The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 93 Hello Goddess, Can you hear me?

Jolthar was lying on a bed in a small room. His eyes fluttered open, his vision hazy as he adjusted to the dimly lit room. His body ached all over, a constant reminder of the ordeal he had just survived. As his vision cleared, the first thing he saw were Eran and Daus, standing near his bedside, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.

He blinked a few times, then smirked. ”Well, this is awkward,” he rasped, his voice laced with dry humour despite the pain. ”If I didnʼt know better, Iʼd say you were waiting for a romantic confession. Hate to break it to you, but Iʼm already married... to trouble.”

Eran sighed, shaking his head, and let out a chuckle, recognizing Joltharʼs unyielding wit even in the direst circumstances.

”Youʼre impossible,” Eran muttered, crossing his arms.

”Yeah,” Jolthar shot back, attempting to sit up. A sharp pang from his side made him wince, and he noticed the white cotton bandages tightly wrapped around his torso. Another around his shoulder, from the top to his left side downwards.

”Whatʼs this? Am I auditioning for a mummy role now?”

”Youʼre lucky to even be alive,” Eran said firmly, stepping closer to help him sit up properly.

Jolthar leaned back against the headboard, noticing his sword, Knashii, resting against the wall beside his bed. Its dark glow was gone for now, but the sight of it comforted him. ”Glad to see my trusty toothpick made it out too.”

”You were out cold for hours,” Daus said, his tone more serious. ”We barely made it back to the valley. The matriarch of the Blue Rose… she saved us. If not for her, we wouldnʼt have gotten this far. The women are being treated now.”

Jolthar nodded, his expression softening at the mention of the rescued women. ”Good. At least we did something right.” He paused, then looked between Eran and Daus. ”But seriously, you two standing there like that—if I didnʼt know better, Iʼd say you were trying to figure out who gets the honour of feeding me soup.”

Before either man could respond, the door to the room burst open, and a young woman entered in a flurry of motion. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with desperation. ”Lord Jolthar, please help us!” she cried, her voice trembling.

Joltharʼs smirk faded as he straightened, ignoring the protest from his sore muscles. ”Well, looks like my napʼs over. Whatʼs going on?”

Daus, visibly surprised by the womanʼs sudden arrival and urgent plea, stepped forward. ”What happened?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

The woman bowed slightly before gesturing for them to follow. ”Please, come with me. You need to see this.”

Leading them through the valley, they soon arrived at the ancestral shrine of the tribe. The structure was humble yet sacred, adorned with carvings and symbols of their deity, an aura of reverence and mysticism surrounding it. The faint scent of burning incense lingered in the air.

As soon as Jolthar stepped inside, he was struck by the scene. Standing near the altar was Raayani, her imposing presence even more palpable in this sacred space.

Beside her were Belan and Lysandra, their faces sombre. But what drew his attention most was the frail figure of Eloda, lying on a simple bed, her once-radiant form now weakened and pale.

Around her were members of the tribe, their faces etched with worry.

Jolthar frowned as he took in the scene, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He noticed the intensity of Raayaniʼs gaze upon him, her eyes sharp with curiosity. He shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny, muttering to himself, ”What is it with these people staring like Iʼm some alien?”

When Eloda caught sight of Jolthar, a faint but determined smile appeared on her face. She weakly gestured for him to come closer. The people around her parted, allowing Jolthar to approach.

Raayani, still observing him closely, finally spoke, her voice low but firm. ”We need to talk, but she comes first.”

Jolthar blinked, glancing at her before replying with his usual dry humour, ”Iʼm starting to feel like a character in a drama series. Whoʼs next, the mysterious stranger with a secret past?” His reference to drama, they all looked confused, except for Raayani, as she didnʼt care what it was.

Despite his quip, her piercing gaze didnʼt waver, making him wince. ”Alright, alright, I get it. Iʼm special. Can we move on now?”

Elodaʼs faint voice interrupted. ”Please… everyone… leave us.”

The tribe members hesitated, reluctant to leave their revered deity in such a state. But with a nod from Daus and a stern look from Raayani, they slowly filtered out of the shrine, murmuring prayers under their breath. Outside, the rest of the tribe had gathered, their anxious whispers filling the air as they awaited any news.

Inside, Jolthar approached Elodaʼs bedside. Up close, her fragile state was even more evident.

