Authority.
It was an ability possessed by every Abyss Lord, as well as many lesser beings.
The greatest difference between those at the abyss lord level and lesser beings was that their authorities possessed a degree of absoluteness.
As long as the conditions were met.
They could accomplish all manner of unimaginable feats.
Even feats that sounded utterly absurd.
And when multiple distinct authorities were combined, they formed the unique framework of each abyss lord level being's own power system.
For instance, Orsaga's current power system was formed from a combination of several core authorities that complemented one another.
They were his foundation and framework.
Moreover, in this regard.
Even though many beings possessed similar authorities that looked somewhat alike.
Their different developmental inclinations meant that.
Those seemingly similar authorities could actually turn out to be entirely different.
For example, the effect of Orsaga's pain authority—the source of eternal suffering—that guided things toward worse outcomes actually reflected part of his developmental path and innate nature.
Another being, even one who also possessed pain authority, would not necessarily exhibit a similar effect.
After all, even those walking the same road would not necessarily leave identical footprints.
In essence, it could also be seen as each of them carving out their own branching path from the same main road.
In this regard.
Those who learned from him would live; those who imitated him would die.
That principle was illustrated quite directly.
As pioneers of their respective branching paths, they disdained imitating others to avoid being influenced by their competitors, and all their authorities carried their own insights and understanding.
And once someone successfully reached the summit.
Those main roads and branching paths would be drawn together completely.
At that point.
All their efforts would merely add to the accomplishments of whoever had