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Overlord of biblical proportions: The new Three-Sided War (13)
🕑 Added 2024-06-18 22:51:55 +0000 UTCAlbedo was certainly a maestro, in fact, divinely inspired when it came to management and documentation, however… Why was that?
Because that's what the Supreme Beings have decided.
For the creatures of Nazarick, their whole being, function and existence was as a result of the Supreme Beings’ hands, and there was no greater joy. If the Supreme Beings have decided, then it was the final and absolute truth. It could not be desecrated by calling it something petty like ‘faith’ or ‘facts’, or, even more so, something as insignificant and blasphemous as ‘one's own opinion’.
If a Supreme Being determined that one of its creations was a Floor Guardian and another was a Butler, then that was the way it was. It was not even a question of ‘fact’ or ‘faith’, but rather of ‘reality’.
For humans, and similar lower creatures, it was difficult to define concepts such as reason or life, but despite not knowing these formulations, none of them doubted that they were ‘rational’ or ‘alive’. In that same way, the decision of the Supreme Beings for the creatures of Nazarick was akin to it. It was not at all necessary to know what exactly moved the unknowable mind of the Supreme Beings in order to accept their decision as an integral truth of life, the reality for the creatures of Nazarick.
Albedo was a goddess of management because she was one. End of discussion.
However, while in Nazarick itself, Albedo could not demonstrate her full abilities as a manager.
Nazarick was too perfect to manage, as every member of it knew perfectly what their role was, and would perform it to the best of their abilities.
Each maid knew her schedule, none of the monsters needed salaries, the thoughts of all the NPCs converged in the fact that they wanted to serve the Supreme Beings with all possible strength and as efficiently as possible. The tomb of Nazarick itself was created in an absolutely perfect state that could not be improved in any way.
In other words, Albedo was a perfect manager in a utopia that did not need to be managed.
Of course, all praise should be given to the Supreme Beings for this, however, like any creation of the Supreme Beings, Albedo strove to be useful and perform as much of the most important work as possible. So thought all the creatures of Nazarick, and so thought Albedo herself, even more than the other NPCs.
Because her service was connected not only, and not so much nowadays, with Nazarick, as much as with its one undisputed master, Lord Momonga…
But that was not what she wanted to exult.
What was critical in this situation was the fact that, while in Nazarick, Albedo could in no way demonstrate her usefulness and her abilities as a manager, as she could not do her duties as the Guardian Overseer. And therefore, having broken free from that restriction, having received an assignment from Lord Momonga, Albedo set about fulfilling it with such joy and zeal.
So much so, that even the fact that she needed to take control of the Fallen Angels or even the humans, the worms swarming in the manure of history created by her beloved, could not put down her mood.
What difference did it make how many circles of Hell she had to go through if, in the end, she would be given the opportunity to be useful to Lord Momonga? Even the thought of working with the worst of heretics, one that has dared to even spurn her Beloved, earning them eternal shame as their wings are blackened, was not too much to bear.
Indeed, Albedo acted for the benefit of her Lord with all her possible strength, striving in every possible way to be useful to him.
The actions of Demiurge and the investments of Albedo have already brought huge dividends, allowing Albedo to use the proceeds in further ventures, even while the small midges from the ‘Tax Service’ tried to express their opinion. Luckily, for them, Albedo did not even have to be distracted by the worms’ antics, as Demiurge had taken care of the worms who were not minding their own business, while preparing his plan to conquer the other religions.
The recruitment of agents had also slowly begun to show results. The director of the Kuoh Academy and several groups of underground mages and other small criminal cells, with which Raynare had been in contact in the past, had come under her control. Of course, this could not be called a result worthy of Nazarick and even more so of Lord Momonga yet.
Even if, in Albedo’s eyes, there is no such thing as something good enough for her Lord Momonga, only an endless journey to become worthy in his eyes.
However, this was a fairly good result for this primitive world and the meager starting resources that were used. While it was far from satisfactory, it was a good starting point. It would still need great amounts of work until it could be sufficient in being called her, Lord Momonga’s base of operations in this word.
