Chapter 274: The Natural Selection Front
Eternal Night World, Azurevine Empire.
After returning from the God-Slaying Fortress, the Empress of Eternal Night summoned the rulers of the major powers in her World.
Through the virtual online space of the Fearless Realm, this meeting was simultaneously attended by leaders of forces who had already joined the God Burial Maze system, confirmed their allegiance to the Azurevine Empire, and were willing to stand against the Gods to the very end. These were none other than the “Sons of the System” cultivated by the Empire, as well as powerful beings who had long refused to be exploited by deities.
They had previously fought in isolation, scattered across different Planes, doing their utmost to resist the Gods’ control over their Worlds. Then, they received the overture from the Azurevine Empire. The tremendous feat of slaying Tyberia was the Azurevine Empire’s way of demonstrating the might of the weapons they had mastered. It was also a way to flex their muscles for these factions, proving that their existence alone was sufficient to lead them in their continued resistance.
Otherwise, the differences in Worlds, races, and cultures would have made it difficult for the Azurevine Empire’s will to reach the Mortals. Even when facing a common enemy, while they were theoretically allies, without a sufficiently powerful leader, who would truly submit to whom? Within their own Worlds, they were all considered paragons, not individuals easily subdued by mere regal authority. They required truly remarkable achievements, such as the slaying of a God of great power.
From the perspective of gaining sufficient prestige, Tyberia’s death was a necessity; the Undying Empire could not advance otherwise. Thus, not only had the Azurevine Empire exposed their existence to the Gods, but they had also finally emerged from the shadows, where they had previously operated under the guise of the system, to the forces resisting the Gods. They had proven their strength and garnered unprecedented leadership prestige. The successful development of the Dawn Army was also backed by the Azurevine Empire, extending its reach to more Planes and making it known that they were a powerful force capable of truly slaying Gods. It was precisely this aggregation of Mortal forces’ combat power, the centralization of their resources, and the utilization of various means that allowed the anti-God endeavor to flourish, with the promise of a bright future within sight…
And then, the unprecedented, large-scale slaughter guided by the Gods erupted.
It was akin to the first detonation of nuclear weapons in two cities, the ensuing horrifying casualties accelerating the surrender of wicked nations. The power and ruthlessness displayed by the Gods at this moment possessed an unimaginable deterrent effect. On the Empire’s side, having personally slain Tyberia, there was no turning back. They could only focus on the battles to come, which would undoubtedly become more arduous, rendering many of their previous arrangements ineffective. However, other factions, who had followed the Empire’s lead and had only recently joined the God Burial Maze, witnessing the Gods’ actions, began to contemplate surrender.
Therefore, after stabilizing the morale at the God-Slaying Fortress and confirming their ability to hold the line, thus buying sufficient time for their rear, the Empress of Eternal Night immediately summoned all the factions she could contact, or rather, those willing to continue working with the Empire. They had to reach a unified consensus.
“I wish to make it clear,” the Empress of Eternal Night stated, her gaze meeting the myriad emotions from those present, “that this is a war with no possibility of negotiation.”
“Your Majesty, Empress of Eternal Night,” a powerful Emperor from a grand Elven kingdom inquired loudly, “we wish to know why you steadfastly refuse to accept the worship of Gods. Is it due to some childhood trauma?”
Under the Elven tradition of female supremacy, his ascent to supreme political leadership was undoubtedly an anomaly. This might also be why he was not favored by the God of Nature and chose to side with the Azurevine Empire. While initial impulses driven by gender discrimination might be strong, they could not last. Witnessing the power of the Gods, a sense of fear began to sprout in his heart. Though he might inwardly lament and weep, sacrificing one’s life for the betterment of this World was not a favorable prospect. Of course, he also understood that even if he surrendered, the Gods might not accept him, merely relishing another sacrifice. Thus, he attended this meeting, hoping to persuade more allies, and perhaps, by acting together, they could secure better terms from the Gods.
The Empress of Eternal Night’s decisive stance on resistance presented itself as an opportunity for him to identify potential allies. He believed he was not the only one harboring thoughts of retreat under such a threat, but exiting the situation at this moment, given the enemy and ally dynamics, posed a significant challenge. The Empress’s gaze, sharp as a blade, immediately fixed upon him. Even this monarch, accustomed to absolute authority in his own domain, felt an oppressive pressure that made it difficult to breathe. More damning questions remained unasked, all silenced by her stare.
