Rosie's Games
Chapter 516 516: The Useless Goddess

Black Forest, North of Dreaston Empire, South of Raston Empire

Situated to the east of Edepes Kingdom, the Black Forest is renowned as one of the most mysterious and perilous places on the continent. The trees here stand like giants, towering closely together, giving the forest a dark ambiance even in daylight. Shafts of sunlight struggle to pierce through the dense canopy, casting an eerie dappled light that plays tricks on your eyes.

There are rumors of strange creatures dwelling deep within the Black Forest—beings with gleaming eyes and haunting calls that send shivers down your spine. No one knows for sure what creatures lurk, as those who ventured too far have often vanished without a trace.

Legends speak of hidden treasures buried deep within, tempting the brave and the foolhardy to seek their fortune. Yet, the forest guards its secrets jealously, leading many to a fate of eternal loss.

In the heart of the Black Forest lies a clearing adorned with strange markings and ancient ruins, hinting at a mysterious past. Some claim it's a gateway to another realm, while others believe it's a gathering place for the forest's spirits.

Travelers are warned to steer clear of the Black Forest, for its allure is tempting but treacherous. If you must pass through, stay close to the edge and never venture deeper unless you're prepared to gamble with fate.

Little known to most, this forest has long been a sanctuary for sorcerers. To them, the forest offers security and a safe haven away from the humans who despise them.

"Grandmother," Lady Josephine bowed to the older woman seated on a wooden chair atop a platform inside a wooden house carved into one of the larger trees. "I've come to seek your advice."

"Did I not instruct you to accompany the goddess?" the woman responded, her wrinkled face stern.

"Grandmother, you must understand. The woman is unaware of her abilities. She is—"

"She is the goddess."

"It's evident she never intended to become one."

"Explain yourself."

"She didn't know what she was or how she came to be. Another sorcerer, the disgraced Atior, led her to believe that all sorcerers are evil. I don't think it's right for me to stay by her side when she herself didn't want to acknowledge what she truly was," Josephine met her grandmother's aged gaze.

Her grandmother was the high sorceress of their tribe, having been alive for over two hundred years and currently the most powerful sorceress in the region.

However, unlike Atior, her grandmother refused to bathe herself in the blood of the young and her enemies, thus, she was not able to maintain her appearance. Sorceresses had their ways of preserving their youth, often involving sacrifices like the blood of animals or even humans.

However, Josephine's grandmother rejected these methods, resulting in her appearance as an older lady, despite Atior being older than her.

"Is that truly the case?" her grandmother asked, seeking the truth.

"Yes," Josephine replied hesitantly.

"You lie," her grandmother accused. "Do you truly see me as a fool?"

"Grandmother—"

"Did you not leave her side because you've taken a liking to someone—a human?"

"I—" Josephine struggled to meet her grandmother's stern gaze.

"Do you truly believe I wouldn't know this because I'm not constantly by your side? If you do, then you may call yourself naive and foolish."

"I apologize. I didn't mean to omit certain information about my travels," Josephine admitted a tinge of regret in her voice.

"Omit?" the older woman's face contorted. "It was your intention to hide him from me knowing he was human!"

"Grandmother," Josephine began, attempting to choose her words carefully. Her grandmother was right. She never intended to tell her about Lachlan. However, she was indeed foolish enough to assume that her grandmother wouldn't see through her lies. Her gaze turned complicated as she thought of Lachlan. "Lachlan Blaize is not like other humans.

He possesses a kind and noble heart. He cares deeply for his people and the land they live on. I've seen it firsthand."

"Kind and noble heart?" her grandmother scoffed. "Humans are driven by greed, ambition, and cruelty. It's in their nature. They destroy the very world they inhabit, exploiting it for their selfish desires."

Josephine furrowed her brow, torn between her love for her grandmother and her belief in Lachlan. "I understand your concerns, but Lachlan is different. He is striving to make a difference, to mend the ways of his kind. He's dedicated to creating harmony between humans and our kind. Moreover… moreover he received the blessing of the goddess. This alone should—"

"Foolish girl!" the older woman sneered. "Did you not know how they were able to have this… what they call blessing? Did you not know how they tricked the goddess into giving them her abilities? You could have chosen any human for this, any human would have sufficed. Instead, you chose someone from the seven families? You chose the very same people who betrayed the goddess we serve!"

Josephine's face reddened in embarrassment. She knew that her grandmother would react like this. She had seen this happening.

"I am not here to argue about the past, grandmother. I am here to—"

"Not here to argue about the past?" her grandmother snorted. "It seems the humans have truly changed your heart."

"I am here to tell you that the demons are coming!" Josephine's voice made her grandmother fall silent. "I know that you, grandmother, are very much aware of this. The goddess that — the goddess that you believed is going to come back is nowhere to be seen. She— She did not want to become a part of this. I implore you, grandmother, to help the humans deal with the demons this time."

"The demons will be dealt with," the old woman uttered. "However, it will not be us who will deal with them."

"What are you—"

"Sorcerers—" her grandmother deliberately paused, staring at her expression. "The magic that we possess comes from the demons. No matter what happens, we will always be inferior to their kind. The goddess, on the other hand—"

"The goddess didn't even want to acknowledge that she is one," Josephine interrupted her grandmother. What was the use of having the reincarnation of the goddess when she is.. useless?