Several months later, autumn arrived on Ruhe Beast Island. The weather turned slightly cold, but Suinhor remained much warmer compared to the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents.

A group of land dragon cavalry rode across the earth, stirring up clouds of dust.

The soldiers held their banners high, displaying the emblem of the Suinhor royal family.

King Osis of Suinhor arrived at the Maya territory with his entourage, and the city lord greeted him warmly outside the gates of Maya City.

“Your Majesty!” the city lord exclaimed with a deep bow. “All the citizens of Maya City welcome your arrival.”

Instead of entering the city, the king tugged on the dragon-hide reins, steering his mount toward a different path.

The crowd of followers trailed closely behind him.

To the east lay a vast agricultural estate, where Kurmis had established his experimental grounds.

As the grand procession approached, they could see from afar fields filled with green vines, their roots and stems intertwined in dense, intricate patterns.

Osis quickly dismounted from his land dragon and hurried into the farmlands.

He knelt and dug his hands into the soil beneath the vines. When he uncovered the fruit, astonishment filled his face.

“This is incredible! A completely new crop!”

The nobles and ministers following Osis arrived as well, and their faces showed similar astonishment when they saw the scene. It was the first time they had seen a crop that bore fruit beneath the soil.

Just as Osis finished speaking, a figure stepped forward from behind him.

It was an entity with the form of a god. Vines twisted in the soil, weaving together until they gradually took the shape of Kurmis.

“Your Majesty,” Kurmis said.

Osis immediately turned, his attitude shifting entirely. An existence capable of creating entirely new species deserved respect, no matter the circumstances.

“Mr. Kurmis, you have truly accomplished it.”

Kurmis guided Osis to the trial fields where the Brown Ball Vines were growing. These vines had been carefully planted by Kurmis and the residents of the castle themselves.

“This is the Brown Ball Vine,” Kurmis explained.

“They can be cultivated in two ways, either by planting seeds or through rhizome transplantation. Both methods are effective and straightforward.”

“If we begin planting supplementary crops now, we will be able to harvest the fruit by next spring,” he added.

This was why Kurmis had specifically requested Osis visit at this particular time. Seeing the transformations firsthand was the only way to make Osis truly believe. Additionally, this marked the beginning of a faster spread of the Brown Ball Vine.

When Osis heard the name, he asked, “Brown Ball Vine?”

“That name feels quite plain. Why not name this new crop after yourself? Perhaps Kurmis Vine or Kurmis Brown Ball Vine would be more fitting.”

His excitement was clear as he continued, “And it can be planted two to three times a year, just like the Curled Ball Fern.”

Kurmis looked at Osis and said, “It should reach the homes of the most ordinary people. It should become the food on every person’s table.”

Kurmis chose not to name it after himself and avoided explaining why. He felt this creation was the result of borrowing the Sovereign Deity’s power, and he believed he had been punished for it. He did not dare to bring up such a matter.

However, his demeanor made Osis and the ministers behind him exchange uncertain glances.

Osis dug out one of the Brown Ball Vine’s fruits. An attendant brought clean water to wash it. Without any hesitation, the king took the fruit and bit directly into it.

He tasted it and said, “The flavor is not as good. It is far from the Curled Ball Fern.”

After a moment, he smiled and added, “But that does not matter.”

Osis gestured toward the farmland and said, “What I see here is a crop with an exceptionally high yield.”

Kurmis told him, “It is more than seven times that of the Curled Ball Fern. However, this is my carefully tended field, so ordinary farmers would find it difficult to achieve this. Even so, it will still yield far more.”

“Its roots, stems, and leaves evolved from the Green Ground Vine. Unlike the Green Ground Vine, they are not inedible and can also be used as food.”

“Furthermore, because it has fused with part of the Green Ground Vine’s bloodline, it is more resistant to drought and cold than the Curled Ball Fern. It can be planted even in areas with harsh conditions.”

Osis took a deep breath as he looked over the cultivated farmland, his heart swelling with joy.

He could already see the future these fields would bring to his people and his kingdom.

“Excellent work, Mr. Kurmis!”

“What you have achieved here is remarkable.”

“Because of your efforts, many people will have enough to eat. They will remember your kindness and generosity.”

As he shifted his gaze toward the distant castle, he noticed shadows moving busily across the farmlands.

“Hmm?”

Osis sensed that something was amiss. His eyes narrowed as he sharpened his focus.

