Royal Princess of Blood

After I ascended to godhood, I still needed time for my divine constitution to stabilize. It was more like my body was molding with the changes, or something like that. Therefore, I had to lie low for a while until my body completely stabilized, lest I melt or explode. Aside from that, there were changes in terms of my sensations and mind, more expansive in a word. So I still needed to process that part, as it was a bit overwhelming.

After resting and my body stabilizing, I’d need to try out my new strength. There would be a need for me to adjust the power I exert. Otherwise, I might accidentally vaporize a mile ahead of me. Furthermore, I still had my scythe! Which was pretty cool. I had never used a scythe before, especially something this big. Even without holding onto it, one could sense tremendous power emanating from it.

Although scythes were not my forte, I was willing to give it some practice.

Anyway, these villagers had been waiting for the goddess’s return for millennia, keeping the promise close to their hearts. Passing such a promise to their descendants. I was actually surprised that such faith lasted this long. But I suppose with them basically stuck here, there was not much to go on. Can’t change if there’s no outside influence, I suppose.

For my rest, they brought me to the biggest wooden building — it was some sort of chapel they made for the goddess worship when they weren’t doing it before the fountain. There were some rooms here and a big one, just for me. The village chief apologized that it was all they could prepare. But of course, I acted all understanding and kind and said I didn’t mind.

The bed could have been better, but there was no point in complaining. And complaining would be me being a brat, or something that wouldn’t fit the image of a goddess. I was not just a princess anymore, I was more than that now. I’d have to bear more shame if I fucked around.

Once I was woken up the next day, I was met with several villagers outright. They kneeled and bowed their heads low. This kind of treatment was not that different from being a princess.

“Goddess, your loyal worshippers await at the front of the chapel. They look forward to beholding your holy figure.”

I was a bit caught off guard by that, that I almost lost my solemn expression. Thankfully, it was gonna take more than that to break my acting. They acted fast, it was still like early in the morning — can’t a goddess eat first? But then I realized I didn’t feel hungry. Gods didn’t need to eat. Which had its good side.

Given that I wasn’t feeling hungry, and a bit clueless on how to react with the villagers gathering around for me outside, I just decided to greet them in my divine presence! It wouldn't be bad to be showered with reverence.

They prepared a throne outside the village square, as that was the only place they could fit everyone to see me while having that fresh air. Wouldn’t want the goddess to be stuck in a tight room filled with people. The throne was also rushed work, so it was as best as they could make it.

And when it happened, I had to admit, I kind of regretted my decision to do this. The villagers started kneeling on both knees and pressing their foreheads to the ground.

“Oh Goddess! We’re blessed by your presence!”

They raised their eyes as they stared at me with shining eyes, as individually they began saying different phrases loudly.

“We are fortunate to witness your miracles!”

“I beg of you, please bless my child with a healthy body.”

“With your return, life will once again blossom all over the world!”

Oh boy… On second thought, too much direct worship like this is still a bit too much for me.

It was truly unlike my experience as a princess.

My smile widened as I elegantly sat on the throne — thankfully I was wearing something nice, courtesy of Taneva. To think he actually had some nice, pretty dresses saved up in his inventory. He said it was so that he had something to give when he encountered a girl who needed clothes. I must say, that was quite gentlemanly of him. With his personal dimension for inventory, he could just basically put anything he wanted in there, without worrying about space.

I really need to learn that personal dimension magic.

Now that I have recovered, I could start to learn the spells I was planning on learning.

“We’ve always believed that you’d return, Goddess of Blood!”

“I have sinned. Please hear my confession and grant me forgiveness!”

How the hell did you even know if something’s a sin? Oh yeah, since they worshipped the Goddess of Blood, it must be the same stuff from the Wisterian Church. Well, there should be some differences due to the passage of time, but the general idea should be the same…

Thankfully, I didn’t need to give a covenant and commandments. It’s already done.

“You need only pray in my honorific name in private and confess. No need to tell me in person, for I will hear your words and be absolved. But you must be sincere in your repentance.” Despite speaking normally, my voice echoed throughout the village.

Yeah, I’m not interested in hearing your confession firsthand.

“Thank you, Goddess!”

“May we touch the goddess’s hand?” a woman asked. “With your touch, all things shall be healed.”

Huh, from what I knew, I could indeed heal someone to health. But nothing critical or fatal, though. I was not the goddess of healing, I was the goddess of life, beginnings. Healing was just part of me, but not entirely. Evident from those who have lost their limbs, yet during my ascension, they didn’t regrow their severed limbs.

