Apocalypse Forecast

Long deep sleep feels like it will never end.

But in the intervals between drowsiness and dizziness, Huai Shi was startled awake by the sound beside him, opened his eyes, and saw the shattered ceiling.

In some abandoned shrine.

Through the collapsed roof, he could see the shining stars, not at all like being in distant space, as if still somewhere in the Current Circumstances.

Beside him, the campfire was burning vigorously, radiating warmth.

Huai Shi tried to move his body, but immediately felt deep-rooted pain all over, unable to move, and even couldn’t feel half of his body...

Numb.

Because there was a husky larger than a motorcycle, half of its butt was pressing against his chest, roasting in front of the fire, sleeping heavily, snoring loudly.

The snot bubbles were huge, and the saliva had accumulated into a large pool on the ground.

In its sleep, its tail was sweeping across his face sporadically, making Huai Shi couldn’t help but sneeze twice, which pushed the dog’s tail along with half of its butt to the side.

Finally, he could breathe easily.

A moment later waking up might have led to amputation.

Huai Shi inhaled sharply, despite the pain, he supported his body and leaned against the wall, looking around.

The empty shrine hadn’t been tidied up; the statue of the God was nowhere to be seen.

Only the sound of conversation came from the direction of the entrance.

It was Iz and someone else.

This prestigious bloodline from America wasn’t smoking a cigar, but was standing beneath the steps, with his head lowered, as if listening to admonishment and guidance.

"...Please convey my thanks to Mamakiria."

The figure with his back to Huai Shi reached out and took a small box from his hand: "Thank her for her foresight and care, I’m sorry I have no means to repay."

"I will."

Iz nodded solemnly, noticing Huai Shi’s gaze, he smiled slightly, and bowed to the God before him: "Then, I shall not disturb further."

"Ah? Leaving already? Not staying awhile longer? Wait a moment..."

Balder, as if performing magic, pulled out a giant jar from the air, and placed it in Iz’s arms: "Since you’re here once, take some honey mead back with you. I just freshly brewed it a few days ago, put it in that thing you call... refrigerator, it should preserve for a long time.

But after it expires, don’t drink it, pour it out, or you’ll get diarrhea."

"Uh..."

Iz holding the jar had a twitch in his expression, nodded: "Please, allow me to take my leave."

"Okay." Balder nodded.

But Iz still stood there without leaving, seemingly waiting for something, and when Balder showed no reaction, he hesitated, looking puzzled.

"Ah yes, almost forgot about your meeting procedure."

Balder raised his hand, slapped his forehead, finally remembered, and directly dipped his hand in the jar, then sprinkled two drops on Iz’s forehead.

"Traveler from afar, I bless you, wish you... wish you..."

He thought for a long time, then seriously said: "Wish you have so much good wine, you can never finish drinking."

It seemed casual, but in truth, it was an incredibly sincere blessing just done like that.

Iz’s expression was complex beyond words, he had never seen such a straightforward blessing, and besides... he didn’t need a blessing, for a prestigious bloodline of the Upper Clan, getting so drunk was too easy, when would there ever be a time without wine?

But after all, it’s a deity’s wish and blessing, a credential for the meeting, as an envoy, what choice did he have?

Just hope Mamakiria can get used to this jar of honey mead.

Thus, Iz from America left with the gift presented by Balder, backing away a few steps, bitterly smiling, then turned around and left.

And in front of the temple, the figure in the radiant light finally looked back.

Smiling.

Sacred and solemn, but unfortunately the range didn’t include that golden Mohican hairstyle on his head... Which seemed particularly out of place.

Making Huai Shi want to pull it off.

"Can’t you change your hairstyle?" Huai Shi slumped against the wall, helplessly complained.

"Born this way, there’s nothing I can do, I’ve gotten used to it."

Balder shrugged, returned to his side, sat cross-legged, opened the lid of the nearby water tank, poured himself a full cup of honey mead, and gave Huai Shi a cup too.

He raised his head, drank it all in one go, like a chubby guy drinking his favorite soda, satisfied, let out a long happy sigh: "It’s so good, didn’t expect to drink honey mead again, long live the current world! Long live the Astronomical Society!"

Huai Shi’s expression twitched too, was this guy really the God of Light or just some nerd?

"Hey, show some dignity as God, will you?"

"But I’m the one who looks least like a god."

Balder awkwardly scratched his head, "Not just unlike a god, even unlike a Viking. My father often said that with this, mortals would have difficulty fearing me.

But in my opinion, whether they fear me or not doesn’t matter, being able to drink and eat meat together is the best."

"Makes sense." Huai Shi nodded.

Drinking and eating meat is indeed the most important.

"Right?" Balder laughed happily, "Cheers!"

Snap.

The crisp sound echoed.

Not from the place of clinking cups, but from Balder’s increasingly ethereal shell.

Huai Shi’s actions paused.

He sensed something wrong...

Balder gradually became embarrassed, shifted his gaze uncomfortably: "Oh dear, it’s coming this soon? A lot faster than originally estimated..."