"I will think about what you have said. But I also think preparing for failure makes the struggle to succeed harder."

Krenocia says "We just wanted to warn you. Our time grows short, do you have any other questions?"

"Just one, for you specifically."

Seronia says "Alright, I will leave first. It was good seeing you Ash and I enjoyed our talk!"

"Goodbye, Seronia."

Krenocia says "So, what is your question?"

"I want to know about my body."

Krenocia says "What about it?"

"Well, I remember you saying something like it was the strongest body you found at the time you grabbed my soul?"

Krenocia says "Yes, that's right."

"So you found my body, you didn't make it?"

Krenocia says "No, I found it just as it was when I put your soul into it."

"Do you know where it came from? Are there others?"

Krenocia says "It comes from a remote mountain area on the main continent. Yes there are others, not very many though. It would be a small tribe at best."

"My body had a mana core, meaning those are all mana beasts?"

Krenocia says "Yes, humanoid mana beasts."

"But how did mana beasts end up on the main continent if they were created by Duke Daggun on the northern part of this peninsula?"

Krenocia opens her mouth to reply, but then what I asked hits her and she freezes. She sits there with her mouth hanging open and her eyes bugging out as the repercussions run through her mind. I guess even a goddess can be surprised.

"Mericel also told me that the area of the land bridge was controlled by mana beasts, yet how did they get to the southern part of the peninsula?"

Krenocia waves at me to be quiet while she thinks, she is trying to figure out what information is accurate. Either I am wrong or she is, but since I am giving back information she gave me I can't really be wrong. Either her information is wrong or she made wrong assumptions about the information.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Krenocia says "So you are suggesting that Duke Daggun didn't create the mana beasts he just found a way to control them?"

"That would make more sense than them spreading so far during the dragon's attack on the empire. I doubt anything would move during that except to run away."

Krenocia says "Even that wouldn't explain the humanoid mana beasts on the main continent. How would they have gotten past the demons?"

"Did you ever pay any attention to the beasts before Duke Daggun's rebellion?"

Krenocia says "No, not at all."

"Then it's more likely that the mana beasts are a natural evolution and Duke Daggun just found a way to control them and use them for his war. If his way of controlling them was based on the mana core then that would explain why he couldn't control the dragons."

Krenocia says "What you are saying makes sense, but is there a point here?"

"You said that human belief grants you power, does it also affect your knowledge? If humans believe something strongly enough do you come to believe it as well?"

Krenocia says "I don't know, I have never thought about it before."

"You said you were created by a tribe ages ago, they must have learned a lot of things as they grew. Did those things surprise you or did you already know them?"

Krenocia has to stop and think for a while before she can answer me. Before she even opens her mouth I already know I am right from the look of surprise on her face. As a goddess it must be quite strange to find your own limitations.

Krenocia says "You are right, we were often surprised by new knowledge."

You have won an argument with a deity! +2 Willpower!

"Humans can be very stupid, especially in groups. You and your sister should be wary of their beliefs affecting you."

Krenocia says "Yes, I think you are right. I will discuss it with Seronia once I leave. Is this why you asked about your body?"

"No, I simply asked because of a beastwoman telling me I smelled weird."

Krenocia stares at me silently for a minute before she starts laughing. Hearing her laugh relieves me, I was somewhat worried she would take offense at me pointing out her flaw. I guess losing her pantheon and being weakened helped reduce her arrogance.

"You aren't mad that I pointed out that you have a flaw?"

Krenocia says "No, you didn't do it with intent to harm me. If anything, you were trying to help me."

"That's true, I was just worried you wouldn't take it well."

Krenocia says "My sister and I are fighting for the survival of our people and ourselves. You may have prevented us from making a huge mistake at some point. If I could, I would reward you for helping fix a weakness."

"No need for a reward, you two are my allies. If you become stronger it will benefit me in the long run."

Krenocia says "I suppose that's true. So any more questions before I go?"

"Nope, that was all of them. If I think of any others I will ask them next time."

Krenocia says "Alright, take care until next time!"

"Bye for now!"

Krenocia disappears and I remove all the furniture and lay back on the grass again. I spend a few hours relaxing and thinking about everything I have learned. After what I have learned about my body and the demons I think I have been going about upgrading my core all wrong.

Just blasting it with energy isn't effective at all so there has to be a better method. Mana beasts just slowly absorb mana to improve, while demons get spikes when they eat other demons. So I need to find a method that fits both since I am a mix between the two.

I have a couple of ideas to try once I return, but I also need to change my training routine. Just focusing on one thing may be faster in the short run, but just one thing isn't going to get me out of the trials. From now on I need to split my time between my core and swordsmanship.

'I should stop slacking and get back to work! End soulscape!'