"…Take yourself as an example: Sequence 4 can already be called a demigod…" Truman explained sequence knowledge to Hermes, using examples from the conflicts among extraordinary creatures.
"So that's how it works!" Hermes's expression was filled with awe, as if a new world had opened before him.
"I became a demigod by unwittingly fulfilling a ritual's requirements, with enough luck and a pathway suited to handling madness…"
Hermes was extraordinarily fortunate, but his innate spiritual talent was remarkable too. After becoming a Manipulator, he often visited sites of beyonder creature conflicts, observing and even manipulating their battles to uncover hidden patterns.
This inadvertently aligned with the acting method, stabilizing his mental state.
Truman's arrival was like a guiding light, helping Hermes unify his occult knowledge into the sequence system, forming a cohesive whole.
"Thanks to the angel for granting me knowledge." Hermes bowed to Truman, addressing him as an angel.
"Call me sir," Truman said, helping Hermes up.
"Yes!" Hermes showed great respect for Truman.
To him, Truman was a human prophet, guided by the Creator to impart this blasphemous knowledge.
"Let's head to the largest human city-state you know," Truman said, not forgetting his plan.
"Then to the Silver Kingdom!" Hermes thought for a moment, naming a place that stirred Truman's memory. "It's the best place for human life that I know."
Hermes continued, "They worship the Harvest Goddess, whose authority ensures abundant food production. It's one of the few places where food isn't a concern."
"Silver City?" Truman's expression turned peculiar, the sense of historical involvement feeling surreal.
"Silver City is the largest city-state in the Silver Kingdom…" Hermes, wielding a teleportation artifact, "traveled" with Truman to Silver City.
Their figures faded, vanishing completely, and reappeared within a colossal city.
Built by giants and human slaves, it was ancient yet grand. Stone pillars lined the streets, etched with wheat, springs, and flowers—symbols of harvest.
All pillars pointed toward a massive harvest altar.
Many humans kissed the ground, devoutly praying toward the altar.
Beyond this, mud-brick and stone houses dotted the city, reminiscent of Truman's memories of Athens.
This was the true face of human society today. The Deep Dark City, after all, was the Goddess's stronghold, transformed by her.
"Sir Angel, are you here to meet the Giant King?" Hermes asked cautiously.
"No, I'm here to find heretics," Truman said, surveying the ancient Silver City. "You've traveled here for a while. Have you heard of those who worship the sun?"
"The sun?!" Hermes's pupils contracted slightly, then returned to normal.
The sun referred to the one who awoke from the Chaos Sea. In later myths, by the late Second Epoch, that figure emerged as a true god, reclaiming the Creator's authority.
But to become a true god instantly? A dual-pathway true god, no less?
That maddening essence could overwhelm any will. Even the Marauder pathway's uniqueness couldn't reverse "God's" awakening.
Even if that figure truly became a god upon emerging, they'd need many believers to maintain their humanity.
As one of the largest human city-states, this was a likely place for such believers to exist.
Where there's existence, there are traces.
According to later elven chronicles, this was the era of the First Spark of Fire, not far from the late Second Epoch's Twin Era.
Truman's certainty, however, stemmed from the Goddess's demeanor.
When he proposed alliances and proactive schemes, she showed no surprise—perhaps she'd long had such ideas and knew of that figure's existence.
"As expected, you know something," Truman said, noting Hermes's reaction with certainty.
Hermes had been reserved, revealing little, as expected of a Spectator. He might even have virtual personas hidden in his psyche.
"Dreams come true, fantasies descend…" Truman didn't press for answers, instead glancing at his Book of Dreams.
"Hermes, how did you end up outside the Annihilation Demonic Wolf's kingdom?" Truman asked.
"I've been wandering the edges of ancient gods' kingdoms, observing extraordinary creatures…" Hermes replied instinctively.
"I was originally headed to the City of Miracles to study dragons…" Hermes's eyes widened, his breathing quickening. He looked at Truman again, now with not just respect but awe.
To make him change his mind silently—this power was unimaginable.
Truman, hearing this, fell into thought.
"The Book of Dreams can interfere with reality and fate like this?" No one would believe this wasn't the work of a writer!
Truman pressed the Book of Dreams, mentally writing his next plan into it.
"Like carrying a 0-08?" Truman blinked.
"How did you know about the sun?" Truman and Hermes walked Silver City's streets, ignored by passersby under psychological invisibility.
"…I once walked in dreams," Hermes said, seeing Truman's calm demeanor. His Spectator ability to read minds was useless here. "I glimpsed the sun."
"Heretics?" Truman asked softly, eyeing the Harvest Goddess's sacrificial rites.
"Yes, they're so devout, even fanatical, praising the sun in their dreams," Hermes continued. Without such fervor, he wouldn't have noticed.
Truman paused. Well, that fit the stereotype!
"Then I'll meet them today." As they reached the Harvest Goddess's altar, Truman felt a faint intuition.
The altar was tall, its edges adorned with murals of the Harvest Goddess's miracles.
It was the foundation of Silver City's existence. They faced attacks from crazed monsters, but if too many died, the giant clan would protect them.
Most importantly, food was never a worry—far better than other human city-states.
Hermes followed Truman, wary of the giant clan. This was the land of the Giant Queen, near the Giant King's Court, where giant patrols were likely.
"Huh? That quick?" Truman's surprised voice interrupted Hermes's thoughts.
Following Truman's gaze, Hermes saw a tall, slender man with silver hair, delicate features, and a gentle face, copying the Harvest Goddess's murals onto a stone tablet.
(End of Chapter)