A Chronometric Defect

I look back down at the elves.

"Knowing the risks, do you accept?"

"Risks? I risk being killed for breaking a branch off the most random tree possible. Last week, an elf was killed for doing exactly that to a nearly dead pine in the middle of an otherwise thriving grove. We were all baffled why she cared about that tree when it was so deathly diseased— it was killing all the other trees around it!"

I look at him while feeling a bit of resignation.

"This is what the gods are, Todrian. At least, according to the personality of the one I met, and the several others who approved of his actions. Which makes them diseased beings sapping the life of everything they touch. We may care for the sick and feeble, as well we should. But! When they inflict us, willingly, with their diseases because they cannot be bothered to reciprocate our love and affection? Only a fool could ever appreciate thus."

His eyes widen.

"That— that's very true. Just like how she twisted my pride so I would hate others. I stand by what I said, Chronomet. You're definitely an intelligent god. I accept."

The other four elves speak up.

"I accept."

"As do I."

"Yes, I accept."

"I accept also."

"Five to zero. Chronomet, the elven nation of Qventeria, led by the capital of Qventeria Forest, submits itself to your divine hoard. Please. We beg that you accept our tribute."

He bows to me. The other four do as well.

"I shall accept as well. I accept you all, with open arms and brightly-lit eyes. For the treasure that awaits our collective conquest has not shrank, but today, has grown."

Dracosect's booming voice resounds.

"Like I did, my god!"

Damnit, Dracosect! I was trying to sound cool.

A few of the elves snicker at his faux pas. Todrian's smile grows wider. I can see he's also trying to not laugh.

Rah well. Glory is earned in battle, not in peaceful submission. Perhaps it's good they're laughing.

Pathfinder, show all elves— rawh, that's easily a billion. Hroh. Makes sense, this is its own continent after all.

I swiftly spread out my Origin Threads from my entire self. They spread like a grand tapestry across the night sky.

Each translucent thread wavers and glints under the moonlight. The elves stare with wonderment at their ethereal form, one of them pointing. But it's evident everyone's already looking. Dracosect, too, is watching with bated breath.

I need to do this all at once. If I leave anyone unprotected, she might smite them merely to be petty. Who knows? I'd rather not find out.

More and more Origin Threads spool out from my body. Soon, one point seven billion glimmering lines blanket the night. They waver and glow like a sheet of gems amongst a dark sea.

Finally, I have every single elf in my sights.

And—

I push the threads forward simultaneously.

They vanish, instantly connecting every elf with my Origin.

I wait for a moment.

Nothing happens.

She doesn't care that her entire species on this planet just got 'wiped out' from her perspective? Is it because she thinks the planet exploded? But wouldn't she at least look? She can't see me directly, but she should still be able to look. I think. I don't fully know how the gods' vision works. Can she see through the trees or—

"Lord Chronomet, I can surely tell: we've become one with your hoard. Has she attacked you?"

...

"No. I'm very sorry, Todrian. She has not."

"Sorry? Why— oh. No, Chronomet. I've long suspected that was how she felt. I think we all did. It's sad to have confirmation, but, I also feel like a great weight has been lifted. I'm finally free."

I feel bad for him, but he's right: she doesn't seem to care. She's indifferent to him and his kind.

"Free, indeed! My hoard imposes no demands other than the sermon you watched. Only dragons like Dracosect here have additional responsibilities."

I gesture at Dracosect, whose already huge body stands pridefully taller at his mention.

"You consider Dracosect a dragon?"

"What is he but a dragon? In some ways, he's even more faithful to the form and ways of a dragon than the very dragons whom I've taken under my care. His prideful body is a reflection of how much he has already added to my hoard. He gave up everything he once was to become a better being. Not merely in form, but also in mindset. I want to reward him more, in fact."

He surprisingly quietly responds.

"I will never have done enough, my god."

Hreh. It seems he was starting to get ashamed.

"Which is because no dragon is ever sated by 'enough,' Dracosect. You are a dragon."

*chk*

*chk*

Dracosect starts shivering. Not with fear, no, but with excitement. First time I've seen that.

Todrian bows his head.

"I, too, feel pride in joining such a hoard. Thank you for everything, God Chronomet."

The four council members speak in unison.

They bow their heads as well.

"God Chronomet."

"Then, I'll be leaving. Dracosect and I have more to discuss."

"Yes, my god. I've already told our library to forward all the originals of our documents to your temple via spatial displacement. It's like transference, but it instead swaps one section of space with another. If the spell's Mana channel is canceled, they swap back. It's usually less convenient as it constantly drains Mana while the spell is active, but it's also much easier to cast than transference. Plus, we can retrieve the originals once you're done."

Roh, now that's neat. I hadn't heard of this, even though I've eaten several strong mages. Also, I notice I never saw him use a communication array.

