The casket promptly opened, releasing a deep surge of deathly power.

Ev gently dispelled it, and Helas cool and lazy voice echoed a second afterwards.

Your Highness Ev, congratulations upon your victory in the war.

Its just that if you can, I hope you could keep a low profile as much as possible. Just nowUller went to the gates of the Netherworld and made a big fuss.

Hence now, it seems the entire heavenly realm knows about my supposed war of faith against Uller.

Then, the deathly power unfolded slightly, revealing a picturesque scene before Ev

It was a silver giant with a divine axe and bow, cursing loudly in front of the passage to the Netherworld.

Ev immediately recognized the attire of the silver giant without hesitationit was Uller, the god of winter and hunting.

However, Uller in the image was extremely angry, completely devoid of the dignity of a true god.

Uller caused a commotion at the entrance of the Netherworld?

Ev was slightly stunned, with her expression also showing a somewhat amused look.

Isnt it too silly for a true god with a weak divine power to make a scene right at the doorstep of a god, who is ten times more stronger than him?

Not to mention that the owner of the house hes forcefully intruding into has more superior control and output of their divine power.

Especially since Hela also inherited the legacy of the Primordial Death God, which also likely possessed one or two true divine artifacts..

Ev really couldnt believe the audacity of Uller.

This brute does he really not know the meaning of the word death?

But as this thought crossed Eves mind, she quickly understood the complexities of the situation.

Firstly, although Hela held median divine power and ruled the Netherworld, she found herself trapped within its boundaries for certain reasons.

Therefore, Uller was confident that Hela wouldnt easily retaliate even if he made a scene at her doorstep.

Moreover, the Lord of Darkness and Shadows in the Netherworld is also eyeing Helas authoritative position, waiting to see if she would respond, so that he could help out her enemies

Uller has the support of the God of War on his side, a genuinely powerful deity who gathered several races, including pure-blooded orcs, under the banner of his faith.

Looking at it from Ullers perspective, since Ev didnt let the soul of his incarnation return to him and even annihilated it, Uller must have thought that only Hela could do such a thing, causing him to rage at the entrance of the Netherworld.

Since he had the backing of the God of War and the assurance that Hela was trapped within the confines of the Netherworld, Uller must have gone to her doorstep to ascertain his assumptions under the guise of making a scene at the Netherworlds entrance.

This hunter brute, whose seemingly foolish on the outside, is quite clear-headed now that she think about it

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that he may really have been somewhat influenced by the abyss will due to the long-term possession of the withering heart, thereby becoming somewhat apoplectic as a result.

However, since Uller immediately came knocking at Helas doors, it may indicate that he still hasnt figured out Eves real identity yet.

Perhaps Hela had actively covered for Ev after their deal; otherwise, Uller wouldnt have directly stormed in within her territory.

Thinking of this, Ev felt a bit more grateful towards the Goddess of Death

Then, she continued listening to Helas message:

As for the two questions you asked me my knowledge is quite limited on that regard.

Regarding the secret of the World Tree being besieged, Ive heard some vague information about it but nothing concrete. However, one things for sure: the gods in the heavenly realm do indeed fear you.

Your growth will strengthen the origin of the realm of Seiges, which will ultimately lead to the eventual ascension of the entire plane

And Saiges ascension will benefit all creatures living within the realm, enhancing their overall strength. Perchance it may even result in the resurrection of some slumbering ancient deities

But whether its the improvement in strength of the mortals or the revival of ancient beings, those possibilities are not what they up above would ever want to see.

Upon hearing this, Eves previous doubts were finally clarified to some extent.

This reason is similar to what she had speculated!

And this can explain why the World Tree, despite its inherent ability to purify abyssal power, is still rejected by the heavenly gods.

However, Hela whose situated in the Netherworld, is not as concerned about it since the power of faith is just an added bonus for her, considering her role in overseeing death.

