"Oh, right. By that logic, I guess I'm also a member of a pantheon... Strange. But Lady Canary said I was a candidate for Savior, too!"
Kudou Asuka voiced her question, the realization dawning on her a bit late.
Although her companions didn't doubt or deny her identity because of this, she herself had become confused.
Realizing that Typhon would seize control of the conversation if he didn't provide an answer, Saigō Homura hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"I've done some research on that question."
"Oh?"
Everyone turned to look at him, curious to hear what was going on.
Typhon also looked at the small boy, wondering what kind of explanation he could offer.
"After Ojou-sama used her Majesty to control the Bull of Heaven, I became extremely curious about it. By what method does that power control the Bull of Heaven?"
Saigō Homura explained.
"So I used the appropriate instruments to measure its energy fluctuations. While there are still many mysteries I haven't been able to analyze, based on the activity patterns of the Third Stellar Particle, my initial hypothesis is that this so-called 'Majesty' is actually a naturally occurring type of BDA—to be precise, a BDA that can manipulate other Third Stellar Particles."
This hypothesis hadn't been fully verified yet, and he wasn't one hundred percent certain, but he stated it anyway due to the circumstances.
However, even though he spoke with extreme caution, his conjecture truly shocked everyone present.
"My Majesty is a type of BDA?"
Kudou Asuka stared blankly at her own palm, as if seeing the true nature of her power for the first time.
"Homura, I remember you saying that only carriers of the Third Stellar Particle can use a BDA."
Saigō Izayoi had also thought of something.
"Are you saying that Ojou-sama is actually a carrier of the Third Stellar Particle?"
He stroked his chin and shook his head.
"No, that's not right! Before she obtained her Divinity, Ojou-sama's physical abilities were so poor she couldn't even win a fight against a goose. There's no way she's a carrier. Unless..."
Izayoi paused, his eyes widening as if he had stumbled upon an incredible possibility.
"Unless the so-called 'Divinity' is actually a manifestation of the Third Stellar Particle."
Saigō Homura directly finished the thought Izayoi couldn't voice.
"And one that's at least close to the level of an 'Codex (origin)'."
In fact, if you ignored the name and just looked at the effects, the enhancement a Divinity provided to a life-form was remarkably similar to the enhancement provided by a Third Stellar Particle Origin.
Both would dramatically amplify a life-form's physical attributes and racial advantages. Wasn't that an effect that could only be achieved by integrating with an organism's internal genes?
As soon as he said this, Kudou Ayato was instantly convinced.
"Divinity is the Origin form of the Third Stellar Particle, and Majesty is the natural BDA form... That's why Teacher Canary said our sisters' powers should have belonged to one person. A BDA only possesses its true power when combined with the Third Stellar Particle!"
Kasukabe Yō, who was standing nearby, quickly recalled a piece of corroborating evidence.
"Speaking of which, back when we were distributing the Codexs, didn't Teacher Canary say that thing would be useless for Asuka?"
"If Divinity itself is a special form of the Third Stellar Particle, then that would explain it."
With so much evidence to support it, the conjecture was instantly accepted by everyone.
"So, the reason Ojou-sama can possess a Divinity and still retain her qualifications as a Savior is because her Divinity is just the Third Stellar Particle in a special state," Izayoi mused aloud.
"In other words, her status as an 'Arahitogami' isn't a gift from the gods making her one of their kin, but rather the inherent potential of a human destined to become a god."
"No wonder this guy said Ojou-sama has the potential to become the head of a pantheon."
"Correct."
Saigō Homura nodded.
"If this hypothesis is correct, then the path Ojou-sama represents is one possible future for humanity's ascension to godhood."
"The Third Stellar Particle can grant humanity infinite possibilities, but the one most likely to endure would be something like Divinity, which grants long life and immense power... And Ojou-sama's Majesty itself possesses the ability to grant others a 'Simulated Divinity'."
"If she were to take it a step further, with the help of other specialized devices, it might be possible to turn that Simulated Divinity into the real thing. At that point, Ojou-sama would possess the power to enfeoff true gods. Only then could she be called the rightful leader of a pantheon."
Assuming a world where a large number of humans obtain the Third Stellar Particle and develop all sorts of strange powers, what kind of power could gain absolute advantage among at least seven billion people on Earth and successfully establish dominion?
