Village Head's Debauchery

"Yes, it exists. Beneath the layer of the Divine Mysteries, there you will find heaven. It is now much more difficult to break into, so attempting to do so would not be an easy feat," the Omnithriallian responded, staring at Orion.

"If you don't believe me, then can you explain where all the true gods are currently? Or why the Divine Mysteries solely focused on aiding beings in ascending to divinity while avoiding harming the Material Realm?"

"In the beginning, there was heaven and the Material Realm. No matter how much time the gods spent in heaven, toying with the Material Realm, it always reforged itself after its destruction, just as the other still exists."

"The only difference now is that it's much harder for the two to meet, making it difficult for anyone to truly understand its existence."

"I speak not for myself but for all members of the Omnithriallian race. I may not have personally agreed to this decision, but I am in support of it. I am certain that everyone will agree as well."

"Naka has committed so many atrocities. Even humans are not exempt from his goal. I am the result of one of his failed experiments. That is why I can use the Vylkr energy. Are you saying that as long as you achieve your goals, you will allow him to do all of this?" Orion responded.

He did his best to remain calm.

"You don't need to worry about that. For all the harm he has done to his fellow humans and will continue to do in the future, Naka will face his own retribution. We have made sure of that. As for the details of that retribution, I cannot share them with you, unfortunately."

"Is it the divine corps?" Orion asked, narrowing his eyes at the Omnithriallian, his suspicion rising.

He had already suspected this from the beginning, but after piecing the clues together, he arrived at a reasonable conclusion.

Apart from the Spirit Beasts, the Divine Corps were the only entities he had seen go toe-to-toe with—and even completely eliminate—the Vylkr spawns.

From the information they had gathered about the Divine Corps, their creator was most likely the sole survivor of the seven great gods, or perhaps she was one of their formidable figures standing behind them.

But if that was the case, it made sense why they acted like this.

There was no response.

Despite the silence, Orion received his answer.

Though he didn't know how the Omnithriallians had managed to do it, it seemed they had indirectly or directly contributed to the existence of the Divine Corps.

"Child, why do you wish to continue chasing such a meaningless pursuit?" The Omnithriallian's voice was tinged with sadness. "Can't you see that I'm doing this for your own good?"

"I understand. I appreciate the care you have shown toward me," Orion responded, nodding.

"I want to know, if I fail to ascend, will I die?" he asked.

"If you fail to ascend, the White Flame will continue to burn. Even your body will not be spared. Your mind might survive since this flame is also a part of you," The Omnithriallian responded.

"But you will become a burning entity with a constant urge to purify everything around you. Neither human nor god. It's a fate far worse than death."

Orion nodded. Aside from the last sentence, it was the same thing General Reynold had told him. Still, he wasn't too surprised. He had noticed this trait from observing General Reynold within the mountain.

Even if his memories were sealed, if General Reynold could fall into such a state, then Orion understood he could also become a victim of it.

"Without the White Flame, could others like me, who can utilise the Vylkr energy, ascend?" he asked again.

"Yes. In truth, this armour only contains a fragment of my consciousness. The rest are scattered across other Vylkr armours," the Omnithriallian said.

"Why do you ask such an irrelevant question? Do you perhaps… plan on rejecting my condition?"

Its tone was filled with questions, its voice tinged with surprise and curiosity. It had never expected Orion to outright reject its condition after everything it had just said.

The Divine Corps?

Naka?

Does he really think he can go against them alone?

Considering his accomplishments, it was worth considering, but it was also too risky. It would be better if he remained in the realm he had built, ensuring that their children had survived.

Meanwhile, Naka continues his goal of breaking into heaven and eliminating the gods.

"Paradise is not limited to this realm. There are Spirit Beasts who have pledged their allegiance to me. There are companions whom I have promised to bring back to Paradise upon uncovering their whereabouts," Orion responded. "If I agree to your condition, it would be the same as betraying them. As the Supreme Leader of Paradise, I cannot do that."

"However, one thing I am ready to do is stop my ascension here. The residents of Paradise are more powerful than you think. They can stand on their own… I trust them to do so," he added, his tone reigniting with confidence.

"I understand that your need for vengeance is strong, so I will not get in your way."

The Omnithriallians were not only the second race in existence but also the second strongest race. Created by the combined efforts of all the ancient divines while they were still in heaven, they possessed a strength he couldn't even fathom—even the ancient gods were afraid of them.

He couldn't bargain against such a being set on revenge.

What could he offer that might change their minds?

Nothing.

He didn't mind putting up a struggle, but just a fragment of its consciousness was enough to dwarf his. Orion understood that if he couldn't resist…

There wouldn't even be a chance to struggle.

What was left was to surrender.

"You know, I have always wanted to ask the ancestors. I wanted to know how it felt to be the second race in existence. Why did you create the human race, leaving us powerless until the emergence of the gods, when our realm was broken through? Are you the ones who created the Spirit realm? How did you all die, and why within the Spirit Realm?" Orion asked.

Since he was unsure when he would meet another Omnithriallian, he decided to use the opportunity to resolve some of the questions that had been at the back of his mind.

Silence descended.

He received no response.

One week passed.

Orion was uncertain about how much time had passed outside, but according to his internal clock, seven days had elapsed. During this period, neither he nor the Omnithriallian had said a word to each other.

Orion felt that the Omnithriallian was weighing this matter carefully, which was a good thing for him.

It meant that the discussion was still open.

Orion didn't know how long it would remain silent, but he wasn't in a hurry to leave. No matter how long it took, as long as there was a chance for him to ascend, he would continue to be patient.

So he continued to wait.

Two weeks later.

Four weeks later.

One month later.

…

Five months later.

Orion slowly began to lose his patience. This reminded him of a similar moment with Oberon. However, that had only lasted a few days before Oberon had given up.

Orion used his imagination to create many constructs to keep himself busy and maintain a sane mind.

…

One year.

Three years.

Five years.

Seven years…

Though time was simply numbers to divine beings, he had never stayed this long without meeting his family or friends. Those connections kept him going.

How could he continue to call himself the Supreme Leader of Paradise if he had remained here all this time, only to give up?

Eight years…

In the seventh month of the eighth year, the Omnithriallian finally uttered a sentence.

"I do not wish for it to be known that a parent struggled with their child because of their own selfish desire. I will put two paths before you: You take my commands to heart, withdraw your companions to Paradise, and permanently reside here."

"By doing so, I will ensure that Naka neither harms you nor Paradise. Regardless of what happens outside this realm, it will not be affected. Whoever attempts to do so will be our enemy and will face our wrath."

"Two, because you have chosen to struggle against your creator's wishes, should you decide to continue as you desire, we will not be held responsible for whatever happens to you or this realm."

"One child chooses to aid in his parents' ambitions. Another wants to go against it."

The buildings, islands, and other constructs Orion had conjured vanished into thin air.

His face was expressionless, and his heart was steady. Thanks to his divine memory, which allowed him to recall specific details in an instant, Orion had managed to remember what their discussion had been about.

....

I'm sorry for the late release.