Kael looked at the Goddess in disbelief.
— What do you mean, chosen one? What does that even mean?
The Goddess replied calmly:
— You will become my Holy Son. A god may choose only one. As long as that chosen one lives, there can be no other Holy Son or Daughter.
A chosen one is the representative of a god and their will — the most revered existence within the church. In the future, he becomes the shield and pillar of the church.
He becomes a demigod.
Kael's eyes widened.
— A demigod? So there are beings other than gods?
The Goddess looked at him the way a teacher looks at a student during a lesson.
— Demigods are those who have surpassed the limits of mortals. They are beings who have overcome all nine mortal ranks.
Kael stared at her intently.
— If I become your Holy Son, I'll have to deal with church matters. Forgive me, but I have something to do that goes directly against the church's ideals.
I must take revenge for my mother.
The title of Holy Son would only restrain me.
The Goddess answered without hesitation:
— You want revenge for your mother's death… on that woman? I can tell you this much — it will be extremely difficult. Nearly impossible.
Kael's eyes widened.
— How do you know that? And why do you say it's impossible?
— When I found you, I decided to examine the history of your birth in this world. I saw everything that happened.
That woman is intelligent and cunning. Tell me — why do you think your father did not punish her, even though there was evidence and motive?
Kael lowered his gaze, memories of his first day in this world surfacing.
— He said that most of the power lies with the aristocracy. They sided with her because my mother was a commoner, and it was considered improper to punish an aristocrat over her.
— Not only because of that, — the Goddess said. — Her grandfather is the Archbishop of the Church of Light and possesses the power of a High Heavenly Knight.
Kael clenched his fists and raised his gaze.
— So that's why you say revenge is impossible? Just because her grandfather is a High Heavenly Knight and Archbishop of the Church of Light?
Hahaha! You think that will stop me?
The Goddess's expression hardened.
— Do you think the rank of High Heavenly Knight is merely a title? They are among the strongest beings in the world, second only to demigods.
And don't forget what I told you — gods may choose a Holy Son or Daughter. When they surpass the ninth mortal rank and become demigods, they become the guardians of the church.
Demigods are not bound by limited lifespans — they have transcended mortality.
And you say this won't stop you?
Kael scoffed.
— Then if the church has a demigod, why haven't they seized absolute power over the empire?
I know that my father and his closest aide are only Heavenly Knights. The church could take control effortlessly.
Either they lack confidence… or they're idiots.
The Goddess shook her head.
— They are not idiots.
The demigod of the Church of Light is the founder of the Valkarion Empire — your ancestor.
When he established the empire, he was already a Holy Son and on the verge of transcending mortality.
Before becoming a demigod, he issued a law: only his descendants may inherit the throne.
If anyone outside his bloodline attempts to seize power, he will destroy them all — regardless of whether they belong to the Church of Light or any other church.
Kael frowned.
— If the demigod of the Church of Light is my ancestor, why did he allow the emperor's authority to decline so much?
He himself declared that anyone who seizes power would be destroyed.
The Goddess answered calmly:
— In truth, power was not seized.
The church merely expanded its influence, while the aristocracy still formally obeys the emperor.
Thus, the founder cannot interfere.
If he were to annihilate them, the God of Light would not ignore it. He would send his personal army to punish the demigod and his lands for breaking his oath, and the World itself would recognize it as divine punishment.
Kael stared at her intently.
— If I become your Holy Son… will I be able to take revenge?
The Goddess answered with certainty:
— Yes.
When you reach the power necessary for revenge, you will be able to challenge the church and propose what is known as a stake duel.
The winner takes everything.
The loser is left with nothing.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
— So gods benefit from this as well. If you turn a blind eye to it, that means you gain something too.
The Goddess looked at him silently.
After a moment, she spoke:
— Correct. The gods will also gain something from the victory of their chosen.
But what that is… I cannot say.
Kael crossed his arms.
— So we both get what we want. But I must bear the burden of being a Holy Son.
Don't you think that's unfair, considering you gain more than I do?
— On the contrary, — the Goddess replied. — You gain the chance to become a demigod and avenge your mother.
We both benefit.
Kael looked at her in silence for several seconds.
— A demigod cannot act freely and must constantly stand guard over the church.
