RE: Reality Smuggler (R-18)

After running through the dense forest, I finally reached the lake, where I saw something incredible. Well, two things.

As far as the eye could see, densely packed Kin worshipped the central dome. It was a literal greyish-green sea of groveling and kneeling monsters. 

And looking toward the lake, I saw giant salamanders near the bank shores. From their docile behavior, they also worshiped the Spore Spreader.

And then there was the dome itself. A new dome layer was being superimposed over the first dome, 100m away, and growing in real-time. From initial estimation, it would take five days to complete.

Looking at the rows upon rows of Kin, over a hundred thousand of them, all indirectly worshipping me, I felt a mixture of complex emotions.

Part of me felt glad, knowing that they are all loyal believers. My believers. They are now my people and devoted servants. Of course, it was a good thing.

And my other part felt disgusted and fearful, mostly of myself. They are slaves without shackles. They are under spiritual servitude. I drilled my faith into their skulls.

"I'm a monster... I just performed mass religious brainwashing. I have enslaved their minds and spirits! How am I better than those nutjob religious and ideological schools and families who indoctrinate their children from a young age?!" ¹Really, one of the greatest evils of all.

My face turned sour at the thought.

It was then that Trod spoke.

{What is free will?}

"The ability to act without constraint and at my discretion." - I answered with pursed lips.

I already knew he was giving me a moral lesson.²Take what Trod says with a spoonful of salt, as I am trying to put myself in the objective viewpoint of a veteran outer god as a mortal writer(Which is like being a computer). Of course, I try to make my writing as objective and as researched as possible, but it might come off as me trying to preach(LOL) my ideas.

{That is what you were taught to believe. Free will is but a self-constructed illusion. Mortals are slaves to preconceived beliefs and values, thinking of them uncritically, whether good or bad. External influences and factors such as upbringing, societal norms, culture, and environment are intangible and nearly unbreakable shackles accompanying them for the rest of their lives. Like how 1+1=2, or how god is real or not, and what nature he takes.}

"... What is your point?" - I narrowed my eyes.

{Influence power indoctrinates those under its influence into believing in you as their god. It changes their beliefs and values, unshackling some of their bonds and replacing them with yours. They are voluntary servants by their definition, giving the illusion of free will.}

"And how does that make me any better than those nutjobs?!" - I retorted.

{Simple. You are real, while their beliefs are flawed and false, for they are the spiritual constructs of man to explain what they cannot and refuse to fathom, a failing and sometimes detrimental way for spiritual calmness. You, on the other hand, can offer them real and tangible benefits for their faith.}

"Fine, I get it! But I don't like... THIS!" - I said and looked at the prostrating monsters.

{This is just a side-effect of too much influence power flooding them. Like how too much water is poisonous, so is influence power. Although it wouldn't kill them, it would make them monk-like, only performing their daily necessities and tasks before praying. A temporary solution is to reduce the influence power, gradually returning them to normal. However, you risk losing your believers in this way. A more permanent solution would be to construct a religious dogma. For example, allowing only one hour of prayer each day and not working more than 10 hours.}

"And what if they don't like these dogmas? What if they are detrimental to them?" - I voiced my doubts.

{That is even simpler. Just assign the task of making up a dogma to your Zealots while conveying the direction you wish your faith to take.}

"... Somehow, I feel like you are comparing this to running a company." - I narrowed my eyes.

{Because it is. A god is like the owner of a company, while his Zealots are his employees, believers are customers, and mental energy is money. Does the owner of a company need to trouble himself with managerial hogwash? No. That is the role of your managers. If you insist, tell them your intended development direction, vision, goals, and company ethics, and they will handle things to the best of their abilities.}

"Okay, you made a solid point. I'll speak with Primrose about it." 

With that decided, I walked to the dome.

Luckily, I was allowed to pass through the horde because of a path inside.

Soon, I reached the dome's entrance and met Primrose, who hadn't changed much, and a violet-haired man.

He was an impossibly handsome man with well-defined muscles, bronzed skin, lavender eyes, and an amethyst on his forehead. He wore a runic golden armor and held a golden spear upright, with a dagger tied to his belt.

"Iver." "Divine One!" - They both said.

Primrose smiled brightly and nodded while the man knelt like a knight or soldier meeting his lord.

I smiled and nodded at Primrose and then turned to the man.

"Sir Nix, please stand up." - I said with pursed lips.

"Yes, Divine One." - Nix stood up.

"And please call me Iver. I hate to Stand On Ceremony. It makes me feel distant." - I said with the same tepid expression.

"Yes... Iver. Then, please call me Nix." - Nix said, an evaluating flicker in his eyes.

"Good. Please follow me, the both of you." - I said and walked inside.

The two silently nodded and followed me to the left mini-dome.

While walking, I was secretly on guard against Nix, ready to teleport at any time, but he didn't attack.

"Either he is waiting for the right moment, the brainwashing succeeded completely, or he doesn't wish to attack."

"I can understand the first two, but if it is the latter, why? Why would he do this? That is the same as putting a slave collar on himself. Does he crave power? Or is it... No. I'll know it soon."

