Side Story 33: The Pantheon of Light. [Release Version]

“Ahhhhhhh, it’s done! It’s finally done! I’m finally done.”

We turn back time. To the moment when the Origin Gods finished the System upgrade, only having to review and implement it now into the Divine System.

In the realm of the light and clouds, Aurena let out a deep sigh as she rested on her chair, exhausted after finishing her part of the job. After sipping from her tea and taking a bite of a biscuit, she returned to her administrator window.

<Aurena: Are we testing it now?>

<ZephiraBloom: I already tried a few permutations after we finished it. It should be working, although maybe we can call a subordinate god to try it out.>

<MarsvenXmarsveN: I can have my daughters perform some tests. They are currently playing around in the mortal realm.>

<Crustacia-Sama: Hmm? Really? Wouldn’t they just try to pick a fight with Klea’Hatma? Kronnaz can be quite rowdy if she meets with people she doesn’t like.>

<Plesia: Maybe, but I think it’s a yes. The girls have already sent in a request to me about performing a Divine trial. At this point, it’s too late, so let Kronnaz test it out a bit.>

Jeez… those three.

Sisters. Ilsaphone, Vivachel, and Kronnaz — Aurena’s stepsister born from the union between her father Marsven and her stepmother Edna. Despite being over 2500 years old, to the six Origin Gods, these three “half-Edjurls” were still children to them. And to Aurena, they were her lovable younger sisters.

It did wound Aurena that her public relationship with her father and sisters couldn’t be fully acknowledged given the state of their two religions. Aurena had tried to resolve this issue within her own Church, but due to her follower’s inability to fully understand her words and seeing her more as “merciful” and “gracious,” the truth was never really acknowledged.

In contrast, her father Marsven works with a more lax control over his followers. To not worry what they think of him, as they would naturally flock towards him for power and comfort in faith.

He had always advised Aurena not to mind the opinions of her followers, and as such, isn’t interested in the misunderstanding. To him, it only mattered that his family and he knew the truth.

Disregarding whatever his daughters thought on the matter.

<MarsvenXmarsveN: Alright, I’ll send them a notice about it. My fellow Origin Gods, have a good rest. We’ll reconvene once the tests are done.>

Alright, time to handle some tasks.

Free time for Aurena was her returning to her ordinary work. The time of a god might be limitless, but managing and maintaining an entire planet demanded commitment. And for that, Aurena spoke with her angels and aides.

Angels, creations made from a god’s mana using the System as a link for its foundation. Due to this, angels were artificial constructs by nature, similar to the parallel minds from the skill [Parallel Thought]. Aides, on the other hand, were actual mortals turned into a god’s attendants, helping them where angels couldn’t

In the case of a subordinate god, these aides consisted of their followers when they were still alive. More specifically, in Kargryxmor’s case, many of his aides were dragonkins. For example, Nordoramsul, Melloxtressa’s father, was currently working for the God of Dragons in his divine realm.

For an Origin God, though, those attendants were their subordinate gods.

<Aurena: Istari, it has been a long time. Has something happened in my absence?>

<MagicIsEverything: Welcome back, My Goddess. We, your subordinates, are exhilarated to have you back. To answer your question, nothing substantial has happened after what happened in the Folschreck Empire. Your saints and champions have done well, helping the recovery of the sudden tragedies. Lady Andira can tell you more.>

<Aurena: Andira, you may speak.>

<Andira: Thank you, Your Holiness. Some incidents involving demonkins have happened, but please, rest assured that nothing of the same scale has happened. Please, allow me to send you the documentation.>

The Goddess of Equality and Fairness, Andira. Unlike Istari and Kargryxmor, she was not someone Aurena could act freely around due to the former’s intense faith and loyalty to the image of the Goddess of Light. Still, this subordinate goddess was a diligent one, something Aurena appreciated very much, to the point she considered Andira her secretary.

She opened the documents in her administrator window, reading through everything that happened while she isolated herself to update the Divine System with the other Origin Gods. Meanwhile, there was only silence inside the gods’ chat window as she did so.

It was very similar to a company meeting between the executives and their CEO. Whenever Aurena had a question, she would ask her aides for an answer and they would answer, otherwise, everybody remained silent. It was Aurena’s preferred way to work, something everybody had learned over the years they had aided her.

Hmm, the demonkins still haven’t launched another large-scale attack? Only small guerilla movements and such, disregarding whatever we haven’t found out yet. What are they planning?

