The Demonic Beasts departed, and even my trusted Advisor was sensitive enough to leave before I said anything about talking with this so-called 'Ancient One' who had seen all our history.
"Have you sensed it as well, Your Majesty?" I didn't hide anything and nodded my head in response.
"Looks like the times are changing..." The old Djinn sighed as looked at the sky with strange eyes.
"I'm going to investigate the source of the distortion that broke the balance, and destroy it before that thing can cause any harm. You will be coming with me, or else die here." I casually threw out a threat along with my orders for this freak.
I'm unsure of what he sensed but it isn't as important as erasing the dangers immediately.
"...Pardon my harsh words, Your Majesty, but I don't recommend doing that, as it is certain the individual who has harmed the balance is most likely a God." These words stiffened my spine.
What did he just say...?
"How are you so sure?"
"Only a God can add new 'rules' to this world. Like how the Lightning God added anti-magic properties to purple electrons, this new God has added new phenomenons to our world." My eyes were wide as he said something really outrageous.
"...I don't see why that matters right now." I could immediately send an army to take him out.
"Gods cannot be defeated by Mortals."
"That is just your opinions."
"It is the unbiased truth. I've longed to devour the Gods myself once, and ended up seeing the vast difference between the Creators and their insignificant puppets." The Djinn shivered as he looked like he remembered a horrific scene.
However, my answer was the same:
"I'll still be leaving the Sacred Lands to check them. The Age of Gods has already fallen."
"I cannot stop you, but please... At least allow me to inform you of the changes that have occurred."
"I already know them. The creation of Monsters have increased to an abnormal degree, especially Demonic Monsters like Goblins. I see you've even taken in a Goblin King under your protection." This was actually something I'd found surprising.
I never knew knew that there would be someone willing to take in such abominations. They bring no benefits to society and only know how to waste resources. Goblins are merely cannon-fodder to me since other Beasts had more value in them.
"There's one thing you hadn't been able to sense as well, Your Majesty." The Djinn smiled annoyingly.
"Are you looking down on my capabilities?"
"No no, Your Majesty. I dare not look down on Beast Royalty. Actually, there is a child I'd like to introduce to you." Since he didn't have the authority, he silently requested for me to grant audience to the individual kneeling far from us.
That 'child' he mentioned looked like a Tigerkin, a strong and robust tribe of my Sacred Lands who have been very useful to me. Their innate strength and superiority in power was well-known to others.
The only difference I found on this Tigerkin was that its fur was white, an odd colour indeed...
When the child stepped forward, I could sense a faint glimmer of magical energy within it that I'd never sensed before. This made me curiously look between the Tigerkin and the Djinn before me.
"Show her." The Djinn spoke to the simple outfitted female Tigerkin, and she nodded towards him.
From her hands emanated a distinct spiritual power like nothing I've ever sensed before. The sky blue energy didn't take on the form of flames like Aura Conjurers of humanity but manifested into a ball of Mana that was compact and rich in spirituality.
"You have amazed me..."
"It is a pleasure, Your Majesty." The Tigerkin girl politely gestured and bowed in a particular manner.
"From where did you learn those mannerisms?"
"I am part of the Naga Temple. We are taught many things in our education once becoming members."
"This young cub is a Tigerkin with a particular Ability Core. She is able to interact with spirits and external magical energy." A light flashed in my eyes as the Djinn added in more about her background.
"So she is like a Human?" After all, it was common knowledge that only they could interact with Ether.
The only thing we Beasts could do with external magical energy (Ether) was devour and focus it into Doom Blasts. There have only been few able to manipulate ether beyond the crude ways we knew.
"Not quite. Extremity of the power over magic seems to be the nature of the 'Yin Attribute'." He requested me again, and I allowed him to call forth another 'child' who was part of this new religion.
This time it was a boy from Catkin. Unlike those of larger feline species, he seemed a head smaller than the white Tigerkin who came forward before him despite looking the same age. Though I didn't find this to be embarrassing for him in the least.
Different species had their own merits. Although the Catkin were physically weaker overall compared to the Tigerkin, they were more nimble and better at espionage despite their weakness.
It was like how the Wolfkin had diverse pack dynamics that were great for team fighting of how Lionkin were great generals that could rally up their troops with war cries. I saw no problem in species having their own unique responsibilities in my empire. That was probably how I was able to stop our last civilisation of Beasts from falling.
Everyone had their 'roles', and I saw no problem in putting them to work under their strengths. Those birds who could fly sent messages, those who could swim protected lakes, those who were combat ready joined my army, those who could tame less sentient Beasts raised livestock, and those with fine skills became my subordinates.
I watched as the charming and adorable Catkin (my personal taste just happens to lean towards the small and cute species of Beasts) moulded an orange magical energy that I also hadn't seen before into his hands, causing them to glow.
It was with wide eyes that I saw this Catkin cub easily able to to cause a shockwave by punching forwards. Although he didn't hit anything, my high spacial awareness allowed me to calculate the total amount of force that had been put into that punch.
And I have to say:
"I'm impressed." There's no other thing I can say when a Tigerkin that normally focuses on physical prowess showed high magical ability and a normally weak Catkin showed high physical might.
It's almost like a dream to me...