Was it an invincible power, an invincible curse, or the power to manipulate time and space to make all people submit?
None of the above.
In a state of full competition, no matter how powerful an ability is, its weaknesses will be exploited. No matter how terrifying a deterrent, it cannot work on everyone forever.
In an era where everyone wields power, one person, no matter how strong, can hardly stand against all of humanity.
At that point, the state of human society would be very similar to that of primitive man—whoever could unite the most people would possess the greatest strength.
And in this balanced struggle, the one who could grant Divinity to others would naturally be favored by the masses.
To be granted power sufficient for self-preservation and a near-eternal lifespan... even a carrier of the Third Stellar Particle couldn't resist such a temptation.
An ordinary carrier could live a long life at best, but they couldn't achieve true immortality.
In this ideal model, Kudou Asuka would be the only winner.
Not only would she be the leader capable of establishing a pantheon, but she would also be revered by all for the power and longevity she bestows.
It wasn't that no one could possess a BDA capable of countering hers, but that her followers would tear any such person to shreds before they could even entertain the thought.
In this kind of society, the benevolent are invincible. There is no invincible power, only an invincible person.
The one who can grant benefits to the vast majority is the one who can rule all and achieve true invincibility.
In this state, Kudou Asuka's unique nature is fully explained.
She is human, and also a God-King who can create a pantheon.
However—
"Putting aside that this is an ideal model based on perfect game theory, even if reality could head in this direction, that should be a pretty good outcome, right?"
Saigō Homura looked at Typhon, confused.
If the future Kudou Asuka pointed to was one where everyone could become a god, it would be a great evolution for humanity.
Even from their perspective, there didn't seem to be any obvious problems with such a path.
"Foolish!"
Hearing this, Typhon let out a displeased rebuke.
Just moments before, when Saigō Homura was analyzing the nature of Divinity, the mechanics of Majesty, and the possibility of a pantheon, Typhon's gaze had been one of amazement and approval.
But upon hearing Homura say he could accept a future of godhood, he shook his head in disappointment.
"Your theoretical conjectures regarding the natural aspects were excellent, but when it comes to humanity, you know far too little."
A god, accusing a human of not understanding humanity.
Hearing this, Saigō Homura was stunned for a second. He didn't find it absurd, but instead asked with humility.
"Why do you say that?"
From a game theory perspective, a pantheon leader like Kudou Asuka should indeed be the one everyone prioritizes protecting.
Seeing his sincere desire to learn, Typhon didn't keep him in suspense and said bluntly,
"What if there is more than one so-called 'leader of the pantheon'?"
"..."
Saigō Homura thought for a few seconds and immediately understood what he meant.
For a race that is practically immortal, if something can happen, it will happen.
The followers of a pantheon might protect their God-King from simple rebels and assassins because of the power and longevity they've been granted, but they would have no such motivation when faced with a new king who could make the same offer.
Whether it was the new king or the old, as long as they were guaranteed not to lose their power, they would have no reason to take a side.
If that were the case, the so-called crushing power of the group over the individual would become a struggle between the new king and the old.
And that was the least dangerous scenario. A more terrifying situation wouldn't be a duel between two pantheon leaders, but a chaotic war between two, or even more, pantheons.
Seeing Saigō Homura's expression turn grave, Typhon added,
"You see it now, don't you, boy? This 'deification of humanity' is by no means the paradise you imagine. On the contrary, it is a far greater hell."
"...But in a state of godhood, humanity's material needs would be greatly satisfied. There should be no reason for conflict!"
Saigō Homura hesitated for a few seconds before instinctively retorting.
The idea that eliminating absolute poverty could eliminate evil was a utopia that researchers dreaming of a third-type perpetual motion machine would see in their sleep.
It was also the most basic desire of the masses for ages, so he subconsciously refused to admit that this utopia didn't exist.
And yet—
"No reason for conflict if material needs are met?"
Typhon sneered.
"Looking at all of human history, do you really believe that yourself?"
In this world, has there ever been a shortage of death and injury caused not by a conflict of interests, but purely by a conflict of ideals?
Even if ideological conflicts contained economic components, the history of war, as long as human history itself, was proof enough of humanity's aggression and belligerence.
Even if they formed a pantheon, conflict would never disappear.