Chapter 1971: Meeting The Japanese Kami
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She carried herself with divine dignity and a calm, composed smile. Her eyes glowed so brightly that Elayne could only perceive them as ever-burning with golden light. Long white-gold hair flowed down her back, resembling Sunflare itself, while an eternal blaze shaped like a giant sun haloed behind her. She possessed delicate features. Despite her titanic stature, she had a slender, flawless body devoid of any imperfection. She was no muscular warrioress, nor anything of the sort.
She looked down at Gaia—or rather, at Elayne—with a dignified, divine silence that carried an overwhelming pressure throughout the entire room. Elayne soon realized that, besides the central figure’s True Divinity, the two presences flanking her left and right also radiated potent True Divinities. And even those were not the full extent of the power present.
"N-No way..."
Elayne was even more shocked to discover thousands of gods seated around them on gigantic chairs arranged like the stands of an ancient Roman coliseum.
Indeed, far more Kami filled the hall. This was no mere throne room but a grand audience of the greatest gods in the realm, each one bearing divine dignity and freely exuding their True Divinities.
"Ugh?!"
Before Elayne could take another step, the combined pressure of hundreds of True Divinities crushed down on her. She hesitated, then dropped to her knees, gasping for air as she suddenly vomited blood. The sight shocked everyone present.
"Is that really Gaia?!"
"What’s happening?"
"She’s vomiting?"
"Huh?!"
"How unsightly!"
The Kami froze in disbelief. They could never have imagined that the renowned goddess they had invited would collapse so easily beneath the natural aura of their divinities.
"Eh?! Elayne?!" Kaguya cried out in panic. She rushed forward and began healing her with bright sunlight energy that flowed from her palms. "Are you okay?! I’m so sorry—I had no idea it would be this difficult for you. I thought you were a goddess..."
"I-I am technically not one," Elayne sighed. "I am a Divine Heroic Spirit. Of course it’s impossible for me to possess the same level of power that the true gods I represent once held. I only carry a fraction of such power... Haaa... Haaa... But don’t worry. I... I’m fine. I think I’m getting used to it. I deeply apologize for this! I-I ruined everything..."
Silence fell.
The three supreme rulers stared down in quiet composure, their expressions unreadable. Elayne gazed at the blood she had spilled across the pristine white floor, burning with terrible embarrassment and humiliation at her own clumsiness and lack of preparation for such a sacred occasion.
Using her magic, she swiftly cleansed the floor, then rapidly gathered her strength. She stood tall and released her own Divinities as one, pushing back the crushing pressure that had nearly killed her and steadying herself.
"Haaa... I think I can manage now."
The moment she spoke, her power surged so intensely that the surroundings warped. Forests bloomed around her, trees sprouting even among the audience, plunging the hall into even greater shock.
"W-What is this?!"
"Seconds ago she was so weak, but now?!"
"Impossible...!"
"Her overwhelming power comes from multiple divinities stacked together!"
"I cannot believe it! Is she really just Gaia-sama?! There’s also some kind of sinister presence within her!"
"She is the vessel for many divinities?! Unbelievable...!"
The three supreme presences released their auras, and the entire audience fell deathly silent. Elayne looked up shyly, bracing for reprimand, when—
"Welcome, Elayne."
A gentle yet powerful voice resonated through the entire castle. The majestic giantess at the center smiled warmly in greeting.
"I apologize for not preparing things better. Everyone was so excited to see you. I had forgotten you are an existence different from True Gods such as us."
"As you may already know, I am Amaterasu-no-Mikoto, Divine Empress of Japan and ruler of all Kami. I invited you here today because I was deeply interested in your power, your past, and all you have accomplished."
"It is fair to say you have done a great deal, and I am truly grateful for your help to my clan these past few days."
"I also remember the time I granted you my blessing through Seimei. I once said I would one day ask for repayment, but consider that favor already paid. You have helped my clan, served as a teacher, and done so much more."
"More than anything, I wished to express my gratitude, from one mother to another, for what you have done for my people and my country. You have fought bravely, saved countless lives, and more. In just a couple of weeks, you have already left your mark here."
Elayne stood speechless as she absorbed Amaterasu’s words. She nodded silently until the goddess finished. An awkward silence followed until she realized she was expected to speak.
"I-I...! It’s an honor, of course! I am so happy to finally meet you, Your Highness. Thank you so much for having me today. And about what you said—yes, of course. I am glad my help was appreciated by someone like you... um..." Elayne struggled with the formal tone. "Did I already say it was an honor?"
"Hahaha! I like her! She’s such a clumsy little woman!" laughed the smaller figure to Amaterasu’s left. "Elder sister, what was her name again? Elayne? Interesting! I sense within her real talent for swordsmanship. She carries a small Sword Dao Seed. This is the first time I’ve seen a Divine Heroic Spirit in person, but she seems more than capable of cultivating our ancient arts."
"Susanoo, mind your manners while our elder sister is speaking," the figure on the right sighed. "Loudly flaunting such things will only irritate her. My apologies, Elayne-sama. Our youngest brother can be quite the handful. He lacks manners and speaks strangely because he deeply admires humans."
"Um, okay," Elayne nodded. "No need to worry, um...?"
"I am Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, God of the Moon," the young giant god said with a smile. "Younger brother to our elder sister."
"I see," Elayne replied. "It’s an honor to meet you too."
"Damn Tsukuyomi, always stealing the spotlight!" Susanoo grumbled.
"Enough," Amaterasu said. "Today is a special occasion. Elayne is our guest, so mind your manners. For now, we shall proceed with the divine feast prepared by our gods. We will discuss important matters together. Elayne, I hope you will join us."
"Of course!" Elayne nodded. "Thank you."
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