Tell me — how is that any different from raising a puppy into a guard dog?
I have no need for that.
The Goddess blinked, then burst into laughter.
— Comparing a demigod to a guard dog… Hahaha!
You truly amuse me. You are the first to describe them that way.
Very well. I admit — you are partially correct.
So tell me, what do you want?
Kael pondered deeply.
He refused to place himself in chains or become a servant.
He needed revenge, but not at the cost of his freedom.
After a long moment, he spoke:
— I will become your Holy Son under one condition.
No one must know about me or my true identity.
I will not obey anyone's orders.
I will not be your servant — we will be partners.
You help me, I help you.
When I require assistance, you will support me to the fullest extent possible, and I will do the same.
That should be sufficient.
The Goddess fell into thought.
In all her existence, this was the first time a potential chosen one dared to set conditions for a god.
She had offered him the position only because he was unusual — a being from another world.
Moreover, she sensed an extraordinary ability within him, one possessed by only a single person in all of history — an ability that person could never fully utilize due to a frail body.
After a moment, she spoke:
— You are the first mortal who dares to impose conditions upon a god.
This shows either great courage… or great foolishness.
Nevertheless, I accept your terms.
But remember — if you act against me or my church out of ambition, I will personally grind you into dust.
Kael met her gaze.
— And if your church crosses my path or tries to obstruct me… you understand what I'll have to do.
The Goddess nodded.
— Agreed. Now extend your left hand.
Kael complied.
The Goddess placed her finger on the back of his palm and began the ritual.
— I, the Goddess of Life, form a contract with Kael Valkarion.
By choosing him as my Holy Son, I swear that his true identity shall remain hidden.
He shall aid me and my church in times of need, and I shall bless him with my power for his protection.
Let this contract be sealed upon his hand and soul!
A small green mark appeared on his palm — intertwining lines forming the shape of a leaf.
As Kael examined it, a warm and gentle energy flowed into his body, as if he had been reborn.
— This mark is called a stigmata, — the Goddess said. — It is proof of our contract.
When you awaken, you may hide it by simply imagining it disappearing.
Kael looked at it for a few seconds longer.
— That feeling… when it appeared. What was it?
The Goddess smiled.
— Life energy.
Do not confuse it with life force.
Life energy is a manifestation of my power. Only my chosen one and true believers may wield it.
With it, one can cast high-tier healing spells or nourish the body to recover from wounds and internal injuries.
Life force, however, is the source of existence for all beings. Using it shortens one's lifespan.
Kael frowned.
— There must be limits. A power capable of healing anything cannot be without restrictions.
The Goddess smiled knowingly.
— There are. Only two individuals may use it — you and one other.
Did you not listen when I said only my chosen one and a true believer may wield it?
— But there could be many true believers, — Kael said. — From children to the elderly. How do you choose?
— I am a goddess. I can see a true believer among a million.
Sadly, there are fewer than ten thousand.
Most are tainted by sin — even children.
Kael sighed.
— That's humanity. Unpredictable creatures. One moment a friend — the next, a knife in your back.
Let's drop this topic. How can I contact you when I need help?
The Goddess raised her chin slightly, her expression proud.
— Pray before my statue and bow three times. Sincerely, of course.
Hahaha!
Until we meet again, my son.
Kael felt the world shift—
He awoke on his bed.
— That arrogant bitch… daring to set conditions for speaking with her. Fine. For now, I'll endure it.
We'll see who kneels in the future.
After cursing for a while, Kael looked at his palm. The stigmata was still there.
He remembered her words, closed his eyes, and imagined it disappearing.
When he opened them, it was gone.
He summoned the system.
Name: Kael Valkarion
Level: 4
Strength: 10
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 15
Mana: 0 (Blocked)
Soul Power: 50
Life Energy: 50
Physique: Weak
Title: Second Prince of the Valkarion Empire
Spells: None
Skills:
• Energy Control (Rank A)
• Language Comprehension (Rank D) — Gift from "???"
His mana remained unchanged, but the phrase "impossible to improve" under Physique had vanished.
Realizing why, Kael silently thanked the Goddess of Life.
And now that this flaw was gone, it was time to see what the second level of the Enhancement Technique truly held.