Ankh looked up at the massive Celestial Spirit King before him, feeling astonished.
'Was the Celestial Spirit King also a God Inheritor?'
'Everything's in chaos... divine power is becoming as common as dirt now...' Ankh grumbled to himself.
Ever since Anko gave him this bracelet, Ankh felt as if he had opened the door to a new world.
Divine traces, which were elusive and rarely seen in the original storyline, now seemed to appear everywhere he went...
The Celestial Spirit King's resonant voice rang out.
"To celebrate Lucy and her companions overcoming disaster and returning safely."
The Celestial Spirit King spread his arms wide and laughed, shouting, "Let's hold a banquet!"
As the words fell, the empty courtyard of the Celestial Spirit World filled with a group of Celestial Spirits running toward everyone.
The Golden Celestial Spirits and various ordinary spirits welcomed the first humans to visit the Celestial Spirit World.
Lucy widened her eyes, looking at Virgo. "What about the crisis of the Celestial Spirit World's destruction?"
Virgo tilted her head, sticking out her tongue with a smile. "Ehehe~"
"Nani?!"
Realizing she had been tricked, Lucy collapsed to the ground.
She had even prepared herself to contribute effort!
Natsu and Gray quickly accepted the situation, slinging their arms around Sagittarius and laughing.
"What's the big deal! You should've told us earlier!"
Loke adjusted his sunglasses, smirking. "We wanted to celebrate with you all along, but unfortunately, we Celestial Spirits can't appear in the human world simultaneously."
The butler spirit Capricorn stood with his hands behind his back, smiling. "We planned all this to make Miss Lucy happy."
The Lyra spirit Lira brought out her harp, shaking her head. "Everyone! Come enjoy the feast!"
Scorpio declared, "This is a special exception made by the Celestial Spirit King."
Aquarius chimed in, "That's right, a one-time special occasion!"
Amid the welcome from the spirits, Ankh and the others were ushered to the feast.
Ankh marveled at the starlight-glowing dishes before him, spearing a piece of meat with his fork and tasting it before exclaiming.
"Amazing! This food is glowing!"
Natsu and Happy were devouring food nearby, their eyes shining as they said, "Delicious! What is all this?"
Cancer held his scissors, explaining, "That's crab seafood pasta with stardust cream."
Aries added, "And that's lamb chops with special lamb sauce."
Both Ankh and Natsu froze mid-bite.
Natsu began crying and apologizing.
"Sorry, sorry! We're eating you!"
Ankh swallowed the lamb chop in his mouth, muttering, "Even though I know spirits are different from animals, this still feels weird..."
Ophiuchus then approached Ankh, offering a plate of terrifying-looking snake meat.
"Ankh, try what I made."
"No... I'll pass..."
Meanwhile, Gray was catching up with Loke, their conversation revolving around the previous S-Class exam.
Aquarius found Juvia, and the two water-affinity women chatted well.
Aquarius was teasing and teaching Juvia methods to find a boyfriend.
She warned that if Juvia didn't learn from her and put in effort soon, she might end up like Lucy.
Aquarius's mentor-like speech won over a water-affinity admirer while inadvertently wounding a blushing blonde girl.
Levy was led to the Celestial Spirit World's library by the Southern Cross spirit Crux, where she became dazzled by piles of books she had never seen before.
Happy cheered and played with a group of Plue spirits.
Carla watched the various Plue forms and mused, "I almost forgot—Plue are spirits too."
Lira played her harp beside the feast, pouring out smooth, beautiful music as everyone immersed themselves in the joyous atmosphere.
The Celestial Spirit King watched Lucy, who was weeping with joy, and broke into a beaming smile.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Ankh.
Ophiuchus, who had been standing by Ankh's side, gave a slight bow to the Celestial Spirit King.
The Celestial Spirit King, looking at the face of God Ankhseram, spoke with deep emotion.
"I never thought I would see you again, Lord Ankhseram."
Ankh was taken aback, then glanced at the others.
They showed no reaction, as if the Celestial Spirit King had blocked their sight and hearing.
Hearing the Celestial Spirit King's respectful words, Ankh asked in confusion.
"Have you met me before?"
The Celestial Spirit King nodded, his gaze distant as he reminisced: "Yes, it was back when I had just been born..."
"Long, long ago, before the Celestial Spirit World came into existence, our creator god, the God of Stars, Laius, one day felt inspired and created a beautiful world where the stars, sun, and moon revolved—the Celestial Spirit World."
"Unsatisfied with the emptiness of the Celestial Spirit World, the God of Stars invited his dear friend, the God of Life and Death—that is, you—to visit the Celestial Spirit World."
Ankh listened in a daze to this mythological tale, feeling as if he were hearing the story of Nüwa creating humans.
And indeed, it was similar.
The Celestial Spirit King continued in a reverent tone:
"Lord Laius requested Lord Ankhseram to assist him with Life Divine Power, to create a unique life form for the Celestial Spirit World—a kind of celestial being capable of wielding various stellar powers, vibrant and diverse."
"Lord Ankhseram agreed and helped Lord Laius create the first Celestial Spirit of the Celestial Spirit World—that is, me."
Ankh drew a sharp breath, staring at the giant old man before him, who was practically as ancient as the Celestial Spirit World itself.
'So, you're basically my creation?'
'Wait... why does my seniority suddenly feel so elevated?'
Like a child, the Celestial Spirit King continued recounting his distant memories.
"After that, the two gods went on to create various Celestial Spirits, until they were satisfied with the completeness of the Celestial Spirit World."
"Later, Lord Laius appointed me as king, entrusting me with the management of the Celestial Spirit World, while Lord Ankhseram commanded us Celestial Spirits to form bonds with humans, thus giving rise to Celestial Spirit Magic."
As he spoke, the Celestial Spirit King's massive form bent toward Ankh, his voice turning solemn.
"After inheriting the Divine Power of the stars, I once heard Lord Laius instruct that if Lord Ankhseram, who had ceased to be a god, were to appear one day, I must spare no effort to assist you."
The Celestial Spirit King extended his hands, and dense starlight gathered and flowed into Ankh's Bracelet of the Gods.
Ankh looked at the newly lit crystal on his wrist, then raised his head to gaze at the enormous Celestial Spirit King while smiling.
"Thank you for your support, Celestial Spirit King."
"In the presence of our Celestial Spirits' creator, I dare not accept the word 'thank you.'"
The Celestial Spirit King withdrew his bowing arm and looked at Ankh, offering his blessing.
"May you attain all that you desire."
Ankh rubbed the crystal on his wrist and smiled.
"I believe I will."
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator