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The projection spoke to me, but it wasn't actually live talk; it was all pre-recorded. I couldn't quite discern their forms, but the auras they let out within the projection were permeated even in the crystal itself. Various elemental auras could be sensed, which was quite surprising.
"This is a message to the goddess known as Bing Xue, who had slain the two gods of Floor 1."
"We represent the gods of the Fourth Order."
"And we want to bargain."
"After analyzing your abilities and also what you've accomplished, including the ability to even create a new God, we've decided to offer you a new opportunity."
"As you probably already know, the Fourth Order of Gods is a combined alliance of all the gods of the first fifty floors of the Tower."
"We work together to protect each other from external threats, and at some point, we believed you were one."
"But after further analyzing the events that have happened so far and the transgressions of the Gods of Floor 1, we've decided to lift this restraining order we had prepared."
"And instead, we have prepared to welcome you within our alliance as a new Goddess."
What? Are they serious? Why would I ever join their alliance of Gods? Most of them are megalomaniacs; most likely, there's no chance there aren't more Gods like the ones I've fought before, or some that could be even worse.
"Naturally, there will be several benefits as well. We've even discussed matters with the Tower Master."
"If you agree to our terms, we will compensate you with Divine Treasures, special Divine Grimoires, and Divine Artifacts. And also, you will be given a special Artifact that will allow you to combine Earth with Floor 1, the world that is rightfully yours."
Wait, what?!
"Once that happens, the planet Earth will be assimilated into the Tower and you will be able to live without worrying about your planet being in danger of Gates or Raids, for the most part."
"Of course, you will also receive our support and help when needed, and we expect to get the same treatment from you in the future to make things even."
"Please, instead of going down the path of violence, consider becoming one of us. We will gladly welcome you."
The call then stopped at that, the projection quickly dissipated, and the jewel in my hands remained unmoved.
"Well, that was... Not what I expected," Urbosa said.
"Me neither…" Merkite muttered. "Are you going to consider it, honey?"
"Of course not! I am not going to join any shady "Order of Gods", I bet they want this only to control me," I said. "And there's no way I am letting the Tower swallow Earth. My planet shall remain untouched."
"Well said," Seth smiled. He had remained mostly silent until now. "The Fourth Order is the weakest order of gods, but they're cunning. They are most likely attempting to recruit you into their ranks, so they don't have to deal with you for now, and once you lower your guard, they will attack you and finish you off while taking your entire planet too. It's a good plan; too bad for them that you're strong and not stupid."
"I'll ignore their stupid offer for now," I said, looking at the blue jewel. "But this projection artifact... It contains their powers to an extent; they have permeated it with them. I will keep it for now; I could use it to do something with it, something good."
I smiled, saving the precious jewel inside my Inner Realm.
"Alright, we're good now; was that all of it, Leviathan?" I asked him.
"Yes, that was all... Are you seriously not joining the order?" he wondered. "It could be life-changing for everyone!"
"You've already heard my response, Leviathan," I said. "I won't be joining anybody's order or whatever. I have my own sect, my own disciples, and my own life and goals. I won't tie myself to a bunch of gods; most of them are going to become my targets soon enough anyway."
"I see…" Leviathan nodded. "Then, if that is your decision, I shall remain true to our deal and stay by your side, master. Leave the first floor to me; I shall take good care of it."
The giant serpentine dragon smiled as he remained in the skies, the sky becoming less chaotic as he made his decision.
"Well said," I nodded. "Take special care of this village of people, okay?"
"Yes, of course, I am well aware it is where your beloved ones originated from, yes? This shall be personally guarded by me and my Divine Spirits!" he said.
"Good," I nodded.
"Does that mean we can come with you then? If we don't have to guard this place?" Estrella asked. "I am SO bored, and I never got the time to explore outside!"
"Right… Come to think of it, since the moment we were born, we never had the chance to explore another world," said Umbra. "But now that we are no longer bound by the world of Eclipse, perhaps..."
The two looked at me with puppy-like eyes, asking me to bring them along.
Honestly, they could be of some use if there is more than one threat on the second floor.
Okay, fine, I'll bring them along, but with some conditions.
"Your presences are very divine, so first take upon reduced forms," I said. "And you can only come along while pretending to be my Spirits. Don't go around screaming you're Gods or something, okay?"
"W-What? Such humiliation! What's wrong with saying I am a goddess to whoever I see? All those mortal peasants need to know their place, and- Mmggh?!"
Her brother quickly used his skeletal hands to cover her pretty mouth.
"Sister, please stop," he sighed. "We agree to those terms, Master Bing Xue."
"Okay then," I nodded. "I know you already look small, but the auras you exude are very divine; can you suppress that?"
"Yes, I think we can," nodded Umbra. "Right sister?"
"Do you have to cover my mouth like that, Umbra?!" Estrella cried. "And yeah, of course I can do something so BASIC! Who do you think I am? Ehe!"
Did she say "Ehe!"? That was a bit cute, actually.
Anyways, it is weird to bring children to climb the tower, and it is often frowned upon, so their childlike appearances should change if possible.
Well, Umbra is a skeleton, but the skeleton of a child would be weird.
"I can take any shape," said Umbra. "Do you want a skeleton wolf, perhaps? I can do that! Or maybe a bird? A monkey? Perhaps a skeleton pony? Oh! I can also take the form of a skeleton bear—a small one, though. Or perhaps a wyvern? Small sized."
Umbra constantly shapeshifted his bony form into many shapes; it was a bit amazing to see and a spectacle for everyone.
"Okay, okay, just take the form of a skeleton wyvern, a small one that could sit on my shoulders," I said.
"Very well!"
FLUOSH!
He quickly transformed into that, sitting over my shoulders.
"Is this alright?"
