[A thing to think about, surely. But they nod, a little grateful for Childe's offer, as they approach from behind.]
Go ahead.
[But even so, the proximity...their sleeve accidentally brushes against Childe.]
[A memory comes to the surface.]
[A group of people, gods, and other beings are standing in a grand, futuristic hallway.]
[And there stands, at the end of it, a mighty figure, who looks down on everyone else and speaks, with a booming voice.]
["Mythological restoration--- Not only for my Olympus, it must expand to the entire world, and the power of the Lostbelt must increase. ...All of the land which has become as blank. If humans cannot save it, then the gods will. On behalf of all the gods who have left this planet in panhuman history, I will rely on my omnipotence to save this world. This planet which we derive from, and the intelligence of mankind. It is too early to lose it all."]
[A profound, heavy statement. And yet, a laugh comes from below. Ashiya Douman, grinning with sharp teeth, laughs in excitement.]
["The place where the "Alien God" descends must be here. Yes, yes, there's no doubt. Let's all work together to make sure the "Alien God" can descend."]
[One of the other gods, Aphrodite, stares him down with vivid annoyance.]
["...The "Alien God", huh? Always going on about the "Alien God"! Why can we not hear praise of our great lord Zeus? Is it not Zeus who will save this planet? There is no place for the "Alien God" here. Spare us the praise of your foreign god."]
["There, there. When you become upset, your beauty is clouded, Aphrodite... Do not pay any heed to the rantings of that monk. After all, they were the reason India fell, and they could easily turn Olympus into ruin."]
[But at that, Douman laughs again, which sends Aphrodite over the edge - she moves, instantly, to strike him down. The others move to stop her, calming her down by murmuring that they were ordered cooperation and symbiosis for the time being. Another priest moves in to tell Douman to back off. A joke is only funny for so long, after all.]
[Douman grins, eyes wide, mischievous.]
["Oh, my apologies, my deepest apologies. To show my sincerity-!"]
[And suddenly, Douman cuts off their own head, blood spurting everywhere. Several of the rest gasp in horror, but as they watch, Douman merely replaces it, letting it heal, and bows.]
cw: decapitation
[A thing to think about, surely. But they nod, a little grateful for Childe's offer, as they approach from behind.]
Go ahead.
[But even so, the proximity...their sleeve accidentally brushes against Childe.]
[A memory comes to the surface.]
[A group of people, gods, and other beings are standing in a grand, futuristic hallway.]
[And there stands, at the end of it, a mighty figure, who looks down on everyone else and speaks, with a booming voice.]
["Mythological restoration---
Not only for my Olympus, it must expand to the entire world, and the power of the Lostbelt must increase.
...All of the land which has become as blank. If humans cannot save it, then the gods will. On behalf of all the gods who have left this planet in panhuman history, I will rely on my omnipotence to save this world. This planet which we derive from, and the intelligence of mankind. It is too early to lose it all."]
[A profound, heavy statement. And yet, a laugh comes from below. Ashiya Douman, grinning with sharp teeth, laughs in excitement.]
["The place where the "Alien God" descends must be here. Yes, yes, there's no doubt. Let's all work together to make sure the "Alien God" can descend."]
[One of the other gods, Aphrodite, stares him down with vivid annoyance.]
["...The "Alien God", huh? Always going on about the "Alien God"! Why can we not hear praise of our great lord Zeus? Is it not Zeus who will save this planet? There is no place for the "Alien God" here. Spare us the praise of your foreign god."]
[The other goddess attending speaks up.]
["There, there. When you become upset, your beauty is clouded, Aphrodite... Do not pay any heed to the rantings of that monk. After all, they were the reason India fell, and they could easily turn Olympus into ruin."]
[But at that, Douman laughs again, which sends Aphrodite over the edge - she moves, instantly, to strike him down. The others move to stop her, calming her down by murmuring that they were ordered cooperation and symbiosis for the time being. Another priest moves in to tell Douman to back off. A joke is only funny for so long, after all.]
[Douman grins, eyes wide, mischievous.]
["Oh, my apologies, my deepest apologies. To show my sincerity-!"]
[And suddenly, Douman cuts off their own head, blood spurting everywhere. Several of the rest gasp in horror, but as they watch, Douman merely replaces it, letting it heal, and bows.]
[What a show.]
[Douman lets out a surprised noise, backing off.]