Got Engaged to the Man They Call Ugly - Chapter 8
She said it as if it were nothing more complicated than explaining the weather.
“So from now on, you are Elinne, adopted daughter of Nerva, Goddess of Wisdom.”
The casual tone clashed so completely with the weight of her words, she wasn’t sure how to respond.
“…Um.”
She blinked in disbelief, finally managing to speak again.
“Goddess of Wisdom.”
“You may call me Nerva.”
“Ah. Yes. Lady Nerva. Um… about those curses the other goddesses mentioned…”
“If it’s the curses, you don’t need to worry too much.”
Sensing her hesitation, Nerva smiled kindly.
“Heril’s curse of infertility… under the right circumstances, it can be more of a blessing. I, too, have vowed to remain a Virgin Goddess for all eternity.”
“Is that why… you offered to take me in as your daughter?”
“Indeed. A girl wise enough to choose me over the other two is more than worthy to be my child.”
…Are all gods like this?
She’d known Nerva for less than an hour, and yet here they were, adoption complete. So easily.
Perhaps sensing the indescribable look on her face, Nerva let out a light laugh.
“You needn’t worry about the curse of falling in love with the so-called ugly man either. Once you receive the wisdom I grant, you’ll be able to anticipate and avoid such things.”
She said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
But that raised a question. Avoid falling in love… through wisdom?
…Is that even possible? Love was instinct. Wisdom was reason. How could one prevent the other?
“Well then. It’s time I fulfill my promise.”
Whether Elinne believed it or not, Nerva was clearly in high spirits.
“I did say I would grant you the ability to perceive the wisdom of all things. Here. Try this on.”
She cupped her hands as if drawing water from the air.
A band-like object appeared, resting above her palms in a cloud of mist.
It resembled a circlet more than a crown, it was an accessory meant to wrap around the whole head, delicate and almost invisible.
Approaching with it in hand, Nerva placed the silver, shimmering crown gently on Elinne’s head.
It fit perfectly, like it had been made for her. Not tight, not loose. It was so light and seamless that she almost forgot she was wearing it.
What material was this?
Instinctively, she raised her hand to touch it, but her fingers met nothing.
Something was definitely there… and yet it wasn’t.
“Um, there’s… nothing here?”
“Wisdom is like that. Invisible to others, but always resting on your head.”
Nerva answered immediately, as if she’d been expecting the question.
The smile she gave her made Elinne sheepishly lower her hand.
“…Ack!”
She nearly jumped out of her skin.
【Greetings, Lady Elinne.】
A genderless voice whispered clearly in her ear.
【We sincerely welcome to the Library of Nerva.】
It was crisp and articulate, like an audio guide at a museum. For a moment, she even thought she was wearing an earpiece.
She hurriedly felt around her ears. As expected, there was nothing.
【I am Monetta, the god of memory, steward of the Library of Nerva. I shall assist you in retrieving records from Elinne’s Archives.】[1]
Waaah.
Panic rising, she clutched her head and patted her ears again.
“Someone’s talking inside my brain!?”
“Does it feel strange? We concluded this would be the most familiar format to receive wisdom…”
Most familiar for who exactly?
She blinked up at Nerva, confused.
Maybe if she were a bodyguard or a celebrity who lived with a constant earpiece, this setup might feel normal. But to the average person like her, it was far from it.
Sure, if she were at a museum exhibit with a personal guide…
…Wait. Museum?
“Yes. I saw it in your memories. Mortals often receive information this way. It was quite fascinating.”
Nerva smiled, clearly pleased with herself.
“It works just the same. Whatever you wonder, simply think it, and Monetta will guide you.”
“W-who?”
Her dazed voice barely left her lips before translucent text materialized before her eyes.
【Monetta, Goddess of Memory: A subordinate deity of Nerva. Oversees the Archives that house the accumulated wisdom of the Goddess of Wisdom.】
Letters shimmered faintly in midair, softly etched into nothingness.
It seemed to be a visual aid, perhaps to make sure she didn’t miss anything the voice said.
Despite the golden hue, which normally would be difficult to read, every word settled clearly in her mind.
Mouth hanging open, she stared at the text for a long moment before something clicked.
Wait a minute. Hold on. Isn’t this just…
“A status window!”
“So that is what mortals call Monetta’s Vision,”
Nerva said, eyebrows raised in amusement at the familiar term.
“In any case, I hope you make good use of it. As my chosen child, I trust you’ll wield it wisely.”
Elinne looked up at the smiling Nerva, just in time to see another translucent label fade above her head.
【Nerva: Goddess of Wisdom and War.】
Wow.
It really was a status window.
Translator’s Note: [1] ↩
