Re:Awakening with Ultimate Power as a Cosmic God
Chapter 65: Ch 65: A Royal Visit - Part 2

Chapter 65: Ch 65: A Royal Visit - Part 2

In the throne room, the silence following Queen Eleysa’s proclamation that Nova would stay didn’t last long.

Murmurs rippled through the court like a growing wave—indignation, disbelief, protest. Then came the voices—angry and loud.

"He’s an outsider! He should not be allowed near our sacred grounds!"

One noblewoman shouted, her face twisted in disbelief.

"Most of us born here have never even touched the outer walls of the temple! How can you ask us to accept someone who bypassed all our traditions?!"

A heavy-set man bellowed.

The court erupted into chaos. Advisors rose from their seats, arguing with one another, while guards shifted anxiously by the walls.

High Priest Riover watched with a neutral expression, as if this outrage were beneath him. But it was Queen Eleysa who remained unshaken. She simply raised one hand.

The hall fell silent again.

With her chin resting lightly on her hand, she tilted her head toward Malrik.

"Commander, they’re noisy. What would you suggest I do?"

She said lazily.

Malrik stepped forward, eyes steady.

"Your Majesty. Our god already welcomed Nova. That fact alone should have been enough to silence these protests. But if your court desires more—"

He began, then paused to glancing around the room.

"—then perhaps they should see it with their own eyes."

The queen raised an eyebrow.

"Go on."

"In two days’ time, the Royal Hunting Ceremony is set to begin. The sacred relic will be brought forth, and all those deemed worthy by our god shall receive its blessing. Let Nova join this hunt. Let him stand before the relic as we do."

Malrik continued.

A ripple of murmurs spread again, but this time quieter. Listening.

"If he is chosen by the relic, there will be no room left for doubt."

Malrik concluded.

Queen Eleysa’s lips curved into a slow smile.

"A fair suggestion. One that will satisfy both curiosity and pride."

She looked toward High Priest Riover.

"Make the preparations. I want the ceremony ready. And ensure the relic is treated with the reverence it deserves."

The priest bowed, voice calm.

"As you command, Your Majesty."

With that, the court session ended. The nobles still grumbled, but they didn’t dare speak against the queen again—not openly.

Nova walked out alongside Malrik, the guards parting as they left the grand hall.

Once they were out of earshot, Malrik let out a sigh.

"Forgive me for speaking on your behalf like that. It wasn’t my place, but I figured it was better to give them something to cling to than let them scheme behind closed doors."

He said.

Nova gave him a look that wasn’t quite a glare.

"It’s fine. But I’ll need details. What exactly is this hunting ceremony?"

He said.

Malrik’s expression eased into a grin.

"It’s mostly what it sounds like. A hunt, with some fancy ritual dressing. The royal family hosts it every few years to honor the god and ensure the sacred relic chooses worthy warriors to receive its strength."

"Anything else I should know?"

"Well...The relic only blesses those it considers ’resonant.’ No one really knows the full criteria, but everyone wants to be chosen. It’s a mark of divine favor—and more importantly, social status."

Malrik scratched the back of his head.

Nova absorbed that in silence.

"So, a glorified test."

"You could call it that. But this year’s a bit different."

Malrik agreed.

Nova raised an eyebrow.

"How so?"

"Because we have you. The moment you step onto the hunting field, this isn’t going to be about some traditional ritual anymore. The people will watch your every move—waiting to see if the god confirms what the barrier did. Or if it rejects you completely."

Malrik’s grin turned thoughtful.

Nova didn’t answer right away. He glanced up at the sky overhead, at the quiet streets below the palace.

"Let them watch. It won’t change anything."

He said finally.

Malrik chuckled.

"I thought you’d say something like that."

They parted ways shortly after, Malrik heading toward the barracks while Nova walked back toward the shelter, deep in thought.

Two days. That was all the time he had before the entire city’s eyes turned toward him—before faith, pride, and tradition all collided in one grand spectacle.

And he’d be standing right at the center of it.

___

Inside the grand council room, tension crackled through the air like static. The elders stood in a half-circle around the throne, voices raised in protest.

"This is a dangerous gamble—!"

"We cannot risk the people’s faith on an outsider—!"

"Your Majesty, we urge you to reconsider—!"

But a single sharp glare from Queen Eleysa silenced the room. Her golden eyes, once half-lidded with apathy, now glinted with unmasked irritation.

She rose slowly from her throne, her dress pooling around her like liquid fire.

"You forget your place."

The words were low, almost calm, yet they carried the weight of a storm.

"None of you have the right to question what I can or cannot do. Especially not when you’ve failed to earn even the barest protection from our gods."

She continued.

The air grew heavy. The elders shifted uneasily, eyes downcast. No one dared respond.

Queen Eleysa stepped forward, gaze sweeping across the silent room.

"I have made my decision. It is final."

Without waiting for another word, she waved a hand.

"Leave me. All of you. Guards included."

There was a pause, but the guards hesitated only for a moment before bowing and ushering the elders out. The towering doors closed with a deep, echoing thud.

And then, silence.

Eleysa stood alone in the council chamber, the weight of her crown pressing down not only on her head but on something deeper inside her.

She let out a long, unrestrained curse and finally dropped the mask she wore like second skin.

She paced, bare feet brushing the marble floor.

"Who the hell is that man...? Nova..."

She muttered, jaw clenched.

She hadn’t been able to read him—not with her eyes, not with her power. He had stood in her presence as though unaffected, unimpressed.

Her gaze, which once made kings tremble, had met only a calm, impenetrable wall.

And worse—worse than anything—was how she had felt in that moment.

Submissive.

The word made her stomach twist.

It was fleeting, yes—but real. In that one instant, something inside her had recoiled... or bowed. She couldn’t tell.

Queen Eleysa stopped pacing and clenched her fists.

"Unacceptable."

She was the queen. Chosen by the gods themselves. No man, no outsider, no Nova was going to make her question that.

And yet—

She touched the faint mark on her hand, where their power had collided and burned her.

The skin still tingled.

She stared at the mark as if it might offer her answers. It didn’t.

The scar was faint, nearly healed already, but the sensation it left behind wasn’t physical. It was a pressure—like a hand gripping her heart, refusing to let go.

"Why him? Why would the gods choose him? Does Gorgon know about him?"

She whispered.

It should’ve been her. She had bled, ruled, and sacrificed.

And yet, the divine will had favored an outsider, a man whose very presence clouded her judgment and stirred emotions she didn’t want to name.

Grinding her teeth, she hissed.

"I will find out who you are, Nova. And I will not bow."