In this two-way locked cage, gods and humans alike were victims of cruel natural laws. This was not merely Gawain's assessment of the matter, but the consensus reached thus far by everyone involved in the Defiance Plan who understood all its secrets. Even Camil and Veronica/Ophelia, once high-ranking members of the Defiers, had now come to accept Gawain's view.
Yet for the representatives present, the greatest shock was not the nature of the matter itself, but the fact that gods, once regarded as supreme above all else, had become the "victims" of something. This immense overturning of their understanding left everyone's expressions complicated. The beliefs they had developed since birth instinctively made such a claim seem absurd, yet the irrefutable facts before them forced them to acknowledge it.
"All right, the gods are victims... I suppose no one has ever conceived of such a theory, but since it is the truth, we must accept it." Paladin Huishan Yan, plenipotentiary ambassador from Forge City, rose from his seat. His voice was low and powerful, like boulders rolling through a cavern. "Then what can we mortals do? If this is a vicious cycle that even gods cannot escape..."
"The gods are saving themselves. Naturally, we must save ourselves as well," Gawain answered calmly. "We face a road with no alternative. Before the laws of nature, surrender and detours do not exist. Cruel laws do not care about the personal wishes of mortals—either we solve this problem, or everyone dies. Even the gods who shelter this world will die.
"This has happened before. Dragon records can attest to it. Civilizations that perished during their development were as countless as blades of grass in the wind, one after another unable to withstand it.
"So we must save ourselves, and at its core, this is