When the plot-skips players into the game world

Aiwass and the Dwarf Magnet Hammer hit it off quite well and quickly moved on to the stage of calling each other brothers.

Hayna's father and Aiwass were both third energy level, just that one was a blacksmith and the other a priest. Both belonging to the Path of Devotion with similar dispositions, they found some common ground.

Aiwass didn't know much about the dwarves. It was through his conversations with the Magnet Hammer that he gradually understood why the conflict between dwarves and elves was so intense.

Elves and dwarves both primarily follow the Path of Devotion and believe in polytheism, and it's precisely because of this that their racial conflicts are so strong and irreconcilable—just like the Avalonians and Giants, the Sons of the Moon and Werewolves.

However, Candle Master is the most ancient Pillar God of the Path of Devotion, and unlike the Paths of Authority and Love, it has not changed leaders.

But even so, following the same path but at the end of this path following different deities… heretics are more hateful than those of other faiths.

The Path of Devotion's blacksmiths belong to the profession governed by Flame Celestial Marshal, just as Fallen Celestial Marshal controls the Demon Scholars. Demon Scholars, whose strength comes from the Fallen Celestial Marshal, naturally harbor enmity towards Curse Ritual Magicians who derive their power from Serpent Father.

The Flame Celestial Marshal is the second most powerful deity of the Path of Devotion, ruling over the domains of fire, steel, and forging. Her influence is like fire, continuously growing stronger.

With the progression of the ages and the development of the industrial revolution, she is actively devouring—or rather assimilating—other Celestial Marshals and Angel Envoys of the Path of Devotion. Her domain's scale is continually expanding.

Aiwass remembered that she would soon acquire the power of "steam" and, in about four or five years, continue advancing towards "firearms" and "mechanics". By version 6.0—when his foster father became the BOSS—the quiet dwarves would step onto the world stage on a large scale.

Fire spreads and rises, and the Flame Celestial Marshal likewise wields the power of the Path of Transcendence.

It was because the Crowned Celestial Marshal, who once held the power of Transcendence, defeated the Supreme Heaven and became the Silver-Crowned Dragon… Even though Candle Master and the elves participated in this process, the elves still feared the Flame Celestial Marshal.

After all, this was something that had already happened, a validated path. Nothing is impossible.

From the perspective of the elder elves, those Celestial Marshals who possess the power of Transcendence are all very dangerous.

Because ever since Beast Master "resigned" and Supreme Heaven "left his post", the world had become much more peaceful.

Without dangerous beasts roaming the wilds, attacking everyone, or directly assaulting towns; and without those lawless and immoral brutes who killed, ate, and injured people just to flaunt their strength, the world had improved significantly.

Though there were still wars, overall, the world had become much better.

The elves now simply hoped to maintain the status quo—unlike Beast Master and Supreme Heaven, the current Nine Pillar Gods were relatively friendly. Thus, in a stable environment, any change was undesirable.

—This was where the elves' intense hostility towards the dwarves stemmed from.

Because the dwarves not only worship the Flame Celestial Marshal. Altogether, they worship six deities, including Shadowy Celestial Marshal of the Path of Love, Stone Celestial Marshal of the Path of Dusk, and Serpent Celestial Marshal of the Path of Transcendence… All of them are Celestial Marshals, not one a Pillar God.

From Magnet Hammer's words, Aiwass noted that the dwarves were very passionate about enhancing their deities and took pride in that—

It was rather strange, and quite competitive.

Because in this world, faith does not bring strength. Whether they be Angel Envoys, Celestial Marshals or Pillar Gods… These Superior Phantoms do not need worshippers.

If they respond to rituals or grant powers, it is because they are personally interested and willing to foster a mere mortal. Hence, fundamentally, faith is a matter of personal freedom… which is why elves worship all Nine Pillar Gods.

Everyone naturally has their own inclinations, preferences, and needs, and among the Nine Pillar Gods, there is equality.

There is not a Path that is stronger or more sacred—if such a concept is promoted, it would only lead to meaningless wars among followers, and they would be acting on their own without the approval or help from the higher-ups.

It's just like an out-of-control fan base.

If Supreme Heaven were still present, the situation would be different. Given that He encompassed the concepts of "rule by might" and "do as one pleases by being the strongest", it was why Giants would consume all other races, including elves.

—But dwarves were different from all other races.

"Our belief is aimed at getting a return."

Without the slightest shame and even with pride, Magnet Hammer said, "Because what we offer the gods is not merely respect and glory, but genuine strength! That's way more substantive than what those long-eared ones do!"

Dwarves had a strong sense of racial identity.