“My childhood was spent as a devout believer due to my father’s influence. Initially, I prohibited proselytizing merely to ensure a better life for my people. This conclusion, that surrender is impossible, stems from the fact that those Gods have no intention of negotiating with us whatsoever!”
A representative from an ancient Arcane kingdom rose and stated, “Your Excellency, the Gods draw their power from faith. For them to exist long-term, they inevitably depend on us…”
“What if they have no intention of existing long-term?” the Empress of Eternal Night interrupted the aged mage. Behind her, a vast, slowly rotating Rubik’s Cube was projected. Those with some understanding of spatial theory recognized this as a conceptual diagram of the Multiverse they inhabited, projected onto a three-dimensional structure for common comprehension. “While this is not the true form of space, it can reveal many truths. Let us mark the Planes the Gods have reduced to oblivion…”
The Empress of Eternal Night snapped her fingers, and the Rubik’s Cube shifted, highlighting the Planes that had become void. The arrangement seemed random. However, with another snap of her fingers, she added the Planes previously attacked by the Seven Gods in sequence, followed by the offensive routes she predicted.
“They intend to destroy this Universe!” a mage exclaimed in disbelief. Even the slowest-witted individual could recognize that the superposition of these differently colored blocks formed a destructive line that would shatter the structural integrity of the cube, severing its supporting framework.
“Yes, they have no desire for long-term existence. Instead, they wish to break free from the constraints of this Universe, without any regard for the future… Naturally, the value of Mortals providing Faith Power over extended periods has been minimized. We have no leverage for negotiation.” The Empress of Eternal Night’s icy voice echoed through the assembly. Whether they were physically present or attending via the virtual space of the Fearless Realm, the representatives felt a chill down their spines.
“They are too ruthless…”
“Why would beings of eternal existence wish to destroy their own domains?”
“So, this is a fight for survival!”
Even those whose will to fight had wavered now harbored no thoughts of surrender, only profound dread. The Gods were employing strategic deterrence, forcing them to make a choice. Had the Azurevine Empire not seen through the Gods’ intentions, and had they truly chosen to return to their worship, their fate would have been the same as those slaughtered believers. Moreover, by surrendering willingly and abandoning resistance, the Gods would have found their task easier and more satisfying!
“This is merely your assertion, not to be trusted. Your analysis may also be flawed…” the Elven Emperor shrieked hysterically, unwilling to accept that they were standing on such a dangerous precipice. The Empress of Eternal Night offered no reply or explanation. She simply silenced him and solemnly announced:
“All subsequent discussion will be predicated on the assumption that the Gods intend to shatter the entire Universe.”
“If anyone doubts this, they are free to leave and verify it for themselves, or pursue other strategies.”
“Those who remain in this assembly will be presumed to agree with the aforementioned conclusion, and we will then discuss how to protect our homeland.”
“The ultimate goal of this conference is not conquest, but to ensure the continuation of our races, our nations, and our civilizations. We will not allow everything we have painstakingly created to be reduced to mere ritualistic bug-like beings who only know how to pray!”
Her declaration was overbearing: join or leave, with no room for neutrality. Yet, no representative voiced an objection. The threat from the Gods had reached an unprecedented level. They had no other path to choose; their only recourse was to cling to the Azurevine Empire’s coattails, seeking a sliver of hope under their leadership. Otherwise, they would undoubtedly be the first casualties when the Universe shattered. Gods might transcend, but Mortals would perish without a burial place!
Thus, the more domineering and extreme the Empress of Eternal Night appeared at this critical juncture, the more a primal instinct for obedience arose in others. In times of extreme fear and confusion, human nature instinctively shies away from daunting tasks. This avoidance was not merely physical, but also a passive approach in thought and psychology, a reluctance to make decisions when every choice led to failure. If someone could think for them and make decisions on their behalf, why not follow? It was even easier and more comfortable! Relying on a leader at a crucial moment, and fighting with renewed vigor under their guidance, was far less burdensome than bearing the weight of all choices and consequences oneself. This was a primal human instinct. Those who could step forward in times of crisis, remain steadfast, and bear immense pressure and all responsibility were true heroes.
