HTLCCBFT Chapter 193

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 193

Ah.

The moment it landed in his palm, Oliver’s heart felt as if gently tickled by a soft feather.

In this vast space above the clouds, accessible only to deities and souls, the atmosphere was as serene and tranquil as snow-capped mountains.

Stars formed from souls drifted about, some bright, some dim, lighter than the finest snowflakes.

The soul body of the golden-haired lord, radiating a dazzling brilliance, was also so weightless it seemed to carry not an ounce of substance. He could effortlessly tread upon the boundless expanse of the starry sky, and now, he was carefully supported by the ‘clouds’ solidified from golden mist by the God of Wealth.

Yet this star, nestled in his palm, felt unexpectedly heavy.

“Father.”

Oliver carefully cradled the star, gently holding it against his chest. A faint, unconscious smile touched his lips. “I’ve finally met you.”

Though for him, this was truly their first encounter.

The fused soul was more complete, yet it could not be considered the original one. Still, the profound connection of blood ties remained powerful, not entirely erased by the separation of life and death.

Upon hearing his words, the Kien star suddenly flickered, as if in response or excitement, the alternating rhythm of light and dark growing faster and faster.

The cat god had reverted to the form of a tall young man, quietly observing from the side.

After watching Oliver’s actions for a while, he tilted his head and spoke up, “Oliver, do you wish to take it back?”

He could see that Oliver’s emotions were complex at this moment: a mix of sorrow, joy, and reluctance.

Oliver was slightly surprised. “Can it be taken back?”

The cat god nodded emphatically. “But it cannot return to its original body, nor will it retain any memories.”

In truth, it was an extremely delicate and troublesome task—even for Him, whose divine power far surpassed that of the God of Death, it could not be accomplished by brute force alone. It required the use of the foundational power inherent in the Death Godhood.

This was why Deyth never responded to believers’ troublesome wishes of “resurrecting the dead.”

No matter how devout they were.

But if it was Oliver’s wish, the God of Wealth would not hesitate to seek out the God of Death, who had just stormed off in anger, and compel him to cooperate.

By any means necessary, he would ensure it happened.

“Though I’m deeply moved by your kindness,” Oliver said, shaking his head with a smile, even as the cat god spoke lightly of it without mentioning the complications involved, “truly, it’s not necessary.”

“The rules of life, aging, illness, and death exist for a reason, and there is meaning in abiding by them.” Oliver gently stroked the gradually calming star in his embrace, smiling softly. “As the child my father cherished most in life, I was never able to do anything for him… Now, all I wish is for you to accompany me in sending the souls lingering here—including my father’s—to where they truly belong.”

If he guessed correctly, those wandering in the same vicinity as Emperor Kien were likely his own brothers, who had also fallen victim to Cameron’s treachery, along with the other losers who perished in the coup over a year ago.

The tall, handsome deity gazed at him unblinkingly, the tips of his ears giving a slight twitch. “Alright.”

In the next instant, the golden-haired deity transformed back into a majestic and imposing great cat.

With a gentle tilt of its head, it skillfully nudged its small companion’s soul onto its own head with a slight push.

When it raised its head and abruptly stood up, Oliver lost his balance, nearly thinking he was about to fall.

As he slid down the thick-furred neck toward the back, he instinctively tried to halt his descent and ended up grabbing hold of one of the fluffy cat ears.

Having one of its most sensitive spots suddenly seized, the golden great cat stiffened all over, and the fur on its large tail instantly bristled.

After realizing what he had tightly grasped, a wave of embarrassment washed over Oliver.

“Ah, sorry, sorry.”

Even though the cat god said nothing, he could sense its tension from the noticeably rigid back beneath him.

After repeatedly apologizing, he pretended to be calm as he let go, relaxed his body again, and held onto his father’s securely protected soul, allowing the great cat to carry him.

…Truth be told, it wasn’t entirely his fault for being so unaccustomed and reacting so dramatically.

Burying his face deeply into the great cat’s back, Oliver’s ears and neck flushed red involuntarily, as he silently consoled himself.

…After all, this wasn’t just his first night riding a cat—it was his first night riding a god.

“Oliver.”

Just as Oliver was almost fully convinced, the golden great cat, which had been strangely silent for a while, suddenly turned its head around.

Even through the furry feline face, Oliver could miraculously discern the seriousness in its expression and the gravity in its words: “I won’t let you fall.”

However, after saying this, the divine light in the cat god’s golden eyes faltered slightly due to a belated realization.

It blinked and subtly changed its wording: “But indeed, some safety measures are necessary.”

The term ‘safety measures’ was something it had picked up while assisting Oliver with numerous documents.

Oliver stared at it somewhat blankly for a moment, completely unaware that its heart was torn between “carrying Oliver in its mouth” and “continuing to let him ride on its back,” ultimately settling on the latter with difficulty.

But—

The cunning golden great cat had a sudden inspiration and draped its large tail, imbued with divine sense and something Oliver had always shown great fondness for, over its back, then naturally wrapped it around Oliver’s slender waist.

“This should be safe now.”

After deftly performing this maneuver—impossible for an ordinary cat’s anatomy—it declared with confidence.

