Beyond the Apocalypse

As soon as the Depravita of Greed left, Vlad collapsed. His breathing was rough, and it was hard for him to even stand. The Peak Rank 3 Runic Set had truly pushed him to the absolute limit of his abilities.

However, Vlad wasn’t alone for long. Shortly after Ouroboros departed, Jormungandr entered the runic laboratory. The small yellow cat entered without being called, but Vlad didn’t mind. If there was one being around whom he didn’t need to maintain an air of absolute composure and power, it was Jormungandr.

Vlad glanced at the small yellow cat with a faint smile as he continued resting. Then, he heard Jormungandr’s voice through the A.I. Chip.

"What do you plan to do about the new religion?" the cat asked.

Vlad’s eyes narrowed upon hearing those words. While the clash with Overlord could wait until after the war with the Leviathans, he would have to handle the repercussions of his new status as a God-King much sooner. It was only a matter of time before the religion spread to the soldiers, and they began to see him as a deity.

Various thoughts crossed the mind of the Depravita of Wrath, but he could only sigh in the end. "Ahhh, I don’t know what to do. I’m not perfect; I make mistakes. I need people by my side who can see my flaws and help me correct them. But if I’m considered a god, they’ll be blinded by faith and obey all my commands as if they were divine decrees, even if they have better ideas themselves."

A deep frown appeared on Vlad’s face as he contemplated the consequences of accepting godhood. But rejecting it wasn’t a much better plan either. "If I refuse godhood and declare I’m just a person, it will lead to confusion, and that’s not something I can allow my soldiers to experience—not while we’re in a war that will determine the fate of the entire world."

The small yellow cat observed Vlad’s dilemma and remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. "Then say nothing."

Vlad’s eyes widened at those words. He stared at Jormungandr, focusing on his gaze as he listened carefully.

"Either option would lead to problems, so choose neither," the cat continued. "You are a king, and if your choice is silence, no one can dispute it. Your status as a god will spread among the soldiers, but as long as you don’t enforce it, the fog of faith won’t cloud their minds. You must be careful with your words and how you speak to the generals. Offer ideas and goals instead of orders and commands. That will allow them to interpret your intentions and offer their own ideas, even if they differ from yours, without feeling they’re defying your will."

Vlad was astonished by Jormungandr’s profound insights into human psychology. The small yellow cat’s grasp of human nature was truly remarkable. "I suppose it’s true what they say," Vlad mused. "Those who observe from the outside often have the clearest perspective." It was precisely because Jormungandr wasn’t human that he could perceive the intricacies of humanity with such clarity.

With a silent nod, Vlad acknowledged the wisdom of the small yellow cat and continued resting for over an hour before finally rising. His strength, energy, and focus were at their peak again, and he was ready to forge Jormungandr’s new Runic Set.