In their original Worlds, these representatives were undoubtedly heroes of their own caliber. However, when facing a crisis that threatened the very existence of the Universe, not everyone possessed the confidence or courage to shoulder the ensuing responsibilities. Only the Empress of Eternal Night, since leading the Azurevine Empire, had carried all the burdens. She was accustomed to advancing under countless gazes, and now, with the combined strength of multiple Worlds, she felt no greater pressure. This could be considered an extreme form of social confidence; she possessed sufficient conviction and dared to face the consequences of wrong choices.
An interesting scene unfolded in the assembly. Many had initially raised objections, and some had been unwilling to believe the Empress of Eternal Night’s analysis, but ultimately, not a single representative departed. They all tacitly accepted the Empress of Eternal Night’s assertion and were willing to continue the war under her absolute leadership.
“If that is the case,” she declared, “I shall proceed to announce that all nations and factions shall immediately transition to a wartime footing. All work must prioritize military needs and research. We must unite to resist this dark hour, where the Gods have bared their fangs and will show no further mercy!”
“Do we have a name?” a representative asked loudly.
The Empress of Eternal Night paused for a moment, then asked, “How about… the Natural Selection Front?”
The Natural Selection Front? They silently repeated the name. Was this a declared opposition to the will of the Gods? The survival of the Universe should be a choice made by all its inhabitants, not a whim of the high and mighty Gods who, when desiring to play, would destroy the shared home of all beings, perhaps using their Worlds as an adventure! Therefore, they too, had no choice. This would be a decisive battle, a test of natural selection, survival of the fittest! It would be about whose will would ultimately prevail, becoming the rightful voice of the Universe. Without illustrious names like God-Slaying, God-Burial, or Heaven-Defying, this was simply a natural selection, restoring the Universe to its rightful state.
“Seconded.”
“Seconded.”
“Seconded.”
… One by one, the representatives cast their sacred assent. This marked the formal establishment of the Mortal resistance camp, led by the Azurevine Empire and with the Empress of Eternal Night as its supreme leader. While a name was merely a designation, at this moment when the Gods had bared their fangs, the fact that Mortals could still unite and dare to say no to those powerful beings signified their unwavering resolve. Another crucial point was that the Azurevine Empire’s leadership position would no longer be solitary in this arduous and protracted war.
From this moment on, the surviving Mortals of the Universe united completely, with no turning back. The Natural Selection Front, under the pressure of the Gods, would suspend all projects aimed at a better future. Now, with the Gods having revealed their intentions, the paramount concern was survival. Henceforth, a wartime economic system would be implemented, military authority would be immensely elevated, and all production, research, and educational efforts would be focused on the war against the Gods, wholeheartedly supporting the construction of the defense system built around the God-Slaying Fortress as the vanguard and the God Burial Maze as the second line of defense. Of course, Mortals were not merely passive targets.
The advantage of the “ritualistic bug-like beings” was their loyalty, a trait stemming from their lack of intelligence. They lacked complex thought and excessive desires, thus generating fewer demands and no inclination to rebel against the Gods. Every coin has two sides; the low intelligence of these beings naturally translated to low combat effectiveness. Not all frantic swarms could inflict devastating damage; intelligence was an essential attribute for insects to possess sufficient deterrence. The ritualistic bug-like beings could never match the prowess of a true insectoid race; they were merely insects, and might even absorb incorrect hormones, triggering self-destruct sequences.
Theoretically, Angels and Holy Spirits could serve as commanders for these beings. However, the existence of the Faith Virus meant that Angels and Holy Spirits, when facing the Natural Selection Front, not only had to strategize for a breakthrough but also be wary of their own safety. In this context, the Gods’ parishes remained vulnerable soft spots. Although there was no power to persuade them to betray, the Dawn Army had formed guerrilla units that were constantly harassing and disrupting the Gods’ sources of faith, thus hindering their war efforts.
Consequently, while the Gods attacked the God-Slaying Fortress on the main battlefield, the Planes generating faith in the rear were being aggressively infiltrated by the Natural Selection Front’s guerrillas, creating a temporary balance. Meanwhile, within the Source Sea, the God King’s grand strategy was steadily advancing, bringing him ever closer to revealing his trump card.
