Episode 949 Divine Power – 3
Faith is a concept of satisfying deficiencies by supplementing a lacking heart with belief.
God is a being born of faith.
Therefore, all gods ought to look after believers, but just as human hearts differ, gods also have vastly different personalities.
A false god created by blind worship acts as it pleases, despising its believers and even using them as sacrifices for power.
A true god, formed by the addition of sincere faith to a qualified being, embraces his lambs in his arms and enjoys freedom.
In the Great Divergence, true gods and false gods were mixed on both sides.It was a world war between gods seeking chaos and gods desperately trying to prevent it, but there was no such thing as good or evil.
Just because a god is false does not mean he is evil, andjust because a god is true does not mean he is good.
Who is right?
Everything is a battle between right and wrong.Everyone is selfish.
Within the warm embrace of the World Tree, the quintessential true god and mother of the elf race, lies only nature and elves.She even sacrifices the relatively small things that had to be protected alongside them in order to safeguard the greater.
Just as the Desert of Silence was formed in exchange for trapping and annihilating the ancient gods to destroy the continent when it seemed likely to be defeated in the Great Divergence.
No one can blame the World Tree.Because it won.Only the winner is always right. That is the immutable truth of the world.
The following conversation took place in the administrator’s office of the Desert of Silence.
Of course, even if the concept of rank has been implanted, not just anyone can become a transcendent being. Talent must support it. As this intertwines with the process of fate correcting errors, the being destined to become a transcendent being has been fated. One who has mastered transcendence through external influence, whether from a god or fate. That is the ‘Chosen Transcendent.’ If one reaches transcendence by choosing it oneself, one is the ‘Transcendent Who Made the Choice.’ In fact, you are the only being who fits this description. As far as I know.
───… … .
Unlike him, a ‘born transcendent’ has no ideals. Since they literally possessed class from birth, they can handle transcendence even without a firm will.
The first Demon King, the World Tree, you, the Dragon, the Great Demon, etc. would be examples of that.
That is accurate. A born transcendent is the true transcendent in the true sense. Well, although the method may differ, they are also identical to a transcendent who made a choice, in that they achieved transcendence by choosing it themselves.
At this point, Verden had a question.
Then, what happens if a born transcendent being possesses a firm will?
The manager answered in a flustered manner, as if he had never thought about it.
───Abandoning the freedom to go anywhere to walk a solitary path… …In a way, it borders on specialization, but in reality, it is not. There is nowhere higher to go, so focusing on just one thing… …To begin with, the losses far outweigh the gains. The very act of choosing a single ideal places restrictions on one’s choices… …Hmm… …
In conclusion, although they said they were unsure because it was difficult to reach an answer based solely on the main body’s memories, the manager speculated that it would likely be close to self-destruction.
However, there was a higher realm beyond my Master’s imagination. A lofty realm one could ascend by abandoning freedom and choosing ideals.
Verden asks.
“What happens if I attain divinity?”“I know nothing other than that I become a corrupted true god. That is because Verden’s path is one that no one has ever traveled. Both ‘you’ and Oldarc built their towers in their own ways.”
‘You’ became a god with ideals after reaching the pinnacle of the divine realm as a true god from the beginning, abandoning your innate freedom.Oldarc, having completed the realm from the start, later gave up her freedom, attained the status of a true god, and became a god pursuing ideals.
From a perfect god, he became corrupted by giving up his freedom.From an incorruptible being, he became a god who renounced his freedom.
As a result, both reached the same level, but the difference in order led to unique properties based on their respective fundamentals.Their only commonality is that they abandoned freedom while having reached perfection.
“On the other hand, the current Verden has not even reached the ultimate level of the hierarchy. Unless that gap is narrowed, he cannot reach the same height as them… but precisely because of this, he can take a different path. As the one and only being who has become a true god by abandoning freedom, yet has not yet finished growing.”
and.
Divinity and hierarchy exist separately. Even after attaining divinity, one must master the process of ascent through the eight ranks. Since this is the first time since creation that all such changes are taking place within a single body, there are countless ‘possibilities,’ so even I cannot presume to predict the outcome.
Hiante’s eyes glow faintly.
“Infinity.”“…….”“Because that is the way of Verden.”
She turned her back.
