15 First contact

Elena's exploration of the kingdom continued, leaving her in a constant state of astonishment. The clarity of the glass in the kingdom's windows surpassed anything she had ever laid her eyes on. She vowed on the name of her goddess Bass that if this remarkable glass were to be traded or sold, it alone would amass a fortune.

Furthermore, the cutlery and cups she came across displayed such breathtaking artistry that they rendered anything she had seen before mere jokes in comparison. Even the carriages, whether used by commoners or nobility, bore ornate designs that rivaled the finest crafts of other kingdoms she had visited.

The streets were paved with a smooth, jet-black rock that seemed to have been meticulously chosen. Everything in the kingdom appeared to serve a purpose. Neat lines of trees flanked the streets, while open sections within the city were dedicated solely to plantlife and benches. These areas were known as parks, and they served as places of relaxation for adults and the elderly, as well as playgrounds for children. Elena learned that these parks featured various constructs for enjoyment, including swings and slides.

The meticulous design and festive decorations of the city were on full display as Elena continued her exploration. The excitement in the air was palpable, evident in the wide smiles of the citizens who had gathered for the festival. Prominent figures from nearby lands had also arrived to partake in the festivities, and like Elena, they too found themselves captivated by the beauty of the Theocracy.

However, as Elena turned her head, she noticed a distinct presence in the city: individuals in blue uniforms, each bearing a badge on their chests. They moved with a disciplined precision, resembling strict soldiers. The citizens referred to them as the 'police force,' tasked with maintaining law and order within the kingdom. Elena's keen senses picked up on something unusual about them. There was no magic, ki, or chi emanating from these enforcers, which might lead some to underestimate their abilities. Yet, Elena sensed an underlying danger, especially when she gazed into their pure black eyes, devoid of the intricate eye shapes characteristic of most people.

Rumors had it that these enforcers had received a blessing from the Godqueen of the famous new pantheon in exchange for adopting the surname Uchiha and serving as protectors of the law. However, no one seemed willing to share further information about them.

A sudden voice calling her name from behind jolted Elena, causing her to jump nearly a meter away. In an instant, she had conjured fully formed magic circles on both her hands, her eyes ablaze with fiery yellow-red hues. How could someone sneak up on her? She, a powerhouse in this region of the continent, wielded formidable power as a 9th tier existence. Elementalists like her excelled in manipulating specific elements and summoning elementals associated with those elements. The thought that she could be ambushed in a recently recovered kingdom left her bewildered.

What in the world were these people?

Elena's initial shock and suspicion began to ease as the masked individuals assured her that they came in peace. Nevertheless, she maintained a serious demeanor as she questioned their identity and intentions.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded, her tone resolute. Her thoughts raced, wondering if her competitors had indeed sent assassins after her.

One of the two masked men in front of her responded, their features hidden entirely behind their masks, with no visible openings for sight or breath. "We are CP0, an elite unit that operates under Admiral Fujitora. We are here to invite you to the tower, as per Archbishop Clementine's order."

Elena's astonishment grew as she realized that these individuals were affiliated with the kingdom. It seemed that the Theocracy possessed considerable military power, a conclusion she had already reached upon seeing the cannons on the kingdom's walls. Nonetheless, human resources were always in demand.

Curiosity piqued, Elena made the decision to follow them, eager to uncover the mystery of how they knew her name and what they wanted from her.

Elena followed the CP0 agents to the base of the towering temple, where the entrance hall bustled with the presence of the enigmatic police force she had encountered earlier. Statues of the nine gods belonging to the nine pantheons stood proudly in this opulent setting. As she finally passed through the grand doors, the sound of bustling laughter filled the room.

Elena's keen eye didn't miss the fact that the two CP0 agents who had escorted her had disappeared at some point during her entry. She found herself surrounded by important figures seated at tables, enjoying glasses of red wine, their faces mostly adorned with satisfied smiles. Servants, dressed in black and white uniforms, circulated throughout the room, offering wines, desserts, and various delicacies.

In one corner, Elena spotted a kindly-looking man with an unassuming appearance, surrounded by guests. Upon closer inspection, she realized that these guests were less influential figures from the continent, likely hoping to find fortune or favor in this gathering, much like herself. However, surveying the scene, she recognized a stark divide: the high-status figures occupied seated positions, suggesting that they had already met with the archbishop, while the rest were left standing on the sidelines.

Elena couldn't help but recognize the slimness of her chances in this intriguing gathering.

Elena's expectations were confounded when Archbishop Clementine's eyes momentarily shone before he excused himself from the group surrounding him and approached her. The sight of that gleam in his eyes left her on edge, as it indicated that he was in contact with a divine being. However, she remained composed, awaiting his arrival.

"Lady Elena, what a pleasure," he greeted her with a warm smile. Elena was both surprised and puzzled by his personal attention.

Archbishop Clementine's smile remained sympathetic as he responded to her greeting. "Archpriest Clementine, to what do I owe the pleasure of you personally coming to speak to me?"

Clementine's demeanor remained gracious as he spoke. "I've heard that your merchant company is facing dire straits, and we see value in you. We would like to invite you to move to this Theocracy and start anew." Elena couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and intrigue at this unexpected offer.

Elena couldn't conceal her surprise as she inquired, "How do you know this?"

Archbishop Clementine's expression became fervent, and he replied, "My god, Nyxar, informed me about you."

The revelation left Elena even more shocked. The notion that she had captured the attention of a god sent involuntary shudders down her spine. Mortals knew well that if a god held a grudge against you, your fate was essentially sealed – death was imminent. Of course, if you had the protection of another god, the story might take a different turn. She found some relief in the fact that Nyxar appeared to be a benevolent deity.

As she contemplated Clementine's offer, little did they both know that another meeting was taking place on a dark plane. There, Nyxar sat at a table, though it wasn't his true self but a projection using the mind of Clementine. Suddenly, another figure emerged – a stunning woman adorned with gold and diamonds, radiating an air of charm and confidence. Her blonde hair framed her face as she took a seat in front of Nyxar, a playful smile gracing her lips.

"So, you're the new famous Godking," she remarked with a teasing tone. "You're trying to poach my favorite believer... What? Am I your next target?" She concluded her words with a charming giggle, a sound that could have enchanted mortal men into willingly sacrificing themselves for her.

Nyxar sported his signature narcissistic smile as he replied, "Of course not, Goddess Bass. I just figured that if I want to meet you, I might as well find one of our believers. You wouldn't let go of a chance to make a profit, yes... Goddess of Wealth? Hahaha. And 'favorite believer'? Please, that's laughable. You just want to extort me, hahaha."

The Goddess Bass responded with a wider smile, admitting, "Guilty as charged". *Giggle*,so...why exactly am i here.