What in this world could frighten even gods like Amun and Milmina?
Not war among churches, not the Great Wave of Defiance, not even their own demise, but—the birth of a god.
The birth of every god meant that the relationship between humanity and the gods became further fixed. The more such fixed bonds there were, the more Human Civilization of this era would lean toward divinity rather than humanity. Once that tendency developed to a certain extent, even gods like them, who had already left their divine thrones, could be pulled back into the ranks of the gods at any time by mortals consumed by religious fervor. For Amun and Milmina, who had paid an immense price to finally obtain limited freedom... that was undoubtedly something terrifying.
For a time, Defiance Courtyard fell silent. Neither Gawain nor Milmina spoke. The hazy radiance around the silent Amun swelled and contracted unstably, seemingly revealing that the Nature God was far from calm. After a while, Gawain finally spoke again. "Perhaps we're speculating too far ahead."
"Indeed. For now, it's all speculation. Without evidence, this is merely an extension of conspiracy theories," Milmina sighed softly. "But judging from what the Violet Kingdom has done over the past six hundred years, as well as the logic behind how gods operate, these black boxes do carry the hidden danger of creating 'artificial divine miracles'..."
"But magic has not actually become divine miracles, has it?" Amun's voice came from beside them. "These black boxes have been spreading for six hundred years. Magic is still magic, and mages are still among the least devout people in this world. Ordinary people deeply revere magic and spellcasters, but it has always been mortals revering other mortals—no one truly regards magic as a divine miracle. Even ignorant country villagers