Chapter 396

"But there's no need to worry, after all, it's just a myth."

Hearing this, Edison couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

So that's a lie? That's good, at least the two of them shouldn't have started fighting the moment they met...

Edison breathed a sigh of relief, but Novia's next words startled him so much that he jumped back in fright.

"Moon Lake is my lovely little sister."

Now that he was the Tezcatlipoca, he should be serious, Novia thought. Besides, he had seen Tezcatlipoca before in the Sixteenth Century, and that's what he called Tlaloc back then, so there was nothing wrong with him saying it now.

"... ah?!"

Before Edison was taken aback, Ritsuka was the first to speak up.

Aside from the word "sister," the main thing is that she never expected that 'Tlaloc,' who has a wife, is actually Tezcatlipoca's sister? In other words, wouldn't Smoke Mirror, as the older brother, be turning his back on his sister's 'wife'...? No, isn't this a bit too modern?

Well, Novia had actually expected their reactions. After all, to some extent, if Tlaloc really was the Rain God himself, and not an elf, then their relationship, in terms of mythology, was far too modern.

"Then, for the Fifth Sun, it is both divine and loving."

Novia stroked her chin. "That's about it for our relationship."

Given that these words came from the mouth of the First Sun, Edison was not entirely sure if they were true.

Since it was already too late, everyone decided to rest.

Night falls.

Beneath that enormous, visible halo, this war-torn world still appears beautiful.

"You can see so far from here..."

Ritsuka had reached the mountaintop not far away, couldn't help but sigh.

"Looking around, all I see is nature; I can't imagine that a country would soon be born here..."

"Oh, you've become interested in the United States?"

Looking towards the source of the sudden sound, Ritsuka saw Novia, who called herself the First Sun of the Americas, and of course, her very ancient attire.

"Consultant, is this the only way First Sun can dress?"

"This is the Maya style of dress for the First Sun; it wasn't intentional on my part."

"I see..."

Ritsuka curiously touched the coconut-like thing on Novia's head.

"Okay, let's get back to the main topic. It's been so long; it seems like the last time we discussed history was back in France."

Novia paused for a moment, then said, "Let's talk about United States this time. Novia's class is in session, please pay attention."

The cool breeze felt refreshing and pleasant.

The ground was slightly cool, completely different from the daytime. There were no sounds of battle; it was a tranquil night.

So Ritsuka listened attentively with a sense of 'there's nothing she can do'.

"In 1492, at the height of the Age of Discovery, a man named Christopher Goblin arrived in the Americas, and Europe countries began colonization—no, it should be called 'invasion'. At that time, the people of Europe believed that even the poor could achieve a wealthy life through hard work once they reached the New World. Thus, a large group of immigrants came here with this hope and obtained such a life by taking the land from the natives."

"This doesn't sound like a good thing to me..."

"Everything has two sides, and I said that on purpose."

Novia paused for a moment, then continued, "In short, whether this action was good or bad, the series of events that followed greatly changed the times. By 1775, the Thirteen Colonies England colonies had turned against Britain, the American Revolutionary War had begun, and Britain had won. Since then, the United States has gradually become a central nation in modern Human History."

"If the United States hadn't been founded, modern history would likely have taken a different path. I see, that explains the formation of this Singularity."

Ritsuka nodded thoughtfully. "Speaking of which, Consultant, what kind of person is Tezcatlipoca? He doesn't seem like a benevolent god."

Edison's reaction and Mash's explanation were enough for Ritsuka to feel that Novia's use of the First Sun's power was strange.

"To the true First Sun, he is both magnanimous and ruthless. Whether it is the current war from the other side or the ancient Aztec rebellion, he will enjoy it all. He will not help only one side because of his own position here. He may even prefer the conquerors' guns to the natives' blades. There is no malice in this, but only because for him, the continuous struggle for survival is 'good'."

Ritsuka's eyes were fixed on Novia's Jaguar Man Mask.

"So, Consultant, why are the indigenous people, including the First Sun within you, helping the 'enemy'?"

The relationship between indigenous peoples and conquerors cannot be simply divided into a binary of good and evil; it stems from inherent contradictions within humanity itself. Among the indigenous peoples, there are traitors who betray their people, while among the conquerors, there are those who are unwilling to kill.

"Because for the native Servant summoned here, destroying this era means rendering everything they have witnessed, the blood they have shed, the blood shed by their compatriots and families, all in vain. It is easy to pretend that nothing ever happened, especially those things that are detrimental to them."

However, only those who can withstand all of this can be called Warrior; those who can only pretend it never happened but cannot bear the consequences are merely cunning wolves.

Even though Novia was wearing the Jaguar Man Mask, Ritsuka felt as if he were smiling.

