How To Live As A Writer In A Fantasy World-Chapter 450: Kingdom of Gerios (1)

“That’s only natural…”

Upon hearing King Morgan’s question, Deimos started to speak but then furrowed his brows.

At first, he had taken it for granted that the gods had created all races except for elves and demons.

The Goddess of Nature gave birth to the twin sibling gods, Luminous and Mora, and under their authority, the world was created.

Within that world, various living beings were born, and eventually, intelligent beings such as humans, beastmen, and dwarves emerged.

Elves were known to have descended to the earth after tearing off their own wings as angels, and the origins of demons had only just been revealed.

But now that it had been confirmed that demons originated from humans, and after hearing King Morgan’s question, a significant doubt began to rise within him.

If demons originated from humans, then what about the origins of other races? And why was it that only humans could transform into demons and fiends?

Could it be that beastmen and dwarves also originated from humans? Their distinct traits seemed far too different for that to be the case.

Yet, considering the existence of “hybrids,” that idea didn’t seem entirely right either. If their origins were completely different, conception wouldn’t be possible in the first place.

And here lay the problem—humans could conceive with other races, but different races could not conceive with each other.

If such offspring had ever existed, they would have appeared somewhere in the world.

There were even records of human women bearing children after being violated by orcs or goblins. But no such case existed for any other race.

During the war between races, there was a record of beastmen, who were subjugated by humans, trying to conceive using elven seed.

However, no matter how much effort they put in, no child was ever born.

There were other instances of interspecies unions, yet never once was a child born. Such records, though rare, did exist.

‘…Why?’

The more he thought about it, the more inconsistencies he found. While there were records that humans had existed since the beginning, the origins of beastmen and dwarves were unclear.

If humans evolved into demons, could it be that beastmen and dwarves also originated from humans?

Then who…

[The world is wider than we know, and the sea is vaster than the world itself, seed of Luminous.]

“……”

[The sea has given us many things—food, trade, treasure, power, and lastly, the ability to read the stars and see the truth. But when I felt the wrath of the sea, I realized we had to stay away.

My kingdom was blessed by the sea, but ironically, we were loved too much, and that love turned into a curse.]

With exaggerated gestures, as if reciting poetry, King Morgan drew the attention of Deimos and the expedition members.

Lost in thought, Deimos lifted his head at the sound of the king’s voice. King Morgan still sat proudly upon his throne.

[Our kingdom came to know too many truths, which unsettled the gods. And in the end, we were left abandoned until every citizen of Gerios turned into demons.

Among them, some outsiders became fiends, but the gods merely waited. Until most of the truth sank deep into the abyss.]

“…That’s absurd. Why would Luminous simply watch as His creations fell?”

Deimos calmly countered, though the words were almost slanderous. However, an unsettling doubt crept into his heart.

The more he questioned what he had once taken for granted, the more his faith in the gods was gnawed away.

Yet, he vehemently denied it.

The gods would never lie to their beloved creations. They grant power to the righteous and punishment to the wicked.

Even when one sins, as long as they have a legitimate reason and sincerely repent, the gods may punish the sin but embrace the sinner.

How could such gods have abandoned the Kingdom of Gerios during the Demon War? It was difficult to believe.

King Morgan snorted as if amused, then began speaking once more in a poetic tone.

[Then tell me, why did the gods only appear after our kingdom had fallen? Why did they remain silent as their creations perished?

Why did they grant the World Tree’s seed only after the sea had swallowed nearly everything?]

“……”

[The gods’ love for their creations remains unchanged. But aren’t they too human?]

Luminous and Mora always had a reputation. They were said to be “too human,” which made them warm and parental.

Luminous was mature and composed, while Mora was mischievous and playful. Their creations found this endearing and trusted them deeply.

Even the Goddess of Nature occasionally caused natural disasters, but people believed it was something beyond her control.

[The rising sea swallowed not only my palace but most of the truth. But traces of that truth still remain, scattered across the world.]

“……”

[My descendants have already paved the way. Seek it out. You may find it quite amusing. Heh, heh, heh.]

King Morgan let out an eerie chuckle, leaning back in his seat with a twisted smirk. He seemed to be relishing their reactions in a thoroughly malicious way.

As soon as he finished speaking, the expedition members turned their gazes toward Deimos. Now, all decisions rested upon him.

