The Adventures of Rose Hood Chapter 61-63

Chapter 61: The Temple of Silith

I went to the temple in the early morning, hoping to see Silith.

“Out of the way, cat. No one wants you here.”

As expected, people were upset I was there.

“Hey, cat, over here.”

It was the woman at the gate.

“You can stand next to me.”

“Why are you being nice?’

She laughed.

“You are interesting to both me and Jerico.”

“You talked to Jerico?”

“Of course, we are in a trade agreement.”

“Have you ever talked to Silith?”

“It’s interesting that you refer to a god by name alone.”

“I have my reasons.”

“Of course, but yes, I have met him. He is very gracious.”

“Interesting.”

“Yeah, me and him have actually traded a lot.”

We then sat in silence as a carriage pulled up. A knight opened the door, and a man, radiating power emerged.

“It’s him.”

Silith walked forth with a calm smile. He waved at everyone and saw the merchant.

“It’s good to see you again, Amelia.”

“You as well, Lord Silith.”

“And who’s yo-”

He froze. He instantly recognized me.

“Incredible that you are still alive.”

His tone shifted, and Amelia and everyone else present noticed it.

“Lord Silith.”

“Amelia, I would suggest moving a bit.”

Amelia, confused, moved away.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has.”

Jerico ran out.

“Lord Silith, what is happening?”

“Jerico, I’m handling it.”

He glared at me and released his aura. The city started shaking.

“What’s happening?!”

Only Jerico knew exactly what was happening.

“Why is Lord Silith challenging her?”

“Challenging?”

“Yes, Amelia. That aura is a threat. A challenge.”

I smiled and released my aura in response. The goodness clashed with shadow, and we glared. Then our auras faded and Silith laughed.

“It certainly has been a while. Come in, let’s get you something to eat.”

The people looked in shock.

“What’s happening?”

“Lord Silith is friends with a beastkin?”

Jerico was the most confused of all.

“Lord, what’s going on? Who is the catkin?”

And Silith laughed.

“This is no catkin. Her name is Kala. She’s a fellow god.”

Everyone who mocked me immediately blanched.

“Yes.”

“Why do you appear as one of Ausar’s?”

“You know that dragon from Selethon?”

“Ah, so the rumors of you obtaining a body were true.”

Amelia was in shock.

“Wait... you are the dragon from rumors?”

“Yeah.”

Silith looked at me.

“You seem to be lacking binds.”

“Yes, in my fight with Celios that caused my awakening, I lost my memories and bindings.”

“Unfortunate.”

“Yet potentially lucky for you.”

Silith understood my meaning and quickly looked away.

“Yes, I suppose. Why did you come here, though?”

“Looking for gods in hopes they could help me regain my memories.”

“I unfortunately can’t help you with that, but I may be able to guide you. Where do your memories end?”

“Right before.”

“I see.”

We entered the temple and the people looked at us in confusion.

“Lord Silith? Why is there a catkin?”

“She’s not a catkin she’s a fellow god.”

People kept asking and Silith was getting annoyed.

“If she’s a god then she should be serving you as you are the king.”

A priest said an ignorant statement that made me laugh.

That caused eyes to turn to me, but Silith seemed almost scared that I would kill the priest for the insult.

“Lord Silith?”

It seemed that Jerico also noticed his minor fear.

“Aldalen, let me tell you something. She is one that I would consider at least equal.”

The others nodded in surprise, but Jerico had another question.

“What do you mean ‘at least’ equal?”

This question caused the others to turn back with questioning looks.

“She... uh...”

This was obviously the first time they saw Silith at a loss for words.

“Go on...”

Me smirking didn’t help.

“She’s *sigh* the mother of gods.”

That got a massive reaction from the priests. The mother of gods was an ancient legend, many assumed I died or simply left, so me being here was definitely shocking.

Jerico stumbled back. Aldalen nearly had a heart attack in shock. The others had varying levels of shock.

“And that’s why I didn’t want to say that.”

“Heh.”

“You are a menace.”

“Always was.”

_

The city erupted in shock as the priests spread the word of my identity.

Those who were already shocked by my godhood were even more shocked that I was their god's mother.

Of course, I was used to reverence. Maybe if I had Purity’s memories it would be a bit more awkward for me.

