Chapter 743: Earth Goddess’s Divine Trial (3)
“Your request is entirely reasonable,” Xi Wei said, his gaze burning as he looked at the Earth Goddess. “But I wonder if your trial is equally so.”
If the Earth Goddess made an unreasonable demand that Nina couldn’t fulfill, he certainly wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.
Nina watched as Xi Wei and the Earth Goddess engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange. Gradually, she began to piece things together.
She was well aware of how Loli and Ruo Yi had ascended to godhood. Seeing Xi Wei’s cautious demeanor now, along with the sudden appearance of the Earth Goddess, she realized—it seemed it was her turn.
But clearly, this process wouldn’t be easy.
“Hahaha, King of Winter, you don’t have to regard me with such hostility,” the Earth Goddess chuckled. “You and I are not enemies. My foes have always been the Old Ones and those humans who drove my kin into the Gloomy Region. Though you are now the Emperor of Humanity in the North Continent, and I should resent you, I’ve witnessed your tolerance toward dwarves and your care for Nina. Naturally, I won’t deliberately make things difficult for her.”
She raised a finger and smiled.
“My first trial: Brew a wine that can make me drunk!”
Xi Wei had braced himself for some grand challenge from the Earth Goddess, listening intently—only for her to come up with something like this.
A vein throbbed on his forehead.
This didn’t feel like a divine trial. It felt more like the Earth Goddess was exploiting her authority to get herself some fine wine.
The Earth Goddess took one look at Xi Wei’s expression and knew exactly what he was thinking.
“King of Winter, do you think my trial is childish? Too casual?”
“It does seem a bit…”
“No, no, no!” The Earth Goddess wagged her thick finger. “You find it frivolous because you don’t understand my deeper intentions. Do you know which two gods the dwarves worship most?”
“Moradin and you.”
“That’s right!”
The Earth Goddess clapped her hands together. “And you know dwarves adore drinking. Both Moradin and I are devoted to wine—even after becoming gods, we never lost our love for it. But since ascending, we’ve rarely been able to enjoy the pleasure of drinking. Can you imagine the agony of that…?”
Xi Wei’s lips twitched.
And she claimed this wasn’t just about getting wine. She’d practically admitted it herself!
After a long pause, the Earth Goddess seemed to realize she’d strayed off topic and hurriedly steered the conversation back.
“Ahem, in any case, if Nina can brew a wine that satisfies me, she will prove herself worthy of leading the entire dwarven race and earning their faith! We dwarves are simple folk—just a barrel of fine wine is enough!”
She finished with a self-satisfied nod, only to notice the odd looks Xi Wei and Nina were giving her.
“What? Is it too difficult?”
The Earth Goddess awkwardly added, “If it’s really not possible, even a strong liquor that gives me a slight buzz would do.”
Xi Wei took a deep breath. “So this is your only requirement? No additional conditions?”
“Of course. The first trial is just this. You have one month to present the wine.”
One month?
Xi Wei thought that by then, the opportunity would be long gone. He didn’t have time to waste on brewing, though the beer from the System Store clearly wouldn’t cut it. He’d need to set up a distillation apparatus.
“Fine. It’s just wine—Nina and I will brew it for you!” Xi Wei agreed immediately.
“Excellent, King of Winter! I have high hopes for you. Don’t let me down!”
With that, the Earth Goddess retreated back into Nina’s body.
Nina patted herself, then stared blankly at Xi Wei, hoping for some explanation.
“You’ve been chosen by the Earth Goddess,” Xi Wei said gently, stroking her small head. “If you pass the trial, you can inherit her divine position.”
“Like Elder Sister Loli and Elder Sister Ruo Yi?”
A glimmer of light shone in Nina’s eyes.
Becoming a god was the ultimate dream of every living being. Did Nina feel excited to have such an opportunity?
“Yes,” Xi Wei nodded.
But then Nina couldn’t wait to ask, “Does that mean after becoming a goddess, I can help Master even more? Like fighting alongside you or protecting you from harm?”
Xi Wei was taken aback.
So that was why she was happy.
A warmth spread through his heart.
Despite the challenges they’d faced along the way, every one of his maids held him dear, giving without hesitation. They had long repaid any debts of gratitude, yet they remained by his side.
Whether as the King of Winter or as their master, Xi Wei couldn’t betray their expectations.
So he nodded solemnly.
“That’s right, Nina. As the Earth Goddess, you’ll not only assist me in governance but also in battle—just like Loli and Ruo Yi.”
“Okay!”
Nina nodded firmly, clenching her small fists as flames of determination blazed in her eyes.
After steadying her breath, she said to Xi Wei, “Master, I’ve drunk with Master Groin before, and he’s shown me how he brews. I know how to make fine wine. In one month, I’ll definitely brew something that satisfies Her Majesty the Earth Goddess and pass the first trial!”
