God said:
"Show me your talents three times, and then give the petals to the most talented companion. The lucky one with the most petals will be the winner. This will be an interesting banquet game. Please face the results of the competition honestly and give the petals. Otherwise, the flowers and butterflies will punish you. If all your talents are vulgar, then I have the right to reject everyone's request."
That is to say, if the god is not satisfied with the final result, even if someone obtains the most petals, no one can obtain the favor of the Butterfly God.
The god talked about the "punishment" for dishonesty, and Shade somehow thought of the scene of people being swallowed by insects. The Butterfly God didn't sound like an evil god, but Shade always felt that this god was not as absolutely pure as the delicate flowers and fluttering butterflies.
"Then how can we display our talents and enjoy this feast of the earth?"
Xia De temporarily stopped thinking about those messy thoughts and asked again. He thought this was another task of tasting delicious food and wine, or collecting betrothal gifts... ... collecting sacrifices.
"The butterflies I care about love the songs of mortals. Since this is a banquet that mortals have invited me to, I will sing beautiful songs for the flowers, butterflies and the banquet."
The god gave a reply, and his voice was so sweet and melodious. The three people lowered their heads and observed their companions' expressions, wanting to see what they thought about it. Of course, Mr. Fred Lehman was still careful not to look the witch in the eye.
"God, I don't want to gain the favor of your family, I just want to help these mortals."
Xia De spoke again, and what he wanted to make clear was that he would not participate in this so-called "competition".
"You don't have to participate in the competition at the festival, but if you don't want to attend the banquet, then please get up and leave."
The saint still smiled and said, that is to say, even if Xia De won, it would not count, but he had to participate in the sacrificial activities, otherwise God would not allow him to sit here.
And Xia De was sure that once he left, Shufu would immediately end his adventure. Shufu wanted him to participate in the story of the past, not to watch it from the sidelines.
"But I can't sing..."
The stranger was thinking in his heart with great annoyance.
Of course, Shade could just sing a random song without caring about his singing voice. After all, he didn't want to win. The task of the tree father was to help the others complete the ceremony. But the problem was that the god had just said that if she was not satisfied with the result, then there would be no winner in the ceremony.
This means that Xia De must perform at his best, otherwise he will drag down others:
"So, your mission after returning this time is... to learn to sing?"
This is different from the past.
Thinking in his heart, half an hour has come to an end. After confirming what needs to be done this time, Xia De also said goodbye. He just hoped that there would be no dancing in the next two tasks.
"God, can you please allow me to leave for a while? I will be back soon."
He said to the saint across the round table, and the butterfly god smiled and nodded. The other three looked at him in surprise, not understanding what Shade meant.
"I have a special method that can allow me to leave here temporarily. Of course, it is only temporary. Excuse me, is there anything you need me to bring?"
Xia De lowered his voice and asked his companions:
"Since this is a banquet, I think you will not lack food and water. Please ask me for something else. Although I still cannot tell you who I am, I really want to help you... I can only bring ordinary items."
"Sir, if you can, bring me a lyre, I am very good at playing it."
Mr. Fred Lehman spoke first.
Sister Ollie Perry of the Church of the Sun also understood. Even though she didn't know why Shade was able to leave temporarily, since she had confirmed that he was not a competitor, there was no need to worry too much.
"Sir, if it would be convenient for you, please bring me the 'Song of the Earth'."
Xia De had heard Yin Luna say this. This was one of the religious books of the Church of the Sun, a collection of long poems in the form of chronicles. The book was as thick as a little girl's height, and even the most devout nun would find it difficult to recite it completely.
"So, Miss Blachette, what do you need?"
Xia De asked the middle-aged witch again, and the latter looked at him suspiciously:
"If it's convenient, please bring me ... leaves and grass, some fresh leaves, any kind, but please make sure they are fresh."
This request was not surprising. Although the appearance of the gods had caused flowers and green grass to appear in the desolate and cold insect cave, there were no trees.
"no problem."
Xia De nodded, these requests were easy to achieve.
"And in return, I will tell you the ritual of calling the Butterfly God."
The witch then continued, and Shade immediately thanked her. Although the old gods no longer exist in the Sixth Epoch, the ritual of summoning gods still has extremely high mystical value.
