Chapter 25: We Are Dust That Cannot Escape

The research institute is situated at the easternmost edge of the "Land of Evasion." Because of its significant distance from the tribal residential areas, it is difficult to classify it as part of the tribe's territory. Built upon a foundation of natural limestone caverns, the institute has been continuously expanded by generations of tribespeople, divided now into both subterranean cave sections and surface structures.

"This place houses the extraordinary materials we have collected, backup copies of the research conducted by our scholars, and various other less dangerous projects," Hermione explained to Amanises while helping her collect daily necessities and then arranging her own room within the institute.

"So, all of your research data is kept here?" Amanises asked, following human custom by helping to sprinkle water and sweep, then laying out animal-skin bedding on the newly moved-in wooden bed.

Hermione set down the wooden bucket full of clear water and shook her head. "Not necessarily. Research involving high levels of danger is conducted at facilities deep in the wilderness, far from the tribe. That data cannot always be transferred here in time, especially when a facility is wiped out due to loss of control..."

Hermione paused and sighed. "Even though the tribe actively organizes teams to recover those precious research materials, the fall of the researchers inevitably leaves the records incomplete. Sometimes, those facilities even become dangerous, cursed sites of disaster."

The scattered research outposts are staffed by a mix of the most powerful Beyonders—like Hermione herself—lucky individuals who have just embarked on the path of the extraordinary, and ordinary humans who are full of ideas and unafraid of danger.

After tidying up their living quarters, Hermione took Amanises on a tour of the institute, which condensed the very heart and soul of the tribe. Here, mature research findings were carved into walls or stone tablets, while complex or unverified conjectures were recorded on parchment or wax tablets. There were also sealed, off-limits research areas and material rooms guarded by Beyonders.

Amanises browsed through room after room—magnificent halls referred to as "libraries" or repurposed natural caverns—observing humanity's study of extraordinary powers and the repeatable yet perilous methods of acquiring them. However, these records lacked the vast, esoteric knowledge Hermione had once alluded to. Both implicitly chose not to discuss this.

Instead, Hermione brought up the matter of spreading faith within the tribe. "As long as it is not the invasion of faith from other extraordinary races, the Giants do not care if we humans create and propagate our own beliefs."

Hermione gave a bitter smile. "Most Giants are aloof, as if they do not care about the thoughts of ants. Of course, thanks to the communication and efforts of generations of tribal leaders, the tribe has gained the sympathy and support of a very small number of Giants in various aspects."

"Although we haven't built temples, statues of our ancestors are scattered throughout public spaces like the institute, the council hall, the plaza, and the academy. This, in essence, is the nascent form of a faith."

"In fact, statues of myself, Ouroboros, Leodero, and others are also on display. This stems from a conjecture by a late ancestor, who believed that the great divine power of the gods of extraordinary races was born from the faith of vast populations. Thus, the custom of erecting statues of living, powerful Beyonders took root in the tribe."

The idea was beautiful, but the reality was cruelly the opposite. The authority of gods is not born from faith; rather, it is the gods who possess that authority that give birth to faith. It is the prayers, submission, and conversion of living beings toward powerful entities that fuel it.

Amanises asked thoughtfully, "Have you not corrected this misconception?"

Hermione feigned ignorance of the deeper implications of the question, answering only the surface. "At that time, I hadn't yet figured many things out. Moreover, this custom carries the hopes of many in the tribe; it is not something that can be abolished just because one wishes it."

Too many people pinned their hopes on the birth of a human god through their prayers. For some, it even became the belief that sustained them in this dark and desperate era.

"If it were today, I wouldn't want to abolish this custom either," Hermione said. "Once you enter the public eye in your human form, I intend to have a statue built for you in accordance with this tradition."

Although Amanises deduced from Hermione's "anchor" theory that the faith of the masses played a significant role in maintaining her rationality, she still harbored doubts, not having truly felt this effect yet. However, Amanises lacked the arrogance of other subordinate gods and was willing to listen to the arrangements of Hermione, who possessed hidden knowledge from unknown sources. This trust was the primary reason she had left the Kingdom of Demon Wolves to follow Hermione into the human world.

"Beyonders seem quite scarce in the tribe? Since arriving, I have only seen Leodero, who greeted us, and a woman who was guarding the material room—one whose pathway is similar to mine..."

"They are indeed scarce," Hermione explained. "But it is not just us. There are thirteen seats in the tribe known as 'Councilors,' held by those with the greatest ability and prestige. Currently, eleven of these thirteen seats are filled by Sequence 5 and Sequence 6 Beyonders."

"Beyond that, there are demon-hunting squads that guard the tribe and explore, as well as research teams living in the wilderness facilities... some are Beyonders, others are ordinary humans."

Amanises nodded upon hearing this. "A fairly well-ordered system, but... I don't seem to see any of them."

Hermione sighed. "Except for those like Leodero who must remain on guard, the able-bodied—including Councilors and researchers, regardless of their duties or professions—have all been conscripted by the Giants to prepare for a sacrificial ceremony."

"Even the 'Councilors' must go?" Amanises asked, puzzled. Participating in such a ceremony was a dangerous affair; even Sequence 5 or 6 Councilors were but slightly larger ants in the eyes of the Giants.

Understanding the source of her confusion, Hermione explained, "The extremely harsh and oppressive environment, combined with the development of our ancestors' philosophies, led the tribe to adopt a survival-oriented public ownership system. The concept of private property is very weak here."

Amanises remained skeptical. "Shouldn't Sequence 5 and 6 Beyonders be precious existences to humanity? Are they not worth protecting?"

Hermione smiled. "While becoming a Beyonder, especially a powerful one, inevitably relies on a significant degree of luck... in Ilusa, and through the study of many other human tribes, we have discovered that beyond luck, becoming a Beyonder also requires a resilient will and the courage to fear nothing."

Sunlight filtered in through high, narrow windows, with dust motes dancing in the air—much like the human race, rising and falling in this desperate world. Yet, even tiny specks of dust, when gathered together, possess weight.

In the faint light, Hermione whispered softly, "It is not that those who seek to escape do not exist, but those who choose to stay will no longer flee."

"And besides... in a world like this, where else could humanity run?"

The Land of Evasion. A gathering place for those who have nowhere left to run.