On the other hand, the Empire seemed to be ready to attack them in retaliation. That was obvious. It was the only outcome, and the demonkins probably planned that. Meaning, there might be another war soon… Meaning conscription from their vassals.

Aurena frowned. Although she had isolated herself from all sorts of work during the System update, she still took her time to monitor and keep up with Hestia’s life. She was her ace in the hole, after all. As such, she had Kargryxmor relay everything he learned to her, as she was far too busy to constantly look through Hestia’s eyes.

As such, she knew how Hestia had allied up with the Kingdom of Artorias and was confident she would somehow do the same with the Republic of Estralia. Due to Artorias being a vassal of the Folschreck Empire, this war would mean Artorias was required to contribute to the war effort by sending resources and men over. This would be normal.

However, Aurena knew Hestia’s identity as a dragon princess and as her Champion wouldn’t stay incognito for long. The demonkins will learn about it, and when they do, they will target her with what they could to bring her down. In this case, it was to cripple Artorias and Estralia. With the Prince of Envy disguising himself as the pope of her Church, this would be a guarantee.

The only thing Aurena could do was to warn Hestia about this and encourage her growth with Kargyxmor’s help. She had to become stronger. She had to be ready and take down the Prince of Envy as soon as possible, then the possibility to make a change in the Folschreck Empire would open.

Her mother could take down the prince easily, but…

It would mean Hestia would be isolated from the mainland of Altrust for four years thanks to her deal with Melloxtressa. In that time, the demonkins could rebuild and anoint a new Prince of Envy, just as they already replaced the previous Prince of Lust. Without Hestia to lead her Church into a brighter future, the cracks underneath its foundation would simply worsen even further without a pope. The ramifications could break everything.

Slow and steady. If we rushed this, it could all backfire.

<Aurena: Alright. Kargryxmor, update on Kargryx.>

<blacktyrantoftheskies: Still nothing. I apologize>

“Haaaaa,” Aurena sighed, massaging her temples at this nuisance.

Kargrxymor had promised her the dragons would remain the world’s protectors after his apotheosis, but time thought little of it. As the ancients were replaced by the old, and the old by the young, the Dragon Empire, Kargryx, had changed under the rule of Kargryxmor’s son, Eltharion.

Hestia truly was their only hope left to convince her father and rally the dragons to the defense of the world. With the demonkins wishing to bring the rule of the Edjurl gods to Peolynca, the dragons were the contingency plan should the Edjurl gods’ arrival were to ever happen. The last thing Aurena wanted was for Goddess Plesia and her father, God Marsven, to fight against them.

The last thing our home needs is a battle between gods. We need to keep them out of our world!

As Aurena thought about how to proceed with the dragons, a message suddenly appeared in the chat, unprompted by her.

<GoddessAurenaIsTheMostMostElegant: Once again, the God of Dragon cannot control the dragons. What use are you? Goddess Aurena! Your Holiness, please, you mustn’t rely on the dragons like this. Your humans have grown much over these two millennials. You must agree with how the Folschreck Empire has grown with your blessing!>

Aurena took a moment as she read the owner of the chat before shaking her head in exasperation.

<Aurena: Erithia, I’ve told you before, you cannot always change your name into something like this! People must be able to know who you are!>

It was Erithia, Goddess of Nobility and Wealth, and the twin sister of Andira. While Andira was the more reserved of the two, Erithia was the sort of person who would proudly boast about her accomplishments and her allegiance with the Goddess. Zealotry and unwavering trust, those were the words to best describe her.

However, despite this personality of hers, Erithia from her experience as a noble lady was a capable human resource manager and commander, far superior in this field compared to her twin sister. She was not shy to grant Divine Quests to the Pantheon’s Saints and Champions, believing guiding them through Quests was the best way for the human race to develop. The truth of such a belief was arguable, but what wasn’t was how she taught the blessed to act like proper heroes, making her one of the reasons for the Church of Aurena’s continued growth.

<GoddessAurenaIsTheMostMostElegant: I-I apologize. Is this name also not to your liking? Please, give me a moment…>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: There! But, pardon me for my rudeness, but wouldn’t this also apply to Istari? His name also does not have his name in it!>

<MagicIsEverything: I am the God of Magic, Lady Erithia. I have magic in my name. It is similar to Kargryxmor, who is using his former title as his admin name. You would easily associate our respective names to either our godly domain or previous lives.>

<Aurena: Also, I did not scold them about their weird names for the umpteenth time, Erithia. Please, stop this. Enough. I have no time for this. What is it you wanted to say again?>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: Ah, yes, right away, Your Holiness. You see, you should know about the Foslchreck Empire’s Hands of Heaven, correct? The order Yeostar and I founded in your honor? Well, they were originally disbanded after the Demon War ended, but they were revived after the Folschreck Empire was founded.>

Aurena remembered. She would do her best to keep herself in touch with her patron race, the humans. Although, Erithia thought Aurena wouldn’t have the time to remember something “trivial” like this, the fact of the matter was that Aurena very much appreciated how an order of knights was founded for her.

