[Vol. 7] Chapter 298: Creation and Gods
"You... Oh! I get it! So the riddle that person was talking about, it was actually you!"
The black-haired girl exclaimed in surprise. The former first king of the Human United Kingdom, who stood before her, gave a slight nod. However, he did not go into the details of the divine secrets. Instead, he smiled calmly and said,
"I can no longer see the future, but the 'fruit' that belongs to the past must reflect the 'cause' from the present. Since I borrowed the power to change destiny from the future, I must contribute my own push when the change is about to occur, at the moment when fate’s turning point arrives."
"This is what Young Melchior, who has waited for a thousand years, must do. To return the borrowed 'fruit' to the 'cause' of the future. So, when that event is about to happen, I, deeply tied to its cause and effect, will naturally sense it and know how to act."
Timos Young put on his magic hat again, pressing his sky-blue short hair underneath, and looked out toward the horizon where the sunlight gently fell, calm and relieved.
"Miss Violet, the causality I, Young Melchior, borrowed from the past has been returned to the one who granted it to the present. Beginning and end form a closed loop. This... is fate."
……………………………………
Outside the world, in the endless void, within a shadowy temple.
The figure, covered entirely in a long robe and hood, appeared to be human, but not a single part of its true body could be seen. Instead, faint grey mist leaked and drifted from its form, standing silently in the center of the hall, staring ahead without a word.
The five shrines, placed side by side, seemed to be the absolute center of this sealed hall. Each one emitted mysterious and strange waves of energy.
On each shrine was a statue made of meticulously crafted metal, several feet tall, each with a unique and distinct form, almost as if they represented certain natural laws of the world. They appeared like beautiful, high-end artifacts, as though displayed by a collector in a showcase. If sold in the mortal world, each could probably fetch an absurdly high price. Provided someone was brave enough to buy them.
"Buzz, buzz~"
Suddenly, two deep grey lights glowed from two of the statues on the shrines, as if they were infused with powerful spiritual energy. One statue, shaped like a flame, began to burn and emit strange light and heat. The other, resembling a ball-shaped slime but covered with numerous sharp spikes of various lengths, slowly began to move like a liquid.
They... came to life.
A deep, ancient voice came from both of the now-transforming statues. The tone was respectful, but each carried its own slight emotional variation, sounding almost human.
[Your Divineness, we have returned.]×2
The figure hidden under the robe and hood gave a small nod, as if already expecting this to happen. Using the same ancient language of the gods, the figure replied calmly.
[Report your findings.]
[Yes, Your Diviness...]
[Let me go first! Let me speak first!]
Just as the spiky slime-like statue began to answer, the gray flame-shaped statue quickly cut in, clearly upset, and started complaining loudly.
[That guy called Timos Young is definitely causing trouble! I warned him again and again not to touch the imperial princess, but something must’ve gone wrong with his brain. He acted behind our backs, showed up in secret, and killed her before I could even stop him!]
[It took me so long to find a host I liked in the mortal world. I slowly drew out the darkness hidden in her heart, helped her adjust to the power of “Nightmares”. She was finally starting to use it! And before I could benefit from it at all, that lunatic suddenly pushed her over the edge! We both ended up badly hurt and I got kicked out of her body. A total disaster! Such a huge loss!]
[Your Divineness, we have to punish Timos Young this time! A mere mortal acting so boldly. He clearly doesn’t respect you at all!!]
After quietly listening to the gray flame's long-winded complaints, the “God” was silent for a moment before speaking again in a calm voice.
[Nightmare and Desecration, do you remember what your mission was this time?]
[Uh...?]
The gray flame paused, clearly not expecting that unrelated question. But the spiky slime’s more steady voice quickly responded instead.
[According to your orders, we descended into the Origin Realm and worked with your messenger, Timos Young, to investigate the god named Violet. We were to gather information on her behavior, personality, relationships, and abilities. Especially her connection to the young dragon and the Goddess of Life, as well as track the one called the "Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden."]
After a short pause, it added, [Also, if possible, we were to help the Austre Empire achieve its strategic goals... that’s all.]
The “God” gave a small nod, and there was a trace of satisfaction in the deep, calm voice.
[Not bad. That was also Timos Young’s task. In truth, while the Twilight Council has some cooperation with that mortal empire, when it comes to priorities, anything related to the gods is far more important than boring political struggles...]
[...I already have a general idea of what happened there. Although he did try to kill Carinvega Frederick, she actually didn’t die. In fact, the event helped show more of [Violet]’s abilities. So overall, he actually did quite a good job.]
[B-but Your Majesty, if that’s the case, then the empire’s plans...]
Seeing that the being called “Nightmare” still wanted to argue, the one in the robe shook their head, already knowing what it was going to say.
[Whether the Austre Empire’s plan goes well or not doesn’t really matter to us. In the end, it was your old habit acting up again. You tried to trick mortals for your own gain during the mission, and now you’ve paid the price. Just take it as a lesson. Next time, things won’t be so easy.]
[Sigh, fine... Wait, Your Divineness, did you just say next time!?]
Noticing that word, Nightmare’s disappointed voice suddenly changed tone. Desecration, who had been quietly listening, also sounded surprised.
[Your Majesty, do you mean...]
[Yes. The Wheel of Fate suddenly appeared in the Origin Realm this time. Although it was forced to retreat after being hit by another power, likely from the Dragon God, the clash between the two has already caused major changes in that world.]
Like a careful scientist, the robed figure explained calmly.
[From what I observed, many of the Wheel of Fate’s high-level causal elements were torn apart during the battle. It was like refining them, turning them into real divine power that scattered across the land. This process is similar to a small-scale creation event. That divine power is now becoming part of the world’s energy cycle, and instead of declining, the Origin Realm’s energy level is now rising sharply.]
[Because of that, many mythical creatures that had been hiding or sleeping will start becoming active again, and the protective barrier that once blocked outsiders will also naturally grow weaker.]
[I believe it won’t be long before you can enter the Origin Realm again without any cost. The Council’s long-term plans are finally about to begin. “Their” predictions were spot on, our next meeting may be happening very soon.]