Return to Terra

After telling his grandfather his wish, he told his mother and grandmother his plans to return.

His uncle Pontus was in Gaia's realm when Will visited. He asked Will to build him a statue and in return, he grant him a boon as well.

All three were unsurprised and happy. The last person he spoke with was his brother.

"You just got here, and you already want to return? Truly, I am happy for you. But, how shall you hide your divinity?" Philomelus asked.

"I shall use the ring grandmother gave me?" Plutus replied.

"And if you are found out. Terran shall worship you, won't that cause problems for you? Already, people in Terra know of your divinity?" Philomelus warned.

"Mother has agreed to wipe my demigod status from their minds. They'll just remember I'm strong, but not a demigod," Plutus explained.

"Was that your wish? To have mother wipe their minds to prevent gods from warring against you?" he asked curiously.

"No, I wished for something else. Mother decided to wipe the humans' minds on her own. She called it a late marriage gift," Plutus said embarrassed.

"Ha-Ha," Philomelus laughed loudly grabbing his chest. "Yes, mother did say she like Elizabeth. She told me might appoint Elizabeth her newest apostle."

"Be safe, while I'm gone. Earn more Faith Points! If you want, I'm happy to trade you mine for a few plows," Plutus said sliding the ring on his finger.

Philomelus was surprised by his brother's comment and seeing his golden aura disappear.

"Farewell brother, I'll see you soon!" he said hugging Will farewell.

Will looked at his brother before teleporting himself back to Terra. Under cover of darkness, he cloaked his return to the planet and the site where he killed Thanatos.

When he returned to Terra, it was already early morning the next day. And to his surprise he saw a white stone obelisk with a gold cap, that told the story of his victory over Thanatos.

He could feel the mantle array protecting the obelisk, but what use was an array to God?

Plutus easily phased inside the array and felt the obelisk. He could sense the faith captured in the monument. It was like a satellite without an uplink.

He gently touched the obelisk and inserted his divine power. The obelisk began to glow golden, and an invisible stream of Faith Points shot up into the universe directly to Cockaigne.

After he was done, he set off to the former Rhaziesian imperial capital.

Outside the city, he saw Elder Thaddeus sleeping in a chair outside the gatehouse. Suspiciously, no guards were posted on the capital's wall.

"I knew you come back," he said his eyes still close and head still resting on his chest. "I told everyone the truth. That you were out fighting a strong contingent of demons. I'm sorry I sent you after them," he said looking up at Will with a large smile and red teary eyes.

"It is good to see you, master, Plutus said.

"We looked for you yesterday. We canvassed 20 kilometers but couldn't find you. You must have chased him quite the distance. You look pretty banged up. Your clothes must have ripped during the fighting, are those the demon commanders' clothes?" he asked guiltily.

Plutus sighed, his mother must have implanted the memory of chasing after a rouge demon squad to explain his absence's final fight.

"Master I am fine. Do not despair. I saw the obelisk, I'm sorry I missed such a good fight," he said.

Archimedes looked at Will and then turned his head to Elder Thaddeus.

"Will, where's Nisha? Don't tell me she died?" he asked shocked.

Plutus felt embarrassed, he forgot about Nisha on Olympus and Cockaigne. Not once did he think about his closest companion.

Suddenly a black portal opened and a beautiful black woman with long black hair in a leopard skin print dress, wearing a tiara stepped out and stoop beside him.

Plutus, Elder Thaddeus, and Archimedes were shocked beyond words.

"Greetings," Nisha said

"Nisha," Plutus asked.

"Pl—Will," she replied.

"Is that you?" Plutus wondered, thankful she didn't say his real name.

"Yes, I've just returned from the spirit realm. When you regained your divinity, I gained divinity too due to our spiritual connection.

My people's clan finally has its god. It is thanks to you the Black Panther Clan's fortune shall rise!" she said telepathically hugging Plutus before transforming into her Shadow Leopard form.

Elder Thaddeus and Archimedes looked astonished for a second before, their head glowed goldenly and returned to the norm.

"Oh, there's Nisha. She must have been hiding he said," he said after a few minutes. His mother must have tampered with his brain again.

But Nisha didn't care, she rubbed up against Archimedes greeting him affectionately.

"Master, can you let Lukas and Kallista know I've returned, I'm going to see Elizabeth!" Will said.

"No, wait! You must see the dragons first. After you left the dragon demanded Prince Lukas pay the remainder of the loan. He and his idiot ministers are baffled about what to do," Elder Thaddeus explained.

"Yes master," Will said before he and Nisha teleported to Dragon City.

They arrived outside Mother Tiamat's cave. The mana-laden environment felt wonderful, like nourishment for their mana pools.

The last time they were here, the environment gave them headaches. And they were only able to function because of Cloud Tea.

"We welcome the gods of light to our realm," Mother Tiamat in human form.

"Mother Tiamat, last time I was here, I didn't remember my mother bringing me here to play as a child. I do now. I shall swear to always be a friend to your race," Plutus said handing over 1,000 drachmae.

