Chapter 141: Two Sword Emperors
The names of gods often carry meaning, and gods generally have their own domains.
For example, the God of Forging, the God of Fire, the God of Thunder, the God of Wisdom, and so on...
Beyond these, there may be other titles, but among them, there is always one most fundamental one—representing the world's expectations for you when you manifest as a god.
Of course, you don't have to live according to the world's expectations; you can resist your fate.
But even so, the world's expectations for you will not change.
So, long ago, when Noah first became a god, Mary told him that names are important, but the world's expectations are equally important.
After learning Noah's name, Mary had been trying to decipher what the world's expectations for Noah truly were.
This mattered to Noah, and she herself was deeply curious.
Thus, while hiding in Noah's dreams, she conducted numerous experiments. "Seven-Five-Seven"
She discovered that Noah's name resonated with many things: light, spears, beasts, armies, war, protection, gold, and even nations.
All of these had a strong affinity with Noah.
If only one of these had a strong affinity with Noah, Mary would have long since determined what kind of god he was.
But all of them... that was strange.
Could the world's expectations for you be as varied as a kaleidoscope?
So, at that time, Mary had already formed a hypothesis, but she couldn't test it herself, so she never mentioned it to Noah.
However, when Noah said he felt a sense of familiarity with the chaotic, will-less, and meaningless Divine Might emanating from the Pantheon—like a dead tiger aimlessly exuding intimidation—Mary became almost certain.
"Noah."
She voiced the hypothesis she had long held.
"You, who have a strong affinity with so many things, and who feel familiarity upon sensing these will-less Divine Might—you are no ordinary god."
"The world's expectation for you is not for you to become a God of Forging, a God of Light, a God of War, or anything of that sort."
"The world expects you to become their King."
"Though I don't understand why the world would bestow such an expectation upon you at the very end of the Age of Gods, if this is true, then the overwhelmingly immense Divinity within you has the best possible explanation."
"Because you did not become a deity named Rhongomyniad by the choice of the Holy Lance. Instead, the world chose you and bestowed upon you this expectation—"
"King Noah Mulius!"
"This is an expectation destined to make you the center of a Pantheon."
"This is an expectation destined to leave behind legends."
And also...
A pass to the Inner Sea of the Planet, gifted to you by the world...
Mary did not say this last part to Noah.
Because she knew that even if she did, Noah wouldn't care; he might even forget it entirely.
Just as when he heard her say the world's expectation for him was to become a God-King, he only showed slight surprise—nothing more.
No one could remain so calm after learning such news.
Mary believed that even God-Kings like Zeus and Odin would never have remained as calm as Noah upon learning such news.
Those who resist fate are often like this.
If fate aligns with their desires, they comply; only when it opposes them do they rebel.
But Noah was clearly not such a person.
Nor was he a rebel.
Mary had long understood this.
Just as she had seen in Noah a heroic radiance different from Arthur's.
Noah, who knew everything, knew fear, yet still chose to face it bravely, remained unchanged even now.
Fate declared that the inevitable end was destruction—Noah didn't care.
Fate claimed he would become their king in the future—Noah still didn't care.
Whether fate aligned or opposed, in the end, one's destiny must be steered by oneself. Nothing had the right to take that place.
Gods, stars, even the Root—all were the same!
This was Noah's resolve.
He would remain vigilant about the future, hold reverence for challenges, acknowledge his weaknesses, and humbly accept others' advice—this was the essence of the being named Noah.
He lived.
Many attributed all of this to the arrangement of fate.
But Noah preferred to call it his own life.
So...
"Since it's a harmless expectation, it's quite a relief."
He said this to Mary, then patted Lucius beside him.
There were still people in the Pantheon, and he didn't intend to venture inside to investigate at this moment.
Though forcing his way in wasn't impossible, he clearly wasn't in such a hurry.
So now...
"Let's go, we'll come back tonight."
Noah prepared to leave.
But Lucius remained unresponsive even after being patted twice.
Seeing her like this, Noah grew somewhat puzzled.
"What's wrong with you?"
"No, it's just... I think I saw someone at the entrance of the Pantheon..."
Lucius widened her eyes.
Though she and Noah weren't particularly close to the Pantheon, Lucius, who had received a blessing there, could easily bridge this distance with her lightning.
Because she could see clearly, she was so astonished.
Noah crouched beside her, following her gaze to look over.
There was indeed someone at the entrance of the Pantheon.
A figure with red hair, draped in a red cloak, exuding a powerful aura.
The guards of the Pantheon were extremely respectful toward her, and she seemed to be addressing them.
Who... is that?
Noah was puzzled, but in his mind, Mary's voice, unusually tinged with surprise, echoed.
"Noah, that person is the one I've seen multiple times while observing Rome with Clairvoyance—not the false appearance disguised by some special Mystic Code like the one beside you, but the true form Sword Emperor Lucius should have!"
Oh, so it's Sword Emperor Lucius... Huh!?
Noah first learned the other's identity, then immediately shifted his gaze to the Lucius beside him.
That's Lucius, but who is this monkey?
Just as Noah was puzzled, Mary spoke again.
"Vivian's prophecies are still accurate... So since she said this Lucia is Lucius, then she must indeed be Lucius."
"As for the one at the Pantheon entrance right now... What I find most unbelievable is that if the other party used illusion magic to disguise themselves as Lucius, logically speaking, it shouldn't be able to deceive even me..."
"But the thing is, I just couldn't detect any trace of illusion magic on that person."
"So when we eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how unbelievable, must be the truth."
"Noah, be extra careful. In Rome today—there might be two Sword Emperor Luciuses!"