The Practical Use of Severed Heads

In the Otherworld War, behavior like this would naturally cause an uproar among those around them. But there was, of course, a reason for it. The Dimensional Mage God, thoroughly fed up with subordinates who refused to listen and only gave him headaches, had carefully deliberated before arriving at this solution.

'I'm sick and tired of subordinates who talk too much. And who would've thought those bastards would turn out to be so useful? Originally I did it to torment them to death, but after growing alongside me, their divinity alone has reached the level of reserve Demon God Kings, which is incredibly helpful for my magic. On top of that, unlike subordinates with their bodies still attached who constantly pester me for this and that, I can just use them when needed and toss them back into the corner. It's perfect. From now on, whether they're Main Gods or whatever, for all my enemies I'll simply cut off their heads and put them to use. Moreover, with the burden of the Dimensional Origin authority making my divine power output precarious right now, I can't afford to miss the chance to obtain the heads of the administrator Lord Gods. Nine administrator Lord God heads should let me withstand the Dimensional Origin's authority to some degree. The situation where a Lord God King beheads administrator Lord Gods is almost unheard of—unless it's a Demon God, perhaps—so I can't let this opportunity slip. If I frame the punishment for the insurrection as falling on the administrator Lord Gods rather than the Lord God King himself, at least they won't see me as a complete enemy.'

What had begun as punishment—severing a Demon God's head and using it as an aid for magic—had, after comparing them to the Lord Gods under his command, become something the Dimensional Mage God now viewed as genuinely admirable and highly useful.

The severed Demon God heads, however, did not agree.

'We've been dragged into the Eternal Judgment of the Black Flame Wind Star and even the training of the Dimensional Mage God's Origin, suffering together for over fifty thousand years.'

'Our divinity has risen to the level of Demon God King candidates, yet our appearance remains nothing but severed heads.'

The curses and sorrowful cries born of their rage and resentment instantly transformed the atmosphere of the Main God Temple into something even gloomier than a Demon God Temple.

Though they were only heads, the desperate killing intent and fighting spirit they unleashed—forged through shared training and battles linked with the Dimensional Mage God—shook even the Main Gods to the core. Their stomachs churned; they could not maintain their composure.

Every Lord God except the female Lord Gods of the Goddess Bloodline and the representatives of the Spirit Lord Gods, along with the past Origins of the 500th Master Universe, groaned in agony without exception.

“Kuuuuuuu—!”

“Ugh—!”

The Dimensional Mage God’s face twisted as he watched the subordinate Lord Gods seated at the round table falter under the demon-king-candidate-level demonic energy and killing intent.

'Forget loyalty. Is power the only thing they have to boast about, and they can’t even endure this much? Where exactly can I use these things besides running the Divine Realm?’

Fresh anger surged within him. A command laced with rising chill slipped out on its own.

“Shut it. I’ll grind you all up.”

“Hup!”

“Gasp!”

The Demon God heads and the Lord Gods simultaneously sucked in sharp breaths. The Demon God heads knew what was coming from past experience, and the Lord Gods could guess the meaning of “grind” from his current actions.

The Lord Gods recalled the results of their investigation into his past. The Dimensional Mage God was incomprehensibly powerful and utterly unpredictable. Every war report from his time as the Mercenary God ended with the same line:

'The most evil and ferocious of Dimensional Mage Gods, and the ever-victorious, undefeated Battle God.'

The core details were nearly identical. He never lost, no matter how disadvantageous the battle, and ultimately claimed victory. Because they were hard-fought triumphs, the enemy forces were naturally annihilated or destroyed, yet the allied forces suffered corresponding losses. Some speculated that the annihilation of certain allies occurred because the Dimensional Mage God had judged them unhelpful in battle and disposed of them, but there was no evidence. His evaluation was therefore extremely dangerous.

'An extremely dangerous Dimensional Mage God who kills unhelpful allies first.'

'A vicious Battle God who uses any means necessary to defeat the enemy, flees when at a disadvantage, then persistently bites until he seizes the upper hand.'

The cautious behavior he had shown after ascending to the Divine Realm did not match these brutal battle reports at all.

'Considering his position as the God of Light and Main God of the Divine Realm, he has exercised extreme self-restraint.'

