Chapter 264: God’s Image Deviates from Human Nature

The ruins of Simparai are just like its name. Even though the disaster that happened in the past is no longer there, the bloody past still remains beneath the charred and fine sand. A few tender green buds have sprouted, and green moss has grown on the gray ruins.

The fine mud and sand were stepped on, and new footprints appeared among the messy footprints.

Today is the fifth day that Vifiya and her companions have come to the ruins of Simparai, and it is also the fifth day that she has observed the restoration of the statue of the goddess Morhomi.

Five days was enough for her to become familiar to the craftsmen, not to mention that they had now heard that she had walked out of the White World unharmed and rescued the next Elf Prophet.

For this reason, some craftsmen began to favor her, especially the local fairies living in the ruins of Simparae, who even thoughtfully prepared a chair for her so that she could rest at any time.

Compared to Vifiya's leisurely life, Arnold and Kaharun were not so lucky.

The alien races all knew that they could forcibly destroy the White World, but for the craftsmen, what was more important was that they were the new apprentices of two great craftsmen of the dwarf race.

It is not surprising that the two master craftsmen take in apprentices. Even if you don’t become their apprentice, if you have any questions, they will answer them.

However, it was the first time for the two master craftsmen to bring their new apprentices to the Simparai ruins to learn.

The craftsmen who had been working in the Simparai ruins for a long time just wanted to know what extraordinary talents the two humans had.

After five days, the craftsmen came to the conclusion that the two humans had talent, but it was far from amazing.

The craftsmen were puzzled. Why?

Before they came to the second conclusion, Kaharun had already become friends with most of the craftsmen, and they were just short of being brothers. There was still a small number of people who were neither close nor distant, and one or two who were not friendly to them, but they also barely restrained themselves a little in the jokes of other aliens.

Yes, barely.

The early spring in the Western Continent lasted longer than Vifiya had imagined. A chilly breeze blew through the misty maple trees, and the pale golden sun cast mottled shadows.

Vefiya sat under the maple tree, reading the letters from Isidore and Osha.

After she glanced over the general content, she read it again carefully.

The treatment for Osha's magic stagnation was progressing well, and Isidore... apart from asking her how she was feeling and whether she was getting used to her life, he didn't tell her anything about his situation.

Vifiya tucked the letter into her belt and decided to write and ask later.

She raised her eyes and saw in the distance the local farmhouses that had long lived in the ruins of Simparai. Looking up, she heard the crackling sounds of craftsmen working.

She calmly glanced at a dwarf craftsman who was about to trip Kaharun, then stood up and walked to the side.

The dwarf craftsman's hand trembled, and he looked up at the human girl who was not far away from him with a hint of vigilance, but saw that she did not look at him, and her eyes were focused on the other craftsmen working near the goddess statue.

He concealed the vague dissatisfaction in his heart, wondering why the other craftsmen would agree to let an unrelated person come and watch them work every day?

"Kelum! Come and help!"

"good!"

It was not until the dwarf named Kelum left that Vifia glanced to the side and saw that Kahalun and Arnold's tools were intact.

She looked ahead. As Brynja's apprentice, it was normal for Kaharun to come and help. Instead, it was Arnold, the blacksmith, who came to do the stonemason's work...

She didn't think much about it. Although they had not been together for long, she could see that the two master craftsmen were not bad people.

She stood in the corner, not blocking the craftsmen's way.

She looked at the huge statue of the goddess in front of her. The goddess had a kind face, the folds of her long skirt were lifelike, and on her chest was a round star disk the size of a heart. In order to restore the appearance of the starry sky, the stonemasons were inlaying new gems into it.

Valega, who was hiding beside her, stared at the girl, wondering whether to express his observation.

After a long while, He finally made up His mind: "Miss Vifiya."

Vephia did not respond, quietly waiting for His next words.

"Do you feel that you seem more like me than a human?"

Her eyelashes twitched, a flash of surprise passed through her eyes, and it was obvious that she had not expected what He said.

"What I mean is that your humanity is slipping away."

Valega had this feeling a long time ago. Human nature has no specific categories, but compared to most humans, her nature is obviously more inclined to be naturally indifferent.

This does not mean that she is inhumane or not a complete "person".

She can laugh, be happy, be sad, be angry... She has all the emotions that humans have.

Valega noticed something strange in her indifference.

The scope of indifference varies from human to human, and her indifference is a permissive indifference, just like His attitude towards life, caring while being detached, observing when He may intervene.

"Do you think it's good or bad?"

Only Valega could hear Vifiya's almost inaudible voice. He was stunned for a moment and remained silent for a moment.

He replied, "Perhaps it is good for you."

"Well, that's no problem," she said softly.

She didn't care much about what Valega said, as long as it didn't disadvantage her, that was enough.

Most of the craftsmen in front of them suddenly stopped working and looked in one direction. Vifiya followed their gaze and saw Bringa walking towards them holding a box.

The craftsmen who were renovating the statue of the goddess jumped down to the ground nimbly.

Vifiya could probably guess why.

"Master Craftsman."

The craftsmen saluted respectfully along the way, and when Bringa met her eyes, she nodded in greeting.