Nothing but perfection and the best would do for her Lord, after all.
In other words, Albedo relished the chance of fulfilling the most cherished dream of all the inhabitants of Nazarick and the faithful followers of Lord Momonga.
To serve Lord Momonga and work for his benefit so that he would allow them to serve even more diligently and work even more!
For any other inhabitant of Nazarick, this was probably the maximum, the apex, the best reward possible for serving Lord Momonga, was in fact the opportunity to continue serving Lord Momonga. However, to her utmost shame, Albedo was one of those rarest representatives of Nazarick who had already committed her fall and therefore could think of something completely unthinkable for any other faithful servant of Lord Momonga.
About a reward.
About a reward other than further service, of course.
After her blissful first night with Lord Momonga, Albedo had used the memory hundreds of times, and for several days her entire head was completely filled with this same memory. However, even if Albedo's mind surpassed the mind of any normal humans, if one hundred percent of her mind was dedicated to something else other than doing her job, she would be completely useless for further service to Lord Momonga. And Albedo could not allow this under any option!
Of course, she still did her duties with aplomb.
However, the fact that not all of her mind was filled with her memories of sex led to the fact that after some time Albedo began to… Want more.
And of course, Albedo knew that what happened was a manifestation of the greatest mercy of Lord Momonga, which she should eternally cast in her memory and cherish forever. She could never even think that it was anything other than the greatest mercy of Lord Momonga… But, Albedo had already tasted the forbidden fruit, and therefore could not help but desire for more!
And therefore, the information that Lord Momonga had invited her on a date as a reward for her work with the church and agents in this world made Albedo soar above the clouds. After which, she instantly rushed to her preparation for such a date.
She would not leave anything to chance, the date must be more than perfect!
Her appearance was, of course, perfect. Her visage is how she was created by the Supreme Beings, and she would never even let a hair be out of place. However, this did not mean that Albedo had the right to appear on her first official date with her Beloved in anything less than the most ideal state possible!
Albedo used her privileges to remove ten maids from their positions in Nazarick, not that they strongly objected to such a decision, learning that they would be helping Albedo prepare for a date with Lord Momonga himself! They didn’t let more than a moment of true horror, when they thought that they had displeased Albedo, or worse Lord Momonga, that they were dismissed from their position, the worst possible punishment, before their expression did a 180 and hurriedly tried to help Albedo prepare for her date.
Spa procedures, posing in front of a mirror, choosing clothes, even checking makeup and perfumes, Albedo could not allow her first date with Lord Momonga to be less than perfect in any way!
Of course, Albedo also prepared all possible topics for conversation and entertainment for Lord Momonga, practiced all her serenades, memorized all the reports, even repeated all the lines from the Bible. Unfortunately, Albedo did not yet know about Lord Momonga's exact preferences, and therefore could only memorize the books that were in the closest availability to her. Just in case, she visited [Ashurbanipal], the Great Library of Nazarick located on the tenth floor, and memorized about ten books. Several of them entertaining, several of them magical, and several of them descriptive.
In general, Albedo was ready for the upcoming date in a way that she had never been ready for anything like it before.
However, when she arrived to meet with Lord Momonga, uplifted in a sense that did not relate to her real wings in any way, what Albedo encountered was a revelation. In some sense, expected, but one that she preferred not to think about before.
Inside the house of Lord Momonga, the house that previously belonged to Miki Hyoudou, the first of the people to realize the greatness of Lord Momonga, her eternal opponent and rival was waiting for her. Shalltear Bloodfallen.
The Vampire, of course, was the last thing she noticed, not when her Lord Momonga was also there.
Making her way in front of her Lord, Albedo fell to one knee in front of Lord Momonga, giving Shalltear, who was already standing on one knee in front of Lord Momonga, arriving earlier than Albedo herself, only one look. Addressing her Lord, Albedo instantly broke into a smile. "Lord Momonga, all the words of all the languages of this world are not enough to convey my joy that you considered me worthy of your presence, and even a date…"
"As this big-mouth-go-, that is, Albedo said. Indeed, we are simply awed by being in your presence," Shalltear could not bear Albedo's attempt to flatter Lord Momonga, instantly trying to have the last word, before stopping, abiding by the silent agreement that they should keep their fight away from their Lord’s eyes. Instead, deprived of the chance to curse at her, Shaltear simply glared at Albedo in annoyance.
