Defying the Fate of Beheading

Chapter 890 - 455: The Goddess’s Heart Is Stirred

"So how does this investment work? Tell me."As the Goddess of Death and Magic, Vestis also has her troubles.

Firstly, Vestis is not what people commonly think of as the Goddess of Magic.

The current so-called Goddess of Magic refers to the mysterious lady, Mother of All Laws, Mistra.

She is the true spokesperson of magic and the main manager of the Weave.

But in reality, there are quite a few deities with subordinate permissions of the Weave.

Or rather, as long as one has a part in the domain of magic, they can more or less access some portions of the Weave.

Although considerably weaker than Mistra, as long as there aren’t too many people, it doesn’t really affect the followers under them from receiving the Weave’s blessing.

However, over the years, Vestis indeed hasn’t managed her own followers very much.

She primarily promotes a sense of freedom and letting things be.

Someone might ask why she is such a slacker?

Vestis just wants to tell them:

"Am I slacking because I don’t want to work hard?"

Obviously not.

The main point is, you see, calling out to the Goddess of Magic, Mistra, sounds fine, right?

Then how about calling the Goddess of Death and...Magic?

When two groups of followers meet, Mistra’s follower shouts first:

"Hello everyone, I am Zhang San, a follower of the Goddess of Magic!"

At this point, Vestis’ follower steps up and says:

"Hello, I am a follower of the Goddess of Death and (quietly) Magic..."

"Eh? Brother, you are also a follower of our goddess, sorry I didn’t notice just now. Shall we discuss magic sometime?"

Some people are just oblivious.

But there are haughty Mistra followers who damn well love to show off in front of others.

So what? Does believing in Mistra make you any less of a waste?

If you’re so great, then get yourself in the arena and see if I don’t beat you up.

After beating you, I’ll even send you a patting head emoji.

What’s with the barking?

Your goddess occasionally finds a man to have fun with and doesn’t care a jot about you, you’re just gilding yourselves.

How are you any different from bootlickers?

While you’re being beaten senseless, Mistra is managing the Demon King.

When the order of the Magic Goddess Church is in disarray, Mistra is off dating a man.

Yet all you can hold onto is barking about being "a follower of the Goddess of Magic."

Can you guess how the Red Jade Guards came to be?

Logically, this kind of profession blessed directly by the goddess, wielding Vestis’s blade to rampage down the street with magic and divine art prowess, normally would have some limits.

Because unlike the purely technical progression of Nine Sword Grandmasters, the Red Jade Guards’ strength is due to the goddess’s support.

Simply put, as you’re about to make a move, the goddess says:

"Wait, let me buff you."

Ever since the Red Jade Guards came forth, Vestis’ reputation among extraordinary professions on the continent has taken a hit.

Even beyond Star Continent, into the astral realm, Vestis is notorious—correction, fearsome.

Why has it come to this? Does Vestis not need any dignity anymore?

Of course, dignity is needed.

But more importantly, first stabilize your own follower base.

Originally, if it came to quarreling with Mistra, she thought she could manage a forty-sixty split.

Don’t ask who’s the forty.

Just say that being forty against a mighty divine power, and still being a Goddess of Magic, sounds impressive, doesn’t it?

She could totally brag her way through!

But her followers don’t think that way.

They’ve been mocked and diminished by those mages over and over, needing something to ease their mental pressure.

Like, a certain Red Jade Guard who can thrash regular mages like kids.

Yes.

That’s how the Red Jade Guards came to be.

To hold onto the base of Vestis’ followers.

As long as they see the Red Jade Guards defeating powerful figures all over, smashing mages effortlessly, even if they aren’t Red Jade Guards themselves, it brings a sense of involvement.

What can Vestis say?

She can only say, I’ll bear the infamy for the sake of fellow followers.

The burden of the Death and Magic Goddess Association is all on my shoulders, and Mistra, you nonchalant one, what right do you have to speak in front of me?

And then...

She saw her follower base stabilized and didn’t care much anymore.

Over the years, the total number of followers has remained mostly stable, as if there’s no room for development.

Then what else? Just go wild.

Which led to the current situation.

But now, a quite talented young man has come to me and said:

"Hey, Vestis, I found a good path. Interested in investing?"

Invest?

Invest my ass!

Where is there any path right now?

Oh no, if it’s the gallows path, there are plenty.

Seems like a sure path to a dead end...

Wait?

Hold on, is it that little man?

Vestis pondered.

Vestis suddenly realized.

Vestis decides to join.

"Tell me, what do you plan to do?"

If it were someone else, she would’ve slapped them.

Trying to scam even a goddess?

First, see what title your goddess holds, Mistra’s soft magic comes after, death comes first.

Repeat after me!

Goddess of Death~and Magic.

Screw Mistra!

Surely no one really thinks her chosen ones make friends with others and she’ll make herself a dowry?

What a joke!

That’s right, business, all of this is business.

As long as there’s profit, why not do this business.

And there’s the bonus of a big bed companion, occasionally relieving worries when reminded, like...

Almost feels like a free bonus?