Chapter 358
Björn’s grip tightened around the gauntlet as he wrestled with his thoughts. The clarity granted by the pure faith energy from the priest’s fulfillment in battle had been a reprieve—a temporary balm against the corrosive chaos threatening his mind. But he knew better than to rely on fleeting moments of stability. The gauntlet biting into his flesh was a constant reminder that his sanity hung by a thread, and he could not afford complacency.
The temptation to seize an Origin God’s altar had been a fleeting but potent idea. Such a relic could serve as a filter, refining the faith energy pouring into him and anchoring his divinity. Yet the memory of Mahu, the Origin Goddess of the Moon and Motherhood, squashed that notion as quickly as it arose.
Mahu had not been a goddess of war, yet she had subdued him effortlessly, reducing him to a state of submission so profound it still sent shivers down his spine. He remembered the overwhelming pressure of her presence, her divinity wrapping around him like an iron shroud disguised in velvet. It had been less of a battle and more of a reckoning—a stark reminder of the chasm between him and the ancient gods.
Björn shuddered at the memory. What would she have done if she hadn’t needed him back then? The thought of remaining in that childlike state of pleading for her grace was enough to crush any notion of challenging the Origin Gods. Their power was not something he could yet face, even with his growing divinity.
He tapped the skull throne he sat on, the red hue of blood in his realm churning. His mind churned for solutions. He couldn’t keep relying on temporary fixes, and he couldn’t afford to confront Murmur head-on just yet. What he needed was a way to stabilize himself—an anchor to his original essence.
The answer lay in the priest’s actions. Pure faith energy had come not from blind worship but from alignment with his divinity: warfare and insanity. The priest’s fulfillment in battle had created something untainted, directly tied to the essence of Björn’s being. This was the kind of faith energy he needed—a natural byproduct of his people living true to his path.
But how could he reclaim that path when Yuki’s influence was pulling them in a different direction? The capital was divided, his people’s belief splintered between Finn’s loyalty to the old ways and Olaf’s embrace of Yuki’s vision. The division was both a curse and an opportunity.
If he could reignite the flame of his original path among his people, it would stabilize his divinity and give him the power to resist Murmur’s machinations. He needed to act decisively, rallying those who remained loyal while also subtly undermining Yuki’s influence. The gauntlet’s pain spiked as he clenched his fist, a sharp reminder that time was not on his side.
Björn’s plan began to form. He would seek out those who embodied his essence—not just Finn but others who thrived in chaos and battle. He would create opportunities for them to display their strength, to rekindle the primal pride of his people. And he would watch the faith energy carefully, ensuring it aligned with his divinity.
Even with this in mind, Björn knew he had to be subtle else Yuki and Murmur will catch on what he plans on doing. Finn was a great person to start with but Björn knew that once he contacts Finn on his plan.
It will be exposed not because of disloyalty but quite the opposite, Finn’s glee for his lord speaking to him will expose Björns hands. Björn instead set his eyes on the right hand man of Finn, who was quite the unique individual. Björn was about to make a move yet introduced to this world yet, it has been partially done but not in the right way.
The idea of selecting a true priest, a champion to act as his voice and presence in the mortal world, had been brewing for some time. His religion had grown rapidly, but it was hollow—a structure without a soul. The priests currently leading it were disconnected from him, their prayers merely echoes of ritual rather than genuine connection. They needed to feel the true embrace of their god.