Chapter 2: Creation of Man
Heavenly Star Palace
Throne Room.
For a moment,
An agonizing silence reigned.
Every angel present fixed their gaze on Helion, whose face remained as unreadable as ever.
Despite their perfection, they were predictable.
Beyond gazing adoringly at Veldanava, they possessed no true will of their own.
Except when it came to the Creator himself.
In a sense, they were like infants, clinging to the one who gave them form.
But eventually, even infants must learn to grow.
However, what reflected in Helion's eyes was something else entirely.
Not that he failed to understand their sentiment. Still…
"You're right, I want exactly that."
The similarities were there, as clear as day.
It wasn't hard to discern the Creator's intent.
At this moment,
Veldanava was almost transparent, yet, they simply couldn't see it.
Perhaps it was Helion's outsider's perspective that allowed him to.
"...what about those savages? Their leader has a good reputation with my Lord, does he not? So—"
Feldway protested.
Helion could more or less grasp the meaning behind it.
The more creations there were, the more divided their Lord's attention would become.
Naturally, the other angels agreed.
"Yes, it is as Lord Feldway says,"
Helion's escort, Samir, the ashen-haired Cherub, was the first person to speak.
Even though it was out of place for him to do so,
...because others pretty much agreed with his words, they promptly chimed in.
"I acknowledge Feldway's opinion, my Lord."
Like that, they all acclaimed the Creator, who pleadingly glanced at Helion.
Once more..
For the briefest of moments, Helion's perfect expression wavered.
Sure enough, every angel's eyes turned toward him again.
"If our creator wills it, then let it be so. Who are we to hinder the work of our creator?"
Yes, Helion himself wasn't without reason.
With a single, calculated line,
he had turned their loyalty back on them, leaving each and every one frozen in silence.
In that manner,
...when they thought about it along those lines, they realized.
It was not their place to oppose.
"We apologize."
Realizing that, they all went on their knees, including Feldway beside the throne.
No, it couldn't be condoned.
How could I have questioned Veldanava-sama's will and intent?
Reverently, his body trembled as he knelt in silent prayer.
Amidst that..
Veldanava cast an amused glance toward Helion, who simply nodded in quiet acknowledgment.
Just as Veldanava had thought.
Helion was different.
It was… refreshing, to have a creation who wasn't excessively devout or bound by blind reverence.
"…It's fine, as long as you understand. You may rise."
With his expression brightening, Veldanava's smile deepened.
"The thing is ..I want to start right away!"
Once again, the Creator's sudden declaration left his creations in utter bewilderment.
To think it would begin this soon.
As disheartening as it was, they had no choice but to accept it.
"May your will be done."
Their unified response echoed through the throne room.
Every Angel including Feldway backed away, a few meters away from the throne.
A gap was left there, before the throne.
Like an audience was about to be observed.
In truth, it was.
From what the human soul of Helion knew, he knew humans were created from dust.
Hence, he was looking forward to it.
...how humans in this world would take shape.
Glamor~
Contrary to what he expected, a brilliant light suddenly descended in the midst of the room.
It engulfed half of the throne room.
"That divine light."
"Just like the dawn of creation."
"Yeah, as expected of Veldanava-sama."
Helion suddenly found himself glancing from left to right; their praises were completely lost on him.
Still, he would have to give credit where it's due.
It was beautiful.
Complete white, radiating seven different colors.
Deep within that light, something began to take shape.
At first, it took the shape of a small ball of light.
It was so tiny, so much so that if he weren't using [Magic Sense] to heighten his perception–
Helion would have missed it.
Yet... wrong.
For some reason, he could tell the end result of this creation.
Now that he thought of it, the Creator didn't mention anything about Mortals.
More so, he sensed no property of flesh.
Even so, looking at the [Spiritual Body] slowly beginning to take shape...
Fundamentally, it was different.
Different from them, the Angels.
At the same time, it possessed [Divinity].
If God had wanted simple beings for communion, He could have created mortals with a single thought.
With omniscience, such an act would've been trivial.
Slowly, Helion turned his gaze toward the throne.
As he did, however, he saw the Perfect Creator Deity smiling back at him.
