Chapter 68: SS23 – Ezme – Truth Revealed

“Ezme.” Alarice said coldly.

Ezme flinched as she was addressed by her elder sister. “Y-yes?”

Alarice looked at Ezme silently for several moments before she spoke. “You are wasting time and effort. The mortal will die. Nothing can be gained from consorting with mortals.”

Ezme inclined her head. I don’t agree with you, sister. Amara can survive.

“Therefore, you should-” (Alarice)

“Sister, I think you might be wrong.” Ezme said quietly.

The silence that emerged after Ezme spoke was absolute. Regret and resolve competed against one another within her as the silence felt far more imposing than any words Alarice had told her before.

“I’m not wrong.” Alarice said sternly. 

Ezme looked up at her sister who stared at her with narrowed eyes. Ezme felt as if she had already leaped out from a cliff without looking at what was below, but felt she needed to say what was on her mind.

“You’ve seen her, haven’t you? She’s growing stronger. Far stronger than I thought was possible for a mortal. I don’t know how or why, but I know that she can survive if she-”(Ezme)

“It’s not merely about her surviving against a demon lord.” Alarice interrupted. Watching Ezme’s confused expression, Alarice sighed. 

“Even if the mortal survives the battle with the demon lord, then what? The mortal is an outlier. If it survives then at best, it will have the divine gift taken from it, and at worst it will be killed. A mortal, that has the power to defeat demon lords? That views us and our Father with contempt? It cannot be tolerated.” (Alarice)

Ezme felt cold as she realized what Alarice was saying. “B-but if I can convince her to join us-”

“Pointless. Because no matter what the mortals say, they can’t be trusted.” Alarice sighed and turned to look elsewhere. “Once they get a taste of power and manage to get close to one of us, they will betray us.” Alarice turned her eyes back to Ezme before she added. “The mortal will betray you.”

Ezme clenched her fists. Amara will betray me?

No. She wouldn’t. Would she?

But Alarice wouldn’t lie to me. She must have seen mortals betray us in the past.

Why would they betray us?

Amara does seem to dislike Father. But if I could just explain it to her...she could come around.

“I don’t think-” (Ezme)

“It’s not about what you think. It’s about what is inevitable. You’re simply too young to know.” Alarice replied. “Spare yourself the pain, and keep your distance from the mortals. Or else you will come to regret it later.”

Ezme bit her lip but wasn’t sure how to refute.

“Enough about the mortal.” Alarice sighed as she looked at Ezme. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

Ezme nodded. “Amara helped me a lot.”

Alarice looked at Ezme with a stern expression. “Don't rely on the mortal for your growth. For your own sake.”

Why? Without Amara...I already found it difficult to go on before she appeared in my life. I don’t think I could’ve made it through my deployment as rearguard without her.

“Now that you’re feeling better, take a tour in Biradol’s domain. Get familiar with the defensive line.” (Alarice)

Ezme nodded. “Yes, sister.”

I'm sorry, sister Alarice.

I’ll find a way for Amara to accept our Father’s and your motives, and make you all accept her. I won’t discard Amara.

 

 

_______________

 

 

Once she arrived in Ramay, Ezme landed on the stairs leading up to the temple. As she folded her wings the mortals that were present either bowed or kneeled at the sight of her, muttering or shouting her praises. Ignoring them, Ezme walked up the stairs and into the temple.

As she made her way through the spacious temple, younger priests went before her to open the doors and cleared the way for her. Thanks to them, she never had to bother with someone standing in her path, unaware of her arrival.

Arriving at the heart of the temple, Ezme was met with the sight of the bowing Archbishop.

“Welcome to Ramay, Lady Ezme. We’re ever honored by your visi-” (Archbishop)

“Enough with the pleasantries. I came here for a reason.” Ezme interrupted.

“Of course. I followed your order, and the kingdoms have already made preliminary assessments. More detailed reviews of our war potential can be made once we’re given more information on what we’re facing.” The Archbishop explained calmly. However, Ezme sensed that he was hiding his distress. 

“What did the assessment say?” Ezme asked.

The old man frowned. “In total, we believe that we could muster up a combined force of anywhere between five hundred thousand and a million men on short notice. Twice that if given a year or so of preparation.” 

Too few.

“Is -Ahem. It isn’t going to be enough, Lady Ezme?” The Archbishop began hesitantly as he saw Ezme’s expression, before he coughed and started over.

“No. We’re going to need a lot more. Fortunately, we have time...” Ezme said as she began contemplating.

“Just so that we’re clear...is it the demons? Are they coming?” The Archbishop asked.

Ezme nodded. “We’ve set up a defensive line in brother Biradol’s domain. It should hold for now, but one day the line will break. Depending on where they get through...in any case, it’s better to assume that the demons will come one day.”

