Chapter 1759: Chapter 1759

Amidst the motionless rain, Jenkins let out a long breath. In his mind’s eye, he witnessed the entire journey of the raindrops that had struck him: condensing from mist into dewdrops, slipping into the soil, joining subterranean rivers deep within the earth, flowing into lakes and seas, evaporating into vapor, and then becoming raindrops once more.

After a few brief seconds, he felt the dazed sensation of waking from a long dream. He mentally reviewed his abilities, and sure enough, a new one had appeared:

[Prayer for Rain (Yellow Spell)]

The name was simple and unadorned, and its effect was just as straightforward. Jenkins had heard of this ability before. Even in the modern era, a few followers of the Earth Mother and the Spirit of Nature possessed it. A ritual of the same name, passed down from ancient times, was even recorded in the archives of the major churches.

The ability allowed one to pray for rain, though not always successfully, summoning precipitation in a very small area. This could temporarily alter the battlefield environment, amplifying certain abilities and rituals. The ritual of the same name, on the other hand, relied on a massive formation of several thousand people praying for at least a month. It could completely change the climate in a given region and was typically a last resort during times of drought.

"It could be paired with my ice ability, but... it seems useless... And it took up my last empty bubble."

If simple rainfall could suppress that fog, the Church of All Things and Nature and the Church of Ocean and Exploration would have done it long ago. After all, even the powerful winds stirred up when the Cursed Item, the [Suffocating Praying Maiden], transformed had failed to disperse the fog over Nolan. Ordinary rain would be even less effective.

As he was thinking this, he suddenly looked up to see a golden light rushing toward him. For a moment, an almost suffocating sense of humidity made him think he was being submerged in water, but he soon realized this was the true gift from the woman with her back to him:

[Prayer for Rain (Yellow Spell)]→[Summoning Wind and Rain (Golden Divine Art)]

But Jenkins paid no mind to that. He was focused intently on the newly appeared ability and asked tentatively:

"Is this your divine art?"

"It is. But be aware, in your mortal form, you won't be able to maintain this ability for very long. However, I believe it will be enough to counter Nolan's 'infant'."

Jenkins nodded. After a moment's hesitation, he said quietly:

"Is there a need for such politeness between us, Jenkins?"

the woman with her back to him asked. Then she added:

"As for the World Tree Seedling, that is a question you must find the answer to yourself. No one can help you with it; it is your own affair."

"Very well, then I..."

"Don't be in such a hurry. The end of the material world's epoch is approaching. I believe you can face it all, but I think you still need some help. As a priest of the World Tree, no matter what your own thoughts may be, your connection to me cannot be erased."

Jenkins agreed with that. Besides, the Lord of Blossoms had always treated him well, and he had no intention of severing his ties with her power.

"I have a few more trivial gifts for you. You won't have to pay any price for them. I simply hope they will help you overcome the trials ahead."

Three golden orbs of light hovered before Jenkins. He took a moment to compose himself and process the situation. Gazing again at Sigrid's back, he lowered his head in a daze. Then, in silence, he touched the first orb on the left. The sphere shattered, scattering golden light, and a tiny vine clung to his fingertip before burrowing into his spirit.

Two empty bubbles appeared.

"This is likely what you need most right now."

He touched the orb in the middle, and a small silver vial, no bigger than his little finger, fell into his hand. The metal bottle was cold to the touch, but it radiated a holy light in the darkness of the Mysterious Realm. The vial alone was likely a remarkable item:

"Inside is a potion that only you can drink, and only once. After you drink it, for one hour, you will be the strongest mortal in the material world."

A Saint could still technically be considered a mortal, which meant this was an opportunity for Jenkins to turn the tables without using his divinity. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novelꜰire.net

Finally, he touched the golden orb on the right, but there was nothing there. It wasn't that he couldn't perceive it; there was truly nothing.

Sigrid's voice seemed to drift in from a great distance:

"The last is a chance. If you ever find yourself with no way out, then call my name and pray to me with your entire soul."

"And you will help me save the material world?"

"Then I will take you, and those you choose, away from the material world to my domain. You can consider it an escape, but it's better than dying without even a corpse left behind, isn't it?"

Jenkins was a practical man, so he considered this final offer of help more important than anything else that had happened in the Mysterious Realm today. He wanted to thank her again, but she had already insisted it wasn't necessary. So, he asked instead:

"I'm not an ungrateful person. While I can't make any promises about what happens after I ascend to godhood, if there is anything else you need me to do, I will do my best."

"I have no other requests for you. Just continue on your current path. I am quite satisfied."

Jenkins breathed a sigh of relief. He blinked, and seeing that she hadn't left yet, he knew she was aware he still had more questions:

"Actually, I'm very curious about Professor Burns..."

"He was someone chosen to guide you onto the correct path. It might seem like a redundant measure now, but you did receive some help from it, I imagine."

"Yes, merely a pawn to help you."

"So that's the truth about Professor Burns..."

Jenkins thought to himself, feeling a bit dazed and disappointed, probably because the reality was different from what he had imagined. The professor's mystery and power had helped him a great deal; he never expected the truth to be so simple.

Gathering his thoughts, he asked another question:

"Excuse me, but what just happened—me picking up the infant and placing it at the church door—was that real or not?"

"Regarding that, why not ask this lady here?"

The woman finally turned around. Though it was Sigrid's face, Jenkins, who had unconsciously raised his head, found he could not look directly at her. He instinctively lowered his gaze again, and in his daze, he felt as if he had forgotten what Sigrid truly looked like.

"Then why did you choose to speak with me, and not Sigrid? We are both of the World Tree..."

"Because she is not qualified. In fact, even Jenkins Williams is not qualified to speak with me. But you are."

Hearing this, Jenkins shook his head. He wasn't surprised by the answer:

"Very well, then. I have one last question for you."

He calmed his spirit and let out a breath. Then he took his cat out of his pocket. Cupping his hands, he let Chocolate settle into his palms, then held the cat out before him.