Chapter 16

How was this world we live in born?

The Three God Faith says this: Goddess Nemi commanded, and the earth was born; Elysia cried out, and there was light; Hilrae existed, and life came to be.

But strictly speaking, that is just propaganda and fabrication created by the Temple.

Long ago, someone created a story that grew over time, becoming nothing more than a creation myth. However, sometimes, certain lies cannot simply be dismissed as lies.

Only those within the Three God Faith could deny this creation myth.

“The Ancient Gods are the first gods born simultaneously with the birth of this universe. We call them gods, but they are vastly different from the divinity we imagine. They are gods in name only, completely different from the Goddess in every way. Truly different beings.”

As Reinhaim unraveled her tale, the Hero Party listened with interest.

Myths are always fascinating. Stories about gods have always stimulated human curiosity.

“In other words, the Ancient Gods are the axis and pillars of the universe, born with the universe. They exist from the beginning of creation and disappear at the end of destruction—beings too profound for us to comprehend.”

The Ancient Gods, existing before the gods, are more like the universe itself.

Each one embodies countless laws of the universe, and as long as the universe exists, they are absolutely eternal and immortal. They have no concept of life or death; they simply exist forever.

“Do such beings truly exist?”

Araidel was shocked. She thought the legends of the Ancient Gods were just that—legends. She had never considered that they might actually exist.

Because no one had ever claimed to have heard the voice of an Ancient God. The Goddess exists and occasionally gives revelations to Araidel, appearing before her in visions. But the Ancient Gods are just characters in stories.

“Look, there is a person here.”

At those words, Reinhaim simply smiled.

“And over there, beyond the sky, lies the sea of stars, the infinite space we call the universe. Now, the person calls out to the universe: ‘Hey, I’m here. Can’t you see me?'”

Would the universe respond?

That cry would only echo emptily through the void, never reaching the universe. The Ancient Gods are too vast; no matter how loudly a human shouts, their voice cannot reach them.

So, it’s okay not to know.

It wouldn’t help anyway.

The Ancient Gods, existing eternally, are beings humans cannot interact with. Whether you want to or not, it’s simply impossible. They are of a different level, hierarchy, and origin. Above all, laws are just laws.

“Saintess. The universe is indifferent. It doesn’t sway like humans with emotions. The laws of the universe are immutable and simply exist. The Ancient Gods have no ordinary sense of self. Even if a sense of self sprouts, it cannot withstand its own existence and eventually collapses.”

How vast is this universe? How immense is the concept of the laws of the universe?

It’s not a burden a being with a personality can bear. They would feel as if they were scattered across the universe, but humans, due to their inherent limitations, cannot even imagine such a feeling.

One thing is certain: the Ancient Gods are entirely different from personal gods.

It’s not a matter of hierarchy; they are simply different beings. Unlike personal gods, who have clear wills, personalities, and sometimes show anger or benevolence, the Ancient Gods can never become the protagonists of history. They do not guide fate according to their will.

They are merely the background, the backdrop of the universe, yet they are the axis of the universe.

Of course, they are beings who would discard human faith. Whether it exists or not, their power neither increases nor decreases. Most likely, they have no self to receive such faith.

“But in this world, there are always exceptions.”

However, if,

Just if,

An Ancient God awakens to a sense of self and, taking a liking to humans, grants them power.

That person would bypass the usual church hierarchy and start directly as a Saint or Saintess.

Because the Ancient Gods won’t grant power unless they truly favor someone.

Even if they awaken to a sense of self, that self would soon collapse under the weight of their own existence. But “soon” is by their standards; by human standards, it could span generations.

“Such events are rare, and there are few examples in humanity’s long history. But if someone gains the favor of an Ancient God, what they can achieve is beyond imagination. It’s as if the universe, or a part of it, is answering one person’s prayer.”

The universe won’t answer your prayers just because you wish hard,

But what if it did? What if the axis and pillar of the universe moved for you?

History would be easily overturned, and the rise and fall of races would be decided. This isn’t just talk. There are precedents. A race that should have perished survived because of one person.