Outside the castle, over a dozen Lizard People dressed in sleeveless garments were busy at work. Some inspected the growth of the Brown Ball Vines in the soil, while others used Divine Technique to harvest the fruit and pile it neatly on the ridges.

In the past few months, the Lizard People had undergone significant changes.

Some struggled to cope with this transformation and remained despondent even now. However, many others had gradually come to terms with the change and accepted their new reality.

While their appearance had changed drastically, becoming Lizard People was not without its advantages. Their bodies grew stronger and more resilient, and their powerful legs allowed them to perform tasks that Snake People could not.

They also gained the ability to use Divine Technique, but the Lizard People’s Divine Techniques were quite different from those of the Snake People. Many of their techniques were designed to be applied directly to themselves.

For instance, they could harden their surface scales into stone, burrow deep into the ground, or encase themselves in stone to rest, among other abilities.

Additionally, Kurmis had assured them of a future. This promise gave the Lizard People a sense of hope, and they slowly adapted to life on this secluded estate. Over the past few months, they had gradually found purpose.

At this moment, Osis finally saw what those distant figures truly were.

“What is that thing?”

“What kind of creature is this?”

The appearance of the Lizard People startled Osis.

At first, he had dismissed the distant shadows, assuming they were just other Snake People. However, as they came into view, he realized they were a group of peculiar humanoid beings with unusual appearances.

Despite his extensive travels, Osis had never encountered such creatures before. The sudden sight of them left him momentarily stunned.

What stood out even more was that these “monsters” were actively communicating with one another.

“They can actually speak.”

The accompanying nobles and ministers noticed this as well. They stepped back in fear, their voices rising in alarm.

“Monsters are attacking!”

“Protect the King!”

“Quick, capture them before they escape!”

The guard cavalry quickly sprang into action. Some formed a protective circle around Osis and the key figures, while others moved into an attack formation.

Kurmis, who had been standing beside Osis with a calm demeanor, suddenly grew serious. He turned to Osis with an urgent expression.

“Your Majesty, you must not speak of them that way.”

Osis gave Kurmis a puzzled look, prompting Kurmis to explain.

“They are people.”

“People?” Osis asked.

Kurmis lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly as he struggled to contain his emotions.

“Your Majesty,” Kurmis began, his voice tinged with sorrow. “The creation of the Brown Ball Vine and the act of channeling the Life Sovereign’s divine power came at a great cost.”

“In order to bring the Brown Ball Vine into existence, we sacrificed our original forms.”

Kurmis looked at the distant Lizard People, who had raised their heads and were now watching in their direction, his eyes filled with apology.

“They are my assistants and students. During the process of helping me create the Brown Ball Vine, they ended up like this.”

“They are people. They are living, breathing people.”

Osis’s mouth fell open as he finally understood the truth.

“I did not realize, Mr. Kurmis,” Osis said to him. “I must apologize for my words.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “You are all heroes. Each of you has made sacrifices for the Snake People and for Suinhor. Your contributions will not be forgotten.”

After hearing Kurmis recount the story, the others fell into a heavy silence.

Osis had traveled a long way to reach this place. After seeing the abundant harvest, he visited the castle to sample dishes prepared with the fruit of the Brown Ball Vine.

By the time the meal was over, Osis had made up his mind. He resolved to promote the Brown Ball Vine across the entire Suinhor City-State Alliance. Upon his return, he would ensure that all the royal family’s farms began cultivation, allowing everyone to witness firsthand the miracle Kurmis had created.

Following a special banquet featuring the Brown Ball Vine, Osis turned to Kurmis with a question.

“Mr. Kurmis, I would like to take the Brown Ball Vine with me this time.”

“I want it to be planted in every city and village of Suinhor. I understand its value, but I still wish to express my gratitude properly.”

“Please tell me what you would like in return.”

Kurmis looked at Osis with a calm determination, as if he had already made up his mind.

At that moment, the Lizard Person Anu stepped forward, carrying a map. It was a detailed map of the Maya territory, showing Maya City and several nearby villages. Toward the eastern edge of the map, a volcano was marked.

This was the infamous Forbidden Zone of Death, known as Lava Mountain.

Kurmis extended his hand and pointed toward Lava Mountain. His fingertip moved slowly, tracing the outline of the surrounding forest.

“The area around Lava Mountain is barren, with few inhabitants. The only resource is the volcanic forest.”