Arnold and Kaharun quickly dusted themselves off and ran to Vifia.

Even though the two of them cleaned themselves up quickly, a gust of wind still blew up a layer of dust when they ran, and Vifia's nose felt itchy for a moment.

"Why don't you sit down?" Arnold asked.

Kaharun's eyes fell on her, and he wiped his face casually with a towel.

"Stand up and walk around," she said at last. "I'm feeling better now."

The two of them seemed to have returned to the time after she came out of coma.

"Really?" Kaharun looked at her carefully again. "I'll check you out later."

As they were talking, the surroundings became quiet and they stopped chatting.

The original sea-stained flower marrow in the eyes of the goddess statue had been removed before Vifiya and the others arrived. It was now black, waiting for Bringa to install the new carving.

The craftsmen waited attentively for the master craftsman's action, and when Bringa began to move, they all looked pious.

For the craftsmen, the scene before them was more like a ritual, not only a tribute to God, but also a respect for the skills of the great craftsmen.

When they heard that a "cleansing of eyes" was going to be carried out, local people nearby came to watch.

Bringa's hands moved quickly and skillfully. Amidst the tinkling sounds, the goddess's milky white and clear eyes shone with the light of the sea-stained flower marrow.

The humans and aliens present felt a sense of relief the moment she took the eyes out of the box.

Until she returned to the ground and stood before the goddess and looked up, no alien spoke. They all looked at the same place - the goddess' eyes.

They are devout believers.

Except for Vifiya and the other two.

The three of them looked out of place among the alien race, but they had calm expressions and did not attract much attention.

"Hmph." In her mind, [Vifiya] sneered, "Jiang Suian, aren't they too pious?"

"Those who believe in God are idiots." As if she had thought of something, she changed her words, "Of course~ Jiang Suian, you are silly and cute, I won't dislike you~"

"Oh~ I miss the silly Jiang Sui'an back then~"

Vifiya was already used to her looking like she deserved a beating from time to time.

[Vefiya] continued to ramble, "Jiang Suian, facts have proven that even though I may lie to you, I am more trustworthy than God."

She stepped on it a few more times without even caring about the gods.

"God loves people, God loves people, God loves people..." [Vefia] slowly recited the holy message that the church always conveyed, with undisguised sarcasm in her words, "Maybe."

Maybe, maybe God also has his own preferences when it comes to loving people.

Vifiya listened to her chatter quietly and understood the hidden meaning behind her words.

Yes, what is the definition of God’s love for people?

Perhaps only God himself knows clearly.

After an unknown amount of time, Bringa turned around and nodded to the aliens. They finally took action, and the craftsmen began to prepare to continue the renovation of the goddess statue.

Arnold and Kaharun stepped forward, ready to continue the unfinished work before Brynja muttered.

A barely perceptible whisper, as soft as the wind, its meaning indistinguishable: "The goddess's eyes have no pupils."

Kaharun paused. He was very sure of the owner of the voice, but he was also very confident that he had misheard. He suppressed his doubts and looked at the girl who was not far from him.

Vefiya, whose eyes never left the statue, easily noticed his unobstructed gaze and asked, "What's wrong?"

He knew her sharpness, and he smiled: "No, Arnold and I went over first."

Vifiya said, "We'll eat together after you finish."

The two nodded at her.

Before leaving, Arnold specifically instructed: "Don't stand there all the time."

The two of them went towards the goddess statue only after getting her confirmation.

"Yes, Jiang Suian, please don't let my body get tired. I need to rest, rest." [Vifiya] said in an unreasonable tone, "I'm so tired of standing~"

Vifiya couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth. She didn't know what to say to her. Every time at this time, Vifiya would always emphasize that she took good care of her body.

The tributary of the river could no longer be seen flowing when it reached the ruins of Simparai, and the golden fragments on the surface of the water were gradually replaced by a layer of silver.

The night is quiet.

In the dark room, there was a rustling sound of fabric.

Kaharun shifted around in bed until he finally lay flat on his back.

“I’m afraid I won’t have the chance in the future.”

Vifiya's words five days ago lingered in his mind.

His eyes, which had long been accustomed to the night, were not at all sleepy as he stared at the rough ceiling above his head.

He still felt something was wrong.

At first, he thought her words meant that she probably wouldn't find a better opportunity to confess in the future.

Because there was nothing wrong with the way she looked at that time.

But later on, she gradually felt something was wrong. Arnold didn't say it, but he could see that he had also been observing her recently.

She is no different from before.

Kaharun comforted himself that he was overthinking it.

But another unexpected statement she made today made him sound the alarm.

"The goddess' eyes have no pupils."

Kaharun fluttered up into a sitting position.

Has she seen God?

This was originally her soliloquy, but when he thought about it, it sounded more like...

He scratched his head irritably, stood up and sat on the table and chair, and took out paper and pen from the magic circle.

[Isidore, I always feel that something is wrong with Vefiya recently. You guys...]

Thinking that Osha's magic power was sluggish and he couldn't rush, he crossed it out again. The tip of the pen paused on the parchment, then he threw it away and started a new one.