A wooden spoon struck sideways, mercilessly knocking on that tender paw:
"Wash your hands before eating!"
Anna muttered sullenly, but she didn’t dare offend her newly appointed patron, and had to obediently follow instructions to wash up, then sit at the dining table to enjoy the feast.
After a whirlwind of eating and drinking, the Goddess got up as usual, heading outside to prepare for her journey to the forbidden mountain, Abi Mountain, to clear out rampaging Magic Beasts and departed souls that had escaped from the Netherworld.
Just before she stepped out, she seemed to recall something and paused to look back.
Gazing at Luo En who was tidying up the table, Anna hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a deliberately casual tone:
"Well, it seems like the Spirit Vein of Abi Mountain is almost restored, the Magic Beasts and departed souls there are mostly cleaned up by me. In a day or two, everything will be thoroughly resolved, then the ban will be lifted, and I’ll be able to leave Abi Mountain."
"Mm," Luo En replied offhandedly, continuing to tidy up.
Anna ground her teeth, a bit frantic: "Don’t just say mm! Don’t you have anything else to say?"
"Everything that needed to be done is done, aren’t you going to be my ally from now on? Shouldn’t I get a share of what you have?"
Luo En rolled his eyes, put down the dish he was holding, and asked:
"You want to know how to cultivate Mana, right? Once things here are wrapped up, I’ll go with you to Nineveh for a visit. The soil quality there is good, we can try growing Mana."
"Alright, it’s decided!"
Having received the answer she wanted, Anna couldn’t help but smile brightly.
Watching this mighty Goddess enthusiastically boarding the Heavenly Ship Manaana, rushing to her work location with great fervor, Luo En couldn’t help but shake his head.
She was eager to spend the night because she wanted this.
Clear things up with a few words, but she insists on going in circles, ending up involving herself and still acting like she’s gained a lot.
I simply do not understand the thought process of the arrogant... oh well, let her earn however she wants, I won’t lose out.
Once we’re in Nineveh, use the pretext of cultivating "Mana" to secure the first Seed with her, then I can proceed to the next step, searching for the second Seed.
Luo En mused while continuing his usual tasks.
After finishing his chores, he suddenly noticed Anna emerging back from the outdoors, standing outside the Temple, seemingly searching for something.
"What’s wrong? Did you leave something behind again?" Luo En stepped out to ask.
Upon hearing the inquiry, seeing the figure actively stepping out from the Temple, Anna breathed a sigh of relief, saying:
"There’s a problem in the mountain, you’ll probably need to come with me to check it out."
"Because of the Spirit Vein?" Luo En frowned.
"You’ll understand once we get there."
Anna grabbed Luo En’s arm without any further explanation, dragging him down the mountain.
Through layers of dense forest concealment and along paths with some winding turns, the two finally arrived in front of a rock face.
Anna cleared away the dried vines clinging to the surface, revealing a cavern that descended downward.
The Goddess gave a brief reminder, then bent down to lead the way.
Inside, it was very dark and deep, seemingly leading to the depths of the earth.
The two walked for a full half an hour without reaching the end.
"Is it still far?" Luo En asked with some doubt.
"Almost there," Anna replied casually.
As the two spoke, a chilly wind blew from ahead, accompanied by rustling noises from all around, as if some strange crawling creatures were approaching from the darkness.
Anna frowned slightly, raising her hand to take out a lantern shaped like a caged light from the Magic Circle Diagram.
Inside, the bluish flames flickered gently, illuminating the darkness ahead.
The rustling sounds of crawling immediately vanished, and the gusts of air blowing towards them lost their previous chill.
"Stay close to me, don’t fall behind."
The Goddess reminded again, continuing forward with the lantern.
However, Luo En paused, standing still.
That woman would usually disperse departed souls by washing over with Maanna, or at least throw runes and gemstones everywhere, the technique wouldn’t be this gentle.
And speaking of Maanna.
It seemed like the other person appeared on foot.
As a Goddess with Divine Authority of skies, Anna’s usual mode of travel should be aboard the Heavenly Ship Manaana.
Furthermore, this mysterious character since setting off barely spoke a few words, completely different from Anna’s lively personality.
Considering these doubts, Luo En was almost certain of his judgment.
"Discovered so quickly? I thought I could keep it hidden for longer."
And at this moment, the mysterious figure sensed the oddity behind, officially dropping the disguise.
Under the flickering bluish light, her long hair changed from black to gold, a gold-red Sumer style cloak hanging straight down, with black-gold colored armor inlaid beneath. Metallic waist ornaments spread like wings, skirt armor studded with dark red gemstones. Her legs wrapped in black stockings akin to ivory, she wore gilt War Boots. Above her head floated a red halo resembling a Crown, golden irises shimmered with Divinity, and there was a teardrop pattern at the corner of her left eye.
Though her facial features bore a striking resemblance to Anna’s, her complexion carried a pale hue from lack of sunlight, and her aura starkly contrasted with that of the sky Goddess.