“With the forest as the boundary, I hope you will grant the territory near Lava Mountain to us. It is for those who have contributed to civilization and Suinhor.”

“That place will be my refuge and their sanctuary.”

“This is what they deserve.”

Osis studied the map carefully, his gaze lingering on the marked area. After a moment of thought, he gave a firm nod.

“I agree.”

Osis departed from the castle, carrying the Brown Ball Vine seeds along with instructions for their planting and cultivation.

Kurmis settled with the Lizard People in the eastern part of Maya territory, where the volcanic forest became their territory and new homeland.

In the heart of the volcanic forest, Kurmis built a new castle, and the Lizard People constructed a small village around it.

Kurmis divided his time, traveling between Maya City, the Kurmis Farm, and the volcanic forest.

He was an apostle, a farm owner, and the guardian of the volcanic forest.

The Lizard People cultivated farmlands at the base of the volcano, where they conducted various experiments. They occasionally traded with the residents of Maya City and even shared their knowledge of cultivating the Brown Ball Vine.

In comparison to the City of Fire Protection and other regions in Suinhor, Maya City advanced the fastest in cultivating the Brown Ball Vine. Anyone who saw the flourishing farmland outside Kurmis’s estate would immediately understand the best choice to make.

During this time, Kurmis began to reflect on his own future. He was no longer solely driven by his own will and responsibilities. Now, he carried the weight of others’ hopes and the future of an entirely new race.

Temple of Fire Protection

King Osis of Suinhor held a grand ceremony in the City of Fire Protection to welcome the arrival of the Brown Ball Vine.

This ceremony, however, had another purpose. It was meant to inform everyone about the Brown Ball Vine’s function, characteristics, and sacred origin, while also demonstrating Osis’s divine right and authority as king.

The first purpose was essential. Even as the King of Suinhor, he could not simply force all nobles and farmers to plant the Brown Ball Vine. Such coercion could easily turn a beneficial initiative into a disaster.

The second purpose was something Osis urgently needed. He had to dispel the rumors that he was no longer the Divine Blessed King and prove his greatness through other means.

After receiving the Brown Ball Vine and presenting it in the temple with prayers, Osis walked out, accompanied by ceremonial guards.

Osis’s voice was steady and clear as he began, “My subjects, do you know what this is?”

Below the temple, a vast crowd of Snake People lifted their heads, their eyes fixed on him. None of them knew what it was.

Osis’s voice carried far and wide, reaching the streets and echoing across half the city.

“This is a miracle granted by the Life Sovereign.”

“It is a divine object created through the will of our Creator, the great Sovereign Deity.”

The crowd below the temple erupted in commotion and uproar.

“Bestowed by the Mother of Life?”

“What is it exactly?”

“Could it really be something divine?”

Some were skeptical, while others were filled with faith.

The skeptics lifted their heads, eager to see what it truly was. The believers had already knelt on the ground, their hands clasped in devout prayer.

Since the Life Sovereign departed from the mortal world during the era of the Snake Mother Sermos, no new myths had arisen in Suinhor.

While the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents frequently shared stories about the Mother of Life and the Snake Mother Sermos descending once more, the people of Suinhor firmly refused to believe them.

At this moment, when Osis declared that the Mother of Life had once again granted a divine miracle to the mortal world, it was met with skepticism. What he held in his hands seemed unremarkable, appearing to be nothing more than the root and stem of an ordinary plant.

Osis’s voice carried an undeniable authority and grandeur.

“It is a new crop given to the mortal world by the Sovereign of Life, a crop better than the Curled Ball Fern.”

“The Supreme Divine Being has always watched over the mortal world.”

“In the past, She gave us the Curled Ball Fern, which helped create the Suinhor we know today and the Snake People civilization we have built.”

“She understands that many in our kingdom still face hunger. So now…”

“She has given us another divine miracle.”

Osis raised the box containing the Brown Ball Vine and shouted loudly.

“God is the creator of all things!”

“God is the giver of life!”

“God has blessed Suinhor!”

These three phrases carried a sense of sacredness and stirred deep emotions.

“People of Suinhor, descendants of the Snake Mother and Alcina, you will once again see the greatness of the divine.”

After the final phrase, the box in Osis’s hands began to glow with a brilliant light. This was part of the plan all along.

The Divine Servants of the Temple of Fire Protection fell to their knees, bowing deeply to Osis and the box he held. Their reverence was mirrored by the crowd.

