Kapitel 60: Chapter 44
River god?
Rhodes stared at the figure floating serenely on the water, a strange gleam flickering in his eyes.
Though the being radiated divine brilliance, Rhodes knew at a glance that this so-called "god" was no true deity.
A real god is the embodiment of laws and rules, their presence so overwhelming that the material world cannot contain them. Once a god ascends to their divine realm, they are banished by the will of the world to the celestial sphere—the realm beyond the stars.
Every star in the celestial sphere is the manifestation of a god's kingdom. For a deity to manifest on the mortal plane, it requires tremendous sacrifice.
And yet, here was this so-called river god, freely appearing without consequence.
He's just a pretender, Rhodes concluded. A false god trying to spread faith, hoping to ascend to true godhood.
---
The strategy was simple: show up occasionally, grant the wishes of a few lucky souls, and let word of his deeds spread. With time, believers would flock to him. All it cost was a trinket or two.
What exactly is this guy?
Rhodes rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Though the river god had a human-like appearance, he was clearly not human.
More like a fae, Rhodes mused.
---
"Who are you?" Rhodes asked, feigning curiosity. He decided to humor the being—there might be some benefits to playing along.
The river god gave him a kind smile. "I am the spirit of this river, young adventurer. Did you drop something into my waters?"
There was a sly, expectant glint in the river god's eyes. The game wouldn't progress unless Rhodes gave the right response.
---
Rhodes heaved a theatrical sigh. "Yes, I dropped my axe into the river. It's my only weapon."
The river god's smile brightened. With a wave of his hand, a radiant golden light surged from beneath the water's surface.
"Is this golden axe the one you lost?"
Moments later, a silver light followed.
"Or perhaps this silver axe?"
Rhodes shook his head. "Neither."
The river god's smile didn't falter. "Then perhaps... this ordinary axe that carries a hint of divinity?"
He presented an axe that glowed faintly, clearly enchanted.
Rhodes slowly shook his head again.
---
The river god's expression faltered. An ordinary axe imbued with divinity... Wait, why would an ordinary axe contain divine power?
A bad feeling crept over the river god as Rhodes's eyes glinted mischievously.
"The axe I dropped," Rhodes said with a straight face, "is a magical artifact. It can grow or shrink, change its weight at will, and fly back to me on command."
The river god's expression twisted in frustration. His once-calm demeanor cracked.
I'm a river god, not a genie! What is this nonsense?
"Greedy mortals," the river god spat, his tone sour. "You'll get nothing."
With a plop, he vanished back into the river, taking the three axes with him—along with Rhodes's divine axe.
---
Rhodes chuckled, shaking his head. Swiping my axe? Bold move.
He calmly raised his hand, summoning the flames of the sun.
In an instant, searing heat radiated outward, igniting the trees and withering the surrounding vegetation. The river itself began to boil, and the demonized creatures lurking nearby fled in terror.
The temperature soared to unbearable levels, threatening to evaporate the river entirely.
The river god, though he called himself divine, was no true deity. He was an elemental spirit bound to the waters that gave him life. Without the river, he would cease to exist—his dream of godhood dashed forever.
Fighting wasn't an option. The flames Rhodes summoned burned hotter than the sun, and the river god knew he wouldn't last more than a minute in direct combat.
---
In a panic, the river god re-emerged, clutching the divine axe.
"Great adventurer," the river god pleaded, forcing a smile. "Here is your axe, returned to its rightful owner. Please spare me!"
Rhodes glanced at the axe but didn't move to take it. "The axe I lost," he repeated coolly, "can change size and weight, and it flies back to me on command. This plain axe? It's not mine."
The river god's heart sank. He could feel the river's water level dropping by the second. The flames were relentless, and Rhodes showed no sign of relenting.
---
Swallowing his pride, the river god summoned a spark of divine power—his most precious resource, accumulated over centuries of belief. With a heavy heart, he infused the divine essence into the axe, transforming it to meet Rhodes's demands.
It was a tremendous loss. That spark of divinity represented everything the river god had worked for—a hundred years of faith, gone in an instant.
The river god held up the transformed axe, his smile stiff and strained. "Great adventurer, is this the axe you were seeking? It can now grow or shrink at will, change weight, and return to you on command."
---
Rhodes finally took the axe, letting magic flow into it. The weapon hummed in response, expanding and shrinking with ease.
A satisfied grin spread across Rhodes's face. "Perfect."
The upgraded axe would now be even more useful in battle—versatile, easy to carry, and still deadly when thrown like a hidden weapon.
---
The river god sagged, his energy spent. He looked utterly drained, as if he'd been hollowed out.
Nothing more to squeeze from him, Rhodes thought with a shrug. Insatiable greed could backfire, after all. It was better to leave some room for future gains.
With the divine axe fully enhanced, Rhodes's power had grown far beyond what he'd expected. Even if he'd returned empty-handed, this unexpected boon made the trip worthwhile.
---
For now, though, Rhodes had more pressing matters. He needed to locate the Sanctuary Banshee and complete the final trial. Only then could he claim Princess Aurora as his bride.
"By now, she should've noticed all this commotion," Rhodes muttered, glancing skyward.
Unless... that banshee is deaf.
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