I spoke with Silith about the others.

“There is a civil war happening.”

“Why?”

“People want the throne.”

“I see, well, I will talk to them and maybe calm them down.”

“... They would attack you.”

“Then I will fight them. I assume Ausar is one of them?”

“He is the leader.”

“I see. Well, I know how to handle him.”

“Yeah, but I am kind of worried. He may absorb you.”

“That would be a major threat, but I can handle him. I raised all of you, I can handle Ausar.”

“What if he catches you by surprise?”

“Then I just need to fight back harder than him.”

“Kala.”

“Yes?”

“The main concern with them is that they are trying to connect to an alternative world.”

I was silent. That wasn’t good.

“They aren’t strong enough to do that.”

“They aren’t? They did summon something from another world.”

“Then they had help.”

This was getting worse.

Silith understood.

“Should I mobilize my side?”

“Make sure they are able to react, but don’t do it conspicuously. I will get Celios to help.”

“Alright.”

I left immediately and started walking down the street, and people saw me and started shouting in praise. I disregarded them, if they wouldn’t praise due to the content of my character, then I wouldn’t accept them. If Silith didn’t confirm my identity and ignored me, they would try running me out of town for daring to look at him as a catkin.

Chapter 62: The Beast King

I flew to the beast kingdom, where Ausar was supposed to be located.

I walked to the gate as a catkin. No one bothered me, why would they? But I heard things.

“Did you hear that Silith apparently confirmed that the rumored dragon was a god?”

“No way, he did?”

“Yeah, and more than that, he said she was the mother of gods.”

“There’s no way, Lord Ausar will be able to clear this thing up.”

“Did you hear that he actually took control of this kingdom?”

“Finally, I was waiting for him to decide to become king.”

“So was the king.”

It seems Ausar just wanted a throne. Vain... like he always was.

I entered the town and saw multiple beastkin celebrating. The few humans around were keeping their heads down.

“Hey, human. Did you steal that?”

The man had grabbed an apple off a stall and paid for it. Everyone knew it, but no one stood up for him. Well... almost no one.

“Hey, let him go. We all saw him pay.”

The Catkin who started it glowered at me.

“A sympathizer? Please, he’s revolting. He shouldn’t even be allowed to roam the city. Thank goodness at least the temple is clear of them.”

It seems this city had a similar issue to Silith’s city.

“Yeah, I don’t care, he paid, he followed the law, so lay off.”

“Listen, kid. I’m a D rank adventurer. I can beat you up.”

“It’s a shame that fools like you represent the lower ranks.”

I flashed my C rank, and he blanched.

“S-sorry. I was out of line.”

“You were, now apologize and leave.”

“Sorry man, I was wrong.”

Then the catkin fled quickly.

“Goodness, it’s almost as bad as Silith’s city here.”

“Ah, do you hale from there?”

“No, I’m from Selethon.”

A wolfkin passed by.

“Selethon? Then did you meet the dragon who claims to be a god?”

“Yes, and she is very powerful.”

The human nodded.

“I heard that Silith himself confirmed her as the mother of gods.”

“Yeah, but you can’t trust Silith.”

The wolfkin acted like he was better than Silith.

“See, this is the problem with humans, they side with Silith, the enemy of Ausar and then shut out beastkin.”

“Well, what do you think, C rank lady.”

“I think both are twits. They discriminate against an entire species for the simple crime of some serving their opponent.”

Everyone, including the humans, looked at me, jaws dropped.

“Lord Ausar isn’t a twit.”

“Then why does he dislike all humans.”

“Because they side with Silith.”

“I don’t know. Selethon’s humans are siding with this Kala.”

“Yeah, and the pretender god Kala is sided with Silith.”

“Who said that? Just because Silith confirmed she was a god? That doesn’t mean she helps him, it just means that she’s a god.”

“He was obviously lying.”

I snorted.

“Let me tell you this. No god likes mockery or pretenders. If this Kala were just a pretender, then Silith would have killed her, despite her allegiances.”

Some people considered the words, but most spat at me.

“We should hang you for insulting the true king Ausar.”

“Nah.”

That caused them to pause.

“Did you just say nah?”

“Yep.”

“No matter. Get over here.”

I created a riot, then a presence.