Whether they were true believers or not, everyone dropped to the ground. The Snake People of the City of Fire Protection turned their faces toward Osis and the glowing box, calling out the name of the divine and offering their gratitude for this blessing.

Osis finally said, “From this day onward, I will ensure that none of my subjects go hungry.”

“This is the will of the divine, and this is what the divine expects.”

At first, doubt filled everyone’s minds.

Although Osis had ordered all farms under the royal family’s direct control to begin planting the Brown Ball Vine, many people hesitated. They chose to observe from the sidelines, unwilling to risk planting an unfamiliar crop.

In a Snake People village outside the City of Fire Protection, someone received the seeds but lacked the courage to plant them.

“Do you really think this will be better than the Curled Ball Fern?” a farmer asked, his voice filled with doubt.

“Who knows? I’ve never planted it before,” another replied with a shrug.

“Why risk it? Let’s just stick with the Curled Ball Fern,” someone else chimed in “What if these seeds turn out bad and we end up starving?” A few others nodded in agreement. It was not that they distrusted the King of Suinhor, but they simply could not afford to gamble with their livelihoods.

“But the King said this is a divine blessing from the Life Sovereign. How could it be wrong?” a devout believer argued, their faith unwavering.

“Come on, the King doesn’t even have the divine blessing anymore. How can we trust him now?” another muttered. Later, some quietly stashed the seeds away, convinced by the rumors that this was just another lie from the King of Suinhor.

However, those nobles who had followed Osis to Maya territory chose to plant the Brown Ball Vine immediately. Their vassals and subjects also followed suit.

When winter passed and spring gradually arrived, the same village came into view once more.

Those who had not planted the Brown Ball Vine watched as layers of green spread across the ground where others had sown it. It was clear the other party had not tended to it carefully, perhaps lacking experience and knowledge about planting it. Even so, the growth of the Brown Ball Vine far surpassed their meticulously nurtured and regularly watered Curled Ball Fern.

Moreover, the other party had planted it in poor soil where the Curled Ball Fern would struggle to grow, yet the Brown Ball Vine thrived with remarkable vigor.

“This Brown Ball Vine is growing quite well!” said one of the Snake People on the ridges, observing the intertwined roots and vines.

“In such barren soil, it can actually grow so many leaves and roots. Does this thing not need water?” The sight defied the experience and common sense that farmers had relied on for thousands of years.

“And earlier, when the weather was so cold, this thing didn’t freeze to death and still grew so well.” Many had hoped to see it fail, but now, each one wore an expression of disbelief.

Some were envious and jealous, but their disbelief lingered.

“What use are the leaves growing so well?”

“They claim it grows fruit underground, but what if there is nothing beneath the soil at all?”

When harvest time arrived and they saw the heaps of brown ball fruits unearthed from the fields, everyone was stunned.

The Snake People farmers on the ridges shouted in amazement, hurrying forward to inspect the fruits. Their expressions were a mix of disbelief, envy, and regret.

“Is this real?”

“Look at that! They are actually harvesting so much grain.”

“This much?”

“How is it possible to produce so much grain? How did they even plant this?”

After the farmers in the fields finished their work, they knelt before the Brown Ball Vine fruit with tears streaming down their faces, offering heartfelt gratitude to the great divine being who had blessed them with this harvest.

“Divine being, we are so grateful for your blessing.”

“I can’t believe this! I’ve never seen such an incredible harvest before.”

“Thank you, Life Sovereign. Truly, thank you.”

“And thank you, King Osis, for bringing this miracle to us.”

However, it seemed everyone had completely overlooked Kurmis.

Those unaware of the truth saw this solely as the blessing of the Life Sovereign and praised only the greatness of the divine. Those who knew the truth remained silent about Kurmis’s name, choosing instead to loudly celebrate the achievements of King Osis.

At the same time, Osis brought a large quantity of brown ball fruits to the Temple of Fire Protection and held another harvest ceremony. This event expressed gratitude for the divine blessing and highlighted his accomplishments.

Everything Osis had claimed before was now fully validated. Those who had planted the Brown Ball Vine were filled with immense gratitude toward him. Meanwhile, those who had not planted it felt a deep sense of regret as they witnessed the miraculous harvest, which inspired profound admiration for their king.

Wherever the Brown Ball Vine reached, all previous rumors and gossip disappeared completely.

At that moment, the crowd below the temple erupted in fervent enthusiasm, their voices rising in unison.

