Chapter 461 - 459: Hilia’s Origins
Hilia also learned about this for the first time.
If Rose hadn’t mentioned it, given her habit of minding the presence of flowers, she actually wouldn’t have asked what it was, just assuming it was one of Vanessa’s collectibles.
Now, hearing that the flower is related to her, Hilia hurriedly asked, "What is that flower? Was it left by my parents? Or..."
Vanessa shook her head: "I don’t know either. Before picking you up, I also investigated for a long time, but found nothing. Who your parents are... I’m sorry, Hilia, I have no clues either."
"Alright."
Hilia said disappointedly.
But then she thought about it, her birth parents abandoned her, and it was Vanessa who raised her, so there’s actually no need to specially search.
Finding them or not, it’s all up to fate.
"Does that flower have any special significance?" Hilia asked.
"Yes," Vanessa replied, "that’s a flower of the Star Spirit Tree. Legend says that when the Star Spirit Tree blooms, a favored child of the gods is born. However, the Star Spirit Tree is too tall, so its blooming time is uncertain, and it’s not easy to obtain the blooming flowers, unless you pick them during blooming, otherwise, once they fall, they wilt in the air."
Saying this, she laughed, "Maybe Hilia was born when the Star Spirit Tree bloomed, and it bloomed for your birth."
Hilia tilted her head and thought about it, believing Vanessa’s words might be true.
After all, she summoned the Evil God, which others couldn’t summon no matter how hard they tried, and she did it casually.
In her heart, Hilia asked Rose, "Lord Rose, is what Vanessa’s mother said correct?"
"Close enough, every bloom of a Star Spirit Tree signifies the birth of a newborn receiving its blessing. This newborn isn’t limited to humans, elves, beastmen, or even magical beasts—any could receive the Star Spirit Tree’s blessings." Rose nodded, confirming Vanessa’s words.
"So, am I the ’lucky one,’ hence protected by the Star Spirit Tree flower?"
"Not necessarily." Rose smiled slightly, "The Star Spirit Tree flower and the ’lucky one’ are separate. If you can fly up to pick it, you can get it. It doesn’t seek out the blessed ones. It’s unrelated—
"Otherwise, blessed ones would face two outcomes: being killed or strictly controlled. With the nature of the pantheon, the blessed ones would very likely all be killed."
"Why?" Hilia asked in confusion.
"Because historically, many lucky ones were offspring of gods and humans. Their talents far surpassed human limits effortlessly; some could defeat gods at the holy stage, and the most powerful one even overthrew the Divine King.
"If Star Spirit Tree flowers accompanied the lucky one at birth, they would certainly be killed by passing gods or those at the holy stage, contradicting the blessing of the Star Spirit Tree,"
Rose laughed, "The flower blooms after the blessing, but the Star Spirit Flower isn’t the lucky one’s possession."
Hilia nodded, half-understanding, "So what’s my situation?"
"Rest assured, you don’t have the Star Spirit Tree’s blessing."
"...Alright."
Disappointment again.
Then Rose said, "You’re more special than the lucky ones."
Hilia’s eyes brightened.
Happy again.
She awaited Rose’s elaboration, yet Rose said nothing.
Curiosity overwhelmed her, and after holding back for a while, Hilia asked mournfully, "Lord Rose, where am I special?"
"You summoned me." Rose chuckled, "That’s more special than being a lucky one."
Hilia: "..."
(▼皿▼#) Turns out he’s teasing me, isn’t he?!
While chatting with Rose, Hilia was also conversing with Vanessa.
Vanessa took Hilia to the backyard, looking at the golden flower, "Hilia, I can sense you’ve grown stronger. Maybe in two years, you’ll surpass me, and I’m happy for you. If you wish to seek your origins, I don’t object. However, I fear Vanessa’s mother can’t offer any help."
She shook her head, "I’m just a priest of a small town, unable to aid you. I heard you won the Mage League, perhaps you might seek help from the higher-ups, the Archbishop, the Holy Master, and others."
Hilia said, "I just thought about it suddenly... even if I found them, I wouldn’t go with them. In my heart, Vanessa’s mom is my real mother."
Vanessa smiled, stepping forward, carefully taking down the Star Spirit Flower, and handed it to Hilia.
"Take it. This belongs to you, keeping it in the Divine Hall serves no purpose."
Hilia accepted the Star Spirit Flower, which emitted a gentle glow upon her touch.
A warm feeling emanated from the Star Spirit Flower.
Rose chuckled lightly, "Star Spirit Flowers are high-grade spiritual objects akin to golden apples, beneficial to have with you. Maybe this Star Spirit Flower has some connection with you, but it’s not the time yet. Keep it in the Divine Hall, and take it after you turn eighteen."
Hilia paused and returned the flower.
"Vanessa’s mom, I feel this flower will be useful after I turn eighteen, keeping it in the Divine Hall for now."
Vanessa said, "Keeping it in the Divine Hall is fine, but I worry someone might steal it."
Rose casually said, "It’s not easily stolen. The flower already bears your imprint, and presently, with the mage skill level, Star Spirit Tree flowers are symbolic, serve no practical use."
Star Spirit Tree flowers have a chance to condense Main God-level authority, but it’s just a ’chance,’ not guaranteed, or the world would be overrun with Main Gods, with holy stage individuals not worth much.
Hilia listened to Rose and decisively handed it to Vanessa.
With no choice, Vanessa accepted it.
At that moment, Piggs called them for dinner, saying it was ready.
The two ceased their dilemma, returned the Star Spirit Flower, and went back to the Divine Hall for a meal.
Now, it was noon; the afternoon was ’free clinic’ time, where Vanessa would provide free treatment to townsfolk and mages visiting in admiration in a dedicated room.
Seeing this, Hilia proactively offered to help.
Vanessa didn’t refuse.
Last year, when Hilia assisted with treatments, she left a deep impression on the townsfolk, not easy to forget.
Though Hilia only sat for a day before the Divine Hall was dismantled, the impression remained.
With Hilia’s return to treatment, her proficient Purification Skill, Healing Skill, and life magic power from the Magic Puppet spread through word of mouth, known by all townsfolk.
The next day, Hilia’s side formed a long queue, mostly composed of people with dark ailments Vanessa couldn’t treat.
Even viral diseases, Hilia could forcefully manage with her life magic power.
Except for missing limbs, there was no way currently to grow them back.
For three consecutive days of treatment, Hilia became renowned throughout Star Ash Town, awarded the title of ’Divine Shepherd.’
Until two weeks later.
Hilia prepared to embark on her journey and leave.