The World Tree—this was the core framework supporting Norse mythology's worldview.
In Norse mythology, the World Tree Yggdrasil connected the nine realms, with its roots extending to the three great springs, constituting the origin and foundation of the entire world.
At the same time, the World Tree was also the symbol of the gods' destiny.
When the World Tree withered, Ragnarok would arrive. The gods would perish in the flames of war, and the world would be destroyed and reborn.
This was the mythological worldview of Norse mythology, and also the core divine essence Ryuga currently mastered—Twilight of the Gods.
At this moment, what manifested in Ryuga's hand was precisely the conceptual embodiment of this worldview.
Though it was just a phantom, just a manifestation, the concept it contained was genuine.
"This is..."
Even Nous the Erudition couldn't help but show a slight reaction.
Though He couldn't fully analyze all the information on this World Tree, He could clearly sense that this wasn't some ordinary prop, but a genuine mythological worldview.
And what this worldview represented was—
"Destruction and rebirth, the twilight of the gods and the dawn of a new era."
Ryuga spoke calmly.
"This is my divine essence, my core concept. As long as this concept exists, I cannot betray it, just as you cannot betray the Erudition Path."
"My purpose is to guide civilization toward a new era, to promote the alternation of old and new gods—this is determined by my divine essence itself."
"Whether it's creating new Aeons or establishing an Aeon alliance, all of this aligns with my divine essence. This is the decisive evidence you want."
As he spoke, the World Tree phantom in his hand gradually dissipated, but the concept it represented had already been clearly conveyed to Nous the Erudition.
For deities, divine essence was everything.
It was the foundation of their existence, the source of their power, and also their inescapable shackles.
No deity could betray their divine essence—this was an iron law that applied even to the One True God.
"..."
Nous the Erudition fell into prolonged silence.
He was calculating, analyzing, verifying.
Finally, He spoke.
"Understood. Your divine essence indeed cannot betray this purpose."
"From the perspective of divine essence, your goals and mine don't conflict. On the contrary, they have considerable alignment."
"Promoting civilization's development, opposing nihility and destruction—these align with the needs of the Erudition Path."
Saying this, Nous the Erudition extended His hand toward Ryuga.
"I accept your invitation. The Erudition will join your alliance."
This was the Aeon's commitment.
Though brief, it carried weight that even the universe couldn't ignore.
Seeing this, Ryuga also extended his hand, grasping Nous the Erudition's palm.
The moment their hands made contact, an invisible fluctuation swept across the entire Library, and even extended beyond, spreading toward the vast starry sky.
At this moment, countless scholars throughout the universe who walked the Erudition Path suddenly felt something.
They looked up at the starry sky, as if sensing some change in the Path they walked.
However, this sensation was too fleeting, too vague.
Before they could carefully perceive it, everything had already returned to normal.
Only those with the most acute senses vaguely realized—
Something seemed to have changed in this universe.
In Herta Space Station's office, Herta suddenly stood up, looking toward the direction of the Library with shocked eyes.
"Just now, was that..."
"The Erudition Path fluctuated."
Ruan Mei also sensed it, her expression showing rare astonishment.
"No, not just fluctuation."
Screwllum's mechanical voice carried unprecedented solemnity.
"The Erudition Path... seems to have established some kind of connection with another Path."
"But this connection is different from any we've known before. It's more like..."
He paused, as if searching for appropriate words.
"An alliance."
The three geniuses looked at each other, all seeing shock in each other's eyes.
They finally understood what Ryuga's so-called "alliance" truly meant.
This wasn't some superficial cooperation.
This was a fundamental change at the Path level!
"That guy..."
Herta slumped back in her chair, her expression complex.
"He really went and did something incredible."
At the same time, in the Library.
After the handshake ended, Nous the Erudition withdrew His hand, speaking calmly.
"The alliance is established. However, I must remind you—"
"The other Aeons aren't as easy to convince as I am. Especially those who are inherently opposed to civilization's development."
