The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 529: Could This Be Jealousy?

“Rumble…”

As Shien and Melika stepped into the temple, the heavy stone door closed behind them with a loud boom, plunging the temple into darkness.

However, the darkness didn’t last long.

“Clang!”

A soft light bloomed from within the temple, dispelling the darkness.

Shien and Melika blinked as their eyes adjusted, taking in the scene before them.

“This is…?” Shien murmured, stunned.

The interior of the temple was a beautiful garden, filled with colorful flowers and lush vegetation. Butterflies fluttered, and fairies chased each other. This beautiful scene, within a temple, was surreal.

At the garden’s deepest point was a massive statue, situated in a large fountain, clear water flowing from its sleeves, a glowing tree behind it emitting a soft light.

The light that dispelled the darkness came from this glowing tree, illuminating the temple’s interior like a warm sun.

Shien and Melika’s arrival didn’t disturb the tranquility. They seemed to blend seamlessly into this scene, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

“It hasn’t changed at all,” Melika said, her nervousness and unease fading as she looked around with nostalgia and joy.

“You’ve been here before?” Shien asked, then realized it was a silly question. Of course, Melika had been here.

“After I transformed into an elf, Sister Carol brought me here once, and I received the goddess’s blessing here,” Melika said, a mix of joy and nostalgia in her voice. “But I haven’t been back since.”

In other words, Melika had only been here once, and that was over a hundred years ago.

“This is my first time,” Shien said, shrugging. He looked up at the statue in the fountain.

It was the statue of a goddess. Although not intricately carved, its outline still conveyed a sense of divinity and majesty.

“Is this the statue of the Goddess of Nature?” Shien wondered.

At this moment…

“Welcome to my temple, my dear child, and honored guest from another world.”

A clear, refreshing voice, like water and a gentle breeze, echoed, reaching Shien and Melika.

“Hum!” Before they could react, a dense, natural magic power surged within the temple. It was the magic of nature, the power of the surrounding plants and trees. Strands of magic power flowed from everything around them like green streams, converging towards the fountain.

The water in the fountain rose, forming streams that gathered above. Shien watched as the streams intertwined, forming a streamlined body of water that gradually solidified into a graceful figure.

Thus, the goddess appeared, emerging from nature, taking form amidst the flowers and trees.

“Nalue, the Goddess of Nature…” Melika murmured, as if in a trance.

One of the Three Goddesses, Nadue, the Goddess of Nature, descended at this moment.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

The goddess slowly descended from the sky, landing before the fountain, her back to her own statue, and smiled at Shien and Melika.

It was an elegant, beautiful smile, full of dignity and grace.

“Goddess Nadue…”

Melika, forgetting her nervousness and anxiety, overwhelmed with excitement and emotion, instinctively knelt before Nadue.

However, as soon as Melika moved, a gentle force, like a breeze, lifted her up.

“There’s no need for such formalities, my child.”

Nadue looked at Melika with a kind and gentle gaze, like a mother looking at her daughter.

“I’ve been watching over you for a long time, Melika, a timid and shy, yet determined, elven girl with unwavering beliefs. It’s wonderful to finally meet you like this.”

Nadue’s kind words made Melika even more excited and moved.

“I… I’ve also always wanted to meet you, the goddess of our faith, Goddess Nadue!”

Admiration and reverence filled Melika’s eyes, her voice choked with emotion.

She was overwhelmed with excitement.

“I know, child. I can feel your faith and devotion.” Nadue said softly, as if comforting Melika, “Don’t worry, I’m here, always watching over you, with you. Now, take a deep breath, and let’s have a good chat.”

Melika nodded vigorously and obediently took deep breaths, trying to calm down.

Shien watched all this, looking at the dignified, beautiful, and approachable goddess, and suddenly understood why everyone said she was the most perfect being.

She was, as her title suggested, a flawless goddess.

Her beauty was impeccable.

Her demeanor was impeccable.

Her voice and aura were impeccably polite, pleasant, and captivating.

If it weren’t for the natural aura around her, telling others that she was the Goddess of Nature, Shien believed that everyone who saw her would think she was the goddess of beauty, etiquette, and the most flawless femininity.

“So, this is the last of the Three Goddesses…?”

Shien murmured unconsciously.

Nadue turned her gaze to Shien, a beautiful smile on her face.

“It seems Lildas and Anima have been under your care, Hero from another world.”

Nadue greeted Shien.

Shien wasn’t surprised.

“It seems you already know my identity, Goddess.”

Shien shrugged.

“Yes.” Nadue admitted frankly, without hiding anything, “Anima has already told me, so I’ve been watching over you.”

“Watching over me?” Shien raised an eyebrow, recalling the strange presence he had sensed during his battle with Aldia. “That presence I felt at that time, it was you, wasn’t it?”

Nadue neither confirmed nor denied, just smiled.

“I’ve been observing you for a long time.” Nadue said, “I know what kind of person you are, and I also know that you’re afraid of unnecessary trouble. Therefore, there’s no need for you to be wary of me. I won’t harm you.”

“Oh?” Shien looked directly at Nadue. “Even though my appearance as the Hero is inexplicable and unnecessary for the current three races, even a seed of chaos, it’s still the same?”

Shien tested her.

But Nadue’s smile didn’t waver.

“It’s the same.” Nadue met Shien’s gaze. “No matter how you came to this world, or how you were summoned, as long as you are the Hero, our Divine Race will never harm you.”

This was the foundation of trust built between the Divine Race and Heroes over a long time.

Anima had also said more than once that the Divine Race held respect for Heroes.

“After all, strictly speaking, you are not only our most valued helpers, but also the saviors of this world.”

Nadue gave Shien the highest praise.

Of course, Shien wouldn’t forget who he was just because of a few flattering words.

“I hope so.” Shien smiled casually. “At least, I don’t want to be enemies with the Divine Race.”

This was the truth.

Not only because the Divine Race’s power wasn’t something the current Shien could contend with, but also because Shien sincerely didn’t want to be their enemy.

It wasn’t that he was afraid, but there was no need for it.

Otherwise, becoming enemies with the Divine Race would be too troublesome.

“We feel the same way.” Nadue said sincerely, “Being enemies with the Hero is unimaginable.”

This wasn’t just because Heroes possessed terrifying potential, but also because the Divine Race and Heroes had always been allies. Suddenly becoming enemies would be unsettling.

Nadue was certain that if they became enemies with the Hero, it would cause great unrest within the Divine Race.

As long as they were gods, they never thought the Hero would become their enemy.

This was a deep-rooted belief.

Even though…

“A thousand years later, the Hero who suddenly appeared in this world not only distanced himself from the Divine Race, but also established a close relationship with a Demon Lord of the Demon Race.”

Nadue’s words made the atmosphere in the temple subtle.

Especially Shien, whose expression turned strange.

“Could this be… jealousy?”