Chapter 37: There Was Once Someone Who Stood Like a Nobody

"Orsechus."

Hermione nodded in greeting as she looked at the man who opened the door. She naturally recognized this young man, of whom Severus was most proud. Even the heavy clothing required for the bitter winter could not conceal his handsomeness and vitality; he possessed that warm, warding-off-evil aura often spoken of in tribal legends.

He appeared sufficiently confident yet touched with a hint of humility—a demeanor so meticulously feigned that it seemed genuine. Yet, Hermione could see that in the depths of this blonde youth’s heart, there existed only pride and indifference.

Before a Sequence 4 "Manipulator," such disguises of emotion and attitude could not escape Her eyes, even without actively peering into the island of his mind. Faced with these beings devoid of divinity, the stage of a "Manipulator" allowed for the observation and analysis of surface details, auras, and etheric bodies to be reduced to a matter of reflexive intuition.

Entering the room, Hermione saw Severus rise and bow his head toward Her. She said calmly, "Let us sit and talk. You have entrusted the reception duties to Orsechus?"

Severus, having sat back down, coughed twice and replied, "Yes. It is time he shoulders the expectations and the future of the tribe. Praise be to my Lord; I hope you might offer him some guidance."

Hermione remained noncommittal. "You have been in contact with the Giants longer than I have. In your view, do you believe the Giants are a superior race capable of communication, possessing a moral code and a way of thinking similar to humans?"

Severus could not gauge Hermione’s intent. On this specific subject, he had held severe disagreements with Hermione’s mentor, leading to countless arguments in the council chamber. After that old councilor passed away, Hermione, who replaced him, had used far more forceful methods to restrict his plans, making it difficult for him to realize his ambitions within the tribe.

Yet, at the same time, she had loosened the restrictions on his personal communication with the Giants, allowing him to understand and grow closer to them. This state of affairs persisted until Hermione’s disappearance, which allowed him to gain some momentum. Even after Hermione’s return, he had been excluded from the decision-making circle regarding tribal affairs.

What Severus had not expected was that this First Councilor, long in silence, would ascend and completely turn the tables, leaving even him to act obediently as Her believer.

When asked about the Giants, Severus nodded, his attitude humble yet firm: "Yes, this is my consistent and unwavering belief. Even though you have attained divinity, it cannot change my mind."

***

Severus could not imagine, nor had he ever witnessed, the methods of a "Manipulator," who could directly tamper with his subconscious, compelling him to act in various ways without his awareness.

Hermione had come for information, so she naturally refrained from such actions. She said with a neutral expression, "Then let us chat casually, Councilor Severus. Haven’t you always wanted to change my mind? Perhaps today is the opportunity."

At this moment, Orsechus brought over a wooden tray with two cups of wine containing suspended impurities—these were distributed during the festival. As Severus aged, he grew fonder of wine, but he drank it sparingly, so there was always some left in his home.

Hermione declined the gesture and took a cup of clear water from the side, placing it on the table before Her. Water treated by a "Sun Priest" was exceptionally clean.

The slightly aged Severus did not hesitate. The principles that had run through his career as a councilor and the corresponding factual foundations were well-practiced in his mind. He spoke slowly:

"Among the pan-human races, the Vampires have the vile habit of feeding on the blood of other races, and the Elves are far away in the deep seas. The only ones who can provide protection to us humans are the Giants."

"Furthermore, since humans began recording history, we have observed that the Giants have evolved a sense of morality similar to our own. They care for one another within their kin, having completely abandoned the savage wildness of cannibalism, and have sprouted preliminary order and a certain degree of civilization."

Extraordinary races with transcendent power could build magnificent and towering structures and harvest abundant food, but because most individuals in their groups existed in a semi-mad state, unable to control their various desires, it was difficult for them to lead an orderly life. In Severus's eyes, the Giants were the perfect objects of reliance.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at this. "The order you speak of is only maintained because the Giants are forced to restrain their excessive behaviors by the threat of their 'King.' For instance, the divine attendants of the Giants restrain their mythical creature forms precisely because of that King’s demands."

To this, Severus countered: "Regardless of the reason, as long as this restraint exists, it is a progress of civilization, and it provides a foundation for further communication and exchange."

"This is why I have insisted on a deeper alliance with the Giants, and why our ancestors initially chose to seek the Giants' protection! And the great King is eternal; our tribe’s friendship with the Giants will also endure!"

The so-called alliance and friendship were, in reality, a sugar-coating for total "submission"—a common tactic of Severus.

"However..." Severus shifted his tone, sighing slightly. "I also know that the mental state of the Giants is not as peaceful as ours. They often perform uncontrollable acts, and the more powerful the Giant, the more obvious this tendency."

"In fact, within the Giant race, this madness is associated with power. It is widely believed that the more powerful one is, the madder they become, and they do not restrain the accumulation of this madness."

"But... there are also Giants, such as the powerful and beautiful Giant Queen, the 'Goddess of Harvest,' who once took the initiative to discuss with me why humans are always able to maintain rational thought. This great deity has a keen curiosity and compassion for us humans... and for the current tribe, this is a good thing."

***

"And what was the conclusion of your discussion?" Hermione asked.

In Severus’s eyes, there flowed admiration, envy, and a trace of trepidation. He said, "Although she basically acknowledged that madness accumulates as power grows, the Goddess also believed that perhaps other factors could influence this process of accumulation."

"Because not all powerful individuals find it difficult to curb their madness. There are degrees of rationality maintained by the gods. And she believes that inspiration might be found in humans."

The "Goddess of Harvest," Omi-Bella, was also one of the Giants who had facilitated the sheltering and protection of the human tribe.

Hermione continued to listen to what Severus had mentioned many times in the council chamber. There were also parts unknown to others—the history of Severus’s communication and interaction with the Giants.

At the end, Severus asked, "After hearing so much from me, you are preparing to receive the two deities in person, are you not..."

Hermione had deliberately steered the conversation in this direction earlier. She nodded now: "I originally guessed that the Giant deities were coming for me, but after various considerations, I was not sure... After speaking with you, this view has been further confirmed."

"So, since that is the case, I shall receive them myself."

"That would be excellent." Severus’s expression remained calm, and he signaled with his eyes for Orsechus, who seemed to have something to say, to remain silent. He agreed, "For you, the first transcendent human with divinity and our First Councilor, to receive the deities—it is, of course, most appropriate."

To this, Hermione smiled and asked one final question:

"Councilor Severus, have you ever heard of the 'Forest of Decay' in the Giant Kingdom?"