The Knights of Aurena were the direct replacement of the Hands of Heaven, but were now under the control of the Church of Aurena. On the other hand, the Hands of Heaven were now the imperial guards of the Holy Emperor of Light. Outside of praying to Yeostar and Erithia when they entered battle, the imperial knights had little resemblance to the old order. They were no longer required to be fully faithful to Aurena.

Aurena knew this, so she wondered what Erithia had in mind.

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: With how things stand, the demonkins have done a terrible, cruel blow to our blessed, targeting them purely to destroy our morale. We cannot accept this. However, due to the inner turmoil of the Church of Aurena from the demonkins, the growth of our blessed and Knight of Aurena is unsatisfactory. Shameful, even. Therefore, I propose we reinstate the Hands of Heavens as another branch of the Church of Aurena.>

<MagicIsEverything: Hmm, are you planning on turning some of them into blessed, Lady Erithia? That probably won’t go well with the Emperor.>

<Andira: I agree, sister. The Holy Emperor of Light might be humankind’s stalwart champion against the enemies of the Church of Aurena, but that doesn’t mean we can do this. We would strip power from him and hand it over to the Church.>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: Of course, I already know that, but with the Hands of Heaven we can potentially remove the Prince of Envy from his falsely taken throne. We must remove the parasite on top of the Church first, before we can begin our recovery. Once he is removed, the Holy Emperor of Light and the Chief Knight of the Hands of Heaven will prevent our Church from falling apart. I am sure they are up to the task. If there are any concerns, we can always issue them a Divine Quest.>

“But they might misunderstand us” was the greatest concern for all the gods who heard this plan.

It was hard for gods to properly guide mortals due to their divine presence being far too oppressive. The voice of a god could destroy the souls of humans. Even using System messages had a similar problem. Also, due to Plesia’s rules to never directly interfere with mortal issues and events, they also weren’t able to direct everything in their favor.

That wouldn’t be guiding, that would be ruling and manipulation. Gods weren’t rulers, they were guides.

At least, that was what the Origin Gods believed.

<blacktyrantoftheskies: Then, who are we supposed to appoint with this task?>

<Andira: It has to be someone who can understand us well enough but also has the trust of the Church and Emperor. They also have to be close by and would be able to announce our plans.>

That would rule Hestia out completely, Aurena thought.

The subordinate gods began throwing out the names of candidates, going through numerous saints and champions, arguing who was the most suitable for the task. Meanwhile, Aurena listened to them, forming a plan in her head on how to execute this idea.

<Yeostar: Pardon.>

But in the middle of this discussion, the God of Knighthood, Bravery, and Loyalty finally spoke up, interrupting the discussion.

<Yeostar: This might be inopportune, but I would like to bring something up since it fits the topic. The Festival is starting soon.>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: Festival? Oh, right! The festival dedicated in your name to find your Champion!>

Subordinate gods were also allowed to bless people as their saints or champions, as evident in how both Edna and Ilsaphone wanted Saori and Asaka respectively to be their blessed. Yeostar, though, had a complicated method to announce his champion. He could only take on champions and there could only be one, but this person would be given the opportunity to train under him and learn his techniques.

It was a great honor, but the issue lay in the process. To become his champion, they had to win the tournament hosted during the Festival of Yeostar and this event only happened after the previous Champion had died.

<Yeostar: Yes. She had died valiantly in battle against the demonkins two years ago. Now, the Principality of Yeos has finished its preparations. The festival will soon begin, but I am worried.>

<MagicIsEverything: Sabotage. I understand. With how active the demonkins have been recently, it would be very likely they would try to steal your blood to prevent another Champion. Or, at least, they would send in people to do it for them. Like the Church of the Edjurl.>

<Andira: Or mercenaries.>

That is a problem.

