In the beginning, darkness surrounds me, creating a sense of bewilderment.
"Where am I?" I wonder, perplexed. Despite the obscurity, I perceive my surroundings in all directions, as if I possess eyes everywhere. Yet, only darkness envelops me, with a faint awareness of water beneath.
Suddenly, my voice resonates through the dark expanse.
"Seriously? 'Where am I?' is your first word?" echoes my own voice mockingly.
Startled, I exclaim, "What the heck!? My echo is responding to me!?" A sense of unease creeps in.
What is happening? Why does my voice echo reply to me?
"Of course, I am one with you! I am your 'Word'!" my voice echoes once more.
Perplexed, I retort, "What do you mean? I can't discern the dark surroundings, but you seem to be just an echo of my voice!" I pause, realizing the absurdity of explaining to my own voice echo. Am I high or something?
"I am indeed just an echo of your voice, yet I can easily respond to you in this empty void!" my voice echo explains. "Not only that, I am a separate being while still being one with you in this empty void!"
My voice echo's continued responses bewilder me. What does this mean?
"Don't be confused! I am your 'Word' in this empty void... And do not fear what I am about to reveal, but you are currently here because you are already dead!"
Fear grips me. "What!? I'm... I'm already dead!?"
"Yes! And right now, you are in this empty void with me."
"What should I do!? Am I stuck in this empty void my whole life? Wait, I don't have life anymore... But you get the gist of what I am trying to convey, right!?"
"Cough, of course. But as I said, 'Don't be afraid!'."
"Quit telling me not to be afraid because any normal human being would be if they're in my situation!"
"I know, but just listen to me for a moment!" Then, my voice echo paused and added, "I understand you are currently panicked, but fear not; you are not trapped in this empty void as long as you follow after me."
"Follow after me? What does that mean?"
"By 'follow after me,' I mean, follow the words I'm about to say. Forget it; I'll guide you with what I will say next."
"Oh, okay..."
"Alright, I'll say, 'In the beginning, there is no light. Now the earth was formlessand empty,darkness was over the surface of the deep,and the Spirit of Godwas hoveringover the waters.' Then you'll say, 'Let there be light.'"
Upon hearing my voice echo's words, a sense of familiarity washed over me.
Wait... I remember! That's from the Bible's Genesis!
"Hey, why are you suddenly reciting a passage from the Bible to me?"
"Cough, don't ask too many questions; just do what I say if you don't want to be trapped here..."
"Erm... Alright..." Did I ask too many questions?
"Okay... As long as you recite 'Let there be light!', you'll be out of this empty void..."
"That's good... Although I have many questions, I'll do as you say..."
"Good... Now let's recite..." My voice echo paused before adding, it recited, "In the beginning, there is no light. Now the earth was formlessand empty,darkness was over the surface of the deep,and the Spirit of Godwas hoveringover the waters."
Hearing my voice echo finish its words, I immediately followed by saying, "Let there be light."
As soon as I said that, faint light slowly seeped from somewhere...
"It's working! It's... Light!"
Gradually, the light entered the empty void, illuminating my vision.
"Wait! I know this! This is from the Bible! This is what God says!" Excitement surged within me as I asked my voice echo, "Don't tell me... I've become God!?" I couldn't help but grow excited. In my previous life, I had read novels where protagonists became gods either through cultivation or after death, gaining the ability to create worlds and be worshipped, but...
"You will be..." My voice echo simply replied.
"What do you mean 'You will be'? Aren't I already?"
"Well... You'll soon understand... For now, let's bid each other goodbye..."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you want to escape this empty void as soon as possible? Your wish is now being fulfilled..."
"Wait! What do you mean? I'm still here! And besides, aren't I supposed to stay here to create the world, the Earth, or something? No! To create the universe?"
"What are you dreaming about? Do you think you can create an Earth with your power? Not to mention a universe?"
"Well, aren't I..." I'm about to say, 'Aren't I God?', but it sounds presumptuous.
"Like I said, 'You will be'..."
My voice echo, the one claiming to be my 'Word,' responded, seemingly aware of my thoughts...
I still don't know what the being is trying to imply. Growing confused, I entertain delusions of being a god, orchestrating the big bang, overseeing Charles Darwin's evolution, eagerly watching my creations evolve from fish to monkeys to humans over hundreds of millions of years... Wait, there were dinosaurs first...