"This isn't even everything. I'm sure of that." The Djinn nodded at my words, which made him all the more appealing. It was to the point I realised that this Djinn really deserved being the Ancient One~
Old man, why didn't you introduce them earlier? I wouldn't have shown prejudice if you were so useful~ Who cares about mannerisms. I'm very forgiving towards those with high capabilities~
"Anyway, what is the Naga Temple? I don't remember Beasts like us needing a religion."
Eat, sleep, devour, protect. These are the four things most territorial animals among us Beasts were known for. The ecosystem was flourishing despite us former 'Fiends' having lost a lot of our dignity as one of apex predator of this world...
Why would we need a state religion? Although we have taken in a lot of knowledge regarding agriculture and medicine, there is no need for a religion when the hearts of Beasts are united.
Perhaps humans wouldn't be able to understand our interpretation of 'peace', but it already existed now thanks to my influence. There is no Beast of my empire who would dare to say otherwise...
"Actually... the Nega Temple was built in honour of your Royalty some time in the past. We call it the Gordon Religion." The eyes of the Djinn became passionate as started to preach in my presence.
"As the lady of love and beauty, we pledge our souls to your grace. The mother of the Beasts-"
"Stop." That is too embarrassing, even for me...!
"So you worship me because I'm a genius?" Of course, knowing it and seeing the results of it were two different feelings altogether. The eyes of the innocent young cubs near him didn't seem to lie...
"You are the only member of Royalty who has ever been born with S Rank Magical Talent. For us, who have been belittled as an unintelligent race, your mere existence gratifies us, and gives us great pride." It looks like his true colours were showing.
"What about other phenomenons?"
"Ahem, the Evil Attribute and Holy Attribute has become more extensive. They even gained some subcategories of power that we had never seen before." He then lead me to where I could look over things happening in my empire from my throne room. It wasn't an enclosed room so it was easy to curiously look outside and see what was going on.
"The species of Demonic Beasts have become more comprehensive." He pointed at the followers he had brought with him who brought with him that were currently trying to integrate into my empire.
The managing was done personally by me and any problems were sorted via obeying my orders. If I wanted something to happen, it would be done. If not, it would never be done. That was the kind of adaptable empire I had built with my authority.
There are those who call me a tyrant, but as I watched my subjects being able to freely walk around without fear of death or humiliation, I felt as if my work was essential, and everything was worth it. How the Goblins acted was quite formal...
Shouldn't this be an abnormal occurrence?
"They aren't all still Goblins?" I asked as it wasn't really good to even eat their meat when they died.
We Beasts didn't have a custom of burying corpses and instead ate them once confirmed to truly have left the land of the living. Demonic Beasts had poisonous meat and affected the diet of subjects.
To answer my suspicions, the white Tigerkin brought forth a a goblet with a strange liquid.
"Through the Naga Temple's research, we have acquired 'Yin Water'. Once washed by this, the meat of any Demonic Beast will be purified and lose it's magical natures." The Djinn spoke calmly.
"I commend your ingenuity sincerely, my loyal Naga Priests!" My tone changed noticeably.
"It is our honour, Your Majesty!" They all board and spoke while reacting to my now jovial mood.
"Finally, us Beasts have finally come across major societal development! The future will no longer be in the hands of those Humans... Continue to do as you've been doing until now. You may leave and spread your faith. I shall allow it." The two cubs nodded before they left, clearly excited from gaining my acknowledgement as Royalty.
"...Are you truly leaving?" The old Djinn finally returned back to the first subject we talked about.
"Official matters shouldn't be delayed."
"Are you going to bring your armies?"
"Only members of your new 'Gorgon Religion'. I will personally test their faith in me." I smiled at him.
Although a full-scale war couldn't happen, what if all I used was a small portion of the loyal Beasts I'd accumulated over the years to destroy humanity? It was an exciting thought but I had enough sense to not get too ahead of myself and concentrate.
The 'anomaly' in spacetime needed to be erased with thorough precision. There's no way I'd be able to destroy humanity with a small number of forces unless I took several hundred years marching around to slaughter them throughout the lands...
Comparatively, killing one 'God' should be fine.
It was only one individual, and even if there was more than one, it doesn't change that as long as they are in my sights, they won't be able to resist my power. My armies of Beasts can devour Gods!
"Won't leaving cause large-scale panic?" Since when was this Djinn so caring about politics?
"I'll leave a 'Replica' of me here. She'll may be weaker than me, but what she will have is going to be enough to hold my position until I'm back. It's not like travelling there will be an issue."
"Why-"
Before he could continue, I opened a warp gate next to shut him up. Since I've already decided I'll go, I don't need anyone to advise me. The only thing I need are pack members who'll follow me.
"...We'll get everything together before we go. It will be large force considering the state of our Temple currently. Can we hope for support if Your Majesty is to return with fortune?" He weaved in a desire for a reward at the end, and I give him a nod.
"It will all depend on your performance." A dark smile curved on his face at my bland words.
Once he had left, my eyes were heavy as I realised that he had a stronger 'pressure' than I imagined. A old Djinn, the only one of his kind, probably had his own motives, but I'll turn a blind eye since I feel certain he'll never rebel against me in the future.
Though he had a conniving personality that seemed to be scheming something, his passion and faith towards me were real. That's why I chose to ignore his hidden intentions. There wasn't a point of knowing them if they weren't harmful.
Let's see how this so-called 'God' looks tomorrow.
And then carve out his skull...!