'He has overlooked even significant rebellions, yielded to his subordinate gods, and endured to the end.'

Yet it seemed that patience had reached its limit today.

'No matter that they are Demon God heads, he is openly displaying them in a place where the Lord God Realms and subordinate Lord Gods are gathered, and he demands the administrator Lord Gods’ heads as punishment for insurrection while remaining completely calm. His tolerance has clearly run out.'

There had been warning signs. Suddenly beating the highest-ranking gods like the Beast God or the Lord God of Knowledge simply because he disliked them—and even knocking them unconscious—had already been precarious.

Now the Dimensional Mage God’s voice had dropped to a low rumble that spread across the floor, and his fighting spirit resembled a predator silently stalking its prey. His intent was obvious: this was less about directing the war and more about ensuring that anyone who got in his way would not be spared.

'If we become the example now, we will not escape unscathed.'

Right before war, if the Lord Gods—the Divine Realm’s greatest fighting force—showed weakness and lowered morale, that alone would be a grave sin. They hurriedly straightened their postures and roused their fighting spirit.

When the Demon God heads ceased emitting killing intent and curses and the Lord Gods regained their will to fight, the Dimensional Mage God clicked his tongue lightly and turned his gaze back toward the Lord God Kings.

“Tsk! You weak, ill-mannered fools! If you don’t want to offer your own heads as the responsible parties, why hesitate when I tell you to hand over the heads of the administrator Lord Gods who serve as middle managers? Is this some pathetic affection for your subordinates? Are you trying to toy with your superiors with such sentimental, warm-hearted nonsense? Of course you were prepared to die when you did it, right?”

The Lord God Kings’ faces hardened completely at the Dimensional Mage God’s words, which overflowed with killing intent rather than respect.

'The situation has deteriorated so badly with the appearance of the Dimensional Origin that, in the worst case, we were prepared to offer the administrator Lord Gods’ heads.'

'Of course their bodies would die and their divinity would fall, but we planned to begin resurrection work for their divine spirits immediately within the Lord God Realm.'

There would be a drop in divinity, but if the Creator Divine Realm of the Lord God Realm assisted the resurrection with full power and the Lord God Kings helped directly, side effects could almost be prevented. The administrator Lord Gods would complain, but supplying additional vitality to restore their divinity would be an understandable measure.

Yet this changed everything. Looking at the Demon Gods impaled on spears like decorations, even their divine spirits were completely bound.

'I thought the goal was to symbolically show the consequences of insurrection by killing the bodies and preserving the divinity. But the real objective was to seize the administrator Lord Gods’ computational abilities?’

'I never imagined a Lord God King would cut off an administrator Lord God’s head, bind the divine spirit, and use it as an auxiliary calculation device.'

Of course, most of the actual acts of insurrection had been carried out by the administrator Lord Gods, so it was reasonable. However, the work interference and disrespect had only occurred because of their own tacit approval or direct orders.

'No administrator Lord God would dare challenge a Lord God King equal to a Creation God alone.'

'Every god knows this.'

Therefore, no matter how difficult their position, they could not hand over subordinates who had faithfully followed orders, knowing they would end up like that. It was not out of pity, but because every god in the Lord God Realms was watching this scene.

'If they dispose of a faithful subordinate simply because they could not withstand pressure from above, it would deal a devastating blow to their leadership.'

What had begun as mere displeasure at an unknown Dimensional Mage God taking the number one spot had spiraled out of control.

'If the administrator Lord Gods end up like those Demon Gods, the entire command structure of the Lord God Realm will collapse.'

'No one will ever listen to us again.'

'Damn it! Who knew it would come to this over something like this?’

Regret flooded in too late, but the moment had passed. Yet no one could predict what would happen if they collectively rebelled in front of the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin and refused punishment for the insurrection.

Then the Dimensional Origin, who had been silently observing from behind, finally spoke.

“That won’t do. From what I see, the administrator Lord Gods merely carried out what their superiors, the Lord God Kings, ordered. No matter how great the sin, they should not receive such extreme punishment for simply following instructions. Above all, since they did not act of their own free will, there is clearly room for leniency. From a personal standpoint, I oppose cutting off the administrator Lord Gods’ heads.”

