César painted what appeared to be a Golden Eagle of Fire. Of course, with the few resources he had managed to gather, even with his talent for drawing, it still looked somewhat rudimentary.
While painting, he paused and sighed, deciding to take a break as he turned his gaze toward the camp.
On the training grounds stood goblins alongside the Pigmen and a few selected Murlocs, all undergoing Aura training.
As César observed from a distance, he noticed someone approaching. It was Gobol, his brother.
"Brother, the Pigmen who joined our training have advanced on the path of Aura—"
"Mm." César nodded, unsurprised. Those Pigmen were as if born for Aura. They progressed faster than the goblins, though when it came to Mana, they struggled more. "And the Murlocs?"
"Some have good magical talent, but with Aura… they are not suited for it. They tire and dehydrate quickly."
César simply nodded. He had never held much hope that the Murlocs could truly cultivate the Aura system. Perhaps a few talented individuals might emerge—but not many.
He made a small gesture with his hand, dismissing him.
Gobol lingered for a few seconds, staring at the painting with reverence before finally leaving.
Once alone, César turned his attention back to the drawing. Lost in thought, he reflected that the religion he was creating was not only meant to unite everyone under one faith—it was also a shield against the real gods of this world, even if only temporarily.
'Unlike my past life, in this world religions are far more important… and far more dangerous,' he thought.
Luna approached silently, studying the drawing with curiosity.
"Son… is this the image of the god who enlightened you?" she asked.
There was genuine curiosity in her voice. In her village, they worshiped ancestors, never gods. Though it was said that before arriving on this continent, they once had a deity they revered—but the knowledge of it had long been lost.
César did not take his eyes off the settlement.
"He is an ancient being, Mother. He did not make me more intelligent than other goblins. He endowed me. He illuminated my path, guiding me to create the systems of Mana and Aura. And soon, he will send me another gift."
Luna looked at the portrait again in awe—the Golden Eagle of Fire César had drawn. To her, a being capable of creating such systems must be unimaginably powerful.
César smiled faintly at her reaction. If she knew the truth, she would question her entire life. That Deviant was not powerful. Its only relevance in that ancient war had been being possessed by the Deviant Octopus and used as a tool to mortally wound the Deviant Phoenix.
César quickly shook those thoughts away. That was precisely why it was perfect. No one knew its true power. The few survivors of that war had only witnessed events from afar—they did not know what had truly happened.
…
The temple's construction was progressing well.
The land had been chosen at the center of the settlement.
César stood contemplating the structure as it rose.
At its heart stood a wide circular hall built from dark stone brought by the Pigmen, reinforced with river-polished pillars shaped by the Murlocs, and elevated platforms crafted by goblin hands.
The roof remained partially open. A circular aperture allowed sunlight by day and starlight by night to fall directly upon the central altar.
Along the walls were inscribed the Three Paths and their realms: Mana, Aura, and Ether.
At the very center stood a tall slab of dark stone engraved with—
An enormous eagle, wings spread wide, feathers carved like layered flames.
The Golden Eagle of Fire.
The ceremony began at dusk.
Torches were lit, forming a perfect circle around the temple's interior.
The entire settlement gathered.
Pigmen stood to the right.
Murlocs to the left.
Goblins in the center.
César advanced slowly. As he looked at them all gathered before him, he could not help but curl his lips slightly.
'From a simple goblin… to a lord commanding three races. And this is only the beginning,' he thought, clenching his fists as a faint light radiated from his eyes.
He stopped before the carved stone his mother and his wife, Asia, had helped engrave using magic and the model he had created.
Silence fell naturally.
"In this world," César began calmly, his voice echoing through the circular chamber, "as many of you noticed in our last battle, there exist beings beyond our comprehension… gods."
He let the words sink in.
"The gods watch. They can hear prayers. They can create miracles—or they can destroy."
Several Pigmen stiffened at the last sentence.
They understood that truth better than most.
"But we," he continued, "will not kneel before their malignant gods."
He turned toward the monolith.
"Tonight, we proclaim the one who fell… yet was never defeated."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
César placed his palm against the carved eagle.
"The Golden Eagle of Fire. The Dragon-Devouring Terror. The Flame That Burns Without End."
The torches flickered as wind slipped through the open roof.
"A Rank Nine Deviant—you may not know what that means. But you will. For now, know only this: he was the most powerful of his era. He faced two beings equal to himself. Though he did not achieve complete victory, he demonstrated his overwhelming power."
Gasps echoed.
Some goblins exchanged astonished glances.
The Pigmen, who respected strength above all else, felt the weight of the title.
Though the term Deviant was new and more mysterious than the gods, they understood enough to know such beings must be terrifyingly powerful. That the "god" who blessed César was one of such rank stunned them.
César continued:
"He enlightened me. With his great guidance, he revealed the future path of our clan—not only of this continent, but of the world itself. He showed me a new system."
He stepped back and raised his hand.
"Mana—though you have already heard of it. Aura—a path used by beings from distant lands. And Ether—the fusion of Mana and Aura. A new path born entirely through his illumination."
His words resonated through the chamber.
"A broader path. A path with greater future than the one shown by the malignant god who blessed those foolish Pigmen."
He turned fully toward them.
"The Great Eagle does not wish for us to limit ourselves or hide in the shadows. She wishes for us to rise as she does—to ensure that each and every one of us becomes great."