Volume 5 Chapter 0117 The Power of Order - I, The Dragon Overlord

Louie sat upon his 'Throne of the Gods,' his gaze icy as he observed the three gods who had boldly stepped forward like pricking thorns. Their decision was both understandable and surprising. These three were known for being among the more hot-tempered deities. The Dawn Goddess, by virtue of her divine role as 'Justice,' had reason enough to oppose him, though she was a step too late and someone else had already spoken against Louie. What truly surprised Louie was that Gorrush, the orcish chief deity, and Marzlis, the God of War, decided to oppose him together. He assumed that as rivals over divine dominion, they would not join forces. Clearly, he was mistaken. 'According to Earth's wisdom, this might be called "lovers' quarrel." These two have been at odds for hundreds of thousands of years, knowing each other inside and out. Perhaps it is precisely their shared nature that earns them both the title of War God.' With this thought, Louie felt a calm resolve. The simultaneous challenge by three powerful deities was an excellent opportunity to prove his own strength. As long as all the gods did not unite against him, Louie was confident in leading them and making them submit. While gods and humans possess differences, there are also similarities, such as the reluctance to act as the whistleblower—a sentiment shared by many deities. People always wish for taller individuals to bear the weight of the sky, unwilling to shoulder responsibilities themselves. Humans behave this way, and gods do, too, unless their divine nature compels them otherwise. "Your Highness Louie, do you truly mean to deceive the gods with that mysterious slab, to steal divine power? Are you setting yourself against all the gods?" Questioned Marzlis in a booming voice. Though he had collaborated with Louie on some matters, neither had sworn an oath on the Styx. Without such binding force, the words of gods were untrustworthy, as they act solely out of self-interest. Few, except those with 'sacrifice' among their divine roles, possess altruistic spirits. Marzlis’s words reflected his fear. If, in the past, Shantia reaching divinity asserted itself as an entity the gods could reluctantly accept, Louie's rise to the same level instead evoked their alarm. Shantia's domain is the Earth, and coupled with her amiable nature over the millennia, her ascension posed little threat to the freedom of the gods. However, Louie, known for being self-centric and power-hungry, incited fear. If he gained supreme power, the gods worried he would enslave them—an apprehension fueled by his current actions with the mysterious slab, forcing compliance and undermining trust. Gods seek freedom, and Louie's behavior was a threat to this fundamental autonomy. Louie understood the gods’ thoughts, for he himself was a deity. If someone other than him were on the brink of becoming a supreme god, Louie might also back the current pantheon, where all gods stand equal, each enjoying their own freedoms. But if the chance to transcend presented itself to him, he would willingly shatter this fragile compromise. Marzlis aimed to incite the gods’ wrath against Louie, hoping they would unite against him together. This too was a strategy of war. Marzlis recognized that Louie did not possess the strength to tackle all gods at once, otherwise, why resort to such deception? Currently, it was the opportune moment to overturn tyrannical rule. Otherwise, once subdued, the gods risked endless submission. Yet, Marzlis's provocations stirred only a few older deities, those gods who had reawakened from ancient times. Most were new gods, once humans, their human nature strong, inclined to avoid harm. Seeing the fiery rhetoric fall flat, Louie chuckled softly, "Watch your words, God of War Marzlis! You should address me as 'Your Majesty.' A slip of respect could see you cast into the astral realm, or perhaps..." His gaze shifted to Gorrush, "I might afford you an opportunity, Gorrush, to help you kill Marzlis and inherit his domain of war." The grim-faced orcish chief deity laughed heartily, "…Forgive me, Your Majesty Louie… You wield words with such artistry! Your suggestion is a classic case of driving enemies against one another, trying to trick me into battling Marzlis while you gain the spoils. You've underestimated me!" What Gorrush conveyed wasn't some ancient wisdom from Earth, but Louie could interpret it as such. His divine nature translated the meaning of these mythic phrases into terms he grasped best. Brandishing a massive axe, Gorrush sneered, “If I did defeat Marzlis and seized war's divine domain, would you grant me the chance to become supreme god? I suspect my fate would mirror the Earth Goddess, forcibly divided by you. Do not underestimate the wisdom of the War God, nor will I take your proposals. Which deity would willingly abide such deceit?” "Deceit?" Perched on his throne, Louie gazed disdainfully at Gorrush, "Simpleton, I am the God of Deception and Schemes; your foolishness led you to believe my words!" Louie's response left the gods speechless. They recalled how after slaying the 'Prince of Lies,' Louie acquired the 'Deception and Schemes' domain. But Louie's power had been so formidable in 'Dragon and Slaughter' that his methods seemed brute and straightforward, a stark contrast to the clandestine ways of the slain prince. Yet now, looking back, perhaps his conspicuous behavior had been all part of his deception! This realization sparked further fear among the gods, and those allied with Louie began to doubt if they too were deceived from the outset. With words failing to rally gods against Louie or anger the sovereign deity, the exchanged glances between Gorrush and Marzlis spoke volumes—centuries of rivalry required no words, an unspoken understanding arose from brief contact. Gorrush roared mightily, his axe surged towards Louie like a mountain descending with force. Louie was ready, unwavering. He watched Gorrush with cold detachment, his presence void of 'Dragon and Slaughter' prowess. Instead, the force of Order, signifying one of the world’s dual poles, manifested in the 'Pantheon.' The primordial force of order reached a boiling point, causing the gods' sacred hall to utter twisted lamentations. In that instant, Louie, seated upon the highest throne, seemed to transform into the ancient primordial serpent. One of the creator's twin serpents opened its eyes, and the light of order enveloped the world of San Soliel! Under this radiance, Louie extended a hand, seizing the two-edged great axe. “What?!” Gorrush exclaimed, feeling his divine power dissipate as if order itself decreed his defiance impossible. However, as part of the chaotic evil faction, chaos inherently meant 'adaptation,' sparing Gorrush from immediate collapse, though immense pressure bore upon him. It must be noted that both combatants were mere avatars; yet in that encounter, Louie effortlessly gained the upper hand—a near impossibility in conventional divine combat.