“King Osis!”

“King Osis!”

King Osis stood inside the temple, his hands clasped in prayer to the Mother of Life and the Scarlet Goddess. With his eyes closed, he listened to the shouts rising from outside.

He murmured in a low voice, “King… Osis…”

He felt a mix of emotions. This time, people no longer referred to him as the Divine Blessed King but simply as King Osis. In this moment, his accomplishments seemed to rival those of King Alpens and King Smerkel, perhaps even surpassing them.

Even without the divine blessing, he remained a great king.

Southwest of Suinhor

The three largest territories in this region were the Char Territory, Delanvos Territory, and Red Earth Territory. These territories had been passed down since the era of Alpens and were governed by three ancient families.

As one moved closer to the eastern regions of Suinhor, such as the City of Fire Protection, Moonlight City, and Maya City, the King’s authority grew stronger and more centralized. However, traveling further southwest revealed a different picture. Each territory began to function like an independent kingdom, where the rulers wielded absolute power and only maintained a symbolic allegiance to the King of Suinhor.

This dynamic stemmed from the time when Suinhor was first established, and their ancestors had pledged oaths of loyalty to King Alpens.

By the time of King Smerkel, these territories were already showing signs of rebellion. This situation forced King Smerkel to lead his army on inspection tours during his later years, which were, in reality, military campaigns.

Now, these territories frequently waged war and attacked one another. However, when the King of Suinhor or external forces acted against them, they would quickly form a unified alliance. The city lords, noble families, and even Divine Servants from the temples would come together to resist the influence of the King of Suinhor.

Although they stopped short of outright betraying Suinhor, this region had essentially become a kingdom within a kingdom.

Red Earth Territory

This place was famous for its red soil. Situated along the coast with thriving commerce, it had long been known across Ruhe Beast Island for its maritime trade. However, the rise of piracy on the seas had significantly impacted the Red Earth Territory.

In Red Earth City, some unusual figures had emerged in recent years. A mysterious cult had quickly taken root and gained a significant number of followers.

This cult did not originate in Red Earth City but came from the far north. It was known as the Cannibal Cult.

In a spacious and bright building, a young man dressed neatly gave off a cold and reserved demeanor, suggesting he was not one for many words.

The young man sampled his meal. After finishing his meat with precise movements using a table knife, a maid standing behind him stepped forward to wipe his mouth. He then rose from his seat and turned his attention toward the door.

The maid stationed at the door opened it, allowing several individuals who had been waiting patiently to enter.

“First Seat Lord.”

Among them, one elderly man spoke with a tone of reverence that was hard to miss. “Your Majesty, King of Ten Thousand Serpents,” he said with deliberate formality.

The young man was Akmanmon, the last King of Ten Thousand Serpents, who had once been manipulated and treated as a puppet.

The old man was his former literature and history teacher. He had been sent by Suinhor as a chess piece to influence and control Akmanmon, but in the end, Akmanmon turned him into a ghoul.

Akmanmon stood and faced his former teacher. “The Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents no longer exists,” he said. “It is now called the Executive Nation of Ten Thousand Serpents.”

“In the same way, there is no longer a King of Ten Thousand Serpents.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the old ghoul nodded. “The Royal Court was renamed some time ago.”

In the eyes of everyone, the last King of Ten Thousand Serpents was believed to have perished in that divine battle. Without a King of Ten Thousand Serpents, many questioned whether the Royal Court could still be called a Royal Court.

As a result, the High Executive Officer of the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents renamed the country to the Executive Nation of Ten Thousand Serpents. However, the name “Royal Court” had been ingrained in people’s minds for generations, making it difficult to change. Most still referred to it as the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents.

After the divine battle in Mooneclipse City, nearly all the cannibals were wiped out. They either lost their lives in the catastrophe or had their power drained by Suero.

Following this, the Earth Witch and Sukob intervened, ensuring that even the evil scripture known as the Cannibal Cult Secret Rituals was completely eradicated, at least within Mooneclipse City.

Only Akmanmon departed from the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents, carrying with him the entire inheritance of Suero, the King of Ghouls.

Over the years, Akmanmon had steadily studied and refined the inheritance he had received. He had risen to become a Third-Rank Ability User.

Unlike Suero, Akmanmon chose not to share the true core inheritance of the cannibals, known as the Cannibal Cult Secret Rituals. In Red Earth City, Akmanmon alone held the knowledge of these rituals. All others were ghouls he had created using the Plague Blood Curse.