It was an extremely reasonable statement that sided with them, even to the ears of the surrounding Lord Gods and Lord God Kings. Yet the one speaking was the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin, who was presumed to be remaining in the Divine Realm to support the Dimensional Mage God after he had obtained the qualification of Dimensional Origin of a lower Master Universe.

Reinforcements from an entirely unexpected quarter. And highly effective.

'No matter how wildly the Dimensional Mage God behaves, he cannot possibly disobey the words of the Dimensional Origin, who is also a higher Origin.'

As expected, the Dimensional Mage God’s face—his entire train of thought completely overturned—could be seen desperately suppressing the urge to crumple in dismay.

He had rampaged wildly relying solely on personal strength and the backing of a high superior, only to be completely blocked by that superior’s intervention. Still, unwilling to give up, he hesitated before reporting.

“If that is your will, I will conclude this with a mere warning to the Lord God Kings. However, I absolutely require the heads of those administrator Lord Gods. I must take them when dispatched to the Otherworld and utilize them to properly carry out the mission. I ask that you reconsider.”

His intention was clear: he would overlook the insurrection, but he needed the administrator Lord Gods’ heads and would obtain them by any means necessary.

The administrator Lord Gods felt the world go dark before their eyes.

'If a Dimensional Mage God evaluated as a high-ranking Creation God targets us so persistently, even if we survive this time, we cannot endure as administrator Lord Gods.'

Regret crashed over them for failing to block the unnecessary turmoil directed at the Lord God Kings, who had already expressed their fury at the Dimensional Mage God who had suddenly appeared and claimed the top position.

'He truly was not an existence we should have touched.'

'I should have quit being an administrator Lord God and retired to the countryside...'

The Demon God heads were still alive, impaled on spears and embedded atop the round table. The thought that their own heads might soon be skewered beside them and exploited for all eternity over something like this was absurd. As the Dimensional Origin had said, it was far too harsh a price for merely following orders.

“Subordinates who obeyed their superiors’ commands within the organization bear no sin. Therefore, please forgive the pitiful lower-ranking administrator Lord Gods.”

At the endlessly merciful words of the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin, who continued to side with them, tears nearly spilled from the administrator Lord Gods’ eyes.

Since the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin himself had ordered the disposition stopped, the Dimensional Mage God naturally lacked the courage to insist further. The difference in power was absolute, and above all, the intensity of will between them was overwhelmingly vast.

'The killing intent and fighting spirit the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin displayed earlier when declaring that lower beings who refuse a superior’s words should be disposed of immediately was genuine. If I err now, I will be the first to die.'

He coveted the computational power he could gain by using the administrator Lord Gods’ heads, but it was not worth trading his life for. It was unbearably unfair and regretful, yet he had no choice but to endure and let it pass.

“I understand. Then I shall forgive the administrator Lord Gods.”

In the end, the Dimensional Mage God abandoned the idea of using the administrator Lord Gods’ heads as auxiliary calculation devices. The administrator Lord Gods rejoiced openly, forgetting their dignity, while the Lord God Kings breathed sighs of relief, believing the matter would now be resolved amicably.

'I was worried about what would happen since the Dimensional Mage God, under the protection of the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin, was acting so recklessly, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it seems it will end well.'

Yet a question suddenly arose. It concerned the official document the Creation Realm had dispatched urgently, even postponing the Creator God King’s approval. It was a blatant evasion of responsibility, stating that the Creation Realm would not involve itself in any problems or solutions related to the Wind Family’s Origin, and that the parties involved should take full responsibility—even bringing up their entire clans.

'As expected of the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin, the origin of all authorities. He observes reason and laws and understands the circumstances of lower beings well. But why was the administrator Creation God so anxious and eager to shift responsibility? What kind of trouble could someone like this possibly cause?’

It gave the impression that there could be no superior easier to serve—one who observed laws and overflowed with mercy and consideration for those below him.

However, his next words left their mouths hanging open.

“Therefore, forgive the pitiful lower-ranking administrator Lord Gods. Instead, cut off the heads of the responsible Lord God Kings.”

“!!!”

“!!!”

