[On the other side, in the Divination Commission.]
["Your wish is… to kill an Aeon?" Stelle looked at Kafka in disbelief.]
["Hah? How could that be? That's not our wish." Kafka gave a light chuckle and shook her head. "I just want to tell you about things that happened long ago: the stories of the fallen Aeons."]
["The Dragon of Permanence, Idrila of Beauty, Ena of Order, Tayzzyronth of Propagation, and… Akivili of Trailblaze."]
[Kafka looked up at the sky beyond the clouds. "These were names that once resounded across the cosmos. Now, they're gone, leaving only unclaimed Paths."]
["There are three known ways, to human knowledge, that cause an Aeon to fall."]
["First, when Paths with overlapping concepts collide, the broader Path engulfs the narrower one—Ena of Order was assimilated by Xipe of Harmony in this way."]
["Second, wars between Aeons. The stronger one destroys the weaker—this is how Tayzzyronth of Propagation fell. It's also why the Xianzhou Alliance, under the guidance of the Hunt, traversed the stars to eradicate the abominations of Abundance's Yaoshi."]
Underground Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Ainz Ooal Gown sat alone on his throne, quietly pondering the weighty term Kafka had mentioned: "God War…"
It was a war on an entirely different dimension, a higher realm. Let alone humans, even he couldn't set foot in it. In the face of an Aeon's power, magic might be nothing more than a parlor trick.
Watching Kafka's calm expression on the celestial screen, Ainz leaned back into his throne, lightly tapping his staff on the ground.
It was as if this were a signal—Demiurge, standing nearby, understood immediately. He bowed respectfully to Ainz and spoke slowly, "Lord Ainz, what information from the celestial screen would you like to review?"
"Demiurge, you still have records about the 'Paths,' don't you?"
"…Of course, Lord Ainz."
A brown parchment scroll made of human skin appeared in Demiurge's hand, unfurling to reveal characters flowing with magical energy.
Demiurge cleared his throat and read aloud, "The nature of Paths remains under study, but a Path is a part of the Imaginary. When certain conditions are met, this portion of Imaginary energy can be claimed by a sentient being, who becomes an Aeon."
"Hm, thanks to your meticulous records… But, Demiurge, what are your thoughts on the Paths? Speak freely, without reservation."
"As you command, Lord Ainz. Regarding the Paths…"
Demiurge hesitated briefly before continuing.
"There's little valuable information so far, but in my opinion… one day, Lord Ainz, you will surely carve out a new Path and become an Aeon."
"Oh, oh… wait! Hm??"
"Become… an Aeon?"
Though he tried to stay composed, Ainz was genuinely shocked.
After steadying his breathing, Ainz's voice carried a hint of amusement, a meaningful tone that sent a thrill through Demiurge, who couldn't help but smile.
His voice was jubilant. "Yes, Lord Ainz. Once we gather more information about Paths and Aeons, you could become the Aeon of [Arcana]. You are not only the Supreme Overlord of Nazarick, nor merely the ruler of this world… but the master of countless worlds."
"I see… that's your perspective."
"That woman named Kafka said, 'The stronger one destroys the weaker.' With your strength, Lord Ainz, defeating other Aeons would be effortless," Demiurge said with unwavering conviction, his transparent glasses seemingly reflecting his envisioned future.
"To continue serving the Supreme Overlord as a god is my greatest honor…"
"…"
Ainz said nothing, awkwardly turning his face aside. He looked at the other guardians kneeling before the throne, their eyes filled with reverence and worship, and felt a stampede of emotions.
—This was outright flattery to death, wasn't it? Who could fight monsters like Aeons!?
And this [Arcana] Path—Ainz was too exasperated to complain. Who would even walk such a bizarre Path? If he became an Aeon, he'd probably be the first to be swallowed by another Path!
——
["These are stories those who walk the righteous path would never tell you," Kafka said, her smile deepening.]
["What's the third method?" Stelle couldn't help but ask.]
["…Hold on, the time is almost right." Instead of answering directly, Kafka's gaze turned to a distant point. "Oh, it's starting."]
[The ground began to tremble slightly, a rumbling sound approaching from afar.]
[Stelle turned toward the noise and saw the withered Ambrosial Arbor they had passed earlier, now rapidly swelling and growing!]
[Its branches seemed to connect heaven and earth, golden light shining through the trunk, carrying an endless surge of Abundance's vitality. In the blink of an eye, the Arbor pierced the clouds, its boughs burning with fierce flames, guiding countless golden inscriptions to rain down from the sky.]
[At that moment, Stelle finally understood what Qingque meant by "climbing the firmament, draped with stars."]
"This, this, this… this is the Ambrosial Arbor? A divine miracle casually bestowed by the Aeon of Abundance?" Stark's jaw practically dropped in shock.
This was the first time in his life he'd seen such a grand spectacle!!
"Now I get how the Xianzhou people felt the first time they saw this thing."
Sein gave a wry smile. "No wonder the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus are so loyal to Yaoshi of Abundance. A massive thing like this, even as a withered tree, can reignite after thousands of years. This Abundance… it's hard to kill."
"But I heard the Ambrosial Arbor was shattered by a single arrow from the Hunt's Aeon," Fern said with concern. "Does that mean it'll take another arrow from an Aeon this time?"
An Aeon's arrow is no small matter. Even if the Xianzhou pursues the Hunt's crusade, the arrow's power would surely affect innocent lives, leading to unimaginable devastation.
In the worst-case scenario—half the Luofu Xianzhou might vanish into thin air.
"No rush, Fern," Frieren said confidently. "Trust in General Jing Yuan. Everything happening now is within his calculations. As long as the General acts, everything will be fine."