Their eyes locked, and—
«Acknowledged»
«Extra Skill: Wise One has been acquired»
The words resounded directly within his consciousness.
'Skill..., and that voice, the Voice of The World?'
More questions flooded his thoughts, but he believed that in time, he'll get the answer.
The look Veldanava was giving him, told him that much.
'Yes, I would also like to speak with you.'
Helion thought that before drawing back his attention to the [Spiritual Body] that had now fully formed.
"Ooh, look, it's the birth of our lord's new work."
One of the male Cherub, a male-looking Angel with blue hair said that with a little bit too much expression.
He had a reverent gaze, with tears streaming down his features.
Slowly, he dropped to the ground like that.
'...'
I'm surrounded by freaks ain't I?
Of course, it came as no surprise.
As for the entity, however, they were male, with silver hair, asexual, much like them.
Perfect in feature, with a beauty so balanced
that one could not easily discern whether it leaned toward masculine or feminine.
Curiously, they glanced around.
One by one, their eyes landed on each Angel.
"...hm, he's not suprised."
A woman said that.
One of the Seven Primordial Angels of Origin, by the name Obera, said that.
She narrowed her gaze at the new entity.
If anything, there was curiosity in his gaze.
"Humu, indeed, so that is the case. Just right now, I have just been created, haven't I?"
Picking their words carefully,
They had spoken with perfect comprehension.
"No way, they've already gained comprehension?"
Piko muttered that in disbelief.
"As expected of Veldanava-sama! Gahahaha!"
Cornu's laughter filled the hall, once more, in respect of Veldanava's power.
The others followed in reverent agreement of their Creator's limitless power.
Even Feldway couldn't help but nod, pleased by the flattery, despite not being the subject of it.
But both Veldanava and Helion saw it very clearly.
As much as the Star Dragon King adored his creations, there was a trace of amusement behind his smile.
'I kind of wish Feldway could be a little more discerning… like that little one over there.'
Rising from his throne,
With his magnificent descent down the pristine white stair, he slowly approached the new entity.
Of all the worlds created by Veldanava, the Star Dragon King,
The central world, or Cardinal World if one may, was the one that drew the most attention in all of creation.
Maybe it was because the Creator spent a lot of time on it, watching it closely.
Not because of preference or anything like that.
Well, maybe that was involved too.
But as the Creator, he ought to remain impartial.
Otherwise, what would be the point?
Perhaps, that was his thought when he enacted his will in the creation of the world and its system.
Yet, knowing too much at times can be a curse.
Knowing about the possibility of everything beforehand was a bore unlike any other.
Another reason to have discarded it:
His almighty powers.
Despite that, the world didn't permit it. 'Once a God, always a God,' it said.
Perhaps, it was to spite its own Creator.
Yet, Veldanava himself knew.
No matter what he desired, no matter what he built, his every act would be seen as divine work.
His creations, in time, would learn their standing and bow before him as the Angels did.
Maybe if he still had his Omnipotence, he could overturn that.
But with that gone,
even as the strongest, he could no longer perform the simplest of things as a mortal could.
Then he realized.
...a way to fulfill his longing.
Rather than his creating beings that would eventually see him as the creator and worship him.
Why not create someone who will take on that role?
Beings they create would be far from him, and he'll watch their development.
And after they develop, perhaps, he might even walk among them..
Or so was the plan.
In the end, even the creator felt a bit of disappointment.
Said new being was much like them.
How could they reproduce?
...still, it would be cruel and unbecoming if he were to toss the newborn away.
No, the Creator couldn't even entertain such thoughts. Hence...
"Yes. This is the person that would make the world livelier."
With a serene smile, the Creator extended his arms.
Veldanava approached.
"I'll call him man. A human. And not just any human, their progenitor or ancestor, so to speak, how is it, everyone?"
Man.
Although the concept felt foreign to most of them, some still entertained it.
Someone, however, felt a deeper sense of nostalgia watching this scene.
Right now, he was witnessing the creation of humankind by other means.
"As expected of Veldanava-sama."
"Congratulations, my Lord."
From left to right, praises were sung. However, for the being, however..
