After officially returning from Earth, Nol felt a real sense of "it's all over" for the first time. At the same time, he was struck by the bizarre illusion of "joining a foreign company".
The flow of time in Tahe was six times that of Earth. According to the agreement, he and Teest have to travel back to Earth every month or so. If they visit home too frequently, it might arouse his parents' suspicions.
After years of brainwashing and captivity by Star Stealer Sol and a year of non-stop fleeing and counterattacking, Nol enjoyed an almost luxurious bewilderment—as if he had retired.
Anyway, he would never consider actually becoming the God of Creation.
That job of playing god and challenging his own integrity, he had to delegate to Perradat and Painter. It had to be said, these two were quite experienced in fooling others. After the end of the divine war, for easier supervision, Perradat and Painter formally moved into the Lost Tower.
Nol kindly implemented a five-day work week, and a nine-to-five schedule. Painter could even manage the Drifting Mercenaries on weekends.
Thus, Painter took full control of the Temple of Life, while Perradat managed both the Fate's Poet Society and the Eternal Church. Currently, it seemed she planned to merge the two and transform the Eternal Church from within.
To Nol's surprise, Perradat was very skilled at manipulating religion. According to her, it was "a racial talent".
Inside the Lost Tower, most of the neighbors had gone home. The succubi and dog-headed beastmen, with no more temple threats, decided to carve out their territories in the Black Forest.
Nol had tried to retain them, but the queen and the village chief tactfully expressed that continuing to stay wasn't quite appropriate—the tower was too crowded with four gods running around; they couldn't expand their tribes here. However, they agreed to leave emissaries and promised to visit during festivals.
"You know where our tribes are located," the two leaders expressed. "We will always welcome you, Lord Nol."
Now, aside from Perradat and Painter, only a handful of neighbors remained in the tower, including those like Little Piel, who considered the Lost Tower their home.
Such idleness.
Nol lay sprawled out on the bed of the Lost Tower, deeply pondering. He was beginning to miss the lively scenes of the past. It was nearing noon, and he still hadn't gotten up.
The good news—Teest hadn't gotten up either.
Teest was sprawled out on the soft bed with an arm draped over Nol's chest.
"We're going to see my parents tomorrow," he lazily said. "This time let's just look at them from a distance first. I want to introduce you to them properly. To be precise, introduce you to the family in my memory."
"Okay." Nol fiddled with Teest's fingers.
"I've bought back the Flama's land. Once Painter finishes the procedures, the Temple of Life will formally apologize and bury them publicly… Can I bury them inside the Lost Tower?"
"Of course," Nol replied. "How about the forest level? I'll prepare a beautiful cemetery."
"You're so considerate." Teest rolled over. "But they only have their heads left. One room is enough—I'd rather have a room, a 'Flamas' room."
Nol: "..." Teest always had unique views on death.
But he didn't dislike this mad idea.
Not a tomb, just a room, no different from other rooms. They could knock on the door, visit it like visiting a friend.
"Then I'll prepare a beautiful room," Nol said.
"Praise be to you."
Teest kissed Nol's forehead, and the sheets rustled. "What would you like for lunch? Or would you like to take a walk through Grape Collar?"
Nol: "I—"
"Eugene Malloy requests entry to the tower."
The room's communication crystal lit up on its own, broadcasting Lynn's voice tinged with schadenfreude. "He's coming alone, says he wants to meet with you both."
Nol slowly pulled the covers back. He was wrong; carefree leisure was so precious, and he didn't want a religious meeting just now.
Teest looked excited, but Nol felt that the excitement wasn't out of goodwill.
"Why does the Pope of the Temple of Life have time to come here when they're so busy?" Teest wondered.
"He says he wants to apologize to you both." Lynn couldn't hide her eagerness to watch the drama unfold. "I was going to prepare an explanation, but that kid came up with one himself. I almost applauded him—"
According to Eugene's guess—or rather, his delusion—the divine power of the Goddess had been suppressed by the False God Enbillick for the past two hundred years, leading to the gradual corruption of the Temple and the creation of numerous tragedies.
Therefore, Painter, as an incarnation of the Goddess, personally betrayed the Temple to test the devotees' faith. He secretly helped the God of Creation Nol, who was targeted by Enbillick, and Teest, the God of Destruction who followed Nol. Ultimately, the gods waged a divine war and reclaimed Tahe from Enbillick's hands.
"Huh?"
Teest's face of curiosity turned into surprise.
He knew that Enbillick had implanted the memory of "Star Stealer Sol as the goddess of life" into Eugene. Eugene refused to believe it, yet could he come up with such a story? …You know, the Temple and the Mad Monk were at odds before.
"Because the Mad Monk only kills Eternalists."
Lynn chuckled. "He believes your defiance in front of the Evergreen Church using corpses was a satire on the Temple's failure to recognize the true gods. Painter often shows 'disrespect' to the Goddess himself, so Eugene thinks your actions were perfectly justified."
"Enbillick targeted Nol specifically, and with Nol able to influence the system and with your and Painter's help, Painter's oracle made Eugene guess Nol is the legendary 'God of Creation'. Star Stealer Sol tried to frame you as the Demon King, but it backfired."
