"The Authority over all Authorities— Paradox."
A chill ran down my spine.
Once again joining her hands in prayer position, Sera continued.
"We ourselves were an Apostle of Goddess Eris, 'she' and Goddess Ylthea were sisters…"
Sera held the Authority over Emotions, the power governed by Goddess Eris. Just like 'her,' there were a total of thirteen gods and goddesses, each governing an Authority.
According to her, among those thirteen gods, Goddess Ylthea was the supreme God.
And I am her Apostle.
'That's crazy!'
Does she expect me to believe all this?
Gods?
There were no gods—
All right, I admit, her explanation was flawless. But then again, who in the world would believe a story like this?
Not me.
Just as I thought that, a few memory fragments crawled back into my mind.
The voice I occasionally hear inside my head… My unique skills, which grant me god-like abilities… And let's not forget the fact that I'm immortal.
That's why, just for today, I dropped my ego and carefully listened to her:
"This pendant, Aegis," she said, handing it to me, "can detect Authority holders…"
According to Sera, the pendant Aegis would glow when touched by any Authority holder, and the hour hand would stop at the number representing the corresponding Authority and Goddess.
The Elf Queen, Sera, raised her head and looked me in the eyes.
"Then again, your Authority—Paradox—must have some serious negative effects, correct?"
"…Ugh." I averted my gaze.
"Well?" She pressed further.
'God, she's persistent.'
I didn't want to disclose every skill of mine to her—it would be too foolish.
"That's… something I can't disclose," I finally said it, "We've just met. How can I trust you and reveal all my secrets? I hope you understand."
"Tch," clicking her tongue, Sera continued, "Alright."
"Eh?..." a soft surprise escaped my lips.
She agreed?
Was it that easy!?
Changing the topic, I asked her.
"Anyways, do you know, what kind of demon captured us here?"
The moment I said those words, I saw her expression changed.
Her emerald-blue eyes widened, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. A surge of ancient energy escaped her body, causing the whole vicinity to shake.
Her whole body trembled, her voice dropping to deadly serious.
"Nathalia…"
She explained.
Nathalia. One of the Ten Pillars of the Demon Continent. The last [Pure Angle], unlike the purity of her name, her presence alone would corrupt the land itself.
Sera clenched her fist so tight that, blood began to drip from her palm.
"She didn't only just capture us. She destroyed our kingdom, slaughtered our people, and defiled our sacred lands..."
Millennia ago, the underground city we were now stand in was called Amelean, the home to a species known as Elves.
They were ruled by their queen, Seraphine Ellion, this city once flourished with a population of over 2,000 Elves.
Elves was uniquely gifted in Elemental control—each individual could wield all five elements, and their Essence capacity were vast beyond measure.
Their society worshiped only the four gods:
Kairosia, the Goddess of Time, who governed the flow of time itself.
Eris, the Goddess of Emotion, who ruled over feelings and desires.
Phanes, the God of Life.
And above all, Ylthea, the Supreme God, the one who held the highest authority.
"There was once an era when these gods walked among mortals…"
She continued.
They were not just distant gods—they lived alongside the elves, they guiding them, protecting them, and being cherished by their people.
Back then, there were no demons. No monsters. They simply did not exist.
But then, after thousands of years, the gods suddenly vanished— they disappeared without any trace.
They only left behind their Apostles, the individuals who inherited fragments of their divine power in the form of Authorities.
Whenever an Authority holder died, their power was passed on to a new successor. This cycle repeated for millennia.
Interrupting her I asked, "Then, that means, my Authority 'Paradox' was once held by someone else?"
Sera responded. "Correct, though, I don't know, who held it."
'That's weird…' I thought.
Sera continued.
As time went on, new species emerged: Pure Angels, Fallen, Dwarves, and many others.
Humans had not yet come into existence.
But the elves… they were the oldest race. The first living beings to walk this world. The only ones who had once stood in the presence of gods.
For centuries, harmony and balance were well maintained.
But then everything changed.
The demons united with other species, seeking to capture the elves.
The reason? Envy.
Elves were the only race who were capable of mastering all elemental essence, and the others— they resented them for it.
What followed was brutal.
The elves were tormented.
Enslaved.
Ruled over by those who had once feared them.
How?
Because demons had four Authority holders among them.
And Elves only had one, their Queen.
And the demons, driven by greed for power, forcefully bred with elves, creating hybrids with immense Essence capacity.
They succeeded.
Once they succeeded— they no longer needed the elves. So, they slaughtered them.
Their children. Their people.
All of them.
Only one survived.
The Queen.
Locked away in this forsaken city for millennia.
She alone bore the weight of her people's extinction.
And that's when I understood, why she addressed herself as 'we'.
She cherished her people.
She alone carried their rage.
She was all alone… for over millennia.
"…"
I just stood there, listening to her story.
It sickened me.
Frustrated me.
I was angry.
I didn't know why, but something deep inside me flipped.
It was a strange connection.
Was it the bond that goddess 'Ylthea' shared with them? Which now passed down to me?
I couldn't explain it.
But I felt it.
And I felt rage.
"The song I was singing," her breathing slowed, "it was goddess Ylthea's song, she sung it every morning…"
She paused.
"It was beautiful…"
Her voice was a mere mumbled, she was in despair, may be— searching for an opportunity.
My chest tightened.
Looking at her I offered.
"Do you wish for revenge?"
Almost instantly, her eyes brimmed.
"How? We can't escape this place." She pointed.
Closing one of my eyes, I answered.
"Did you forget what authority I hold?"
"Uhhh…" she exclaimed.
She surely saw it— A ray of Hope.
Turning around, I activated my skill.—"[Quantum Manipulation]"
End of Chapter.