The Archbishop’s expression visibly broke into despair before he collected himself with a shuddered breath. “How long?”

“I don’t know. The line could hold for a thousand years, or several millennia. No matter how long, it’s better to begin preparations.” Ezme replied.

The Archbishop nodded with a relieved expression. “Do you have any order for how we should prepare? How many soldiers do you think will be needed?”

Ezme closed her eyes as she considered. “I suppose what you would expect is what you should do. Build new fortifications and begin storing necessities. Create new weapons and learn new magic. Reinstate mandatory military service for everyone.” 

“That...that’s going to take a lot of effort. We haven’t had war for a long time. It’s going to take a while for the people of Ramay to adapt.” (Archbishop)

Ezme nodded. “I don’t expect you to make all changes overnight, but I hope you've made improvements to the war effort within a generation. As for how many soldiers we’ll need...I know it takes noncombatants as well to sustain a war. But for the total fighting force, aim for one in ten.”

The Archbishop’s eyes widened. “One in ten?”

“One in ten.” Ezme confirmed. 

“That’s...likely more than two hundred million soldiers! We can't possibly sustain an army of that size! Are you sure?” The Archbishop asked.

Ezme nodded. “When the day comes, that’s the kind of army we need to be capable of producing if we want to have the upperhand. Even if you don't get to that number, it's what you should aim for. Since we have time, you can take it slow to increase the size of the armies.”

“...Very well. I’ll inform the kingdoms of what you have told me. As I understand it, some of them have already started looking at the long term on their own initiative, the local King among them.” (Archbishop)

Ezme smiled. “Good. We’re going to need people that take initiative.” 

“I suspect so.” The Archbishop responded with a smile. “He gave an order to the Magicians to start researching new spells, hoping that they can find something to give us an edge. Speaking of…”

Ezme cocked her head as the Archbishop hesitated. “Yes?”

The Archbishop looked conflicted for a moment. “One of the magicians has come by repeatedly, requesting us to pass on the word to you that Lady Amara sto-...took his research notes. Apparently he can’t continue his work without them.”

“Amara did…?” Ezme considered. 

Amara was able to copy things wasn’t she? She should have been able to copy the notes and returned them already. Is he lying? Or did Amara simply forget?

“-aware of what you’ve said previously, and if Lady Amara chooses to keep them we will ofcourse accept it.” The Archbishop said as Ezme was pulled back from her thoughts.

“I’ll speak to Amara. Though I don’t see a reason for why she needs to, Amara seems to feel bad for taking things from you.” Ezme replied.

“Thank you, Lady Ezme. We’re ever grateful that you are so considerate for the troubles of us mortals. As expected, the mortal you chose appears to have a righteous heart.” The Archbishop said with a bow. 

Ezme waved her hand. “Spare me all that. It’s a simple request.”

“As you wish. If that is all, I have some good news for you.” The Archbishop said with a smile.

Ezme cocked her head. “Oh?”

“Indeed.” The Archbishop showed with his hand towards one of the doors as he started walking towards it. 

Now what? Don’t think I don’t know that a lot of people have gathered there while we’ve been talking.

Ezme followed the Archbishop with her curiosity sparked through the doors and was met with a crowd of priests. The Archbishop turned to Ezme with a smile. “We have written new gospels to add into the scriptures. I hope you could take the time to help us decide which one would honor you the most.”

Damn it! Not this again!

Ezme sighed as she realized that there would be no escape. Whenever this happened, they would pester her to listen to their suggestions. If she ignored them, they would simply decide among themselves and spread whatever lies they had cooked up.

Ezme waved her hand at the priests. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

I wonder if they can come up with anything accurate this time.

The Archbishop nodded and pointed to one of the priests in the crowd, who in turn quickly walked up to Ezme and bowed deeply. 

“Hail, honoured Lady Ezme. I shall give my rendering of the gospel of our goddess, Lady Ezme, and her mate Lady Amara, the new goddess.” (?)

Ezme froze in the middle of the priest’s sentence. M-mate?!

“In the middle of our righteous lady’s war against the demons, she came across an injured mortal upon the battlefield. Although severely injured, and the bodies of her fallen comrades around her, she stood her ground against the dark demons that assaulted her homeworld. Taken by the mortal’s courageous heart, Lady Ezme descended to the mortal, wrapping her arms around the mortal’s faltering mortal shell as she spread her beautiful wings-” (?)

“Stop!!” Ezme exclaimed as her cheeks heated up upon the realization that the priest was serious. “Not accurate! Not accurate at all!” 

“Oh…” The priest hung with his head dejectedly as the Archbishop shooed him away, bringing in the next priest.

Really. How could he jump to the conclusion that me and Amara are together? That’s really…

“My greetings to the honourable Lady Ezme.” (??)

