Ties of Causality
A few days later, Python had made a full recovery.
"Ho ho ho! Behold, mortal! A mere wound inflicted by that wretched Artemis is nothing to me!"
Python, who had been bawling her eyes out on the verge of death, turned arrogant the instant her body healed. She spent ages boasting that someone like Artemis was no match for her.
"Even so, she's one of the Twelve Olympians..."
"Silence, fool!"
Python lightly kicked my shin before glaring at me with narrowed eyes.
"It seems you performed some suspicious ritual while I slumbered."
"You noticed?"
"Do you take me for an idiot? I couldn't miss it even if I tried—not with the racket you made in the cave."
Just as I thought.
"Ahaha..."
With nothing to say, I could only laugh awkwardly. Python narrowed her eyes further and took a step closer.
"Interrogating my benefactor isn't my hobby, but I need to know what happened. I have to protect this mountain and cave, after all."
Python, who looked like a little girl, crossed her arms and tilted her chin up. She was trying to look intimidating, but it had zero effect. If anything, it made her cuteness skyrocket.
-Peleus, watch your words.
The Secret Book, floating nearby, offered its advice. Python had no idea it was there. Even gods couldn't see the Secret Book, so she was no exception.
-Got it. But to gain an ally, I need to reveal some truth.
-You're not thinking of telling her about the regression, are you?
-No. She wouldn't believe it anyway. I have to stick to realistic persuasion.
"Very well, Lady Python. Allow me to explain what transpired."
"Out with it, then."
"To perform the offering ritual, I made contact with a Transcendent—one from a distant otherworld, a god of sorts."
Harpocrates didn't exist in this world. His servants hadn't revealed themselves either. Calling him a god from another realm was a fitting cover. It wasn't entirely wrong, either.
"What? Gasp! A god from another world?"
For some reason, Python's reaction was far more enthusiastic than expected. Her mouth gaped open, her eyes sparkling. In a tone laced with strange admiration, she added,
"A god from another world... how cool!"
"...Cool?"
I couldn't quite follow, so I asked again. She nodded slightly.
"To me, yes. I've long known other worlds exist. Why? Because I'm wise, of course. Ahem!"
"Ahaha, of course..."
"If other worlds exist, then other gods must too. I've always wondered: are they as greedy and selfish as ours? Or do benevolent ones exist who care for mortals?"
"You've grown disillusioned with this world's gods?"
"Yes, those greedy wretches... That's why I've thought: maybe the gods of other worlds are different. Peleus, you're incredible. Even I couldn't contact a god from another world. What a remarkable talent."
"It's nothing."
This wasn't humility—it was the truth. I glanced sideways with a smirk, utterly unimpressed. The Secret Book bristled.
-What was that? Take it back right now!
I ignored its outburst and continued with Python.
"I don't know if that otherworldly god shares your ideals. But it contacted me with an important purpose."
"And what was that?"
My answer here was crucial. I needed to hook her.
"To gain the wisdom to confront Goddess Artemis."
"Ooooooh! Is that true?"
Python reacted explosively at the mention of Artemis—her mortal enemy.
"Of course."
It wasn't just about Artemis, but it wasn't wrong either. She was the biggest obstacle standing before me right now.
"So, what was the result? What did the otherworldly god say?"
"Yes. It revealed to this unworthy one a way to face Goddess Artemis."
"Tell me quickly. I'm dying to know."
I started by explaining that I possessed Zeus's divinity. But Python already knew.
"I could tell at a glance. It irked me, but things were too chaotic to ask. Besides, how could I pick a fight with my benefactor?"
"I see."
I explained how I'd acquired Zeus's divinity and warned that it could become a major problem going forward.
"God Zeus can reclaim this power at any time."
"Exactly! I know. What a petty bastard. Better not to rely on such paltry power!"
"Wise words. That's why I asked the otherworldly god for a solution."
This part wasn't true. That crucial knowledge came from Harpocrates's forbidden tome.
"Oh? And how? If Zeus can't take back his divinity, that's perfect. You'd grow stronger, and Zeus would lose power—he couldn't reclaim what he lent out."
Python seemed thrilled but tilted her head in puzzlement.
"But how is that even possible? Even gods wouldn't know such a method... Stealing a supreme god's divinity permanently? I can't fathom it. Hmm..."
"There is definitely a way. But it absolutely requires your cooperation, Lady Python."
I'd already baited the hook by invoking her hated Artemis. Sure enough, she bit hard.
"Tell me! Spill it! I'll help with all my might."
"Simple. Give me that."
"Huh?"
I pointed to her grand serpent statue. Python turned to look, then chuckled in disbelief.
"Hahat! Peleus, you fool. Do you even know what that is?"
"I do. It's a fragment of divinity left by the Burning Nameless One you serve."
"Ho, sharp eyes indeed—to recognize it at once. But you only know half the story."
