Chapter 101: Man vs God

Chapter 101: Man vs God

Basil had never seen a true god in the flesh before.

An Orthodox Christian through and through, he only respected one deity above all others. The existence of the Trimurti had made him doubt his place in the universe, but not even the discovery that Earth was held within Shivas palm had shaken his faith. Kalki was as vulnerable as any human, and the false deities of Metal Olympus could be killed.

The dragon no, the dragon-shaped deity in front of him had no such weakness. Neither Basils Monster Insight Perk nor the System could even register it. The sheer aura of power radiating from the deitys body made even the thought of fighting back impossible to contemplate.

But as wise men said, it could take a lifetime to establish a reputation and a single conversation to ruin it.

Do you know how much this statue cost?! The deep, powerful voice of the dragon god descended from awe-inspiring to childishly incensed. One million Vainqueur dollars! One! Million!

Basil had a pretty good idea about what a god would feel concerned for: the fate of billions, the rotation of stars, maybe the occasional holy crusade.

Money wasnt one of them.

I swear, this was an accident! Branio found the courage to speak up, though his voice trembled with a hint of fear. I was defending my daughters honor when

One million years! the dragon roared so loudly as to shake the hall. The stained glass windows shattered, sending splinters in all directions and causing Branio to wince in dread. That is the number of years you will work to reimburse me for your sinful conduct! Shame on you! Shame!

Its alright, Your Majesty, Victor replied calmly. Basil suddenly realized that the winged man alone hadnt knelt in the dragons presence. If anything, he sounded almost bored. The statue was insured.

The dragon god whipped the ground with his tail in annoyance. The resulting shockwave sent Basils Volkswagen Constellation rolling against a wall; causing more damage to the hall than the battle with Vasis father ever did. A dragon doesnt pay insurance!

But thankfully, minions do, Victor mused. Our gatherings are never a dull affair, so Ive learned to anticipate disaster. It wont cost you anything, Your Majesty.

It wont? the red dragons fury abated and he sighed in relief. Good job then, Friend Victor. You have saved us money again.

Its my job, Vainqueur, the man replied with a chuckle.

Basil and Vasi observed the scene in utter disbelief. For one thing, the dragons inane behavior shattered his outward image of divine infallibility; and Victors casual behavior was less that of a cowering servant and more that of an employee-turned-friend.

What was going on here?

Its him Vasis words were barely audible to Basils ears. Vainqueur Knightsbane.

Whom? Basil whispered under his breath.

The supreme god of the Outremonde pantheon. And this man Vasi glanced at Victor with wide eyes. Could you be the Victor?

And you! Victor raised a finger at the crowd, his eyebrows strained in annoyance. Cant you just get along for five minutes without me? What was it this time?

Its his fault, Father! Branio pointed at Basil. This ruffian dropped a truck on me after deflowering my daughter!

Father?! Basil and Vasi asked at the same time, the latter louder than the former.

Victor lowered his hand in confusion, his eyes moving from Basil to Vasi, and then back at Branio. Your daughter? he asked, his eyes lighting up in excitement. Ahhhhhhhhh

Oh gods, here we go again, Basil heard Goblina complain.

I have a granddaughter?! Victor clenched his fists and leaped in joy. I have another granddaughter!

Demonling Branio, thou hath bred at last? the dragon asked the demon lord, before snorting upon noticing Baba Yaga. You have laid with a fairy?

It was the bug part that won me over, not the dragon one, the old witch replied, much to her exs joy. Though the whole take over the world part helped a great deal

I expected better from a half-dragon, but speciesism is undragonly. The red dragon raised a hand and made a V sign in the air. All children of Friend Victor shall receive my blessing.

Before Basil knew it, a torrent of red light surrounded Vasi. His heart pounded in his chest as he thought his girlfriend was under attack, but the magic vanished as quickly as it appeared. The witch looked at her hands in shock, her fingers cackling with energy.

Vasi? Basil asked, alarmed. Vasi, are you okay?

I feel She turned over her hands as if trying to see something Basil couldnt see. I feel great.

Congratulations, Vasilisa Yaga has been blessed by the supreme master of Outremonde! She will gain an additional 10% chance to raise a stat on level up!Vasilisa Yaga can now undergo metamorphosis into either a [Archdevil Princess] (Demon/Fairy) or a [Glaistig Fomor] (Fairy/Demon).

At this point, Basil had no idea what was going on. He glanced at the overjoyed Victor trying to make sense of how someone near his age could be Vasis grandfather, before remembering that this worlds people used magic to stay young. Now that he paid more attention to their faces, there was indeed a passing resemblance.