This time, Nol had nothing to say.
Knight Eugene's conclusion was very subtle—sort of right yet somehow not quite right… He deeply doubted that even if Painter ran singing around Grape Collar upside down for three weeks, Eugene could come up with an utterly sacred explanation.
"He doesn't mind that there are two gods above the Goddess of Life?" Nol hugged Teest tighter, squeezing out a question.
Lynn: "He firmly believes that 'Lady Tilia' cares more about Tahe than her own status. Don't worry. He won't suddenly attack you… probably."
"I kind of appreciate Mr. Eugene," Teest said. "He makes me feel like my faith is healthy."
Nol slowly covered his head with the blanket. "Let Painter handle it."
Teest, smiling, pulled the blanket back. "Come on, it sounds like fun!"
"Oh yes, Eugene also brought back Fischer." Lynn earnestly continued, "He recognized Fischer's magical fluctuations. Based on the low-profile actions of the Eternal Church recently, he speculated that the 'God of Destruction' had already dealt with the Eternal Son, Anstis, and gained the loyalty of the Eternal Pope."
"Teest, in his capacity as the Pope of Life, he wants to ask you about the handling and future development of the Eternal Church…"
Teest, as he uncovered the blanket, also shrank back under it. He lifted an arm, and now the blanket covered both of their heads.
"Nol is right. Let Painter handle it," Teest said from under the blanket. "What a troublesome guy."
"What about Fischer?" Nol whispered.
"Fischer Reginald is an adult. He can go home by himself," Teest said coldly. "He can even hop back on one leg."
...
Knight Eugene, no, Pope Eugene, stood at the edge of the Black Forest, gazing at this sea of trees.
After a long wait, he didn't get permission from the Lost Tower. Eugene wasn't surprised by this outcome. If he was right, after the God of Creation returned, the Lost Tower would become a realm of gods—unreachable yet omnipresent.
His intentions had been conveyed. Regardless of the outcome, this was a successful pilgrimage.
But if he was right…
At the forest's edge, an anomaly suddenly occurred.
It was spring, and most of the trees were sprouting new green leaves, sparsely. But the trees in front of him suddenly grew wildly. The new green turned into a lush, dark green, filled with divine vitality.
Under the most flourishing tree leaned a familiar figure.
It was a tall, thin middle-aged man with red hair, wearing a wooden mask carved with the emblem of the Goddess of Life. Through the holes in the mask, a pair of light green eyes still shone like the buds of spring.
"Good afternoon, my child."
Godfrey Painter greeted openly.
"My God."
Eugene stood still, and after a few seconds, he knelt on one knee, making a well-practiced prayer gesture.
Painter lamented, "What about my 'good afternoon'?"
"…Good afternoon, my God." Eugene expressed respectfully, his tone filled with joy. "Your servant sincerely thanks you for your descent."
"I've heard about your speculations," Painter said as he walked up to Eugene and touched the back of his neck. "I know you came looking for me. Ask whatever you want."
He had an expression that said, 'I knew this day would come,' like an old father caught snacking by his child.
"Did I do well?" Eugene eagerly asked.
Painter's expression sank, and after a moment, he sighed and placed a hand on the young Pope's head.
"Barely passing," Painter said, and under his palm, Eugene trembled slightly, whether from awe, fear, or excitement.
"Please tell me where I can improve," Eugene said with his head bowed, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Your will is my desire."
"It wouldn't be fun to tell you." Painter spoke in his usual tone. "You used to not recognize me as your godfather, and you still don't… haa."
"I was hoping you'd ask something else—something more interesting."
Eugene maintained his bowed position, embodying confusion.
"From today, come see me once every three months and ask me a question," Painter said softly, like he used to tell stories to that little child years ago. "How about that? This time I won't just disappear."
"It would be my honor." Eugene kept his head down. "Do you have any other instructions?"
"You will be a good pope, Eugene Malloy," Painter said, no longer pressing down on Eugene's head but gently touching it. "I'm more worried about you personally."
"I will remember your words," Eugene said.
His head lightened, and when he looked up again, Painter had disappeared.
The opportunity for stable inquiries, concerning his own "personal" worries… Indeed, his God didn't just want him to be a good pope. He implied a fatherly relationship, wanting him to keep ambition and aim for the Kingdom of God.
He would not disappoint Him.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Lost Tower.
Painter sat melancholically on the steps. He had given that boy a stable opportunity for dialogue, hoping Eugene would soon ask normal questions.
Like, the true form of the Goddess of Life being a middle-aged man—how odd is that? Why don't you ask?
Hopefully, Eugene Malloy, whose destiny he had altered, could break free from the chains of fanaticism and return to a normal life sooner.
Fortunately, they still had plenty of time.
The author has something to say:
Painter: Kid, you're too rigid… Be normal. Life has so much beauty…
Eugene: Understood, He wants me to become a god.
——————
Years later, faced with the soon-to-be god Eugene, Teest was torn between killing and not killing…