【 APOTHEOSIS 】

—

“Your Majesty… I did not recognize the origin of those creature…”

Diriel’s voice wavered, and seeing that Evé was preparing to depart, he hastily added,

“B-But I know someone who certainly would!”

Evé halted mid-step.

“Who?” she asked, turning back toward him.

“Gaspero,” Diriel replied quickly. “An Abyssal Myth who serves His Majesty… no, who’s a believer of Lord Leviathan!”

Evé’s brows lifted slightly.

“Believer?” she repeated, the word tasting odd on her tongue.

The choice of words struck her as somewhat peculiar.

She had always assumed that the concept of faith was foreign to these abyssal beings. Subordinates of Demon Lords were rarely motivated by devotion and were typically driven by force, compelled into obedience through the overwhelming strength of their masters.

Furthermore, demons were inherently rebellious, and thus, loyalty was rarely genuine and often just convenience or fear masquerading as allegiance.

Noticing the faintly amused expression on Evé’s face, Diriel seemed to grasp the implication immediately. He leaned slightly forward, as if confiding something delicate, and elaborated:

“Lord Leviathan governs the Divinity of the Ocean and has long sought to cultivate his own faith among his followers. Those demonfolks who serve him are likewise seeking to follow that same path.”

“So… for other demons, loyalty might be nothing more than a superficial farce, but among Lord Leviathan’s followers, some may truly believe in him.”

After hearing this, Evé revealed a trace of surprise.

“Leviathan aside, you demons are truly interested in developing faith?”

Diriel nodded.

“Lord Leviathan believes that once one possesses the means to harness the power of faith, even if rejected by the fundamental laws of the universe, one may use faith to mitigate that rejection and thereby wield the power of laws to manifest a Domain.”

“It is precisely because of this theory that Lord Leviathan has gained so many supporters among demonkind.”

“From this perspective, those demons who follow Lord Leviathan are not entirely devoted to him, but have instead gathered around him just for the sake of attaining the power of faith.”

Evé nodded slightly.

The greatest difference between Abyssal Myths and True Gods lay in the fact that, although the former also grasped the use of the fundamental laws of the universe, their corruption by the Abyss caused them to be rejected by the universe, thereby preventing them from manifesting a Celestial Domain.

While a pseudo Domain that’s formed through corrupted divine power could reproduce much of the same effect, it ultimately fell short of a genuine Domain that’s recognized by the universe.

In contrast, certain evil gods who possessed cultist followers in the Prime Material Realm could often manifest pseudo-Domains comparable to true ones with far greater ease, likely because the power of faith served as the decisive factor.

“So… you mean that this Abyssal Myth named Gaspero also shares in Leviathan’s network of faith and therefore has a clear understanding of the types and distribution of Leviathan’s believers?”

After a moment of contemplation, Eve asked.

“Yes, All-Divine Mother!”

“Those beings you’ve asked for must have been intelligent oceanic lifeforms. Although I could not identify their exact race, I saw Lord Leviathan’s totemic markings upon them! I’m sure they must be His followers.”

“Gaspero is closely aligned with Lord Leviathan. So there is a high probability that he knows the identity and exact location of those oceanic lifeforms.”

As he finished speaking, Diriel conjured a black illusion before Evé.

“All-Divine Mother, this is Gaspero’s appearance!”

Evé glanced at the illusion and memorized the figure.

“Do you know where he usually operates?”

She asked further.

To safeguard their soul that’s fused with the core origins of their respective Layer of Hell, the Seven Demon Lords of Hell would never allow other Abyssal Myths to enter their dominions freely.

As such, Abyssal Myths who pledged service to Demon Lords typically occupied or concealed themselves within subsidiary Abyssal realms surrounding those Layer of Hell.

However, upon hearing the question, Diriel fell silent for a moment before gritting his teeth.

“I… I cannot answer that.”

Evé studied him for a long moment, then nodded gently.

“I understand.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the palace gate.

Watching her departing figure, disappointment flickered across Diriel’s face.

Yet just as Evé reached the entrance, she stopped.

“Your respite has been granted.”

She said calmly.

Under Diriel’s overjoyed gaze, Evé departed the Demon Lord’s Labyrinth.

Finally left alone, Diriel trembled with excitement as flaming tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.

“Great…!”

“I can finally escape those insane long-eared lunatics, at least for a while…”

༺⟐༻

After leaving the Labyrinth Dungeon, Evé returned to Garden of Eden.

Although that demon, Diriel had not directly revealed Gaspero’s whereabouts, his refusal itself was an answer.

Leviathan had signed confidentiality covenant with these Abyssal Myths. If Diriel had been unable to speak, then Gaspero’s location must have been included within the scope of that covenant.

