While Orion furrowed his brows in confusion, Aerialia's eyes widened in realization.
"But since General Reynold didn't become a true god, then doesn't that mean he failed?" Orion asked.
Aegis of the Arctic Deity nodded. "He did fail, for whatever reasons why, it should be obvious," he responded, his tone serious.
Orion, Aerialia, and Aegis of the Arctic Deity observed as Naka took Ilse in his arms and stood up, helping her stabilize the Vylkr energy as he looked in the direction of General Reynold, who had ascended the steps and was baptized in the creamy white flame. With each struggling step he took, his eyes widened in surprise as though he hadn't expected such a scene to finally pass.
Instantly, a dense wave of divine energy emerged around him before a brilliant flash of light emerged within their surroundings again, forcing them to shut their eyes tightly.
......
Third Border City
Garden
Divine the lake essence
Orion collapsed on the floor, feeling his body squirming as he absorbed the rest of Aegis of the Arctic Deity's sealed memories. These memories included how Naka had separated paradise from the rest of the world, how he had attempted to save Ilse by extracting the Primordial energy from General Reynold, who had transformed into White Flame, how he had received backlash from interfering with the Divine Mysteries, alongside his severe energy depletion, thereby weakening him far more than ever before.
Orion also learned about Ilse utilizing the remaining of her divine powers to protect some of the Prismerian race from the Vylkr energy, causing Naka to grow increasingly angry at their existence, and how he couldn't bring himself to kill them but instead gave them a chance to redeem and escape from the mountain. This involved creating the Crimson Greatsword trial with the help of White Flame's abilities and memories, rewriting Oberon's memories, and having him help as his assistant.
Also, Orion discovered that he couldn't keep holding back the Vylkr energy after it consumed every life within paradise except for the Prismerions, Pixies, humans he had experimented on with the Vylkr energy, and the tree nymphs meant to provide food for all of them. This allowed the Vylkr energy, which had taken the shape of vines after devouring their incredible life essence, to slowly spill into the rest of the earth.
Moreover, Orion learned about Naka's experiments leading to failure, his decision to seal the Prismerions and White Flame to torment them every day, placing the Pixies and Oberon together with the garden and placing the Princess of the Garden in charge of it all, his development in creating another manmade god to transfer Ilse's godly essence into.
His failure in saving Ilse, his decision to use her remains for his experiments with the humans he had experimented on, and how he had decided to test the humans by placing them in the middle of paradise with the tree nymphs, watching as they grew and failed after reaching a a certiain before ultimately giving up and abandoning everything except for the Vylkr energy, and vines as his subject of interesting.
Orion also learned about Naka's act of rewriting their memories once more while blocking some. After the revelation emerged in his mind, Orion slowly stood back up on his feet. He looked at Aerialia and the Aegis of the Arctic Deity, both in deep thought, pondering over the sealed memories.
Orion took a deep breath and exhaled to calm himself down as he refocused his gaze on them. "So what do we do now? The Vylkr spawns may be Naka's progress in creating the perfect race. However, since Naka abandoned paradise, that should mean that they aren't here for us. Instead, I guess it has something to do with the Vylkr viel phenomenon," he said.
"I don't know. After all these revelations, I feel like returning to get some rest," Aerialia responded, shaking her head tiredly.
Aegis of the Arctic Deity was about to speak when he paused, narrowing his eyes upwards. "Now we know why the remaining gods who had survived up to this moment haven't come here, even after the triggering of the Divine Mysteries due to White Flame's death. Since they all fear Naka and are hesitant to approach this territory, why don't we use that to our advantage?" he responded, refocusing his gaze on Orion and Aerialia.
"You have a plan? What is it?" Orion asked, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Aegis of the Arctic Deity.
Aegis of the Arctic Deity nodded affirmatively. "It's difficult to explain, and even if I could, I don't think I have the time to do so," he responded, raising his right arm and turning it to the side to reveal the wisps of Vylkr energy eating away at his body from the inside out.
"By reopening the seal on my memories, I also removed the seal that had delayed the rapid spread of the Vylkr energy eating up my body. This means we must act quickly, including protecting Orion's cities, discovering why they are here, and ensuring we eliminate as many as necessary to prevent their return."
Upon hearing Aegis of the Arctic Deity's words, Orion nodded in understanding, tightening his grip around his Crimson Greatsword. "What are we waiting for then? Let's begin," he responded, resolve burning in his eyes.
If they could successfully overcome this problem, he vowed to erase Naka's name from the lips of the villagers and everyone within Orion's cities. After witnessing Aegis of the Arctic Deity's sealed memories, he saw no reason why they should serve or bow to other gods.
"I agree. However, I want you to take me to where you had dropped the Princess of the Garden first. I need to discuss something with her personally," Aerialia responded.
After witnessing his sealed memories, there was nothing else she wanted to do at that moment but speak with the Princess of the Garden.
Orion and Aegis of the Arctic Deity looked at her curiously before nodding in understanding. Instantly, they vanished from their position and materialized on Anara's side of the farm.