Reborn as the Lord of Goddesses

"To be honest, you can collect random stuff and keep trying the ritual until it works. But, there's a specific material that's said to have a direct connection to the Goddess or her Prophets."

Aldebaran leaned in, curious. "What is it?"

"First, the Whispering Tree Heart Core," the rabbit said, its long ears twitching at the distant sound of timber being chopped. "It's in a dangerous area protected by the Orbivians. Then, there's Spirit Springs, where the Forest Spirit resides. And the last, Moon Blossom Dew, which will show up during the full moon."

"Full moon? You're kidding me," Aldebaran struck in disbelief. "How long until that?"

The rabbit tilted its head, counting on its small fingers. "Hmm... might be about two weeks or more than that," it replied in doubt.

Aldebaran sighed. "Whatever. Just tell me what you know about this Whispering Tree Heart Core."

The rabbit chuckled, scratching the back of its head. "Well, I don't know much about it. But the elders? They had all the stories and knowledge. Let's talk to them!"

"It's not far, is it?"

As they walked through the village, Aldebaran felt the way the residents glared at him. Their eyes were cold, and the whispers carried a clear note of irritation. When he wandered too close to a fruit stall, a woman burst out, her voice shrill with anger.

"You! Stranger! Get out of here! Don't come near my stall!" she snapped.

Aldebaran taken aback. "What's her problem?"

The rabbit's ears drooped as it gave a sad shake of its head. "I'm not sure. Maybe she's had bad experiences with outsiders before?"

"Yeah… could be," Aldebaran replied. His voice had softened, tinged with an unexpected sadness.

Although Aldebaran had lived in this realm, the memories of Earth never left him. The woman's furious expression stirred something buried deep—his mother's face, twisted with the same burning rage. It all came rushing back, feeling unneeded, ignored, and barely acknowledged as her child. The weight of those memories never dulled.

"We're almost there," the rabbit called out. When it turned back, it realized Aldebaran had stopped, standing motionless. His distant gaze and hunched shoulders signaled something was wrong.

Concerned, the rabbit hurried to his side. "What's going on? Are you alright?"

Aldebaran blinked, fighting the water in his eyes. He wiped his face, masking his emotions behind a neutral expression. "It's nothing. Where are we now?"

Only then did Aldebaran notice they'd wandered far from the village. But the scene before him was more unsettling than the distance. He stood in what had once been a lush forest, now reduced to a wasteland of severed trunks and splintered wood. Across a narrow bridge ahead, he spotted a cluster of animals working to rebuild their homes.

As he moved closer, he saw rabbits and beavers, laboring together to mend the destruction. However, the moment Aldebaran stepped into view, the bustling activity ceased. Every creature froze, their eyes fixed on him.

"Father, Mother! Look who I brought!"

A larger rabbit with sleek black fur stepped out, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Meadow, what in the name of Devana are you doing?"

"He's God! He's here to save us!" Meadow announced.

A female rabbit with white fur interrupted, shaking her head. "God? That's impossible! There are no male Gods—only Goddesses!"

A beaver, chewing on a twig, chimed in from the side. "He looks human enough to me. Are you sure he's not here to take our land?"

"No! I'm sure of it!" Meadow cried out, her voice trembling with conviction. "I saw it myself! The light that came down near the place where I always call the Goddess! This must be another form!"

"No way!" Another beaver shouted. "If he's a God, which is ridiculous, then let him show it! Show us the signs that you're one of them!"

A gruff voice from the back of the crowd added fuel to the fire. "He's a fraud, I tell you! A conman in disguise! He's here to take our land! We should get rid of him before it's too late!"

Meadow, distressed, glanced back at Aldebaran with wide, teary eyes. Guilt and desperation mingled in her expression. "No, wait!" She stepped in front of Aldebaran. "Please, show them. Prove to them you're the real God!"

[Aura of God isn't for the Goddesses alone. It's time.]

"Meadow, huh?" Aldebaran's low voice carried a weight that silenced the crowd. His intense gaze locked onto her. "So you are the reason I was brought to this world."

As his words settled, his entire self began to radiate a soft light. It became brighter with each second, until the sheer intensity became overwhelming. Animals nearby fell to their knees or fainted outright, unable to withstand the aura radiated from him.

Meadow shielded her eyes with trembling hands, her breath caught in awe. The light wasn't contained to the small clearing, it burst outward, spilling over the horizon. It reached Oakspire where its brilliance illuminated the sky like a second sun.

"What is that?" murmured a merchant.

"Could it be… the Goddess has come to us?" another voice whispered, tinged with reverence and fear.

The brute who had confronted Aldebaran earlier frowned, his gaze narrowing. His instincts told him something was amiss.

In the shadow of the light, a mysterious figure observed the scene from the edge of the forest near a steep cliff. Her hood concealed her face, but a delicate smile crept onto her lips as she watched the divine light vanish into the river's calm reflection.

Meadow blinked, her vision struggling to adjust. Her blurred sight gradually sharpened, and when her gaze fell upon Aldebaran, she saw him clearly, standing serene and composed. The other rabbits and beavers, still recovering from the shock of the display, were rendered speechless.

Aldebaran's voice broke the silence. "Allow me to make things right," he said, his tone carrying a strange reassurance that calmed the tension. "But first, I need to speak to the Goddess. Will you tell me where to find the materials?"

For a moment, no one moved. Then, an old rabbit comes out. His fur was grayed with age, and his eyebrows were so long they cascaded down his face like streamers. He leaned on a gnarled wooden stick, each step deliberate and labored.

"If what Meadow says is true, then perhaps we still have a hope," the elder said, lifting his frail hand. "Young man, tell me, what is your name?"

Aldebaran knelt before the elder, lowering his head in respect. "My name is Aldebaran."

"Aldebaran," he uttered. "We may be too innocent to see the truth or too foolish to not believe in it. Whether you are a God or a mere mortal matters little if your actions do not reflect the faith you seek."

"Prove your worth to us—not with words, but with deeds. If you show us the strength of your conviction, we will stand beside you. We will help you find the materials you need to reach the Goddess."