Chapter 138: Interlude: The First Boss

"I am Hekate. You can also call me Nüwa." "I know, Hekate of the Seat of the Supreme, right? Nüwa is an ancient name. It's from an old anime, already a relic of the past. Young people probably don't remember it anymore." "The Seat of the Supreme is indeed one of my names, though few call me that now." "I don't understand. Please explain in detail." Ye sat in a beautiful mountaintop pavilion, the summer breeze warm, the tea sweet. Across from Ye was a girl with light blue hair and a large white hat. Her appearance was indeed that of Hekate of the Seat of the Supreme, the leader of the Three Pillars of the Bal Masqué organization from Shakugan no Shana. Though her self-introduction seemed a bit different. "Do you know how big the universe is?" "This sudden question is a bit baffling... No one on Earth truly knows the size of the universe, so what's your answer?" "The universe is an infinitely vast world." "And then?" "Then, if you were to leave this infinitely vast universe, where do you think you would end up?" "If the universe is infinite, can there be anything outside of it? And how could one even leave an infinite universe to go beyond it?" "So, you believe there's no concept of 'outside the universe'?" "Didn't you just say the universe is infinite?" "Unfortunately, while the universe is indeed infinite, I have just pulled you outside of it." "Then please explain what lies beyond the infinite universe." "It's another world, just as infinite as the universe." "...Could you elaborate?" "The universe is an infinite world. Because it's infinite, there's no space outside that encompasses it—if there were, the universe wouldn't be 'infinite.' However, that doesn't mean there's nothing beyond the universe." The light-blue-haired girl's tone was calm and unemotional: "Beyond the universe, there are infinitely many worlds, each just as infinite. These infinitely many infinite worlds overlap with each other, forming the true [World]. If you leave the universe, you won't arrive at a space that encompasses it, because such a space doesn't exist in the [World]—instead, you'll arrive at another world, just as infinite, completely overlapping with the universe." "I think I understand... So, what exactly are you trying to say? You pulled me out of the universe—into which world did you bring me? And why did you bring me here? Honestly, am I not dreaming right now?" "Among the infinitely many infinite worlds, there's one that's a bit special. This world evolves by feeding on fantasies from other worlds, giving birth to countless fantasy worlds. It's the aggregation of all fantasies. These fantasy worlds differ in their settings, but they share one thing in common: they all develop strictly according to their predetermined storylines." The light-blue-haired girl continued her explanation calmly. "Because these worlds are born from fantasies, they naturally follow the storylines of the works they represent—no matter what, fantasy worlds will always develop according to their settings." "So, what you're saying is that people within fantasy worlds can't break free from the constraints of their storylines or the settings of their works, right?" Ye nodded, showing understanding, then raised a question. "Then what about you?" For example, the Magic Gods in the Toaru universe are beings that transcend their world within the story—but this itself is a setting within the Toaru universe. The settings and storylines of a work determine the development of a fantasy world. Even the Magic Gods, who are said to transcend their world, clearly cannot truly break free from the settings and storylines of their universe. A world born from fantasy will inevitably develop according to the storylines of the work it's based on. Hekate seems to be trying to explain this—but here's the question. "Then what about you?" If we follow Hekate's logic, then clearly, Hekate is a character from the fantasy world of Shakugan no Shana. If that's the case, she should also be bound by the storylines and settings of Shakugan no Shana. But the current situation is... "An unexpected anomaly occurred." Hekate said calmly: "The world that has given birth to countless fantasy worlds—this world, which is on par with the universe and just as infinite—was, at some point, invaded by an outsider." "An outsider?" "Everything in a fantasy world must develop according to the storylines of the work it's based on. No one within a fantasy world can break free from the constraints of the storylines and settings—this premise holds true only if there's no external interference." "So, you're saying that a 'transmigrator' has altered the storylines of many fantasy worlds, causing their