NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: The Test of a God
Rikuya was led into another chamber, his boots pressing against the polished stone floor.
The sheer size of the room was equally overwhelming, its vaulted ceiling stretching impossibly high, lined with beautiful carvings of celestial bodies.
But it was the treasure that truly stunned him.
Gold. So much gold.
Mountains of gold coins gleamed under the glow of silver lanterns.
Massive chests sat open, overflowing with jewels, artifacts, and relics of long-forgotten eras.
But Rikuya barely spared them a glance.
His focus was on the man leading the way.
Unlike the others he had seen earlier, this one was human.
Deep brown hair slicked back, a sharp jawline, and deep green eyes—eyes that gleamed with cunning. Along the side of his head, a coiling snake tattoo curled behind his ear, its forked tongue reaching toward his temple.
His attire practically radiated wealth.
He wore a high-collared, deep blue coat embroidered with golden thread, the patterns resembling curling vines and twisting serpents. A pristine white vest rested beneath, accented by a single golden chain that connected to a pocket watch tucked within.
His sleeves were lined with silver cufflinks, and his fingers has on several rings—each likely worth a small fortune.
But the one that stood out the most was the golden ring on his right hand, engraved with the image of a waxing gibbous moon.
Dazmar.
That was the man's name.
He looked like a merchant who had never lost a deal in his life.
And from the way he smiled, he knew it.
"A fine collection, wouldn't you agree, young boy?" Dazmar said.
"You'll find that I take my duties quite seriously. Under my guidance, our finances have flourished. Even in our Lord's absence, we have thrived. Every treasure, every artifact in this sanctum has been meticulously preserved—no speck of dust, no sign of decay."
"But as grand as these treasures are, they pale in comparison to what awaits you."
He cast a knowing smile over his shoulder.
"I daresay it's in perfect condition. In the exact same state he left it in."
Rikuya remained silent, his mind racing. He had no idea what this man was about to show him, but the way he spoke—proud, reverent, certain—sent an uneasy shiver down his spine.
Besides that, something else was making him feel uneasy.
Warmth creeping at his side.
Too close.
Lilith was right beside him.
The blindfolded succubus nun moved gracefully, her arm nearly brushing against his, her lips curled in a knowing smile.
And she was humming.
Soft. Playful.
Like a tune someone might hum while thinking about something… sinful.
Rikuya tensed.
'Why is she so damn close?'
The humming continued.
'Why is she humming?'
His fingers twitched at his side. If she got any closer, he wasn't sure if he should risk shoving her away or just accept that this was his life now.
Then—
"Aren't you being a little too enthusiastic, Lilith?"
The voice was slow, bored even.
Rikuya glanced toward the speaker.
The blue-skinned young man with long, pointy ears—the ice elf.
Unlike the others, he wasn't even walking.
He was floating, resting on a small cloud of mist, his arms tucked behind his head as though he were lying in bed.
His deep blue eyes were half-lidded, drowsy, and his silver hair went over his shoulders in smooth waves.
His clothing was the simplest of the group. A loose, deep-blue robe draped over him, its sleeves hanging lazily past his wrists. A thin silver sash tied it together at the waist. No boots, no gloves—he wasn't even bothering to touch the ground.
Lazy.
That was the first word that came to Rikuya's mind.
Lilith turned her head slightly.
"I am simply performing my duties. It has always been my responsibility to stand by my lord's side," she said.
A new voice cut in before anyone else could respond.
"I wonder how you would feel if it turns out not to be him," said Vellrek.
Lilith turned to face him, though blindfolded you could oretucally feel the intensity in her gaze.
"It is him," she said with certainty.
Vellrek's lips curled slightly, as if amused, but he didn't argue.
The ice elf, Eirian, sighed. "Sigh… what a drag. All of this is so exhausting."
Rikuya almost felt relieved.
'What a drag? Yeah, I have to agree. I don't wanna be here either. Why, I have an idea—why don't you tell your buddies to let me go?'
A soft chuckle suddenly echoed.
Rikuya turned to see another figure grinning at them—a woman with wild orange hair and amber eyes, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. A small wine bottle dangled from her hip, swaying with every step she took.
Even from a few feet away, he could smell the alcohol.
"Let her be, Eirian," she said, lifting the bottle to her lips before hiccuping.
"Lilith's been waiting centuries for a day like this. Can you really blame her for being eager?"
Her name was Branna.
And she was a dwarf.
Eirian exhaled a slow, exhausted breath. "Suppose not."
They finally arrived.
Dazmar stopped before a grand display, draped in deep blue silk. With a dramatic pull of the fabric, he revealed a weapon encased in glass.
A spear.
But not just any spear.
The blade was forged from a strange, cosmic black metal, its surface resembling the depths of a star-strewn sky—constellations shifting faintly as if they were alive.
At its base, where the blade met the shaft, a smooth, moon-like orb was embedded, faintly glowing with a silver light.
The handle itself was a work of art—crafted from gold and engraved with celestial patterns, displaying the eight phases of the moon in exquisite detail.
It was otherworldly.
A weapon that did not belong in mortal hands.
Dazmar extended his arms toward the display, his smile widening.
"I present to you… Eidolon Noctis, the Phantom Moon Spear."
Rikuya's breath hitched.
But Dazmar wasn't finished.
"A Divine Arms, is more than just a weapon, young boy. It is an extension of a god's very soul. The embodiment of their authority." His fingers brushed against the glass.
"Normally, if a god should ever perish, their Divine Arms vanishes along with them—lost to eternity. And yet… this one remained." His gaze turned toward Rikuya, gleaming with something akin to satisfaction.
"A sign, clear as day. Even when the ages passed, even when centuries fell away into dust, this spear did not fade."
He took a step back, giving Rikuya a moment to let the words sink in.
"And that is how we knew," he said softly.
His smile deepened.
"He would return..."
"But the thing about a Divine Arms is…"
"No one else besides the deity to whom it belongs may wield it. It is bound to its owner alone. If another god were to so much as touch it, they would suffer grievous wounds."
His gaze darkened slightly, voice lowering as he added—
"A mortal, however… their very soul would be annihilated."
Rikuya frowned. That part was… concerning.
"So, young human, if you are our lord, step forward and claim what is rightfully yours."