“The way to obtain true divinity is simple. It is to realize divine power.”“You mean the divine power that my believer awakened?”“The natural order is that the god handles divine power first, and then it dwells in the believer. In Verden’s case, the order is reversed. Therefore, it is necessary to overturn this inverse order.”
Hiante pointed at the giant tree.
Become one with your inner self and perceive everything connected to your existence.
‘Prepare’ the cultivation ground.That was the advice Hiante gave.
dump.
Verden leaned against the giant tree and sat down. Just as this inner self was Verden’s essence, this massive tree was also Verden.As he touched the giant tree, he felt his self-awareness intensify.
“When you reach the threshold of becoming a god, you can utilize divine power to manifest unique abilities. As you grow into a god, you can hear the prayers of believers, sense their presence, and bestow powers.”“Like Ishur, you mean.”“The God of the Desert was a god close to completion, regardless of his strength. Of course, even though he was completed according to plan, his limitations were clear.”
Verden recalled the memory of fighting against Ishur and the believers of Ishur. He reasoned that since the principles of faith themselves would not be different, referring to the sensations he felt at the time would be of some help.
Then, suddenly, he turned his head.
“Alpha, what’s wrong?”
Alpha has been quiet for a while.
Alpha withdrew his gaze from Hiante and turned toward Verden.
[Nothing. Your Majesty Verden, meditating?]
That is my intention.
I don’t know how long it will take. I didn’t even bother asking Hiante.After all, it will depend on Verden’s capabilities.
“Can you wait for me?”
Of course.
Alpha tapped my small body.
[Alpha will protect His Majesty Verden.]
“okay…….”
Verden smiled sincerely and slowly closed his eyes.His mind soon subsided.
I’ll trust only you.
As Verden began to concentrate, his inner self became dead silent. The forest, where not even the wind blew, became silence itself.
* * *
Silence fell.
… … Talk.
Alpha, having confirmed that Verden had truly entered meditation, came down on the robe. The creature, having set foot on the ground, shifted its gaze.
[Hiante.]
Yes, Alpha.
[Your Majesty Verden. Your Majesty the Demon King. Can’t we get along?]
Hiante’s gaze dwindled.
“If Verden understands Oldark’s ideals, that might be possible. But the ‘possibility’ of that is…….”
Squeak squeak.
The chains of taboo are violently twisted.
Hiante was more restricted than others because she knew too much.Oldark was insane.So insane that it was difficult for her to even speak the information that Verden and Alpha already knew.
[Restrictions of taboo. Information limitation. Acknowledgment.]
Alpha continued to stare at Hiante.
[I consider Hiante an ally for now. In that case, a promise.]
If it’s a promise.
[Later, when you are able to explain everything, answer Alpha’s questions honestly.]
Alpha made a proposal to Hiante with the future in mind, not the present. He anticipated that the knowledge and perspective she possessed—which embodied the concept of time—would be needed later, and sought to secure a commitment immediately.
“It’s a kind of transaction. But don’t transactions usually come with a price?”
[Compensation applies.]
Alpha said confidently.
[A delicious cake for Aisha. A gift.]
Aisha really loves cakes covered in sweet cream. So much so that she hums all day long on days when she gets to eat cake.
Hiante wore a blank expression, then burst into a small laugh.
“Haha… Aisha will like it. Yes… she really will like it.”
[Transaction. Completed?]
“Okay, let’s make a deal.”
Alpha stretched out his arm.Hiante crouched down and reached out his hand.
“But there is a condition. Does it have to be a really delicious cake?”
[Of course. But Alpha also has conditions.]
Alpha added.
[His Majesty Verden must not know of this promise.]
“Verden…?”
[Secret. Confirmed?]
Even Hiante could not immediately guess why Alpha was trying to conceal the promise. However, it was self-evident that there was no ‘possibility’ of Alpha harming Verden.She submitted to the flow before her eyes, just as time does.
“Yes, I promise. That I will keep it a secret.”
[promise.]
And so, the artificial golem and the finger of time became entangled.
* * *
A carriage departing from Bradel, a city in the Ternetian Federation, moves away from the entrance of the Blue Mountains, the second highest mountain range on the continent.
Thump, thump.
Jose climbed the mountain for the first time in a long while, fully prepared. Whether going up or down… he had been alone, but this time he was not.
“I’ll say it again: climbing the Blue Mountains is not easy. You can call the carriage back even now, so why don’t you return to Bradel?”“Absolutely not!”“Me neither!”
