Gods' Trials (4)
Language is one of the greatest weapons wielded by intelligent beings. Through smooth communication with others, they gain even more advantages. To those with intellect, language was profoundly important.
Yet many still didn't realize it could become a weakness.
"Puhahaha! What is this! It actually works!"
I watched the countless debates unfolding among the elves alongside Baal.
"I just whispered a little in their ears, and they're really buying it!"
"When a faint voice echoes in an empty room, people mistake it for their own thoughts."
What I'd taught Baal was a simple trick: spreading rumors by whispering faintly into ears when someone was alone.
Reactions varied by mental fortitude. The strong-willed dismissed the first whispers as hallucinations, but persistence shook their resolve. Average minds wavered from the start and soon tilted. The weak mistook the voice for their own ideas, spiraling into madness with continued exposure.
All from mere whispers.
"Anyway, it's total chaos."
"Opinions clash when they're all over the place. This is only natural."
Of course, this applied not just to elves, but to gods as well.
"If you become king of the gods, you'll face far worse. Your job will be to orchestrate and manage them well."
Gods were massive egos incarnate. Ruling humans would be a cakewalk by comparison.
"Hmm... Can't I just crush them with raw power?"
"Rely on force, and anyone stronger will overthrow you. Simple logic might let you dominate quickly, but backlash would be fierce."
Those suppressed by might would eventually spring back like coiled springs. Unless you could crush them eternally.
"Hmm... I don't get it."
"No need to now."
He wasn't king yet. Half the siblings' trials remained.
"Honestly, I barely did anything in this trial."
"True, but it was too tough for you alone."
Yggdrasil went too far. How could she set such a test?
Baal couldn't have solved it solo.
"Anyway, keep whispering to nudge them toward fruit?"
"Yes. It'll balance their meat-heavy diets a bit."
Not a full change, but fruit was progress.
"With more time, I could've manipulated opinion for leaves too... but a month is too short."
"Leaves?"
"Yggdrasil says they're like human hair—constantly growing, falling out naturally."
Best not ask about bald plants. Hair loss is tragedy enough for them.
"Anyway, shaping opinion gradually will pass Yggdrasil's trial smoothly."
"Yeah. But this is my trial... Isn't Gaia helping too much?"
Baal looked worried. Fair—I'd done most of it. But those trials were impossible alone. Hiding my involvement should be fine.
"Mom. Even if the problems are hard, you can't just do everything for them."
Before Shamash's icy Cool Mountain gaze, I broke into a cold sweat.
Uh. Eek.
Did I overdo it? Sylphid's trial, Yggdrasil's too.
They were unsolvable without me. Sylphid lost her one-on-one race outright. Yggdrasil's was beyond Baal's grasp.
I knew it bordered on cheating, but I couldn't help it. And now it was busted.
"I figured you'd assist a little, but this is excessive. You basically solved it yourself."
"B-but hear me out. Yggdrasil's problem was impossibly hard—no chance without help."
"That's why it has value as a trial! What merit if you spoon-feed it?!"
Shamash scolded. Being dressed down by my own child... Eek. No excuses—I was wrong.
"Yggdrasil seems satisfied, though..."
Over there, grinning at elves tasting fruit, she beamed with relief.
"Don't change the subject! This Shamash, goddess of light, justice, and law, shall punish your unfair deeds!"
"Aigoo, my child persecutes her mother! The old must die!"
" Crocodile tears won't work! You don't even die!"
"Tch."
No helping it—I cheated.
"Punishment: No talking to that child during remaining trials!"
"Ah, so that's why you stuck Baal in the next room."
"Yes! And stay with us till they're done! Make lots of tasty food too! And... and..."
"Fine, fine. Whatever you want."
Couldn't refuse. I'd neglected them too long—they were sulking.
Pray Baal handles the rest. Time to pamper the kids.
"Anyway, Yggdrasil—your trial's passed?"
"Yes! Seeing them eat fruit... I'm overjoyed!"
Her genuine bliss was heartwarming—a huge weight lifted.
"I wanted to fail you for Mom's overhelp, but Yggdrasil's so happy... fine."
"Hmm. Whose turn next?"
Shamash jabbed a thumb at herself.
"Mine! This one's really tough!"
Chest puffed, she declared proudly. Hmm. At this rate, it's less about testing Baal and more about throwing curveballs.
I'd hoped for fair kingly qualifications.
"Alright, fetching Baal. Tell me the trial!"
Shamash dashed next door. Hmm. Uneasy.
Her trial worried me. But punishment barred my help... Baal's on his own.
"Here he is! Trial announcement!!"
Burying my anxiety, I eyed Shamash leading Baal. Dazzling golden ringlet beauty towing a sky-blue-haired boy. They suit each other. Pity they feel nothing.
"My trial!!!"
Shamash unfurled a papyrus scroll with a dramatic whoosh!.
Written there:
"Bring forth that which lies on the opposite side of light: it has form yet cannot be grasped!"
Ek.
"Opposite of light... form but ungraspable...?"
"That's..."
"No..."
Me and the kids' faces chilled. Obviously: her. Fetch Erebos.
Is this okay as a trial? We'd searched ages, found only monster mana stone fragments. And this for Baal?
She just doesn't want him as king.
"Shamash... your conscience..."
"La la la! Can't hear! Anyway, trial set! One year—generous! Any clue helps!!! Mom can't cheat-help anymore!! Find it solo!!"
She shoved Baal out.
Ugh. King quest over? Why these impossible trials? Couldn't they test fairly?
Did they dislike Baal that much? Spot Gaia was me?!
I grew a tad resentful toward my unappreciative kids.
This... just piles more work on me...