What on earth happened? Why is it not Semula but just an ordinary hamster?

“He came in the form of a hamster.”

Looking at the hamster in my hand, I recalled the conversation I had with Mu.

“If you use too much power… you’ll return.”

There was no need for a long thought.

“It’s because of me.”

I tightly closed my eyes.

Recently, Mu had been struggling. He rarely went for walks, and he kept sleeping a lot. That’s why I had put him inside the Holy Water Fountain.

“This time, Mu helped me when I became a mess by using too much power…”

Perhaps due to the aftermath being too significant, he might have concealed his appearance.

“Foolish.”

So what happens now? Mu is gone… Is there no way for him to reappear?

If Mu is gone… Can’t I recover the power of the rotten World Tree?

“Empress, are you okay?”

Even though I caught the hamster, people who saw my face getting increasingly complicated seemed puzzled as they chuckled.

“Uh, I’m fine.”

I forced a smile and nodded. Then, a cat behind me approached leisurely.

“Meow.”

And it pressed its forehead against mine.

“Huh?”

Wondering if it wanted to be petted, I tried to stroke it, but it shook its head, avoiding my hand, and pressed its forehead against mine again.

“Meow!”

After several repetitions, the cat showed signs of impatience, even growling.

“Is it not for petting?”

“Meow!”

“If it’s not for petting, then what… Should I remove eye boogers?”

“Meow!”

“Shall I praise you then?”

“Meow!”

If it’s not for petting or removing eye boogers, what is it trying to do by pressing its forehead?

“…Do you want me to give you a catnip treat?”

The cat looked at me with a bewildered expression. I was also perplexed now. What is it asking for…?

“Um… Your Majesty.”

After exchanging gazes with the cat a few times, and as we glared at each other, Elihu came over.

“This is just my thought, but…”

“Hmm?”

“It seems like the cat wants to touch foreheads with you.”

Elihu mumbled softly while observing the cat’s reaction. Upon hearing that, the cat let out a loud meow, as if affirming it.

His tense expression seemed to loosen a bit.

“…Touch foreheads with a cat?”

“It’s just my feeling. Although I don’t know the reason, it seemed like that’s what it wants.”

The cat is a divine being. Moreover, being with Mu regularly, it must have been heavily influenced by him.

Elihu is a person who worships that god.

It might be good to follow Elihu’s advice.

“Meow!”

Moreover, the cat seemed to insist on it, poking me with its front paw.

With a dubious expression, I handed the hamster to Elihu after a few confrontations with the cat and cautiously approached it.

And I touched foreheads with the cat.

Then, something amazing happened.

“Ugh! What, what is it!”
Suddenly, everything in front of me went pitch-black, and everything around me disappeared. Startled, I quickly looked around, but no one was in sight.

Even the cat I had in my hand was gone.

“Where is everyone? Cat! Revenfell! Elihu!”

The loudly shouted voice echoed like a reverberation.

The surroundings were pitch-dark. I couldn’t even tell whether the place I was standing on was sky or ground; it was that dark.

“What is this? Where is everyone? What’s going on!”

“What is it?”

And a familiar yet unfamiliar voice responded from afar. Startled, I crouched down and turned my head to the source of the sound.

Someone was approaching with firm steps.

“Who…?”

“Oh well. It’s been a while since we parted. I’m sorry.”

A tall man with long hair swept to the side chuckled. Even though he seemed far away, he sounded like he was speaking right next to my ear.

Bright blond hair, as if made from all the light in the world. Eyes that pierced through everything between long and neat eyelashes.

“…Mu?”

No. It wasn’t Mu. I’ve seen that face before. Right in the Sanctuary, in Elihu’s prayer room.

I raised my head, correcting his name.

“…Semula.”

When I called his name, the god, Semula, smiled softly.

“Yes, my child.”

His voice, clearer than when he was in the hamster form, echoed in my ears, sending shivers down my spine.

“I thought you would have many questions when you see me, but seeing you keep silent…”

“…”

“It seems this appearance is unfamiliar.”

The god Semula smiled gently.

My body shivered and trembled at the god’s laughter. Just looking at him made my legs shake, and I felt like I should kneel.

Although I wanted to deny it in my mind, my mouth wouldn’t move.

Semula laughed understandingly.

“It’s unavoidable for humans who face a god.”

Semula laughed softly, sending shivers down my spine. If I opened my mouth, it seemed like I would involuntarily worship.

“Yes. Humans facing a god can’t help it.”

Semula nodded as if understanding, then waved his hand broadly. In the blink of an eye, his appearance changed into the familiar hamster form.

“Now, is this more comfortable for you?”

The oppressive feeling that was pressing down on me disappeared. My body, which had been tense from nerves, relaxed. Mu, the hamster who noticed my change, chuckled.

“Indeed, my original form is impressive.”