear!"" Really!?" / Thump! / Angela turned to me with a warm smile on her face. The Water Goddess tried to scoot away on her butt while Angela was looking at me.

Only to have her hopes crushed by Angela stepping on her dress and stopping her escape, crushing any hope in the Water Goddess's eyes. Now that I had a chance to look around, the dark swampy water that surrounded us had changed to the white scenery from when I first met Angela. I turned to Angela and asked a question." Angela, did you transport us to your Domain?"" Huh? No. This is in the waters of the Rose Swamps.

I had to overpower this Goddess right here and I had to use some of my power which caused my influence to spread around here. It's more or less like covering her influence with my own."" I see. Speaking of the Water Goddess. I think killing her would be a bad move. How about we punish her in another way?" Angela was interested in what I had to say, the Water Goddess was afraid." Why don't we have her restore the lands, then sign a Contract with Anna?"" Why would she sign a Contract with Anna?""

Because, she wants to be worshipped, but would those 3 really let her be her same haughty self, without correcting her attitude?" Angela thought about my words for a few moments." I'll add an addition to the Contract that she can't harm anyone unless it's under Anna's strict orders. I'll add her to Anna's List so inform her of that when you get the chance."" You can add her to the List without Anna's consent?"" I can do a great many things.

I'm sure you'll learn a lot about what I can do when we finally start chatting with each other! Oh, I can't wait!" Angela began to smile, the Water Goddess was looking at me with a look I hadn't seen from her before. I wonder what it meant? I mean her cheeks are red, but that's from her crying, right? Regardless, Angela started to speak, so I looked back at her." I'll send you back now! Your group is back at the bunker where the civilians were.

They seem to be concerned since you haven't woken up since this one brought you here. You should allay their fears."" How will I know when the lands will be returned to normal?"" I'll get her to do it after I send you back. Don't worry, I'll send a signal to you to let you know."" Alright. Thank you, Angela."" No need to thank me, we're inseparable after all!" Press! Shock! FLY! Angela smiled than placed her index finger on my forehead.

I felt a shock and then I closed my eyes and felt like I was shot away from Angela and the Water Goddess. I started to hear someone speaking." Well, you should be able to do something!" It was Ruby. She was angry. I opened my eyes to see a dark-brown ceiling. Sit up... I sat up to see I was in a room with Sarah and Anna next to me on either side. Around us were a bunch of Demons and Humans. Ruby was arguing with Solomon. He was the Doctor of the Flameskin family." My Love!"" Darling!" WRAP! TIGHTEN! Wrap...

Sarah and Anna hugged me tightly. I placed my arms around them and started to calm them." Lord Matthew!" Ruby noticed I was up and came rushing over. Her face was full of worry. Seems that talk took longer than I thought?" What happened to you!?" Seems everyone wanted to know. I explained about Divine Contact and how the Water Goddess of the area was woken up by a combination of the Wyvern thrashing around and my Holy Magic." Your Skills are dangerous!" Shock! PUSH! Emily was the first to speak up.

She also seemed concerned about me. I felt bad. But that was overtaken by a bolt of Holy Mana entering my body." My Love!"" Darling!" I separated from Sarah and Anna so they wouldn't get hurt. I explained that I did it for their safety and they understood my intentions. I apologized about doing it so fast and they accepted the apology. Truly I've been blessed with Great Wives. With that squared away now! That must've been the sign from Angela! I got up on my feet and grabbed Sarah and Anna's hands.

I began to speak to them." You guys! Get ready! I'm about to show you both something amazing!" I looked at the crowd of people and began to speak loudly." All of you! Please! Follow me! I've got something to show you all!" I guided everyone out the nearest gate of Paradise and the sight was something majestic." Wow..."" Amazing..." Sarah and Anna couldn't help but be amazed at the sight in front of them. Lush green hills full of different colored roses where, originally, deadwood and bogs were.

