Chapter 477: When a God’s Name is Called

A god had no name.

Or rather, when they descended into a dimension other than their own, they discarded their names. This act symbolized relinquishing their power and promising not to harm the ruler of that dimension.

But why was such a rule necessary? In truth, the gods’ trust in one another was so fragile that rules had to be established to prevent their mutual destruction. They were adversaries—constantly watching for an opening to strike.

The vow not to harm another god within their own dimension was fragile—ready to shatter at any moment. It was only because of the immense consequences that it had endured for this long.

For a god to speak another’s name was the ultimate transgression—a violation of the primal laws that had endured for eons.

And now, that rule had been broken.

“Lakshmu...!!” the First God cried out her name.

He turned pale as he realized what he had done. He clamped his mouth shut, but it was too late.

“Was she really that precious to you?” Yula sneered, her gaze fixed on him. “The Tenth was only meant to fill the empty seat of a god, and she bonded with you simply because that was how the cycle unfolded. Don’t tell me you’ve been plagued by human emotions. And you seriously call yourself a god? I can’t believe you were the first one born from the Rift.”

“You...!!”

At that, Yula’s gaze sharpened, her tone turning ice cold. “Creating a new god to fill the Lord’s seat could have been done with anyone. Do you know why humans are separated into men and women? It’s because they are incomplete halves. But we’re gods, so there’s no need for that. For us, it’s a matter of preference, nothing more. But you... you dared to believe in something as foolish as love?”

Her face briefly morphed into a harsh, angular visage before returning to her usual cold beauty.

“How hilarious.”

“Ugh—!”

Yula seized the First God by the neck.

“Worse, you remained ignorant of the destruction that awaits at the end of such foolishness.”

“Gyaaaaaahhhh...!!!”

The First God’s muscular flame began to wither, as though dissolving into nothingness.

“Uttering another god’s name is a violation of the primal laws. By the ancient decree, all your power will be extinguished.”

Yula declared the sentence with a most wicked smile.

“So, allow me to devour you. This shall be your final duty as the First.”

“Sh-Shut up...!!”

The First God trembled, his hands shaking as he grasped at Yula’s arm.

“Don’t worry. I don’t condemn you for harboring special feelings for the Tenth. In fact, I actually acknowledge you for it. After all, both you and she will become the foundation of my ascension.”

“What...?”

“I believe humans would call this an act of mercy. I’ll send the Tenth to join you, so you won’t be lonely. Go ahead and wait for her.”

“Yula...!!” he roared, hurling a punch with all the strength he had left. But his withered, bony fist could barely harm a beast at this point.

“We gods were born along with the dimensions, so we know better than anyone that there’s nothing beyond annihilation. Hmm, then I guess this hardly constitutes mercy.”

With that, Yula plunged her blade into his neck.

The First God had wanted to say something more, but the blood gushing from his mouth silenced him. He gurgled, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly as crimson spilled from his lips.

“No... NOOOO...!!!”

A shrill scream echoed through the battlefield.

Tears streamed down Lakshmu’s face as she shook her head violently, crying out in anguish.

“Ugh?!”

Crushed by what had just transpired before her eyes, Lakshumu lurched forward, trembling as if seized by a fit. Miliana’s dagger had grazed her neck, leaving a thin crimson line from which blood began to trickle.

Miliana herself was startled by the goddess’s reaction. She instinctively stepped back, momentarily loosening her grip.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lakshmu darted toward the fallen First God.

“Shit!”

Miliana moved to intercept her, but Zarka Hochi rushed from Kay Rothschild’s side to block her way.

“Let her go.”

“What? If she reaches him, Yula might absorb his power as well!”

“Even so, leave her be for now.”

Something about Zarka’s tone was different from usual, and Miliana could sense it. She hesitated, realizing that Zarka, before becoming the master of the Ghost Castle, had once been the guardian of Aeriel Woods, home to the elven sanctuary of Elvenheim.

Zarka had spent years in solitude within his castle, lost in illusions, unable to move on from Fürrel, the last descendant of the Tinuviel family and queen of Elvenheim.

His profound grief over their separation resonated deeply in his words.

“Humans all die. No matter how much you love, no matter how much you wish to stay together, we’re powerless before the passage of mortal time. Are gods any different? If they live forever, their impotence in the face of destruction is even more stark. Look at the chaos they’ve wrought. They don’t understand death, yet they bring it upon us with impunity!”

While shouting, Miliana gestured around themselves, frowning at their fallen comrades.

“I have no intention of showing them sympathy just because they’re gods. In my eyes, they’re just enemies that need to be cut down.”

“...”

“There’s no one without a reason for existing. Even a beggar on the street carries a story in their heart. But tell me. What would you do for that beggar?”

Zarka remained silent, his lips pressed into a firm line. Miliana turned away, as if convinced that the elf had no response.

“What if you lost Karyl? Would you still feel this way?”