Casting the distracting thoughts aside, I entered the left mini-dome and sat on the floor.

"Please, sit." - I gestured to both of them.

The two nodded at me, and Primrose sat where I pointed, and Nix put aside his spear and then sat.

Once I confirmed they were both properly seated, I spoke.

"Primrose, I haven't seen you these last four days. How are you?" - I asked with a smile.

"I am fine, Iver. Everything went as I reported earlier." - Primrose smiled back.

"Good, good... And what about you, Nix? You wished to talk with me, right?" - I asked.

"Yes, Iver. I wish to express my resolve to join your cause." - Nix expressed.

"But why? What reason do you have? You already read Primrose's mind and know some of my secrets. And I am sure you know that you are being influenced, and your values and beliefs are being overwritten. Why are you not trying to kill me? And why do you want to join some random god who enslaves your people?" - I asked, curious.

Nix silently looked at me. His eyes showed no surprise at my blunt questions as he nodded and spoke just as bluntly.

"Indeed. If it were on your first days here, I would take my chances to kill you at all costs. Despite the great benefits you can bring, I see what you are doing as glorified enslavement. And I am already your servant, and I like it, whether I originally wanted to or not." - Nix gently smiled.

There was no malice or grievances, no vengeance or sorrow. There was only worship and contentment in his eyes.

It wasn't because the original Nix wanted it but because he was brainwashed to an irrational extent.

"And I suppose you hated the idea before." - I said.

"Yes. Before I came here, the idea sickened me to the core. But now, I feel only spiritual contentment and joy." - Nix had true joy in his eyes.

"... Then why? Why did you come here, knowing you are shackling yourself and handing this world over to me.?" - I asked.

"Because I see the spiritual enslavement of my people as inevitable, and you would not have any other way... And that it was not necessarily a bad thing. I see it as an opportunity for my people. We can enter a synergetic relationship, with you getting our faith energy and some resources, and military power in exchange for your support and patronage. And it is also for protection." - Nix explained.

"Protection? From what? The aliens?" - I raised an eyebrow.

Nix nodded and then shook his head.

"No. The aliens are only part of it. I am more concerned about foreign gods." - Nix said worriedly.

"Foreign gods?" - My expression turned weirder.

"Indeed. If you exist in this world, a god who supports us Humans and Ascended, isn't it reasonable that there might be a few more gods in this galaxy? Gods that protect other races?" - Nix smiled and pointed to the sky.

"..."

"Trod? Is there merit to his words?" - I asked warily.

{His logic is correct. There might be other divine beings in this reality. Similarly, there might be none. Aside from faith energy, this reality is practically barren. Some desperate lower divinities might take refuge to regain their power, with most of them departing or starving to death and leaving inheritances and some descendants here. However, even in this universe, the chances of meeting anything higher than a pseudo-god are close to zero, let alone in this galaxy. But remember, everything is possible. You might need to face a pseudo-god with a proper inheritance and established faith when you expand your influence to the starry skies, or they might come to your doorstep.}

"Welp, shit. There goes my sandbox plan."

I then looked at Nix, who waited patiently.

"I understand your reasoning now, Nix. So, I would like to ask for your opinion. How would you like me to treat you and your people?" - I curiously asked.

At my words, Nix brightened up.

"I won't ask for much. All I want is relative freedom and fairness." - Nix bowed, his hand over his heart.

"Relative freedom and fairness? That is a broad request. Elaborate." - I said.

At my question, Nix raised his head and smiled.

"There isn't much to it. All I ask is that, aside from some time dedicated to worshipping you, we will have autonomy over our lives. I want them to function in their daily lives and think for themselves. I want them to enjoy life and not be pious monks. Of course, they can pray for spiritual contentment or mental energy regeneration, but not on the level of damaging their daily lives. In other words, I wish you to enact doctrines to prevent us from living like monks."

"I also hope you do not misuse your godly status to mistreat my defenseless people. Of course, you are above the law, but I hope you do not perform... punishable offenses or morally questionable conducts."

"And finally, I would like you to be fair with resources. Although we will be willing to support you with everything we have, I hope you don't take too much. Also, although we can act as your soldiers and workers, please don't overdraft us and give proper compensation for our efforts to serve you. And finally, it would be nice to have some of the energy we contribute fed back to us. We are giving our energy to you, so it would be nice to get something back out of it."

"I hope I have not stepped out of my bounds for this humble request." - Nix said with a humble smile.

"... No, it is well within reason. I come from an alternate reality, your equivalent to the early 21st century, and I am an American citizen and was raised to believe in human rights and freedom. Even if you didn't mention these points, I would have done it anyways. Truthfully, I wanted to discuss things with the both of you about it." - I smiled back.

To my words, Nix's eyes widened before his smile turned wary.

"It seems like I was worried for nothing." - Nix said embarrassedly.

"Perhaps, but I appreciate your courage." - I honestly said.

It is hard to find selfless people like this. At least, I don't think I am so noble.

"I just did what anyone would do." - Nix warily said.

"All that said, I heard you wanted to evolve. Right, Nix?" - I asked.