On the one hand, Albedo and Shalltear had become a little closer after being brought to the utmost ecstasy by Lord Momonga, after the deed both of them seemed to feel some tangible connection of harem sisters between themselves. However, at the same time, the competition of who was to be the first wife, only became even fiercer.
Moreover, as Lord Momonga had not yet chosen who to be the first wife, which would put an end to the competition entirely, as the two would obey any order from their Lord, the competition continued on. Therefore, even after Shalltear and Albedo became somewhat closer to each other, their confrontation against each other also began to gain momentum.
After all, before their first night with their Lord, they fought for the theoretical possibility of being the main wife in Lord Momonga's harem. Now, Shalltear and Albedo could confidently say that they were part of his harem, and therefore the issue of supremacy in the harem moved from the category of theoretical to the category of urgent.
"Lord Momonga, what exactly do you desire at the moment? Please, I have no equal when it comes to giving pleasure…" Shalltear, catching an opportunity to strike at Albedo, spoke further, glancing at Albedo with an impudent grin that made Albedo grind her teeth.
"After all, unlike me, Albedo was a virgin with no concept of sex, while I and my harem of vampire brides… Would be more than happy to show what I’ve learned."
Tch, that damn bloodsucker! Stealing a march on her on the eve of her date!
***
"UMU!" Momonga exclaimed sharply and loudly, causing Albedo and Shalltear to instantly fall silent and shift their gaze to him. To Momonga's great fortune, the expression on his face, despite the current human one he was wearing, was tied to that of his true form, a skeleton. Meaning, it did not change on its own unless Momonga made a deliberate effort to alter it.
If not for this fact, right now, despite all the emotion suppression, Momonga would look like the high schooler whose form he had currently taken. A high-schooler that had just reached, for the first time, that coveted closed-off section in the video store, the one behind a small curtain, watched over by the store staff to catch those very high schoolers.
Half in shame, half in fear, and another half, somehow, signifying his raging hormones, in awkward arousal.
Fortunately, Momonga's true nature kept that expression from showing on his face, and the emotion suppression saved him from any awkward physiological reactions, and awkward muttering. Instead, clear thoughts came to replace the hormones… Thoughts that, even without any actual hormones, the presence of Shalltear and Albedo next to him was awakening desires in him.
Desires that were best left unspoken by one who had recently spoken of perceiving all the creatures of Nazarick as his friends’ children.
Of course, he had already slipped on that slippery slope after putting his hands on the two before him, but that doesn’t mean he should just let himself slip even further.
"Umu!" Momonga exclaimed much more calmly now, controlling himself, before shifting his gaze to the two girls. "I invited you on a date, so I don't think we should move on to any… Carnal activities so soon."
A moment later, Momonga realized an important fact and hastened to correct it, "Rise from your knees and stop bowing. This is a date, umu."
"Of course, Lord Momonga!" Albedo was the first to jump up from her kneel with a smile so wide that it almost became unnatural, revealing Albedo's inhuman nature. "What would you prefer?! Perhaps the baths first? I must say, the maids have prepared them today to the highest standard!"
Not even taking a moment after Albedo finished speaking, Shalltear also popped off from her kneel and began giving her own ideas.
"Or perhaps my personal quarters?! Lord Momonga, dozens of Vampire Brides await your word alone!" Shalltear instantly tried to wedge herself into Albedo's offer, not even bothering to hide the fact that she's elbowing Albedo in the side.
"No, this is a date! Umu, right, a date! Nothing vulgar, just a normal outing!" Momonga repeated several times with emphasis, not quite sure who exactly he was trying to convince of his position at the moment, the girls or himself.
"As you wish, Master," Albedo, clearly not ignoring the jab to her side as she returned fire, bowed deeply, trying with all her might to draw Momonga's attention to the neckline of her dress… And not without a small amount of success.