Despite her weakened condition, her eyes held an otherworldly clarity as she looked at him.

”You…” she said softly, her voice like a breeze. ”I knew the moment I saw you in the caves. You carry the blessing of a goddess… not a mere deity.”

Jolthar raised an eyebrow, his tone sceptical. ”Goddess? Me? Lady, Iʼm just a guy whoʼs really good at not dying. Thatʼs about as blessed as it gets.”

Elodaʼs lips curved into a faint smile. ”You can save me. If youʼre willing. You are the only one who can.”

Jolthar sighed, running a hand through his hair. His body was still screaming at him from the overuse of his power, and the fresh wounds didnʼt help. ”Look, Iʼm barely keeping myself together right now. Whatever you think I can do… I donʼt even know how to begin.”

Raayani stepped closer, her voice calm but insistent. ”She called for you because her survival depends on it. You may not understand your connection to the gods, but she does. If you refuse…”

Jolthar groaned, cutting her off. ”Alright, alright! No need to guilt-trip me. Just… give me a minute to figure out what exactly Iʼm supposed to do here.”

He knelt beside Eloda, studying her closely. Her aura was faint but undeniably divine, and despite his scepticism, he couldnʼt deny that something inside him resonated with her presence.

”Alright, Eloda,” he said, his voice softening. ”Tell me what I need to do.”

As Raayani walked out, her eyes lingered on Jolthar for a moment, her expression unreadable.

He gave her a weak, sarcastic smile. ”Yeah, yeah, I know. All eyes on the ʼspecialʼ guy,” he muttered under his breath. Without a word, Raayani turned and left.

Belan followed shortly after, sparing Jolthar a brief glance that was part curiosity, part confusion.

Daus stayed behind a moment longer, dropping to one knee beside Eloda. His voice cracked with desperation. ”Please, Jolthar. If thereʼs even a chance you can help her, I beg you. Sheʼs our deity and everything.”

Before Jolthar could respond, the priestess of the shrine stepped forward, her tear-streaked face a picture of anguish. ”Lord Jolthar,” she said, her voice trembling. ”You were sent to us for a reason. Please, save her. We have no one else to turn to.”

Jolthar groaned inwardly. ”Why does this feel like I just got dragged into a divine customer service line?” he muttered to himself.

Once everyone had left, leaving the shrine silent save for the crackle of the incense, Jolthar exhaled deeply and walked to Eloda. He crouched beside her, folding his arms across his knees.

”So,” he began, his tone light but laced with exasperation, ”what exactly do you want me to do? Because unless it involves a nap, Iʼm not sure Iʼm your guy.”

Elodaʼs lips curved into the faintest of smiles, though her voice remained soft and weak. ”I can sense it… the power of a goddess within you. Not a deity, but a superior being. You must be truly special, a child touched by the divine.”

Jolthar snorted, shaking his head. ”See, I donʼt care about all that. Titles, blessings, prophecies… itʼs all just noise to me. Just tell me what this is about.”

Her eyes glimmered faintly with hope as she spoke. ”I need you to call her. Your goddess. I cannot return to the deity realm without restoring my essence. My connection is severed, my power is drained… and without it, I cannot survive. Youʼre my only chance.”

Jolthar leaned back, rubbing his face. ”Okay, first of all, I donʼt even know how to call her. She shows up whenever she feels like it, and trust me, sheʼs not big on taking requests.”

He paused, his tone growing more serious. ”Look, Iʼm not going to lie to you. If she wanted to show up, she wouldʼve done it by now. I donʼt think I can just… dial her up like a celestial hotline.”

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Eloda watched him closely, her gaze unwavering. ”You are not ordinary, Jolthar. A goddess doesnʼt choose lightly. There is something within you that can reach her, even if you donʼt realise it.”

He sighed, leaning his head back. ”Great. Another riddle for the reincarnated modern guy in a fantasy world. Alright, Iʼll try something, but donʼt hold your breath.”

Jolthar closed his eyes, a mixture of doubt and frustration etched on his face. Despite his bravado, he knew he couldnʼt ignore her plea. Whatever his so-called ”blessing” was, it had to be worth something.

”Alright, goddess,” he muttered under his breath. ”If youʼre listening—and I know you like to keep tabs on me—this is your moment to shine. Do your thing. Please.”