Growing more delusional, the light around me and the empty void intensified.
"It seems we need to adjust the Sun settings, Word?" I inquired of the 'Word,' my voice echo.
"Sun setting? No... It seems it's about time..."
I didn't understand what the 'Word' was trying to convey, but then I heard it say once more, "Let's bid farewell for a while... Bye, Matthew."
"What do you mean-" Just as I wanted to ask, I felt my very being being pulled towards the Light.
"Ahh!!!"
I couldn't help but shriek as the Light pulled me closer, expecting the sun's heat to burn my skin—assuming I had skin. Even without it, I anticipated my very soul to be extinguished.
However, as I was drawn closer, I felt no such heat but instead a comforting sensation washing over me.
"Wait... where am I being led?"
Then, before I knew it, the light gradually faded from my vision. Thinking I had returned to the empty void, I heard voices around me...
They sounded foreign... I couldn't understand them!
--
"Lady Astasia, it's a baby boy," a middle-aged woman said to the beautiful young woman with blonde hair.
"Fufu, a boy who will one day become one of the great gods!" Lady Astasia, with elegance and beauty, responded.
"I'm sure he will, Lady Astasia..." the middle-aged woman in maid clothing smiled.
Both women gazed at the healthy baby, who looked back at them with confusion.
I wake up to realize that this time, I can feel my body, but simultaneously, I can't help but notice that it feels noticeably smaller.
I see my tiny hands through my eyesight and couldn't help thinking, "I've been reborn!"
Indeed, I've become a baby. As time elapses, I can only cry when hungry, and then a beautiful young woman, seemingly my mother, feeds me with, well, some milk...
Cough! As a baby, I don't experience any sexual feelings at all...
Yeah... But I'm having thoughts, you know?
With time, I gradually learn the language of this world I've been reborn into and meet various people, like our maid, Susan. Also, my mother, Astasia, though I've heard Susan and the servants around the house refer to her as Lady Astasia.
The only reason I know my mother's name is because she constantly reminds me, saying things like, 'I'm your respectable mother, Astasia.'
In this seemingly vast mansion of ours, I've encountered numerous servants. Initially, I wondered if I'd been reborn into a royal family in this world. However, as I gradually grasp the language, I can't help but notice that this world is quite different from what I initially thought...
It's not in the mortal realm; from my observations over the past few weeks, I've realized I'm in the world of the gods—or better yet, the Realm of the Gods.
Yes, I've been reborn into a world of gods.
Initially, hearing about it made my mind reel, but I convinced myself that everything would be alright. There shouldn't be any harm in a world where the gods reside.
This place is perilous, though. It might be extremely dangerous for a human—or wait, now that I'm reborn, I'm not exactly human anymore, am I?
Now it makes sense why I can comprehend words so quickly and even started walking early. I remember when I learned to walk, expecting many, including my new mother, to be utterly shocked to see a few weeks old baby walking. However, my expectations shattered as they looked at me as if it were just your average Joe strolling.
"I'm a freaking few weeks old baby walking, damn it! I deserve some of your reactions!" That's what I'm thinking. But besides my mother patting me on the head, even the servants at the residence didn't find anything peculiar about a baby walking like an adult.
After I gradually understand and fully comprehend the language of this world a few days later, I overhear the servants talking among themselves, "Look! That's young master Matthew! It was said that the young master was only able to walk after a few weeks..."
"A few weeks?" *Snorted* "Hmph! I could already walk just a few hours after I was born! What a weak god—"
"Silence! If Lady Astasia hears you, you'll be done for!"
"Why? I'm just telling the truth... I could already talk after a day I was born—"
"I know! But please don't converse with me too much, or I'll be involved in your mess!"
Hearing that the servants were actually mocking me, I felt a heartache...
'And here I am, pretending not to walk after a few days I was born to avoid shocking everyone too much, only deciding to reveal myself walking after a few weeks!'
As I pondered that, I couldn't help but grit my teeth. Thanks to my current body's abnormal growth, I've developed small yet complete baby teeth.
But enough about that! I know the people in this world don't care about a baby walking within a few weeks of being born or the abnormal growth. If anything, this world might mock a baby for only being able to walk a few weeks after birth or just growing small complete baby teeth.