"That was my title of endearment, you big-mouthed… Ah, ahem, Lord Momonga!" Shalltear managed to only just hiss angrily under her breath before reorienting herself again and trying to snuggle a little closer to Momonga. Trying to entreat Momonga as she stuck as close as possible to his side. "Lord Momonga, what exactly would you prefer the most?! Just say the word, and I will conquer the whole world to present the best gift for our first date!"
Momonga was not sure how he should react to the offer of World Domination just in order to get him a gift.
‘Not that I have much experience with this, but it always seemed to me that usually it was the men that gave the gifts to girls on dates?’ Momonga sighed internally, trying to carefully move away from Shalltear's body so that he was equidistant from Albedo's body as he moved, lest she tried to glomp on him as well.
And with Albedo’s literally sinful body, his reaction to it would be much more pronounced when compared to Shalltear’s, let’s just say, more lithe body.
‘On the other hand, I don't think Albedo and Shalltear themselves understand what a date is, so… I suppose out of the three of us, I'm the one with the most experience in romance. At least I’ve played the eroge that Peroroncino recommended to me, some of them at least that aren’t just outright too perverse, and had walked with Katase to the ruined church. That can be considered some kind of experience in dating, right?’
At the very least, knowing that he had the most ‘normal’ view of what a date should be, Momonga needs to be more proactive. Lest the two girls steered the occasion into something much more perverted than he was comfortable with.
"Ahem, Albedo, Shalltear," Momonga found the perfect spot to sit, where he wasn't touching the girls' bodies with his limbs, as he spoke, trying to give his tone a semblance of confidence, urgently recalling the plan he had created for the date.
A rough sketch of it from the eroge he had played in the past, at least. "Yes, how do you feel about going to the beach?"
The beach! That was the most common trope shared by the eroges he’d played, so that was what a date was most supposed to be! Dozens of the same opinion couldn’t be wrong, right?
"Of course, Lord Momonga! Any suffering you inflict upon me will be the greatest happiness for me!" Shalltear instantly threw Albedo a triumphant grin, as if suffering from Momonga was some unique gift that had yet to be earned, some great achievement. And seeing that Albedo in turn threw Shalltear an annoyed look, as if her thoughts completely coincide with Shalltear's own, the two might have perceived it as such.
How could he forget something that basic!? Shalltear’s a vampire, and…
"Right, a vampire, yes." Momonga instantly dismissed that thought, that Shalltear would be in any danger or pain.
In Yggdrasil, only low-level vampires were truly vulnerable to sunlight and took damage from it, the stronger the vampire and the higher their [Racial Level], the less significant the penalties from sunlight were for them. Shalltear, as a [True Vampire], did not receive any penalty from sunlight, at all. Which is why initially Momonga did not pay any attention to this when considering a possible dating spot, but according to the lore, they still found it somewhat unpleasant to be in direct sunlight.
And, of course, where else could one find the most open space flooded with sunlight if not on the beach? But there was one simple solution, one that even in the eroge was shown to be just as romantic as a day date on the beach.
"We can go at night?" Momonga instantly reoriented himself from the simple setback, and proposed a simple modification to his initial plans.
As sad as his educational level was, Momonga at least knew that the Earth was a sphere. Therefore, at the time when it was day in one part of the world, it was night in some other part of the world. All Momonga needed to do for his beach date was to find the right spot on the globe where it was night, after which teleportation would instantly transport him to any night beach in the world…
Besides, a night beach was also not a bad choice for a romantic date, at least according to those games that Peroroncino had shoved at him in the past! And given that darkness, even a total on where there was no light at all, did not pose a problem for any of the three participants present.
This choice seemed ideal to Momonga.
"But… My suffering…" Shalltear almost plaintively whispered, so that Momonga even sympathized with her for a moment.
