The Advent Of A God

The morning sun slowly rose, its rays slashing through the darkness of night. The chirping of birds echoed like a gentle melody.

The campfire had long since gone out.

"Wake up… morning has arrived," Lylias said, looking at the peacefully sleeping children. "You're humans, not pigs. Only pigs sleep after the sun comes out..."

But none of them stirred—they remained sound asleep.

"…Well, at least I tried," he muttered. Then, glancing up at the sky, he noticed the bright blue slowly being overtaken by a sheet of dull gray.

With a casual twist of his finger, a small but very real torrent of water fell onto the four children, drenching them—and instantly waking them up.

"What was that?!" Húwen shouted, coughing.

"I thought I was going to die!" Yâwáng exclaimed, shaking his soaked hair.

"There's still water in my nose and ears…" Ying muttered, rubbing his face.

"I'm all wet…" FéiFéi added quietly.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever—get your butts up already," Lylias said, waving dismissively. "We've got a lot to do today. It's going to be a busy one."

He raised his hand. "Now stay still."

Warm air began to flow from his palm, not too hot, just enough to dry their soaked clothes.

"There, all done. And hey, the water cleaned off whatever dirt you had on you too. Call it an early morning bath."

He then pointed his index finger at a nearby rock, and a beam of mana shot out, instantly transmigrating the rock into five toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste.

"What are those...?" Húwen asked, tilting her head.

"These are toothbrushes and toothpaste," Lylias explained. "They're used to clean your teeth and keep them healthy."

He lifted his finger, and the brushes and paste floated into the air, swirling gracefully like a tiny choreographed dance. One toothbrush hovered near each of the children as the toothpaste cap opened on its own, applying just the right amount of paste to each brush.

Lylias then conjured glasses made of ice and filled them with cold water, passing one to each of them.

"Hold the brush like this," he demonstrated, "and gently rub it against your teeth—slowly and smoothly. Not just the front, but the sides, corners, and even the top and bottom."

He then poured the cold water into his mouth, gargled it for a moment, and spat it out onto the ground.

"See? Now do this," he said, tossing the glass and toothbrush back into his player inventory with a flick of his wrist.

"Hai!" they all responded in unison and began brushing their teeth enthusiastically.

"I expect you four to make this a daily habit. That's an order," Lylias said, sitting down on a nearby rock. "Once you're done, we'll eat. Then, we're heading into the city to get you the most expensive clothes money can buy. I don't want anyone calling me cheap."

....

Commerce District, Qiyun Silk Works

"Is this where we're getting our clothes?" Húwen asked.

"Yes," Lylias replied. "At least, that's what the merchant I threatened said—apparently this is the best place for high-quality, expensive silk robes and other fancy stuff."

He paused, then asked, "You all can read and write Mandarin, right?"

"Mandarin? What's that?" Húwen tilted her head. "I think you mentioned that word before, but I forgot to ask."

"It's the language we're speaking right now. It's called Mandarin," Lylias explained. "It's also the language written on the glass sign of this store, and on that—" he pointed, "—logo at the top section of the building."

"Logo?" FéiFéi echoed in confusion.

"Forget that part," he said. "The important thing is: can you all read and write?"

"Hai!" they replied together.

"Great," Lylias said with a nod. Then he glanced around at the people nearby who had begun to stare. "Stop looking over here. Nothing's happening. Unless you want me to kill you."

Instantly, everyone averted their eyes and went back to minding their own business.

"Let's go. But before that—one more thing," Lylias said, pausing at the entrance. "I've been speaking with a rather rough and casual tone because you're children. However, the atmosphere inside will be different. In there, I'll speak in a refined and regal manner, and I expect you all to do the same. If you can't manage that, then at least speak as politely as possible. Understood?"

They nodded, and together they stepped into the shop.

The interior was exquisite—crafted from the finest polished wood, with rows of extravagant robes on display in every size and color. The atmosphere was elegant and luxurious. Staff bustled about the showroom, all of them women. Not a single man was in sight.

Must be a feminist who owns this shop. I can already tell just by the vibe, Lylias thought.

He had always disliked feminists—preaching about equal rights and ideals they didn't truly understand. In his eyes, power was the only thing that mattered. He'd wasted enough time arguing with them on online forums, their words echoing in his mind like static.

"Welcome, Lord Lylias," a voice greeted him warmly.