“The World Tree, the sacred tree of the elves, was also born from the blessing of an Ancient God. Thanks to the power of that tree, the elves have escaped the turmoil of the world and always enjoy peace.”

From Reinhaim’s perspective, she was just sharing an old story with no place to tell. The Saintess listened in awe to her knowledge.

Compared to the Ancient Gods, even the Goddess is nothing? So what?

The Ancient Gods are the universe itself, so it’s unavoidable. They felt so unreal that it didn’t matter. The Ancient Gods were that vague.

“That’s a really fascinating story.”

“The Western Family doesn’t have such tales, though…”

And they were just as useless.

They have no reason to communicate with people, lend their power, or punish anyone.

What’s the difference between such a god and a mere backdrop? No one takes them seriously.

The World Tree sprouted thousands of years ago. The last priest of the Ancient Gods was active around that time. It’s no wonder the Hero Party was skeptical.

The Three God Faith, fearing the Ancient Gods might threaten the Goddess’s authority, tried to hide this fact, but upon reflection, it was an overreaction. Faith in this world is purely transactional.

What goes around comes around. People worship the Three Gods because they bestow blessings and divine power.

Blessings? The Ancient Gods can’t even pay for lunch. The Hero Party didn’t take them seriously. As long as they exist as laws, they will remain that way.

But you should listen to the end.

“Well, anyway, that’s why the Ancient Gods don’t need our faith. Unlike the Goddess, who gains power from people’s belief, they were born with the universe.”

Clearly, Reinhaim’s words echoed something heard before.

The story of a god who doesn’t need faith—there was no need to ask who they heard it from. The three of them widened their eyes almost simultaneously.

“So, it doesn’t matter if there are no followers?”

“Exactly, Saintess. Whether there are none or just one, it makes no difference to them. The Ancient Gods simply exist, and human faith has no effect on their existence or composition.”

“Wow, that’s kind of scary. Even minor gods need at least a village or tribe’s faith to maintain their status as gods.”

The Saintess, oblivious, cheerfully drove the point home.

Personal gods, who rely on faith to maintain their divinity, are different from the Ancient Gods. Faith is indispensable for them. Of course, a single person’s faith isn’t enough to be called a god.

At the very least, a village must unite in worship to barely be considered a god. Even then, they risk falling to the level of mere spirits.

A tribe-sized unit is needed for stability, but the ancestral or primitive gods they worship are far from being true gods. They are little more than guardians of a tribe or family, with limited power.

“Saintess, may I ask something?”

“Of course! Feel free to speak, Lucia!”

“Is it possible for a god worshipped by just one person to exist?”

“Of course not. Maintaining godhood with just one follower? If it were that easy, if Lucia worshipped me, I’d become a god right away!”

Whether a mortal seeks to become a god or a god seeks to maintain their status,

A single person’s faith is frankly useless.

That’s why all gods seek to expand their influence. Even cults and minor religions aim to increase their followers. Without faith, gods weaken over time and become mere spirits.

That’s why they distribute divine power to their followers,

And appoint priests to bestow blessings. To increase followers and expand their influence!

But if a being doesn’t need faith from the start,

There’s no need to distribute their power to many; a single follower is enough.

The three of them realized this almost simultaneously. Lucia Western sighed and whispered.

“Hey, Yurinel. I think we’re screwed.”

Of course, the Hero Party trio couldn’t smile as brightly as the Saintess. Parnell quietly approached and tugged at Yurinel’s sleeve, muttering.

“Was the god he worshipped an Ancient God?!”

“How should I know? He probably didn’t know either.”

Yurinel looked bewildered. If Reinhaim was right, it explained why the Saintess of the Three Gods was so disappointing!

It wasn’t that the Saintess was weak,

Or that she lacked ability,

It was just that the being behind her paled in comparison to the one Kyle worshipped.

Yurinel grabbed her head and blurted out.

“This is driving me crazy.”

There’s no way to recruit Kyle back now. Who knows where he is?

The members have changed, and swapping them out is impossible. We just have to move forward. The past, once chosen, is immutable.