Before realizing that Shalltear was worried about not being able to suffer for Momonga's sake, the blooming sympathy evaporated quickly on its own. Meanwhile, Albedo was just happy that Shalltear hadn’t just leaped over her. "A magnificent idea, Lord Momonga! We only need to change the settings of the Fourth Floor and…"
"Fourth Floor?" Momonga blinked before realizing an important detail that he had forgotten to specify as he had invited the girls to the date, considering it obvious, and hastened to say it now.
Even if it might be too late.
"No, I assumed that our date would take place in the human world…"
After hearing his declaration, Albedo and Shalltear glanced at each other for a moment, then seriously looked at Lord Momonga and nodded resolutely. "If Lord Momonga wishes so…"
For a moment, Momonga himself felt that the planned date had abruptly shifted in the girls' perception from the category of rewards to the category of tests…
Which is the last thing he wanted.
***
Cocytus was nervous. A feeling which was quite uncharacteristic for one who was created as the embodiment of a true warrior. The mission entrusted to him was too serious for even the immaculate warrior to feel absolutely certain in his victory and success.
Bringing the old religions of humanity to submission, those that had long-lost their former glory, influence and power, but at the same time retained a certain potential, under the control of Nazarick.
Initially, Lord Momonga planned to forbid Cocytus from personally appearing on the battlefield, wishing to further enhance Cocytus's abilities as a commander of Nazarick's forces and test him in a possible battle outside the sacred Great Tomb. But, this plan had to be abandoned due to the fact that, despite the isolation of the old religions, nothing prevented them, at least in theory, from escaping their mostly abandoned heavens and informing other religions about Cocytus’ attack.
In addition to that, Nazarick was interested in the gods of the old religions that are at least of the fortieth and fiftieth level. It was not a level of strength that can be defeated just by throwing the POP monsters of Nazarick thoughtlessly, especially since the goal was total submission, and not destruction. Winning by attrition is simply not impressive, and despair-inducing enough for the gods to relinquish their position, as diminished as it is now, and go under the banner of Nazarick. Not the level that could be defeated by mindlessly throwing in the weak creatures of Nazarick, those that Nazarick itself could create without paying attention to losses every day, but too weak to easily bring them to submission.
A certain overwhelming force was required, capable not only of defeating these weakened gods, but also of instilling in them the idea that resistance itself was futile. And so, of all possible candidates to deliver this message, it was Cocytus who was the most suitable.
Of course, even with Cocytus personally overseeing the command, a one hundred percent result was not guaranteed, moreover, it was not even expected. At least some of the gods would definitely be subject to excessive pride and even in the face of overwhelming power would refuse to recognize the supremacy of Nazarick. And Cocytus would be forced to make an example out of them, even if he was saddened by such an action.
The heart of a warrior who refused to surrender in the face of invincible power, following his ideals, was beautiful, but it was beautiful precisely because he did not want to back down in the face of any invincible force. And he had his orders, one that had come directly from Lord Momonga, Cocytus’ personal opinion did not matter in the slightest.
Nazarick sought submission, the gods that would not submit were not needed.
And that is why Cocytus was nervous. Not because he had to kill warriors ready to stand against him, no, the essence of a warrior was to kill the warriors standing against you, but because he was entrusted with an incredibly important mission. The mission of subjugating the old religions.
The first full-fledged military mission of Nazarick in this world. Failure, though it was never acceptable before, is especially not acceptable on this occasion.
Cocytus had the right to make mistakes, lose and retreat in the face of a worthy opponent as many times as he could, as long as he was Cocytus. However, the sacred name of Nazarick could not be tarnished by failure!
And therefore, Cocytus was worried, as he walked through the ranks of his loyal soldiers, examining each of them. A strange feeling in his gut, as if simultaneously wishing and completely unwilling to find a flaw in their training, formation or readiness to die for Nazarick if the mission required it.
Cocytus's selected followers, all level fifty and above, all perfectly loyal to Nazarick, like all other inhabitants of Nazarick, and all informed of their mission, stood at attention under the gaze of their general.
Nazarick was sending eighty soldiers in addition to Cocytus, and none of whom could make a single miscalculation. As responsibility for it would be borne not only by them alone, but also by all his battle brothers and Cocytus himself. Only the infinite mercy of Lord Momonga would allow them to commit an honorable suicide, and not bring upon themselves the cursed fate of expu…
No, this word was so cursed that even thinking about it was sinful for a worthy inhabitant of Nazarick!
