Chapter 35: Triple Combo, Bold Move

"Alright, my servant. You and your beautiful wife can relax."

"When speaking with me, I grant you permission to be more casual. After all, seriousness and formality are quite uninteresting to me. I’m not even fond of overly formal occasions."

"So, don’t worry about misspeaking or saying something disrespectful that might anger me."

"Do you really think I am a deity who is harsh with his servants, or even capricious?"

’Such overly formal conversations are truly exhausting.’

’Besides, to be honest, Lince didn’t enjoy playing the part of a mystical charlatan. So, he decided to start cultivating the image of a more easygoing and casual deity.’

’This way, Lince could relax, and presumably, York and his wife could relax as well.’

’After all, he would be ’dealing’ with this couple for a long time to come.’

Therefore, as he spoke his last sentence, Lince’s tone was already filled with amusement.

The deity’s sudden words left both York and Lucia slightly stunned.

They exchanged a glance, and a mutual understanding formed in their hearts.

’So, Your Majesty doesn’t like this kind of solemn atmosphere and formal occasions?’

’So, he is an ancient deity who prefers a more casual approach?’

At this thought, York and Lucia immediately felt a sense of relief.

Yes, in truth, they were extremely nervous and apprehensive every time they had an audience with Lince.

As a result, they always tried to think carefully before speaking, which was truly exhausting.

’Since the deity himself said so, he couldn’t possibly be deceiving them.’

However, even though they felt a sense of relief, facing the massive Rock Steel Giant with its intense Dragon Might—and beyond that, a magnificent deity—they would certainly need some time to adjust their mindset.

So, York immediately said:

"Since Your Majesty has said so, Lucia and I will naturally comply."

"However, Your Majesty, please grant us some time. After all, your vessel, and your very existence, make it difficult for us to remain composed on such short notice."

Lince was not surprised by this and nodded in understanding.

Then, the conversation between the three continued.

Lince asked York if his territory had encountered any difficulties after the battle with the Demon Beasts.

After all, as a deity, he couldn’t possibly watch over the so-called mortal world at all times.

Realizing this, York immediately began his account.

The Swamp Territory currently had no major problems, but York did have a few minor ones.

For instance, York’s father had covered for him regarding the trouble of his sudden reveal as a Tier Two, but York knew his father must be aware that York was hiding a great secret from him.

For now, for the future of the entire Smith family and for the Swamp Territory branch, Baron Eric had not asked what this great secret was that allowed York to advance from Tier One to Tier Two within a year.

But considering the previous rumors of a Miracle in the Swamp Territory, his father must have made some connections.

After all, York’s own story of obtaining the Blood Contract Rock Dragon Giant Lizard was full of holes, and now his promotion to Tier Two had been exposed as well.

It was practically a confession without being prompted.

It was as good as telling Baron Eric directly that the Swamp Territory did indeed hold a great secret, and it was most likely related to a deity.

Baron Eric was certainly wary when it came to matters of deities and Miracles.

For the sake of the family, and for York’s sake as well, he had a tacit understanding not to ask.

But York knew that sooner or later, the time would come for a showdown with Baron Eric.

Therefore, York was asking Lince for guidance on how to handle this matter.

Lince, for his part, also found this a bit of a headache.

’Showing off is fun in the moment, but it leads to these kinds of follow-up problems.’

’But on second thought, this was unavoidable.’

With Lince’s presence in the Swamp Territory and the continuous benefits he bestowed, its development speed was bound to be extremely fast. Even without the incident with the Miracle, York would have been unable to give Baron Eric a reasonable explanation.

In short, the Swamp Territory was bound to become conspicuous sooner or later.

So, with that in mind, Lince stopped worrying about it and gave York his carefully worded reply.

The gist of it was that York shouldn’t say anything to Baron Eric for the time being.

After all, the Baron clearly didn’t want to be drawn into a larger storm at the moment.

Since he himself hadn’t brought it up with York in the past two months, York shouldn’t bring it up either.

In short, it was best to maintain the tacit understanding.

Of course, if Baron Eric ever did ask on his own initiative, it would be fine to tell him.

Because in Lince’s view, Baron Eric was definitely a smart man who would know how to choose, just as he had helped York cover up the trouble with his Tier Two advancement.

Besides, the Swamp Territory was sure to face many more troubles in the future.

