Little Pink Starfish

“Lord Amon.”

Nyne called out urgently to Amon. In the meantime, he racked his brain, trying somehow to protect Gwen.

“Lan Gwen is nothing more than a mere human. I don’t know what he possesses, but how could someone like that ever so much as touch a finger to almighty Lord Amon? Nothing in this world could dare to harm you.”

“Nyne…”

Amon looked at him as if finding his words rather endearing, which was rare. But Nyne wasn’t trying to flatter. Amon was immortal. Records passed down from High Priest to High Priest and the memories of the elder priests proved his immortality. Many combat priests had witnessed wounds from beast claws or stabs heal in an instant.

To Nyne, and to the people of Trastasa, Amon was truly omnipotent. Yet Amon’s words contradicted that.

“There exists something in this world that can harm me. Something capable of even taking my life.”

“…What?”

Nyne couldn’t believe it. According to the priests, even if a giant hole were made in Amon’s stomach by a beast’s horn, it would heal in mere seconds. Even if an arm or leg were severed, it would regrow instantly. He couldn’t even imagine what kind of being could harm someone like that.

“Is it… the gods outside of Trastasa?”

“No.”

To Nyne, only another god seemed like a possible threat. Hesitating, he cautiously asked again,

“Then… is it true that something Lan Gwen has could actually harm you?”

“That too… no.”

Amon didn’t seem particularly eager to answer. He merely continued to softly stroke Nyne’s hair, which wasn’t even tangled anymore. Nyne anxiously licked his lips, clenched his fists. After a long silence, he called again.

“Lord Amon, may I ask for a favor?”

“Speak.”

“I would prefer if Resha were no longer allowed to enter your sanctuary.”

It was a request he couldn’t have made if any priests were nearby. Sha Amon was a being who could do anything he pleased. Even Nyne had no right to restrict his actions.

At this point, he didn’t even know if this emotion was jealousy or fear. Most likely the latter. What was certain was that Gwen entering Amon’s sanctuary wasn’t helping Nyne’s peace of mind.

“Am I… not your only consort, Lord Amon?”

Nyne deliberately tried to sound jealous, hoping Amon would interpret it that way. Amon stared quietly at him.

“So I would prefer if I alone could lie in your bed. If you want something else in return, I’ll do my best.”

“…If that’s what you wish, then so be it.”

As was usually the case when Nyne asked for something, Amon agreed without hesitation. As Nyne inwardly sighed in relief, Amon cupped his face and lifted his chin. In a soft, low voice, he said,

“Nyne, there is only one thing I want from you.”

Nyne looked at him wide-eyed, and Amon said,

“Never leave me.”

Amon spoke as though Nyne had tried to run away from him many times. But Nyne had never done so, nor had he ever intended to. That night had only been a sleepwalking-like incident. It wasn’t a difficult promise, so he nodded obediently.

“I will never leave you, Lord Amon.”

“Good. That’s all I need.”

Perhaps thinking Nyne’s mood had improved, Amon headed out of the forest. He personally helped Nyne into the palanquin with hands as gentle as handling a child. Before Amon turned away, Nyne spoke.

“Please… return safely from the beast hunt.”

“A meaningless worry. I am not a being that gets hurt.”

Nyne knew that well. But instead of retracting his words or being disappointed at the cold reply, he answered,

“Still, the act of saying such a thing itself has meaning for me.”

As usual, Amon didn’t seem to understand Nyne’s words. But surprisingly, after a moment of thought, he replied,

“Then you too—don’t get hurt while I’m away.”

Instead of ordering the palanquin to depart right away, Nyne watched Amon’s retreating back. Amon no longer told him not to “deteriorate.”

The next day, Amon departed for the beast hunt.

All day, Nyne was wrapped in questions about what kind of existence could possibly harm a god. He searched through the scriptures again, but they only described how omnipotent Sha Amon was. Nothing about the death of gods.

‘Is it even physically possible to kill a god?’

But Amon wasn’t merely immortal. Even someone like Iyu or Seinca Hoan couldn’t stand a chance against him. Occasionally, during beast hunts, Amon let the beasts scratch or bite him as if it were entertainment.

‘Then maybe it’s something non-physical, like poison…?’

But Amon was a being who chewed and swallowed magical stones and jewels without issue. Sometimes, priests would present delicacies soaked in serpent venom, and he’d eat them without concern. Just as Nyne flipped through another scripture—

“Lord Nyne, Resha Lu Mairi says the preparations you requested are complete.”

“Ah, right.”

Deep in thought, Nyne recalled he had ordered Lu to prepare an outing to the Fifth Tower Gate. It was perfect timing. He wasn’t likely to find anything more in the scriptures anyway, which were half filled with exaggerated praise of Sha. Asking directly would be quicker.

“Then I’ll go out with the Resha for lunch today.”

“Yes, Sha. I will inform the Lotus Hall.”

Resha, once accepted into the Lotus Hall, lived with extremely limited freedom. They were beings who swore to devote their entire lives to Sha’s pleasure, so outings were essentially forbidden. But no matter how much luxury and treasure surrounded them, how could they not long for the outside world? Nyne recalled how much the Resha had enjoyed the Hunting Festival.

The Fifth Tower Gate district housed the nobles and wealthy, second only to the priests of the Fourth Tower. Its streets and buildings were clean and pleasant—a place Nyne sometimes visited when feeling too confined. But because of the distance, they had to take a carriage instead of a palanquin.

After a leisurely preparation, Nyne arrived at the Fifth Tower Gate and looked around. On both sides of the quiet main street were flower beds in full bloom. It was clear the streets had been freshly cleaned in anticipation of Sha Nyne’s procession. No one from the district was in sight, and Nyne gave a wry smile.

Only authorized priests could speak in Sha’s presence. It was believed that only those who dedicated themselves to prayer and devotion could barely escape low birth. Likely, the commoners had hidden away to avoid unintentionally offending him. This was why Nyne hesitated even to descend to the Fifth Tower.

Lu and the Resha had decorated the temple in the district lavishly. Fragrant incense wafted from censers, and long drapes fluttered in the breeze. The table was piled high with extravagant dishes—closer to a feast than a casual outing. The splendidly dressed Resha all bowed in unison.

“We greet the true servant, Sha Nyne.”

Nyne gestured permission to rise and looked around. Everything Lu had prepared for the feast perfectly reflected Nyne’s tastes. Seeing the care and effort put into it, Nyne felt a pang of sympathy. Lu, watching Nyne’s reaction closely, spoke with caution.

“I gave it my all for Sha Nyne.”

“Yes, I can see your devotion.”

Hearing that, deep relief washed over Lu’s tense face. If one enters the Lotus Hall by choice, they should at least look happy—but Lu hadn’t seemed joyful at all. Nyne also hoped Lu would leave the Lotus Hall and return to being his attendant priest. If only this were something that could be resolved with a few strokes of the rod on his calves.

With a quiet sigh, Nyne took the seat of honor, and the Resha also sat. He summoned Lu with a command.

“While we dine, you will attend me.”

“Thank you so much, Sha!”

Lu’s face instantly brightened. Nyne couldn’t coldly reject him forever, so he planned to begin showing a little forgiveness—step by step.