Argh! I'm just so frustrated!
Anyway, let's move on to our background check...
From what I've heard so far, my mother is a noble, and my father is a powerful god with some influence in this kingdom. Not only that, my father has a few wives—a clear indication of his strength as a god.
Yet, despite all this, I haven't even caught a glimpse of my father since I was born...
Only after a month and a few weeks did I hear from some servants that my mother, Lady Astasia, was the least favorite wife of Kastir Eclipse Luminaire, my father.
Wondering how I know my father's full name? Well, at times, my mother would mention my father's full name and her own full name to me.
Her full name was Astasia Cross Luminaire...
From that, I can expect my name to be Matthew Cross Luminaire.
Not too shabby, if I say so myself.
Anyway, from what I've discreetly gathered so far from the servants in our quarters, my father seemed to harbor disdain for me...
That's right...
My father was disdainful of me...
I still remember the mocking words of the servants ringing in my ears. Another set of taunts reached my ears right when I was lost in deep thoughts, "Sigh... Such a pitiful young god... Already being rejected by his father... Where can he get his [Fatherly] blessings now?"
"Sigh... What can you expect? Our young master Matthew hasn't even been able to talk after a month and a few weeks."
"Yeah... I can only say that the talent of our young lord is very low..."
"Yeah... I can only say that he might not even be able to gain a supporter in the mortal world."
"Shh! The lady and especially the young lord might hear you!"
"Don't worry, we are talking via telepathy, and the skill we're using is even difficult for great gods to discern our conversation!"
"Well... The young lady might have some artifact to know our conversation..."
"Don't worry! Not to mention the lady, even Lord Kastir won't know... Especially not for such an untalented god like our young lord Matthew!"
"I guess you're right..."
Hearing the servants' conversation, I initially wondered how lowly servants could discuss the family affairs and drama of the Luminaire family so audibly, but after realizing they were conversing with their minds, not even my mother could know what they were talking about, it all made sense.
"No wonder... Wait! If I can hear their voice or thoughts conversation via telepathy, shouldn't my mother be able to hear it too?" I couldn't help but think.
But considering it, my mother acted normally and didn't seem aware that the servants were talking about her or her child.
"Maybe it's my ability as a god?"
I can bypass telepathic conversations, huh?
In my mother Astasia's quarters, the servants, seemingly at the bottom of the food chain in this world, are still gods serving the Luminaire family.
Despite being lower gods, they're more powerful than Matthew!
"Is my telepathic conversations breaching the so-called Isekai Blessing?" I couldn't help but think in excitement.
But enough of that...
Time slipped slowly yet quickly, and now I am finally a 5-month-old, recently birthed god.
"Do you understand, Matthew? In this world, you need to become strong... To survive," my new mother Astasia said, patting my head.
"Are you serious right now? I'm just a few months old, and you're saying that to me?" I couldn't help but think, but I suppressed my faint annoyance, as this was clearly not the ordinary and normal world I am in...
I mean, this is the world of the gods, after all...
Speaking of gods, I suddenly recall the memory after I was reborn into this world...
From what I remember, I was in the empty void, having discussions with a peculiar being, or more accurately, my voice echoed...
Now that I remember it, the being called the 'Word' seemed to know that I would become a god...
It's just that I didn't expect to become a god this way—being reborn into a lesser god through the birth of a beautiful young goddess...
And my mother, the young goddess, is actually the goddess of love and kindness...
I'm not yet aware of the details, but from the servants' conversations, my mother seems to be the weakest god among my father's wives...
"How could they treat my mother like this? When she treated them kindly..." I couldn't help but have these thoughts...
Most of the servants in my mother's quarters are women, but only some of them really care for my mother, and the one especially close to her is the middle-aged woman, Susan.
--
"Yes... You are doing very well. I have high hopes that you'll become a greater god in the future."
A handsome man with red hair, clad in fine golden armor and wielding a sharp sword with a golden sheath, addressed the five-year-old-looking boy with blue hair, who was currently holding a wooden sword.
The boy said to the handsome man, "Thank you, Father! I'll do my best to live up to your expectations!"
The man smiled and replied, "Good."
