I heard the cry while investigating the blasted fence by Gatarototus, and again now too. It seems something very pitiful is earnestly calling for help.
"Hey Gar, I am serious! I really am hearing some child's cry for help. It's not that far from here too, I think."
"Hmmm, maybe because your hidden god Gene is kicking in."
"What Gene?!" (●__●)…?
"Everyone has some god gene in them. But because of the lack of divine power, they remain submissive. Now that divine power is constantly rising in you, you will hear it."
"So why can't you?"
"Simple, because I am on maternity leave now."
"Ah, what!!!" ('◉⌓◉')…?
"You are my child now. I am responsible for your every action. So I need to take care of you. That's why my application for maternity leave was accepted."
"In which way are you taking care of me? From the first moment we met, you are just pissing me off. And shouldn't it be fraternity leave then?"
"How rude! I have helped you overcome your fears and leave that forest. Did you forget about it?"
"..."
He got me.
"Did the cat get your tongue? Well, anyway, let's head there fast; if not, there may not be anyone to cry again. And please don't use too much of your power; I was getting warnings for overuse of power by the system."
"Then don't make me. It was your fault anyway."
And thus, we flew towards our destination while arguing with each other.
We came over a festival. While floating in stealth, I asked Gargian,
"I think the child probably lost its parents; that's why it was so scared."
"You are right, it really lost its parents. But it didn't cry for that. Look."
He pointed towards the pedestal at the centre of the festival.
Seven children of different species were bowing towards the crowd. I thought it was some way of showing respect. People were screaming, shouting, and throwing their hands around.
"What is this? Is it a dance or stage drama or something else? People seem to like it."
"Look closely, those are not happy faces but angry faces full of disgust."
"Why?"
"Their parents were traitors, so they were burned to death. As for the children, they will also die, but a painless death — by beheading them!"
"But what have those innocent children done? No one there seems older than 12 years old. And the youngest is only 8!"
"They sinned by being born from those parents. But as they weren't directly involved, they are being executed painlessly."
"What the hell is wrong with this kingdom? Innocents will be killed, and they are celebrating it like a festival! They are not even old like King Charles (he was also executed publicly)."
"Huh, all the spectators who came here don't care whether it's right or wrong. Most of them are just here to ENJOY the show."
Really, I couldn't believe these people! I even saw women who were breastfeeding their children also present to see the execution. Sigh.
I saw the utter foolishness of all humans. One of the king's officials ordered the children to put their necks on the block if they wished to see their parents. The king and his family were sitting there, laughing and gossiping as if it were nothing. Only the little prince had some disgusted look in his eyes. But it was hard to say if he was disgusted by the situation or by those orphaned children.
When the sun was right above our heads, some people in white robes came to the stage, lit a fire, and started chanting. It seemed like some kind of sacrificial ritual. I asked Gargian —
"Hey Gar, is this some kind of cult or offering for gods?"
"Ah, haha, (he tried to laugh it out) Every year, the 'sinned' children under 15 are executed by this ritual to offer to Goddess Kara, the god of flow, who presides over water, wind, and time."
I felt quite a rage. How can a god accept such an offer?
"Shouldn't a goddess be like a mother? OR like a STEP MOTHER?!" I asked Gargian,"Can't you do something for these innocent souls?"
"Why? The goddess will help them. If they survive, they will live a life of hell as long as they live. But if they die now, the goddess will wash their sins and help them to be reborn."
I was astonished at his way of thinking. I said,
"What nonsense are you uttering? They haven't committed any sin to be punished in the first place!"
"Well, I can't help anyway because I am restricted by the system due to our contract. As long as I am with you until your registration, nothing can be done."
Was he really telling the truth or just spitting whatever he liked out of annoyance? My soul wasn't agreeing with all this. I made up my mind: I will only listen to my heart when I don't know what to do. F*** THE WORLD!!!
"If you can't, then I will. I haven't registered into that shitty system yet, so I am still free to act on my will. And moreover, those children asked for my help, so I can't overlook it. Also, it's not like I cannot help them at all."
Then he replied, "Sure, sure, go ahead." (←_←)
People in black clothes appeared, hiding their faces with black masks. Each of them stood beside one of those pitiful children. They were ready with axes.
The king's official dropped a red handkerchief as a signal. When the executioners were about to swing the axes simultaneously — I stopped time. But it would seem that way if someone observed me from afar. Because I only bended the time.
I moved swiftly without much delay and went to the stage. First, I grabbed the sharp axes and threw them far away. Then, I took all seven children one by one and threw them towards Gargian. I also sent a telepathic message to him, saying in a serious tone, "Catch them all, and protect them."
Then I called upon lightning on the stage. And the lightning shock disrupted my magic for which the time flowed back like it used to.
The sudden lightning crushed the festive atmosphere; the crowd got distorted. Everyone was shocked and panicking, wondering what had happened. The soldiers tried to control the crowd with brute force, and the executioners were severely injured.
And then, I made a god-like appearance.
I was wearing a white robe with golden laces and surrounded by golden light. I looked extra majestic because of the lightning; the sky was still dark, so the sudden light looked truly divine. I also released my divine power.
And now, to punish them.
"O King, stand before Me and answer: what offense dost thou lay upon these frail and blameless children?"
I ordered the king to step forward and asked him what crime had these helpless children committed?
The foolish king replied on his knees after sensing my divinity, "These are the seeds of traitors, O Excellent One."
"I put the question to thee again: what sin dost thou lay at their feet?"
Again, in a harsh tone, I demanded the right answer from him.
He trembled, sensing my anger, and replied with a shaking voice, "I beg forgiveness for my inconvenience. But they are guilty for their parents' crime, O Excellent One."
"O thou imbecile! How darest thou mete out punishment for a crime these children have not committed?"
(By calling him a fool, I pointed out his insolence.)
"Now shall I deliver true justice.
I decree that thou, O King, and all thy hirelings, shall lose the strength of thy right hands, for hands unworthy of justice shall not wield power.
(I cursed the king and his servants to lose the use of their right hands, for it to be not being used for justice.)
And unto all who stand here and bear witness to this folly, I lay a curse: that thou shall be plagued by nightmares unending, and for many years shall terror be your companion.
(I also cursed the spectators to suffer from nightmares for years.)
Then I disappeared from their sight and headed to the kids, as they were frightened and confused.
When I approached them, I sensed something very unusual among one of them. So I was cautious and raised my guard . Sensing his presence, I put several barriers on me and the others.