By Zephyria 
The suggestion to gather the family and go to the First Goddess’s temple had been a constant one.
Originally, the First Temple of the First Goddess in the Sierren capital was famous as a picnic spot. The tall building was white and beautiful, and the wide lawn spread out before it was verdant year-round. The sacred ground, whose greenery never faded even when the cold wind settled, was a great place to run around freely and was much loved by many people.
However, there was a separate reason why my Blood Kin became interested in the temple.
Wasn’t it the custom for the groom’s side to prepare the flowers that decorated the wedding venue?
As soon as my mother heard about the wedding, she startled and left for her family home, only to return to the capital with a carriage full of several months’ worth of bulbs. The wildflowers, whose growth had been suppressed by regulating their temperature with magic, were receiving special care so they could bloom vibrantly on the appointed day.
That wasn’t all. My parents and relatives, without exception, separately requested blueprints from the temple side. They would then discuss where to place which flower, such as “this flower here, that flower there,” and “an archway of flowers on this pedestal, and tables and seats with flowers on them over there,” having decided many things in advance.
It was now June.
Decorating the wedding venue was the adults’ task. However, as the wedding day drew closer, even the children who had been quietly staying back began to peek in out of curiosity and offer their opinions. Thus, the idea arose to set a date during the weekdays after the weekend, visit in person to take measurements, and enjoy a picnic as a bonus.
The journey, accompanied by a couple of surveyors and attendants and maids, was not simple but enjoyable.
“It was good we ate lunch before coming. I think I should have brought more waffles.”
“You bought this from there, right? That, uh, five-story cafe on the capital street.”
“Yeah. Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes, it tastes exactly like home.”
As Aizen quipped, my aunt lightly chided him.
“Your home is Valentia, isn’t it?”
“That’s why. I’m going to take this back to Valentia.”
“I tried that once already.”
“Father did?”
“Yes. Your mother liked it. But the chef didn’t want to leave the capital.”
“That won’t do. I’ll go make friends with that son of his.”
“Please do.”
One way or another, there was nothing but laughter.
After we all shared snacks, we took a walk following the surveyors. My mother enthusiastically explained how much of each area would be planted with flowers and what kind of temporary decorations would be erected.
“Here, from here, we plan to erect a climbing red rose vine.”
“Red?”
“Yes. The bridesmaid dresses were finally decided to be a deep green, weren’t they? So, if we add some weight with a deep color in a few spots, it will look even more vibrant. Look, from this side to that side, we’ll lay down light pink Prodel Aster everywhere. It will reach about this height, so it will look fluffy, won’t it?”
“Hmm.”
“How about adjusting the shades of color slightly from the corners on both sides? To add a rhythm that isn’t monotonous, I mean…”
Everyone readily added their own suggestions to the idea of building, installing, and planting things in a space that was currently empty. To me, the open field itself looked beautiful, but I behaved myself, wanting to give Ruben the joy of marrying in the best wedding venue.
Around the time the grandparents got tired and laid out blankets on the lawn to rest, we also went to meet the Goddess.
As had been the case every time I met the First Goddess recently, I knocked on the half-open sanctuary door and was quite taken aback by the figure who rushed out. Judging by the veil covering her entire face, she seemed to be a Cleric, but why was she running around so hastily?
The Goddess, who had been sitting inside, suddenly stood up and greeted me with a bright smile.
“You’re here? Lingering outside.”
“I was looking at the wedding venue preparations… Did I happen to interrupt you, Sister?”
“No, no. What? I thought you were just coming and going.”
“Even so, I felt I should show respect since I came to the temple. Did Spiritus come by?”
“Yes. He said he was staying in the capital for a culinary tour.”
“The person just now?”
“Just a close friend. Sit down. I heard the news anyway. You found a Dragon’s Lair, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
It was a sanctuary without a proper table. As always, the Goddess sat grandly on a high platform, and I pulled over a suitable chair to sit comfortably. Instead of tea, she tossed an apple from the platform, which I gratefully accepted and took a crunchy bite.
Spiritus apparently hadn’t explained the details of Karzentia’s Lair. He just said he went to deliver the congratulatory money and felt envious because I seemed to have more than he did.
When I told her how I discovered the Dragon’s Lair, the Goddess laughed like a child.
“Really, you must be blessed with Mana. It’s amusing.”
“What if something big happens without my knowledge?”
“It’s not to that extent. You just found an ownerless Lair this time, didn’t you? I don’t think you’d make any strange wishes.”
“Who can guarantee that?”
