Multiverse's Holy Right

Though inwardly uneasy, Roy's expression remained calm, as if completely unaware of his own anomaly.

He couldn't tell whether Pandora was testing him.

In truth, even if Pandora grew suspicious of him, discovered Aiwass's existence, or even stopped holding the Circle of Usurpation for god-slaying, Roy wouldn't care. He had already obtained the best and most suitable authority for himself and had no interest in pursuing new ones. What he and Aiwass were researching now was how to elevate the upper limits of his authority, not increase its quantity.

Still, if possible, Roy hoped the rituals would continue. Each one Pandora conducted would give him and Aiwass another opportunity to observe, speeding up their analysis.

As Roy's thoughts wandered, Pandora tapped her delicate finger against her red lips, murmuring in puzzlement: "...Only those among humans who have attained enlightenment—'the Awakened'—can retain memories here. But such individuals could never become Campiones. So how did my little Roy manage it?"

Pandora seemed to truly regard herself as Roy's mother, affectionately calling him by his nickname. Her fingers, which had lightly touched her own red lips, now rested on Roy's forehead, tracing little circles there. With a voice full of maternal love, as if looking at a mischievous child, she said, "...Well, these things aren't important. In fact, it's good that you can retain memories of this place, little Roy. It means I can tell you some things now."

Roy didn't particularly resist Pandora treating him as her 'son.' His parents from before his transmigration had long passed away, and he had no memories of his mother in this new world. Combined, he had only lived a little over thirty years across both worlds. Compared to Pandora, whose age was measured in millennia, calling her 'mother' didn't feel like a loss to him.

The only thing Roy couldn't quite figure out was whether this goddess who created the Campiones was extremely cunning or genuinely somewhat naive and innocent. She was a woman he couldn't quite read yet.

"What do you want to tell me, Pando—"

"You should call me 'Mommy'!"

Pandora seemed very interested in this mother-son game. Her slender fingers pinched Roy's nose as she spoke with slight dissatisfaction, adjusting her position slightly to make him more comfortable lying on her lap.

"...Fine, Mommy."

In a way, Pandora truly was his rebirth parent, having granted him a new, powerful life. So Roy didn't mind the title too much.

"Hehe~ What a clever, obedient, and good boy you are."

Pandora giggled, her smile bewitching and alluring like a mesmerizing poppy flower. As if rewarding him, she leaned down and planted a soft kiss on Roy's forehead. Then, her expression suddenly turned serious. "...Such a sweet and adorable child like you—Mommy doesn't want to see you in danger. So I'll tell you some important things about the gods to help you prepare in advance."

"...Listen well. I'm going to tell you about the origins of the gods and their nature."

"In ancient times, when humanity was still in a matriarchal society, women were the primary producers and bearers of life. In an era where resources were scarce and survival depended on reproduction, women were the dominant force. As a result, the gods born from human faith were predominantly goddesses, holding the highest status."

Roy remained silent, simply listening to Pandora's words. Lying on the lap of this adoptive mother who looked no older than thirteen or fourteen, listening to her 'storytelling,' Roy had no reason to refuse this closeness.

After all, he knew he was currently just a spiritual entity, and time here flowed differently from the outside world. There was no need to rush.

"As human civilization progressed, as humans learned to craft tools—especially the development of metal smelting, which granted them weapons of 'steel'—the threat of wild beasts diminished, and resources became more abundant. Men's physical strength and combat prowess became essential for survival and development. Gradually, matriarchal clans gave way to patriarchal ones."

"...And in the realm of mythology, the status of goddesses began to decline while male gods rose in prominence. The goddesses who once reigned supreme at the apex of myth were reduced to wives, daughters, and other subordinate roles of male deities. The most tragic among them even fell into becoming demons and monsters—the dragons and serpents."

"Little Roy must have heard many myths about slaying dragons and serpents, right? Marduk slew Tiamat, Susanoo slew Yamata-no-Orochi, Perseus slew Medusa, Siegfried slew Fafnir, and even Michael imprisoned the ancient demon Satan. These myths all symbolize the dominance of patriarchy, where heroes used the 'steel' in their hands to defeat and suppress the once-revered goddesses, thus becoming 'Gods of Steel.'"

"...Gods can generally be divided into three categories: the ancient Mother Earth Godessess with 'dragon-serpent' attributes, the Gods of Steel who overthrew the goddesses' rule and possess 'steel' attributes, and the other deities derived from the battles between these two."

Pandora's fingertips gently caressed Roy's cheek as the sorrow and worry on her face deepened. "...I created the Circle of Usurpation that gives birth to Campiones, and the gods, to prevent the earthly Demon Kings from becoming too unruly, have also invoked the covenant's protection to raise up the 'Strongest Steel.'"

"...He is the 'King of the End,' the enemy of all dragons, serpents, and Demon Kings. Whenever the number of Campiones becomes irreversibly high, the King of the End will awaken. He will offer the ancient dragon-serpent goddesses as sacrifices to gain the power to annihilate all Demon Kings. Over thousands of years, many Campiones have been born, yet not a single ancient one has survived to this day—they have all been exterminated by the King of the End."

"In this era, seven Campiones have already emerged, surpassing any previous age in number. The awakening of the King of the End is inevitable. Little Roy, even I have no means to oppose the Strongest Steel. All I can do is cheer for you from behind. You must be wary of Him—though I know caution may be futile, this is something I must convey to you."

Pandora spoke as if gazing upon her child about to suffer, her tone filled with anguish.

Roy, meanwhile, recalled the myths about Pandora. Perhaps, tracing back to her origins, Pandora was also an ancient Mother Earth Goddess, a dragon-serpent deity. She harbored hatred for the Gods of Steel, even for all gods, which was why she created the Circle of Usurpation of Campiones.

"Why do you care so much about me?" Roy asked, puzzled by Pandora's seemingly excessive concern.

"Because you are my child," Pandora replied with maternal affection.

"You must have many children, right? In this era alone, counting me, there are seven Campiones. And over the past thousands of years, there must have been at least a dozen or twenty, no?"

"That's different. A child as clever, adorable, obedient, and uncomplaining as little Roy is the first even for a mother like me~~ Come, close your eyes and remember my words well. If you do, Mommy will reward you."

Speaking in such a tender, alluring voice, Pandora embraced Roy's head and lowered her own.

The ritual that offered a god as sacrifice began once again.

***

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