Chapter 30: The Naming Convention of the New Language

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Amanises steered the conversation toward Hermaeoni’s progress in creating written characters.

“Weren’t you planning to use your writing system to stir the emotions of the entire tribe? How is it coming along? The Beyonder characteristic has been sitting here with me so long, it’s practically ready to give birth.”

As Amanises became increasingly integrated into tribal life, Her words and actions had acquired a touch more human warmth.

This was also an outcome She had deliberately sought.

The closer She drew to humanity, the more peaceful and stable Her mental state became, despite having once been human and now being a Demon Wolf.

Moreover, ever since being struck by that “mysterious brick,” She was still troubled by that source, but the severity and frequency of the disturbances had both eased.

Amanises had Her own conjecture. The various peculiarities displayed by Hermaeoni were probably closely related to that brick. Perhaps it was something from the Earth of their former world—an item they would have called a “cheat.”

Still, Amanises had no intention of investigating the matter in depth. Although Her temperament was forceful, and She had no aversion to ruthless methods when survival demanded them, She was not so domineering as to seize everything for Herself.

Besides, She had always prioritized prudence and had no desire to disrupt this steadily improving state.

Unaware of the many thoughts in Amanises’s mind, Hermaeoni smiled with considerable satisfaction when the subject of word creation came up.

“Almost finished. At the latest, by the end of the year. I plan to announce this language—which will make it easier for humans to draw upon the forces of nature—at the festival celebrating the New Year.”

Hermaeoni also intended to use the New Year ceremony and the unveiling of the new language to stir the emotions of the entire tribe, thereby completing the advancement ritual for the Manipulator.

After that would come brewing the potion, creating a divine image, and dealing with the attention of the Giants and the other races. She had already made arrangements for each of these matters.

Amanises nodded, calculating the appropriate time for Her to consume the characteristic. Then She asked, “Have you decided on a name for the new script?”

“Uh… not yet.” Hermaeoni scratched Her head.

In the video story, there had been a human script known as Ancient Hermes. Hermaeoni instinctively sensed some connection between Herself and Hermes, as if they were the same individual from different timelines—something like Loki, perhaps.

But She had no means of proving it.

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“Hermaeoni Script? Hermes Script? Hermione Script?”

“Which name do you think is better?” She looked at Amanises.

Amanises pondered. “Naming a language is very important. Different methods of naming can even lead to different emphases when drawing upon the forces of nature. For example, Giantish is more conducive to invoking ‘might,’ while Draconic is more conducive to invoking ‘mystery’…”

“As for naming it after your own name… that does accord with your anchor theory. All three of these names can be considered your true name.”

Amanises smiled at Hermaeoni with profound meaning.

Hermaeoni naturally understood the implication. But until She held truly powerful strength in Her hands, She had no intention of tearing away that veil. It was not that She feared Amanises coveting the secrets within Her. Rather, whether the “Chaos Sea” or “God Almighty,” both were subjects that might invite danger.

Amanises continued, “‘Hermaeoni’ would associate the new language most closely with you personally. ‘Hermes’ would make it better suited to invoking masculine forces, while ‘Hermione’ embodies the concept of ‘simplification.’”

After saying this, Amanises paused, then suddenly asked, “Have you never considered naming it ‘Human’?”

“‘Human’…” Hermaeoni murmured.

Amanises analyzed the matter. “Just as we have Draconic and Giantish, naming a language after a race… ‘Human’ would strengthen the might of humans who used it, while reducing the convenience it offered to other races. Although it could still be used to draw upon the forces of nature, it would be like how we suffer a disadvantage against dragons when using Draconic to invoke power, or against giants when using Giantish.”

“Of course, this method of naming clearly cannot maximize your anchor theory, because a name is the most direct expression of how people perceive you. The anchor of ‘Creator of the Human Language’ would become somewhat more obscure.”

“Furthermore, the limitations imposed by the race would constrain your future development. If you named it ‘Hermaeoni Script,’ ‘Hermes Script,’ or ‘Hermione Script,’ perhaps the Giant Kingdom would make an exception and admit you into their race. The Dragon Kingdom might even invite you to join them.”

Hermaeoni raised an eyebrow. “Even though I’ve consumed a dragon’s characteristic?”

Amanises shook Her head. “Under the mutual desire to devour one another, even races such as dragons and giants can hardly avoid instances of ‘cannibalism.’ If not for the active intervention of their two ‘kings,’ the circumstances within their races would be little better than those of the Demon Wolves.”

Amanises gave a faint, derisive laugh. “The fact that you consumed a dragon’s characteristic can be phrased another way: you accepted a dragon’s gift. After all, you never truly hunted and killed a dragon. That, in fact, could become one of the reasons they invite you.”

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Even though they could not escape the confusion and madness originating from the mingling of Beyonder characteristics, the hearts of the high-ranking figures among these various races were truly vile.

But “Human”…

Hermaeoni was moved. Although naming the language this way would make its anchor less direct and precise, and would prevent its spread from covering the other races as effectively, it would undoubtedly do more to promote the development of humanity.

More importantly, beyond this altruistic consideration, Hermaeoni knew very clearly that in the future epochs—especially the Fifth Epoch, before the apocalypse arrived—humanity would be the foundation of the gods’ faith.

The mysterious authority returned to Her by “Human” would continue to expand as humanity’s share of the world grew.

Besides, Hermaeoni’s circumstances were different from Hermes’s. She had never intended to make the new language Her most relied-upon anchor.

With the advantages of foresight, the relationships She had cultivated, and Her efforts to guide humanity’s development, there were far more matters She could arrange and involve Herself in than Hermes in the video ever could.

If She lacked even this confidence, if She lacked even this ambition, She might as well lie down and wait for the Ancient Sun God to awaken and carry Her along with the Goddess of the Night.

After pondering for a long while, Hermaeoni reached a preliminary decision. She asked Amanises for confirmation.

“If I name it ‘Human,’ what do you think the other races and the ancient gods would think? I mean—would they react with hostility or goodwill?”

Amanises frowned in thought. After remaining silent for a moment, She said:

“This cannot be predicted with precision. But the three races that possess Giantish, Draconic, and Elvish would probably not be wary… because humanity is too weak to pose any danger to them. Moreover, a racial language called ‘Human’ would not help the Sanguines, Phoenixes, Chimeras, Demon Wolves, or other races that already use Draconic or Giantish improve their efficiency in drawing upon the forces of nature.”

“By comparison, names such as ‘Hermaeoni Script,’ lacking the effect of strengthening one particular race while weakening others, would slightly increase the strength of races such as the Sanguines and Phoenixes.”