Human City-States

"...Take yourself as an example. Sequence 4 can already be called a demigod..." Truman explained the sequence knowledge to Hermes, using certain Beyonder Creatures locked in conflict as examples along the way.

"So that's how it is!" Hermes' expression was full of admiration, as if glimpsing a new world.

"I was able to become a demigod because I must have unknowingly fulfilled the ritual requirements at the time, and I was lucky enough to be good at handling pathways prone to madness..."

Hermes was extraordinarily fortunate, but his innate spiritual talent was also exceptional. After becoming a Manipulator, he often ventured to observe Beyonder Creatures in conflict, even actively manipulating their battles to discern the hidden patterns within.

This unknowingly aligned with the Acting Method, stabilizing his mental state.

Truman's arrival was more like a guide, helping him integrate all his mystical knowledge into the sequence system, forming a cohesive whole.

"I thank the Angel for bestowing knowledge upon me." Hermes bowed to Truman, addressing him with the title of Angel.

"Call me Sir." Truman helped Hermes up.

"Yes!" Hermes was deeply respectful toward Truman.

Perhaps in his eyes, Truman was already a human Prophet, guided here by the Creator to impart these blasphemous teachings about the gods.

"First, take me to the largest human city-state you know of." Truman hadn't forgotten his own plan.

"Then let's go to the Kingdom of Silver!" Hermes thought for a moment and named a place that rang a bell for Truman. "That's the best place for human life that I know of."

Hermes continued, "They worship the Goddess of Harvest there. Her authority and power greatly increase the grain yield within the Kingdom of Silver. It's one of the few places I've seen where people don't have to worry about food."

"City of Silver?" Truman's expression turned somewhat peculiar. This sense of participating in history was truly subtle.

"The City of Silver is the largest city-state in the Kingdom of Silver..." Hermes possessed a Mystical Item capable of teleportation, and now he "traveled" with Truman to that City of Silver.

Their figures began to fade, eventually vanishing completely, and when they reappeared, they stood within a massive city.

Built by certain giants and human slaves, it was ancient yet grand. Stone pillars lined the streets, each engraved with symbols of harvest—wheat ears, springs, flowers, and grass.

All the pillars pointed toward one direction: a massive Harvest Altar.

Many humans kissed the ground, devoutly praying toward that Harvest Altar.

Beyond that, houses made of mud bricks and rubble were everywhere, somewhat reminiscent of the Athens in Truman's memory.

This was the true state of human society in the current age. The City of Darkness, after all, was the goddess's foundation, transformed by Her.

"Angel Sir, are you going to meet the Giant King?" Hermes asked cautiously.

"No, I'm here to find heretics." Truman surveyed the ancient City of Silver and said, "You've traveled here for a while. Have you heard of anyone who worships the Sun?"

"The Sun?!" Hermes' pupils contracted sharply before returning to normal.

The Sun referred to the one who awakened from the Chaos Sea. In later mythological records, during the late Second Epoch, that one awoke as a True God and began reclaiming the Creator's authority.

But leaping straight to True God? And even a dual-pathway True God?

That mad essence could shatter anyone's will. Even the uniqueness of the Marauder Pathway couldn't reverse the fact of "God Almighty" awakening.

Even stepping back, assuming that one was born a god, after realizing their situation, they would inevitably need a vast number of believers to maintain their humanity.

This was one of the largest human city-states, and it was very likely that believers of that one existed here.

Where there is existence, there are traces.

According to the later records of the Elven Chronicles, this was the era of the First Light of Fire, not far from the late Second Epoch's Era of Twins.

Of course, what truly convinced Truman was the goddess's attitude.

When Truman proposed forming alliances and taking the initiative to scheme, She showed no surprise at all. Perhaps... She had already thought of it, and already knew of that one's existence.

"So you do know." Truman saw Hermes' reaction and spoke with certainty.

Hermes had always held back, and even what he had shown so far was limited. After all, he was a Spectator—understandable. It wouldn't be surprising if he had several virtual personalities hidden deep in his mind.

"Beautiful Dream becomes reality, fantasy descends..." Truman didn't press for answers immediately. Instead, he looked at the Book of Dreams in his hand.

"Hermes, how did you get outside the Destruction Demon Wolf's domain?" Truman asked.

"I've always wandered outside the divine kingdoms of the Ancient Gods, observing Beyonder Creatures..." Hermes said instinctively.

"I was originally heading to the City of Miracles to observe dragons..." Hermes' eyes widened slightly, and his breathing quickened. He looked at Truman again, this time not just with respect, but with awe!

To silently alter his intentions without him noticing—such power was beyond imagination.

Hearing this, Truman fell into thought.

"The Book of Dreams can interfere with fate like this?" If this wasn't the work of a Writer, no one would believe it!

Truman pressed down on the Book of Dreams and, with a thought, wrote the next step of his plan into the book.

"Equivalent to a portable 0-08?" Truman blinked.

"How did you learn about the Sun?" Truman and Hermes walked through the streets of the City of Silver, everyone around them oblivious under the effect of Psychological Invisibility.

"...I once walked in dreams." Hermes looked at Truman's calm demeanor. Even his Spectator ability to read minds was useless, so he could only say, "And glimpsed the Sun."

"Heretics?" Truman asked softly, watching the Harvest Goddess's ritual.

"Yes. They were too devout, even fanatical. In their dreams, they were all praising the Sun." Hermes continued. If not for that, he would have found it hard to discover them.

Truman paused mid-step. Well, that fit the stereotype perfectly!

"Then I'll meet them today." The two had already reached the Harvest Goddess's altar, and Truman felt a faint resonance.

The altar was very tall, its edges depicting the various miracles bestowed by the Goddess of Harvest.

That was the very foundation of the City of Silver's existence. They would still suffer attacks from maddened monsters, but if enough people died, the Giant Race would even come to protect them.

Most importantly, they never had to worry about food—far better off than other human city-states.

Hermes followed Truman as they walked, while also keeping a wary eye on the Giant Race. This was a kingdom that worshipped the Giant Queen, and it was close to the Giant King's Court; they might well encounter the Giant Race's patrol wardens.

"Oh? That fast?" Just then, Hermes heard the Angel Sir beside him let out a surprised murmur.

He followed the Angel Sir's gaze and saw a tall, slender man with silver long hair. His features were delicate, his face soft. In his hands, he held a Slate, and he was sketching the murals of the God of Harvest.