It has been a week since our departure from Port Silis. That also means it has been three months since Isaac and I were transported to Athiens. Time sure flew by fast. Thinking about the time we spent in Athiens has me thinking about what Earth is up to right now. Well, to be fair, I’m thinking about that every day.

“Stop hauling ass and I’ll chop off your arm. You’ll be matching with your dear master here,” Solgen growled at the two Apithiens.

Solgen was leading everyone through the streets of Port Silis, with Airon and Volken right behind her, and the rest of us behind them. Weirdly enough, it was quiet. The roads that usually had people lingering, even during the night, were abandoned, and no wildlife or creatures ran through its backstreets.

“Solgen, I have a question,” said Isaac. “Since you captured Airon, does that mean you got The Oracle?”

Me, Zelkes, and Myra’s heads jumped up at Isaac’s words. We all collectively stared at Solgen.

“I was hoping you would bring that up.”

Solgen reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a white glove. After putting it on, she rummaged in another pocket and retrieved a black crystal.

“That’s The Oracle we’ve been searching for,” Zelke muttered.

“Damn near took us an entire week just to get a glimpse of it and she just comes over and gets it in a couple of minutes,” said Myra with a slight tinge of annoyance.

“That’s our master for you! She gets shit done!” Isaac chuckled. Solgen pocketed The Oracle and glove back in her coat.

“Thank you for the praise, Isaac. Now, enough dawdling. We must head to the palace! We have someone waiting for us there.”

Someone is waiting for us at the palace? Could it be?

For a moment, my heart fluttered in anticipation, hoping that maybe Claude de Vusech didn’t die after all. It was not until we arrived at the palace that the truth that this was not Earth really set in. The second event where Isaac and I experienced another heavy loss. The place where Isaac and I had truly felt hopeless in the face of absolute strength.

****

“Archbishop Zolvo, you say that you cannot find any trace of the Apithiens?”

“No, excuse me, Cardinal Nicholas. That was the slip of the tongue. I have just discovered mana residue near a tree, and there is no trail visible, as if someone teleported them away.”

It seems Solgen has tracked them down and apprehended them. She also holds The Oracle. Troubling news indeed. I’ll have to report this to the goddess Artoic herself.

“You did well, archbishop Zolvo. Return to your post.”

“Yes, Cardinal Nicholas. May the gods bless you.”

Following the prayer, the archbishop’s voice ceased, indicating that our telepathic gathering had concluded. All the while I was seated on the bench in the deserted church, I was presented with the view of the stained glass that embodied the grandeur of the gods. I am a very fortunate man to have encountered such divine beings. To be relied on… I will do whatever is necessary to satisfy their every order, and to spread their teachings.

“I will have to make a trip to Jahla tomorrow and offer solace to those whose homes were destroyed by those humans. Strengthening my position of power is what’s needed to continue controlling the masses. And to strike fear in the hearts of others. To control everything and have all life revere the gods. That is my mission.”

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A quiet bell rung in my ears, and a blue screen appeared before my very eyes. It was a request from the goddess Artoic herself waiting for me to accept the transmission call. The letters Yes and No were in white, beckoning for me to push them already.

“What a coincidence,” I said as I tapped on Yes.

****

“Cardinal Nicholas…”

“Yes, goddess Artoic.”

As I perched on the frozen throne with one leg crossed over the other, the archbishop quickly rose from his diminutive bench and bowed.

“I have terrible news to share,” the Cardinal calmly started. “Unfortunately, The Oracle, along with the Apithiens, have been retrieved by Solgen and the others. I sent archbishop Zolvo to intercept her, but we were too late. However, I am pleased to share that intelligence from Ruin has informed me that Solgen and the others have arrived in Port Silis and are going straight to the royal palace.”

“Anything else to report?”

“The Chimera Project is almost complete. It is only a matter of time until we have perfected the organism.”

“That is good news indeed. You are dismissed, Cardinal Nicholas.”

“Thank you, Goddess Artoic,” said the Cardinal. He bowed deeply once more and ended the transmission.

It is a pity I couldn’t get my hands on The Oracle. I was going to use its power for our goals, but it shouldn’t pose a problem. I ought to be wary of those two humans. It is time to take action concerning these matters. It’s best to nip them in the bud before they become a threat to us gods. Even though the probability of that occurrence is low, it is best to be cautious. How could a mere mortal oppose gods? Especially when the teachings of killing a god have been lost in time. The Oracle just shows one timeline that could happen in the future. Should I deal with them myself? Sending my mortal henchman hasn’t worked. They are incompetent fools.

“Ah!”

Why not just send Luna over there? With her personality, she’s probably dying of boredom over at Noblela. I can’t send Solis since that kid doesn’t like to fight, although all the pillars know he’s full of shit. Yes… Let’s send Luna over there. That maniacal girl will do just nicely.

Without further ado, I sent Luna a transmission signal. It took a minute for that girl to pick up.

“Artoic? What do you want?”

The young girl stifled a yawn as she reclined on a fabric. She was in a state of relaxation, whirling her fingers around and on their tips were miniature replicas of the moon. The moons would circle around each other like planets revolving around the sun. Luna does this whenever she’s bored out of her mind.

“I have a special job for you.”

“Special job, you say? It better not involve paperwork or watching these little mortals scurry around!” Luna replied dryly.

“I need you to exterminate some rats for me.”

Luna’s ears perked up at the word exterminate. She waved away the small little moons and abruptly stood up.

“Well… Why didn’t you start off with that? You don’t need to say anymore! Where are they?”

“I like your enthusiasm. I’ll transfer the coordinates to you on the System. Once you finish your little hunting event, tell me how it went.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Luna cried out.

With her little arms, she gave me a small salute and ended the transmission. I inputted the coordinate details on a little console and sent them her way.

“Once we’re done with this, I’m taking a break. A long-deserved break. When’s the last time I took a nap? Was it six years ago? It is unnecessary for the gods to consume food or sleep in order to recover their energy. We will only pursue those activities if our time is otherwise unoccupied or for the sole purpose of amusement. We have a lot of time on our hands after all. I think I’ll start that nap now. I’ll wake up in a few hours- or days.”

As I was about to drift off into a deep sleep, I heard footsteps in the hallways of the throne room. I opened my eyes in surprise, and I glared at the man who was coming in my direction. His attire was disheveled and unclean, and the exquisite black fur coat he had on had a large piece of fur missing. The lower half of his white mask was fractured, and he had no semblance of a smile.

“Madam… My deepest apologies for being late. As for what happe-“

“Enforcer… Let me guess. You have discovered that the incomplete Chimera was destroyed and found traces of the ones responsible. Following the trace brought you to Solgen and Morgac, and they were able to overpower you and cause your current condition.”

He hung his head low in defeat. “Your lowly subordinate awaits punishment…”

I heavily sighed while facepalming at the man. “No punishment is needed. Stay by Cardinal Nicholas’ side until I call you back. Go and heal your wounds.”

“Thank you for your mercifulness, madam Artoic.”

The Enforcer had a fleeting stay in my palace, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared. After mumbling curses at Demos for my current position, I finally closed my eyes, drifting to sleep.