When the plot-skips players into the game world

Eternal Self quietly looked at Aiwass, her posture elegant and gentle like a lady.

Although her words were clear, her tone gentle, and her gaze soft... her words sent a chill from the depth of Aiwass's heart:

"I know why you're here to see me, serpent. I agree, kill him. As long as you need, Cain is your feast."

— Serpent.

That's how Eternal Self referred to Aiwass.

Unlike Candle Master and Lord of Scalefeather, who clearly stood on Aiwass's side... or even Silver-Crowned Dragon and Hourglass, whose attitudes were vague and neutral. Eternal Self was unabashedly on the side of the Serpent Celestial Marshal. Perhaps because she was adept at the art of self-division, Eternal Self directly regarded Aiwass as a part of the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

Clearly.

If Aiwass were to have a conflict with the Serpent Celestial Marshal, and she had the chance to intervene... Eternal Self would certainly help the Serpent Celestial Marshal, not Aiwass, the "tail attempting to seize dominance."

Moreover, Eternal Self's indifference to the Blood Celestial Marshal also secretly alarmed Aiwass.

Blood Celestial Marshal...

Though now on the wrong path, though the one who nurtured him was Sasha... he was essentially the child of Eternal Self and the Banquet Master!

Back then, it was Eternal Self who descended upon Sasha and united with the Banquet Master, allowing Sasha, a "mortal," to give birth to the moon and the Children of the Dragon. Even the reason why the Blood Celestial Marshal obsessively sought the path of the Perfect Human for his descendants was merely to get more attention from his mother, Eternal Self.

And now, what Eternal Self means is... Has she completely abandoned Cain?

— Even if a sycophant meets a bad end, isn't this a bit too bad?

As if hearing Aiwass's inner thoughts, Eternal Self's tone remained gentle and patient, yet without the slightest emotional fluctuation: "Because Cain's birth came from one of my experiments, at the same time, an attempt.

"—Amber is not truly the Reincarnation Celestial Marshal; her reset has limits. Before Amber is exhausted, I need a vessel capable of withstanding the power of Holy Number Nine. All other Pillar Gods are doing such a thing... Just as Zarwan nurtured the Candle and Dawn Celestial Marshals, and like how he gave you the Power of Sin.

"Mi Xi, in the end, will transcend everything, shattering through the void. Before his departure, he concealed his miracles and gradually transferred his great work to your body, too, to prevent the sort of catastrophic disaster caused by god transitions like when Atlas departed. Seeking new Pillar Carriers is the duty of Pillar Gods."

... Zarwan?

Aiwass was momentarily stunned.

He knew Mi Xi; that was the name of the Serpent Father. Zarwan... Is that Candle Master's true name?

"And 'human' as a race, is innately endowed with the power of Transcendence and Love. It is Sol's final, most proud... and 'most perfect' creation, while also being the first race to bear my 'love.' At the birth of every human, there exists both intertwining Beast and Power of Love in their hearts, and deep within their souls, the motive and strength to transcend all statuses.\\n

"I hoped, by this means, for a true 'perfection' to emerge among humans. Perfection—that is the name I gave the new Pillar Carrier. 'Perfection' itself is a 'mistake,' because once perfection is reached, there is no need to move forward, and thus no 'better' in the reasoning for transcendence.\\n

"But it is also the best mistake—"

The Holy Number reaching nine is already sufficient, with no need to enter the tenth Source River. Therefore, Perfection Nine itself is a resistance and denial against Transcendence Eight, also a powerful rejection of Void Ten.\\n

"So that's how it is..."

Aiwass murmured: "The Perfect Human... is to create a new Pillar God for the Error Source River."

No wonder Eternal Self did not carry out large-scale creation after creating humans. Her creation had not yet ended—unlike the Beast Master's method of creating numerous cards and playing a survival game, Eternal Self was apparently a careful planner, not opening a second line before the completion of a purpose... just as strategic players wouldn't operate two lines simultaneously.\\n

The only issue is, she doesn't appear to care much about the only line she's managing... At least, Aiwass didn't feel much of her care.\\n

"I failed."

Eternal Self said candidly.

Her brows lowered, her eyes melancholy and sorrowful: "Because of my 'mistake.' I cannot deceive my heart. I was merely in need of 'it,' yet did not love 'it.' So the possibility for the Perfect Human's birth was absent from the very start... I abandoned the plan since then. Or rather, that's the counterattack of the Error Source River against me."

— Any existence attempting to reach for the path of error must endure a 'fatal mistake.'

Whether it's Taboo, Dusk...

Or the Stone Celestial Marshal symbolizing natural things such as mountains and rivers, opposing civilization;

Or Spirit Amber Celestial Marshal granting the power of immortality, extracting and copying memory;

Or the Winter Celestial Marshal, representing the deceased, governing souls and funerals...

The power of the Ninth Source River belongs to the 'you better stay away if you have no special skills' type. Though usually they curl up like Amber and sleep together, any one of them fully waking, when they have free time, can stir up some big events. At minimum, even at worst, surely surpasses three times a disaster on par with the arrival of a Fallen Celestial Marshal.\\n

In this sense, even with the presence of a Pillar God level existence actively intervening, the Perfect Human still wasn't completed... This is probably the Error Source River activating its power. And this plan is too fragile to withstand the 'error' against eternity.\\n

As for Eternal Self—she has her own matters she eagerly needs to resolve.\\n

She hadn't recruited many Dancers because her business was a one-way ticket—there was no hope to the First Source River, meaning she would eventually perish here. Her Heralds too must die. She didn't want to burden others... just like someone with a terminal illness wouldn't want to marry to avoid dragging the partner down for life.\\n

This naturally is a form of love. And a rather pure love at that.\\n

"I still have my own matters to attend to."

Eternal Self finally left a word, then withdrew from Cardinal Hekate: "If needed, you can call upon me anytime. I will always leave part of my attention for your prayers, serpent."

Once that strange feeling dissipated, Aiwass knew Eternal Self had hurriedly left—Eternal Self was a reticent deity. The words she said to Aiwass today probably exceeded the total number of words spoken in the last decades.\\n

The initial goal was achieved: Aiwass could feel at ease to attack the Blood Celestial Marshal, without fear of 'trouble brewing larger'—the elder was already spoken to by Aiwass and might even turn back to chastise his child.

Aiwass inexplicably had a feeling akin to being a class teacher calling a parent...

Eternal Self, without a doubt, is a busy deity—viewed from the perspective of opposing the Void, her solitary dance perhaps aimed to 'stand firm against the toppling.'\\n

Under such circumstances, for her to personally descend and help Aiwass... yet Aiwass didn't feel particularly joyful.\\n

Since clearly, Eternal Self and Serpent Celestial Marshal's relationship is quite good, with a high trust level. So much so that 'love' extends to affection, this relationship could even be transferred onto Aiwass.\\n

Also meaning, should Aiwass inevitably face a battle with Serpent Celestial Marshal in the future...\\n

Then it's highly possible, Eternal Self would be on his opposition side as well.\\n