The priestess bowed deeply before her, before she stood back up and began reading from the pages in her hands. “In her travels, Lady Ezme spotted a rare beauty among the mortals. Her hair black as night, and with a seductive smile that could make any man or woman infatuated with her, she gained the righteous lady’s interest. Upon inquiry, the mortal’s name was revealed to be Amara. Delighted that the mortal’s name was as beautiful as her appearance, Lady Ezme chose-”

“STOP!!” Ezme howled. While she pinched the bridge of her nose, the priestess was replaced by another priest.

Why were they both about me and Amara? Tsk. I thought it was going to be about the upcoming war or something.

How did she know that Amara has black hair? Was it just a lucky guess?

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“-entranced by Amara’s beautiful green eyes, Lady Ezme chose to bring her into the heavens as her-”(???)

“STOP!!!” Ezme exclaimed angrily. She gave the Archbishop an accusing glare. “How many of these are about me and Amara?” 

The Archbishop smiled as he cocked his head. “All of them?”

What! Why?!

Ezme felt her cheeks heat up and took a deep breath. “I don’t know why you believe so, but me and Amara aren’t….aren’t…”

What do I say?!

The Archbishop’s face lit up in understanding and said with a smile. “I see! I understand now!”

“Really?” Ezme asked let out a sigh of relief. Phew. 

“Yes.” The Archbishop smiled widely. “You’re still courting her.”

WHAT?!?!

“I’M NOT!” Ezme exclaimed as she blushed.

What’s going on! Why are they so obsessed with thinking that me and Amara are together?!

The Archbishop smiled as he looked at Ezme. “Why don’t you tell us about Lady Amara? It would be a shame if we were to publish something that you’re not satisfied with.”

Ezme crossed her arms as she considered. I guess I have no choice.

Ezme sighed as she began speaking about how the war led to the armistice, and how it in turn led to Ezme going to Earth to choose Amara to become a champion. When she finished speaking, the priests seemed conflicted.

“There are people on Lady Amara’s homeworld who don't believe in the gods?” (??)

Ezme nodded. “That would be the case.” 

Muted murmurs went between the priests. Ezme could clearly hear the word ‘heretics’ spoken more than once.

Ezme frowned in annoyance. “It’s not really a fault of their own. Their world was abandoned by us.”

“But they must have done something to warrant being abandoned by the gods, right?” (????)

“That…” Ezme began. Why did we abandon Amara’s homeworld? Is it really enough of a reason that they were being arrogant?

Did the people of Earth betray us in the past?

“As expected, they must have done something atrocious…” (???)

Ezme suddenly felt angered. “I don’t know why her homeworld was abandoned, but I’ve been there. The mortals of Earth are no more flawed than anywhere else. In any case, it was before my time, and long before Amara was born. I don't think the mortals living there now, ignorant of our existence, are guilty of anything - least of all their ancestors' crimes. And despite the circumstances, Amara is a good person. I won’t tolerate you disrespecting her.”

A sudden silence followed after Ezme’s fierce declaration. 

“Of course, it was never our intent to disrespect your beloved, Lady Ezme. Forgive us.” (Archbishop)

Ezme felt her face heat up. “I never said she’s my beloved!”

“She isn’t? But you both share a bed?” The Archbishop cocked his head.

The heat on her face and neck intensified as Ezme exclaimed. “W-who told you that!”

The Archbishop had a complicated look on his face and was about to respond when he was interrupted.

The sound of doors slamming open drew their attention, as a young lady entered the room with flailing skirts with two thick envelopes in her hands. Upon seeing Ezme, a relieved smile spread on her face as she walked over, making her way through the crowd of priests.

Who…?

The lady stopped in front of them and curtsied deeply while catching her breath, evidently after running. “My greetings to the righteous Lady Ezme. If I may be so bold, I have an urgent matter that I must speak with you about.”

Ah...I remember her now. The lewd princess. 

Now that I think about it, she was quite calm for a few years and didn’t think as much about me for quite some time.

Ezme had experienced her fair share of mortals who had indecent daydreams of her, the princess being one of them. Few would maintain those thoughts for long throughout their lives, as they found lovers and grew more mature with age. 

Most of the time, such thoughts made Ezme feel annoyed. But she knew that trying to reprimand all the mortals would be pointless, because even if she forbade it, there would always be mortals who would continue to think of her indecently.

And Ezme held a small grudge against people like the princess. It was because of people like her, that Ezme’s expectations of what a kiss felt like had become unreasonable.

Strangely enough however, when Amara had thought of her prior to sealing her thoughts away behind a barrier, Ezme never felt annoyed or disgusted. In fact, Ezme liked it - but thought Amara was moving a bit too fast, which was the cause for most of the times Ezme reprimanded her. Ezme thought they had just started to get to know one another. 