A young woman with blue hair, dressed in a beautiful red gown, approached the two and said to the handsome man, "What do you think, my dear god? Our son is only 4 months old, yet he already knows his purpose."
Unexpectedly, the boy, appearing to be five years old, was actually just a four-month-old babe...
The man smiled as he looked at the boy, saying, "I've seen. And I am satisfied. He is really talented despite being just four months old... You've taken care of him well."
"Of course, My dear god. I am Ava Glorious Luminaire... The blood that our son has inherited comes from both of us, talented gods!" Ava smiled, hooking her arms against the handsome man.
"Indeed... As our son also inherited my blood! I am Kastir Eclipse Luminaire!" The man added, looking at his son. "As the reason for your existence and the blessing you received by inheriting our blood, your parents' blood, remember to have faith in us forevermore!"
The boy became extremely serious after hearing that, kneeling in a way that surprised his parents slightly. He said, "I'll swear an oath in my divine presence signature, that I'll forever be faithful to you, Father! Mother!"
Hearing that, both Kastir and Ava were visibly a bit astonished before exchanging glances and smiling at each other.
"It's not the right way to swear an oath, my son. Although I praise your bravery to swear in your divine presence signature, you are not yet at the right age before swearing the 'Children of Gods Oath'..." Kastir smiled as he tousled the boy's hair.
"But..." The boy seemed unwilling, but his mother interrupted him.
"My son, Zenith. Your godfather is right." Ava smiled as she kneeled on one knee to be face to face with the boy. She said, "Before the age of 15, the oath of the gods below the age of 15 will not take effect."
"Hmm..." Kastir nodded in agreement. Seeing Zenith extremely reluctant, Kastir felt proud in his heart.
'My son with Ava is really different from that mistake...' Kastir couldn't help but think of his other son, named Matthew... His son with Astasia...
Thinking of that, Kastir furrowed his brows slightly for a second before returning to normal...
--
I was currently having a teaching session with my mother Astasia, and she was about to educate me about the world of the gods.
"Matthew, my son. You are already 5 months old, so you should learn how the world works..." Astasia smiled warmly as she stared at me.
'Sigh... I'm too much of a failure as a godmother for my son... He should have known this knowledge after a week he was born...'
I heard my mother's guilty voice in my head, and this surprised me. I thought she was talking without opening her mouth, but from the looks of it, she was actually thinking...
'Wait... I can hear her thoughts?' I couldn't help but think in astonishment. From what I remembered so far in my five months of life in this world, besides the servants having a convo via telepathy, I wasn't able to know their thoughts. But today, I clearly heard my mother's thoughts...
I couldn't wrap my head around it, so I just decided to listen to my mother after she started her teaching.
"Matthew, my son. This world is called the 'Heavenly Realm' in our Kingdom, the Kingdom of Elysians. The name varies from 'Divine Realm', 'Realm of the Gods'; the name varies in each Kingdom that exists upon our vast world." Astasia explained patiently as she looked at me with care.
'Oh... Such a caring woman.' I couldn't help but think, but at the same time, I felt pity for her; she was paired with an uncaring man.
"The gods of the Heavenly Realm are divided into different authorities, and the authority is what dictates how powerful an individual is."
As soon as I heard that, I couldn't help but want to shake my head. After all, even in the world of the gods, 'Authority' was still important...
"The lowest authority of this world is the 'Servants,'" Astasia explained to me with a smile.
"Servants?" I couldn't help but ask. I thought that the power leveling system here would be like in other novels? Like: Beginner god, intermediate god, amateur god, then they ascend to lesser god, middle god, and upper god, and finally, True God?
Like some novels I read in my previous life where authors didn't bother with the power system and just copied and pasted the power level system of some Chinese novels...
As I was thinking deeply, my mother responded patiently, "Matthew, my son. 'Servants' are the lowest in the authority in this world, as they are originally mortals that ascended to the Heavenly Realm to be servants of their Lord."
As soon as I heard it, I finally nodded in a bit of understanding. 'I'll learn more about this as I grow...'
"And above the 'Servants' are the 'Angels'..."
This piqued my curiosity slightly. "Angels? What are they?"
I saw my mother smiling before explaining patiently, "Angels are untalented gods that don't have the ability to gain any supporters from the mortal worlds, since they can't even link their spirit into a single world..."