In one year, three years, five years, or even ten, many things that ordinary people couldn’t explain would eventually be exposed. (Game time)

Thus, Lince had come to terms with it. He decided they should just keep it secret for as long as they could, and try to gain more and greater strength as quickly as possible.

After resolving that matter, York made another request.

He asked for a name to be bestowed upon his and Lucia’s first child.

Asking a deity to bestow a name?

York clearly felt he was being too bold. After all, what an incredible honor it was to be given a name by a deity!

However, to York’s surprise, Lince wasn’t displeased. He was even quite happy to give the child a name.

"Caesar!"

"Caesar Smith!"

’Our child has a name? And it was bestowed by a great deity! His life will surely be blessed with Divine Favor beyond anyone’s imagination!’

Lucia thought to herself, her expression even happier than York’s.

Watching the two tiny ’little people’ before him looking so excited, Lince didn’t know what to say.

’Lince certainly had well wishes for York’s first child, but there was a hint of mischievousness to it as well.’

’But they would never understand the meaning behind this name.’

Speaking of children, Lince felt it necessary to remind York of the request he had made from the very beginning.

Lince once again pointed out that York should try to have as many children as possible to quickly expand the direct Bloodline of the Swamp Territory.

York was a little taken aback by this sudden request from the deity.

He didn’t understand why the great deity was so insistent on him having more children.

’But it must be related to some grand plan on a divine level.’

So, York accepted without reservation. Even his wife, Lucia, stated outright that she would do her best.

However, York couldn’t bear the thought.

After all, having children would delay Lucia’s Path to the Extraordinary, and it would also be detrimental to her health.

York felt for his wife, but he was even more unwilling to take lovers and mistresses like Baron Eric just to produce more heirs for the Bloodline.

Therefore, in front of the deity Lince, York looked at Lucia with a pained expression, showing his compassion and sense of indebtedness to her.

Lince felt a little helpless about this.

’It’s true. Even in the real world with advanced medical care, childbirth takes a huge toll on a woman’s body, let alone having children continuously.’

For this reason, to display his benevolence and also to make these two obedient people even more grateful to him...

...he finally made a decision, though it pained him slightly.

He would bestow upon Lucia the Bloodline Potion of the Flaming Scorpion that he had obtained earlier.

This way, as soon as Lucia drank it, she could instantly overwrite her original, unawakened Bloodline and step into Tier One.

’This can be considered compensation for her!’

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Lince was really making a huge investment now.

Moreover, Lucia’s unawakened Bloodline also happened to be of the Fire Attribute. As such, this Bloodline Potion seemed especially suited for her from the very beginning.

And so, amidst York’s excitement and under Lince’s gaze, Lucia drank the divinely bestowed Bloodline Potion. In an instant, she successfully stepped into the Extraordinary Realm, becoming a true Tier One Magic Mage.

A thousand thanks were not enough to describe the gratitude in York’s and Lucia’s eyes at this moment.

In response, Lince indicated that he was going to give even more!

Lince then bestowed upon Lucia a set of ten Mid-Efficacy Healing Potions, instructing her to drink one promptly after giving birth to each child to reduce pain and physical damage.

And then, Lince went for the grand finale!

He gave York and Lucia a direct demonstration of what was called the profound love of a deity.

As if a deity were treating his own son and daughter!

That’s right, the final item Lince directly bestowed was his greatest gain from entering the game this time: the Clan Totem Banner!

When Lince bestowed the Clan Totem Banner, York stared at the floating Magic Banner item before him, emblazoned with the image of a Giant Dragon.

York was momentarily stunned, but the moment he reached out and grasped the flagpole...

...in the next instant, his expression changed drastically. Overcome with shock and even moved to tears, he prostrated himself on the ground once more and said:

"O great and benevolent Your Majesty! This... this!!! York truly does not know how to repay you for the favor you have shown my wife and me!!!"

"Your Majesty, even if you were to ask York to offer his soul to you immediately upon death, I feel it would be utterly insufficient to repay such profound kindness and Divine Favor..."

York’s shocked, excited, moved, and tearful expression made Lince feel quite smug inwardly.

’See that? Now that’s what you call a power move.’

’That’s how it’s done. Look how moved this kid is!’

And so, as benevolent as a loving father, he said with a smile:

"My servant—no, my child of Divine Favor, has your soul not always been with me?!"

"Rest assured, I will forever watch over you and bless you. I hope that, just as you have said, you will clear away all worldly obstacles for my Descent!"

"Go now, child. I believe in you, and I have high hopes for you!"