<Aurena: Let us put aside the discussion with the Hands of Heaven for now. This is an issue we should handle first. To receive the blood of Yeostar is to receive not only his tutelage but also the power to become a hero. One of our most powerful Champions cannot be lost for even more years, nor can we allow it to strengthen the demonkins.>

<Yeostar: Yes, thank you, Your Holiness. Your wisdom is unimaginable. I do not know if the Church of Aurena or the Empire can send their envoys this year to protect the sanctity of this event.>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: If that is the case, then why have they not delayed this event? Such rashness will only call forth disaster!>

Yeostar shook his head, unsure how to properly answer this question. He began writing his message but did not send it until he was satisfied with it.

<Yeostar: I do not know. The current prince of the land is not a fool, not from my impression. Maybe I overlooked a discussion he had with an advisor or maybe it has something to do with the civil unrest after my last Champion died. She was the principality’s hero, after all. Regardless, it seemed I cannot dissuade him after having a short discussion with him.>

<blacktyrantoftheskies: If that is the case, then we should act. The mortals lead their own lives, while all we can do is guide and watch. In addition, isn't Karhalantheel sealed close to that human country? The demonkins might plan on breaking the seal to that terror.>

Yeostar frowned. Karhalantheel, the SS rank leviathan he had fought in the past to protect his home. At that time, he was not strong enough to fully defeat him, requiring the help of Aleistunum to seal it. He stroked his beard, wary of the threat Kargryxmor brought up.

<Aurena: In that case, we can send her over there. She is the closest to the Principality of Yeos and her company should be strong enough to act as guards.>

<Andira: Your Holiness, are you talking about—>

There was only one person the Goddess of Light could talk about at this point.

<— that Earthling? Hestia?>

<Aurena: Yes, that would be the case. It would also do her good to speak with another blessed after what happened with Eshe.>

Silence in the chat. Aurena tilted her head after a few moments passed with nobody speaking up. She had thought everybody would agree as it was the obvious answer. Most of the Pantheon of Light’s blessed were situated in the Folschreck Empire, only traveling the world for missions. Hestia was one of the few whose home base wasn’t there.

The trip to the Principality of Yeos would take time as they had to traverse either land or water to reach it. On the other hand, Hestia was a dragon. She could reach the country in less than a week or so if she flew over there. Even if she only traveled with her RV on the road, she would require the least amount of time to arrive in the country.

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: Your Holiness, must we really rely so much on this Earthling?>

“Hmm?” Aurena raised a brow. What was Erithia speaking about?

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: I understand she is groomed by Your Holiness to become a threat against the demonkins, but aren’t our current Champions not her equal in this? They have given their lives in your honor, training and facing trials in preparation for the future. The Earthling is still young, inexperienced. Our current blessed can rise up to the task! We just need to give them more time and attention.>

… Hmm? Is Erithia… disagreeing with me?

It was obvious to most how much time Erithia spent with the blessed of the Pantheon, training and leading them like a teacher. She would be proud whenever they fulfilled a Divine Quest and heartbroken whenever they died. To her, while Hestia was a Champion chosen by Aurena, her Goddess, she was still an unknown factor.

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: It was proven to me when she couldn’t defend Eshe. A Champion should be able to protect a Saintess! How can we rely on her again to defend something like the anointment of Yeostar’s Champion? My Goddess, I beg you to reconsider. Please, allow me to choose a Champion worthy of this task. They would be able to do it without any problems!>

<blacktyrantoftheskies: Erithia, it is precisely because she is young that she must face more trials. Isn’t this your motto when it comes to training our blessed?>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: As I said, she already failed. Eshe’s death could have been prevented if she had stayed by her side. But she did not. She chose to play around, neglecting her duty to the Goddess. As a Champion, why has she not gone on a pilgrimage to our shrines yet? She can speak with gods without any problems, so why does she not put it to use? There is so much knowledge and wisdom all of us can grant her!>

The discussion was derailing towards Hestia. Some subordinate gods supported Erithia’s opinion, having listened to her complaints when Aurena was still preoccupied with the System. She did not know of the dissent amongst her Pantheon with her favoritism towards the young dragon idol.

Istari and Kargryxmor had not known this. The subordinate gods might all work under the same Pantheon, but they weren’t all united or friendly with each other. Kargryxmor was mostly a loner and liked being in the presence of his dragonkin aides more, while Istari was more preoccupied with his endless search for knowledge to make small talk.

None of the three knew why Erithia and some of the subordinate gods were so against the idea of having Hestia involved.

