Chapter 6: If I Pushed Her Down, She’d Scream Loudly, Right?

[ Location: The Skies Above Winterspring ]

The entire sky turned into a canvas of blinding gold.

Just moments after they had left the Sacred Veil, a pillar of holy light pierced the heavens.

Within that terrifying radiance, a colossal, winged white lion slowly ascended, floating ominously above the valley.

"The Holy Lord?!" Nanako gasped, looking up in shock.

The sudden appearance of the Guardian Deity sent the entire Mage Association into a frenzy. Young mages stared up, their faces pale with terror.

"What is that?! A Monster Invasion?!" "No! That energy signature... it’s coming from the Sacred Veil!" "Wait... is that the Holy Lord himself?! The Ancient Being who sleeps beneath the valley?" "He woke up?! What’s happening? Is it the Apocalypse?"

"Hold on..." one mage squinted. "Something looks wrong with the Holy Lord..."

Everyone focused their eyes.

The Lion was majestic. Magnificent. Divine. Except for one thing.

He was carrying a massive hobo sack on his back.

It looked like he had grabbed a random tablecloth, shoved all his worldly possessions inside, tied a knot, and slung it over his shoulder.

The mages were stunned into silence. The fashion statement was... certainly unique.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Six figures shot into the sky, wrapped in arcane energy. The Six High Deacons of Winterspring had arrived.

"Lord Guardian!" The First Deacon, an elderly man in grey robes named Andrew, knelt in mid-air. His face was grave. "May I ask why you have awakened? And... what is that?" He pointed confusedly at the hobo sack.

The Holy Lord flapped his wings, maintaining his stoic, god-like facade. "I HAVE COME TO BID YOU FAREWELL. FROM THIS DAY FORTH, I SHALL LEAVE WINTERSPRING. OUR CONTRACT IS NULL AND VOID."

The Deacons froze. Andrew looked horrified. "Lord Guardian! Why? Has something happened? Did someone... offend you?"

The Holy Lord covertly glanced toward a certain direction on the ground. Offend? More like "Bullied into exile."

But on the surface, he remained calm. "I HAVE SLEPT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. MY JOINTS ARE STIFF. I WISH TO TRAVEL THE WORLD. SEE THE SIGHTS. TOUCH SOME GRASS. WHO WOULD DARE OFFEND ME?"

He isn't human, the Lion added internally. He is a monster.

Andrew was bewildered. He says he wants to travel... but that hobo sack screams "I'm being evicted."

"If that is your wish, Oh Great Lord," Andrew stammered. "Please, stay a moment longer! We will organize a grand farewell ceremony for you!"

Andrew turned around, noticing someone was missing. He frowned and shouted toward the ground. "Nanako! Get up here! As the Seventh Deacon, how dare you slack off during such a momentous event?!"

Down below, Nanako jolted. She realized she was being rude. She prepared to fly up.

But then— A screech ripped through the air.

"DON'T LET HER COME UP HERE!!!!"

The Holy Lord’s voice cracked, sounding like a frightened teenager.

The Deacons: "???"

The Holy Lord swallowed hard. He quickly cleared his throat and deepened his voice again. "AHEM. I MEAN... THERE IS NO NEED FOR SUCH TROUBLE. NO CEREMONIES. I HATE FANFARE. I AM LEAVING NOW. GOODBYE."

With that, the Holy Lord turned around, his body glowing brighter.

But just before he vanished, Andrew saw it. The Holy Lord used his furry paw to wipe cold sweat from his forehead. And Andrew swore he heard a faint whisper: "Gotta go fast. If that guy comes up here, I'm dead meat..."

ZHOOM!

The Holy Lord, hobo sack bouncing on his back, rocketed toward the horizon at Mach 10. It looked less like a majestic departure and more like he was fleeing a crime scene.

Silence reigned over Winterspring.

[ Ground Level ]

Nanako stared blankly at the trail of light in the sky. Then, she slowly turned her head to look at her "innocent" disciple.

Lynn looked shocked. His mouth hung open. "Master... what just happened?! Why did the Great Holy Lord leave so suddenly?"

[ Inner Voice ] [ Finally. That stupid cat actually has some brain cells. Saved me the trouble of kicking him out myself. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ Hehehe. Now that the furball is gone, there’s no one left in Winterspring who knows my true identity. My cover is secure. I can turtle in peace. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ A shame, though. I was planning to sneak into his lair tonight and fleece him for more loot. Guess he ran away just in time. ]

Nanako felt like screaming.

I knew it! My disciple literally bullied the Guardian Deity out of his own home! He wanted to rob him tonight?!

This is... this is too evil!

Nanako wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him. But she had to maintain her poker face. She couldn't let him know she knew.

She clasped her chubby hands behind her back, puffing out her chest to look authoritative. She kept her eyes closed, peeking through a slit.

"The Great Lord has gone on a journey," she lectured, her voice trembling slightly. "But, Disciple, you must never forget his kindness. You are his Blessed One. You must maintain respect for him at all times. Do you understand?"

Lynn’s face was the picture of solemn reverence. He saluted. "Yes, Master! I will defend the Lord's honor with my life!"

[ Inner Voice ] [ Yeah, right. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ Man, my acting skills are getting scary. I can spout this BS without even blinking. Give me an Oscar already. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ By the way... the Blue-Haired Loli looks kinda cute when she tries to act tough. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ She’s so short, but she stands so proudly. It’s a nice gap-moe. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ If I pushed her down right now... she’d probably scream really loudly, wouldn't she? ] 

Nanako: "!!!!!!!!!!"

Abandoned

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