Where a 1,000 drachmae once seemed like a lot to him now it felt no different than giving someone 1,000 gold.

"You overpaid," she smiled.

"I owe you an indescribable debt. Before I regained my divinity, you helped me gain strength and mental clarity. And for this I'm eternally grateful," Plutus explained.

"How can a servant not serve the divine? My race was created to serve your family and monitor the human colonies. But your words honor this servant greatly," she bowed.

Not just her, but all the other dragons who came to watch their discussions, bowed in respectfully.

"Mother Tiamat, as long as I remain on his planet. I shall grant you a boon. Name that which is in my possession, and it shall be yours!" Plutus announced.

"Priestess Xing'er daughter hatched not long ago. Please, I ask you to allow her to daughter marry your mortal son Edward," Mother Tiamat asked.

"Is that all, do you want nothing more?" Plutus asked.

"Yes. Their offspring may give birth to a demigod. A demigod who shall watch over his planet. There can be no greater honor for a dragon!" she responded.

"Very well, it is done. Make sure to enroll her in the Fermion's Mage Academy when the time comes," Plutus agreed.

For the third time today, Will and Nisha teleported. Their arrival surprised Kurosawa who let out a whimper when they appeared.

"My lord, you scared me," he said trying to regain his composure.

"Kurosawa, announce my return to the city. I shall resume my daily responsibilities. Schedule a meeting for my address with the city administration and trade commissioners. I wish to discuss my post-war plans," Plutus demanded.

"Yes, my lord," Kurosawa bowed.

"Has Edward and Rup—" Plutus wanted to ask, but his divine panel interrupted him with a prompt.

[Your Faith Points in this region as reached the maximum level. Would you like to claim the valley as a divine outpost? Y or N]

He had not seen a screen like this since he founded Cockaigne.

As his outpost, if a demigod, god, or spirit resided in the valley he'd get an announcement.

He quickly selected 'yes,' and another prompt appeared.

[Would you like to consume 50,000 Faith Points to bless your outpost? Y or N].

He quickly selected yes.

[Congratulations, productivity in your outpost increased by 30%, and crop yield increased by 12%. Would you announce your blessing to your city? Y or N].

This time, he selected no.

[Congratulations City Lord, Plutus, the God of Wealth, has blessed your Friendship River Valley. Productivity has increased by 30% and crop yield has increased by 12%.]

"Sire, did you get the same message I have? Plutus, the God of Wealth has blessed our region! Is this what you wanted to address to city administrators and trade commissioners? My lord, is this your god? We must spread this news at once," he said astonished.

Plutus chuckled. Instead of assuming he was a god, he assumed he was an apostle of himself.

"You are free to spread the news about the blessing, and Plutus. But keep the percentages a secret. However, I wish to meet the city administrators and trade commissioner to discuss expanding the city," Plutus advised. A 30% increase in production was too almost great a boon.

"My lord, you are correct, the city has long been overcrowded. Your city has become a beacon of hope and opportunity. Whether it was the plague, famine, or demon invasion people across the Terra have sought safety within our walls.

I wanted to discuss, creating vassal states along Friendship River to alleviate the crowding. Based on my calculations, in 300 years the vassal states would expand to link with Gadreel. If I'm correct, in 300 years Gadreel would be larger than Yorkshire and Tirana," he smiled happily.

"Intriguing, send me your plan and eight proposed vassal sites. Also let Edward and Ruppert know I'm here," Plutus said before disappearing.

Will and Nisha teleported into his manor's foyer, he quickly called out to Elizabeth.

"Will is that you? I knew you'd return!" Elizabeth said happily running downstairs, Edward was not far behind.

Elizabeth happily hugged Will, pressing her head against his chest. Edward too hugged his father from the side.

"How could I leave my family? Life was too lonely without you," Plutus said kissing her forehead and patting Edward on the head.

"Are you here for good?" Elizabeth asked crying tears of happiness.

"Yes, I'm here. I'm done fighting. There's no need to return, the war is over."

When they were alone, Plutus planned to tell her the truth about him and what happened after he died. But Demeter did not alter her memory. Which made it easier to tell her the rest.

"You are the God Plutus, who was banished to another world for your blind selfishness by the Divine Council, and after you died there, you were reincarnated here?" Elizabeth repeated the gist of the story.

"Yes," Plutus said relieved to finally tell her the truth.

Elizabeth took some time to think over the information he told her. To anyone else, the story would seem too fantastical, but Elizabeth had been married to Will for over 20 years. She knew when he was telling the truth, when he was lying, and when he was hiding information.

Finally, she said, "I don't care if you're a mortal, demigod, or god. You're the man I fell in love with, and I'll love you for eternity Will!"

"I love you too Elizabeth!" Plutus said gently kissing her lips.

"There's only one thing, I ask. As long as you're on Terra, please continue to call yourself William vont Ballard. I fear what would happen if this world were the truth. Or even worse, if another god came to Fermion. I'm worried about what might happen to our children," she said frightened.

"Very well. I shall go by Will, once more," Will said grinning.