Those Unfavored by the Goddess

Blackthorn Security Company, underground Armory.

"I've taught you everything I can. Give it a try."

Klein spoke to Luther. By then, all the materials had been prepared and laid out on the table.

Luther nodded, then picked up the silver ritual dagger and infused it with Spirituality. He used the Spirituality spraying from its tip to slice through the surrounding air, creating an invisible Wall of Spirituality. He took out two candles, one long and one short. The long one represented the deity, while the short one represented himself. Spirituality flowed from his fingertips as he rubbed the wicks, and with a whoosh, the flames sprang to life.

As the candlelight flickered, Luther dripped a drop of Deep Sleep Flower essential oil extract into the flame. The flame immediately sizzled, releasing a faint fragrance. He continued adding Moon Flower and Night Fragrance Herb powder to the fire. The scent in the air became increasingly distinct, like stepping into a midnight meadow and smelling the fresh fragrance of wildflowers and grass, bringing peace and tranquility.

A silver sheet two fingers wide was placed beneath the long candle. Luther readied his carving knife and softly chanted in Hermes:

"Evernight Goddess, more exalted than the stars and more eternal than eternity."

"You are the Lady of Crimson, the Mother of Secrets, the Empress of Misfortune and Fear, the Lord of Repose and Silence."

As he recited the Evernight Goddess's Honorific Name, Luther suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He was clearly an official member of the Nighthawks team under the Goddess Church, yet he had never entered a Goddess Church before. This was actually his first time reciting the Goddess's Honorific Name.

Outside the Wall of Spirituality, Klein watched Luther's ritual process and suddenly gave a quiet, puzzled "Huh?"

But Luther inside the wall knew nothing of this and continued reciting the prayer according to the procedure:

"I beseech You;"

"I beseech You to grant me strength;"

"Grant me the strength to complete the Sleep Charm."

"O great Goddess, please bestow Your power upon my charm..."

As the incantation neared its end, Luther reached for the carving knife. According to Klein's demonstration, the Goddess should respond to his prayer at this point and bestow divine power upon him. Then he would use the carving knife to engrave that power into patterns on the silver sheet, solidifying it into a charm... Wait, where was the Goddess's power?

Luther stood frozen with the carving knife in hand. He had finished the entire incantation, yet nothing had happened.

When he turned to look outside, Klein wore an equally dumbfounded expression.

"The Goddess actually doesn't respond to a believer's prayer? Has there ever been a precedent for that?"

"At least, I've never heard of one."

"Then why is the Goddess ignoring my prayer?"

"...I don't know either."

Underground in the Armory, Luther and Klein stared blankly at each other.

After that, they tried several more times. They discovered that whenever Klein performed the ritual, it could be completed smoothly. But if it was Luther, he could never receive the Goddess's response.

What the hell was this? Could it be that the Goddess disliked me?

Luther was completely speechless. He sat down on the floor and stared into space.

He pondered why the Goddess was ignoring him.

To be honest, Luther had had no faith in his previous life. But after coming to this world, the existence of extraordinary powers had made him understand that gods truly existed here. Moreover, the Rondal family had originally been shallow believers of the Goddess, so he had simply gone along with it, pretending to be a believer and joining the Nighthawks.

But deep down, he still did not believe in gods.

Could that be the reason?

Luther could not help rising to his feet.

If that was the case, then according to the practical mindset he had always had as a Chinese person, wouldn't it be enough to visit a temple and worship?

He immediately turned and strode toward the exit of the Armory.

"Hey, Luther, what are you doing?"

Klein hurriedly called after him.

"Going to pray to the Goddess—"

Luther called back. He did not return to the surface, instead using the underground passage to swiftly make his way to Saint Selena Cathedral. His steps were hurried, and when he burst out of the hidden door, he startled the nearby priests.

"Is something wrong?"

a priest asked.

"Nothing. I'm here to pray to the Goddess."

Luther replied.

The priest was at a loss for words. He could not possibly stop a believer from praying to a deity, so he could only step aside while reminding him, "Please keep it down. Don't disturb anyone else."

Luther left the corridor and took several steps before the space before him suddenly opened up. Beneath the lofty dome stood the altar, confessionals, pulpit, and rows of pews. The cathedral was deep and quiet. Only at the holy emblem near the top, where the stars were represented by carved holes, did sunlight stream through, like brilliant stars in the night.

It was afternoon, and there were few believers in the prayer hall. The priests each had their own duties and paid him no attention. Luther chose a secluded pew and sat down, clasping his hands loosely together. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and began praying inwardly.

"Evernight Goddess, more exalted than the stars and more eternal than eternity..."

He first recited the Goddess's Honorific Name once more in Hermes, then began praying softly in Loenese.

"O great Goddess, I am naturally suspicious and insufficiently respectful toward gods. I hope You can forgive me."

In any case, apologize first. The attitude had to be good.

"From now on, I will believe in You more devoutly."

He did not even believe those words himself, but at least in form, he had to show the Goddess sufficient respect.

"Please be as generous as the endless night, bestow Your grace upon me, and grant me the chance to wield Your authority..."

Finally, state the wish. Perfect.

The moment Luther's words fell, he immediately sensed that something was different.

The once lofty dome and deep, shadowy prayer hall seemed to have softened, making him feel less out of place within them, as though he had become part of the surroundings.

In the darkness, someone seemed to be laughing softly. It was as if an invisible thread had descended and connected itself to Luther.

Luther's eyes suddenly widened.

It was difficult for him to describe the feeling, but he was certain that in that instant, he had established a connection with some hidden and lofty existence.

The Potion within him rapidly digested. In just a brief instant, an enormous portion had been digested. His hearing suddenly became quiet and clear, like when his ears had been blocked for a long time from motion sickness, only for him to swallow and feel his eardrums return to normal.

Damn, it actually worked.

And so much of my Potion has digested... Why is that?

Luther's heart was filled with shock and confusion. He raised a hand and, not particularly devoutly, drew the symbol of the Crimson Moon across his chest. In a low voice, he said, "Praise the Goddess."

When he returned, he still used the hidden door. Once back in the Armory, he expertly performed the ritual again. After reciting the Evernight Goddess's Honorific Name, a tranquil, profound power filled his body.

It worked!

Luther gripped the carving knife and began engraving the silver sheet, carving Hermes Script and mysterious patterns into it. He fixed the power of repose within the charm, and when the final stroke was complete, the power of sleep was entirely sealed inside it.

He picked up the charm, feeling the cool touch of the silver sheet, and revealed a satisfied smile.