Aleph spoke further.
"Regarding gratitude for choosing you as my true heir, Eren, I must clarify that it wasn't my decision. It was you who proved yourself worthy and selected yourself as my true heir.
I cannot predict whether this will be a blessing or a curse for you, reaching this point. However, I am genuinely pleased that you are precisely the kind of individual I hoped would inherit my throne.
You see, Eren, these so-called gods, being immortal, cannot sire children of their own. That's the reason they create their legacies and leave them behind in mortal worlds.
The Elder Seed Artifacts I created were the legacies I had left behind in mortal worlds. But who would have thought the true inheritor of my throne would emerge from something I didn't plan at all? Even for a god, the stings of fate can be unpredictable sometimes.
But… um… never mind. In a way, you are the closest thing to a son I have," Aleph disclosed with a warm smile.
Erenwas very close to twitching his eyes in annoyance upon hearing Aleph's words. For some reason, they made him feel like an illegitimate child of this once-revered god, the Darling of the Elements.
Whether Aleph was oblivious to Eren's contemplation at this moment or simply unconcerned, he continued speaking.
"I must admit, I am content with the way things have unfolded. If anything, it makes you even more worthy of claiming my throne," Aleph remarked as he proceeded towards the motionless spectral image of his mother, standing within the static world.
"Forgive me for being so direct, Eren," Aleph uttered as he gazed upon the image of his mother, his eyes locked with her lifeless ones.
"You might be the least naturally gifted of all the Elder Seeds who bear my legacy, if you could even be called an Elder Seed given the unorthodox way you've secured your claim to my throne. Yet, I am inclined to recognize you as my true heir. Do you know why?"
"I… I don't," Eren admitted with a shake of his head.
While he didn't particularly like being considered less talented than other Elder Seeds, he knew it to be true. His potential as a Ranker in the first timeline had been limited. His life had been marred by both the choices he'd been forced to make and his lack of innate talent. Unlike individuals like Altashia, Lensa, Ivor, or Sage Eliza, Eren hadn't been graced with extraordinary abilities. He wasn't what could be regarded as a prodigy.
In his second timeline, the butcher had encountered countless prodigies. His ability to stand beside them without losing his edge stemmed from sheer hard work. He had utilized every opportunity and even created his own, surpassing those considered prodigies.
However, Eren believed that his diligence alone couldn't be the reason for Aleph's choice. Many others could possess both talent and hard work. He wasn't deluded into thinking that he was the sole hard worker in existence. After all, Anfang wasn't the only world where the Elder Seeds could be found.
"It's your mindset," Aleph provided Eren with the answer.
"Even now, as we converse, you're processing myriad thoughts simultaneously. You're unfazed by what you've glimpsed in my memories. You have thoughts of using the information you gleaned from those memories. But you know how to prioritize.
You're not concerned with the origins of your bloodline powers. You simply wish to wield them. There's no profound motive behind your pursuit of power. Not really. You view it as a natural instinct.
And… um… You certainly don't feel indebted to me. Your display of respect is merely a means to expedite this encounter. You know how to be humble or assertive as circumstances demand. In truth, you've surpassed me in maintaining such an unwavering mindset.
Perhaps this is the most suitable mindset for harnessing my bloodline powers, a mindset I didn't even possess in my prime."
Turning to face Eren, Aleph leveled his penetrating blue gaze upon him. It was as if those eyes could read Eren like an open book.
The Echo of the deceased god continued, his tone unwavering.
"Eren Elijah Idril, from the world of Anfang. The very instant you began delving into my history, I delved into yours. Pardon my language, but you are one audacious bastard, aren't you?" Alephe chuckled.
Eren found himself at a loss for words in response to Aleph's remark. He couldn't discern whether Aleph was delivering a compliment or a reprimand. As such, he opted for silence, allowing Aleph to expound further.
"Your mindset is indeed something that is the most refined among all the other Elder Seeds currently in existence. You learn from your past and plan for the future. And yet you consistently emphasize living in the present.
At this very moment, your thoughts are consumed with whether Eliza is a blessing or a curse bestowed upon you by the gods, and how to deal with her," Aleph spoke with a knowing clarity, fully aware of Eren's current dilemma.
Eren couldn't help but chuckle at Aleph's words.
"Blessed by the Feminine and Cursed by the Feminine," he mumbled as he looked directly at Aleph before posing a direct question, "So, what do you think that old ha… I mean Eliza is?"
Aleph responded with a knowing smile, "Hehe. Why can't she be both? Or why can't she not be either of those things?"
He turned the inquiry back to Eren, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Think about your demon beast, Reen. Can't she be both a curse and a blessing simultaneously? The same goes for my sister, Sienna, Reva Rain, and even that girl from House Lowin.
The deeper you delve into this matter, the more complex it becomes. That's the nature of curses or blessings like these. So perhaps it's best not to dwell on it too much.
Just remember this – curses and blessings can change depending on your actions. Your choices have a significant impact on the fabric of cause and effect, even if you're not fully aware of it.
So, my advice is simple – follow your heart and do what feels right. Don't be overly concerned with the blessings and curses that are sure to affect you in some way. Take solace in the fact that all mortals face their own share of blessings and curses, and you're not so different from them.
The only distinction is that your blessings and curses will reverberate in the Godly Realm. That's something only my enemies… or to be more precise,,, your future adversaries should worry about – not you.
Like I said, you have the right mindset for claiming my throne. Don't let these things affect the only trump card you have against the rest of the Elder Seeds or your other enemies."
