My Goddess is Good at Pretending

For the entire afternoon, Elysia brought Linda, Xin Ning, and her people to many places on Earth, indulging in various peaceful and joyous activities. They visited nature's hidden sanctuaries, where they played with magical creatures. They enjoyed Earth's delicacies, the young princess getting adorably messy while eating sweets, much to everyone's amusement. They also shared many stories beneath a starlit sky. Ophelia, Linda, and the little princess Althea listened in awe as Elysia recounted the tales of the realm above, the parallel universe, and the otherworlds. Miko and Ai looked at Elysia with a relieved gaze. She knew Elysia had long been burdened with divine duties, but this was a rare moment of simple joy, playing and watching over children filled with innocence and boundless potential. And for Althea, it was simply the best day of her life. With her tiny hands gripping Elysia's fingers, her pure heart shone like the sun. She knew that she was loved, well-protected, and destined for greatness. However, she also knew Goddess Ely would leave somewhere far away to face the unprecedented danger to keep the world safe. She would embrace and shoulder all of Goddess Ely's expectations, becoming the strongest force, stronger than ever, so she could meet Goddess Ely again when she had grown up. Linda left everything behind, following her beloved young master alongside her trusted assistant. She experienced a rare moment of pure happiness. They went on a journey together with his trusted confidantes, traveling across breathtaking landscapes, visiting hidden sanctuaries, and sharing precious memories. For once, the world's burdens didn't weigh upon his shoulders. Yet, in the back of her mind, she knew this moment would not last forever. She knew her young master wanted to say something to her, but she didn't know whether she was ready or not. Her young master already had so many beauties by his side, proving his peerless capabilities. The last time she met all of his harems, those breathtaking ladies looked chummy to each other, delighted and blessed by his side. It was okay if she just became one among his many women. It might take a bit longer, at least she needed to graduate first, but she could do it. He literally nurtured and groomed her, and she only required an opportunity to successfully enter his life. She wouldn't aim somewhere high. It was also fine if she could become his servant. Everything looked like a perfect, ideal plan... but her heart strangely grew restless as time went by. As the sun set upon a secluded mountaintop, where cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Elysia went for a stroll with Linda, just the two of them. She finally turned to face Linda with a complicated yet unreadable expression. "..." Linda took a deep breath as she knew what would come might be pretty heavy, but she had prepared her heart and mind for it. "Young master... Please tell me the truth, I'm ready to hear it" "I must go..." Elysia's words, though spoken softly, felt like a blade piercing her heart. She also knew it was shocking to Linda. "The great war is approaching." "Young Master... must you truly leave?" Linda trembled even in her voice. Her usually unwavering composure shattered before him. Elysia reached out, brushing a stray tear from Linda's cheek. "I have no choice." "Then..." Linda inhaled deeply, steadying her voice. Still, the pain was unbearable. "I shall bless you." She stepped forward and placed her hands upon her young master's chest, channeling her purest energy, imbuing his soul with divine protection. She knew it might not amount to much considering her power was given by her young master, but she wished to give her best to bless her young master. Then, she rose on her toes, her lips brushing against her young master's, a kiss filled with longing, sorrow, and devotion. When they parted, her gaze was resolute despite the tears. "I will become a nun and pray for you every single day until you return. Promise me to return to me safely..." For a moment, Elysia's eyes flickered with hesitation. But she knew her heart, and she shouldn't ask Linda to wait forever. It might take years or even more than a decade for her to return, but... what if it would take longer than expected? After all, there would involve many unexpected, unpredicted variables. Different from her disciples in Quadtria, Linda's lifespan wasn't that long because of Earth's laws. Waiting could be seen as a form of torture. Still, her selfish desire took over her. She secretly bestowed Linda with a longer lifespan. She then put her hand on Linda's cheek, staring at Linda's teary eyes with a tender gaze. "We'll be back with a triumphant return. It might take a while... but, when that day comes, I hope you can recognize me even though my appearance is no longer me... reduced to a wandering spirit or perhaps reincarnated as a weak butterfly." "Mm..." Linda meekly nodded, but even though she tried to look strong, her tears still flowed down her cheeks. By her young master's words, even it wasn't spoken, she knew the danger ahead was extremely dangerous. But for the sake of the world, he had to go. Nobody could tell about his secret sacrifice to protect the world, but she knew it, her young master guarded the world for so long, unknown even to the world. If someday he returned to her as a wandering spirit or even a little butterfly, she was confident to recognize him because her soul could resonate with his presence. She could feel whether her young master was nearby effortlessly. By then, she would be the one to take good care of him and protect her beloved young master. "Thank you for today. It was enjoyable to spend time with you, Linda." Elysia released Linda from her arms. "Mm... Linda will wait for your return." Linda nodded with a sob. With one final glance, Elysia turned around and walked away, leaving Linda behind. "..." Linda watched her young master's departing figure until his silhouette disappeared. She whispered a silent prayer for his safe return. And as she fell to her knees beneath the cherry blossoms. The war called for him, the world needed him, and she... had to let him go, waiting for his return. She swore to her heart. No matter how long it would take, she would wait for him and her devotion would never change. "..." Elysia sighed and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. It felt heavy, but she couldn't bring Linda along, and Linda wasn't really ready for the truth either. "Young master, where is Linda? Didn't she go with you?" Xin Ning asked while glancing left and right, oblivious to the subtle atmosphere change. "She is under the cherry blossom trees in the center of the park. You go to her side. Please take good care of her." Elysia pointed her thumb behind her. "A-oh, okay... that's it goes without saying." Xin Ning noticed young master's tone was a bit strange, but she didn't think much of it. She rushed to the center of the park, but the wind suddenly blew a bit strong. She looked back and was surprised because Young Master El and his entire group had already disappeared. Not even a single trace remained even though they had just had a picnic there. At that moment, she heard Linda's faint sob. She trembled and her heart went cold when she imagined what had just happened. "Lin, what just happened? Why are you crying? Did he hurt you? That bastard... he dared to hurt you?!" Xin Ning rushed to Linda's side, hugging her tightly with anger in the last direction where she saw Young Master El. "Ning, I won't forgive you if you badmouth him again." Linda wiped the tears from her cheeks, reminding her best friend firmly. "You know... Young Master El came to bid his farewell before the great war broke out. To protect the world from the threat of other dimensions, he needs to prevent further destruction to this already unstable world..." "W-wha? Wait, what?!" Xin Ning was taken aback. She had no idea what that meant, but when she recalled the monster invasion five years ago, then Young Master El went to prevent the other monster invasion. Humanity was still unable to uncover the reason for the monster invasion, but the threat of another dimensional invasion was real, and humanity almost got wiped out because of it. "He went to prevent it alone? The second apocalypse? Why doesn't the world know about this? What is he trying to do alone?" Xin Ning still found it hard to believe, knowing that there was a limit to what one person could do. "Ning, Young Master El's background. His power and the force behind him can rival the entire world's combined force. The world doesn't know about this because he didn't tell them. He doesn't need recognition, but the war this time... let's pray for him and his army every day..." Linda slowly regained her composure as she had to do something so in the future, she could lighten her young master's burden. After she said that, the scenery suddenly became blurry. She and Xin Ning got teleported back to their apartment in Beijing in an instant. Meanwhile, Elysia in the sky looked at Linda one more time before she went to Japan, going to the Minamoto Clan's core residential area.