In myths, gods are often depicted as giants, even if their characteristics vary.

After all, there’s no simpler way to express overwhelming authority than sheer size—a presence so imposing that mere mortals would hesitate to even gaze upon it.

The "Goddess of Nature" isn’t just a creator deity; she is nature itself, making it inevitable for her to be colossal.

When one thinks of nature, images of the vast sky, sprawling lands, and the boundless depths of the ocean come to mind.

Naturally, Hirt, the Goddess of Nature in this world, belongs to this category as well.

“At last, we meet, my child,” Hirt said warmly, crouching to meet me at eye level. Her starry green eyes radiated kindness and affection.

I couldn’t help but stare back, my eyes trembling with awe. Unlike Luminous and Mora, who communicated through disembodied voices, Hirt had manifested in person.

Her modesty was barely preserved by leaves covering her essential parts, yet not a single improper thought crossed my mind. Instead, an inexplicable urge to cling to her like a child surged within me.

But even that desire was suppressed by her overwhelming aura. Hirt was, after all, the Goddess of Nature.

In the face of nature, humanity is helplessly small. Standing before a mountain invokes awe; standing before the Goddess of Nature inspires reverence a thousandfold.

I gazed blankly at Hirt, her radiant smile both gentle and commanding, and finally managed to speak.

“…Hirt, ma’am?”
“Yes, child?”
“Are you truly… the Goddess Hirt?”

It might have seemed like a foolish question, but in my position, it felt natural.

This was a god. Not just any god, but a creator deity—a being synonymous with nature itself.

Unlike Luminous and Mora, who only communicated through their voices, she had fully manifested in front of me. It was overwhelming, and I struggled to process it.

As I floundered, unable to react, Arwen took the initiative.

“Mo-Mother of all beings and precious Goddess of Nature, Hirt! A descendant of the angels greets you!”

Before I realized it, Arwen had disentangled her arm from mine and prostrated herself on the ground. Her body trembled slightly, a testament to her overwhelming emotions.

Even as the Queen of Alvenheim, she was but a creation in the face of a god. And I was no different.

Even if I were Xenon himself, a single word from her could erase me entirely.

Finally comprehending the situation, I hurriedly began to lower myself to the ground, but a gentle hand stopped me.

Swish.

“…Hirt, ma’am?”
“There’s no need for that, child. You’re not yet accustomed to this place, are you?”

Hirt’s hand pressed lightly on my head, her tone soothing and affectionate.

Her touch was gentle, almost like she was petting a small, beloved dog.

That simple act melted away the tension in my heart. For a moment, I even wanted to lean into her touch like a puppy seeking affection.

Was this how Leona felt when I scratched her ears? I smiled faintly, eyes half-closed.

“Mother of Nature, it is an honor to meet you.”
“Oh, my.”
“I thought it would be appropriate to offer my respects.”
“Fufu.”

Hirt chuckled warmly, seemingly pleased with my words.

Then, she withdrew her hand from my head and turned to Arwen.

“You may rise as well. There’s no need to feel burdened, child.”
“Y-Yes…!”

At Hirt’s gentle request—not an order—Arwen slowly lifted her head. Her face betrayed how tense she still was.

Not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, Hirt offered a kind smile to reassure her.

“Lift your head, child. There’s no need to be so nervous.”
“But…”
“As you may have guessed, I am the Goddess of Nature. And nature does not harm anyone ‘intentionally.’ Even if you were to offend me, I could not directly punish you.”

This was a stark contrast to Luminous and Mora. Unlike the twin gods, Hirt could not summon lightning or deliver divine punishment at will.

Even if she could, it was uncertain how she would act or how strong such punishment would be.

Her words weren’t an invitation to commit transgressions but rather an encouragement to feel at ease.

Arwen seemed to understand, as her cautious expression softened slightly. Still, she moved hesitantly, her demeanor resembling that of a skittish squirrel.

Hirt, finding her endearing, smiled again.

Even if Hirt said to relax, her divine presence made it difficult to fully lower one’s guard.

“It took you quite a while to come here,” Hirt said, turning her attention back to me. Her voice was soft, but her tone carried a hint of playful complaint.

It felt like a mix of Luminous and Mora’s temperaments—half scolding, half affectionate.

“I got here eventually,” I replied, feeling a bit more at ease now. “It’s just that meeting you is more difficult than meeting the other two.”
“That’s true. Even if a temple were built in my name, it wouldn’t do much good.”

Hirt nodded as if to acknowledge my excuse.

Unlike the temples dedicated to Luminous and Mora, those built for Hirt served a mostly symbolic purpose. They lacked practical significance, offering no divine blessings or powers.

“To receive my aid, one must rely on rituals like rainmaking ceremonies. That’s why temples for me exist more for symbolic value than functionality.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

“I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore, now that we’ve finally met. Tell me, child, how do you find this world? I imagine it must have been easy to adapt but difficult to grasp its customs.”

Her question was innocent, yet it instantly complicated things.

I glanced at Arwen. Whether Hirt had done so deliberately or simply lacked concern for secrecy, her words essentially confirmed that I was not of this world.

Arwen’s eyes widened in shock, her expression a mix of disbelief and astonishment.

“Oh, was I not supposed to mention that?”

Realizing her slip, Hirt covered her mouth with her hands, her starry eyes widening in surprise. It seemed like an honest mistake rather than a deliberate reveal.

Still, what was said couldn’t be taken back. Arwen had already suspected, and now her suspicions were confirmed.

“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter,” I said, trying to smooth things over. “Arwen had her suspicions already.”

“Y-You really are…” Arwen stammered, her voice trailing off.

“If it’s too much for you, I can turn back time or erase your memories,” Hirt offered, her tone calm and unbothered.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” I replied firmly, shaking my head.

Now that things had come this far, there was no point in hiding the truth. Looking into Hirt’s enormous yet gentle eyes, I decided to speak candidly.

“I’m grateful for everything. Thanks to you and the others, I’ve found happiness in this world. Not only have I achieved recognition beyond anything I could’ve imagined, but I’ve also found love.”

“I’m glad to hear that. If you had been unhappy, we would have felt deeply regretful.”

With a warm smile, Hirt extended her hands toward me.

Before I could react, she gently lifted me, one hand supporting my back and the other beneath my legs.

Bringing me close to her face, she stared deeply into my eyes. Her star-like gaze was so vast and infinite that it felt like facing the universe itself.

As I struggled to process the overwhelming sensation, Hirt began to speak, her voice resounding in my mind like a divine decree.

[As the Mother of All and the Goddess of Nature, I declare…]

Her words reverberated within me, each syllable embedding itself in my mind as if by a divine force.

[You shall be blessed by the pure essence of nature.]

With those words, Hirt leaned in and kissed me lightly.

Well, “lightly” might not be the right word—her lips were so large that they covered my entire face.

The kiss felt… strange. While I could tell there had been contact, there was no lingering sensation. It was more ethereal than physical.

“…Hirt, ma’am?” I asked, bewildered.

Hirt chuckled softly, straightening her legs as she rose to her full height. The movement alone was so majestic that it felt like watching an entire mountain range shift.

“I apologize to my children, but this was the only way to prevent their quarrel,” she said cryptically.

“…”

“Continue to work hard for this world, child.”

Flash!

With those parting words, Hirt dissolved into particles of light, ascending into the sky before dispersing into the atmosphere.

I stared blankly at the spot where she had been.

There, lying on the ground, was a single seed.

It wasn’t an ordinary seed—it was far larger, easily the size of an adult man’s fist.

“…No way.”