Vasi, thats your name?! Victor grabbed the surprised Vasis hand with a beaming smile. I am so happy to meet you! Did you have a nice trip? Is everything good?

Im Vasi gulped. Are you are you Victor Dalton? The god?

Rosemarine, Basil replied immediately. Rosemarine Eglantine de la Barthe.

A refined, noble name. Vainqueur nodded appreciatively. She must be a beautiful wyrm of impeccable character.

Shes the only good dragon on Earth, Im afraid, Vasi commented. Somehow, her tone implied it was damnation by faint praise.

Vainqueur squinted suspiciously at the witch. How so?

Basil realized they had to tread very carefully there. I dunno about this world, Your Majesty, he said, trying to get the creatures attention away from Vasi for her own safety. But dragons on Earth put slave collars on those they catch and turn the rest to stone.

Basil half-expected the deity to arrogantly brush him off; after all, he looked about as arrogant and self-absorbed as any Unity dragonlord.

He was mistaken.

This this is undragonly! Vainqueur Knightsbane roared in outrage, flames bursting out of his nostrils. Minions have rights and paid holidays! We held a whole convention about this!

The status of elves is still undecided, Victor whispered to Basil.

By the Elder Wyrm, I shall have a word with these backwater dragons about their conduct! Vainqueur expanded his wings and his scales shone like the sun. Basil and the other guests had to cover their eyes to protect themselves. Gate to Earth, open!

To Basils astonishment, space ruptured in the middle of the hall. A ring of fire and energy expanded next to Vainqueur. It resembled the same vergence between worlds that appeared during Incursions, but smaller, more localized. A glimpse of the city of Shumen materialized at the center of the portal like the surface of a polished mirror.

Opening a portal between Earth and another world demanded the sacrifice of countless souls to the Neurotowers.

Yet Vainqueur Knightsbane could open one by will alone.

Even Walter Tye couldnt achieve the same feat.

Basil marveled as the great dragon god took a step towards the gate, striding forward like a conquering horse facing its destiny only for the gesture to come to a swift and crashing end. Vainqueur Knightsbane hit an invisible obstacle and stumbled back as he touched the portal.

An embarrassed silence stretched on. None of the guests dared to speak a word as Vainqueur Knightsbane tried to walk through the portal once, twice, then thrice to no avail. The barrier that stood between him and Shumen remained intact, indestructible, and eternal.

Minion, the gate wont open! Vainqueur raged as he fruitlessly punched the barrier. Where is the spare key?

Victor approached the portal and scratched the back of his head as he examined it. Your Majesty, the Level Barrier to Earth says level sixty max, with some exceptions for natives returning from trips, he explained. Youre forty levels too high.

This is an indignity! Because I am strong, I cannot go where I want? The dragon butted his head against the portal like a frustrated bull. Where is the logic in this?!

This thing is a god. Basil had to repeat it to himself to believe it. Vasi looked about as flabbergasted. Oh Lord, this thing is a god.

Eventually, Vainqueur Knightsbane accepted defeat; for the time being. This is not over, he said while glaring at the portal. Not by a long shot.

Thats quite worrying though. Victor crossed his arms. There was no such thing around Earth last time I checked.

I am truly sorry, Manling, Vainqueur told Basil. It appears your dragon master will have to bear the burden of enlightening my kindred alone. You must stand strong by her side.

Im trying, Basil replied, choosing his words very carefully. But forgive my language, your kindred arent exactly open to discussion.

Of course they arent. When you are at the top of the food chain The great dragon marked a short pause before delivering words of wisdom. Everything starts to look like food.

I figured as much, Basil deadpanned. The dragon was preaching to a convert.

I too was a reformist surrounded by my backward kindred, Vainqueur said, blatantly more interested in the sound of his own voice than Basils answer. The Minion Declaration of Rights was an uphill battle. It is difficult to be in the right when everyone else is wrong.

Like every genius, His Majestys words usually fall on deaf ears, Victor commented.

The sarcasm completely flew over his masters head. Manling Bohen, let us discuss your world, Vainqueur declared. It bothers me to let poor minions be oppressed, no matter the universe.

Oh yes, youre staying all night, right? Victor asked, smiling at Vasi. I have two decades of bedtime stories to catch up on too.

You are very kind, Vasi said, slightly embarrassed. She appeared conflicted about the proposal, until she glanced at her parents. But we we were on our way out with moth

I am a dragon, Vainqueur interrupted her with the tone of an adult chiding a child. You will stay and be happy.

Basil was half-tempted to make a jump toward the portal with his girlfriend, but half of the guests present were low-level enough to pursue them through it. He exchanged a glance with Vasi and sighed.

This was going to be a long evening.