562 CH 522: DIVERGING OPINIONS
While the Tiger Lord was psyching himself up for the incoming fight, Nuwa was quietly lying down against a tree and observing the fortress absentmindedly.
Everywhere, soldiers would pass and speak in hushed tones while observing her. A mix of fear and awe was etched on their faces at the same time. The fact that Nuwa was not human bothered a few of them, but by now, soldiers were already long used to even non-humans in the army.
In the first place, even outside of the main races in the mortal world, with how humans formed contracts, they were used to different species in the army. What truly impressed them was the fact that such a young lady was already clearly a Duke and a very powerful one at that.
"Have you seen the hole she created?"
"Damn, I feel like she could bury all of us here."
The more they spoke to each other, the more excited they became.
This was war.
Which soldiers would hate having powerful officers in their group? They might fear her a little, but they respected her even more. Her presence was directly tied to their survival.
"Guys, I heard all the maids are the Prince's women until they decide to leave."
"My goddess. How mighty is the prince? Do you think he only swings his hips every day like mad? At least if I was in his place, that's what I would do."
One of them drooled, imagining himself being surrounded by women.
"Haha. Don't make me laugh. You cannot even last one minute with your tiny pecker."
One of the soldiers, a woman, made a crude joke as she showed her pinky, and the rest exploded in laughter, even the one being insulted.
'Why do they seem so happy?'
[Because now they know they have a higher chance of survival.]
'I see. I don't understand. Shouldn't they fight for their own survival? Why need someone else?'
[Hah. You can only say this because you are strong. The weak have no choice but to hide behind the shadows of the strong. Trembling and wishing to be saved.]
'Strong?'
She tilted her head, 'I am not strong.'
[And I said, stop comparing yourself to the monsters in that tower. While chasing after the back of those above is the right way, this should not stop you from observing and assessing those below and at the same level as you.]
'This is complicated.'
[No. You are just dumb. Ugh. I wonder what might be the problem. You should have my intellect. How can your reasoning ability be so underdeveloped? Also, what the heck are those names? Smash? Splash!? Why not use better ones?]
The voice in her head seemed very frustrated, but Nuwa could only tilt her head in confusion.
'Does having a different name affect the power of the technique?'
[Well… No.]
'If it doesn't, why use a complicated name? Smash is smash. Splash is splash.'
[You… ugh. Why do you suddenly appear smart in moments like this? Argh, damn it, do as you wish. But for goodness' sake, at least the name of your zone.]
'Why?'
[The zone represents you. At least until you become a Demigod. This is your trademark, the power people will remember. At least the name…]
'Uh. Okay.'
[Sigh. I know when you say okay, it basically means you don't care. Anyway, the war is about to go in Crescendo. This is the perfect occasion for you to grow.]
The voice seemed excited,
[You are my best creation, the results of fusing my genes with those of Asmodeus as well as the blood of nearly all generations of Lustburg kings and queens. Your body is the best in existence. No one has a higher potential and higher growth curve than you. All you need to do is —]
"Eat."
[Yes. Take this place as your buffet. Eat, eat, and eat more. Become the perfect vessel I envisioned. You are not just a chimera. You are the Chimera.]
'Then what?'
[After the War ends, you become sufficiently powerful. Go to Gluttony Foss and devour even more. All chimeras created will be your nourishment then — you might become a demigod.]
The more she spoke, the more fervent the voice became.
[Eat, eat, eat, eat. Devour everything. From the simple mortal to even the lofty demigods and goddesses. Devour the Heaven itself if necessary. Only by then will your Destiny be fulfilled.]
Nuwa sighed, closing her eyes as she ignored the crazy muttering of the womanly voice in her head.
She was in no way dumb, and she understood well that the woman was fishy.
She had claimed that she was her mother or rather her creator. Her existence was just an accident, born because Theresa stole her egg all those years ago.
She was nothing more than a vessel. Initially destined to house the soul of Echidna.
All that news would have been enough to seriously affect the psyche of someone else. But for Nuwa, all of this was of no importance.
'I wanna eat. I wanna see Lilin. Perhaps Sol and Setsuna as well.'
She gathered her knees and buried her face between them.
She didn't like fighting. She didn't like killing either.
It was a waste of time. It was tiring, and the blood was sticky. It hurts, and she didn't like pain.
Simply staying at home, acting like a maid, being scolded by Milia, having her head ruffled by Sol, and Lilin giving her some treats when she did well.
[Are you a dog? Stop thinking like you are some domestic animal.]
'Why? I eat well, sleep well, and am treated well. Isn't it the ideal life?'
[Hah. Do you have no ambition? Do you not seek greater heights? Break down your limits and become stronger.]
'Hum… Did doing all of this make you happy?'
[I…]
The voice was left speechless once again. Unable to bring forth any argument.
What was happiness? In fact, when was the last time she truly was happy?
[Happiness has nothing to do with our glorious purpose. This is the goal of our existence. The very reason we were created. Only by creating a God can we become full.]
'Seems like a shitty lonely life.'
[....What do you know?]
'I know nothing. I am not particularly smart. I don't like to think too much either. It gives me a headache. But all I know is that — I was definitely happier when I was surrounded by people who like me.'
[...Happiness can easily be taken away if you are weak.]
‘Happiness will not necessarily come even if you are strong.’
In the end, the two stopped talking, and Nuwa simply closed her eyes to rest. She wanted things to end. She wished to simply go and crush the people in the fortress, but Gerald advised her against doing so now.
If they eliminated
the Tiger too decisively, Wratharis would send a more powerful group in retaliation, and this time, things might be more complicated.
Something about stone monkeys being shitty to fight.
Nuwa did not really care. In the end, all she had to do was swing her hammer.
Now though… She just wanted to eat something sweet.
Her stomach growled as she remembered the sweet Theresa or Lilin usually gave her.
‘I miss that.’
A simple life and simple wants. This was all she desired.
(AN: Who do you think is right? Nuwa or Echidna? Though in the end, it isn’t really a matter of right and wrong but more of perspective.)
