The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 144

Chapter 144: Communication with the Goddess Muse

[In the Yggdra Empire – In the Corridor of Eternal Freeze]

“Everyone, keep your formation and deal with it!”

Grain, the first imperial prince of the Yggdra Empire, let his voice ring out.

“Right route, monster elimination complete!”

“Left route, trap disarm complete!”

Grain nodded upon hearing the reports from his subordinates.

“How are the injured?”

This was the dungeon called the Corridor of Eternal Freeze, which had been discovered recently after deciphering ancient texts. There was no map, and the positions or types of traps remained unknown.

Because it was such a dangerous area, they needed to pay even more attention than usual during the exploration.

“On the right route, we engaged in battle with a B+ monster, and several knights sustained injuries.”

“On the left route as well, we used magic power to neutralize traps, so there is concern about proceeding further.”

Upon hearing each report, Grain placed a hand on his chin.

(They are the empire’s elites and also its main force. I cannot afford to lose them by pushing too hard here.)

This marked the fourth exploration, but they had already secured a sufficient amount of materials. Grain judged that it would be fine to return now.

“Alright, we’ll end it here this time and begin the withdrawal.”

He could tell that the knights and magic users let out sighs of relief.

Since Grain’s main force was covering the rear as they carried the materials and withdrew, he kept watch…

“At this pace, when will we ever get there?”

He had to fulfill the orders given by the emperor, yet the situation showed no progress at all, so Grain ground his teeth.

★

In front of him, Neige was sleeping peacefully, breathing softly.

It was a cute familiar with white fur and emerald eyes, and it had quickly become the idol of his household.

But for all its cuteness, Neige caused a certain problem in the middle of the night.

Just as a pure white light enveloped its body, the sleeping breaths stopped.

Slowly, its eyes opened. Neige stood up, recognized him, approached, and opened its mouth.

“Good evening, Klaus.”

The voice of the Goddess Muse came through Neige.

“Lady Muse.”

It seemed she could only descend while Neige slept, and lately, she had been appearing almost every night.

“Klaus, please don’t be so tense. After all, it’s just you and me here.”

She spoke in a soft voice and said that to him, but it was impossible not to be tense in front of a goddess.

Even though he had continued talking with her for many days, it would take time to get used to it.

Perhaps that showed on his face, because she chuckled softly and turned gentle eyes toward him.

“I have heard that only a select few saintesses of the Muse faith can communicate with the Goddess Muse. I wonder if someone like me deserves such an honor…”

“Indeed, the people who can hear my voice are quite limited. But I do not demand such stiff attitudes from everyone.”

She herself did not mind at all, and it seemed that only us humans worried about such things.

“More than that, let’s continue from last night. If I recall, we were talking about the five-colored ancient dragons that have reigned over the world for many years…?”

She did not deliver any particularly important prophecies, but instead shared entertaining stories about legendary monsters that dominated this world or the early days of heroes to whom she had granted abilities.

“Um… that is certainly an interesting story, but…”

But today of all days, he could not let himself be swept along by her momentum. He had a mountain of questions he wanted to ask.

“Some question, perhaps?”

She tilted her head and gazed steadily at him.

Perhaps because it took Neige’s form, it overlapped with Neige’s daytime behavior, and naturally, he reached out to stroke its head.

For a while, Muse remained still, unaware of what was happening, but then, just like Neige, she rubbed her neck against his fingers.

“Since I share sensations with Neige, it tickles quite a bit.”

“Ah… I am sorry. I did it without thinking.”

He apologized for unconsciously moving his body and touching her.

“It is fine. Klaus’s touch is gentle, so it feels very pleasant. Neige must feel this way too when you stroke it normally.”

However, Muse showed no sign of being offended and even permitted him to continue stroking.

After stroking for a good while, he finally got to ask his question properly.

“In the end, what is the state of the threat approaching this world right now?”

Until now, he could only talk briefly through oracles in dreams, so he did not know what was happening in the world.

But now that he could speak directly with the Goddess Muse, he could ask her questions going forward.

“The threats around this country have stabilized thanks to Klaus’s efforts. However, that has led to the existence of those who scheme in the shadows by exploiting evil beings.”

Muse took a breath and continued.

“The evil god Diabolo, who seeks to destroy the world completely and remake it anew. His followers and the like are scheming in various places.”

The evil god Diabolo existed in opposition to the Goddess Muse. He claimed this world was not complete and should be destroyed utterly and rebuilt from zero, and he worked behind the scenes using his followers.

No country openly acknowledged their existence, but some had infiltrated the core of nations, and they frequently sparked the seeds of war.

“The Elder Lich you fought before and the Crystal Cockatrice were also their doing.”

Hearing it put into words again surprised him. It had happened through a series of coincidences that led to battle, but he never imagined he had been thwarting their schemes in advance.

“At that point, their forces were quite dominant, and if left alone, Stesia would have been ravaged by various countries by now.”

If that was her perspective from overlooking the world from above, then it must be true.

“But now, Stesia has Klaus, who has grown tremendously.”

“Me…?”

“The divine dragon White Dragon, the mythical beast Phoenix, the magical beast Crystal Cockatrice, and other rare monsters as well—you who command them can now be called one of the top important figures in this world.”

“…I believe it is all thanks to the guidance of the goddess.”

The Phoenix’s egg had been bestowed by Muse, and without her advice, he might not have decided to hatch the White Dragon’s egg.

The Crystal Cockatrice and Rainbow Butterfly were thanks to the skills she granted, and making the Petit Golem his familiar was due to a special message.

“I merely provided the opportunity. The familiars are drawn to you because of your character. Kind people gather around you because everyone wants to be by your side.”

A warmth spread through his body, as if he were being held by a mother.

“…”

“Lady Muse?”

Seeing her suddenly fall silent, he tilted his head.

“Actually, Klaus, there is something I would like to ask of you.”

She made an apologetic voice and looked up at him.

“If it is a request from the goddess, there is no problem.”

He owed her a debt of gratitude. No matter what it was, he would not refuse.

“From here on, you will gain great power.”

He did not know if it was a prophecy or a fixed future, but she continued her words.

“At that time, I want you to watch over not just Stesia, but others as well.”

The world peace she spoke of meant a state where all humanity around the world could live without feeling the threat of monsters.

At present, he had only been active in Stesia, and in secret realms or demonic lands in other countries, powerful monsters were growing, she said. She expressed her hope that he would turn his eyes to such places as well.

“Yes, within the range my power can reach.”

It was originally a blessing bestowed by the Goddess Muse. He wanted to help her.

At his reply, the Goddess Muse smiled gently.

“Neige seems about to wake up soon.”

She turned her head, and beyond it was a window where sunlight streamed in.

“Well then, Klaus, until next time.”

The presence of the Goddess Muse faded, and

“Kyupipii.”

Neige clung to him. He savored the fluffy fur and the definite warmth it held…

“But what exactly can the current me do?”

Recalling her words, he pondered the peace of the world.