The Primordial Death God whom she inherited its legacy was an ancient deity, and if it werent for wanting to use the power of faith to restore her divinity, then Hela probably wouldnt even bother developing her own followers in the first place.

However, speaking of which

Helas voice continued, now with a hint of mockery.

Although the heavenly gods besiege the World Tree, they are also quite apprehensive about such endeavor. In fact, they dare not even label the World Tree as an evil god

Do you know why? The Goddess of Death asked rhetorically.

How would I know?

Ev was speechless.

Of course, Hela quickly explained, her voice still filled with mockery and disdain.

Becausebirthing true gods of faith is originally the role of the World Tree. In a sense, its not an exaggeration to say that the World Tree is the divine mother of the gods of faith.

Goddammit!

Upon hearing this, Ev was truly astonished for the first time, with her mouth even hanging wide open.

The World Tree is actually considered the divine mother of the true gods of faith?

Therefore, although the remaining Ancient Ones didnt ultimately prevent the newer gods from targeting the World Tree, they did however establish some agreements with the other gods and the most important one being the reputation of the World Tree.

And if I remember touching your core is also a clause within their agreement.

Of course, due to curse magic and the nature of dimensional portals, they find it difficult to make contact with your core.

Hearing this, Ev finally understood why, after a millennium, the natives of the Saiges still had a favorable view of the World Tree.

But then again, now that she has inherited the World Tree, what does that make her?

The stepmother of the gods?

Hmm no, that title is too damn ridiculous.

Ev sighed, then continued listening to Helas third response:

As for the artifacts of Yggdrasillthey were all seized by the gods after the heavenly war.

From what I know, the Eternal Lord obtained the Source of Elements and the God of War got the Natures Crown, but the Scepter of Life was broken into pieces and scattered all over the mortal world. However rumors say that some true gods are collecting the fragments of the Scepter and possibly intending to restore it.

As for information on other artifacts outside the three major divine artifacts, I dont know much. Presumably, they were also obtained, lost, or destroyed by the heavenly gods

Is that so?

Listening to this news, Ev couldnt say she was disappointed.

In fact, the fate of these artifacts was similar to what she had already speculated; its just that she didnt know in particular whose hands each artifact specifically landed into.

Eternal Lord and the God of War

Ev murmured to herself.

The Eternal Lord is the patron deity of humanity, the main god for which mankind believes in. His full name is Eteo, the Lord of Eternity and Radiance, a true god with formidable divine power.

Meanwhile the God of War is revered by the savage races such as pure orcs, lizardfolks, and trolls. His full name is Lodour, the God of War and Destruction, similarly a true god with powerful divine power.

Simultaneously, these two were also the main force in besieging the World Tree a thousand years ago.

Ever since Ev revived and checked the records about the thousand year war on the World Tree, she had noted their names in her little book.

Helas messages concluded at this point.

Howeverat the end of her message, Hela added a special sentence:

I used up all the divine blood crystals from last time, please send me some more.

Thats the reward.

Eves heart stirred.

However, a few blood crystals arent something shes concerned about now. After listening to Helas messages, Ev finally closed the Casket of the Dead.

She then took a deep breath and began contemplating the next steps of her plan

Now that I know the truth about the World Tree being besieged, Im now somehow half relieved.

Theres still a possibility of the Scepter being lost in the world of Saiges. They are still useful for me even if they are just fragments. I can let players search for them.

The Abyss may indeed become a source to strengthen my divine powers but I have to first find the stronghold of the Abyssal Evil Gods in Saiges

Hmm, they are probably hiding in the underground! Or perhaps the Dark Mountainsafter all, the native elves know some old legends relating to these beings in their folklores

I guess I can set aside the matters regarding the half-orcs for a bit, considering Hela wants me to lay low for the time being. Its probably a good idea to shift my attention to finding those evil gods instead.

It seems that now is finally the right time to expand the players range of activities even further.

261

TRUTH BEHIND THE HEAVENLY WAR