“No, I wouldn’t,” she said flatly. “I’d kill him first before that could happen. And isn’t that why you’ve all drawn your swords, to prevent such a loss? Don’t waste time on

what ifs.”

Whoosh—!

Her voice trailed off as she charged forward. “Because there won’t be any ‘what ifs.’ Gods don’t deserve our mercy. The only thing we offer them is the blade.”

Lakshmu raced toward the First God, but Miliana raised her sword behind her. Even as he lay at Yula’s feet, the First God managed to cry out, his voice strained and desperate.

“Stop... STOOOP...!!!”

Shlick—

Miliana’s blade pierced Lakshmu’s back, bursting through her chest.

“Agh...!”

Lakshmu violently arched forward as blood gushed from her wound.

“

Cough

....”

Weakened from pouring all her power into the unborn god, Lakshmu no longer had the strength to resist. In that moment, she was no more powerful than a mortal woman—and so, she collapsed helplessly beneath Miliana’s blade.

“GHAAAAAAAAA...!!!”

The First God’s anguish filled the air, but his cry was promptly silenced by a blade far less forgiving than Miliana’s.

Shing!

Thud!

His head flew through the air and landed unceremoniously on the ground.

“Aah...”

Lakshmu’s face turned ashen. Not even registering the sword lodged in her chest, she stared at the First God’s severed head, his eyes frozen open, seeming to stare back at her.

“Why... Why did it have to end like this?”

She crumpled forward, clutching his head in with her trembling hands.

“Why, you ask? You gods brought about Exordiar yourselves. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re the sole victim of this tragedy,” Miliana said coldly, standing over her.

“We’ve lost brothers, parents, and friends,” she went on, her face twisting into a rueful frown. “All because you gods cared only for your own survival, treating us as nothing more than pawns. We never even had time to bury them, let alone grieve.”

Miliana was being harsh—perhaps even cruel—but her words were undeniable. As such, no one dared to challenge her.

“If anything, you should thank us.”

“...What?”

“For teaching you what it feels like to lose someone. A pain you’ve never understood, even after countless eons.”

“You...! You...!!!” Lakshmu growled, her face twisted in rage—but that was all she could do, as the blade was still lodged in her weakened body.

But as she clutched the First God’s head, a faint glow emanated from it. His corpse vanished, leaving behind a shard of emerald light—the Dimension Spiral of the First God.

“Hand it over,” Miliana demanded, staring intently at Lakshumu, who now held the shard tightly.

Lakshmu’s lips trembled as she whispered, almost to herself, “All of this... because I am weak. Survival of the fittest... In a world where only the strong can live, life is truly a fragile power.”

“What are you talking about?” Miliana asked, her expression darkening.

“You may take my life... and my strength... but this power? Never.”

“...What?”

At that moment, Lakshumu’s teary eyes flared up with resolve.

“Humans... remember my name well!”

With a scream, Lakshmu plunged her hands into her own abdomen, tearing it open.

“...?!?”

Miliana froze in shock, unable to react as she watched the gruesome sight unfold.

“My name is Lakshmu. I bequeath this name to my child, who will no longer live on this wretched plane but will rise as a god in a new dimension, bearing divine glory!”

Splat!

Lakshmu thrust the Dimension Spiral into her womb.

“Fight. Destroy each other. Collapse into ruin. That is my curse upon you humans...”

The shard melted into her, merging seamlessly into her body.

“The rules of the pantheon will break, and only one god will remain in my new world. That is my curse upon the gods.”

Watching this, Yula frowned slightly.

“Only the god who inherits my name, Lakshmu, shall rule that world.”

Flash!

A radiant light erupted from Lakshmu’s swollen belly, soaring into the heavens before anyone could react.

“Though I die here, my wrath will curse the humans of another dimension through my child!”

Blood poured from her lips as she cast her final curse, directing her venomous gaze toward Karyl.

“I once cherished humans, perhaps more than any other god... but no more.”

“Like I care.” Miliana stepped forward, her tone sharp and mocking. “So, your big plan is that our resistance will lead to your child’s world falling into chaos? That’s your so-called curse?”

She scoffed, looking down at Lakshmu. “Don’t forget that it’s humans who are killing you here. The humans in your child’s world might just destroy your precious creation too.”

Her voice turned steely. “Don’t underestimate humans.”

“You...!!”

Enraged, Lakshmu spat a mouthful of blood at Miliana, but it missed, grazing harmlessly past her cheek.

Shlick—

Without hesitation, Miliana drove her sword into Lakshmu’s throat. The goddess convulsed before finally collapsing.

“Haaah...”

Miliana exhaled slowly, pulling her blade free. Reaching down, she picked up the Dimension Spiral left behind by Lakshmu’s corpse.

Vrrrrrr...

The shard began to glow, sinking into her palm and merging with her.

With that, Miliana turned toward Yula, opening her eyes and flashing a defiant smirk.

“You saw that?”

She locked eyes with the goddess.

“Now it’s your turn.”

Yula’s expression stiffened.