Got Engaged to the Man They Call Ugly - Chapter 7
That meant even if, by some awful twist of fate, she ended up sleeping with the so-called ugly man, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about having children.
At the very least, the curse would end with her.
“If you wish to live out the rest of your life in peace, never appear before me again, mortal. Do you understand?”
“Same goes for me! I went through all that trouble to bring you here, and you turn out to be a worthless wench!!”
Thankfully, the two goddesses were too busy venting their rage that didn’t seem to have caught her thoughts this time. Hurling their sharp words at her one last time, they spun on their heels and disappeared into the mist.
The dense fog that had surrounded the space began to lift slowly, revealing the surroundings.
Only then did she realize the place resembled some kind of ancient temple.
Beyond the towering columns of the shrine, she saw two splendid carriages soaring off in opposite directions.
‘This place… it looks familiar.’
Where had she seen it before?
After a bit of thought, she slapped her palms together.
It felt like a distant memory, but it had only been a few hours since she’d visited the Vishtar Museum. Its appearance and layout were shockingly similar to where she stood now.
Of course, the museum had been a modern building made to look like a temple. But this felt real.
The altar still held scattered ash as if recently used. Hardened wax dripped down candleholders. Cracks and age stains marked the stone columns and walls like a place that had truly been lived in.
‘It’s uncanny. It really does look just like the museum.’
“It should. The museum was modeled after this shrine of Vishtar to begin with.”
A voice cut through her thoughts, and she jumped.
Looking up her gleaming chest plate of the armored figure before her, she met the amused gaze of the Goddess of Wisdom.
“Uh… is that so?”
“Indeed. Mortals do love imitating the gods, after all.”
The owl perched on Nerva’s shoulder stared down at her with what felt like judgmental pity.
Its upright plume resembled a scholar’s cap, and the dark markings on its face made it look like it wore spectacles. It seemed insanely intelligent.
…That owl definitely looked smarter than her.
“Um. I’m sorry, but… could I ask something more about what happened?”
Unable to ignore the strange bird’s gaze, she nervously shook her head and turned to Nerva.
“I’m really not this Elinne person. I had a name…”
She had one. She definitely did.
But no matter how hard she wracked her brain, she couldn’t remember it.
“I can’t recall a single thing.”
“The dead lose their names. They simply become one of the departed.”
The words were spoken in the same tone one might use to comment on the weather.
Still unable to fully accept it, she asked one last time.
“S-so… I really died?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Nerva gave her a look of gentle understanding.
“You were meant to pass into the underworld, but since you lingered near a shrine devoted to Vishtar, you were summoned here as a candidate. And once chosen, you became the new inhabitant of this body, of ‘Elinne.’”
I lingered near Vishtar’s shrine?
…Did she mean the museum?
Her face twisted with reluctant recognition.
Should she mourn the rotten luck of dying just for a silly little keyring, or feel grateful that she’d been brought back, but in someone else’s body?
“Then… what happened to the original owner of this body?”
The thought struck her suddenly.
“Now that is not a question usually asked by a mortal.”
…Wait. Did that mean someone had taken her old body and died in it?
Her nerves spiked, but Nerva simply rubbed her chin with mild curiosity.
“She was also given a new life, so you needn’t worry. I believe she’s thankful to you.”
“Ah…”
“In any case, Vishtar assumed you’d choose her, since you were wandering near her shrine. But you proved her wrong, and you’ve done me a great favor. I must thank you again for wisely choosing me.”
Their eyes met, and Nerva offered a warm smile.
“It’s a long story, but to put it simply, you’ve been granted a new life.”
