Chapter: 154
“Why are you doing this?”
The first beast sat down on the dusty floor of the temple.
“If you come with me, you could live in a better place than this. Why do you want to stay here?”
The first beast didn’t respond to my question.
Of course, it didn’t—being a beast that couldn’t speak.
But in the past, it used to convey its wishes, even if vaguely. Now, perhaps due to the dwindling faith, it couldn’t even manage that.
The only thing I could gather was… it wanted to do something here.
I sighed softly and patted the first beast.
While stroking its head, I injected a little faith—just a tiny amount for me, so I hesitated not a second to share it.
Well, passing on the faith that came to me to another deity was a ridiculously wasteful act, with only about 2 out of 10 parts actually being received properly.
If the faith wasn’t pointless like mine, I wouldn’t even consider doing it.
“Ugh…”
Still, it seemed my emergency measure had revived the first beast a little, as it seemed slightly more energetic, though still devoid of tail-wagging energy.
“So, what are you trying to do here?”
“Woof! Woof!”
The first beast barked like a dog, trying to get something across.
But its meaning didn’t fully come through—just a vague thread to follow.
“Hmm… You want to leave something behind? Yourself?”
“Woof!”
Oh, so it wants to leave something behind. In other words, it wants others to remember it. It doesn’t want to be forgotten.
But looking at the situation… only a few beastmen still believe in the first beast. At this rate, it’ll be forgotten in no time.
So what should I do now? How can I help this weakened creature?
Should I persuade the humans of Arcadia to believe in it? Spread some rumors to pull in some faith? Or maybe use the king to pull a fast one?
Hmm. This was once an important deity that sparked wars, and now it’s treated like leftovers. How pitiable.
While pondering this, I heard a soft voice from Nyx behind me.
“Um, isn’t that pup a god too?”
“Yup. This may look cute, but it’s actually an ancient deity. The first beast worshipped by the beastmen. It’s become pitiful after losing its worship to other gods.”
At my words, the first beast’s tail drooped. It looked hurt by what I said, but it’s the truth. A beast deity that cannot even provide oracles or blessings versus other gods that can. It’s obvious who’s going to be more popular.
“Hmm… The ‘first beast’? Is that really its name? Doesn’t sound very name-like…”
“It’s not a name. Just a term—a title, really.”
Come to think of it… this creature still doesn’t have a name. I’ve always just called it the ‘first beast.’ That title was enough because everyone understood what it was.
“Then what is its name?”
“This creature still doesn’t have a name.”
“Can’t we give it a name now?”
“Now?”
“Yes! Just like you gave me a name, I think it would be nice to give a name to this dog-like creature too.”
This dog-like creature… even if it is a deity, it’s in such a miserable state.
But giving it a name isn’t a bad idea… Ah, wait. If I give it a name and ensure that its name will remain, would it not be a way for it to achieve what it desires?
“What do you think?”
“Woof?”
But it seemed that the first beast had no particular thoughts about it.
No… Even if it’s a beast, how can a god be this simple-minded? When we traveled together before, it wasn’t this thoughtless.
At this point, something must be interfering with the emergence of this beast’s intelligence.
Ah, right. It might be a god, but it’s a god of beasts.
The mindset that ‘beasts cannot have high intelligence’ likely spread among the beastmen and led them to perceive the beast god the same way. That influence probably turned this creature into such a dolt.
Hmm. For a deity to adapt to the beliefs of its worshippers—it’s quite a hassle being a god.
Well, I’m a goddess too! But my core remains unchanged, even when I’m a bit influenced mentally.
Anyway.
“If you accept my proposal… I’ll give you a new name and make sure that name goes down in human history. Then your existence could remain as long as history isn’t buried. What do you think?”
“Woof!”
The first beast barked loudly without thinking much. This creature probably believes I’m just helping it.
Well, I am helping, after all.
“Then let’s start by naming you.”
