"Huh… in front of us is the gathering place built by the people living in the forest. Every time winter approaches, it is the hardest season for them. The leaves turn yellow and fall, and the hiding places in the canopy become weaker. I haven't been here in a year—I don't even know if this settlement still exists."
Estee Lauder's tone carried a trace of melancholy, but if this settlement truly no longer existed, she would not feel sorrow. Her tears had long since dried up. Since becoming a messenger for the sake of survival, she had witnessed no fewer than five tribes vanish.
From crying aloud in the beginning to facing it with calm acceptance now, she had buried all her sadness deep inside. What remained was resentment toward the gods and a growing desire to overthrow them. There was nothing else she could do.
She led Aslan over a mountain, but what greeted them was not the sight of a settlement—it was thick black smoke rising into the sky. Estee Lauder's heart grew heavy, for the burning area lay exactly where they had been heading. From time to time, red beams of magic streaked across the sky, dispersing before reaching the ground, but still breaking through the clouds.
Birds and beasts scattered in panic. Explosions thundered at intervals, sending up clouds of dust and splintered trees.
Then, a massive figure emerged from the forest. Silver in color, it bore a huge, screen-like eye that swept across the surroundings. The concentric rings of crimson light within it resembled the Rinnegan inverted—black sclera with red rings. Metallic wings extended from its back, bloated in shape and housing the thrusters within.
It had no hands. Instead, its arms ended in massive pincers. At its chest lay something resembling a launch port—its function likely varied depending on the type of mecha.
"God's messenger…"
Estee Lauder grit her teeth. This was the existence that had turned too many people into toys of the gods. Even Melusine poked her head from Aslan's arms, curiosity shining in her eyes.
In this world, Melusine should have been able to regain her human form, but before coming here, all of her dragon's mana had been completely drained. Now, she could not transform back. Still, this age did not exclude her draconic strength. With time, she should recover.
Her eyes glimmered as she looked at the mecha, and she chirped twice at Aslan.
Of course, Aslan understood what his dragon meant. In truth, he himself was excited. At last, in this world, he could once again push forward the strengthening of his supreme masterpiece. And Melusine's long-desired body modifications could also be completed.
More importantly—perhaps here, he could finally achieve something he had always wanted.
Aslan's gaze lifted toward the distant sky. Far on the horizon, light blazed magnificently at a single point. That, no doubt, was the dwelling place of the gods. In this world… could he finally pin Ares down and dissect him? He longed to see just how much difference there truly was between Ares and his own supreme masterpiece, Justice.
His lips curled into a grin as he fixed his eyes on the so-called messenger of God. Whether for the sake of the forest people or his own research, it was time to act—time to drag that messenger down and carve it apart. The thought alone thrilled him.
The area had already been discovered by God's apostles. Since collision with the gods was inevitable, why bother hiding now? Better to strike first!
Aslan pulled free the supreme masterpiece hanging at his neck, the scarlet mecha unfolding in an instant. He extended his hand toward Estee Lauder, inviting her into the cockpit, and then launched straight toward the burning forest.
Estee Lauder, her mind consumed with fear for the forest dwellers, had little attention left to marvel at the red mecha she had so long admired.
The messenger, which had been seizing fleeing humans, immediately detected the incoming threat. Abandoning its hunt, it turned to intercept Aslan. Its pincers opened, revealing muzzles—not for beams of destruction, but for firing capture nets.
The nets crackled with electricity, though the current seemed far too weak to trouble the supreme masterpiece.
Two nets shot forth, but Aslan merely transformed his arms into disposable melee weapons. With a swift spin, he caught the nets, wrapped them tight, and hurled the tangled mass back at the silver mecha.
The impact left two deep dents in the enemy's armor. Aslan smirked. With plating that flimsy, his masterpiece didn't even need weapons—bare hands alone would be enough to tear it apart.
The messenger seemed to realize the difference in power. Its scanning eyes constricted, and crimson mana began to gather.
But Aslan would never allow it the chance. A panel at his mecha's waist snapped open, and a blade shot into his hand. With a swift throw, the flying knife pierced clean through the silver giant. A crackle of electricity burst across its frame before the machine collapsed heavily into the forest.
Aslan opened the cockpit and tossed a storage capsule toward the fallen machine. This was not the place for dissection. Who knew if the messenger had already transmitted news of the battle to its kin—or worse, to the gods themselves? Until his preparations were complete, it was best to avoid drawing their attention.
Of course… even if he did, he wasn't worried.
After all, if the gods came for him, he could always run.
-End Chapter-
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