'Oh... Interesting...' I couldn't help but think in interest as I asked, "Link their spirit into a world?"
I saw my mother smiling just as warmly while saying, "We'll soon get to that topic. Let's finish talking about the power division of this world..."
"Oh, okay." I smiled cheerfully as I responded.
"Above the authority of 'Angel' lies 'Archangel,' a being endowed with superior power. An Archangel is a highly skilled deity capable of linking their spirit to at least one world in the realm of mortals."
I nodded as I listened to my mother, Astasia, explain the hierarchy of these celestial beings.
"Angel... Archangel... It's more intriguing than I initially thought."
"Above the Archangel are the 'Principalities'—deities capable of linking spirits to dozens of worlds. While the worlds they connect with may be weaker in divinity, akin to the Archangel, the Principalities are still remarkably powerful."
I continued to listen attentively as my mother elaborated on the celestial hierarchy.
"Above the Principality are the 'Powers.'"
I observed my mother, Astasia, pausing before stating, "I currently hold authority in the Powers. My spirit is intertwined with hundreds of worlds, and I boast hundreds of millions of followers."
Upon hearing this, I felt a mixture of shock and confusion. Why only hundreds of millions of followers when her spirit was connected to hundreds of worlds?
"Mother, why do you have only hundreds of millions of followers when your spirit is linked to hundreds of worlds?" I genuinely inquired, seeking clarity amidst my confusion.
Astasia looked at me with a hint of surprise and then smiled, saying, "You are intelligent to ask that."
Initially pleased with the praise, I overheard my mother's thoughts about me. 'It seems that my child is not completely untalented at five months old...'
I cringed internally but maintained composure.
"As for why I have fewer followers despite linking my spirit to hundreds of worlds, it's because my spirit is not the sole one connected to those realms. Other gods also have their spirits linked to those worlds."
Upon hearing the explanation, I nodded and remarked, "So, Mother, besides you, other gods' spirits are also linked to those worlds, leading to the division of followers?"
"Indeed... For instance, in one world, there are ten or so gods that exist. Actually, most of the worlds where my spirit is linked worship hundreds of gods. Moreover, these worlds are relatively small, with populations numbering only in the hundreds of millions."
I observed my mother, Astasia, looking a bit saddened as she shared this information.
No wonder... Hundreds of gods in one world, especially in a world with a small population. It was already fortunate for my mother to have gained hundreds of millions of followers.
Curiosity prompted me to ask, "What do you do with your followers, Mother?"
"What do I do with them? Hmm... I bless those who are genuinely faithful to me, and I might even provide a bit of my divine powers to help them become more powerful. In some worlds where my spirit is linked, the divine powers I offer can manifest as skill blessings or power enhancements."
My ears twitched at the mention of skills. Could the worlds under my mother's spirit be sword and magic worlds?
Excitement bubbled within me, and I couldn't wait to have my spirit linked to a world.
"Oh! When can I have my own worlds, Mother!?" I exclaimed, genuinely eager.
I saw Mother Astasia smile as she patted my head and said, "You can't yet. Besides, you don't own the world. You're just linking your spirit into a world in hopes of gaining followers."
I nodded at her explanation, and even though I wouldn't truly own the world, the prospect was still exhilarating.
My Mother Astasia smiled charmingly once more and said, "Now, let's continue with the power division..."
I nodded happily, momentarily forgetting that I was learning about the power hierarchy of this world. I listened in silence and patience as my mother explained the intricate power divisions to me.
As time passed, I finally grasped the power hierarchy in terms of authorities in this world. Despite being the realm of gods, the power division based on authority names suggests that not all gods here are overpowering. If they hold an authority without a godly title, they appear to be just ordinary gods.
It implies that this world doesn't teem with overwhelmingly powerful gods everywhere. While having thousands of gods in a city might be disastrous if they were to ever clash, it seems that only a select few powerful gods reside in each city of this world.
The power division consists of: Servant, Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Traits God, Dominion God, Throne God, Cherubim God, Seraphim God.
Yeah, I know... The power levels are strikingly similar to the hierarchy of angels in the Bible. Is the author simply borrowing these power levels from the Bible? Why am I even voicing my thoughts? Could it be the author trying to pad the word count by delving into my thoughts?