"Yes! You're so cute!"
I ended up petting his white skull.
"Ugh, I guess I can take a reduced form as long as it is not as dishonorable as my brother." Estrella groaned. "A spirit, you said? Then a fairy is enough, right?"
POOF!
She quickly transformed; her appearance remained mostly the same, but she was now fist-sized and had beautiful butterfly wings.
"Ehe! Do you like it? Am I cute?"
She asked that question while flying around; her wings left behind tiny sparkles of golden light.
"Very cute! Well done, Estrella!"
I praised her so she could gain some confidence.
"Eheheh! Yes, keep praising me."
With that said and done, we moved to the village, where we met again with our favorite tribe of people. Urbosa and Merkite had a talk with the villagers and their grandmother, Catrina. We gathered in the biggest tent with several other elders and people of the tribe.
"Good to see you two back, but it seems you're departing just as soon as you've arrived," said Catrina with a gentle smile. "My girls, you've gotten much stronger... And- Huh? I sense life within your wombs! What is this?"
"Oh, well, Bing Xue got us pregnant, actually," said Urbosa with a smile.
"Things happened, and we've been blessed with her seed; we shall have strong children," said Merkite with a nod.
"What a miracle! To think she was capable of that?" wondered Catrina. "Bing Xue, you never mentioned that!"
"I-I mean, I didn't really have to... And, well, it's kind of a private thing, so I would rather..." I muttered.
"Oh, of course," Catrina nodded. "How is your mother, by the way? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss her a bit.
"Ah! My mom also misses you, Catrina; don't worry; I think she might come here soon enough," I said. "She said she would come with the rest of my disciples for a trip to test their abilities against monsters."
"I would be so happy to meet her again." Catrina smiled, wagging her tail. "I-I had never asked you this before, but does it not upset you that your mother and I are in a relationship, Bing Xue?"
"Of course not! There's nothing wrong with it," I smiled. "I'm glad mom is finally moving on... I am just expecting you to not break her heart, okay? You make a cute couple. Mom loves you, I think... but she doesn't like to say it."
"S-She loves me?!" Catrina gasped, her eyes looking rather brighter. "Oh, Elena, I miss her even more now! When will she come back to our bed? Awooooo!" She started howling in sorrow.
I guess she really misses her. It was a bit funny, though, and I had to admit it.
"Grandmother, please restrain your emotions!" said Urbosa. "You're very old already; you mustn't act like a young girl in love."
"Indeed," Merkite nodded. "Mother-in-law will return briefly, and the two of you shall do love after that, so have patience."
"I understand, my girls," sighed Catrina. "I shall wait for my beloved Elena for now."
"Anyways, onto the meat and potatoes of the discussion," I said. "We're going to the second floor to investigate what's going on there. Free your tribe from the god and slay him for good."
"I see, so the time has finally come," the elder of the tribe said. "Will you truly defeat the Barbarian God, Bing Xue? It is a task higher than anything ever before. The very concept of slaying gods seemed like nothing but a dream. But you've proved us wrong."
"You're perhaps our last hope to finally regain our homeland."
"Not only the Barbarian God must be punished for his heinous crimes, but also the orcs that worship him."
"Although there are also many orcs like us that desire peace, there are also many large factions that desire battle and bloodshed above all."
"It is part of their very religion to slay foes and fight; their minds have been twisted by their wicked faith."
"Our tribe was among their targets; we don't know what happened to the other half of our kindred, but we ask you and our two warriors, Merkite and Urbosa, to please find them... or at least, what remains of them."
"We shall not disappoint you, elders," said Urbosa.
"It has finally come to this... Leave it to us." Merkite nodded.
"I am doing this mostly for my own personal benefit; slaying a god and absorbing their power is my way to become stronger," I explained. "But I shall honor your request and do what I must with that in mind."
"That is more than enough," the Elder smiled. "Now, you may go ahead. Thank you for everything."
After that conversation and saying goodbyes, we moved to the second floor's stairs, which were located to the southwest of the largest city on this continent. It took little to no time, as I used my abilities to bring us there within seconds.
And right in front of the stairs, one of my doppelgangers was waiting for us alongside Peperina, whom I've been personally training.
"Oh, so this was the girl you were also bringing along," nodded Urbosa.
"Interesting, was she this strong before? I don't remember!" said Merkite.
"Aha, I've grown stronger since then; hello, Urbosa, Merkite," said Peperina. "I also have similar goals to yours when going to the second floor, so I decided to tag along! I hope I won't be too much of a bother."
"Of course not; you're strong enough." I nodded. "Now, let's go; no more time to waste, isn't it, Seth?"
"Yeah, we must go to the place I told you right away before anybody else finds that place first," he said. "If someone else gets to that, someone evil... Things could only escalate into an even more chaotic event."
As we moved through the stairs, a bright white light engulfed us whole. Our bodies and souls trespassed through dimensional walls and membranes that kept the worlds separated yet also connected.
FLASH!
And then we found ourselves standing in front of an endless and beautiful grassland, a blue sky, and white clouds. There was little to no difference in Eclipse's landscape.
Though, apparently, this world was just all plains, with some forests, jungles, and swamps, and nothing else throughout the entire single continent of Elios.
But that wasn't all; to the left, there was a huge camp where three different flag poles rested, each flaw showing a different color and an emblem representing a faction.
The three factions of the second floor's endless wars.
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Can't wait to see what's next? You can join my Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/pancakeswitch
and gain access to all these Advanced Chapters:
50 Advanced Chapters of
The Protagonist's Sister Is Actually The Strongest
31 Advanced Chapters of
The Heavenly Martial Empress Returns
17 Advanced Chapters of
Fantasy Story Online: The Crippled Vampire Prince Walks The Heavenly Demon Path