Yor opened his eyes—and instantly tensed.
The sight before him was eerie in a way that rattled his bones.
Surrounding him stood thirteen Oracles, each devoted to one of the gods. They wore long, black cloaks, and masks carved with features that reflected their divine patrons—some radiant, others fearsome.
The Oracles had formed a perfect circle around him. Beneath each one, a mosaic insignia representing their god shimmered faintly on the stone floor.
Suddenly, the Oracles began to murmur an incantation.
As the final word left their lips, the mosaics burst into radiant light, illuminating the entire chamber in waves of divine color.
Each Oracle's body tensed as though struck by invisible lightning—and then, slowly, they began to change.
They were no longer merely human.
The gods had taken hold of them.
But what Yor didn't expect was what came next.
The Oracles' postures shifted. Their breathing altered movements became… looser, unbothered.
They didn't seem the least bit ceremonial. Their gestures, their posture, even their presence felt oddly relaxed. As if The Benediction wasn't a sacred event.
One Oracle, wearing a bone-white mask shaped like a goat skull with large black horns, plopped down cross-legged on the floor, resting her head lazily in her palm.
"I am Dydia," she said, her voice flat and toneless—not bored, just unsettlingly calm. "Goddess of Death, Afterlife, and Shepherd of Souls."
"I hereby begin The Benediction."
---
"Your performance in the World Event was noteworthy—especially that friend of yours who uncovered most of the enemies' weaknesses," said Solarius, God of the Sun, Light, and Sacred Judgment, his mask shaped like a golden sun with hands extending outward like rays.
"Yor? Yeah, I have to admit, we wouldn't have finished the event in within an hour without him." Ludwig smirked proudly, his hands resting on his hips.
"You seem quite fond of him. But let's put him aside for now. Before we arrived here, seven gods had already shown favor toward you—most of them are godesses, except for Dydia here.
But the one who liked you the most... was Lyre, the Goddess of Music."
Ludwig shrugged and smirked, convinced his beauty was simply on another level—even the gods had acknowledged it.
Sorry, ladies—my heart currently belongs to Winter.
Lyre turned her head away, almost shy. Her Oracle's golden mask shimmered under the light, delicate floral patterns etched into the metal. Half her face remained exposed, like a carefully chosen glimpse of vulnerability.
"It's obvious she likes you for your looks," said a voice—smooth and mocking. Merumon, God of Greed and Trickery, stood with his arms lazily crossed, his Oracle's fox-like mask glinting with mischief. "The rest of the goddesses? Probably the same."
"Wrong." The voice came sharp and clear. It was Krimora, Goddess of the Deep Sea, stood tall with her arms crossed, eyes piercing deep blue behind a seafoam-green mask shaped like flowing coral.
"You're downplaying his performance in the World Event—making it sound like we picked him for his face. Don't forget, he was the only one who landed a hit on the Flora Enchanter with that precise dagger strike."
"Our brother's a comedian now," said Juraia, Goddess of the Forest and Keeper of the Wild. She shot Merumon a sharp side-eye, her irritation clear behind the lion-shaped mask.
Another voice followed—calm but firm.
"Don't misinterpret my choice, either."
It was Pereluna, Goddess of the Moon and Darkness. Her Oracle's voice was like a whisper in the night. "I believe he can actually keep up with my offerings."
Alice, the Godess of Frost and Protector of the Northern Mountains shook her head in irritation, wearing a mountain bear mask.
Leonyra, the Goddess of War and Wrath, stepped forward—fierce and commanding. Her Oracle's war-mask gleamed like iron, and her voice carried weight: deep, powerful, and clear.
"Don't lump me into your foolishness, Merumon. I'm warning you."
Merumon raised both hands in surrender, chuckling nervously.
"Alright, alright. You're not wrong. That shot was impressive."
Then Solarius's Oracle stepped forward and cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"Now then. Since the decision has been made…"
He raised his hand.
"My brothers and sisters—those who wish to align with him—raise your hands."
One by one, hands rose.
7 gods favored him.
The mosaic insignias beneath those who raised their hands glowed brilliantly, each one pulsing with divine light.
"Let us bestow our blessing," he declared. "May what you give in return be worthy of the blessings you've received," they said, extending their hands toward Ludwig as they channeled their individual blessings into him.
A bright yellow light enveloped Ludwig, and suddenly, several glowing system messages appeared before his eyes:
[You have been blessed by the Goddess of the Deep Sea, Krimora.]
[You have been blessed by the Goddess of the Moon and Darkness, Pereluna.]
[You have been blessed by the Goddess of the Forest and Keeper of the Wild, Juraia.]
[You have been blessed by the Goddess of Music, Lyre.]
[You have been blessed by the Goddess of War and Wrath, Leonyra.]
[You have been blessed by the Goddess of Frost and Keeper of the Northern Mountains, Alice.]
[You have been blessed by the God of the Sun, Light, and Sacred Judgment, Solarius.]