Deimos, too, wanted to seek out the truth—the truth that had been foretold by prophecy. But before that, there was a question he needed to ask.

…Luminous.

[Hm?]

“Luminous… does He truly love us?”

A believer—no, a cardinal—should never voice such a question. To doubt the gods was heresy, and he could be dragged into an inquisition for it.

Yet, the more he listened to King Morgan, the more he questioned what he had once thought was obvious, the deeper his doubt grew.

Could it be that Luminous and the gods did not actually love their creations? Were they merely using them?

If that were the case, then whom had they been worshipping all this time? Whom could they rely on? Everything was becoming chaotic.

Noticing Deimos’ turmoil, King Morgan chuckled and spoke.

[You needn’t worry about that. What parent does not love their child? Sometimes they embrace them, and sometimes they discipline them. The gods’ love for their creations is an undeniable truth.]

“…That is a relief.”

[Whether you reveal the truth to the world or bury it, I do not care. I have no interest in the present world, after all. Oh, but may I ask a favor?]

At the word “favor,” Deimos lifted his head and looked at King Morgan. The king leaned forward with an intrigued expression and spoke.

[My descendant, Isaac Duker Michelle—bring him here. I’d like to have a conversation with him.]

“…It may take a long time. He is a very busy man.”

[Time means nothing to me. I have sat here for 3,000 years. Even if it takes another 100, it is but a moment. Just bring him before he dies.]

Deimos nodded. That was not an issue.

Of course, explaining everything would take time, but the journey itself would not be difficult.

[And one more thing. I am curious about the book my descendant wrote. I wonder what kind of book it must be to shake the world so.]

“That will not take long.”

[Good. Then go now. You may rummage through my palace as you please, so there’s no need to worry.]

King Morgan waved his hand dismissively, issuing his command for them to leave. It meant that he had nothing more to say.

Deimos was skeptical about the king’s willingness to let them search his own palace, but he moved forward without hesitation.

The more he listened to the king’s words, the more questions arose. It was far better to seek the truth.

Though he had no idea where that truth lay, the oracle had spoken—somewhere deep and dark like an abyss. In other words, underground.

Compared to the oracle’s prophecy, the truth King Morgan spoke of seemed relatively insignificant. The most crucial truth was undoubtedly hidden below.

And once they found it, they would have to throw it into the sea immediately. Deimos let out a long breath.

“…Let’s start by finding the library.”

“Understood.”

With heavy steps, Deimos and his expedition members left the audience chamber. King Morgan silently watched them go.

Once they disappeared from sight, he turned his head to the side. If the expedition member had been to his right, then now, he looked to the left.

[Now, isn’t it time for you to reveal yourself? You should come out before I have to command you.]

King Morgan spoke in a deliberately stern voice, addressing the empty air. To an outsider, he might have appeared to be talking to himself, but—

Ssshhh—

To no one’s surprise, a figure emerged from the shadows where he was staring.

King Morgan quietly observed the scene.

Bronzed skin, like someone from the desert, and ears that appeared to have been partially severed. Silver hair gleamed in the light, and her golden eyes shone like those of a bird of prey.

Her attire was revealing, exposing a figure that could easily captivate the gaze of many men.

This was Siris, a Dark Elf sent to follow the expedition under the orders of Arwen, Queen of Alvenheim.

She stared at King Morgan with sharp, piercing eyes. She had heard everything he had said.

[Judging by your abilities, you must indeed be one of Mora’s followers. I hear you’re called Dark Elves now, rather than simply Elves.]

“You…”

She had many questions. Her lips parted beneath her veil, but she closed them again without speaking.

King Morgan seemed to understand her hesitation. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned back against his throne.

[Mora, as always, is both endearing and compassionate. From the beginning… Ah, but I can’t say any more.]

He furrowed his brows in irritation, as if some divine restriction had been placed upon him—just as before.

Not that it mattered. With his usual nonchalant demeanor, King Morgan gazed intently at Siris. She met his gaze in silence.

For a long time, they stared at each other.

Finally, King Morgan spoke in a low voice.

[Have you ever wondered why only your people have bronzed skin? There’s quite an interesting story behind it.]

“Not really.”

Though that was her response, she couldn’t deny her curiosity now that she had heard it directly.