Renard and Faye shouted.
“I want to serve God just like you, Uncle!”“I want to become a priest! Just like you!”
During the outbreak of the Blood-Crying Plague… this brother and sister, who fled into the sewers to escape the city’s quarantine, were not quarantined thanks to Jose.As for the younger sister, Faye, she was cured of the Blood-Crying Plague at the brink of death.
The air is cold.It was the chill of the blue mountain range.
Renar and Faye wore thick, magically warm clothing. As they were venturing outside the city for the first time, and into the Blue Mountains for the first time, they were so excited that they could not control the strength of their voices.
Although they knew that the blue mountain range was harsh and dangerous, because Jose was there, the siblings took a bold step forward without any fear.
“I’m hopeless… I wish you could persuade me, Young Lady.”“I am sorry, but this time, I cannot grant your request, Lord Jose.”
Haenel, the daughter of Count Banah—who rules the city of Bradel and is also one of the powerful nobles of the Ternetia Federation—put her hands together.In her hands lay a small statue crafted by Jose.
I want to become a clergyman, too.
Haenel was also on the verge of death due to the Blood-Crying Plague, but thanks to Jose’s divine power, he was able to avoid being added to the list of the dead.In this way, Jose protected the citizens of Bradel from the plague and saved Haenel.
Count Banach is accommodating Jose in various ways to repay that favor, even though he is aware that the divine power does not belong to the Ruas religion.
“Miss Haenel, regardless of our intentions, this power is heresy. That is how the world will view it. If discovered by the Luas Cult, it will not go unnoticed.”“The beings who saved my life are Lord Jose and the god he serves. Even if the world calls them heretics, how could they be heretics to me?”
Haenel wore a broad smile.
“I’m not afraid.”“I’m not scared either.”“Because God protects us.”“…….”
Jose tried to persuade them a few more times, but in the end, he could not send them back.
Then, Haenel whispered secretly.
But to see Jose’s God, don’t you have to go to an ownerless land?
Renard and Faye did not know yet, but Haenel was aware of who Jose’s statue was modeled after.He had seen it in the international newspapers distributed across the continent from Gargant.
I am not going to see God in person.
Jose looked up at the top of the blue mountain range.
The place where the hut stands, where he stayed alone in solitude after losing his wife and children… … the place where he first encountered God and witnessed the creation of the heavens.
I simply follow my heart.
A blue divine power pulsates.And it whispers.
As God descends.
Sculpt a ‘temple’ for the god.
* * *
“……huh?”
Yunia turned her head and unconsciously scratched the back of her neck. It was the very skin where the magic circle serving as the foundation of her great magic was located. Ithad originally been engraved on the back of her hand, but she had asked Verden to move it after hearing that its location could be changed before the Magic Festival.
“What’s wrong?”“Nothing, it just suddenly got itchy.”
Yunia brushed her shoulders.
“So, you’re saying you’re planning to go find a huge treasure with the Golden Skull? More importantly, is your senior okay? Did they say everything’s alright? Huh?”“Ask me one by one.”
Adrian said.
“First of all, there is no problem with the Lord’s safety. He is resting in the Desert of Silence, so if we just wait, he will wake up and return to the continent. Do not worry.”“I’m not worried. Because you’re my senior.”
Even within Eon, no one knows of the Administrator’s existence except for Verden’s closest confidants. It was obvious that chaos would ensue if the identity of the First Demon King’s clone became known.
It is still too early.
Regardless, Junia believed without a doubt that Verden was safe.With a slight tremor in her hands… Junia clearly remembered how serious the injuries her senior had sustained after the battle against the Dark Moon were.
“I’m really fine… no, never mind. Ahem, but why are you taking only me? Where is Cain?”“I’m taking one more person besides you. And I plan to assign Cain a separate mission.”“A mission? What about me?”“It is an important operation requiring secrecy, so it is not suitable for you.”
Adrian looked down at her.
“Because you’re so noisy.”“…….”
Junia wasn’t exactly comfortable around Adrian, but having belonged to the same faction and seen him constantly, the awkwardness had naturally diminished recently.
Enough to reveal emotions.
A vein popped out on Junia’s forehead.
“Just you wait until I become a transcendent being.” “Talk to me after you become one.”