It meant to behead the Lord God Kings—the heads of the Lord God Realm—rather than their subordinate administrator Lord Gods. Naturally, the meaning and the resulting storm were beyond comparison.

The Dimensional Mage God, whose plan to reinforce computational power had completely collapsed and whose strength had drained away, and the Lord God Kings, whose tension had loosened thinking the matter would resolve smoothly, trembled as if struck by lightning. The administrator Lord Gods, who had been relieved at escaping the danger of decapitation, also widened their eyes in shock.

'If their heads are cut off in our place, the clans who lose their direct-line successors who had reached Creation God will not remain silent.'

If they incurred the wrath of the major prestigious clans, a situation might arise where having their heads cut off would seem far preferable.

As they all fell into panic and confusion, the Dimensional Origin’s words, carrying a faint trace of anger, echoed in their ears.

“After hearing the Dimensional Mage God’s report on the Master Universe’s insurrection and confirming the details, I find that, from the perspective of a parent-child relationship, it constitutes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠filial impiety. Filial impiety must never be forgiven. Cut off every last bud decisively. All of them—!”

“……”

To understand an insurrection that did not exist in the Wind Family, he had applied it to the Wind Family’s own standards and even empathized with the emotions, causing the problem to grow far more serious. The parent-child relationship in the Wind Family was, needless to say, the pinnacle of strictness. Absolute filial piety was the driving force that had allowed the Wind Family’s ancestors to raise their descendants into 10 Mainstays-level powerhouses through rigorous education. They would never tolerate any alteration of its meaning or any challenge to it.

'The greater problem is that if the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin—who stands equal to the Creator—truly handles insurrection according to such standards, no one will be safe in the future.'

Even a small retort could result in a Creation God’s head flying off for committing insurrection. It was obvious whose resentment the Creation Gods would then direct.

It was the Dimensional Mage God who had reported in a way that caused the Wind Family’s Dimensional Origin to equate filial impiety with insurrection.

'Filial impiety and insurrection are the same in the Wind Family? Insurrection is not that serious. Above all, I never explained it that way.'

He naturally needed to correct the misunderstanding, but the Dimensional Mage God’s animal instincts warned him that arguing here would put even himself in danger.

And now he understood why this was happening.

'This is really driving me insane. Is he giving me as much hardship as the help he provided? As expected of Truth’s blood relative. Thanks to him the help feels like being hit, but why does it only grow more difficult? I need to end this quickly. I can’t endure any longer. And I must become stronger.'

Gritting his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠teeth, he issued commands through divine speech to the Lord God Realm and the Dimensional Divine Realm.

“Commence battle! All Lord Gods of the Lord God Realm and the Dimensional Divine Realm shall carry out the war as planned. The target is the heads of the Lord God Kings who committed insurrection. If anyone resists or obstructs, cut off the administrator Lord Gods’ heads first. As the overall person responsible for the administrator gods who act as proxies and execute the Lord God Kings’ duties, I will also hold them accountable for bringing about this situation.”

Seeing that he had not given up and was once again targeting their heads, the administrator Lord Gods’ faces turned completely black. The Dimensional Mage God himself recognized that this action was extremely dangerous, since these were the very administrator Lord Gods the Dimensional Origin had told him to forgive.

Considering the enormous adverse effects that would arise from beheading the Lord God Kings—who would not even be that helpful to possess—he disliked it. But since he had to force the issue now, he intended to secure what he wanted without fail.

'In the worst case, I could end up finished for committing insurrection against a higher Origin. But I cannot stop.'

The nature of the Dimensional Mage God and Mercenary God—who would accept any dangerous battle for the reward he desired—had awakened, and he could not ignore it. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was akin to an instinct that sought even greater rewards in exchange for taking risks.

'Here, the power to realize everything he wanted was already complete.'

Behind the Dimensional Mage God seated in the place of honor, the brilliant twenty-six pairs of wings of light and translucent wings of darkness—proof of a Creation God—revealed themselves. A low incantation rang out.

At those words, twenty-six pairs of wings of light burst forth from the backs of every Lord God seated at the round table, radiating brilliant divine power. The Master Universe’s strongest wide-area support authority—fully granting the power of a Creator God by raising every Lord God within the authority area by one complete circle—finally revealed its true form.