Python wagged a tiny finger.
"Only those permitted by the Great One, those prepared to wield it, can claim that fragment of divinity. I understand wanting to thrash Artemis, but it's a futile wish."
"What happens if an unpermitted one touches it?"
"Simple. Nothing."
I'd half-expected the toucher to die or something... When I asked, Python burst into giggles.
"Such vivid imagination! As if that were necessary. Intruders can't even reach this chamber through the cave. And if they did, mighty Python guards it—fat chance!"
"Then no issue. May I touch it?"
"Pfft. Still not giving up? So stubborn for a human. Even if you could claim it, I still don't see how it solves the Zeus problem."
Still, she agreed to let me try. Floating lightly into the air, she headed for the gem high on the statue. The Secret Book spoke up in the interim.
-Peleus, even I think the brat's right. If only the predestined can wield it, that's a game-changer. I advise revising your plan.
-I can do it.
I replied with conviction. The Secret Book sounded baffled.
-What? Even with your freakish talent, that seems impossible...
-It's not about talent.
-Then what gives you such confidence?
Python was prying the gem from the statue with both hands.
"Nngh! Hnnngh! Urgh!"
Her straining grunts echoed through the cave. Watching, I gave a simple, confident answer.
-Karmic ties.
The Secret Book sounded stunned.
-Karmic ties?
-Yes. Nothing in this world rivals the power of karmic ties.
-I'll grant that, but...
-Listen. The cause creates the direct force for results. The condition provides the external, indirect support. Together, they produce this world's greatest miracles. Secret Book, our meeting was karmic too. The Burning Nameless One explicitly spoke of our karmic tie. That wise, mighty Transcendent said our bond exists in another time. Chills, right?
-The Burning Nameless One saw right away that you'd traverse time. For such a mythic being, even casual words carry weight—let alone mentioning karmic ties directly.
-Exactly. So that gem is one of my conditions.
-One of many? Then this Python brat might be another condition.
-Probably. Ultimately, all these ties will forge the full karmic nexus between me and the Burning Nameless One. That peak will likely be the climax of this adventure.
"Here! You pest!"
Python returned with the gem, her attitude prickly from the effort.
"Huff... huff. Not easy, was it?"
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she held out a baseball-sized gem. Pitch-black chaos swirled like smoke inside its dark red hue, radiating sinister energy.
"Thank you."
"Hmph! It'll do nothing. Hahaha! Even my benefactor's clueless sometimes."
Python acted dismissive—not mocking me outright, but mischief gleamed in her eyes. She was clearly planning to tease me mercilessly if it failed. One corner of her mouth was already twitching upward.
"Let this dispel your delusions. Touching such a treasure once is honor enough."
I bowed gratefully to Python and took the gem.
"Ah?"
A groan escaped me unbidden. The gem was astonishingly heavy and cold. Icy chill flooded my body, freezing me solid. But the sensation flipped in an instant.
My whole body suddenly ignited with unbearable heat.
"P-Peleus? You okay?"
Sensing something amiss, Python flailed in panic.
Ziiing—
The gem vibrated and spewed chaos. Even a layman could tell something was starting.
Python cried out in bewilderment.
"Th-this can't be? Why the gem? Drop it now! You'll burn to ash!"
Too late. Black smoke poured from my mouth. Agony like fire consumed me from head to toe.
In my dizzy haze, I thrust my palm toward her.
"Stay... back. It's... dangerous."
Then, a massive explosion erupted from my body. Black flames engulfed me entirely.
The world rippled black. My existence was swallowed by malice, melting away.
"Gaaargh!"
Hair, fingertips—every inch burned. It went as planned, but I hadn't expected such ferocity from the gem.
Still, I gritted my teeth and endured. I knew pain like this could pave the path forward. I'd never expected it to be easy.
"Urgh!"
But the mind-numbing torment buckled one knee. I braced against the ground, clinging stubbornly. This was just a basic rite of passage.
-Drop it! Peleus!
The Secret Book's distant shouts faded into the roar. Like all bad things, pain never ended easily.
But forging a sword on the anvil required such tempering. All great results demanded endurance.
Whoosh...
Then, change came. The endless flames began to subside.
Pain always ends eventually. The raging chaos storm calmed, seeping slowly into my body. It coalesced clearly at my heart.
Done.
Relief washed over me—the gem had accepted me. Light pierced my uncertain future. The Burning Nameless One's words were proven.
With Harpocrates gone, I'd been adrift. Now, I had an anchor. A strange peace settled in.
"Hoo..."
A soft sigh marked the end. The surroundings were wrecked. Decorative stone statues lay shattered, the floor cracked like after an earthquake.
But compared to Python's dumbfounded face, it was barely worth a glance. She'd planned to mock me, but now she stood half-stunned.
After a long silence, she finally squeezed out a question.
"You... what the hell are you?"