The path to the shrine wasn't particularly long.
After about ten minutes, they could already see the snow-white palace at the end of the road.
Different from the cloud-like, dreamlike structures they had seen on Angel Island, this building mainly featured a Gothic architectural style.
The towering spires around the main hall and the huge, colorful stained glass windows appeared exceptionally solemn and majestic.
Before Raleigh's group could approach the main hall, they spotted a tall figure standing at the entrance, gazing in their direction from afar.
"It's God! God has come out personally to welcome us!"
Ban exclaimed excitedly.
As a Divine Guard who had served in Skypiea for over twenty years, he had never seen God show such respect to anyone before. This increasingly demonstrated what an important figure the man walking behind him must be.
The distance between them disappeared after Raleigh took several dozen steps forward. Raleigh calmly looked at the deity standing at the door.
He wore a white robe, sported a long white beard, and possessed a tall, imposing, yet gentle figure.
Ban lowered his head and was about to speak when Gan Fall interrupted him.
"You may go about your duties, Ban. I will personally attend to these two distinguished guests."
Gan Fall's tone was extremely gentle, and neither Raleigh nor Gion found it unpleasant.
Hearing the order, Ban did not make any further moves; he bowed deeply to Gan Fall and Raleigh before leaving the area.
"Welcome, esteemed guests. My name is Gan Fall, and I am the current God of Skypiea."
He gestured to the open doors. "I have invited you here because I need your help with a matter."
Raleigh looked at the gentle deity before him and extended his right hand.
"Hello. My name is Christian Raleigh, a Vice Admiral of the Marines."
He motioned to his companion. "This is my adjutant, Gion, currently holding the rank of Captain in Marine Headquarters."
Raleigh shook Gan Fall's hand, proactively introducing himself and Gion.
After the brief handshake, Gan Fall gestured inside.
"Esteemed Vice Admiral Raleigh and Captain Gion, please follow me into the hall for some tea."
After the three of them took their seats, Gan Fall personally poured tea made from pumpkin juice for Raleigh and Gion before returning to his own seat.
"Vice Admiral Raleigh from the Blue Sea, I know you must have many questions about Skypiea, the White Sea, or even myself. I can answer all your questions, but you must first listen to a story."
Raleigh nodded to indicate he understood.
Even if Gan Fall hadn't mentioned it, Raleigh could roughly guess what the subject was.
Gan Fall's eyes grew profound as his broad hand swept across a map of Skypiea on the table, sinking into memories of the past.
"About 400 years ago, God's Country was a very peaceful and stable place. At that time, we had few resources, and the materials occasionally washed up by the Knock Up Stream became treasured possessions for the residents of Skypiea."
"Although people possessed little, they were all kind and simple-hearted. There were many small islands unintentionally carried up by the streams, which we called Vearth. All Vearth arrived in Skypiea through this method, without exception."
He paused, looking at the soil in a nearby planter.
"In the past, the Vearth washed up ranged from just a few dozen square meters to no more than a few hundred. It was almost impossible for currents to carry up Vearth as large as hundreds of thousands of square meters. But a miracle truly happened before our eyes—Upper Yard suddenly ascended from the Blue Sea below."
"It arrived within the boundaries of Skypiea. All residents believed this was a divine blessing, so they called it the Sacred Island."
Gan Fall's expression darkened with regret.
"However, this island had its own indigenous people—the Shandians. Since it was the first time the God and residents of Skypiea had seen such a large landmass of soil, they grew greedy, believing Upper Yard had appeared specifically for the God to inhabit."
"What happened next is history. The indigenous Shandians were driven out of Upper Yard by the God and residents of that time. Since then, they have called themselves the 'Guerrillas' and have been fighting a war with the residents of Skypiea for four hundred years."
"As the inheritor of my ancestors' deeds, I naturally feel deeply apologetic. For so many years, I have been searching for ways to end the war between the Skypieans and the Shandians, but unfortunately, I have never found one."
Gan Fall looked out the window toward the forest.
"There is a legend passed down on God's Island: when the sacred Upper Yard was born, a beautiful song once echoed in every corner of the island. This marked the beginning of the war. If one day, sacred Upper Yard once again resounds with that beautiful song, that will be the time for the Skypieans and the Shandians to cease their war."
Having said this, Gan Fall stood up and bowed deeply to the seated Raleigh.
"Honorable Raleigh, we Skypieans cannot enter the territory of the Shandians without sparking conflict. From beginning to end, my voice calling for peaceful coexistence has never reached their ears. So I beg you—please enter the territory of the Shandians and convey my request for peace on my behalf."
Raleigh calmly finished the drink in his cup. Just as Gan Fall was feeling somewhat uncertain, Raleigh spoke.
"Honorable Gan Fall, I agree to your request. I will bring your wish for peaceful coexistence to the Shandians."
He set the cup down. "However, I cannot guarantee that they will listen to me. I believe you are aware that during this long war, both sides have accumulated deep-seated hatred that cannot easily be erased by one or two people."
Gan Fall straightened his chest, his expression firm. "I know hatred cannot be easily dissolved, but we must try everything before drawing conclusions. The war must end. Everyone has been hurt too deeply by this conflict."
Raleigh nodded.
Setting aside overly idealistic views, Gan Fall was actually quite a good God—he treated his subjects well and was committed to easing tensions.
The only pity was his lack of raw strength.
In a few years, in the original timeline, he would be overthrown by Enel, who would come from Birka.
But since Raleigh had arrived, Enel would certainly lose any chance of ascending to the throne of God this time.
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