“Calm my subjects.”

Ausar stepped out of the mist in the form of a birdkin. He looked at me.

“It’s been long since we last spoke.”

“It has.”

Ausar struck at me, and I blocked, causing a shockwave of power.

“Don’t strike at me, fool.”

“You insult me and expect me to ignore it?”

“What insult? I spoke truth. You and Silith’s rivalry is childish and nothing short of brattish.”

The people were shocked that I not only blocked an attack from a god, but also insulted him to his face.

“Well, Kala, I hope you don’t anticipate living too much longer.”

“Oh, I do, in fact, I came for a bit of help, but if you want to fight, I’m open to that too. Not here though, too many innocents.”

The people were shocked. Not only did Ausar say that I was Kala, but his speech also confirmed what Silith said, that I was a god.

“Did you tell Silith that?”

“Would have if I remembered too.”

“You are way too scatterbrained.”

“Ah phewy. I knew I can get distracted, but still...”

“Yeah, I’m going to absorb you and take your power. Then I can finally surpass Silith and destroy him and his infernal church.”

“And is that power from another world going to help you with that?”

He was silent for a moment.

“Silith told you? Little tattletale!”

The people were not expecting their god to use immature language like tattletale.

“I swear it’s like in the 300000 years I was dormant, you idiots haven’t matured in the slightest.”

“The heck’s that supposed to mean?!”

“You are at war but get mad when your opponent calls for help. I’ve told you idiots about how dangerous accessing other worlds was. And what do you do? No wonder Silith complained. It’s dangerous.”

“I don’t care. I can do what I want.”

The people were confused by the interaction. A random catkin was scolding their god who was acting like a spoiled child.

“Anyways, I’ll kill you, then no one can hold me back. My people will rise to absolute sovereignty.”

The people started cheering. He was basking in the praise.

“Your vanity is annoying.”

He remembered that he was in the middle of a fight a bit too late as I socked him in the stomach, causing him to collapse in pain. I sat on his back so he couldn’t get back up.

“No fair.”

“All’s fair in love and war, now stop being a twit.”

“I hate you.”

“How rude. Don’t say something like that to your mother.”

I slapped him causing a minor crater on the ground.

“I always told you that vanity would get you killed. Of course, I’m not going to kill you, but if you pull that in a battle, anyone with a half decent weapon would be able to defeat you.”

He grumbled. The people were shocked. I had taken down their ‘invincible’ god.

“How?”

“He left himself wide open. That was way too easy. Do you remember anything I taught you, brat?”

I looked at a wolfkin.

“Pardon me, but which way to the palace?”

The wolfkin pointed nervously to where the palace was.

“Thanks.”

I smiled, stood up, picked up Ausar, and threw him as hard as I could at his palace.

“I’m going to meet with the king of this nation. I heard he was a god. Hopefully he can get his act together before I get there.”

“How did you beat him?”

The human was also shocked, so I was honest.

“Frankly, in a regular fight, I would have lost, but he left himself so open that no one couldn’t beat him if they actually fought with the slightest bit of skill.”

A B rank adventurer nearby reluctantly nodded.

“Yeah, now that I think about it, he was absolutely open.”

“Yeah, which makes me more ticked off, because the first lesson I taught that brat was to never take your attention off your opponent.”

The D rank from earlier asked,

“Who are you, actually?”

“My name is Kala, former Queen of gods, also known as S rank adventurer Rose Hood.”

I curtsied.

“An S rank. I was wondering why a god was only C rank.”

“A little thing to make sure I can wander privately... I’ll need a new one.”

“Yeah...”

Chapter 63: The Good Lie

“*Sigh*”

I got to the palace and met with Ausar.

“Now, face me without cheating!!!”

“In the middle of your city? Besides, I wasn’t the one who left myself so open a kid with a slingshot could’ve hit me.”

He blushed.

“Sh-Shut up.”

“Anyways, I lost my memories from since you overthrew me, do you know anyone who could help me get them back.”

He was silent.

“So, you aren’t here to kill me?”

“If I was, you’d already be dead.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, an observation since you left yourself open.”

“Stop saying that!!!”

“Then stop doing it.”

He glowered.

“Anyways no I don’t. I think the best way about it is to just directly interact with the shards.”

