Teogonia (神統記)

Our left flank is strong.

They should be able to defend the field, Baron.

But as you see, our right flank is being pushed back.

Yes.

Stay strong, maintain formation!

- Attack! -

-Manso! -Hm.

Where are you, Manso?

I'm here, Kai!

Okay, let's bring it down together!

- -

- -Huh.

-Huh. -

-Watch out! -

You face the eldest son of Moloch Vezin!

Olha!

Lord Olha!

Lord Olha has joined the battle!

Macaques who dare to invade human land,

coming here was folly.

A land God resides in me.

Now behold it.

The divine crest on his face.

I see it.

That's the proof he's a guardian bearer

protected by a land God.

- -

- -

Douomu.

Zanbo gachiku.

He has a divine crest, too!

It's a battle of guardian bearers.

We end this, human.

Very well.

- -

Lag Village has won the day, men!

Look at those monkeys fleeing in defeat!

- -

Guess we're lucky to survive another day, huh?

Yeah.

Hm.

Lord Ol-ha, a Godstone.

-Hm. -

I shall eat this with reverence.

All of you, please eat!

Here, have your share.

We give our thanks to Mother Earth.

We thank you.

And you, the spirit of the valiant land God,

for blessing us and our ancestors.

We thank you.

Huh.

Hm.

I can feel my spiritual energy increasing.

These things always make me feel more powerful!

Eating the pith of a Godstone

increases your spiritual energy

and makes you stronger, right?

If that's the case, then I want to have more.

No, you can't and nor can I.

They aren't reserved for the rank and file like us.

Shall we take these to the castle, my lord?

Hm.

Manso is correct, young Kai.

The majority of the Godstones must be given

to guardian bearers like Lord Olha.

Master Basco.

It's critical we make the strong even stronger.

Otherwise, we won't survive.

We'll die.

That is the way of our world, Kai.

You understand?

I... Yes, sir.

Majority relies on their own strength.

Godstones must always be prioritized

for guardian bearers.

Exactly, and why?

Because otherwise, we won't survive.

KAI OF LAG VILLAGE

"Kai of Lag Village."

As your Baron, I bid you all greetings.

Human lands in remote regions like ours

have long suffered attacks from demi-humans.

However, thanks to your valiant efforts,

we defended Lag Village again today.

I, Moloch Vezin, am genuinely proud of you all.

Hey, come on, let us eat already.

We give thanks to you, Mother Earth.

We thank you!

- -

Glad we finally get to eat!

It may not be much, but I'm still grateful for this meal.

It's so tough!

I wish I could have as much food as they do.

Work harder, and you might one day.

You're really lucky, Manso.

You always get a little more food than me.

Ah, it's just because I'm a squad leader.

If you get stronger, you'll get more, too.

Then, I better eat and train to get stronger.

My back!

I wouldn't be so weak if I ever got enough to eat.

Aw, I wish I could have a rice ball!

- A rice ball? -Huh.

What is this strange thing you're talking about?

I can't explain.

Just something that popped into my head.

I'm not sure what it is,

but I feel like it tastes really good.

So, this "rice ball" thing is food?

I have no idea.

Y'know, Kai, sometimes you say things

that don't make any sense.

Yeah, I know.

And I don't get it, either.

Manso, you know what those are, right?

Hm?

They're graves.

Yeah. For people with families, only.

But that mound over there is for folks who are like me,

people who don't have parents or siblings.

See the difference?

They're all covered in ivy.

My kind has no one to cry for us when we die.

It's like we're completely forgotten.

Or like we never lived in the village to begin with.

I know it can't be helped.

I can even accept that.

But I won't let it happen to me!

I'll become stronger, so that I can survive!

Hm.

My only choice is to eat the meager meals we're given,

and train harder than anyone else!

But still, I feel that's not enough.

Well, what else is there?

Something that'll help me win battles.

Something I might know nothing about.

Like an incredible ability.

Or maybe a power.

You really do say some weird stuff, Kai.

-Hear me out, Brother. -Drop it, Jose.

Father has also made it very clear.

He doesn't expect you to serve in the same capacity that I do.

But I can also--

Women of the baron's house...

needn't learn how to fight.

Not letting a woman fight?

That's absurd.

You'll never win a battle...

by retreating all the time!

- You're open! -

Hold on.

Is this...

another world?

Was that...