Gamamaru immediately nodded again and again, wholeheartedly agreeing with Hagoromo. Certainty filled his little face as he elaborated, laying bare the Celestial Dragons' predicament.
"Exactly. Kaguya is only keeping the Celestial Dragons around because they're useful."
"She needs them to administer her territories, capture powerful beings, and supply a steady stream of high-quality sacrifices to sustain the God Tree's growth."
"But that's only temporary."
"Once most of the Knights have been captured and most of the world's powerful beings have been sacrificed, when there are no more high-quality offerings to send her, do you think Kaguya will still keep the Celestial Dragons around?"
"When that time comes, the Celestial Dragons who can't meet their sacrifice quotas will immediately go from 'enforcers' to the final 'sacrifices,' used to make up the God Tree's shortfall!"
Those blunt, brutal words instantly tore away the illusion of the Celestial Dragons' exalted status.
Hagoromo's gaze remained steady as he continued his calm analysis, seeing straight through the Celestial Dragons' thoughts.
"The Celestial Dragons were originally the rulers of this world. They may seem meek and obedient now, submitting to Mother's overwhelming power, but there's no way they don't harbor resentment and fear."
"They only bow to her now because they fear her world-destroying power. They dare not resist, so they can only endure and cling to life."
"But people value their lives above all else, and entire peoples are no different."
"When their lives are threatened and extermination looms before them, no matter how frightened they are, they'll fight with everything they have."
After hearing that analysis, Hamura finally understood, and all his doubts vanished.
Indeed, the Celestial Dragons' obedience had never been loyalty, merely endurance born of having no other choice.
They were simply caught too deeply in the game to see the fate