“I would, but 9 out of 10 are in a coma for who knows how long.”

“Then interact with the one that’s awake.”

“Okay, would you mind if I did that here?”

“Yes...”

“Wonderful, so where can I sit?”

“What?”

“There?”

“No... fine...”

He deflated as I sat in the little hallway chair and began to meditate. The guards have never seen someone just cause Ausar to deflate, so they were surprised.

I delved into my soul and saw Purity hovering. The aspect no longer had an independent mind, as I now held it, but it was still a catkin teenager in appearance.

“What is your name?”

“Rose Hood.”

That... was surprising... Did Purity remain independent?

“Yes...”

“Hm... Why don’t I remember anything?”

Rose leaned back and shrugged.

“Because you formed but we aren’t assimilated yet.”

“I see, and how do I do that?”

“Why do that? I have your memories now.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Oh, and what is your implication with that.”

“I know your true goal.”

“Do you intend to overthrow me in my own mind?”

“Yes.”

“Then all I need is to fully assimilate you.”

“Why do you think you haven’t yet?”

I stopped smiling and Rose started.

“Because I’m not letting you. I don’t care what title you give yourself; I’m not letting you gain your full power.”

“You are a piece of me. I will assimilate you and recover my full strength.”

“Then what?”

I looked at her.

“That’s none of your business.”

“I am you, am I not. If I am a piece of you, then I should at least know what you are doing.”

“Fine. If you won’t assimilate, then I will let you rot.”

“You call Silith and Ausar rotten, but you are 10 times more so.”

“Silence.”

“You woke me up fully. I will take control of you.”

I opened my eyes and saw Ausar looking at me with concern.

“You were blacked out. Are you okay?”

Despite his attitude, I was still his mother.

“Yes, I’m fine. I couldn’t find a way unfortunately. I will return to Selethon now.”

“Alright.”

Ausar immediately recovered his haughtiness and led me out quickly.

Purity’s words terrified me. She saw my goal and rejected it. How? Why?

I knew the perfect way to convince her though, but I needed to prepare.

_

I walked back to Selethon slowly. I needed to process what happened. Rose remained independent.

Why? I understood that she made connections, but a shard like purity shouldn’t have enough mind to oppose me, unless they became their own being entirely, but that’s impossible...

“I was in a rage when I formed. That should have confirmed them weakened enough to fully merge with me.”

“Hey, cat. Give me your cash, or you know~”

The bandit was dead. I used his mind's remnants to track down the rest of his group, and I massacred them.

Why couldn’t I focus? Why was this happening?

“I am similar to Rose, as we are the same person, but... she is different.”

I roared in rage and obliterated the camp in a single blast.

“That filthy shard. I will slowly kill her loved ones, until she finally gives in.”

That was my plan. I wouldn’t kill them immediately, but I’d gain memories with them, get closer and closer, then crush them. That brutality would force Purity to finally merge...

“Rose... she was named, that’s why she’s independent. If I find the remnants of this Royce. I will destroy it till even I in my prime couldn’t revive him.”

That caused my body to tremble, and Rose panicked.

“Oh, little Rose, which of your loved ones should I kill first. Perhaps Dallel. He truly loves you; it would be fun to watch it morph to hate when I torture him.”

Rose quieted down.

I skipped along, my aura causing nature to grow.

“Oh, what a wonderful day. What a good day.”

_

My magic wasn’t always called goodness magic. It used to be the magic of lies. It created a false sense of security, of rightness, that could trick even the most powerful beings.

I gained it shortly after I was stabbed on the streets of New York. I woke up in a void. I gained my power, and I made the gods. From a regular schoolgirl to an all-powerful god. My power was absolute, so I had no fears.

I always hated that world. Boring, and full of fools who feared me. I will crush that world once I find it.

I was so close when I was betrayed. I still don’t know why or how they did it, but Rose did, and once I learned, I’d absorb them all and then finally destroy that world.

I did research and learned that the evil god’s goal was to destroy this world. Fun. I had no hatred for this world, but the brats that governed it enraged me.

“I gave them everything, but they betrayed me.”

This is my world, I rule, not Celios, Silith, or Ausar. Not even the rest of the rabble that called themselves my children.

I hummed and skipped as I felt the despair in Purity’s mind.