Kroya had once seen the Hymn to All Things Under the False Moon, written by the bard Wendy, at the Orpheus Oak.
Near the end, one line had all but spelled it out-
"The False Moon gives birth, spirit intelligence spreads across the land, and little blue flowers symbolize both fortune and ill omen."
So "spirit intelligence spreads across the land" referred to spirit intelligence grass-the azure-blue grass before him that looked like foxtail grass.
Then what did "the False Moon gives birth" mean?
With a merfolk right beside him, Kroya simply asked a probing question. "I once read an ancient text that mentioned the False Moon giving birth."
"..." Alia gave Kroya an indescribable look but offered no answer.
She merely reached out and stroked the spirit intelligence grass on the ground. "This is the Void God's Eye."
"It possesses nearly limitless power of illusion luminary."
"It should meet your needs, shouldn't it?"
Kroya bent down to examine it too, trying to communicate with the little flower. The moment he sent out his consciousness, it responded.
"Idiots!"
"Merfolk are such idiots!"
"Aaaaaah! They're so stupid I could cry!"
Its voice was clear and androgynous, its complaints firing off like a machine gun. "I've been growing here all this time! Can't they come ask me for help?"
"The big tree makes me sprout at this time every time precisely so I can help them!"
"..."
Kroya blinked and glanced at Alia beside him.
She immediately asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Clearly, she had no idea that her own Void God's Eye was disparaging her entire race, and she still looked utterly clueless.
"Nothing."
"I need a completely quiet space where no one can interrupt or spy on me."
He stated his requirements. "Swear by your god that no being will