As the white mist appeared around him, Xia De knew his time was up. He stood up respectfully and said goodbye to the god. Before the white mist took him away, he turned around and walked into the depths of the white mist.
The warm yellow light illuminated the huge wooden table. The sounds of crawling insects and flapping butterflies resonated, creating an even more eerie sound. It seemed that with Shade's departure, the temperature here became lower. The witch, Miss Maggie Blackett, whispered to the god:
"God, now..."
"Wait for him to come back, and you can enjoy the feast of food and wine. Of course, before that, you can think about what kind of song you want to dedicate to me."
The saint sat upright on the chair, his hand with the grass ring tapping rhythmically on the table, his eyes looking towards where Shade disappeared. The colorful light surrounded the god, she seemed to be here, but also seemed not to be here.
(Little Mia is running...)
"Oh! I never hated bugs so much!"
Xia De rushed out from his side lying position, took off his coat immediately, and rushed into the bathroom. When the cat standing on the dining table curiously stretched his head to look at the source of the sound, the sound of dripping water was heard in the bathroom.
"What's wrong with him?"
The writer in an apron turned her head to look at the cat on the table, and was surprised to see the cat shaking its head.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Mia raised her front paws and rubbed her neck. Her silly look made Dorothy doubt her judgment again.
Twenty minutes later, at the breakfast table, Dorothy was very curious about what Shad had experienced this time, but for her appetite, Shad did not describe the bugs in detail, but only spoke vaguely about his experience. Of course, it was the experience before the summoning ceremony.
"Speaking of which, do you know the old god, the Butterfly God?"
Shade, who had changed into new clothes and whose hair was still a little wet, asked while petting the cat. Shade's understanding of this god was limited to knowing that he had left in the Fifth Epoch.
There are many old gods, and it is best for mortals not to know too much about gods, so most ring sorcerers will only take the initiative to read the ancient knowledge when they encounter things related to the old gods. The academy will not take the initiative to open this part of the content.
"Of course I know. This god often appears in fairy tales of the Fifth Epoch."
The writer spoke very familiarly, and seeing Xia De looking at her curiously, she carefully explained:
"Did you meet this god this time?"
Shade nodded cautiously, and Dorothy said with some concern:
"You have to be careful. This great being... is not the good god we usually think of. No, the Butterfly God is not an evil god either. She is just... like what the story says, not a special lover... Sorry, I don't want to make such irresponsible remarks about the gods so early in the morning. However, I can recommend you some stories. The descriptions of this god in those stories are basically correct."
Of course, gods are not limited to "very friendly to humans" and "quite unfriendly to humans", but for Shad, as long as they are not pure evil gods like the vampire Duke Laoel, it's fine. He then mentioned the names of the three companions this time, but Dorothy had never heard of them.
As Dorothy peeled the steaming eggs, Shad's thoughts drifted back to a certain morning. He shook his head and thought of the most crucial question:
"Are you good at singing? I need to dedicate a song to the gods on my next adventure."
"This is such a great honor, singing for the gods... I've heard you mention that you're not good at singing, so don't expect that you can become good at singing in just a week."
Dorothy smiled and carefully peeled off the brown shell of the egg. She also carefully tore off the thin keratin membrane between the brown shell and the white egg.
"I am proficient in the element of enlightenment. Enlightenment includes not only fairy tales, but also poems, songs, etc. I have heard a lot in the course that can allow ring sorcerers to master certain techniques in a short period of time. If you want to dedicate a song to the gods, I think it is better to master it permanently... ... I will talk to Leicia, we will discuss it and choose a magic for you. You can go to the library to exchange it. If I remember correctly, can't you get magic for free in the library?"
The singing problem can be solved in this way for the time being, but Shade still needs to decide what song he wants to sing. There are many songs related to "spring", "flowers" and "butterflies" in this world and in his hometown.
"Ah~ Open your mouth~"
The writer said gently, and then put the peeled egg to Xia De's mouth. Xia De took a light bite, and the soft and warm egg was indeed suitable for breakfast.
But somehow, Dorothy blushed a little when she saw this scene.
"Wait, you don't know..."
Xia De suddenly understood.
"Luvia mentioned it to me when we went clothes shopping together not long ago."
The blonde said shyly, looking down at herself:
"How daring... Perhaps only that maid could do such a thing."