development to change?" "That's one way to put it." Hekate gazed calmly at Ye, her pale lips parting slightly. "Like the butterfly effect, this unexpected outsider caused the [World] to change bit by bit. At first, it was just people within individual fantasy worlds breaking free from their storylines. But then, at some point, another anomaly occurred—someone born within a fantasy world actually broke free from the constraints of their world's settings, gaining power on par with the world itself." "The Magic Gods of the Toaru universe gained power equal to that of their world, thus breaking free from the constraints of the Toaru universe's settings." "The Saints of the Honghuang universe gained power equal to that of their world, thus breaking free from the constraints of the Honghuang universe's settings." "The Star Gods of the Honkai universe gained power equal to that of their world, thus breaking free from the constraints of the Honkai universe's settings." "That's roughly the idea." "Beings who are on par with their worlds, wielding the power of the world itself, able to freely alter settings, create worlds, and rewrite the rules of their universes—such beings can be called 'Overgods.'" "In short, at some point, the first Overgod who broke free from the constraints of their world's settings was born in this world. Then came the second, the third, the tenth, the hundredth... From that point on, this world was completely and utterly transformed." "I see." Ye nodded again, finally understanding. "So, you're saying that you are one of those Overgods who have broken free from the constraints of your world's settings, becoming on par with the world itself?" "No, that's not the case." Unexpectedly, Hekate denied this reasonable assumption. "Overgods cannot pull people from the 'universe world' into 'this world.' I am of a higher rank than the Overgods. I am one of the sixteen Emperors of this world." "My apologies, oh great one." If Overgods are beings who have transcended the settings of their original fantasy worlds, then are the Emperors beings who have transcended even this world? Ye pondered this for a moment, but his expression remained calm as he asked, "So, oh great one, why have you brought someone like me, an outsider, into this world?" "For a game." "A game?" "A game among the Emperors." "Please explain concisely." Hekate fell silent for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts, then spoke calmly: "The Emperors are omniscient and omnipotent." "Are you just showing off now? Is that your personality?" "However, there is more than one Emperor, so omniscience and omnipotence have become a paradox." "Even if there were only one, omniscience and omnipotence would still be a paradox, wouldn't it?" "If I were the only Emperor, then the paradox you speak of would only exist in your mind, not mine. In my own understanding, there is nothing in this world that I cannot do—except kill the other Emperors." "Who was the first Emperor? Why didn't you try to prevent the others from being born?" "I was the first Emperor." "..." "But what you suggest is impossible. If it were possible, I wouldn't have said that the existence of multiple Emperors makes omniscience and omnipotence a paradox." "..." "When I became an Emperor, I already knew that fifteen more Emperors would be born after me, but I couldn't interfere." Hekate's tone was as calm as still water: "I should be omniscient, but when it comes to the other Emperors, I cannot be. I should be omnipotent, but when it comes to the other Emperors, I cannot be. Thus, the omniscience and omnipotence of the Emperors have become a paradox." "...So, how does this relate to the game you mentioned among the Emperors?" "This game will determine the one true omniscient and omnipotent being." "...You mean?" "This was decided by all the Emperors. We will combine our authorities, relinquish our omniscient and omnipotent powers, and compete in a single game." Hekate's expression remained calm, her tone even: "The final victor will become the one true omniscient and omnipotent god." "..." After hearing Hekate's words, Ye took a moment to digest the information. It was a lot to take in. A lot, indeed. But... "What does this have to do with me?" You big shots can play your game if you want. I love anime, and I'm thrilled that anime fantasies have become real, but anime has nothing to do with me, right? You can do whatever you want; it's irrelevant to me, right? Even if a truly omniscient and omnipotent god were to appear, what does that have to do with an ordinary little human like me? "This game requires your participation." Hekate was concise. Ye was equally concise: "I refuse." "Why?" "I'm just an