And if it had been deliberately included, then given the timing, and Leviathan’s recent movements, Gaspero’s whereabouts were very likely connected to the Abyss’s impending invasion.

Over the past few months, Evé had also learned from Aurora that the dark world, Wasteland of Desolation, was a subsidiary realm of the third layer of Hell closest to the world of Seigües, and that the passageways leading to Seigües were far more numerous than just one or two.

That dark world was not only the target of Evé’s planned expedition into the Abyss, but it was also, with overwhelming probability, the bridgehead for the Abyss’s invasion of the world of Seigües.

Otherwise, Leviathan would not have destroyed that passageway in the underground so decisively.

Considering all these details, Gaspero’s likely location became pretty much evident.

Most plausibly, he was hiding somewhere within the Wasteland of Desolation.

“It seems I now have yet another reason to travel to the Wasteland of Desolation and advance to Higher Divine Power there,” Evé murmured to herself.

At that moment, a vast and majestic aura suddenly surged from the deepest part of the Garden of Eden. Even the sky could not escape its influence, as clouds churned violently, twisting and contorting into an immense vortex that seemed to reach for the heavens themselves.

Within her Divine Kingdom, fierce winds swept across the land. Trees bent and swayed as though caught in an invisible tempest. Birds and beasts formed from divine power scattered in terror, their cries echoing across the vicinity. Even the Einherjars stationed nearby trembled uneasily, sensing a presence of such profound might that it seemed to awaken from a long slumber.

Seeing all this commotion, Eve’s expression shifted slightly as she gazed into the distance.

“So, that rascal is finally about to awaken?”

A faint smile curved her lips.

In the next instant, her figure flickered and vanished from the supreme temple.

Outside, the divine power of the entire Divine Kingdom seemed to boil, as though stirred by the influence of some overwhelming existence.

The clouds above had already transformed into a towering cyclone that stretched to the ground. Through its center, one could glimpse the cosmic sky filled with countless stars which symbolized Eve’s believers and the players.

The Einherjars lay prostrate upon the earth, praying continuously, their faces filled with fear.

Only when Evé appeared in the sky and let her gaze sweep gently across her dominion did the winds gradually subside.

The cyclone dissipated, and even the restless divine power gradually calmed.

The entire Garden of Eden returned to tranquility.

“Your Grace!”

The voice of the Fairy King Feynir rang out.

Evé turned and saw her arriving with the other elemental fairies as they all bowed respectfully before her.

She inclined her head slightly, signaling them to rise, then looked together with them toward the not distant location where the cyclone had formed.

There, the immense aura was still steadily rising.

In the next moment, whilst accompanied by a resounding dragon’s roar, a colossal black figure shot into the sky.

Its black bat-like wings blotted out the heavens, spanning at least two hundred meters. Its body was long and powerful, well defined with muscle and line, covered in lustrous black scales that gleamed like polished black pearls.

The distinctive skull-like plate armor upon its head had grown even more fearsome, yet within that ferocity lay the dignity of a draconic lord.

The protruding spikes resembled a crown, giving the black dragon the bearing of a sovereign ruling over all.

As it ascended into the sky, its nearly five hundred meter form cast a vast shadow upon the earth.

An immense pressure descended, almost tangible.

The terrifying aura caused even Feynir, a demigod, to change her expression as the fairy king’s body swayed, nearly falling from the sky.

“Ruuuahhh!”

Another dragon’s roar echoed above, jubilant and unrestrained, majestic and stirring, tinged with unmistakable pride.

Only when Eve’s voice sounded gently throughout the Garden of Eden did it cease.

“Have you had enough fun?”

“If you have, then come down here and withdraw your divine might.”

At the sound of her voice, the black dragon visibly shrank back, his proud roar abruptly cut off.

The immense form rapidly diminished in size, growing smaller and smaller until it matched that of an ordinary adult black dragon.

Then Meryer dove downward, landing before Evé. His body shifted and transformed into an adolescent youth who appeared no more than fourteen or fifteen years old.

He wore imposing black armor. His hair was dark, his eyes crimson, with vertical pupils glowing a deep blood red, filled with excitement and joy.

He bowed deeply to Eve and spoke with fervor.

“Your Grace, I have succeeded!”

Looking at the familiar face, Evé nodded, a faint smile appearing on her own.

“Well done, Meryer. You certify have not disappointed me.”

The black dragon was none other than Meryer, who had entered Eve’s Divine Kingdom and fallen into slumber.

Over the past six months, after taking the golden divine blood, he finally succeeded in fusing with the Black Dragon Racial Divinity, transcending his mortal self and ascending to godhood, thereby attaining the Mythical-rank.

Now, he was a Dragon God of Weaker Divine Power.