He decided to turn those who desired extraordinary power into ghouls instead of teaching them the Cannibal Cult Secret Rituals directly. This approach allowed him to maintain complete control over the ghouls he created.

As a result, the Cannibal Cult in Red Earth Territory became even more secretive and operated entirely under his command.

Akmanmon turned his gaze to the old ghoul and asked, “Speak, what has happened?”

But before the old ghoul could speak, Akmanmon suddenly frowned.

Flames flickered faintly from his body, and the space behind him seemed to distort. It was as if something was on the verge of crossing through space to emerge or was pulling Akmanmon toward it.

Akmanmon did not appear surprised. He simply said in a calm tone, “It seems the Cannibal’s Curse is troubling me once again.”

Akmanmon raised a hand to silence the old ghoul. He moved to the far end of the room and settled into a chair.

Dark shadows mixed with streaks of crimson began to seep from his body. The ritual array beneath him glowed faintly, spreading the blood-colored shadows outward to the edges of the room.

After a moment, Akmanmon’s condition steadied, and the shadows receded.

He opened his eyes and spoke two names.

“Lord of Purgatory.”

“And… the God of Original Sin.”

Back then, one of these existences had forced Suero into a desperate choice to embrace the Abyss, while the other had manipulated Suero as if he were a mere pawn.

Now, Akmanmon seemed to be facing a similar situation. He could only suppress the Cannibal’s Curse but could not fully escape it. However, he was even more determined not to follow the path Suero had taken.

Akmanmon had no interest in any throne, nor did he care about the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents. What he valued most was his own freedom. He loathed being controlled or bound by any higher power.

He had once shared his goal with Suero.

“I want to obtain eternal life.”

“To become an existence free from all constraints.”

In essence, such unbound and eternal beings were universally known by one name.

God.

The Snake People did not fully understand why gods were called gods or why this title carried such weight, but they had always accepted it as a fundamental truth.

Akmanmon rose to his feet and addressed the Second-Rank ghouls waiting before him. “Speak! What exactly happened?”

The old ghoul replied, “Several territories and cities directly under the royal family, including the Maya Territory and Moonlight Territory, have recently started planting a crop called the Brown Ball Vine. Its harvest is significantly higher than that of the Curled Ball Fern.”

Akmanmon asked, “Has someone discovered another unusual plant?”

“No,” the old ghoul replied, shaking his head. “This time, it was created by a person.”

Akmanmon narrowed his eyes. “Are you telling me that someone has created a new species, a plant that can reproduce naturally?”

The old ghoul nodded. “Yes, it is artificial life. This is the domain of the Life Sovereign, the authority of the Supreme Divine Being.”

Akmanmon leaned back slightly. “Are you saying that mortals are capable of this as well?”

The old ghoul, who had once been an intelligence gatherer, spoke with a measured tone. “It was created by an existence at the level of an apostle. They say he managed to glimpse and call forth a fragment of the Life Sovereign’s power, perhaps a remnant left in the mortal world before the divine being departed.”

“However, even with such power, he ultimately faced a severe backlash.”

“From what I have gathered, it appears that in the process of creating this new crop, the Brown Ball Vine, he also brought forth an entirely new intelligent race.”

Akmanmon felt a deep sense of shock within, though his face remained calm and composed.

“It seems this individual truly managed to harness a fragment of the Life Sovereign’s power,” he said. “Without it, such a feat would have been impossible.”

He thought of Suero. Suero had created ghouls, but that was merely an extraordinary craft, not the creation of a true race.

The old ghoul spoke again, his tone deliberate. “Your Majesty, you should recognize this individual. He once appeared in Mooneclipse City, transforming into a massive serpent with wings.”

Akmanmon’s eyes narrowed slightly as he pieced together the description. “I believe I understand now,” he said, his voice calm and deliberate.

“You are referring to the Feathered Serpent.”

“The one who served as the vessel when the Evil God of Original Sin descended to the mortal world.”

At that time, this individual had been under the control of the Evil God of Original Sin and fought against the God of Knowledge and Truth in the mortal world.

Spirituality governed everything, manifesting celestial phenomena and even controlling rainstorms and thunder. With a single breath, he could shatter mountain peaks and pierce through the earth.

Akmanmon had once watched from a distance. It was the first time he had truly witnessed the might of the divine.