Ugh! Stop getting sidetracked with silly thoughts!
Moving on, the power levels of Throne God, Cherubim God, and Seraphim God are considered legendary in this world.
For instance, as per my mother's explanation, the current ruler of the Kingdom of Elysians, known as the King of kings and God of gods in the Elysian Pantheon, Rayleigh Heir Elysian, occupies the highest echelon within the Dominion God level.
Rayleigh Heir Elysian boldly declared that Dominion is already the utmost form of power in the Heavenly Realm, dismissing the three upper levels—Throne God, Cherubim God, and Seraphim God—as mere myths.
However, many gods opposed this perspective of the King of kings.
While I believe there's a high possibility that the legendary levels or authorities truly exist...
As someone originating from a normal and mundane world, then reincarnated into the realm of the gods, it's no longer surprising for me to consider that these so-called legendary levels truly exist.
I mean, what else could surprise me? I'm already living in a reality I deemed impossible in my previous life.
Regardless, I insisted on linking my spirit into a world, but my Mother Astasia advised me to wait for another two years, until I have developed my own 'Spirit.'
I don't fully understand what that means, but my Mother Astasia explained that as I begin to develop my own personality, whether I become a wrathful person or a patient and kind individual, specific emotions that I express strongly and prevail over others will shape my spirit.
My Mother Astasia embodies the personality and emotions of a kind and loving spirit. Consequently, her spirit exudes comfort, love, and kindness.
Certainly, she can also experience anger, but it's clear that being kind and loving is her predominant personality trait.
It has been a year since I entered this world, and gradually, I've come to realize that it's far from ordinary compared to my previous life. Despite being just one year old, I can already walk, and my body is growing as if I were three.
Now adorned in royal clothing – royal blue suits, pants, a scarlet cape, and leather shoes – I can't help but imagine how majestic and adorable I would appear in my previous world.
With blonde hair, touched with scarlet in my bangs, and sapphire eyes, I can foresee an attractive adult appearance. A dream where I could captivate beautiful goddesses.
However, reality hits hard; even the servants label me as trash in this world, including the Angels working in our quarters.
This 'quarters' of my mother could easily pass as the grand mansion of a great king in my previous life. However, it's considered insignificant compared to my father's residence and his other wives, excluding my mother.
I can only imagine the vastness of my father and his other wives' dwellings. Our mansion boasts a captivating garden with a massive tree bearing an array of fruits, each varying in beauty and peculiarity.
Situated just behind our quarters, I indulged in one of the fruits and was amazed by its taste, ranking second only to my mother's milk. Unfortunately, I no longer have the privilege of tasting such milk, as I'm prohibited from being fed by my mother for some peculiar reason.
Setting that aside, I explored the other fruits on the towering tree, almost touching the clouds, each displaying vibrant colors. I discovered that the different fruits had distinct flavors—some delightful, others peculiar, and a few outright unpleasant.
Ugh... I recall trying a fruit that tasted awful as shi— ugh, I'd rather not dwell on that memory. Anyway, let's shift our focus to the captivating scenery beyond the quarters.
I can witness a vast, beautiful grassland stretching as far as the eye can see, adorned with various flowers. The sky above is a canvas of different-colored clouds, complemented by the golden hues of sunlight. The blue sky, though, is subtly tinted by the diverse cloud colors.
Among the landscape, towering trees stand in certain places, some almost reaching the clouds, akin to the substantial tree behind our quarters near the garden.
Describing the sheer beauty of this world seems inadequate; it's truly heavenly. Without knowledge from my mother, I might question if we were indeed under a powerful kingdom, and if my father's family mansion was merely nearby.
Initially, I assumed my father shared the same mansion, with his other wives and children hiding elsewhere. Only later did I realize that the entire place belonged solely to us—my mother and me.
As for the servants and angels claiming my father's mansion was near, I wouldn't be surprised if their idea of 'near' translated to hundreds of miles away. In the realm of gods, proximity might be a matter of perception.
Now, let's explore the workings of powers in this world. Some angels in my mother's house can connect their spirits to her world, pledging to serve her, Astasia, for their entire lives. Speaking of 'lives,' it made me ponder whether the gods in this world ever... you know, die? I initially assumed they lived forever, but it turns out, they too have their end.