They consciously chose to the entire clan believe in Celestial Marshals or Angel Envoys not among the Nine Pillar Gods, particularly those with fewer followers or weaker powers, and then work with the full strength of their race, over thousands, or even more years, to assist them in ascending higher.

And the purpose was to receive better returns and more explicit favor.
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Even the wisest kings would one day leave them, their great military strength and technology could be surpassed by other nations. Even if they ruled many lands, they might eventually splinter within; no matter how glorious their history, it could be gradually forgotten by future unworthy descendants.

Over the long span of time, anything is possible, including turning to nothingness. All legacies might not necessarily be passed on.

"But gods are immortal."

The Dwarf solemnly raised his fist and saluted the void.

Although faith does not make the gods stronger, there are always some ways to help Them.

For example, by conducting certain extremely complex and spectacular large-scale rituals in the Material Realm or by promoting or abolishing certain concepts, to strengthen or weaken that concept.

This is of no use to the Nine Pillar Gods, but it is still useful for the Celestial Marshals and Angel Envoys.

And the Superior Phantoms are all intelligent.

Even if the Dwarves are somewhat sycophantic, having been so for thousands of years must elicit some response—at least they definitely could not adapt after being separated from them.

Some acted out of gratitude, some were deeply moved, some engaged in fair trade... but in any case, the Dwarves really did manage to curry favor. Now, the deities they worship obviously show favoritism towards the Dwarves. And the Dwarves are just waiting for one of Them to ascend to become a Pillar God.

—"Dad, I don't want to work hard to become rich; why don't you strive to make me a second-generation rich."

...Indeed, that is a way of thinking.

To maintain the purity of their own standing, there are not many temples of the Nine Pillar Gods within the Eternal Frost Empire—those that exist are "specialized temples." These are utilitarian temples dedicated to a single deity for a specific purpose.

Because of their utilitarian nature, this is less about faith and more like work... or rather, faith-based employment. It's like being proud of being an employee of a family-owned enterprise that has been handed down through generations.

Aiwass finally understood why the Elves regarded Dwarves as an "evil race." Due to the transcendental attributes of these Celestial Marshals, the stronger They become, the more anxious Elves get; and the Dwarves are still dedicatedly and persistently helping their own bosses grow—clearly with ulterior motives.

Other races may also seek the protection of some Celestial Marshals, but certainly not to the extent and for the utilitarian purposes that Dwarves do—they are not merely worshiping these Celestial Marshals, but "investing" in them.

They do not want to become Avalonians, but rather Gryphons.

Not the children of a Pillar God, but the favorites of a Pillar God.

...And according to Aiwass's insights into the future, the Dwarves' plan was indeed successful.

In the current version, many Elves would even turn around and walk away upon seeing a Dwarf on the road.

Therefore, if there are many Dwarves in an area, it is very likely that no Elves will travel or spend money there. Also because the Elves are wealthy, this has indirectly led to much prejudice against Dwarves by other races.

And when this chain of hatred rebounds, it causes many Dwarves to look down on Elves as well.

Although this mutual dislike is not yet hatred, and there has been no war between the races, there is already full-blown regional prejudice between them.

While there are blacksmiths among the Elves, Elves do not at all forbid drawing on the power of the Celestial Marshals. They simply require that the Nine Pillar Gods must be respected foremost and primarily.

To the yet-to-thrive Dwarves, this seems like the Elves' arrogance, looking down on their racial faith—but in fact, deep down, Dwarves also recognize the strength and nobility of the Elves.

Thus, the Elves who walk the same Path as the Dwarves are considered by the Dwarves to be "rarely normal among Elves," "humble and approachable good Elves." Consequently, human blacksmiths who have inherited skills from Elven blacksmiths also become "one of us" in the eyes of the Dwarves.

"So that's why you chose to raise Hayna and Jack…"

Aiwass realized, "It's also for this reason that you taught Jack the skills—and you do not wish for Hayna to go to the Royal Capital?"

"Not exactly, brother."

The Magnet Hammer stroked his beard and earnestly replied, "Indeed, I have no wife or children. She saved my life, so I have a duty to help her.

"But I indeed do not want Hayna to go to the Royal Capital—even if she doesn't have the adaptive trait of her father's Path of Devotion, can't she just be an ordinary person? Or, I also have careers related to the Path of Dusk here... it's rare for the power of the Path of Dusk to be this strong here."

The Dwarf said angrily.

Aiwass casually asked, "Speaking of which, what is Hayna's mother's name?"

The Dwarf looked at him puzzled.

"Isn't that just Hayna's mother?"

...Huh?

Aiwass was taken aback for a moment.

Then the Dwarf realized and explained, "Many villagers in this village are nameless... except for the children born in recent years."

"No... names?"

This time, Aiwass was truly astonished.