It would seem I still have some limitations…

I was not omnipotent…

Or perhaps healing magic itself always had limitations.

Although, they were already basically healed during my ascension. All the sickness they have suffered should be gone. Basically peak health.

These people just wanted to hold me in some way.

“Very well,” I said.

And thus, they lined up as I extended my hand. I emanated some healing properties as it happened. They touched my hand, but all of them were trembling. Both afraid and in awe. They even brought their babies and children. The eyes of these people, the way they were acting… This level of worship… Certainly needed some getting used to. This was way more than being a princess.

Guess I’m suffering from success…

Indeed.

Once everyone had finished touching my hand, the village chief, an elder, approached me. “Goddess, will you officially share your name with us?”

I hesitated for a moment, not because I didn’t want to, but there was something else. Gods of my level… didn’t typically just hand out our personal names. There was a good reason for that…

“Do you know my name?”

“The village watch knows your name, but they didn’t dare utter it. We never knew the name of the Goddess of Blood.”

It was when we first arrived at the village, when the village watch got in our way. I vaguely remembered it. It was fine then to say my name, but not now.

I cast my gaze upon the crowd. “My true name is sacred, I shall share it with you. However, you must not utter it in my presence. Or you will suffer a backlash.” The crowd glanced at each other for a moment, but they all understood. “My true name is… Estelia.”

It was then that a wave of power surged before me, and the crowd trembled. The power was cold and suffocating, as if the word, or rather, the name alone drove knives into their ears and clenched their hearts.

These people were strong, not normal people. They could survive the backlash of uttering my name. But no one would want to suffer tremendous damage for no good reason.

The villagers were still frozen in place.

“It is best that you do not share my true name ever so casually.”

When that matter was done, I dismissed the gathering. To think I’d get overwhelmed getting praised. After the crowd dispersed, I picked up my scythe that was plunged into the ground and walked over to my crew who were standing at a corner — Nira, Taneva, Velar, and Hartwin.

I gesture towards the forest, in a secluded area. We made our way into the forest, away from the villagers’ eyes and ears.

Hartwin bowed deeply. “Oh, I have witnessed the ascension of a god! This will be a story to tell in all the ages. As I have met a deity firsthand, shall I start worshiping you as my god now?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Would you prefer to worship those other gods that you do not know?”

Hartwin wryly laughed. “After all that I learned, I’m hesitant.”

“Goddess! You are shining!” Nira reached out to my hand. “You’re much, much more beautiful now!” She looked so innocent ‌and sweet. So genuine.

I patted her on the head. “Thank you.”

“Princess,” Velar said. “Or, should I say goddess…? Must your name not be uttered?”

“Princess is fine. But yes, normally you shouldn’t.”

“What would really happen?”

Taneva chuckled. “We can give it a try, right Estelia—” At that moment, blood suddenly burst out of Taneva’s eyes, ears and mouth. He kneeled down and vomited blood as the blood trickled from his ears. He appeared to be in extreme pain, as he groaned loudly.

Oh right, I forgot there’s someone who would inflict damage on himself without hesitation.

“Is it more painful than you expected?” I asked.

“Y-Yeah… But it didn’t kill me, how weak.” He chuckled.

Hartwin and Velar stared at him in horror, and Nira stared with widened eyes.

Motherfucker really hoped that saying my name would kill him.

“What the hell?!” Hartwin exclaimed. “What if I accidentally say your name?! I’m quite used to that!”

I sighed. “I can remove the effects, but it’s going to need practice. This godliness is still new to me.”

“Man, it’s no wonder gods are mentioned through their titles. Why does this have to happen though?” Hartwin asked.

“Names are personal to deities,” I answered. “And lower life forms shouldn’t get too close to a god, figuratively speaking.” I casually shrugged.

Hartwin’s mouth agape. “Lower life forms? Ouch… But humans are lowly compared to gods.”

“Don’t worry. I’m aware this will be troublesome. I can disable it eventually.”

When I ascended to godhood, I gained knowledge about my new self, like my abilities. And I intended on getting used to my new powers as soon as possible. I couldn’t spend too much time here, I still needed to go back home.

I held out my big scythe. “First, this one. I suppose this is some sort of divine weapon. I’m going to give it a try. Let’s find a safe spot, let’s go.”

I had to get as far away from the village as possible. You’d never know, maybe with a casual swing with this thing I’d accidentally delete the entire village. That would be one hell of an oopsie. I didn’t want that on my record.