There is still an end for them, especially for the 'untalented' gods, those with the authority of mere 'angels' lacking the nourishment of divinity due to their inability to connect their spirit to any world. Consequently, like mortals, they age in this realm over time and eventually perish.
Their survival hinges on these angels seeking a Lord who has successfully connected their spirit to various worlds. By swearing loyalty to such a Lord, angels who couldn't connect their own spirit gain the ability to do so.
For angels without a Lord, they face two options: either find one or employ a [Unique Method] to forcefully descend to a mortal world. This descent allows them to establish contact with both the world and its mortals, physically interacting with them. The worship they receive aids in nourishing their divinity.
However, the use of this [Unique Method] is punishable by consequences worse than death, as stated in the law of the Heavenly Realm, prohibiting direct contact with mortals.
As the saying goes: "The realm of mortals is meant for mortals, and the domain of gods is reserved for them alone." This implies that mortal existence is exclusive to mortals, while the divine realm is solely for gods and those exceptionally loyal mortals who have earned a divine essence through unwavering allegiance.
It is forbidden for gods to coerce worship from mortals or forcibly establish a spiritual link in the mortal world. Any attempt by angels to descend physically and spiritually through prohibited means is met with punishment, leading to banishment to the Hellish Realm.
In the Hellish Realm, the antithesis of the enchanting Heavenly Realm unfolds, presenting a stark contrast in beauty and charm.
In that Hellish Realm, dwell unknown and terrifying entities cast there for specific reasons many years ago. This realm is rumored to be inhabited by numerous Angels, Archangels, Principality, and Power authority gods.
Within the Hellish Realm, a law exists: Angels and higher authorities desperate enough to descend to the mortal world, seeking to extend their lifespan by coercing mortals into followership, can achieve eternal life in this realm. Their wish is granted, though they must endure the pain and suffering inherent in the Hellish Realm.
When my Mother shared this with me, a profound sense of fear enveloped me.
The twist is that those gods whose spirits are already linked to the mortal realms can influence those worlds from the Hellish Realm, manipulating mortals to commit evil deeds and foster hatred toward the deities in the Heavenly Realm. Consequently, followers of these malevolent gods find their spirits guided to the Hellish Realm, the dwelling place of their gods.
I felt a twinge of sympathy for those mortals, but given that the worshippers of those gods seem to derive pleasure from committing unjust acts without reason, I find myself uncertain about how to feel.
I also learned from my mother that the reason there exists an Authority above angels in the Hellish Realm, intended for angels desperate enough to link their spirits to the world of mortals, is because those angels banished into the Hellish Realm actually grow in power over time. With their spirits already established in the world of mortals where they initially descended, it results in the angels rising in ranks.
Regarding why the powerful gods in the Heavenly Realm didn't simply put an end to those Angels to prevent their influence on mortals, according to my mother, it was the will of the Heavenly Realm. If the gods refrained from casting those rebels into the Hellish Realm despite knowing their crimes, they risked implication and potential rejection by the Heavenly Realm's will. My mother, Astasia, didn't have extensive knowledge, but she mentioned that it served as an example for Angels entertaining the idea of venturing into the world of mortals.
In any case, the gods can still influence mortal worlds, but not in person. They can affect people, nature, or even creatures.
If they desire a personal visit, they can do so by descending in spirit but not physically. However, my mother mentioned that this incurs a significant cost in divinity, so they prefer not to use this method.
Sigh... Let's set aside those thoughts for now. I am just excited about forming a link with my spirit one day.
Yet, I am also quite scared that if my spirit couldn't be linked to a world of mortals and my potential is limited to the Angel Authority. That's why, when I was eight months old, I asked my Mother why the Spirit of Angel Authority couldn't link their spirit to a world of mortals.
My Mother Astasia explained that it was because their spirit isn't potent enough. The Heavenly Realm granted those gods such talent to maintain balance in the Heavenly Realm. Their role is to find satisfaction in the authority of Angels and accept higher gods as their Lord.
Upon hearing this answer, I couldn't fathom the idea of being in the Angel Authority forever, serving a higher god as my Lord. Reflecting on it, my soul as an Isekai protagonist probably wouldn't be able to accept such an idea at all.