On a pitch-black moonlit night, the sound of the wind echoed through the desolate distance.

That's a distant memory for Novia, the inscription beneath the 'Sun' statue still standing in Tenochtitlan.

"Fellow countrymen, children of the Sun God, and believers of God in the Andes Mountains, after centuries of arduous and unyielding struggle, we have finally broken free from the shackles of the Habsburg and stood up."

For centuries, the Habsburg have not been invincible. We will become one with this land, and even if our bones are stripped away, our pure souls will never perish. The Sun shines in our arms and in our hearts, and even if we sink to the bottom of the sea, we will surely rise again. Death is not invincible!

Over the centuries, even though the blood shed by many may seem futile, it proves that 'this is not the end'.

The world does not perish solely because of conquerors; there are also those who observe and waver. If the conquerors' power becomes too great, they will completely side with them and become accomplices. Once the Deity return to the world, they will once again adopt a devout demeanor, as if they have been sincerely praying from beginning to end.

Therefore, only after so much futility can one obtain an extremely slim chance of victory.

"Perhaps they united because they thought that, in any case, the Future should not be entrusted to 'Heroic Spirit,' not even Deity. We must return this land to the hands of 'humanity.'"

Ritsuka blinked, about to nod vigorously in agreement, when suddenly a gunshot rang out from where the group had been stationed, followed by intensely bright blue flames that shone even in the darkness.

"Looks like it's someone I know."

Without waiting for Ritsuka's reaction, Novie grabbed her and jumped off the mountaintop.

Washington, deep beneath the White House.

It was something different from this era; it seemed to be a building constructed of Red Brick and Riveted Iron Frame Structure, with a long conveyor belt in the middle of many rooms, driven by polished Brass and Obsidian Gears, making a deep, rhythmic clicking sound.

On both sides are rows of complex mechanical devices, decorated with intricate patterns and designs.

"I didn't expect the goods from the west to be so good; we should definitely bring some over."

The device was equipped with oil lamps, and in their dim light, a blond man wearing sunglasses was watching the Factory move smoothly.

Just then, a whistle sounded from within the roaring Factory, a sound that seemed capable of suppressing everything.

Then, the blond man turned his head slightly and looked at Krishna was walking towards him.

"Huh? What's up? India kid, just say what you want."

Krishna merely smiled slightly at the impolite blond man, put down his flute, and behaved with great courtesy.

"I'm quite curious, what is the Fifth Sun, the undisputed leader of your pantheon, like?"

"Oh? You actually want to know about that guy? Are you planning to prepare for the worst?"

"Nature."

"The Fifth Sun, that guy."

The man's lips curled into a smile.

"But she's completely different from me, more like that silly Sandbird. Of course, I'm referring to her personality, not her nickname. I need to clarify that first, because I don't want to have pointless arguments with my cute little sister and excellent junior, Sun, especially since my cute little sister is prone to acting silly when she's in love..."

The true Fifth Sun is both magnanimous and ruthless. Whether it's the current war from the other side or the ancient Aztec rebellion, he will support the Americas. But in reality, he doesn't help only one side because of his own position here; it's simply that for him, the world moving forward in human hands is 'good,' even if it seems impossible, he still challenges that great power Inheritance countless eras.

Upon hearing this, Krishna lowered his eyes and glanced at him. "In that case, you are indeed Deity with a very high probability of manifesting, just like yourself."

For him, it seemed that the person with the Fifth Sun personality described by the man had existed in the Indian Pantheon, and that was precisely his purpose this time. But it should only be a coincidence, Krishna thought, after all, coincidences in the mystical are not uncommon.

Then Krishna continued to ask:

"Actually, I've always been curious. Why would Deity like you side with us? You should be from the Americas. You shouldn't be someone who lets one side's forces become too powerful."

Amidst the ceaseless clamor, the blond man suddenly looked intently at Krishna, his shoulders trembling slightly.

It was as if one sensed absurdity and mockery in the words spoken by Krishna.

"Indeed, pure domination is too boring, so--"

The blond man adjusted his sunglasses, a smile playing on his lips.

"That 'Krishna, after all, I am the First Sun Tezcatlipoca."

Chapter 425 With the mindset of a beast, charging towards the Sun of the Americas.

"Rama, you are supposed to be a Righteous King, yet you secretly mingle with these insects from the Americas! How can you face my lord like this!"

The wind howled fiercely on the night of the full moon, but instead of bringing a drop of rain, it brought lightning with blue flames.

Amidst the endless howling winds and blue lightning, the trees surrounding the former encampment had been reduced to 'wreckage'. Although they still stood, they had been split open, their trunks cracked in two, their gaping mouths menacingly open, the sap no longer flowing, and the branches on both sides dead.

"Because this is wrong, and I cannot agree with Krishna's approach."