The extraordinary phenomena that had just occurred within the Garden of Eden moments ago were the manifestations of his apotheosis.

Meryer had achieved the status of an Ancient God and the phenomenas accompanying such an apotheosis far surpassed those of a faith-based gods.

Only within Eve’s Divine Kingdom could he deliberately concealed such phenomenas. Even so, the celestial signs outside had still shifted dramatically.

Had this occurred in the world of Seigües, the entire world would likely have learned that a new Ancient Dragon God had been born.

Of course, as Eve’s believer, at the very moment of his apotheosis, this little black dragon had automatically become her subordinate deity.

At last, Evé truly possessed a genuine subordinate god of her own.

“How does it feel?”

Evé asked with a smile, watching the eager expression on Meryer’s face.

To secure the assistance of a true Myth before the Crusade began, right on schedule, provided tremendous assurance.

Whether for the safety of the world of Seigües after she departed, or for the availability of high level combat power during the expedition into the Abyss, the significance of Meryer was pretty undeniable.

“It feels incredible! I have never felt so powerful! I think I could take down those three old undead dragons now!”

Meryer exclaimed excitedly.

Black dragons were battle fanatics by nature.

Although Reinhardt had corrected much of Meryer’s former behavior, certain instincts were etched into his very bones.

Seeing his eagerness to test his strength, Evé smiled and shook her head.

“There is no need to rush.”

“The Crusade is about to begin, so you will have ample opportunities to fight other Mythical beings soon.”

“For now, just focus on familiarizing yourself with your new powers and mastering your Black Dragon Divinity as quickly as possible.”

“T-Then Your Grace… may I return to Sandstorm City for a while? It has been so long since I had eaten barbecue meat!”

The black dragon asked expectantly.

Evé: “…”

You are already a Mythical Being… Why are you still craving for barbecue meat?

She inwardly sighed.

“Not yet. When the time comes, I will naturally allow you to leave.”

“For the time being, simply remain here within my Divine Kingdom.”

She shook her head.

Sandstorm City was a place full of mixed influences from other factions. So if Meryer returned to the world of Seigües, his identity might be exposed at any moment.

At present, no one knew that she now possessed a Mythical-rank dragon subordinate and she intended to keep that fact as another hidden trump card.

Moreover, although this rascal had only just ascended, with him having an ancient dragon bloodline, even at the rank of Weaker Divine Power, Meryer’s combat strength was certainly formidable.

Upon hearing Eve’s refusal, Meryer’s human form showed visible disappointment.

It was only her next sentence that revived his spirits.

“Of course, I will issue a tasks for the Chosen Ones to send you some barbecue meat as offerings for the time being.”

“Your Grace, you are the best! Oh, and I would like it to be dipped with honey!”

Meryer swallowed eagerly, his face lighting up with delight.

Evé: “…”

This rascal… Might be the only Dragon God in existence who could be easily won over with just barbecue meat.

༺⟐༻

After leaving the newly ascended Meryer within the Garden of Eden, Evé turned her attention back to the game system.

Everything was prepared. Only the final signal was needed.

“It is time to release the system announcement for the upcoming questline.”

She checked the time and reflected briefly.

With that thought, she activated her divine power and issued the prepared notice:

【

】

【Server-wide War Campaign: The Heavenly Crusade against the demons】

【Mission One: Expedition to the Abyss】

【Minimum Level Requirements: 45+】

【Number of Participants: 0/50000】

【Quest Background: The Abyssal Myths, driven by ambition, seek to invade the realm of Seigües. To protect the entire world, the gods have decided to launch a crusade against the Abyss.】

【As the Goddess’s Chosen Ones, can you charge fearlessly into this campaign, earn glorious achievements, and write your own mythos!】

【Quest Objective: Under the leadership of NPCs, occupy the sunken dark world, the Wasteland of Desolation.】

【Possible Rewards: Goddess Favorability, massive experience points, substantial contribution points, Artifact Repair Voucher, Special Prize Lottery Draw Tickets, Resurrection Coins…】

…

【MissionTwo: Our Homeland】

【Level Requirements: 40+】

【Participants: Unlimited】

【Quest Background: The Crusade is imminent. Meanwhile, the Abyssal Forces have already been plotting in secret to invade the world of Seigües.】

【Brave Chosen Ones, when the Abyss invades, will you rise to defend our homeland and carve an epic mythos of your own in the world of Seigües?】

【Quest Objective: During the Crusade, eliminate any Abyssal creatures attempting to attack the Elven Forest and complete the related defensive mission chains.】

【 Possible Rewards: Goddess Favorability, massive experience points, substantial contribution points, Artifact Repair Vouchers, Special Prize Lottery Draw Tickets, Resurrection Coins…】

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