Re:Awakening with Ultimate Power as a Cosmic God
Chapter 64: Ch 64: A Royal Visit - Part 1

Chapter 64: Ch 64: A Royal Visit - Part 1

Nova calmly ate the last few bites of his bread when the sound of footsteps echoed down the inn’s hallway. He didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

Still, he glanced toward the entrance as Malrik entered the room, followed closely by an unfamiliar man dressed in ceremonial white robes that shimmered faintly with golden embroidery.

The stranger’s face bore a soft, practiced smile, the kind Nova had seen on too many liars.

Nova wiped his hands clean and asked.

"Do you two need something?"

The man in white answered, voice polished like silk.

"I’ve come to escort you, as per the royal command. Her Majesty Queen Eleysa would like an audience."

Behind him, Malrik met Nova’s gaze and gave a barely noticeable nod—subtle, quiet, and clear:

’Go with them, but keep your guard up.’

Nova sighed.

"Let me guess—no room to say no?"

"None."

Malrik said, trying to keep the tension from his voice.

Nova stood up, slinging his jacket over his shoulder. His eyes met Anna’s from across the room, and without saying a word, he gave her a look she understood well.

’Stay alert. Watch everything. Trust nothing.’

Anna gave a short, grim nod in return.

Once they stepped outside the inn, the early morning sun barely cut through the dense clouds above.

The streets were quieter than usual—more guards, fewer vendors, and an undercurrent of tension humming through the air.

Malrik spoke first.

"Nova, allow me to introduce High Priest Riover."

Nova glanced at the older man beside him. Riover walked with graceful ease, hands tucked into long sleeves, his steps echoing softly against the cobbled path.

Malrik continued.

"He is the most trusted voice in the temple and the person closest to our god. If something were to happen to the queen, High Priest Riover would be next in line."

Riover let out a delicate laugh, waving a hand dismissively.

"Please, don’t flatter me. It’s all just formality. I’m far from our god’s favorite. Our queen has received so much more divine grace than I ever have. Truth be told, if things were up to merit alone, Her Majesty would wear both crown and robes."

Nova raised an eyebrow but said nothing. While the priest’s words sounded humble, the over-polished tone and hollow eyes betrayed something else entirely.

As they walked, Nova paid attention—how Riover never once exuded the hum of aether energy, not even the faintest trace. For a man said to be favored by a god, that was telling. Too telling.

Still, Nova played along.

"And yet you remain the High Priest."

Riover smiled, serene.

"Duty is a heavy crown. One I wear for the sake of our people. Some of us are simply vessels for god’s will. We do not need to shine."

Nova’s lips quirked.

"How convenient."

Malrik cleared his throat slightly, interrupting before Riover could respond.

"The palace is just ahead. Please mind the guards. They’ve been on edge lately."

Nova nodded, gaze drifting to the towers rising ahead, where soldiers lined the outer balconies with their hands on weapons and suspicious eyes on every passerby.

"Do they expect something to happen?"

Nova asked.

"They expect you."

Malrik muttered under his breath, only loud enough for Nova to hear.

Nova didn’t flinch. Instead, he adjusted his collar and stepped forward.

"Then let’s not keep them waiting."

____

The imperial palace loomed ahead like a sleeping giant carved from stone and marble, its towers reaching skyward and disappearing into the clouds above.

The golden gates swung open without hesitation at High Priest Riover’s silent gesture, the guards stepping aside with synchronized precision.

No one spoke. The tension in the air was as thick as the palace walls.

Nova walked between Malrik and the priest, his eyes scanning every detail—guards on alert, statues etched with old prayers, and murals depicting gods raining light onto bowing subjects.

There was nothing humble about this place. Every step was a statement:

’You are in the house of gods now. Know your place.’

They were led through a long corridor lit by crystalline aether-lamps, and soon, massive double doors were pushed open by armored hands.

Inside, the council room felt more like a cathedral.

A dome of stained glass cast shifting colors across the floor, the air heavy with incense and incense-burnt aether.

Queen Eleysa lay sprawled across her grand throne at the far end, her posture unbothered and her expression halfway between boredom and disdain.

Her gown—light, sheer, and flowing—spilled over the sides of the throne, revealing far more than it concealed. It was a calculated kind of boldness, the kind of confidence that came from having no equals.

Her gaze swept lazily over the group before settling on the High Priest.

Her voice rang out like velvet laced with knives.

"I don’t recall calling for you today, Riover. Did you suddenly grow a death wish?"

Riover remained unfazed, smiling with the gentleness of a priest long used to the queen’s threats.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I only came to accompany Commander Malrik and the guest he brought back—Nova. You may recall, he is the outsider who passed through our god’s sacred shield."

That seemed to rouse Eleysa’s interest. Her lashes fluttered once as she slowly sat up, the movement almost feline.

Her gown shifted with her, and she made no effort to preserve modesty. Instead, she seemed to revel in the way the atmosphere tightened under her presence.

"Well. So this is the famous outsider who slipped past the divine wall. I must say... you’re a lot prettier than I expected."

She purred, rising from her throne with slow, deliberate grace.

Nova didn’t flinch as she sauntered over to him. Up close, she was taller than he’d assumed—tall enough to look him in the eye without tilting her chin.

Her fingers, adorned with golden rings, reached toward his face.

The second her hand brushed against his cheek, a sharp crack of aether split the silence.

A burst of light erupted between them, and Queen Eleysa hissed, snatching her hand back.

Smoke curled from her palm where the skin had been charred, a faint red mark now singed into her flawless skin.

The entire room stilled.

Guards reached for weapons. Malrik stepped forward.

Nova didn’t move.

Eleysa stared at him, her eyes wide—not with pain, but realization.

"You—"

Her voice was low now, hushed, but edged with alarm.

"What... was that?"

Nova gave no answer. He merely tilted his head, watching her with a still, unreadable calm.

The high priest stepped between them quickly, raising his arms.

"Please, Your Majesty. Surely, this was just... a clash of strong divine power."

"Don’t insult me. Divine Power doesn’t burn me. It never has." Her gaze locked onto Nova again. "What are you, really?"

Eleysa snapped, her voice colder than before.

Nova met her eyes.

"Didn’t your god already give you the answer?"

Eleysa held his gaze for a long moment—then laughed, low and throaty.

"Perhaps. Or maybe the gods are just bored enough to amuse themselves."

She turned her back to him and walked back to her throne, the tension beginning to lift.

"Stay in Callex, outsider. For now, I’m curious to see what happens next."

She said, resuming her seat with exaggerated poise.