"The gods... are sealed?"
It wasn't until Ishtar had disappeared that Ophis had time to process the information she had revealed.
The Age of Gods... ended quietly like this?
The gods didn't even get a proper farewell? Did they not seek any revenge on the humans who betrayed them?
No, there must be more to it, but it just hasn't happened yet...
Considering the impending catastrophe she had learned about from Qi, Ophis shook her head.
The most important detail is that Gaia is the one who sealed the gods...
Ishtar, despite being extremely proud among the gods, was unlikely to lie. Moreover, Ophis had long suspected that the world's resistance to magic had dropped significantly. If this was due to Gaia's intervention, it could be explained.
But the role of Gaia seems wrong.
According to Ophis's knowledge, Gaia, though a planetary consciousness, is still considered a major deity. Why would she voluntarily seal her own kind?
Furthermore, according to Qi's prophecy, the next catastrophe involves gods. But if the gods are sealed, what kind of threat can they pose if they can't act themselves?
There was too much to process, so Ophis decided to leave this critical task to Qi.
[Haha... It would be better if you thought more about this kind of thing... Never mind, since there aren't many chances left, I'll help you this time.]
"Chance?"
[No, nothing... Gaia's issue is straightforward. Gaia is a special deity, a high-ranking being who has taken some authority from the world. Compared to acting as a god, she likely approaches things from a world-centered perspective...]
"But, humans and gods..."
Ophis still found it hard to accept.
The world's perspective is to seal the gods? Being a god must be difficult.
Moreover, Gaia is a planet. Over time, humans actually pose a considerable threat to the planet. Gods are Gaia's allies. Ophis still couldn't understand Gaia's actions.
[This is a matter of perception. Let me ask you, if there were a dragon species that wanted to destroy humans, would you help the dragon or the humans?]
Ophis lowered her eyes, realizing that such a question was self-explanatory.
[Exactly. In your view, you care more about Enkidu, who has a significant connection with you, than the so-called "kind." Gaia's perspective is likely similar—humans are born from Gaia and are her children. Gods are potential threats that might usurp their authority... even though they are considered kind.]
Ophis understood.
Even though the issue of coexistence between humans and the planet remains unresolved, are gods still a greater threat to Gaia?
But humans and the planet...
If she had to choose, would Ophis destroy humanity for the planet's sake? After all, Enkidu loves nature more than humanity.
But for now, she would still fight the gods for mankind.
So, there was another message that mattered more.
"Since the gods are sealed, why would they still exist?"
[Although the main bodies are sealed, it's possible for gods to descend in special ways. In this world, spirit summoning techniques are quite advanced. While this means the gods cannot exert their full strength, if the quality of the summoning or the amount of summoned entities improves, their strength should not be underestimated.]
Ophis nodded.
Does this mean her enemies this time could be gods summoned from heaven?
This would make things easier.
Typically, spells like summoning spirits have weaknesses. It could be the caster, the medium, the spell itself, or even inherent weaknesses in the summoned entities.
Of course, this just makes it easier to deal with. Since magic isn't Ophis's expertise, she would need to study it further.
...There's really a lot to do.
And...
"Since gods are summoned through necromancy, there must be a summoner, right?"
Ophis didn't have high expectations. If Qi could tell her, it meant this future couldn't be changed.
And the answer was not surprising.
[It's pointless to know who the summoner is. I can't stop it. Besides, the summoner has a powerful 'eye,' so I've isolated the vision of both parties. The summoner can't see us, and we can't see them. This way, we can minimize variables...]
So the summoner can't see their actions and adjust tactics accordingly...
Indeed, if interfering with the summoner's actions is impossible, then at least they should prevent the summoner from interfering with their own actions.
[Well, you don't have to handle everything alone.]
"What do you mean?"
[Although I don't know who the mastermind is, if they can summon spirits, can't we do the same?]
"What does 'pray' mean, is it about summoning gods?"
Ophis frowned slightly.
Even if a god is summoned, controlling it might not be easy. What if it turns against her and joins the enemy?
[Ah, it doesn't need to be so complicated. Even if it's not a god, this world has a convenient summoning mechanism... something called the Hall of Heroes, I think?]
"If it can help, then do it."
[Ah, I don't know how to do that.]
"…"
[Ahem, don't look at me like that. I'm not good at magic... I excel more at establishing 'results' rather than controlling the 'process.' With my vast knowledge, I can create the summoning formula, but without the proper 'connection channel,' your current magical ability might result in summoning something difficult to control or too weak.]
"Connection channel?"
[Yes, it's best if it's related to 'soul materialization'... where did you get that?]
Holding a golden cup, Ophis tilted her head.
"Took it from the treasure house..."
The third method of the future—the product of soul materialization, the Holy Grail with immense magical power. If she relied on this, she should be able to achieve the desired summoning effect...
This is precisely what Qi needs.
[Why didn't you mention this earlier…]
"There's a vast amount of magical power inside, but it's useless to me."
[Ha... yes, the theory of ignoring something if it's useless... How do you know it's needed now?]
"I saw it."
[Oh, has it come to this? Well... Anyway, now that you have this, you can perform the most complete necromancy. From now on, you have something new to learn.]
Finally arriving at the temple, Ophis raised her head to look at the majestic pyramid temple.
"Well... to protect Uruk."
With determination in her eyes, Ophis walked in.
She is both a dragon and a queen... and also a goddess.
If the situation reaches a point where even the queen cannot handle it, then it's left to the gods, right?
Even with divine power, no human being or city-state can withstand it.
Including Uruk.