My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 1972

Sven interjected, "So what? Can you get to the point?”

Val chuckled sheepishly.

“Haha, sorry. The older I get, the more I enjoy reminiscing on the past. Alright, I’ll tell you how the story ends. They took my spiritual power as well.”

Sven asked, “What then? What did you get? Since it was a trade, you should have gotten something too.”

“Indeed. However, the trade was not done with them but with the gods instead…”

“W-What do you mean?”

“That merchant was somehow favored by the gods, and he began collecting spiritual power from all places. Everyone who struck a deal with him was also striking a deal with the gods without even realizing it.”

“Without even realizing it?”

“That’s right. Those who partook in the trade could only continue purchasing from the merchant to ensure they received godly powers that would sustain their spiritual power.”

“Then… What… What about you? How are you still able to function without having any spiritual power?”

“I guess that’s what they meant when they said I was a lucky customer. I became one of their test subjects, and the same goes for your sister. The Illuminion used us as test subjects in communicating with the gods,” Val explained.

“We and the merchant were the chosen ones. The gods bestowed their favor upon us, allowing us to draw upon a portion of their godly powers. At the same time, we become the gods’ slaves, and we help in strengthening the people’s belief in them so that they can be awakened even faster.”

“You… too?” Sven chose his words carefully upon hearing that.

“Indeed. Godly powers will bewitch a person, which is why we need spiritual power. The stronger-willed someone is, the greater the control they have over godly powers. Hence, there's a need to remove these external factors. I received godly powers, but I wasn't bewitched.”

“Because of your willpower?”

“No. My spiritual power was already used in trade. I had immunity because of what my mother left behind.”

“Your mother?”

“That’s right. Archaic scripts are a powerful force that has been passed down through the generations in my tribe. One of its most powerful uses is in communication. They wanted to conduct experiments precisely because they couldn't communicate with the gods and could only obey them blindly.”

“So, you convinced the gods?”

“Haha, of course not. They’re extremely arrogant. All I could do was play by the rules of trade and give them my spiritual power in exchange for one condition.”

“What condition?”