I made that thing alongside Aitos, whose memories I've integrated. I'd know if he used it; he definitely didn't.

"Ah. If you're wondering, it's mind magic, god Chronomet. Sending, specifically."

I was, so I'll say as much.

"I'll split myself and review the documents you've so quickly sent. I'd like to discuss with one of your best mages about this 'spatial' and 'mind' magic when possible. I know it's late. Whenever they're available—"

"Now, my god. I'm available right now. The highest council member is always our strongest mage. If someone can defeat my magic, they can take my position even if they're not an elf. I would then fight the other council members for one of their spots, assuming I wanted to remain a leader."

The other four back away from him slightly. I take it he's more than a little bit stronger than the rest of the council.

Amusingly, this suggests I could've subjugated them by defeating him in battle. But, rah, I didn't want to do that. The only thing I like more than battle is when someone submits treasure to my hoard willingly. Especially when I've used only words and a show of my personal strength.

Though.

That means I'm getting the purest treasure, by the most draconic means possible, from a group who wants nothing more than to submit everything they possess.

To me. Specifically because I'm a powerful dragon.

Just thinking about it... I... I feel my draconic instincts going absolutely wild. I'm not even scratching my 'armor' or fooling with the Dragonpower Sigil. I just gained this planet's entire elf species... They wanted my protection... My power... Forever! This is— this is too much!!!

I need to do something before I completely fall to pieces.

Right NOW!

"Alright, then. Let's go to my temple and have a discussion. I'll transfer you along with a copy of mine."

I split off a copy of myself, the exact same size as my current body.

"My god, is that some kind of cloning skill or magic? But I didn't feel anything like that."

"No, it's literally... Me."

My copy waves. Rehm, I suppose, I wave.

"Hi."

"My god, If you don't mind, how are you doing that?"

Sheesh, Todrian. Stop being amazed. You just made it even worse. Please let me go already.

But I can't help myself. I need to show off!

"My dragon body is many times larger than this planet. It is currently compressed into the form you see before you. If I wanted, I could pop the whole world into my maw and eat it like a candy. Which means splitting myself like this is child's play. It's something I 'can do' because I'm so ridiculously powerful. Though, the godslaying weapon did help teach me how."

He looks a bit fearful, but mostly stunned. Todriiian.

"I would be proud to instruct you on mind and spatial magic, my god. In fact. You said, you can read memories? Please, I ask that you read mine, so you may learn these magics. I would be forever ashamed if I were any less contributing to your hoard. I wish nothing but to add further to your already immense glory."

He bows again. Firmly, and without fear.

Now he wants to submit his mind itself to my hoard.

...

Only the fact it'd be too embarrassing. Only that's keeping me from falling apart right now. I must maintain my pride!

"Are you sure? I've promised I wouldn't read the elves' minds. I don't want to renege on that promise so soon."

He starts shaking.

"The elves, no. But I too hope to one day become a dragon like you. I find myself wanting to follow in your giant clawed footsteps, even though we've only met for a short time. Please, acknowledge my wish. God Chronomet."

Hoooh. So it wasn't all veneration. Thank you Todrian; I was almost beyond able to deal with my instincts.

"You seem afraid."

"My dearest god, Chronomet. I fear deeply that I may never be good enough to be a dragon. Please. I beg of you. Please accept my offer."

...

Are you friggin'... You MUST be doing this on purpose. This has to be an act.

"T— then, I shall do as you've requested. I can't currently transform your body. However, if you live as we dragons do? Then a day may come when your earnest desire is mirrored by reality."

"Thank you! God Chronomet!"

Jeez, he's crying.

I can't anymore. I can't. My mind is starting to malfunction.

"Absholutely, Todrian. I'll tranhsfer you now, I have other urgent businesss that hass come up."

He doesn't seem to notice I'm slurring my words. He nods.

I transfer him to my temple.

"Dracossect, I'll be back in a while. Do as you pleasse until I cohntact you again. We'll discusss the token at that time."

He notices something's off, but then thinks for a moment and grins. Ugh— he KNOWS I'm struggling after getting so much treasure freely piled onto my hoard.

"Yes, my god!"

It's fine. I trust him to not make fun of me. He's my favorite dragon for a good reason. His form is one half, his personality the other. His whole self, I guess.

Ah, crap. Thinking about the fact I have such an excellent subordinate just pushed me over the top.

I'm going to pass out.

I shrink myself down to 20 meters, transfer myself to the rest facility under my temple, and flop silently onto a bed. I immediately start drooling enough that the floor is covered. My mind isn't able to function anymore.

I twitch and stare blankly as my mind is inundated by a all-encompassing sense of my own draconic glory. Yet, that same glorious dragon is lying on a bed, unable to go be an even better dragon at this very moment.

My mind tries to regain its function one last time, but fails.

Maybe if I just... Take... A short nap...

Hra... How ironic...