"I see, that's my purpose, huh, to create life for my Creator!"
With disarming enthusiasm, the newly born entity declared those words.
Sure enough, Feldway's expression softened into satisfaction.
So long as one adored Veldanava as fervently as he did, they would always remain in his good graces.
"Hahaha. As I thought, you're quite the interesting one."
Then, raising his hand, he continued,
"No, I can't keep calling you 'you.' You shall have a name."
The hall fell utterly silent as the Creator pointed toward the being.
"Twilight. Twilight Valentine will be your name henceforth!"
Right before the angels could comprehend, something within the new being changed.
«Acknowledged»
«Unique Skill: Searching One has been acquired»
Note: we're following a nuance Fuse sometimes uses. Like the 'Wise One' Extra Skill.
They were granted more power, wisdom, and knowledge.
Now, they were clothed in fine linens.
Clothes that would pass for Legendary-Grade Equipment in the future.
Even Angels like them all basked in attires of that level.
No, for Cherubim, it was Legendary-Grade.
And for Seraphim, it was Mythical or God-Grade.
Right now, this newborn bore that same splendor.
"Twilight Valentine. ...I accept this name with great joy and extreme pleasure."
Suddenly, a lot of big words were being said by the newborn.
"Now that's divine."
"Hahahaha!"
Ignoring Cornu and Samir.
Since the newborn intrinsically possessed [All of Creation], comprehension came naturally to him.
That was how he could so flawlessly speak the [Cardinal Language] from the very moment of his birth.
By understanding thought waves, and the foundation of the world.
such feats were, to him, hardly worth mentioning.
"Once more, I thank you for creating me, I shall dedicate my life entirely for your cause."
With one knee to the ground and a hand pressed over his chest,
Twilight made his solemn vow.
"Hm. Impressive." "He has potential."
Naturally, several Angels voiced their approval.
For the same reason, however, Veldanava could not help but look… concerned.
Worried, perhaps, that he had just created a pseudo-Angel.
...with a slightly wry expression, he waved off Twilight's vow with a faint smile on his lips.
"Hahaha, don't concern yourself with such trivial matters. Just live as you wish, my child. That alone will make me happy."
Regardless,
Twilight's desire didn't change.
But just when Helion thought the situation couldn't grow any worse.
Veldanava finally decided to focus on someone else. To be specific:
"Helion. From today onwards, I hereby proclaim you as Twilight's Guardian Angel."
"...!?"
[Dear Creator God],
I am writing to express a single feeling of mine.
Why hast Thou chosen to make me the target of Thine entertainment?
Ever since my awakening, and ever since I stepped here, do not think I haven't realized.
All these strays Thou keepest sending my way…
I humbly beseech Thee, retract Thy words, that I may dwell peacefully in this realm.
Sincerely,
Thy weary creation,
Helion
Yet, despite telepathically sending those words to the Creator, it was shot down with a smile.
One that seemed pure.
So pure that he felt rejection was not even a question nor an answer.
Yes was the answer.
With eyes, once more now on him,
Contempt becoming apparent, especially from his fellow Cherubim, whose glares pierced him.
He brought his right hand onto his chest, making a salute motion.
"I shall gratefully accept."
It was only natural he'd receive those gazes.
Samir especially was clenching his fist with gritted teeth and a somewhat defiant expression.
Regardless, the Angels knew better than to question their Lord's decision.
"Hmph. If that's Veldanava-sama's wish, then I shall gladly comply."
Twilight finally added that.
But it wouldn't have mattered regardless.
For him, Twilight, who was just a newborn, he could see the light of reason amongst the blind worshippers.
More or less, he could understand.
As expected of Veldanava-sama.
But he didn't say it out loud.
With light steps, Helion strode towards Twilight.
"It's nice to meet you. My name's Helion."
"Humu, a pleasure to make the acquaintance of someone as wise as me."
Abashed, he said those words before turning toward Veldanava once more.
"If it's not too much, may I request a testing ground where I may fulfill my Lord's wishes?"
The Creator, who had returned to his throne, raised his eyebrows, mulling it over.
Not that he couldn't grant it.
"Sure, why not."