Chapter 38 - Goddon

‘No. No, no, no, no. I really don’t want that to be the case.’

Lilly immediately understood what the book contained; information about the demigod from the Skyloft Mountains. The son of the Divine Titan.

Roald must have noticed her worried expression. “You’ve already heard of him?” he asked, holding the book up for her to read the title.

Lilly sighed, hoping his fears were unsubstantiated. “I know there’s a demigod in the Skyloft Mountains, a son of the Divine Titan. But I really hope you’re wrong about this, Roald.”

“Hey, it’s just a hunch. The book says he has to rest for long periods whenever he is badly injured, so he might not be awake at this time. Besides, we have no knowledge of him cooperating with Dortfell in the past either.”

Dahn followed the conversation with interest until that part, where he suddenly started chuckling. “Heh, Goddon hasn’t sided with Dortfell in nine centuries, no. But he is a direct ancestor of their royal family.”

Lilly looked at him in surprise. She had wondered if Dahn might know something considering his age, but she assumed the other generals would know about it if that was the case. “You know about him? Goddon, that’s his name?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it is. I don’t think he ever helped Dortfell attack anyone, but he was very willing to help them defend. Several large-scale attacks only met giant walls of stone, forcing them to retreat. So I don’t think we have to worry unless someone convinced him to change his ways.”

That was a small relief, Lilly thought. As long as he only defends, there should be no risk of meeting a demigod in battle. ‘Myndia, what do you think? Do you know him?’

‘Goddon? Yeah, we met a couple of times. I’m confident in saying he’s the most stubborn person in the world, so you don’t have to worry about him attacking. He also has to rest for a long time whenever he dies, so it’s likely he isn’t even awake.’

‘Really? Most stubborn in the world?’ Lilly wondered how she could be so confident in saying that. She had met some very stubborn people in the past. Like her mother.

‘His willpower has the power to manifest miracles. Once, he argued with someone about what star was the brightest in the night sky. Now the star he insisted was the brightest is known as the tenshine star.’

‘The tenshine star wasn’t the brightest in the past? He changed it?’ Lilly was in awe of the power Goddon could manifest. It sounded like something only the gods could do.

‘Yes, and that’s just one of his feats. He planted a tree and insisted it was the strongest tree in the world. Now it is known as the Godsteel Tree, standing straight for four millennia.’

‘What?! He’s that old?’ The feats of willpower were impressive, but his age shocked Lilly even more. That would make him nearly twice as old as Myndia, at least. ‘Is he even stronger than you, then?’

‘... I don't think age is directly related to our power, but he might be. We never fought. As for his age, the Divine Titan is among the oldest gods, and Goddon is his firstborn. He was born before humans discovered magic, which makes him at least six millennia old. But again, he sleeps a lot.’

Lilly exhaled deeply as the unimaginable long period of time stretched through her imagination. It didn’t get very far. ‘Okay, thanks, Myndia. I’ll stay away from their capital, then.’

‘Eh, he’s not very dangerous. With your speed, you’ll be able to get away from him easily, so it’s up to you if you want to use a more direct method to end this war.’

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Lilly nodded and noticed the two generals staring at her. She had been silent for a while. “I don’t think we need to worry about Goddon. Even if he and I clash, I should be able to get away, and if he is as defensive as you say, we have little to fear for now.”

The men nodded in agreement. Roald put the book back into his drawer and sat down behind the desk, putting his eyes level with Lilly’s. “Then I think we have the plan ready. Dortfell will likely be attacking deeper in Eldoria again tomorrow, and we will go out to meet them.

Dahn, I’m counting on you to lead the vanguard. You’ll have five Royal Guards to use as you see fit, as well as a bunch of experienced adventurers. Lady Lilly, do you think you’ll be ready to attempt your attack already tonight?”

Lilly sighed, feeling the lack of energy in her body start tearing on her mind. “I’m sorry, General. It has been an exhausting day, and I’m not in any condition to do anything but sleep tonight.”

Roald laughed. “Hah, I can imagine! I assumed so, given the situation in Eldhaven. You deserve some rest. Have the tallest guard outside escort you to the third quarters when you’re ready.”

Lilly bowed in gratitude. The talk of sleep had taken hold of her, enticing her eyelids to lower with each blink. “I think I’ll be taking my leave then. Dahn, tell Elly I’ll see her in the morning. She’s free to enter my room if there’s anything important.”

Dahn smiled at her. “I’ll let her know! Go rest, Lilly. Gods know you’ve earned it.”

Lilly didn’t need to be asked twice; she was already on her way out of the room.

‘Ahh, It’s starting to feel like I’m reaching the end of my worries… Gods, I’m gonna marry Mia so hard once this war is over.’

The bed felt lonely, but Lilly had slept well in spite of it. Her head only needed to hit the pillow for sleep to take hold of her, and it didn’t let go until morning.

Once the sun was too bright to ignore, Lilly opened her eyes and stretched her arms in the air. She first scouted the unfamiliar room with a bit of confusion but quickly remembered everything that had happened the day before.

“Ahh, damn it, Mia!”

Lilly spotted a familiar piece of armor sitting in a chair next to the bed. The Aegis of Wind that was supposed to be protecting Mia was not doing a very good job at the moment.

She assumed Eolande had been by her room during the evening, taking the aegis with her after Mia insisted she had to bring it. The thought managed to bring a smile to her face, but she still felt anxious about Mia not having much protection now.

A long sigh escaped her lips as she stared at it for another few seconds. She had to admit it would help keep her safe. Even if the flame would protect her against most things, she had to keep it active for it to work. With the aegis, she wouldn’t have to worry about it, ever.

She got out of bed and spotted a set of familiar clothes as well on the chair. Eolande must have told Mia about her sudden lack of clothes, which obviously would make Mia force her to bring a set.

Her smile got wider as she picked them up and started getting dressed. Already she was looking forward to getting back home. There was no doubt in her mind about who she would be spending the rest of her life with. Unless one counted getting reborn as another life, which still might happen as long as the flame stayed with her.

Once the clothes were on, she grabbed the aegis and started crawling into it. It was a lot easier than Mia had made it seem, but that was obviously due to the considerable size difference.

‘... it doesn’t smell like her.’

‘... Lilly, I’m still here, you know.’

The sudden voice from the amulet was like a spell, freezing Lilly in place. One would think she had gotten used to sharing her thoughts with someone by now, but it was still easy to forget early in the morning.

‘You didn’t hear anything. Right?’

‘Of course I didn’t! I might tell your family about it, though.’

Lilly felt her cheeks redden. She didn’t mind sharing that with her family in the afterlife, even if it was embarrassing. ‘Go ahead… But don’t bring it up to me again.’

Myndia laughed, promising to take it to the grave. That suited Lilly perfectly if it meant what she assumed it did.

A knock could be heard at the door, making Lilly turn to face it. She assumed it was Eolande, but asked, just in case. “What is it?”

It was a male voice that replied. “There’s an old teacher here to see his student. Is he at the right room?”

Lilly felt elated, recognizing the voice in an instant. “Eldrin! Yes, you are! Come on in!”