The smell of swamps changed out for the scent of beautiful flowers and delicious-smelling fruit. The multi-colored flowers of all different types where a sight for sore eyes. Some glowed with the light of the moon touching the petals and bulbs of the plants as it hung in the sky. Running streams of fresh clear water could be seen and heard. I turned to Sarah and Anna and began to speak." Sarah, Anna, I was right. A God Cursed the land here. But today... I finally fixed it.

Thank you both for sticking with me for so long. I Love You both so much. Welcome to Paradise. I hope you'll stay with me in the future."" Of course!" Tackle! Both of them answered my question in unison and dove into me. I was forced to take a few backsteps before I tumbled into a flowerbed. We laughed for a few moments as the sound of the people of Paradise started to change from wonderment to happiness. Everyone was so happy at the sights that they now, could see every day.

Ruby and Emily looked at me with faces I couldn't make out due to the darkness of the night. All I knew for sure is that they both were trying to convey something to me. I simply smiled at them, but they both looked away from me. I couldn't figure out why." We'll have to test them both, Anna."" Agreed, but that's for the future. Let's just enjoy what he's brought us, shall we?"" It'd be a shame not to!" And with some strange words, Sarah and Anna both dove their faces into my chest and shoulders.

I felt myself begin to sneeze due to their hair floating due to the night breeze. I shifted my head to look above me. And that's when I noticed them. Plants I had seen before in my world. I quickly looked down at the girls and began to speak." Sarah, Anna. I just figured out the product we'll be going to sell."" What do you mean?"" What are you talking about? They had no idea what I meant. I stood up and gave them my hands to help them up as well. I walked them over and Summoned Lily just to make sure I was right."

Yes, Matthew. It is them."" Thank you, Lily. I'll make sure to Summon all of you guys so we can all have some fun in this place later. Okay?"" I think a picnic would be lovely." Lily disappeared after suggesting a picnic. Then I heard Sarah's voice behind me as I stared at the plants." Well? What are they?" She was impatient. But I was so happy I could give her the answer." This is what's called "vanilla" in my world. It's a spice. People use it in desserts and sweets. Next to it is cocoa.

Which is used in a variety of things. But sweets as well. This is "mint", it's used for sweets as well. But! I've noticed something just now about this world. So, if you could. Answer this question for me." Sarah and Anna both nodded to my question." Why haven't I run into any milk products in this world? There hasn't been any cheeses or butter. Why is that?"" Milk?" Anna asked me puzzled by my words. I explained further." Yes, "milk", mammals produce it.""

Yes, Mothers give their babies milk here in Diablos and I'm sure everywhere else. But that's not what you're referring to, right? I mean, if you are, you can stop using Barrier magic when we---"" I'd never use something from you both as a product to sell. I'm referring to milk from a Cow. Its collected from beef cattle primarily in my old world."" Ah!" Anna seemed to understand what I was talking about now." You're referring to Ashura Cattle! They're a D-Rank monster!

Their white fluid used to be seen as a delicacy, but when people would consume their milk, they'd receive stomach pains as well as vomiting and diarrhea. So, people eventually stopped consuming it or eating their meat. People thought they were a Cursed Monster."" That sounds right on the money! Where are they!? If we can get a good number of them, not only the dish I'm thinking of, but we'll also be able to revolutionize the food world of Diablos!"" They're all around, they should be easy enough to round up.

But won't their milk make people sick?"" If they consume it raw, yes. But my world knew how to treat the milk to make it palatable. And with it, I'll be able to make the best dish of my old world. It's a dessert called ice cream! And with the absence of butter and cheeses. That's not the only product we'll be able to make! Vanilla, cocoa and mint all have many different applications in food from my world! From today on, Paradise's goal is going to be accruing as many Ashura Cattle as possible!

And the cooks will be experimenting with these plants that are popping up now! Today truly is the rebirth of Paradise the great town in the center of the Roselands!" I smiled brightly at Sarah and Anna! I can finally see it, the pathway to make Paradise a commercial hub and a tourist attraction! Things are going to get busy from now on! I have so much work to do! But the rewards will be insane! I'm so excited!