Chapter 81 : Easily Capture Maya

The God of Askar Island

"Yaaaaa~!"

Gasps of panic and exclamations filled the air as everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the loudest sound.

A mysterious man had suddenly appeared beneath the statue, lightning flashing in his eyes like distant stars. In his arms, he cradled the witch Maya. Three gems orbited them slowly, emitting a captivating, enchanting light.

Is that... a god?

This thought crossed everyone's mind, yet none dared voice it, fearing they might offend such divine majesty.

Maya's delicate body trembled continuously, her helpless eyes filled with confusion. She had no idea what to do. Given the circumstances, she didn't dare resist at all.

Hikaru swept his indifferent gaze across the people gathered below the statue. Everyone whose back was touched by that gaze felt a chill run down their spine, their legs trembling. They only dared glance at Hikaru's lower body before quickly lowering their heads again.

As a former witch and the oldest person in town, Elisa believed she was qualified to address the gods, so with a trembling voice she asked:

"You... who are you?"

"Oh? You worship my statue day and night... yet now you cannot recognize the god standing before you?"

Hikaru's voice rang with such overwhelming majesty that it confirmed the suspicions of all the devout believers present.

"Indeed. After all, you are merely ordinary humans. I suspect you might witness the face of a god only once in your lifetime..."

"But..." Elisa suppressed her fear and asked the question foremost in her mind:

"My Lord God... We do not question your identity, but this matter is of great importance... I wonder why your true face... differs from that of the statue?"

"You have never seen me before, so how can you define me so casually?" Hikaru's expression remained unchanged. This question was too simple for him.

"The face on the statue may be how I appeared when I passed through here hundreds or thousands of years ago. Now, you need only remember my current face."

"This..." Elisa pondered for a moment. Who has ever witnessed a god's power? Who would dare demand that a god prove himself?

The sudden darkness that had enveloped the sky and the chaos that had shaken the earth must have been the work of the god before them...

Elisa made her decision and shouted, "We, the faithful believers of this country, pay homage to our Lord God!!"

The crowd immediately echoed her cry: "Greetings to the Lord God!!!"

Even Maya, still in Hikaru's arms, exhaled sweetly and whispered in his ear: "Be... yaaaa~Be with you, Lord God~"

Hikaru's lips curved into a slight smile, and with that, everyone accepted his divine identity.

What surprised him slightly was how well Vivi had developed her Sand-Sand Devil Fruit abilities. She appeared quite talented in that area.

As expected, she was the key to activating "Pluton." In fact, if not for Nefertari D. Lily's decision, she might have become a Celestial Dragon.

"I was summoned here because I heard the sincere calls from your hearts," Hikaru's voice, enhanced by electrical currents, reached everyone's ears, sometimes sounding distant, sometimes near.

"Especially from this charming young woman~ The devotion in her heart shines like a beacon in the darkness, guiding me to this place..."

"Is she the priestess you've offered to me?"

Without waiting for an answer, Hikaru turned his gaze to Maya and said softly:

"I heard your wish to dedicate yourself to the heart of God! I acknowledge you, and grant you the status of God's Consort!"

Maya was bewildered. I want to dedicate myself to God? Since when?

But seeing the fanatical expressions of the believers below, her fear had subsided, replaced by an admiration for Hikaru that bordered on obsession!

The atmosphere had grown so intense that she felt unable to voice any objection, leaving her no choice but to convince herself.

Yes! I must have thought that! I want to dedicate myself to God!

With this thought, Maya's eyes grew firm and filled with "love," and she responded excitedly: "I willingly accept God's gift!"

Hikaru's smile brightened upon hearing this. It seemed he would enjoy the witch Maya's "whisper songs" and "prayer dances" when they returned home that evening.

He waved his hand, and instantly the dark clouds dispersed. The turbulent sand barrier quickly sank into the ground, burying itself deeply without leaving a trace.

Dazzling sunlight once again illuminated the chaotic landscape, allowing everyone to see daylight once more.

"God... a miracle!"

An old man murmured in an incredulous voice.

All strange phenomena vanished, cementing everyone's belief that Hikaru was indeed a god. Seeing him slowly walk away from the statue, they hurriedly bowed their heads to hear the divine will.

"Since among you believers there is someone like Maya who is willing to devote everything to the gods, I have decided to bring Askar Island to my heavenly kingdom, where you will hear the will of the gods at all times."

Elisa's eyes widened in disbelief. Take them to the kingdom of heaven? This was clearly a divine reward!

Excitedly, she took the lead and shouted, "Thank you, Lord God! We shall be ever more devoted and never disappoint you!"

"Be devout and faithful! Honor this gift!"

The believers' fervent voices shook the earth, the madness in their eyes rivaling that of the residents of God Valley.

"Now, go and inform all believers here." After speaking, Hikaru took Maya and the three gems back to the flying carpet hovering in the sky.

After casually handing the gems to Nami, he noticed the curiosity in Maya's eyes and introduced them, "They are my divine consorts, just as you are now."

"Yes!" Away from the frenetic environment, Maya gradually reverted to her natural shyness.

"Are these the legendary gems? They look magnificent and feel so warm and smooth. I can hardly bear to let them go." Nami clutched the three gems tightly to her chest, focusing all her energy on these new treasures.

Hikaru smirked. He had just finished a grand "performance" only to be brought back to reality by her practical reaction.

He gently stroked Maya's slender waist and decided to address her first.

"Your name is Maya?"

Maya was stunned. He truly was a god—he knew her name without introduction.

"Yes, Lord God!"

"Do you know where the Seven Star Sword I left here is located?"

"I do!"

"Please show me the way, my lovely little witch~"

"Of course~" Maya pursed her lips shyly at Hikaru's endearment. After identifying the direction, she pointed toward a distant mountain.

In the next moment, the flying carpet soared forward effortlessly, leaving Maya in awe. With Hikaru still holding her in his arms, she forgot to resist—or rather, she didn't dare to resist and found herself enjoying his embrace.

Maya: A devout witch whose world revolves around endless prayers to the gods. She is determined to dedicate everything she has to the gods—now personified by Hikaru, who has claimed Askar Island as his own.

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