Mutagen-Chapter 1192: A New Race, A God’s Servant Born From The Hands Of A Mortal
Day 379 - 7:03 PM - Ruins of Maytalang I, Lumban, Laguna
The true birth of Aimee’s child succeeded. Everyone watched as the mother embraced the child she had been wanting to meet all this time.
It was definitely a happy occasion.
However, the event had not ended yet.
Like the others, Mark watched Aimee and the baby in her arms. But he could not help but tilt his head in confusion. The baby he was watching was reacting to the mother’s actions, but Mark was sure the child was also paying attention to him. Although it was already obvious that the child would be far from normal, it felt too abnormal.
Mark’s eyes left the mother and child, turning to the pair approaching him.
"So, what is this about?"
Mark asked Nineteenth and Thirteenth.
Without a doubt, the sudden visit by all of the [Eyes] was surprising. It was even more surprising than another Goddess popping out of nowhere.
"Depending on the result, it is either a precaution or a respectful greeting," Nineteenth answered after making a slight bow of her head to greet Mark. "Thankfully, it ended with the latter."
"Precaution?"
Mark frowned.
"The birth of new races bore such risks, don’t they?"
Nineteenth said, turning her head towards Aimee, looking at her child.
Then, Thirteenth spoke.
"Should I congratulate you on the birth of the first of your servant race?"
"Servant race?"
Mark was utterly confused.
This time, it was not just Mark. Mei and the rest were on the same page as Mark as they heard Thirteenth’s congratulations.
"Thirteenth," Nineteenth looked at her companion. "I know you are excited, but a proper explanation is needed before that."
Thirteenth took a step back as she let Nineteenth explain.
And there, Nineteenth started her explanation with a question.
"In your opinion. What race do you think we, the [Eyes], belonged to?"
The answer to that question was something Mark had thought before, although he never had the reason to voice it.
Considering the tasks of the [Eyes], their characteristics, and other barely noticeable clues, Mark had one answer.
"[Angels]."
Mark said without hesitation.
This answer brought another surprise to Mei and the rest, since they never considered it.
On the other hand, Nineteenth and Thirteenth smiled.
"Technically, you are correct. However, it needed a little correction," Nineteenth shrugged. "We are beings that originated from [Angels]. A sub-race of sorts. That is what we are."
Nineteenth continued explaining.
[Angels] were beings created by the Gods to be their servants. A race loyal to their creators, despite being created in various shapes and forms.
However, the [Eyes] were different. While they were created in a similar way to [Angels], they were born and shaped by the world and the observer, not by the hands of a God.
The [Eyes] were merely inferior imitations. Nonetheless, the origin of their core was the [Angels]. In a sense, they were a race carrying the bloodline of true [Angels].
"Wait... Don’t tell me."
Mark came to a realization after hearing Nineteenth’s explanation, and his eyes turned to Aimee’s child, who was actually looking in his direction. It was as if she were also listening to the conversation, like her mother.
"It seemed you understood it quickly," Nineteenth smiled. "A true [Angel] was born under your influence. A child belonging to a race loyal to no one but you, her creator."
Everyone’s eyes, except the two Goddesses and the [Eyes], now fell onto the baby. Aimee’s child turned out to be a true [Angel]. And it was because of Mark.
"Wait?" Sayuri’s voice echoed. "How does that make sense? Is that even possible?"
"Normally, it’s not possible." It was Mark who answered, arriving at a conclusion he also experienced. "But there’s one factor that allowed it."
Everyone’s eyes turned to Mark.
"It’s [Mutagen]," Mark continued. "The trigger might be different, but just like what happened to me. I, a human who carried the bloodline of a [Blood Demon], awakened it and turned into a pureblood [Blood Demon]. A human child carrying the bloodline of an [Eye], turned into a pureblooded [Eye], or in this case, an [Angel]. It made sense if we thought of it this way."
Everyone, except Sayuri, understood what Mark was saying. After all, Sayuri was pretty much a newcomer, and she was not present when Mark planted the seed of the [Spirit Tree]. Amaterasu was not there either, but she did not seem surprised and understood Mark’s explanation.
However, Mark still had a question.
"But am I really the cause of this?" Mark asked the two [Eyes]. "All I did was guide Elise to channel the energy needed."
"That is, without a doubt," Nineteenth declared as a matter of fact. "A true [Angel] cannot be born without the presence of [Divinity]."
Those words made Mark turn to the two Goddesses spectating.
"There is no reason to look at us. It is you who did it."
Magwayen denied whatever was about to come out of Mark’s mouth.
"You released [Divinity] during the process, did you not?" Amaterasu gracefully spoke. "Or were you not aware?"
Mark then remembered. The familiar energy inside him that came out earlier. He was familiar with it, but did not know what it was at the same time. It was the energy that somehow caused thoughts about Aimee’s child to appear in his mind.
’Wait a minute...’
Mark thought as his eyes turned towards the child once again.
The appearance of the baby was definitely in line with what he had in mind earlier. There might be differences since she was an infant, but she definitely gave a strong feeling of similarity.
Mark could not help but raise his hands and look at them. A question popped into his mind.
"I carry [Divinity] inside me?"
"The question is, why would you not?"
