Gods are feared because they are unknowable.
Even the Almighty of the Holy Trinity knew better than to walk among mortals Himself—He created the Son, Jesus, to do that instead.
Balder understood that perfectly.
A god must remain distant—unreachable. The moment mortals begin to understand or touch the divine, their reverence fades. The fate of that so-called Son of God was proof enough.
Balder, the God of Light, must stand tall above all, untouchable and supreme in power and majesty. But his avatar, his "Apostle," could act as he pleased.
An Apostle could walk among humans.
He could be understood.
He could desire.
He could touch women, enjoy food, indulge in all that mortals loved.
Those were luxuries a true god could never allow himself.
Ivanka's expression was cautious but determined.
"Your Excellency, may I ask—which Lord do you serve?"
Balder didn't answer directly. Instead, a mote of pure light appeared at his fingertip, swirling lazily as if alive.
Ivanka's pupils contracted. Light… divine light. There was only one name that came to mind—
The Almighty Creator, the One True God, the Lord of the Trinity Himself.
Balder glanced at her once. Just once.
And yet, that single look made her feel as if her very soul had been laid bare.
Then, he slowly shook his head.
"The one I serve is not the being you imagine."
"Then… may I ask who He is?"
This time, Balder said nothing more. Some truths, after all, couldn't be handed to mortals. Only answers discovered through one's own faith could truly be believed.
"I need you to investigate two people."
Ivanka immediately noticed that he was changing the topic on purpose. But she wasn't stupid enough to expose that. Instead, she played along.
"Do you have any information on them?"
Balder lifted his hand and drew through the air. Lines of light appeared in the void, forming glowing images.
"I have received revelation," he said solemnly. "Calamity will soon befall this world."
As he spoke, the light in the air grew solid, forming scenes like projections from another realm—two young men locked in combat, moving with powers that defied all logic.
Objects flew without being touched. Invisible force tore through the air.
They soared and clashed, turning the city below into little more than a backdrop to their godlike battle.
It was a scene straight out of Chronicle—the final battle between super-powered friends turned enemies.
But this time, the ending was different.
The winner wasn't Matt.
As one of them fell, the other rose above the skies, lightning flashing behind him, illuminating his dark and twisted expression. That terrifying silhouette looked more like a demon god than a man.
Ivanka's calmness faded into shock, then into sheer disbelief.
"These two people…"
"Don't ask who they are," Balder interrupted lightly. "I don't know either. The Revelation shows only this. The rest—you'll have to uncover."
Ivanka nodded, her tone solemn.
"Understood, my Lord. With the Trump family's reach, I can find them within seven days—"
"You have one."
The interruption was sharp.
Ivanka frowned slightly. No names. No city. Not even confirmation of whether they were still in a city or somewhere rural. With only their faces to go by, the search would be near impossible.
But she hesitated only a moment before nodding firmly.
"Yes, my Lord. I'll find them within the day."
Balder smiled. "Good."
Then, almost casually, he added, "Faithful servants shall receive divine guidance… perhaps even divine favor."
Ivanka's eyes lit up.
Could it be—did she have a chance to step beyond human limits?
To gain power? To live long enough to outlast dynasties?
If she could become extraordinary, what were wealth or politics worth in comparison?
Just as she turned to leave, she paused, glancing back.
"Your Excellency, once I find them… what should we do? Should we…"
The flash of coldness in her gaze made the rest of her question clear.
Balder shook his head.
"The extraordinary cannot be touched so easily."
Ivanka immediately understood.
Those two who fought in that vision—those monsters—were probably not even the true "main players." There might be others behind them.
No… there must be.
A god wouldn't descend His Apostle for anything less.
The thought made her shiver—but she quickly composed herself. The greater the risk, the greater the reward. That was the rule of the world she lived in.
As she left, Balder watched her back with an amused smile.
If he wanted to gather faith, the simplest method would be to perform miracles.
But miracles alone were inefficient.
This world already had too many religions.
If one god descended today, wouldn't another show a miracle tomorrow?
In that case, faith would only be divided further.
So Balder planned to reverse the game—if miracles inspired belief, divine punishment inspired fear.
Fear was stronger.
Fear was deeper.
And fear lasted longer.
He already had the perfect piece on the board: a corrupted soul blessed with forbidden power—a villain, an example of what happens when humans touch the divine.
When that one crushed all opposition and displayed power beyond human comprehension…
That would be when Balder descended as the Light.
When God's Wrath would sweep across the earth.
And when all humanity would kneel.
After all, what could inspire worship more than the fear of a god who punishes?