CHAPTER 66: EMBRACING POWER

’Wait... did I just go out of the church...?’

Justinian stopped, realizing he no longer felt frail and weak like before, no longer needed the divine power of the church to stay afloat; he had now fully recovered.

"What in the gods’ name!?"

Cassia exclaimed, seeing the divine construction now that she had fully awakened, her eyes gleaming as she watched the floating words slowly construct a complex sewage system.

The mechanics of it are even more advanced than those of the king’s city.

"I-incredible...! This is... this is otherworldly!"

"I think that’s an understatement."

Lucan replied to Cassia, who was still cradled in Justinian’s arm, laughing as he followed the movements of the words.

"This feels like a storybook."

As the three of them continued to stare at the divine construction, the rest of the city began to respond, the earthquake waking most and causing them to witness the sight firsthand.

A sight that immediately made everyone pray and stare in awe.

’Wait a minute... miracles are vague... but what if I combine them?’

[False Divine Activated]

Justinian’s form transformed once more, but unlike the lesser form he appeared as in the church, this time it was at full power, his horns and eyes glowing a bright crimson as his veins responded.

This was an experiment that Justinian really wanted to be a success.

’I should take a note from other novels I read... most MCs don’t even care.’

Justinian smirked. Why was he so scared anyway? Was it due to living a normal life as a rich duke? terrified of being a target?

Did he really just forget that he wanted to make this life as exciting as possible, unlike his last?

Justinian tried to focus his mind on granting a miracle, the same process as before, but this time with a scope greater than before.

His miracle this time? To use the current flowing text and have it finish the rest of his capital’s other construction projects.

’I’ll just give the craftsmen guild and Martin a different project to work on after inconveniencing them like this, after they had already been most prepared.’

And just as Justinian granted his miracle, the text responded, more flowing in from of the sky as it began to construct the rest, with Martin’s voice growing even louder, his yelling probably being heard all across the city.

"My vision’s coming true! W-what is this...!? Did the god of labor bless me!"

Martin’s manic awe made Justinian chuckle, not sure how he would react if he told him that he was the reason why everything was happening.

And as for Lucan? he fell straight to his knees at the sight of Justinian’s divine form, which now slowly dissipated as he finished his miracle.

"I’m getting a sense of deja vu here..."

Justinian addressed Lucan, his words making him snap out of his sudden reverence, the joke catching him off guard.

"U-uh... I guess you’re right."

Lucan wasn’t sure how to respond; his reverence was distracted by a dumb remark.

’The best way to remove unnecessary drama is just confusion.’

Justinian returned to look at the flowing text until he felt Cassia tugging at his shirt.

"Huh?"

"Can you let me down now, Justinian?"

"Oh, right."

Justinian crossed his arms, admiring his work, proud of his ingenuity for combining two of his abilities and enhancing his duchy in a span of minutes.

And during that minute was a stream of prestige, all assaulting his senses as he tried to keep his smile.

But in truth, the loud chime of the system was starting to annoy him.

’I like the prestige and all... but does it always have to notify me every time!?’

"Wait... you’re fine!?"

Cassia held Justinian’s shoulders, checking on his condition as she realized Justinian was outside without divine power.

"Are you feeling fine?"

She said, measuring his temperature using the back of her hand.

"I’m fine, I guess the training really did wonders."

"What will you do now, my duke?"

Lucan talked once more from behind, curious about how Justinian would try to explain and respond to this sudden miracle that had been bestowed.

Justinian did tell him and Cassia to stay secretive about his identity, but now that something like this had just happened, it would be nearly impossible to hide his Arcanist identity.

"I’ll own up to it."

"You will!?"

The two expressed their shock.

"I can’t just keep it a secret, can’t I?"

He laughed.

"You two should come with me to the palace to reveal the news."

Justinian began to walk, but Lucan and Cassia stopped him, expressing their concern at their common attire; they didn’t have time to wear their armor, something that important should have them at their best.

"You’ll both be fine."

He grinned.

*** Snowkeep Palace - Outskirts ***

As Justinian had arrived just near the palace, an already growing crowd had arrived before him, all shouting praises and confusion as the divine act was still ongoing.

All of them demanded to see their duke, one who had been missing for weeks already, his condition kept unknown.

"Wait... isn’t that the duke!"

A citizen yelled out, pointing at the three of them, and the rest of the crowd heard his voice.

"Huh!?"

"Really, he’s here!?"

Justinian was caught in a situation he didn’t really expect, making him cross his arms in exasperation.

"H-hello?"

He tried to de-escalate the situation, not realizing he still faintly glowed with divine power.

"By the gods!"

"The rumours really were true... the duke is divine!"

The citizens began to instinctively kneel, the snow-covered floor not even bothering them.

"Ackk!"

Justinian winced slightly, hearing more of the system completely decimate his ears with prestige, even louder than before; he didn’t even know how much he was gaining at this point.

"I didn’t expect to regret my actions this fast..."

He rubbed his ears, trying to make sure his citizens didn’t see his discomfort.

"Let’s go..."

He just sighed, continuing to walk as the crowd parted to give him entry to his palace, hoping he would explain everything after he got dressed.

’I just hope this doesn’t turn into a cult...’