I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

117 – 9# The Goddess of Destruction (1)

Gaia.

The goddess of the beginning and the mother of all gods. And simultaneously, the tragic mother who couldn’t save her own children. That goddess now stood before him.

Isaac quickly pieced together the events. When did Ziegfried get involved? Or was there a reason for the original story to distort like this? He didn’t know, and it was still unclear.

But he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Isaac steeled himself. His arm was bleeding, but his resolve remained unshaken.

“You’re amazing, thinking of fighting despite that wound.”

“Is there anything else you can say in this situation?”

“You, of all people, should know. You’re a child who values family.”

The Goddess of Destruction, Gaia, saw everything. And among them, two heroes caught her eye in particular. One was Ziegfried, and the other was Isaac.

Isaac, who couldn’t deny Gaia’s words, quietly glared at her. But he didn’t attack her. Because he understood her circumstances.

“What nonsense have you been spouting since earlier?”

“This isn’t a place for you to intervene.”

“What are you doing now, trying to act like a father?”

“…….”

“Calm down, both of you.”

Ziegfried and Zieg were on the verge of fighting, but thanks to Gaia’s mediation, the fight didn’t break out. Isaac glared at Gaia. What was she trying to do?

“What are you aiming for, exactly?”

“That’s you.”

“Then let’s settle this here and now.”

“It’s not that kind of thing.”

“…Are you trying to make me a puppet like the one next to you?”

Isaac pointed at Zigfried, his voice filled with incredulity. It was ridiculous, no matter how you looked at it.

“A puppet? That’s a harsh word.”

“What else would you call it if not a puppet?”

“I’ve realized something more important.”

“What’s that?”

“The contradictions of this world.”

The contradictions of the world? This was a new concept to Isaac. He tilted his head, looking at Gaia, who was standing next to him. Zigfried, who was also standing next to him, nodded in agreement.

“Contradictions?”

“That’s right. For instance, there are arrogant gods watching from above.”

“The gods… So what?”

“Let me ask you. Do you think the gods are just?”

“No.”

Gaia’s question was met with a flat denial from Isaac. Of course, he had received a lot of help, but if all gods were just, he couldn’t agree with that.

Take Artemis, for example. She wasn’t a god who didn’t send down a divine beast to wreak havoc. And sometimes, she even placed terrible curses on humans according to her mood.

Isaac, who knew about their arrogance, couldn’t bring himself to call the gods “just,” even if it was Hera or Zeus.

“That’s surprisingly sharp.”

“They know that there’s both good and evil.”

“Then…”

“But such contradictions also exist in humans.”

It would be nice to simply curse the gods and be done with it, but unfortunately, the contradictions that existed in the gods also existed in humans. Both sides possessed contradictions and yet continued to live.

“To create a better world, to move forward even a little.”

“No, they’re not like that. They’d sacrifice anything for their own power.”

“Like your family?”

“I knew that.”

Gaia’s gentle atmosphere suddenly changed. She must have thought that Isaac had already heard about the gods. But it wasn’t like that. Isaac knew.

Gaia.

The primordial goddess.

And the one who failed to protect her family and fell.

As the goddess of the earth, she had given birth to many children. Among them were gods, but there were also unnamable monsters. However, even if they were monsters, she was their mother.

How could a mother’s children be monsters?

But her children, the gods, didn’t leave her children alone. They imprisoned them, citing threats or using brute force, or for whatever reason.

“The gods may change, but the pain of my children doesn’t change. Even if another god overthrows Zeus, my children will still be trapped in that deep abyss.”

“……”

“Tell me, human child. Is being born a sin? Is it justice to imprison them in that deep abyss just because they seem like monsters to you?”

Isaac couldn’t immediately respond to Gaia’s words. If he had experienced what Gaia had gone through, could he really remain calm and composed?

But before he could even answer…

“You’re crossing the line, Gaia.”

A thunderous roar resounded from the sky.

* * *

A lightning bolt dropped from the sky, precisely targeting Gaia. The probability of a person being struck by lightning was extremely low. Isaac calculated the meaninglessness of it all, watching the scene unfold.

Despite being the strongest god, Zeus’s lightning bolt was effortlessly blocked by Gaia with a single hand gesture. Zeus, who had descended, clicked his tongue and said:

“You’ve become even stronger since we last met.”

“It’s been a while since Typhon, Zeus.”

“I shouldn’t have let you go back then.”

Zeus regretted letting Gaia go that day. As a god, he had to maintain dignity and benevolence. He understood her feelings, but his own benevolence had led to trouble. Now, he had to put an end to it. With a determined heart, Zeus raised his hand, holding the lightning bolt.

“What are you doing now?”

If Isaac hadn’t stepped in front of Zeus, that is. Thanks to him, Zeus couldn’t throw the lightning bolt, and Gaia took advantage of the opportunity to disappear.

“Could it be that you’re under the influence of the Goddess of Destruction?”

Zeus’s expression turned bitter as he spoke. As a man who cherished his family, it was possible. But if that were the case, he had to put an end to it here and now.

“I understand her circumstances, but I won’t acknowledge her.”

“Then, are you going to save her again?”

“No, she’s the enemy. That’s undeniable.”

Isaac wanted to save everyone, but he could sense Gaia’s unwavering determination. A strong will to end the world, which couldn’t be reversed.

Even so, Isaac stopped Zeus from attacking Gaia. He had finally realized the answer he had been searching for. Isaac spoke up.

“So, I’ll take care of it.”

Isaac also knew that it would be easier to leave it to Zeus. But his heart wouldn’t allow it. He had to confront her himself….

He said so, and Isaac acted according to his heart’s dictate. Zeus, who had been watching Isaac for a moment, burst out laughing.

“Very well, then it’s settled.”

“Are you giving up that easily?”

“I sensed your determination in your words.”

Zeus fundamentally respected human will. Moreover, Isaac had chosen to fight Gaia even after hearing her story.

“Good, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Is there anything else to say?”

“Are you demanding an explanation?”

“Or maybe an apology?”

“There’s none.”

Zeus responded firmly. It was all for the sake of the world. There was no room for apology in his actions. Isaac, who understood this, let out a sigh and said:

“We might fight again in the future.”

“Let’s take it easy then.”

With a sly smile, Zeus turned into lightning and disappeared. Isaac, who had let out another sigh at Zeus’s figure, turned his head. His goal was now clear.

To defeat the Goddess of Destruction, Gaia, with his own hands. Now that it was clear, there was no need for any remaining hesitation. Isaac thought about it for a brief moment.

But his doubts didn’t last long. When had he started fearing the consequences of his actions? He had made his decision honestly and straightforwardly. He had said so himself.

“Zieg, are you okay for a moment?”

“Yes? Yes, I’m fine!”

Zieg seemed to be tensing up, but Isaac, who felt his mouth drying up, didn’t have the time to worry about him. Eventually, Isaac replied:

“I’ve been thinking about what you said since that day.”

He was too weak and young. So, he unknowingly thought of himself as a child. He thought of himself as his own child and pampered himself. And now, the child had grown up.

At first, he was satisfied with that.

But the moment he heard the child say “I like you.” The child instantly became a woman. What did he want to do? The answer had already come out.

“Just like you like me, I like you too.”

“…….”

“So, will you become my lover…… or not?”

The usual confidence was completely gone, replaced by a shy man. But Zik didn’t feel disappointed. Instead, he smiled and held hands.

“Of course!”

That day, another lover was born.