Unlike other Elves, Dark Elves had bronzed skin. Perhaps because of this, most of them worshiped Mora.

That devotion had led to religious conflicts, which resulted in their exile from Alvenheim.

This much was historical fact. However, even Dark Elves themselves didn’t know why their skin had changed.

Among humans, the southern tribes had a similar complexion, but that was due to their life in the desert.

Dark Elves, on the other hand, were originally born and raised in Alvenheim. Hearing King Morgan’s words made her wonder.

[You say that, but you are curious after all.]

“…”

Despite her lack of visible emotion, King Morgan easily read Siris’s thoughts. She narrowed her eyes and studied him.

Just who was this man? He openly ridiculed the gods and yet seemed to know so many hidden truths.

He didn’t seem to be lying. He was simply questioning things that others had taken for granted.

Hadn’t philosophers done the same throughout history? Their inquiries led to the birth of science and countless other fields of study.

King Morgan was no different. The only issue was that his questions were directly linked to the gods.

And each of those questions had the potential to shake the very foundations of the world.

[You must know that Elves originated from angels. They fell to the earth after incurring the gods’ wrath.]

“I heard they tore off their own wings and descended willingly—to atone for their sinful brethren.”

[Hm? How do you know that? That truth was lost when the sea swallowed the world.]

King Morgan widened his eyes in surprise. Genuine curiosity flashed across his face.

At that moment, Siris thought of Isaac.

Should she tell him? After a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to share what she knew.

The expedition would eventually uncover the “Chronicles of Zenon” anyway, so it wasn’t a huge secret.

And besides, she was curious to see King Morgan’s reaction.

As she relayed the information, he stroked his chin with interest.

[I’m growing more and more intrigued by his descendants. It seems too convenient to be mere coincidence. He even uncovered the existence of the demon worshippers. Could he truly be a prophet?]

“…”

[Well, that doesn’t matter for now. Anyway, as you said, Elves are fallen angels who tore off their own wings and descended to the earth.

But some of them fell not to Alvenheim, but to the desert. They wandered aimlessly until they finally reached Alvenheim—but by then, their skin had darkened.]

It was a surprisingly simple explanation.

Siris had been tense but now found herself relaxing.

So they had just fallen into the desert? It made her ancestors seem rather foolish.

[Isn’t it interesting? The deeper you dig into origins, the more history you uncover. Language is particularly fascinating.

The way people addressed each other, the respect they showed—it reveals so much.]

“…”

[As you explore my palace, you may come across some intriguing pieces of history. Perhaps you’ll even learn more about the god you serve—Mora.]

Ssshhh—

Siris vanished into the shadows. She no longer wished to listen.

Without a sound, she left the audience chamber.

By now, the expedition was probably exploring various parts of the palace. But she would search somewhere even more hidden.

Once Siris had left, King Morgan was alone in the chamber.

He waved his hand lazily.

Creak—BOOM!

At his command, the thick doors of the chamber shut with a heavy sound.

Rising slowly from his throne, he stepped down from the dais one step at a time. Then, he spoke to the empty air in front of him.

[My, my. A most esteemed guest has graced this humble place.]

His tone was mocking, his voice utterly devoid of hospitality. Even his expression lacked any hint of warmth.

To an observer, he would seem to be speaking to no one—alone in a sealed chamber.

But if one looked closely, they would notice something strange.

A bright light shone through the gaping hole in the ceiling, focused intensely on a single spot.

As if someone were descending.

[When my descendant personally crushed the demon worshipper, you must have been pleased. But the truth is always buried in the darkness—like the depths of the ocean.]

FLASH!

A powerful burst of light flared from the illuminated spot.

Anyone who looked directly at it would have been blinded—or worse, burned.

But as a spirit, King Morgan was unaffected. Watching the searing radiance, he curved his lips into a subtle smile.

[Are you displeased? Of course you are. I have sailed the seas and seen the truths you tried to hide. My descendant has made sure that others will find those truths as well.]

No response came.

Only King Morgan’s voice echoed in the chamber.

But he didn’t stop, his tone laced with sarcasm.

[A god should act like a god. Why not let us discover things for ourselves? Are you so ashamed of your past? Come now, say something.]

Then, he spoke the final words with a smirk.

[God of Light—no.]

His voice dripped with mockery.

[God of War.]

He called the being by its other name—Luminous.

★★★★★