"Do not fear the winds of change, for they will always propel you forward!!!"
The sky-blue bird vanished without a trace, leaving only a soft hum echoing in the warehouse. Vi, Powder, and Ekko looked at each other. Vi, who was usually fearless, swallowed hard. "Was that Janna manifesting just now?"
"Duke is lying there, so it must be true!"
Ekko pointed blankly at Duke, who was sprawled on the ground. The five of them exchanged glances, and the next second, they all cheered in unison.
"Wow, we actually saw a god!!"
"It's truly amazing, truly amazing!!"
"Oh my god, I can't wait to tell everyone else this news!"
"Janna, Janna, I'll worship Janna from now on!"
"Duke is also very powerful. Janna was able to manifest because of Duke."
Claggor's reminder quickly brought everyone back to their senses. Vi rushed to Duke's side and helped him up. "Are you alright?"
Duke rubbed the back of his head and grumbled speechlessly, "She really is a petty goddess!"
A huff, tinged with a hint of coquetry, echoed in Duke's ear. Duke looked at the others and tentatively asked, "Did any of you hear someone huff just now?"
"No!"
"It must be your imagination!"
"Did you hear it?"
"It must be because you offended Goddess Janna, so you were punished!"
These people spoke one after another, but Duke sat cross-legged on the floor, a wry smile on his face. He was done for. He had been targeted by Janna, and now he was in trouble.
Although she wasn't a true god, just a wind spirit that survived from ancient times, her status was still very high!
The words Janna said to Duke alone before she left were clearly not a joke, but a serious declaration to him.
She had her eye on him!
Being targeted by such an omnipresent lunatic, Duke could already foresee how difficult his life would become.
"Sigh!"
Duke wished he could slap himself, "My mouth!"
At the same time, he also understood a truth: some gods or holy spirits truly cannot be discussed behind their backs. Talking about those mortal heroes is fine; although it's a bit immoral to badmouth people behind their backs, the other party can't possibly have clairaudience and come directly to trouble him.
But some existences are unpredictable!
Discussing Janna in Zaun is the same as cursing the Bear in Freljord, despising the Iron Man in Noxus, or casually chatting about the Star Spirits in Targon. It attracts the other party's attention, and then the other party forcibly makes you concede.
Duke's shifting expression made Vi worry, and she directly asked, "Are you alright, Duke?"
"I'm fine. Just remember, don't ever speak ill of gods or holy spirits again. I'm a lesson."
Duke stood up from the ground and began to pick and choose again, collecting materials. At the same time, he did not forget to remind them, "Although this time was reckless, all of us have gained Janna's attention. Later, I'll replicate a few copies of the amulet in my hand. All of you take one. If you ever have any difficulties, directly call upon Janna for help."
"Is this appropriate?"
Ekko, who was young but wise, said uneasily, "Won't she blame us?"
"Didn't you hear what she said when she left?"
"The winds of change guide our direction?" Powder spoke thoughtfully, and Duke nodded directly, "Exactly. You have already received Janna's attention, and there's no need to feel burdened when seeking her help!"
"Anyway, it's free, so believe a little!"
Thump!
Duke, whose back of the head was hit again, grimaced and clutched it, roaring into the void, "That's enough!"
"Hmph, rude brat!"
Janna's displeased hum lingered in Duke's ears. Duke immediately began to replicate the amulet, using the cutter made from superman's wisdom tooth to carve on the spot.
If he had offended her, then he had offended her. He might as well cause her some trouble.
"Remember, humans and gods are reciprocal. We provide faith to gods, and gods provide us with protection. Take this. If you have difficulties in the future, seek her out. When you remember, pray a bit and offer some faith. It will make summoning her smoother in the future!"
"This isn't appropriate....."
Ekko was still hesitant, but Mylo snatched the amulet directly, saying delightedly, "Divine favor! How many people wish for it and can't get it!"
"Mylo is right. You can pray to her. Although Janna is as elusive as the wind, she is also a good god, a holy spirit on the side of order. Especially since you are children of Zaun, you are also her children, and you can confide in her freely!"
"Consider yourself sensible!"
Janna's voice echoed in Duke's ears. Duke, deep in thought, picked through the remaining items. After standing up, he stretched lazily. He now had some idea how to deal with this crazy woman.
It just depends on how to handle her!
Perhaps he could get a free laborer!
"I've finished collecting my things and am ready to leave. You four, don't run around. It's very chaotic lately!"
Duke pointedly told Vi and Powder, "Especially you two, never act impulsively when something happens. Think twice before you act!"
"Don't worry, I'll remember!"
Vi, holding the qingniao amulet, nodded to Duke. Duke waved his hand and turned to leave Benso's general store. As for Vi and the others, they exchanged glances.
"How about we try it now?"
Raising his qingniao amulet, Mylo was eager to try, while Claggor nodded repeatedly, holding the amulet in both hands. Vi looked at their expectant gazes, then at Duke's back.
Thinking of how different Duke was now, Vi took a deep breath. She looked at Powder, a smile spreading across her face: "Then let's give it a try!"
"Wind, lead us forward!"
The five of them held their qingniao amulets, praying to Janna. A gentle breeze suddenly rose within the storeroom, and the bluebird patterns on the amulets in everyone's hands emitted a faint blue glow.
"The Incarnation of Wind, at your command!"
....
That night.
The rich district, Colin Workshop.
Duke opened the shop door and poked his head in, looking left and right. Finding no one in the main hall, he breathed a sigh of relief. He swaggered into the shop, plopped down on the workbench, and, touching the newly acquired qingniao amulet, fell into contemplation.
Janna didn't seem to have many believers now, but she still favored the city of Zaun.
That he could summon her today, besides the amulet in his hand, was likely also due to his unintentional preaching to her. Janna, who already had few believers, sensed Duke's unintentional act of preaching, so it wasn't surprising that she came directly.
After all, although gods didn't need to defecate, they still needed to eat!
Rough words, but not unreasonable!
Duke's act of carving and gifting the qingniao amulets to Vi and the others clearly made Janna feel pleased and happy.
After all, Duke had, unintentionally, preached again, and even completed the preaching!
"Perhaps I can use this to turn Janna into my labor force!"
Duke pondered this in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
"Cough!"
The lights suddenly came on. Colin, standing at the staircase, let out a light cough and looked at Duke, saying, "Where were you today?"
Orianna peeked out from behind Colin, her eyes showing a 'you're on your own' expression.
Duke glanced at the amulet in his hand, grasped it tightly, and a smile appeared on his face.
Isn't this a perfect test subject right now?
Duke walked towards Colin and Orianna, displaying the amulet in his hand. "I went to the Undercity today to pray!"
"Pray?"
"Yes, it's a prayer to Janna, the Incarnation of Wind. It's very effective, sir, would you like to try it?"
It doesn't cost anything, so believe a little!