To my question, Nix's expression turned serious.

"Yes. I would like that very much. Can you please give me this opportunity, Iver?" - Nix asked hopefully.

"Because you are the first Ascended to join me willingly, I'll gladly do it. But, before I do, would you like to become my Zealot?" - I asked with a serious expression.

Nix widened his eyes, surprised, but quickly recomposed himself and lowered his head.

"It would be an honor, My Lord." - He said solemnly.

"Hm. However, I recently transformed a Zealot and can't convert you into one for the next four days. In the meantime, I can allow you to strengthen your body in preparation for your evolution, but avoid evolving. If you evolve, it will make the conversion costlier." - I explained.

"Yes, thank you, My Lord." - Nix said in gratitude.

"Please just call me Iver..." - I said with a bitter smile.

"Do you hate it that much? Are you not an incarnation of a god?" - Nix asked, surprised.

"I wasn't born one. I became one after being chosen as a worthy vassal for his power. In truth, I am like a Zealot, just a more powerful one. In my mind, I still feel very human and mortal." - I spoke half-truthfully.

"Then why didn't he just make you a god?" - He asked quizzically.

"The outer god I now embody, Ic'thotl'itrod—"

Suddenly, both Primrose and Nix frowned and scrunched their faces in discomfort.

I knew immediately what happened.

"Ah... Sorry about that. I was excited to talk about it that I accidentally spoke in True Tongue. Are you guys okay?" - I said with a hint of apology.

"I'm fine, Iver. It just stung my head a bit." - Primrose said while rubbing her head.

"Same." - Nix pinched his nose bridge.

"I'll shorten his name to Trod, then. He is cool with it." - I smiled warily.

"... Please do." - Nix nodded.

"Anyways... although Trod is unfathomably powerful, he loves challenges, evolution, and growth. Even to his avatar or incarnation, he would not straightforwardly give the power of a god, but let him face challenges to grow in experience, will, and character."

I decided to tell them the truth... most of it, anyway. I only didn't add that Ic'thotl'itrod is thoroughly dead, and I am carrying his divine fragment.

To my words, Nix nodded.

"It makes sense. Giving godly powers to someone without experience is foolish." - Nix said with understanding.

"In any case, let us return to the main subject. First, I want to create a religious dogma, and I want both of you to develop it with the freedom you want in mind." - I smiled and said.

"Yes, Iver. I will do my best." - Primrose smiled and nodded.

However, Nix stared at me, wide-eyed and stunned.

"You want me to help make your religious dogma?!" - Nix asked incredulously.

"You wanted freedom, correct? Nothing is more free than giving you the right to make your own rules." - I smirked.

Nix had a complicated expression and wanted to say something, but in the end, he just nodded.

"Thank you."

"Don't sweat it. Anyways, after I convert you into a Zealot and evolve you, you will have a lot of work on your hands." - I smiled.

And then my eyes turned to the outside and scowled at the sight of the groveling monsters.

"But first, how about we limit the prayer time and the location? Starting now." - I said with narrowed eyes.

Primrose and Nix looked at each other.

"For now, how about half an hour a day for those who don't need to restore their mental energy?" - Primrose suggested.

"Yes, Archd— Primrose, and we should let them pray at designated times, but it should not interfere with their duty." - Nix added.

"And the place should..."

After they discussed it for another minute, the Kin stood up and left the dome. They received the newly made law.

Although the energy-gathering efficiency dropped by over half, I was willing to pay the price.

Sighing in relief, I then looked at the two.

"Do you know any method to gather spores for terraforming a planet?" - I asked.

"... You're not planning to convert your homeworld, are you?" - Nix warily looked at me.

He wasn't the only one. Primrose also looked at me strangely.

"I plan to terraform an uninhabited world." - I said with pursed lips.

Primrose and Nix looked visibly relieved.

"The Spore Spreader can create a terraforming fruit containing all the genetic data and variety it needs. However, it will require around a month to grow and mature. A single one can suffice, but to make the spread faster, take some more." - Primrose said.

"Good. Make a hundred, then. Oh, and I have something for you." - I remembered and took out a cloth and spread it.

Primrose's eyes lit up while Nix looked curiously.

"I brought some pastries and desserts." - I smiled and took out what I kept.

Cookies, Macarons, Croissants, Donuts, Hot chocolate(Inside a temperature control mug), and everything else that can kill a diabetes patient.

"Pick your poison." - I grinned.

"Yes!" - Primrose cheered and ate a macaron with relish.

"Can I have one?" - Nix blinked at pointed at a croissant.

"Go ahead. There's plenty of it." - I smiled and took a cookie.

Nix smiled, took the croissant, and took a bite.

"Mm... I have memories of it but never got to eat it before." - Nix said while savoring the taste.

"Oh? What do you eat, then?" - I asked curiously.

"Usually raw food, cooked, or boiled food. Some of us are dedicated cooks for the community, but they usually prepare food en masse, while the rest do other things. No leisure to produce artisan bread, but the food is good thanks to all the spices and herbs we grow." - Nix shrugged.

"Nice. How is life in your community, anyways?" - I asked.

"Well..."