Hmm, what should I call you? Let’s see. Beast, puppy, wolf, Fenrir? No, that sounds ominous. Cerberus? Feels like it should be in the afterlife. Hati and Skoll? Same level of foreboding. Garm? Similar ominous vibes as Cerberus.
Ah, wait. Let’s think away from wolves… Oh, hang on. There’s one more wolf!
Canis Major. Sirius.
The alpha star of the Canis Major constellation, forming part of the Winter Triangle.
Sirius. Sounds good! It feels like a great name for a city. In fact, Betelgeuse and Procyon, the other two stars of the Winter Triangle, are already names of big cities.
I’ll call this creature Sirius and then figure out the capital of Arcadia… wait, what’s the capital’s name again?
I’ve only really referred to it as Arcadia, so the capital’s name hasn’t really stuck in my head. Hmm.
Well, I probably don’t need to remember that name.
Anyway, I’ll just slip into the sleeping king’s dreams and persuade him gently, as I want to minimize how much oracle stuff I do.
Leading the First Beast, now named Sirius, to the Pantheon’s entrance, I declared that the honored role of the divine gatekeeper will belong to Sirius. Thus, the city that Sirius has safeguarded shall now be renamed Sirius.
I should probably convey that sentiment in a similar vein.
Honestly, this creature helped in Arcadia’s history more than a couple of times. Naming the capital after it is the least I could do!
As the god of the Beastmen, it’s played a crucial role in unifying various Beastmen tribes, caused wars when neighboring countries coveted it as a deity, and later helped to defeat monsters, greatly contributing to the nation’s prosperity. It’s practically the leading contributor to modern Arcadia!
“I shall give you the name Sirius, meaning ‘Wolf of the Night Sky.'”
“Woof!”
The First Beast, now Sirius, started wagging its tail, utterly excited by my words.
Well, if I had known it would be this thrilled, I should’ve named it much earlier.
Watching Sirius wag its tail like that makes me feel a bit annoyed at humans. How could they disregard Sirius, who worked so hard for them, just because there are now more gods around?
Alright, in that case, I’ll attach all sorts of titles and accolades to Sirius to empower it. Then the humans will regret neglecting such an extraordinary being!
And so, the First Beast, the tribal god of the Beastmen, headed toward the Pantheon entrance with me.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“The deity once called the First Beast, as its faith began to dwindle, was named Sirius and became the guardian deity of the Pantheon.”
“Alright, that’s enough. I think everyone gets the importance of the name Sirius, so I won’t explain it further.”
The teacher, standing at the front, hurriedly jotted on the chalkboard.
“The Celestial City. A city that held the glory of the gods. It was the center of the human world until catastrophe struck, and despite facing disasters, the Demon King, and countless wars, it endured to become the home of the academy you’re now studying in.”
The teacher underlined the various titles about Sirius written on the board.
“They say that if you dig even a little on Sirius’ land, artifacts will gash out like a fountain because its history runs so deep. Many adventurers venture here hunting for those artifacts.”
“I’ve heard there’s a massive relic deep underground in our academy!”
“Yes. The academy draws strength from that relic. A lot of places have deteriorated, but it’s created a barrier that won’t let evil get through… It’s thought to be the ancient temple of the guardian deity of the Pantheon, Sirius, back from the days when it was the ancestor deity of the beastmen.”
As the teacher mentioned, outside the window, a faint, milky-white barrier hung in the sky.
As long as that barrier exists, external enemies can’t enter the academy.
“The guardian deity of the Pantheon, the beast god Sirius, is still said to be watching over the entrance of the Pantheon.”
“I’ve heard it won’t let anyone through except those who are permitted. Even the Demon King couldn’t get through the Pantheon.”
The teacher nodded slightly and wrote another name on the board.
“In terms of ‘guarding the gate,’ it’s said to be on par with the Underworld Colossus, Talos.”
The Colossus of Obsidian Rock. The Guardian Deity of the Underworld, Talos.
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