Nineteenth spoke, making Mark look back at her.
"First of all, [Blood Demons] are a race of Demons not born from natural anomalies or corruption. They were not created by Gods either. It is a race born from the blood of a God. [Blood Demons] had the ability to accumulate [Divinity] in the right conditions. That is one of the reasons they were deemed a threat to this world and had to be eliminated in the past."
Nineteenth spoke of the past, ignoring the fact that she was speaking to people belonging to that race. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
"Among those conditions, you had already achieved a few," Nineteenth stared at Mark. "And most importantly, you had already escaped fate itself and became a [Candidate to Godhood]. You had long started to accumulate [Divinity]. However, the amount you have as a mortal is too little to be of use, and a mortal has no way of consciously manipulating it."
Nineteenth then shifted her eyes towards the baby.
"It was just this time, the conditions aligned. Without the need for conscious manipulation, it flowed out of you, shaping a formless existence into your liking. And as a result, an entity belonging to a new race of pureblooded [Angels] was born. That child will grow to be a loyal servant to you and your kin. Consider it as another step for you towards Godhood."
"Aimee..." Mark called out to the mother. "You heard them. Are you okay with all that?"
Aimee looked at Mark and smiled.
"There is no reason for me to say I am not. You and your people accepted a monster like me without prejudice. Gave me a place to stay. And now, allowed me to meet my child. If anything, it would be an honor for us to be of use to you."
"Aguuu~"
The baby chimed in as if she understood and agreed to what her mother had said.
"If you say so."
Mark scratched his head. He then asked the two [Eyes].
"What about the precaution you mentioned?"
"Exactly as it meant," Nineteenth replied. "Not all attempts at the creation of such races end with success. There is still a chance of such attempts to start another scenario that could threaten the world as a whole. Do remember that [Devils] were also born from [Angels]."
"And all of you appeared to erase such threats if they appeared."
Mark asked.
"Yes."
Nineteenth declared without hesitation, even if it caused some hostility to flow out of Aimee’s body.
"Fortunately, there was no need to end up in such an unfortunate scenario."
Nineteenth said, easing the tension.
"Why did you all kneel, though?" Mark suddenly asked. "Is it because of racial hierarchy?"
"Correct," Nineteenth nodded. "Although in terms of authority, we would be superior, but as the inferior race, it would be natural for us to at least show respect."
"Hmm... I see."
Mark nodded, understanding the answer.
"Well then..." Nineteenth spoke, seemingly preparing for departure. "I had nothing else to convey aside from one last thing. A message from our master."
Those words made Mark pay more attention. It was very rare for the [Observer] to suddenly send a message.
"Please, refrain from playing with death and fate too much. It disturbs the work of related individuals. That is all. Please, excuse my early departure, but the preparations for the events in the near future are still lacking."
With those words as farewell, Nineteenth left the place, entering the door she conjured.
There, Thirteenth was left with everyone.
"You’re staying?"
Mark could not help but ask.
"I need to check and report what you have been doing. You do know that we [Eyes] could not observe you and your wife directly. The things you did today caused more trouble than you think, you know that?"
Thirteenth answered, complaining. However, it was obvious that she was not too bothered by it and seemed happy that her candidate, Mark, was growing enough to cause trouble to those above.
"Then, what about you?"
Mark asked as his eyes shifted to the other uninvited guest.
Amaterasu looked a bit surprised after being suddenly asked such a question in that manner. When it comes to Godly beings, mortals would always show either reverence or fear. And from those who hate Gods, disguised hostility.
As for Mark? His conduct contained none of those. His tone and words were neither rude nor respectful. It was as if he were speaking to a neighbor he happened to come across in the street.
"I merely appeared as a result of my curiosity. The birth of such a being is quite rare, should I say. A God’s servant born in the hands of someone yet to become one," Amaterasu answered with her eyes focused on Aimee’s child before turning back to Mark. "But if you may, I would like to visit your place as a proper guest."
Everyone was rather surprised by Amaterasu’s conduct. She showed no form of disdain towards mortals and actually showed proper respect to Mark as she asked to visit the base. But, then again, it should not be surprising. Amaterasu’s legends had depicted her as a just and kind Goddess.
"I guess, there’s no problem with that."
Mark allowed Amaterasu’s visit with a shrug. They already had Magwayen always lurking around. Adding another one would not change much, considering they were not really the real bodies of the Goddesses, but mere avatars channeled into existence through artifacts and blessings.
"Alright, let’s head home. I think my fatigue is already starting to creep in. Elise looked pretty tired, too."
Mark said, patting Elise’s head.
With those words, Spera opened a portal home. Considering the impact on the surroundings of this event, it was possible that it was also felt at the base. Although they made sure to go a bit far from the base, the scale of the event ended up being larger than expected, especially the clouds in the sky that were still amidst dispersion.
As they prepared to enter the portal, Aimee approached Mark with her baby.
"Abyaa~"
The child made happy noises as she saw Mark up close. This made Mark hold out his right hand, and the baby unexpectedly grabbed it in delight.
"What’s her name?"
Mark asked Aimee.
Aimee smiled gently while looking at her baby, who was not playing with Mark’s hand.
"Felicity. Her name is Felicity."