After walking once more between the ranks of his followers and making sure for the tenth time that they were prepared, Cocytus realized that he physically could no longer postpone the beginning of his campaign. Therefore, after making his way in front of his small army, he began the campaign against the false gods.
"Our. Campaign. Begins. Right. Now. The. First. Step. That. You. Will. Take. Outside. Nazarick. Will. Become. The. First. Step. Of. The. Army. Of. Nazarick. In. This. World. Our. Goal. Is. Absolute. Victory. Our. Enemy. A. Million. False. Religions. For. There. Is. No. God. Except. Lord. Momonga. So. Let. Us. Not. Disgrace. Him. With. Anything. Less. Than. Total. Victory."
"In the name of Nazarick! In the name of Lord Momonga!" The voice of the eighty selected warriors answered him in a single chant, so synchronous that it sounded like one shout that shakes the very earth itself. They were one army, acting as one warrior, perfectly created by their perfect creators they moved with one will, perfectly marching in order.
A march inexorably moving along the path of war.
***
There were many religions in the world. Even in modern times, where information felt like just a click away, it was easy to get confused between them. Neopagans against Christians, Hinduism against Shinto, and even if you only got to the differences within one religion, depending on the place, history, and the believers themselves?
It was sometimes too difficult to even determine whether several beliefs were one religion or several religions rolled into one instead.
If that was the case for the modern religions, where wars had been fought to prune off as many branches as possible until what’s left deemed it proper. Then, what kind of mess would an ancient, old, and forgotten religion be in?
In ancient times, when people gathered around fires and drew mighty aurochs on rocks with ocher, how many religions had appeared and disappeared since then? Each tribe birthing gods, that would disappear when the tribes have gone from the sands of history.
Disappeared in the minds of people, at least, but not in the form of gods remaining from those old times.
Of course, not every tribe gave birth to gods that had survived from the time of the beginning of humanity to the present moment. Many, in fact, most of the gods of the weak tribes of the past have perished in a foolish struggle, either to gain more power, or when they are subsumed and consumed by the gods of a bigger tribe.
Some of the smallest sects’ gods had never fully formed as gods at all. After all, in addition to belief, the creation of a god needed a long time of concentrated worship, before it could even have a chance of creating even the most minor of gods. Otherwise, every two-bit cult leader would soon ascend to become a god, or some shrewd humans would take advantage of such a quirk of apotheosis.
But this was not the case, and therefore, although the number of old extinct religions and their still surviving gods was great, it was still finite.
Many forgotten primitive beliefs, or once powerful religions, lost in the struggle to new young competitors, retreated into their own heavens, while some of the powerful religions of the past, like the Scandinavians or Greeks, retained their influence so much that they became part of the culture of modern civilizations. Because of which, even having lost their worshipers, they were able to retain their influence and most of their powers. Some, like the Egyptian pantheon, having achieved much less in the field of maintaining their cultural presence, existed thanks to the [Faith] accumulated over the millennia of their existence, and to the scant believers they had left.
While someone, like the great Quetzalcoatl, existed only on the outskirts of history, forgotten by all worshipers and vilified by modernity as an evil deity that required bloody sacrifices. All the while, people preferred to forget how Quetzalcoatl himself cut out his own heart in order to make the Sun move across the sky again.
But Quetzalcoatl, compared to other forgotten gods, still retained crumbs of his former power, but what about Xipe Totec? Xolotl? Itzpapalotl? The pantheon of once powerful gods who ruled an entire continent was destroyed, reduced not even to crumbs, but to a mockery of the very concept of divinity. Gods, who commanded the winds and the world, shrank to a territory that would be shameful to show to even the most devout of believers.
Half of the gods were completely destroyed, some chose to die in a battle they could not win, while others simply… Outlived themselves.
