Chapter 216
"If we had done the opposite, then as soon as we ascended, we would have to worry about humans joining forces to ensure our people and children are no longer safe. I say all this to emphasize that when it comes to Björn’s religious issue, I personally would rather be unrestrained, but that isn’t optimal in the long term, which is where my eagerness for ascension stems from," Maul said, sitting back down and looking at the other demigods, his cousins.
The room fell into a contemplative silence after Maul’s words. Each demigod seemed lost in thought, pondering the balance of power and responsibility they held.
Ursula, who had remained silent during Maul’s monologue, finally spoke up. "Maul, your perspective is valid, but we must remember that ascension doesn’t absolve us of our responsibilities. We have a duty to our children, who will inherit these problems no matter how we try to avoid them."
She paused, letting her words sink in. "Björn’s religious issue isn’t just a matter of restraint or freedom. It’s about the legacy we leave behind. If we handle this poorly, it could lead to strife among humans and demigods alike. We’ve seen how fragile peace can be."
Maul sighed again, leaned back, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "So, how are we to go about dealing with this problem?"
Xerosis spoke up, "I still agree with Ikem’s thought on exposing our children and people to a controlled level of bloodshed and madness so that when Björn’s religion comes forth, its effect won’t be as extensive as it should be."
Tide shook his head. "I don’t agree with this method, but it seems like the only way forward for us."
Ursula, in agreement with Tide, had no other choice but to ask, "How do we go about creating a controlled environment of bloodshed and madness for our people?"
Maul’s eyes glinted with a mix of determination and unease. "A controlled environment of bloodshed and madness," he echoed Ursula’s words, the gravity of the suggestion weighing on his tongue. "We need to simulate conflict, but in a way that allows us to manage the consequences and learn from them without tearing our society apart."
Roth nodded, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "Precisely. Think of it as a grand experiment. We create scenarios that test our children’s abilities, their leadership, and their resilience. We could stage conflicts, orchestrate betrayals, and unleash controlled chaos to harden them."
Ursula frowned, her usual calm demeanor shaken. "We’d be playing with fire. How do we ensure it doesn’t spiral out of control? How do we make sure our children don’t get lost in the madness?"