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Ezme looked at the princess, relieved that her arrival had changed the topic of the conversation. “Speak.”

“Thank you, Lady Ezme. Firstly, if at all possible, I’d like you to give this to Lady Amara.” The princess said with a smile as she held out one of the envelopes. 

Ezme took the envelope and frowned as she looked at it.

For Amara? Did they know each other?

No. Amara wasn’t from this world. And Amara isn’t allowed to speak with mortals. 

How do they know each other?

Ezme’s frown deepened as she looked at Isabella suspiciously. “How do you know Amara? What’s your relationship with Amara?”

Isabella waved her hand in panic. “There’s no reason to be jealous! I have no relationship with Lady Amara!”

“I’m not jealous!” Ezme exclaimed as she blushed. Whatever.

Ezme calmed herself and asked. “So how do you know her? What is this that you want me to give to her?” 

“It’s a letter and a copy of my latest work, Lady Ezme. I took it upon myself to write to Lady Amara, as we - your humble worshippers - care about your happiness above all else. We don’t want Lady Amara to mistreat you.” The princess said with a smile. The crowd of priests nodded in agreement.

That’s...thoughtful. She’s willing to help Amara by giving a copy of her research notes? I should give this to Amara then.

But Amara doesn’t mistreat me.

Ezme sighed. “Fine, I’ll give it to her.” Ezme put the envelope in her spatial inventory before she looked at the princess. “But your concerns are unwarranted. Amara doesn’t mistreat me.”

“I'm glad, Lady Ezme. However, you need to take care!” Isabella took a deep breath before she continued, looking at Ezme seriously. “Lady Amara appears to me like a seductress, so you should take care not to be hurt by her. You must keep her on a tight leash, if you don’t want her to go around frolicking with others.”

“You!” Ezme exclaimed angrily. “Amara may seem like it, but she’s a good person! I won’t let you insult her, when you haven’t even met her!”

“Of course, I apologize. However, please take heed of my advice. For the sake of your own happiness.” Isabella pleaded with an inclined head.

Ezme crossed her arms and pouted. She’s right, Amara does act like a seductress sometimes. And looks a bit like one.

Wait...how does she know? And how did the priests manage to guess right regarding Amara's appearance?

“How do you know what Amara looks like?” Ezme asked suspiciously.

“Ah, that's thanks to Lady Amara's gift! That reminds me!” Isabella exclaimed excitedly as she opened the remaining envelope and took out a pile of pages, handing them to Ezme.

Gift? What gift?

Why is Amara giving gifts to others? I only got my first gift from her recently, why is she handing out gifts to people she hasn't even met!

Ezme frowned as she took the pages. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the drawings in her hand. They were all sketches of her and Amara, in all manner of poses. Hugging. Holding hands. Laying in each other’s arms.

Ezme felt her face heat up as she blushed.

They got Amara really accurately...but how?

“We’re going to make a new statue for next year’s festival. Thanks to the paintings that Lady Amara gave me, I could get started on the sketches. I was hoping to get your input, if there is a kind that you would pref-” (Isabella)

“Paintings?” Ezme interrupted. 

Isabella met Ezme’s confused gaze with a smile. “Yes. Small paintings. About...this size? Really accurate and lifelike!”

Ezme stared at the princess while her brain processed the information.

Small paintings…?

Pictures!

Ezme took the photo album from her inventory with a bad premonition and opened it on the last photo. She didn’t want the princess nor the priests to see the picture of her clinging to Amara in her sleep. “Like this?”

Isabella looked at it and squealed in delight. “Yes! Exactly! My favourite was the one where you were holding onto Lady Amara in your sleep!” 

Ezme stared at the princess with dead eyes. After closing the photo album and putting it back in her inventory, Ezme stared emptily in front of her as her thoughts entered a loop.

Amara gave our pictures to the princess. She’s seen me cling to Amara in my sleep.

Amara gave our pictures to the princess. She’s seen me cling to Amara in my sleep.

“G-goddess?” Isabella asked hesitantly. 

Should I kill the princess?

No. That’d be too much. This is Amara’s fault.

Ezme stood still as she brought her emotions under control and clenched her fists.

It’s fine. Only the princess has seen it.

Right?

“Have you shown the pictures to anyone?” Ezme asked with a calm voice while she looked at the princess with a dangerous smile.

The princess’s face paled and a few of the priests suddenly appeared quite nervous behind her. 

I see. So that’s how they knew what Amara looked like.

And that’s why they think we’re together.

“I...only showed it to the priests...” (Isabella)

As she couldn’t hold it in any longer, Ezme howled in fury with her voice empowered with divine power.

“[AAMAAAARAAAAAA!!!!!]” (Ezme)

 

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