Gods required a certain amount of [Faith] for their existence, not too much, which is why Gods could grow exponentially fast when their religion flourished, but not so little that gods don't need to pay attention to the cost at all. Therefore, being left without followers, each god faced a terrible dilemma.
They could hope for followers, perform what small miracles they could afford to gain believers that way, which is already a tall ask since their whole problem stems from their religion dying in the first place. Or they can take up arms and attack another religion, probably someone that is in the same boat as them, and poach their believers. Or the last option, retreat into their domain, squeeze it to the smallest possible extent, give up all their powers, put themselves on life support and just… Wait for death.
Many gods chose the second option, even if they would fall in battle, they fought to the end.
Quetzalcoatl chose the third option. He chose… And hated himself for it.
The god of wisdom and light, the lord of the winds, the feathered serpent, the master of the West was reduced to the point that even a sufficiently powerful mage could try to kill him… If anyone cared about a destroyed old religion. Reduced to the point that his old followers would surely have laughed at him if they had seen his current form. Turned into a laughingstock, such that even he himself could not help but twist his mouth in a contemptuous sneer when he saw his own figure in the mirror.
Once, being the God of Wisdom, Quetzalcoatl chose to retreat from direct battle against the rapidly spreading religion of the crucified god. After all, isn’t it the wiser option, to bide his time and strike at the soft underbelly when the Christian god’s grip is weakened?
He had thought himself so clever then, as he watched his fellow gods kill themselves in vain as they tried to topple the crucified god’s hold on their territory.
However, time passed, and Christianity did not weaken on Quetzalcoatl's ancestral lands, instead growing stronger and stronger, until Quetzalcoatl realized… That he had lost without even his enemy having to raise a finger.
His wisdom turned out to be cowardice in the end, when, already so woefully weakened, not so far from how he was now, refusing to give one decisive battle to the enemy, which would be nothing more than glorified suicide.
Quetzalcoatl retreated into his jungles.
It was an ancient jungle, as ancient as the world itself, where his influence, what scraps of it were left, and slowly watched as his empire collapsed, and his believers were either dead or usurped by the crucified god.
Quetzalcoatl was then quickly forgotten by history, his name nothing more than a footnote in his people’s history.
And that was an ending too kind to Quetzalcoatl himself, for a god of war that didn’t even meet his end on the battlefield. But, his name is still spoken of, there are those that still remember his name, it was enough belief to sustain him.
But what about the gods that had followed him? The gods under his command, who can remember their names now? Who was interested in them?
Those who believed him, were led by the God of Wisdom into an inescapable trap, where they remained to this day. Alive, but too weak to do anything as more and more their strength was sapped from them, it was nothing more than a slow death. Day after day, second after second, slowly, they rotted from the inside, as an old thrown-away timber rots.
Quetzalcoatl did not even know, was it worth it for them to continue living a doomed life in this case? Or could they at least in this last moment deserve an iota of control over their lives that had slipped from their hands? One that he has taken from them?
Is not a swift death better than a slow, plodding one?
Quetzalcoatl asked himself this question every day, looking at the long-dead corpse of his religion, slowly rotting. He asked until… Something unbelievable happened, as ironic as it might sound for the god without believers.
For the first time in hundreds of years, he felt someone invade the forgotten little world of his old, dead religion.
A wave of power that would have been overwhelming even in the heyday of his pantheon swept through Quetzalcoatl's world, and the world trembled. Trembling with a power that had long been forgotten by this place, Quetzalcoatl himself froze as the feeling washed over him for a moment before forcefully exhaling his breath.
Has his question been answered then?
Just from what he could feel, coming for them, for him, with the enemy possessing such great powers, Quetzalcoatl did not think that he would be able to hold the enemy back even for a tenth of a second. If the enemy had come to destroy Quetzalcoatl and what meager possession he had left… But, if fate had ordained that death had finally come to this dying world…
Then it was not in Quetzalcoatl's plans to refuse it a long-awaited meeting with a cowardly god who had forgotten about the time when he lived and when he should have died.
Comments
Romulus
Now this is where things kick it up
Súper hibrid
This is getting even more interesting, he asked me what the administration of the pantheons will be like.
