Chapter 26: The Method to Become a Deity
This was indeed a question that had puzzled Joshua for a very long time.
In this world, there were many deities, each with different divine domains, and their divine power manifested in various ways due to these differing domains.
Not to mention other gods, take the Seven Gods of Humanity for example. Followers of the God of Might and Justice could receive a series of divine spells targeting evil and chaos, and they also possessed the ability to forcibly counter or even seize control of a spell. Meanwhile, priests of the God of Love and Decay could charm beasts and even magical creatures, and they could communicate with the dead, summoning departed heroic spirits to guard themselves.
If one were to list them all one by one, it would be far too tedious. Yet it was precisely these different divine spell effects that made each deity revered in different regions.
The Northern Empire generally worshipped the God of Might and Justice and the God of Guardianship and Progress. The Western Mountain settlements mostly revered the God of Law and Freedom and the God of Order and Destruction. Most mages in the Eastern Plains settlements did not believe in deities, though the faith of the God of Wisdom and Choice was tacitly permitted there. In the Far South region, the God of Love and Decay and the God of Life were beloved by the masses.
But why were the divine domains of these deities sometimes contradictory, or rather, somewhat inconsistent?
Joshua knew that these divine domains and faiths had their own logic, and there was even a complete set of doctrines to explain the deeper meaning behind them. But when there were simple and straightforward examples like the God of Orcs and War, why did the human deities make their domains so complicated?
Wouldn't that cause mental confusion?
Upon hearing the warrior's question, Ougner was stunned for a moment.
*How rare... a warrior who doesn't want to become a deity, when they are the ones who most pursue power. And this question is truly asked out of pure curiosity.*
"What an interesting fellow."
The two-headed giant couldn't help but shake his head. Unfortunately, time was short. He thought with some regret that he would have liked to chat more with this human, but for now, it was better to answer his question.
"Why are divine domains inconsistent?"
After pondering his words, he said, "This would indeed confuse those who have not yet touched the realm of demigods. They wonder why some deities choose two seemingly conflicting domains as their source of power."
"This is actually a choice."
Meeting Joshua's gaze, the two-headed giant spoke slowly and seriously: "A choice between becoming the incarnation of a certain power, or existing as an 'entity' with divine power."
"What does that mean?"
Joshua frowned slightly. He vaguely grasped a feeling but couldn't be sure. The warrior pressed on without hesitation: "What's the difference between the two?"
Ougner patiently explained, "The Father of Nature, whom you and I have both seen, and myself are two perfect examples."
"The Father of Nature's domains are nature and elves. His power comes from the natural ecosystem he nurtures and elven civilization. His divine spells and blessings utilize all of nature for enhancement. I think you've seen this before."
Indeed, in the final battle of the Ilgena World, both [Father of Nature's Blessing] and [Forest Sky Light] had utilized all of nature for enhancement. Joshua nodded slightly. This was indeed the case. And from this perspective, the Calamity Evil God's erosion of the entire world, destroying all life and nature, was precisely the Father of Nature's nemesis. No wonder he had been so solemn and so eager for Joshua and the others to take some elves away.
"You said the Father of Nature fled this world during the battle at the end of the Era of Radiance. I'm not surprised at all."
There was no trace of contempt for the Father of Nature in the two-headed giant's tone. His attitude was very calm: "Because his self-will is completely subordinate to 'the continuation of elven civilization' and 'the continuation of the natural ecosystem.' Only when these two conditions are met does he have self-will. When the entire Mycroft Continent was on the verge of destruction, the instinct of his divine domain would have forced him to take the elves and leave this world, to rebuild elven civilization and nature. Because he is the incarnation of nature and elven civilization, he cannot defy the instinct of his 'self.'"
"As for me."
Saying this, Ougner raised his hand, which had only four fingers, and pointed at his aged face: "I am the God of Despair and Fortune. My power is completely inferior to the Father of Nature's. My doctrine is to perceive one's own fortune in the smallest of things, even in despair. The two completely different divine powers of despair and fortune constantly tear at my will. Fortunately, I have two heads, so I can bear each power separately."
"—But precisely because of this, the two completely different forces allow you to maintain the independence of your self."
Joshua nodded thoughtfully, beginning to understand: "The God of Orcs and War has only war and orc civilization in his mind, while the Seven Gods of Humanity each have their own thoughts and wisdom, cultivating different civilizations through different methods..."
"'Despair' has completely turned into nothingness, leaving only 'Fortune' to exist alone."
Smiling slightly, though the expression on Ougner's face could only be described as terrifying, the two-headed giant didn't care. He said with some emotion, "Actually, the difference between the two is enormous. As long as there are still elves and nature in the world, even if the Father of Nature dies, it's merely a long slumber, and he will eventually awaken one day. Of course, this is on the condition that no new God of Nature appears. But if I fall, then even if Ouger's civilization still exists, I will absolutely not be resurrected by the occurrence of fortune or despair. At most, I will be like now, awake for a brief time, then return to silence."
As he spoke these words, the two-headed giant's body became a little more ethereal. At the same time, within the white crystal barrier, the black box had completely shattered, turning into a pile of fragmented black dust.
The Box of Erebos would no longer release black mist. Just as Saya had speculated, Ougner, the residual imprint of the God of Despair and Fortune, had been worn away by time for a thousand years. Coupled with his inherently incomplete existence, he could no longer sustain himself. He was now extremely weak and would soon disappear completely.
"Any more questions?"
The two-headed giant didn't care about his own disappearance. He had already been satisfied. Even if he completely turned into nothingness, it didn't matter. Ougner calmly asked Joshua, "If you want to know the method to become a deity, I will tell you. Although time is short, I can explain how to nurture the divinity you desire."
Saying this, he shook his head again and said with a smile, "Ah, no, that's not right. You already have a trace of divinity. That makes things much simpler."
But the warrior shook his head.
"No need."