Volume 1: The Fourth Holy Grail War
Chapter 6: The River’s Blessing
The morning mist lingered above the river, veiling its surface in a pale white haze.
Ren stood alone on the riverbank, quietly watching the current drift toward the distant horizon.
It had become part of his daily routine.
Whenever he found time, he would leave the village and come here.
Not because he had a purpose.
He simply found the sound of flowing water calming.
“…”
Nine years of living in Fairy Britain had taught him many things.
The fairies loved freedom.
They rarely followed rigid rules.
To humans, they often seemed whimsical and unpredictable.
Yet those who earned their trust discovered another side of them.
They laughed.
They worried.
They cherished their companions.
Perhaps…
They were not so different from humans after all.
Ren crouched near the river and dipped his fingers into the cold water.
Small ripples spread across the surface.
Then—
The current suddenly slowed.
“…Hm?”
Ren frowned.
The flowing water gradually became calm.
Not frozen…
Simply still.
As though the entire river had chosen to stop moving.
“…This again…”
It wasn’t the first strange occurrence.
But this was undoubtedly the most obvious.
Before Ren could react—
The still water began to glow.
Tiny blue lights emerged from beneath the river, drifting upward like countless stars.
One…
Ten…
Hundreds…
Thousands.
The entire river shimmered beneath the morning sunlight.
“…Beautiful…”
Even Ren couldn’t help but whisper.
Then—
A gentle laugh echoed across the water.
“You’ve finally come.”
The voice was soft.
Elegant.
Warm.
Yet it carried an indescribable dignity.
Ren’s body instinctively tensed.
He slowly stood.
“…Who’s there?”
The river answered him.
The water rose into the air without a single splash.
Countless droplets gathered together before gradually taking the form of a woman.
Long azure hair cascaded to her waist like flowing water.
Her sapphire eyes reflected the endless river itself.
She wore garments woven from water and light, while countless tiny spirits danced around her.
She smiled gently.
“So this is the child.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“The one the forest treasures.”
“The one the river has waited for.”
Ren stared quietly.
“…River God.”
Although it was his first time seeing her…
He somehow knew.
Perhaps because of Astra Horizon.
Perhaps because of the Simulation.
Or perhaps…
His instincts simply recognized her.
The woman smiled with surprise.
“You recognized me immediately.”
“I suppose destiny truly is an amusing thing.”
She slowly descended until her bare feet lightly touched the river’s surface.
Not a single ripple spread beneath her.
She looked at Ren with curiosity.
“I have watched you since the day you were brought to the village.”
“You have grown well.”
Ren remained calm.
“…You’ve been watching me all these years?”
“I have.”
“There was something…”
“…different about you.”
Her gaze softened.
“The forest welcomes you.”
“The wind follows you.”
“The earth responds to your footsteps.”
“And even this river…”
She placed a hand over her chest.
“…sings whenever you arrive.”
Ren instinctively recalled the mysterious blessing.
Gaia’s Embrace.
Was this its influence?
The River God suddenly chuckled.
“You needn’t look so cautious.”
“If I wished you harm…”
“…we would not be having this conversation.”
Ren smiled awkwardly.
“…Fair point.”
The River God covered her mouth, amused.
“You truly are unlike other children.”
“I’ve never met one who speaks to me so naturally.”
Ren scratched his cheek.
“Maybe because I don’t really see you as frightening.”
“Instead…”
“You feel…”
He searched for the right word.
“…kind.”
For a brief moment—
The River God’s expression froze.
Then she laughed.
It was neither loud nor graceful.
Simply genuine.
“…Kind…”
“It has been a very long time since someone described me that way.”
The river began flowing once more.
The countless blue lights slowly drifted into the sky before disappearing among the trees.
Silence returned.
The River God extended her hand toward Ren.
“I have something for you.”
A small crystal formed from pure water floated above her palm.
Inside it flowed an endless current that never ceased moving.
“It is merely a blessing.”
“It will accompany you as you grow.”
Ren looked at the crystal.
“…Why me?”
The River God answered without hesitation.
“Because I believe one day…”
“…you will stand where countless others cannot.”
“And when that day comes…”
“I hope you’ll remember that there was once a quiet river where someone believed in you.”
Ren remained silent for several moments.
Then he accepted the crystal with both hands.
The moment his fingers touched it—
The crystal dissolved into countless streams of light.
Warmth spread throughout his body.
A familiar notification quietly appeared before his eyes.
══════════════════════════════
Astra Horizon
Special Event Completed.
River God Encounter
Synchronization Successful.
Unique Blessing Received.
> Blessing of the River (Unique)
The flow of water recognizes your existence.
Affinity with water-based mysteries has greatly increased.
Nature’s acceptance has slightly deepened.
══════════════════════════════
The notification disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.
The River God smiled in satisfaction.
“It seems…”
“Even fate approves.”
Ren looked at the river flowing peacefully before him.
“…Thank you.”
She gently shook her head.
“There is no need.”
“This is simply the beginning.”
“The road ahead of you will be unimaginably long.”
“You will meet countless people.”
“You will lose some.”
“You will protect others.”
“And eventually…”
Her gaze drifted toward the endless horizon.
“…you will walk farther than anyone before you.”
Ren followed her gaze.
Beyond the forest…
Beyond Fairy Britain…
Beyond this Simulation…
Lay countless worlds he had yet to see.
His journey had only just begun.
The River God smiled one last time.
“Come visit me again.”
“I do enjoy our conversations.”
With those final words, her body dissolved into flowing water.
The river resumed its natural course, as though nothing had happened.
Only Ren remained standing on the riverbank.
A gentle breeze brushed past him.
He smiled faintly.
“…I think I will.”
As the morning sun rose higher over Fairy Britain, the river continued its endless journey toward the distant horizon, quietly carrying with it the first blessing bestowed upon the child who would one day walk beyond fate itself.
End of Chapter 6