chapter 61 gods watching

Divine Amusement—The Gods' Hidden Game

In the Higher Dimensions…

Beyond mortal understanding, where time was but a suggestion and the laws of reality bent to the will of supreme beings, two figures observed the unfolding events below.

The vast Celestial Chamber was an endless expanse of shifting colors—golden rivers of light intertwined with dark, swirling voids, a balance between order and chaos. At its heart, a massive Celestial Mirror floated, displaying the mortal world.

Standing tall and regal, Lirion, the God of Order, watched in silence. Draped in robes that shimmered with the radiance of a thousand stars, his presence exuded absolute control. His piercing silver eyes remained fixed on Ethan Vale, a mere human—yet one who unknowingly walked a path woven by forces far greater than himself.

Lounging lazily on a throne of black flames, Zerathis, the Demon of Chaos, grinned like a predator watching prey. His deep red skin pulsed with an eerie glow, his wicked horns casting long shadows. His sharp golden eyes were filled with mischief as he observed the same mortal.

Then, he laughed.

A deep, rumbling sound that shook the chamber itself.

> "Ahahaha! Look at him! So determined! So confident! Thinking he's the mastermind behind everything!"

Zerathis pointed at the Celestial Mirror, where Ethan walked away from his stepmother and sister, his resolve unwavering.

> "The fool truly believes he's shaping his destiny! That he's the one pulling the strings!"

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his clawed hand, his grin widening.

> "But in reality? He's nothing more than a piece on our board, playing right into the fate we've prepared for him."

Lirion did not react. He simply continued observing Ethan, his gaze unreadable.

Zerathis raised an eyebrow, studying the god of order with amusement.

> "Come now, Lirion. Don't tell me you're not enjoying this?"

Lirion finally spoke, his voice smooth yet absolute.

> "His will is strong."

Zerathis smirked.

> "Of course it is. That's what makes it entertaining! If he were weak, there'd be no fun in watching him struggle."

He leaned back, tapping his clawed fingers against his throne.

> "Ethan Vale… the so-called 'future emperor' of Eldoria. He believes he's controlling his own destiny, that he's the one playing others like pawns."

A chuckle escaped his lips.

> "But in truth, he's following the path we've designed. Every move he makes, every challenge he overcomes, brings him one step closer to our endgame."

Zerathis' grin sharpened as he turned to Lirion.

> "Tell me, Lirion. Are you happy? Watching your precious 'chosen one' struggle? Watching him unknowingly walk toward the fate we have set for him?"

For a long moment, Lirion remained silent.

His silver eyes never left Ethan, watching the mortal's journey with an unreadable expression. His divine fingers hovered over the Celestial Mirror, tracing invisible lines across its surface.

Then, slowly, he smiled.

> "For now."

A Shift in the Game—The True Overlords

Zerathis' laughter faded. His ever-present smirk vanished, replaced by something far more unsettling—seriousness.

For the first time in countless eons, the Demon of Chaos did not mock, did not jest. He leaned forward, his golden eyes narrowing as he gazed at the swirling depths of the Celestial Mirror.

A low, almost unnatural silence filled the chamber.

Then, he spoke.

> "Lirion… you do realize, don't you?"

His voice lacked its usual playfulness. It was lower, sharper—he meant every word.

> "Those beings… they know about our little game."

Lirion's silver eyes did not waver, but his fingers paused above the mirror.

Zerathis continued, his tone void of its usual arrogance.

> "They're watching. They always have been. But they do not interfere. Not because they can't—"

He let out a slow breath, his clawed fingers tightening into a fist.

> "—but because they do not care."

A cold realization settled between them.

Lirion, the ever-calm deity, allowed a rare expression of satisfaction to cross his face. His lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile.

> "That is why this game must be played carefully."

Zerathis let out a deep chuckle, but it lacked the carefree mirth from before.

> "A direct war against them is suicide. Even if we poured all our divine essence into one attack, we wouldn't even scratch their domain. We're nothing more than ants to them, existing only because they haven't crushed us yet."

His golden eyes gleamed with a dark, cunning light.

> "But an empire... now that is different."

Lirion exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on Ethan.

> "He is still too weak. But once he becomes strong enough... once he believes he is the master of this world, we will open the gates."

The Celestial Mirror shimmered, showing an image of a great cosmic gate, its runes ancient and unreadable. It was sealed, locked away from the mortal realm. Beyond it… something stirred.

Zerathis leaned back, a satisfied smirk returning to his lips.

> "When that 'ant' believes he is truly untouchable, when he stands above all... we shall let them enter."

His sharp claws tapped against the armrest of his throne, a rhythmic sound filled with malicious glee.

> "And then… he will not be the conqueror."

> "He will be the conquered."

Lirion's silver eyes shone as he watched Ethan take his next step in the mortal realm.

> "Let the game continue."

The Grand Strategy—Reaping the Fisherman's Benefits

Zerathis leaned back, his golden eyes filled with amusement as he watched Ethan walk away from his stepmother and stepsister, his expression cold and indifferent.

Lirion, standing beside him, smiled faintly.

> "You seem rather invested in this one," Lirion noted, his voice smooth and thoughtful.

Zerathis let out a low chuckle, but it carried none of the mocking arrogance he usually exuded. This time, his amusement was calculated.

> "Of course I am. He is… convenient."

His clawed fingers drummed against the armrest of his throne.

> "The world believes he is merely a player in their game. His enemies think they are using him, controlling his rise and fall. But in truth, he is nothing more than a blade we are sharpening."

Lirion chuckled, silver eyes gleaming as he nodded.

> "A tool meant to cause enough destruction before it, too, is discarded."

Zerathis's smirk widened.

> "Exactly. He will fight, he will climb, and he will tear down at least 10% of their power structure. The mortals will call it his victory. We will call it preparation."

Lirion raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the Celestial Mirror, where Ethan's path unfolded.

> "And what of the rest? 10% is not enough."

Zerathis grinned, his fangs glinting under the dim divine light.

> "10% is all we need him to weaken. The rest…" He gestured lazily toward the sealed cosmic gate in the mirror. "We will do ourselves."

Lirion folded his arms, his expression unreadable.

> "You assume he won't see through this? That he won't suspect he's being played?"

Zerathis laughed.

> "Does it matter?"

His gaze flickered back to Ethan, who was now making his way through the city streets.

> "If he realizes too soon, we adjust. If he realizes too late, it's irrelevant. Because by then, he will have already served his purpose."

Lirion remained silent, watching the game unfold.

After a moment, he let out a low sigh and murmured,

> "Then, until the gates open, we take care of our little pawn."

Zerathis nodded, his golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

> "Until then... we make sure he believes he is the hunter, when in truth—"

He leaned forward, his voice dripping with amusement.

> "—he is the prey."