However—

<Yeostar: I believe it would be good for Hestia to come to the Principality if we are talking about her growth alone.>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: Hmm? What do you mean by that, Yeostar?>

<Yeostar: Kargryxmor. Where is the location of the second youngest child of the Dragon Empire?>

<blacktyrantoftheskies: Hmm? The half-kirin girl? Well, the last I checked, she was in Artorias. It’s been a while, though, since I last checked up on her. About a year or two ago? Hmm… Ahhhh, I see. She’s currently inside the Principality of Yeos. Hmph. What about her?>

<Yeostar: Children of your bloodline are taught how to control their battle frenzy, no? The last time I spoke with you, Hestia had only unlocked the first step and hasn’t made much progress ever since.>

<blacktyrantoftheskies: She has been preoccupied with her dragon abilities. [Battle Frenzy] must be conquered, but you are expected to do it over many years. The girl has the determination and work ethic to master it in less. There is no need to rush her, even more, when she is growing stronger and stronger.>

<Yeostar: But, would it not help her if she were to learn not only under you but also her sister? Someone she can relate to?>

<blacktyrantoftheskies: Fargryneill is a kirin, a lesser dragonkin. Hestia would learn nothing from her. She was only able to master five of the steps before she abruptly stopped her training and decided to go on her adulthood pilgrimage. She is a disappointment.>

<Andira: She is still your granddaughter, Kargryxmor. Don’t be too harsh.>

The atmosphere inside the chat was deteriorating. Not only were most against Hestia participating in this but there was also the moodiness of the Black Dragon. During this time, a voice was needed for everything to continue.

<Aurena: I have made my decision.>

And that was Aurena’s duty.

<Aurena: As the festival is starting soon, we need to make haste. As such, I shall ask Elder Plesia for aid. She will send a Saint and a Champion over there as help. With that, we will have experienced fighters to defend the festival. Hestia shall take this time to learn. I shall also tell her to make contact with all of you, so grant her the wisdom you talked about, Erithia.>

<GoddessAurena’sMostFaithfulServantErithia: Yes! Of course, Your Holiness! I shall transform this girl into a proper warrior!>

<Yeostar: Thank you for listening to my request, Your Holiness.>

And with that, the discussion was over. Aurena had thought she could relax before the next meeting between the Origin Gods, but never had she thought it would be such a discussion.

She let a deep sigh out before finishing her tea.

“Haaaaa, time to speak with Elder Plesia.”

And so, the time passed until the day the System update was online. Aurena could finally reveal what was discussed to Hestia.

*******************************************************

<System Update: Triple Job System has been implemented into the System and all profiles. To read more on the details, please continue reading. Once you are finished, please visit your nearest [Crystal of the Divine System]>

“Mhmm! Just as the Goddess has told us!”

His nostrils took in the smell of the sea, his scales felt the gentle but cold breeze of the beach, and his webbed feet touched the sun-warmed sand. He enjoyed every bit of this, having traveled too long inland. He missed the ocean, despite being a race used to the jungles.

A raptorsilian. One of the three subspecies of the saurians, an indigenous race across the ocean from a continent named Aelozonia.

“Ahhh, praise Xohulotel! My training is finally over!” Wearing a priestly robe with scales and accessories made using items you could find in the ocean, the raptorsilian raised his arms up before falling onto his knees into a prayer. “Kri! Xohulotel and Goddess Plesia, I, Kushlek’zar, am honored to be blessed with sea winds once again. On my first Divine Quest, please, guide me well. The ‘Depth Serpents’ shall heed your call.”

An old acquaintance was here.

“Oi, Kush! We’re here! You shouldn’t let the Champion wait too long!”

“Yeah, just a bit more to go until we reach the border of Yeos. Let’s go!”

Two carnotaurus-looking saurians shouted at the lone priest. One was red and the other blue, but both were equipped to the brim with armor that even an A rank adventurer would be envious to possess.

“Yes… Hestia. Meet!” A hulk-like saurian cried out with his massive crocodile-like maw, trying to speak Common but being unable to with how his throat and tongue were developed. He cast a shadow over the already tall carnotaurus-like saurians, waving at Kushlek’zar to hurry.

“Haha! Yes, my friends! I cannot wait to meet my young apprentice either! Mhmm, Xohulotel, I pray that she would be a mage, no, a dragon that can stand up against the terrors of the deep! Mhmm, but, as her master, I shouldn’t dally too much.”

He stood up after praying. He brushed the sand off his robe as he continued his travels with his party. Holding onto his amulet of Plesia, he could only smile as the thought of the young dragon princess came to mind.

“For I have become a blessed, also, Princess Hestia.”

Let us talk soon, my apprentice!