[Vol. 7] Chapter 160: The Source of Divine Favor
The Human United Kingdom didn’t seem to send any royal family members this time. Instead, their representative was Miss Felina, someone Violet had met once before. As one of the queen’s most trusted aides, she was basically a veteran at handling affairs like this, nothing too surprising there.
As for the Far Northern Snow Kingdom, which Violet wasn’t very familiar with, their representative was a middle-aged man with short ice-blue hair, dressed in lavish attire. According to the introduction, he was the current ruler’s younger brother, making him a high-ranking royal figure. It seemed like their country was taking this conference quite seriously.
It made sense, considering the Snow Kingdom and many northern nations were largely isolated from the southern world due to the thousands of kilometers of freezing tundra that separated them. Their situation was somewhat similar to the Emerald Sea and the Ghost Sea, while this natural barrier prevented foreign invasions, it also made travel extremely difficult.
Apart from enduring extreme sub-zero temperatures, relentless blizzards, and the constant threat of powerful ice-attribute magical beasts, to travel between the northern and southern borders, one must either spend ten-plus days crossing the frigid zone or detour through the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains in the world's west.
This massive, sprawling mountain range was one of the few safe zones that were not affected by the extreme cold, thanks to the protection of the Demon God's power. However, traveling through it was only an option if one was welcomed by the locals.
Although the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains weren’t as xenophobic as the Human United Kingdom, they still weren’t a place where just anyone could freely come and go. On top of that, the detour took months to complete. For northern beings who were naturally accustomed to the cold, braving the frigid zone directly might actually be a faster choice.
Either way, no matter the route, it was clear that the Snow Kingdom’s delegation had put in quite a bit of effort to get to Sainz.
As for the Azure Sky Kingdom from the far south, Violet recognized their representative. It was none other than Hilda Kulk, one of the [Four Wings].
It is said that the [Spryce Island], which she was assigned to protect, was destroyed in an Abyssal invasion, and she barely survived the disaster. After losing her original post, Hilda had since devoted herself to diplomatic work, traveling between floating islands that had been thrown into chaos after the war.
Given her strength and personality, she was indeed a fitting choice to represent the Azure Sky Kingdom at this conference.
As for a certain true goddess, she had most certainly hidden herself within the delegation, keeping a low profile as always.
As for the final speaker, the local Austre Empire’s representative, it was naturally Her Highness Carinvega Frederick, known as the [Empire’s Two-Colored Lotus].
Right now, it was her turn to give a speech on behalf of the Emperor, and while her words were nothing more than the same diplomatic pleasantries the previous speakers had delivered, empty, formal, and predictable. When spoken by her, they seemed to carry a special weight. Her presence alone stirred the crowd, especially those from the Austre Empire, into thunderous applause, pushing the banquet’s atmosphere to a new peak.
Violet stared at the heterochromatic-eyed princess for a long while before furrowing her brows again.
Something still felt off…
The crowd's reaction was simply too enthusiastic.
Sure, it was expected that the Austre Empire's citizens would admire their princess, but what about the foreign delegates, especially those from rival nations? How could they show such unquestioning approval for someone they had never even met before?
Earlier, when the other representatives had spoken, the reactions were mixed. Some applauded, some stayed silent, and some even showed hostility. That was the normal kind of response in an event like this.
But now? Something wasn’t right.
If something seems unnatural, there’s usually a reason behind it.
Even her [Yin-Yang Eyes] revealed nothing visibly strange, she could still sense it. A force field subtly radiating outward from Princess Carinvega as she spoke.
It wasn’t targeted. It spread naturally, like sound or light, unbiasedly covering the entire hall. Every important figure nearby, including the toy bear hosts and the audience below, was affected by it. Even those with powerful artifacts, like the Judgment Saintess or Leilla and Rene the Angels, seemed completely unaware.
Because this wasn’t a physical energy, nor was it a mental attack. Even Violet, despite sensing its presence, couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
However, there was still one exception in the room.