ordinary, unremarkable human. I can't participate in a game among Emperors, and I have no interest in it. So, please send me home." "Sorry, but you don't have the right to refuse." "I'm starting to dislike you. Could you please not ruin my fondness for Hekate?" "I have my reasons for choosing you." Hekate's eyes remained calm as she gazed at Ye, her tone steady. "It's not just that I found you—it's that it has to be you." "Can you tell me the reason?" "No." "I dislike you even more now. Can you show me some anime? I want to regain my fondness for you." "Is it the kind of fondness where you hug my body pillow while sleeping? One thing I'm not happy about—why do you only hug me once a month, but Sangonomiya Kokomi twice? Is she prettier than me? Or is it because her outfit is sexier?" "Enough, let's end this topic here." Ye raised his hand to stop the conversation before it could delve into even more embarrassing territory. "Since I can't refuse, tell me what this game of yours is about." "Competing for World Sovereignty." "A new term has appeared. Explain it." "Regarding 'this world,' we have named it 'Fantasy Heaven.' It is composed of countless fantasy worlds, and the world that has given birth to and encompasses all these fantasy worlds is 'Fantasy Heaven.'" Hekate's voice remained as calm as ever. "Then, for these countless fantasy worlds, we have established a mechanism called World Sovereignty, which grants control over a world. By obtaining a world's World Sovereignty, one gains ownership of that world. Additionally, World Sovereignty has other functions, but there's no need to explain those to you for now." "So, what are the rules of the game?" "Look up." Ye slowly raised his head and looked at the giant hourglass floating in the sky. Clearly, Hekate wanted him to see this. "The time limit is until the last grain of sand in the hourglass falls. When the game ends, whoever has obtained the most World Sovereignty will be the final victor." "Then, how does one obtain World Sovereignty?" "Each world has its own game rules. By following the rules and completing the game, you can conquer the world and obtain its World Sovereignty. However, be aware that if you fail, you will lose a World Sovereignty instead." "Game rules?" "For example, if an Overgod wants to conquer a slice-of-life world, there will inevitably be a rule like 'no use of any mystical powers.' Without such rules, the concept of conquering a world or completing a game wouldn't exist. So, you don't need to worry. All participants are on equal footing. Even if you're just an ordinary person, Overgods won't have an advantage over you when it comes to conquering worlds." "So, I'm supposed to participate in this game? What will you do?" "I will assist you. Within the bounds of the game rules, I can provide you with much help." "Isn't that a bit backwards? Shouldn't you be the one participating in the game? Isn't this a game among Emperors? Why are you having someone else act as your proxy?" "You are my First Apostle." "I see, so I'm not the only one." "Having more Apostles to conquer worlds can speed up the acquisition of World Sovereignty. However, if you choose the wrong people and fail, you could lose World Sovereignty. So, having more Apostles isn't necessarily a good thing." Hekate's expression remained calm, unreadable. "And if you lose a World Sovereignty game while having zero World Sovereignty, you will be disqualified and eliminated from the game." "...Let me ask, since I'm your First Apostle, how much World Sovereignty do you have?" "Zero." "In other words, if I participate in the game and lose, my game ends immediately, right?" "Correct." "Can I just slack off, then?" "You can." Hearing Ye's words, Hekate's expression remained unchanged, her tone steady: "I chose you, so I'm prepared for any outcome. No matter what happens, I won't blame you." "That's a pretty underhanded thing to say. You're saying that because you know me, right?" "You can think whatever you want. In any case, I've entrusted everything to you. Whatever the result, I will accept it." "You've really got me figured out, huh?" Ye couldn't help but sigh. "Will I be able to go back home in the future?" "Yes." "Then, tell me when the game starts." "The game has already begun." "So, which world am I supposed to conquer first?" "Which world would you like to conquer?" "Any world?" "Any world." At that moment, Ye couldn't help but smirk, a mischievous thought crossing his mind. "Then, let's go with the Shakugan no Shana world." I've decided. No matter what the World Sovereignty game entails, this time I'm going to conquer my adorable Hekate. I won't stop until we're married. Let's see what kind of expression you'll have then.