Then, as if nothing had happened, it lifted its front paw and silently strode toward the still-wandering souls.

As for the large furry tail wrapped around his waist, Oliver found it both amusing and genuinely appealing.

If the timing weren’t so inappropriate, his “mischievous” self might have even tried petting it a few times.

After all, the cat god was diligently working, while he, not only giving orders but also comfortably riding on its back, would be pushing his luck too far if he took further advantage.

Still.

Oliver simply couldn’t suppress his true feelings.

In his eyes, the large cat that was earnestly and solemnly nudging each star, commanding them to follow behind, and obediently stringing the originally vast starry sea in this area into an incredibly spectacular string of “colored lights” was just as adorable as those kittens he had seen before who tirelessly played with colorful yarn balls… no, even more adorable.

After what felt like an eternity, the Cat-eared God finally completed this task that He was not particularly skilled at.

With a long trail—Oliver turned to look and couldn’t see the end at a glance—of shimmering stars, He earnestly flew toward the Land of Eternal Rest guided by His divinity.

“Just a bit further ahead.”

Upon reaching a silvery-white, ethereal space, the cat god stopped, reluctantly loosening the large tail that had been wrapped around Oliver’s waist.

He carefully placed Oliver on a golden cloud, then solemnly instructed: “Ahead is somewhere Oliver cannot go—it would be dangerous. After I send them in, I will come back for Oliver immediately… Oliver, don’t wander off.”

After all, that was the place where human souls rest eternally, yet no living soul had ever entered it before.

Even with Oliver protected by His divine power, He still wasn’t fully at ease, so He decided to leave Oliver behind for now.

“Mm.” Oliver instinctively wanted to say “thank you,” but remembering the cat god’s earnest and sad protest last time, he swallowed back these overly polite words just in time, instead smiling warmly and saying: “I’ll wait here for you. Thank you for your hard work, dear cat god.”

The cat god’s expression turned seriously conflicted, clearly not fully comfortable with letting Oliver out of His sight, even with His divine sense left behind.

But this seemed to be the best choice under the circumstances…

After hesitating for a long time, He finally lowered His head and picked up the suddenly trembling Kien star.

Then, stepping lightly on His paw pads, He hurriedly led the massive procession of souls behind Him away.

Even though the rarely mature and steady Cat-eared God had instructed him like a child, Oliver himself was never the type of foolishly curious person who wouldn’t heed warnings, so of course he wouldn’t wander around now.

After watching the cat god depart with the dazed stars, Oliver didn’t even take a step, simply sitting down directly on the golden cloud.

He gazed thoughtfully in the direction where the cat god had disappeared.

According to legend, souls would find eternal peace in the Land of Eternal Rest—the specific form was unknown, but most likely they would gradually merge with the world’s laws alongside all other departed lives, becoming part of maintaining the world’s operation.

However, a very few stars would turn into star dust and fall to the human world to be reincarnated.

What was the selection criteria for this? Was it based on the soul’s size, brightness, whether it had gained a deity’s favor, or whether it had divine protection?

Oliver casually considered what might happen after his own death.

And then… he felt a slight shiver run down his spine.

Unconsciously recalling the cat god’s casual tone and the question “Shall I take you back?” he had just uttered, Oliver was overwhelmed by an intense sense of foreboding.

He harbored no greed for immortality, nor had he ever considered exploiting the God’s affection for him to preserve his youth forever. His attitude toward his father Kien would be the same attitude he held toward himself in the future.

But would the cat god, who adored him so deeply, truly accept his aging and death willingly, eventually escorting him all the way to his final resting place?

Oliver couldn’t help but hesitate.

Even if he were confident he could deceive the cat god into doing so, he was utterly unwilling to do it—it would be far too cruel to a nearly eternal God.

When he initially agreed to let the cat god follow him closely, he had assumed it was just a new pastime the God had devised out of boredom to while away the endless stretch of time, and that He would grow tired of it soon.

Now, however, the cat god showed no signs of weariness, and Oliver himself seemed to be growing increasingly dependent on the cat god.

Not for divine power, but… for that meticulous, unwavering companionship.

Yet, no matter what, he did not want the cat god to strip his soul away, place it into an unfamiliar body without memories, and continue accompanying Him through a blank slate, starting anew.

Still.

Deep down, Oliver believed the cat god would never do such a thing.

The cat god not only liked him but had always respected him with an equal gaze. It was impossible for Him to treat Oliver like a toy, the way Deyth might treat a shining soul as a jewel to be collected—

“Hmm?”

In this desolate expanse of pure silver, a familiar voice suddenly rang by his ear.

It struck like a thunderbolt, jolting Oliver out of his deep contemplation.

“Why are you alone here?”

A handsome young man with jet-black hair and eyes, surrounded by swirling dark power of death, happened to wander over. He tilted his head curiously, gazing with keen interest at this dazzling, incredibly attractive human… oh, soul.

Damn.

Oliver’s heart sank.

Of course, he recognized Deyth, the God of Death, whom he had met only once.

“This must be a gift from the god-king to me!”

Before Oliver could speak, Deyth curled his lips into a sly smile and declared it himself.

—Then, without delay, he swiftly reached out and swept Oliver away from that golden cloud.

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