Rama calmly gazed at the Yellow-Haired Woman who had suddenly attacked him, and thus answered.

"Who isn't! I'm extremely annoyed by Krishna's arrogant attitude all the time. If it weren't for the Mistress's request, Jalandhara and I wouldn't have come at all! But you bastard, how dare you hang out with these guys from the Americas? What, even that Vishnu agreed to let you become a traitor?!"

The veiled, blond woman steadied herself on the ground, her entire body radiating a ghostly blue Od, while she forcefully grabbed the incoming Bow and Arrow with one hand.

"... I have no intention of explaining too much, but I am somewhat curious, how did you find me, Vritra?"

The Blonde Girl who launched the attack in the middle of the night was none other than one of the Asuras King — the Boundary-Sealing Dragon Vritra, who is also the Gatekeeper of the Himalayas.

Rama was extremely confused. His conflict with Krishna had only occurred today, and theoretically, apart from the Servant around Washington, no one should know about it. Although the India Faction was now united around Krishna, this was based on a major premise.

Otherwise, how could the Asura be so well-behaved? After all, they are essentially beings opposed to the gods, destined enemies of the gods. Not to mention Vritra, one of the Asuras King, they were all on other battlefields and couldn't possibly have known this information immediately.

I'm too lazy to explain to you. You're not worthy to talk to me right now.

Vritra's gaze met Rama's, and suddenly all around them fell silent.

In fact, Vritra wouldn't tell Rama the truth. She had only caught a faint, familiar scent of a mountain while catching fish during the day, and that's why she followed the scent and rushed over, only to run into Rama who was staying there.

If it were just a chance encounter, she probably wouldn't have done much. After all, she didn't have a good relationship with India, but there wouldn't be any disputes either; she was a moderate person who could coexist peacefully. However, seeing that Rama had contact with Edison, she arbitrarily labeled him a 'traitor'.

"You are no match for me, Vritra. You should know that. Step back. I do not wish to fight you."

"Oh? Heh heh, I haven't even tasted the flesh and blood of Righteous King yet! Watch me send you flying to the heavens with my power right now!"

In the cold night between heaven and earth, countless dark blue torrents surged forth like angry dragons, appearing as phantom dragons that suddenly stood behind Vritra.

This is Vritra's Anti-World Noble Phantasm, 'O Demon, Block the Heavens and Earth,' which, in accordance with its own meaning of existence, uses its retinue or its own demonic army to cover the heavens and earth and isolate the target.

"The Righteous King are merely a continuation of the records of their time. No matter how correct the path may be, different eras reflect different aspects of it. It is perfectly reasonable for you and Krishna to have conflicts. However, at this moment, we should set aside our quarrels and estrangement, that is to say—"

At that moment, Vritra laughed without fear.

As a deity and Dragon Kind within the concept of 'Obstruction', they are fearless and always smile confidently and gracefully, no matter where they are.

"Do you think I would retreat with a laughable howl? I am Vritra, the being that covers this world, the gatekeeper of the Himalayas, the demon who fights in the Mistress Great Goddess Durga. I will not retreat, under my Lord who shines equally upon all things—"

It was an incredibly proud tone, filled with an unshakeable arrogance.

"My Lord, Lord of the Himalayas, the Supreme Being!"

Immediately afterwards, countless azure dragons emerged from behind Vritra, soaring into the sky like mist, their high-pitched roars shaking the entire battlefield.

Rama took a deep breath and reluctantly raised Shiva's Divine Bow.

It was precisely because Vritra was not only the Asuras King, but also the gatekeeper of the Himalayas, that he found it difficult to harm him. After all, he was one of the few followers of the Lord of the Himalayas, and he was extremely loyal, holding a position comparable to Nandi of Shiva and Shesha of Vishnu.

But since things have come to this, the only option is to knock him unconscious first.

The red-haired man deciphers Divine Power; listens to Divine Power; chases the remnants of Divine Power drifting in the wind, and follows the paths traversed by the rules, exploring the destination of the Divine Power he is familiar with.

The entire space here twists toward the Shiva's Divine Bow itself.

That divine power was enough to tear through space.

The Righteous King Perfection controlled this enormous energy, without wavering in the slightest, compressing it all into a thin arrow.

However.

A second later, right in the middle of the battlefield where the two were fighting, the earth seemed to be pressed down by something, causing a slight tremor that instantly kicked up countless dust and grime. Following closely behind were several bullets that shot towards Rama's divine bow and Vritra's Trident, instantly neutralizing their attacks.

"The gun itself is good, the power is decent, and the accuracy is also commendable. It seems my First Sun is quite accurate."

Novia, who had leaped from the mountaintop with Ritsuka in her arms, blew on the Pistol in her hand.