April

Gilan could not help thinking of the Ascetic Sect.

The creed of this secret society was called the "Seven Precepts." It advocated restraining one's desires and emulating the gods' state of wanting nothing, seeking nothing, in order to gain greater power.

Yet that was inherently contradictory.

For if one truly wanted and sought nothing, why would one desire greater power?

Gilan had always scoffed at such a notion.

"Miss Tolina, does so-called divinity mean casting off one's humanity and gradually approaching a state of wanting and seeking nothing?"

He stiffly changed the subject, seeking confirmation.

Tolina did not press the matter further, instead patiently explaining:

"That is not the case, sir."

"As new gods, the Hour-Gods differ from the Year-Gods, the Old Gods that embody the world's essence... The Hour-Gods ascended in human form, and emotions are precisely a defining trait of humanity."

"Therefore, every Hour-God is a symbol of the emotions, feelings, and desires of the people... Rather than being free of desire, they are collections of desire and emotion taken to the extreme."

Tolina spoke softly.

"The closer one gets to the upper levels of the Path of the Flaming Sword, the stronger one's humanity becomes, and the more intense one's emotions grow."

"In fact, beyond the two supreme laws, this is the third hidden law."

Gilan was taken aback.

He had not expected such an explanation.

Not only did the twelve Hour-Gods lack any so-called divinity, they took humanity to its utmost extreme, serving as the ultimate manifestations of worldly desires.

No wonder... the Hour-Gods fought, killed, laid traps and schemes, and formed factions.

Gilan understood at once.

It was precisely because they possessed naked, unvarnished humanity.

The stronger the desires and emotions, the fiercer the conflict.

When manifested in the material world, this became endless war,