"Looks like you’ve noticed it too."
A teasing voice suddenly sounded in Violet’s ear. She turned slightly and saw Sethlin with a knowing smirk.
Although Princess Carinvega was one of the "anomalies" Sethlin had previously mentioned, the goddess didn’t seem particularly concerned. Perhaps it was because this anomaly didn’t directly relate to her domain of Life. Instead, she made a casual remark:
"That girl possesses a rather unusual power, Violet. I heard you’ve been doing some experiments with those two vampire maids lately, doesn’t this remind you of something?"
"!"
Like a bolt of lightning striking her mind, Violet suddenly realized something!
"Oh! You mean... Carinvega is using something like ‘contaminated information’ to influence people's minds? That invisible force field, it’s an ‘information flow’?"
Sethlin pondered for a moment before nodding.
"You've mentioned similar terms before. It’s actually a fitting description. But if I were to interpret it my way, I’d call it a blessing or rather… a divine authority."
She then glanced at Violet and asked, "You remember what a [God's Favored] is, don’t you?"
Violet blinked, slightly caught off guard by the sudden mention of that term. But after a moment, she nodded.
"You mean those people who are born with special abilities, ones that aren’t combat-related, don’t require magic, and can be used effortlessly? Of course, I remember. I’ve met quite a few of them before. Wait… are you saying—?"
Sethlin confirmed her suspicion.
"That’s right. Princess Carinvega is likely a [God's Favored] as well. However… her case is quite unusual. Even among others like her, she seems to be an exception."
Sethlin continued, her tone turning more serious.
"Actually, calling it a 'special ability' isn’t entirely accurate. You should know, back in Seth's era, there were no [God's Favored] at all. They simply didn’t exist.”
"Ever since I was resurrected and came into contact with them, I’ve been investigating. And only recently, after certain events, I’ve finally confirmed my theory."
Sethlin let out a quiet sigh, her gaze fixed on the heterochromatic-eyed girl standing on the stage. With a helpless smile, she mused:
"[God's Favored]... Whoever came up with that name really chose something fitting. But unfortunately, these children are not actually ‘blessed’ by the gods. Or rather, not by the gods' will. You and I both know, there are hardly any true gods left in this world who can still act freely."
She paused briefly before continuing,
"So then, why is a portion of divine power manifesting in mortals in the form of a blessing?"
Violet frowned. "Uh… why? Damn it, stop speaking in riddles!"
Seeing Violet scratch her head in frustration, Sethlin simply shook her head calmly.
"Don't rush. You already know the answer. This realization comes from something you've experienced before. Here’s a hint, [Ghost Ship] and the [Book of Truth]. What are they at their core?"
"Huh? Aren’t those remnants of the God of Truth, Their divinity split apart after Their death… Wait! Are you saying that the [God's Favored] are also—?!"
"Exactly."
Sethlin’s eyes gleamed with a profound depth as she added,
"There is only one kind of power in this world that can be wielded unconditionally, the Laws. Even faith-based magic has its costs. And this is the only logical explanation for the so-called [power of the God's Favored]."
Building on Violet’s realization, Sethlin murmured, as if lost in thought,
"But mortals cannot control Laws. So, more precisely, what they carry are ‘fragments’ of Laws. Mild and non-combat-oriented shards that ordinary souls can withstand."
"Laws are meant to be complete, unbreakable. There shouldn't be ‘fragments’ at all. But after seeing what you found at sea, the remnants of the God of Truth[Surst], Their shattered Divinity, I started to question that assumption. And once I did, everything else started making sense."
Sethlin paused for a moment. Then, at last, she spoke the truth she had long suspected. A truth so overwhelming that she could hardly accept it herself.
"Violet, the gods are gone."
She met Violet’s gaze and declared with solemn certainty,
"I mean truly dead. Not sealed away like the Goddess of Earth once was. Not just their bodies destroyed while their divinity remains. The absolute immortality of the gods… has been completely shattered by some force beyond imagination."