Only God

"Veldor, allow me to express my desire to articulate.

You don't think that this world is too hypocritical, and even death itself is too hypocritical?

Death clearly doesn't even exist, yet those tears shed just before dying are seen as genuine emotions by them; to me, they are merely a display of hypocritical compassion.

Unfortunately, many people, including the Gods, don't understand this."

Veldor turned his head, gazed into the distance, and laughed coldly in succession:

"Look at those mortals scurrying about on the ground.

They only see the finiteness of life and fail to comprehend the infinitude that follows death.

How many there are who fear death and cling to life!

They think life is too short to be sacrificed for greater causes. But they are all wrong; immortal souls shall meet infinite time."

The god of lies and deception, standing in mid-air, laughed at the myriad living beings in the world as if He were the only sage on Earth.

Veldor, listening to His arrogant words, felt increasingly chilled to the bone.

Thus, he couldn't help but ask:

"Slaier... God of lies and deception...

Could it be... you want to bring death back?"

If the Divine being before him intended to bring death back, to let true death permeate the world...

How terrifying that would be!

To die is to be gone forever; the traces left by most people during their lives would be swept away by history, leaving only a very few to be remembered.

But what's the use of being remembered? Even those few who are remembered, they too have died, they too have experienced eternal extinction. Being remembered, for those people, means nothing—it's all just a void."

"Good question, Veldor, good question."

Slaier repeated "good question" twice but didn't give a direct answer:

"You already possess the perspective of the Divine.

You've realized that in this world, only very few truly die.

Take, for example, our former King Shan'en; He has said farewell to the world forever."

"In my view, those who have truly died are both fortunate and blissful.

Keep in mind that even the Sapo King, my father, bestowed a soul upon him.

When God's grace is given to nearly everyone, those who do not receive it are the ones who truly receive the blessing.

The same holds true for those who have truly died."

"In time, people's fear of death will multiply like crucian carp crossing a river.

Starting from the people of Logos, all began to fear death.

Why?

Because people fear death, they need to be immortal."

Having said this, Slaier turned around, faced Veldor again, and spread His hands in a relaxed manner:

"Veldor, you understand me.

In the 'Second Prophet Book,' I lost to the Prophet of the True Believers.

How can one who has lost to a Prophet defy God?

Although I curse mortals, I am also among those who fear death and cling to life,

and as I've said before, life is too short to be sacrificed for greater causes.

Bringing death back, I don't have the power or courage to do that."

Hearing Slaier's response, Veldor breathed a sigh of relief.

Just now, when Slaier spoke with such passion and fervor, he thought that this god fond of cunning schemes intended to bring death back.

As it turns out, it was just mere talk.

But then, as he thought about this, continuous waves of confusion surged up in him.

If Slaier had no intention of bringing death back, then what exactly was His purpose in creating the town of the dead?

At this moment, Veldor lifted his head, and Slaier seemed to see through the Dwarf's thoughts in a glance.

"Do you remember what I told you?

Taking death away...

I cannot bring death back, nor can I truly take it away."

Slaier's tone was laden with deep meaning.

Veldor listened in confusion as the Divine continued to speak:

"What I intend to do is confiscate the concept of death.

I want to make the world realize that death is a lie, and eternal life is the truth!"

Then, Slaier raised a finger and made a gesture as if puncturing something,

"When the afterlife town collapses, those who deeply believe they are 'dead' will finally realize

that death is a lie! They won't believe in death anymore!

Some things must be taught not only through words but also through experience.

Just like a person who's been hypnotized will constantly doubt whether they've been hypnotized once they know about it."

As Veldor listened to these words, his body began to tremble. The dwarf was greatly shocked; he had never imagined that Slaier's scheme was so grand.

When the afterlife town would collapse...

"Could it be... you'll personally cause this 'Netherworld'..."

Veldor latched onto some key words.

Slaier spread his hands casually and said:

"Lies are meant to be exposed!

Only by exposing this lie will they understand that death is also a falsehood.

Just as my believers praise, 'Revere the lies, for Slaier always blesses the world in His own way!'"

Veldor, having heard this, fully understood Slaier's intentions.

At that moment, he felt a trace of fear.

Having learned so much truth... would Slaier let him go?

Even though Veldor understood the immortality of the soul, he was still afraid of dying; his years of living had left a deep impression on him.

The God of lies and tricks seemed to read minds, piercing through Veldor's thoughts and spoke:

"Don't worry, Veldor.

You won't die, not only will you not die, but I will also set you free.

Because you can't stay in the afterlife town anymore, as for where you go next, that's up to you."

Then, Slaier pointed at the "stairs to Heaven" and said:

"As I said before, I am someone with a strong desire to express.

Holding onto this grand plan without being able to tell anyone was really suffocating.

I couldn't even tell Wally, so I had to tell you.

I had prophesied long ago that you would come here.

Now, get ready to go back and enjoy your life among the living!"

After the last sentence, Slaier bowed elegantly, the gesture akin to that of an actor taking a bow at the end of a performance.

Veldor sat on the shaking stairs, remained still for a while to catch his breath, and then suddenly remembered something.

He hurriedly said:

"What about Gomu?"

Slaier thought for a moment, then said:

"Oh, the True Believer friend who came with you?"

Veldor nodded vigorously.

"Sorry, I can only let one of you out.

Veldor, look at Gomu,

unlike you, he truly believes he's dead.

Isn't he living here quite comfortably?"

With those words, Veldor had a moment of realization.

The God of lies and tricks wasn't wrong; unlike himself, Gomu had truly accepted his death and was content with this kind of life.

Slaier continued to entice:

"Sooner or later you'll be reunited anyway, you're not missing out on much time.

After all this talk, you should understand that separation is temporary, but the soul is eternal."