“That’s how everyone lives. You trust, you get betrayed, and yet you trust again.”
“…”
“Karzentia really put a lot of thought into it. Burying the Lair right under the jewelry district of the Sierren capital, of all places. Who would suspect anything if they felt the energy of jewels nearby?”
“The energy of jewels?”
“Well, Spiritus or the Second can detect jewels planted in bare ground. The Ninth can too.”
“And you?”
“Me… I don’t know. I only pay attention to things on the surface, and I don’t have a hobby of collecting jewels. If I had such treasures, would I have called Spiritus? I would have just given him a portion of my share.”
“Hmm. Thank you for sending me an invitation in my stead.”
“It wasn’t a difficult task.”
The Goddess tossed an apple in front of her into the air and caught it. Even an apple in a God’s hand naturally falls towards the ground when thrown upwards.
The First God, who made the laws of this world, looked at me with a playful expression.
“Consider that my congratulatory gift.”
“You’re splitting what the two of us gave together into three?”
“I gave the most. Otherwise, how would they have known about Sierren’s affairs? What is more valuable than information?”
“Haha. You sound like Gano Paquin.”
“Me and him. Why is Sierren so adept at information warfare? It’s all because they resemble me.”
“Biban isn’t quite like that, though.”
“Gano was sealed, wasn’t he? He’ll slowly come to his senses now. Anyway, come and do some Breathing and regulating energy before the meal. It’s a bit scary to have all the Gods gathered in this land after seven to eight hundred years.”
“Yes.”
“Is the meal preparation going well?”
“Yes. I actually came today because of that.”
When I mentioned that everything except the white building of the temple would be covered in flower pots and flowers, the Goddess laughed heartily and gave her permission. I was relieved, as I had worried about it.
We also talked about the Gods’ epithets.
“God of Love? You?”
“It’s just something I say as a joke. I don’t think it’s possible, but I worry that if I unknowingly make a mistake and cause a big problem…”
“Our epithets came about because we took on tasks we were better at, leading to specialization. Fire, water, wind, records… These are visible and easily understood, but we cannot manipulate people’s hearts at will. If that were possible, there wouldn’t be so many crimes in this land.”
“…”
“Why are you looking at me like that? The Ninth didn’t do such petty things either. He just took things by force… Anyway, it’s not like you’re making others fall in love, so don’t worry. It’s just that the Mana around you becomes a bit warmer.”
“Hmm.”
“Besides, where does a sprout bloom without a seed? Everyone is drawn to each other for a reason. The people of Sierren are also more sincere in love than people from other worlds or kingdoms.”
I see. The fact that the couples around me fell in love with each other wasn’t my fault or my doing, but a natural occurrence, which greatly relieved my mind.
Am I truly fit to become a God? I just laughed hollowly.
“Will you be staying here after the wedding?”
“Ah, no. After seeing your wedding, I’ll have to head up. When one is confined in a small body, one’s perspective narrows.”
“Ruben believes you will help if problems arise in the mortal realm.”
“That’s your job now.”
The First Goddess threw the apple she was holding back at me. I caught it too.
“Disputes among humans mostly occur between humans, and every human has their own circumstances. They are all too close to me to take sides. Would it be right to take the side of only one of my first son and second daughter when they fight?”
“…”
“Of course, if they commit a major crime, I must stop it, but I believe it’s better for them to resolve minor disputes themselves. You will probably learn such contemplation someday, even if not now.”
“…” Hmm.
“As always, I will watch the sun rise and set here, ensure the waves don’t get too high, and constantly suppress the overflowing Mana. That’s just what suits me.”
“Actually.”
Holding two apples in one hand, I sat up straight and looked ahead. I had no talent for beating around the bush. The worry I had held in my heart since deciding to have a child came out like this.
“Isn’t the Emperor’s enthronement ceremony a succession ritual that passes down the First God’s power?”
“Yes, it is, isn’t it?”
“Is there a specific reason why only those with a direct bloodline become the next successor? If, between Ruben and me… a Dragon child conceived under Spiritus’s advice, I suspect they would be pushed down the succession order…”
“Then what will you do?”
“From the beginning, I would have to raise them knowing that the position of successor is not theirs.”
Just as I, born as a collateral relative of Namgung in my past life, had lived.
However, the Goddess clicked her tongue and laughed.
“Actually, this is a trade secret, but the most important thing to become the Emperor of Sierren is not blood relation.”
“…” Then?
“It’s faith. Faith, trust, hope, things like that.”