The shore is bustling at this moment.
Besides the town mayor, President Robin and other prominent figures, there are many townsfolk and Adventurers who have come upon hearing the news.
They stand afar on a slightly elevated slope, craning their necks in anticipation, whispering among themselves.
When Gauss and his party arrived, they instantly became the focus of the gathering.
Even those who had never seen Gauss before would quickly realize the moment they saw him, that he was the protagonist of tonight.
He seemed to possess a unique kind of power, which naturally drew everyone’s attention to him.
Or perhaps, many great achievers possess such traits.
Whether it’s the pioneering founders of nations, valiant heroes later renowned, or legendary figures who left a vivid mark in the stream of history, they all had this trait.
Gauss approached the altar.
Despite being called an altar, it was actually a pure white platform by the lakeside.
The Lake God belief had not yet developed to form a church scale, but they still invited venerable local priests to preside over the ceremony.
Mayor Helson watched the scene with a smile.
"Tonight coincides with the full moon, making it a perfect time to host the blessing ceremony. Gauss, please step forward."
Gauss responded with a calm expression, slightly nodding, whispered a few words to his teammates, then followed the priest leading ahead.
He walked slowly towards the circular altar paved with white pebbles by the water.
In the center of the altar, various offerings symbolizing harvest and respect were already displayed.
Dark bread, white bread, ripe golden wheat ears, berries with glistening dewdrops, and so on...
Gauss glanced around, and they were mostly food.
Perhaps because in the stories, the first appearance of the Lake God was related to food falling into water, which led to a certain path dependence in subsequent rituals.
It seems as if the local Lake God is a foodie deity.
"Please stand here."
The elderly priest took the initiative to hang a specially crafted wheat ear ring around Gauss’s neck.
Then Gauss took a few more steps towards the lake.
Moonlight poured down, gently enshrouding his moon-white robe, the white fabric akin to silk illuminated by the moonlight, faintly emitting a snowy glow.
The moonlight seemed to solidify into reality worn on him.
The crowd on the distant slope spontaneously quieted down, eyes fixed on him.
Gauss moved a few steps.
With each step, the curiosity on his face deepened.
Because at this moment, he truly felt that the air around him had undergone some sort of change.
As if an invisible presence was slowly awakening.
"Look over there."
Someone in the crowd glanced at the water, suddenly lowered their volume and spoke to those around them.
The wind in front of Gauss suddenly moved, and the previously smooth mirror-like lake surface rippled with circles emitting a faint blue glow.
The glow emanated not from the moon above, but from the depths of the lake itself, pure and graceful.
At the center of the ripples, the lake water seemed to awaken.
Larger and smaller bubbles surged up from beneath the lake.
Initially, there were only a few, but then they grew more numerous, sky-blue bubbles detached from the lake surface, rapidly converging in the air before Gauss.
Could there... could there really be a "Lake God"?
Gauss blinked his eyes.
Nearby, the elderly priest who was ready to continue hosting the blessing ceremony also fell into a daze.
Who am I? Where am I? What am I here for?
Could the blessing ceremony truly summon the Lake God? He hosted it annually, wouldn’t he know?
This was the first time he encountered such a situation, momentarily bewildered, his pupils rapidly contracting as if experiencing an earthquake.
Did the blessing truly manage to summon the Lake God?
As for the audience on the shore, they were dumbfounded.
Involuntarily covering their wide-open mouths.
A few devout believers shed tears from their eyes, knelt to the ground, facing in the direction of Gauss and the "Lake God", executing the gesture of clasped hands.
Even the moonlit Gauss by the lakeside seemed to become sacred in their eyes.
The bubbles spiraled and converged under the moonlight, finally outlining a grand and graceful humanoid shape.
It didn’t possess a distinct form, more like a mass of flowing water.
But unlike water elements, water giant spirits, and those creatures, its appearance immediately radiated an aura of sanctity.
Gauss faced the other, feeling deeply affected.
He quietly observed the presence.
And could also feel that it was observing him.
Is it truly a deity?
Gauss felt somewhat curious about its existence.
It might be some kind of spirit unfathomable to humans, or perhaps an incarnation of a deity, but in any case, it was not an ordinary creature.
It seemed indifferent to other humans, focusing solely
on Gauss.
Gauss sensed a vast and ancient gentle awareness sweeping over him.
It penetrated his protective field, passed through the moonlit robe, pierced his skin and flesh...
He felt somewhat uncomfortable, as if standing naked before the presence.
Fortunately, in Gauss’s vague feeling, the Adventurer’s Handbook deep within him seemed still very secretive.
The commotion on the shore, whether exclaims, chatter, or prayers seemed distant, as if separated by an invisible barrier enveloping him.
At this moment, only Gauss and the ancient will before him remained in the world.
An ethereal voice echoed in Gauss’s heart.