It wasn't surprising to Segato to see Hubris when he opened his eyes after being sucked into the painting. What confused him was that there was a younger form of himself with a deeper voice than his own conversing with Hubris. He closed his eyes and tried to listen, but the language being spoken by both beings was not one he had heard before... or maybe he just forgot how to speak his own native language? Whose thoughts are these? The voices suddenly started to get louder and clearer.
"... Yeah, the situation is getting very out of hand, Segato. Apologies about not including you in the conversation," the kid (or was it an adult?) form of him spoke with a grim expression. "Let's briefly start over, since we don't have a lot of time in here. I am the past version of you before the Great Collapse. You're probably going to ask what the fuck that is. Easy answer: It is because of the Great Collapse that the power balance amongst all species was lost. Humanity especially got the worst of it. The beings that benefitted the most from this are the ones who herded us like sheep to further their own power agendas, the Deities. Since an opportunity to pass on things to you is here, I'll have to beseech your understanding that making you stronger is more important than our past memories. This is the 178,963rd time we've reincarnated."
"So I am just supposed to accept that I've died that much and none of those memories are important in any capacity to me?" Segato spoke to Segato(?).
Hubris calmly replied, "His way of thinking is correct, Segato. You should at least cover some of his questions."
"Fine. To make this less confusing for the time being, you can call me Origin," Segato(?) said.
"Sounds better," Segato nodded in agreement.
"So... what would you like to know?" Origin questioned Segato. "I am willing to cover 3 questions. After that, we skip straight to you inheriting my power. I had to train your body earlier by force because it was way too weak to handle our power. I apologize for any discomfort that may have caused--"
"--Wait, that was you earlier!?" Segato exclaimed. Origin's expression quickly became annoyed at this reaction.
"If you dare to waste time complaining, I am treating it as 1 of your questions, homie," Origin smugly responded while he shrugged with his eyes closed. Hubris turned away, as it was hard not to laugh about how ridiculous it looked to see his master torment his current self.
"Homie? That came out of nowhere. I can't tell if you are being serious or are joking," Segato commented.
"I prefer to be a combination of both, but I suppose I should speak seriously from here on out," Origin nodded in agreement.
"Fine, fine. First question, then: who were all the beings on that painting?" Segato proudly asked. This would definitely be useful information to deal with Jackie. That pride quickly disappeared when he saw how disappointed Origin looked.
"You want to waste a question on that? Ugh... this is why I never gave birth to any children in most of my past lives. Use your brain. Hubris can answer most questions that have to do with current era problems. Although I don't like calling my butler and family spirit Hubris. His name is Seiga Evol, Destroyer of Worlds, and household guardian spirit to all Evelnokes. Also, I am still counting this as a question. Before you complain, I'll elaborate a bit further. Seiga Evol is one of the few beings that exists outside of all timelines. When it comes to general history, he is unmatched throughout all of existence. Well, there used to be a living encyclopedia known as the database, but you can thank Lancaster for killing him off, I suppose," Origin grumbled. Segato looked back in forth between Origin and the now named Seiga Evol, and he suddenly realized something.
"Is the reason why you refused to help me out in full up to this point related to me calling you the wrong name?" Segato meekly inquired to Seiga Evol.
Seiga Evol stared at this mockery of his master he pointed to the mid-air text that revealed his thoughts with a frown and then pointed at Segato.
"He won't verbally say it because he literally is prevented from doing it, but he won't help you because he finds you incompetent and demeaning in comparison to me. Personally, I don't blame his assessment. You are too inexperienced, not just in the body, but also mentally and emotionally. All of the people you met up until now (at least for the most part) are being nice enough to not exploit those weaknesses," Origin pointed out.
"Then help me get stronger, then. I am willing to do whatever it takes!" Segato slammed his head into the ground and begged Origin and Seiga Evol.
"Ask your 2 remaining questions first, bro. I was being serious about having enough time to let you ask 3 and then impart my remaining power and knowledge regarding combat.
"My second question: Why is Seiga Evol showing up as an Ordinance known as narrator? Actually, what exactly is an Ordinance in the first place?" Segato inquired. Origin's expression turned a small smile, unlike earlier.
"Ordinances are the source of power that all humanoid beings possess. Each one is unique to a person. In... specific circumstances, it is possible to accumulate more than one, but normally everyone only has their 1 from birth. In your case, to evade the eyes of the Deities, Seiga Evol had to be 'transformed' into your own unique Ordinance at birth. My own unique Ordinance, [The Ways of Willingness], allows me to alter the state of others so long as they give me permission. However, he isn't your real Ordinance. We've been keeping that power of yours sealed in order to make Lancaster believe you are weak. Awakening it would have guaranteed being unable to escape his eye. As for why Hooligan isn't an issue... Seiga Evol can answer that later, assuming you haven't connected the dots yet."
I wonder what Origin meant by that? It sounds kinda ominous, Segato thought to himself. Well it seems I can ask Seiga Evol later, so I won't worry about it for now.
"My third question, then... what exactly caused the Great Collapse?" Segato questioned. Seiga Evol was about to speak before Origin held his hand up, which made Siega Evol's shut his mouth.
"If I tell you, you must promise to keep this secret of ours until the day you die. It's that big of a deal." Both Origin and Seiga Evol looked so serious that Segato took a step back. "It all started long ago when I was considered to be a part of the strongest beings that ever existed..."