"I know."
Ryuga nodded.
"But that's precisely why an alliance is necessary. Isolated Aeons are vulnerable to nihility's erosion. Only by uniting can we truly resist."
"Besides—"
He smiled faintly.
"I'm confident I can convince them. After all, I have something they need."
Hearing this, Nous the Erudition didn't ask further.
As an Aeon, He understood that some matters were better left unsaid.
"Then, regarding your original question—"
Nous the Erudition suddenly spoke.
"You wanted to confirm whether the historical transition period has arrived, correct?"
"That's right."
"Then I can tell you—yes, it has arrived."
Nous the Erudition's tone carried a hint of something profound.
"In fact, it arrived earlier than you think. The wheels of fate have already begun to turn."
"The Stellaron Hunters' actions, the Astral Express's journey, the awakening of the Stellaron—all of this is pushing history toward a new turning point."
"This era will witness the fall of old gods and the birth of new ones."
Hearing this, Ryuga's smile grew wider.
"Then it seems my timing is perfect."
Just as he said this, Fanlu, who had been quiet all along, suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
"[Question], Fanlu wants to know—if Main God creates new Aeons, will Fanlu also become an Aeon?"
Hearing this question, both Ryuga and Nous the Erudition looked toward the young goddess.
After a moment of silence, Ryuga rubbed her head.
"If you want to, then yes. But you need to first understand what kind of Aeon you want to become."
"[Thinking]..."
Fanlu tilted her head, seriously pondering this question.
What kind of Aeon did she want to become?
After a long while, she finally spoke.
"[Answer], Fanlu wants to become the Aeon who asks all questions and seeks all answers."
"The Aeon of... Inquiry."
Hearing this answer, Ryuga showed a satisfied expression.
"Then work hard toward that goal. I'll help you."
"[Acknowledgment]!"
Fanlu nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with rare determination.
Watching this scene, Nous the Erudition spoke again.
"If the Aeon of Inquiry is born, then the Erudition Path will have a natural ally."
"Questions and answers, inquiry and wisdom—these two Paths should indeed walk together."
This was His recognition of Fanlu's future.
"Then, our business here is concluded."
Ryuga turned to leave, but paused.
"By the way, Nous—there's one more thing I want to confirm."
"Speak."
"In your calculations, how many Aeons will ultimately join this alliance?"
Hearing this question, Nous the Erudition was silent for a moment.
"At least seven. At most... thirteen."
"Seven to thirteen..."
Ryuga murmured, then smiled.
"That's enough. That's more than enough."
With those words, he led Fanlu toward the Library's exit.
Only Nous the Erudition remained, standing alone in the vast Library.
After a long silence, He suddenly spoke, as if talking to Himself.
"An alliance of Aeons, the twilight of the gods, the birth of a new era..."
"Perhaps this is indeed the answer the universe needs."
His blind eyes seemed to gaze toward the distant future, toward the unknown destiny.
The gears of fate had begun to turn.
And no one could stop them now.
To be continued...
Dear Readers,
I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates over the past two months.
During this period, my company relocated its TSF (Temporary Site Facility) to an area right next to active wellheads where our projects are ongoing. Unfortunately, there is little to no internet connectivity at the site, which has made translating and posting chapters extremely difficult.
I recently returned home on a seven-day vacation, but I fell ill shortly after arriving. Even so, I did my best to translate chapters in bulk so that you would still have content to enjoy.
I kindly ask for your understanding if the translation quality is slightly lower than usual. Managing multiple projects and translating in bulk within a short timeframe has been quite demanding.
I am hopeful that stable internet connectivity will be available at the site soon. Once that happens, I will do my best to return to a more consistent and regular update schedule.
Thank you very much for your patience, support, and continued readership.
— Reid Astrea
Also, advance 50 chapters are up on my Patreon ofc!
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