A middle-aged woman stood before him, dressed in elegant blue silk robes adorned with embroidered rose petals of the same hue. She gave a graceful bow.

"Never did I imagine that my humble establishment would be graced by the presence of someone as regal as yourself."

"Do you see the young ones behind me?" Lylias asked, gesturing toward the four children.

"Yes, I noticed them the moment you arrived," the owner replied, her voice suddenly losing its warmth. "Though I wondered why you brought them here. This place is not meant for their kind—lowlives, inferior blood, and the like…" she said with thinly veiled disdain. "I would have had them beheaded the moment they stepped in, for tainting the atmosphere here. I only held back because they came with you."

The four children looked at her with fearful eyes, shrinking slightly under the weight of her disgust. They wanted to say something—but held their tongues, knowing it was better to let Lylias handle the situation.

"And it's a wonderful thing that you showed restraint," Lylias said calmly. "I've brought these young ones for a purpose—one I don't intend to share. What matters is that I'm here to buy clothes for them. I've heard from many that no other shop provides the kind of quality yours does."

"It is true—none rival our craftsmanship. It will be an honor for me that a being of your grace acknowledges that. I can assure you, you'll find whatever garments you desire," the owner said with a proud smile. "Though… will the children be the only ones receiving clothes, or shall you be selecting something for yourself as well?"

"I have enough clothing of my own," Lylias replied coolly. "Besides, the fashion in this empire is not something I'm accustomed to. I'd rather not."

"I understand," the owner said with a nod. She then clapped her hands sharply, and six staff members emerged from the back. Unlike the other attendants in pale blue robes, these wore elegant green garments—clearly of higher status.

"These are my personal staff, summoned only when dealing with the most distinguished of guests," she explained.

She turned to them and gestured toward the children. "Assist these young ones in selecting proper, well-fitted clothing."

The attendants looked at the four children with the same cold disdain as their mistress.

"Keep your thoughts to yourselves," the owner warned them. "Say nothing that might incur the wrath of Lord Lylias."

Lylias then added, "And just so it's clear in advance—I intend to purchase quite a bit. I want twelve robes for each of them."

"The heavens must truly be gracious today—my profits are going to soar higher than ever," the owner said with a gleam in her eyes, then turned to the staff. "Show them only the best of the best."

"We will," they all replied in unison, bowing respectfully.

"Now, you four go ahead," Lylias said calmly. "I'll remain here for the time being."

The children, though slightly hesitant, followed the staff deeper into the shop to begin selecting their clothes.

The moment they disappeared into the inner chambers, the owner glanced toward one of her robed attendants. "Close the door. Put up the sign that the shop is full."

The staff member bowed and quickly carried out the order.

"Hmm… why the sudden privacy?" Lylias asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's to ensure that no one else enters and disrupts the young ones while they're being served," the owner replied smoothly.

"You are… considerate."

"You flatter me, your grace," she said, fanning herself slightly. "You'll make me blush."

"Oh..." Lylias murmured. Then, with a snap of his fingers, gold coins and radiant gemstones began pouring out of his inventory, cascading across the floor and filling the room with a glittering bounty. The shop owner and her staff gasped in stunned silence.

"I'll use this for payment," he said calmly, "along with this."

From his inventory, he produced an orange-colored potion and handed it to the owner. "This potion can cure any affliction or disease. I trust all of this will suffice. If not, I can provide even more."

The owner stared at the wealth, eyes wide with disbelief. "The gold and gems alone are far more than enough… Why offer me something so invaluable?"

Lylias gave a faint, enigmatic smile. "Let's just say—I know you'll need it."

The woman froze. Her lips trembled. "How... How did you know? My child—she's ill. Stricken with a disease so vile that even after you had her brought back from the hands of death, it remained lodged in her body…"

Wait, what? Lylias blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

But the owner composed herself with a sigh. "Who am I trying to fool? You're a deity, after all. Of course you'd know. And here I was, believing the rumors—that you were a merciless, cruel, and vain man who'd let the world burn just to watch the flames."

That's true though. I don't give a damn about you all, Lylias thought blandly.

"I think we've dwelled enough on this," he said aloud. "Let's wrap this up. I have other matters to attend to. Now… can you get me a chair?"

"At once, your grace. Right away," the owner replied, bowing deeply