Strictly speaking, the gods within this world were very difficult to truly kill.
After all, "death" for a god in the lower realm essentially meant being forcibly returned to the upper realm.
Even if a god were genuinely killed under special circumstances, they could revive after a certain period.
The most typical example was Artemis in the original timeline.
To protect the lower realm, she had been killed by a certain red-eyed rabbit boy in the outrageous plot of the movie Orion's Arrow.
Millennia later, she awakened again and, with Hestia's help, encountered "Bell," who had already been reincarnated countless times.
But that's a tangent.
In short, if Freya were to "die" in the lower realm, her divine power would automatically activate, using its all-encompassing strength to preserve her life.
However, because she violated the "heavenly law," even if forcibly, she would have to leave the lower realm.
Similar cases had occurred countless times before.
Even if Freya reached the pinnacle in Orario, in the grand scope of the upper realm, it meant nothing.
She could not be given special treatment.
"So… the efficiency of the Archon's powers can actually override the passive activation of divine power, preventing a god from being forcibly returned to the upper realm first?"
Renjiro (Aether) didn't have time to verify this information.
Instead, he immediately used the Teleport Anchor in the Babel Tower's top-level chamber to arrive at…
"Where… am I?"
He was momentarily stunned.
All around, flames shot into the sky, rubble scattered everywhere.
Countless humans, elves, beastmen, and even Parum… were fleeing in all directions, their cries echoing across the battlefield.
At his feet, Renjiro (Aether) spotted his Teleport Anchor.
His sudden appearance startled a few opportunistic adventurers nearby.
But he didn't have time for petty thugs.
He turned his head toward the most prominent landmark, Babel Tower.
Gone.
The once towering, magnificent structure had mostly disappeared.
In its place stretched ruin, extending from the foreground at his feet far into the distance.
The godly tower, which had stood for a millennium above the dungeon, had fallen.
Its previous majesty had been so immense that even the rubble beneath Renjiro's feet now towered higher than the surrounding buildings.
Scanning the distance…
"Hey, don't block me…"
"Move!"
Renjiro (Aether) no longer cared for politeness.
With a swing of his Vortex Vanquisher, he sent the obstructing thug flying, not bothering to check where he landed.
Instead, he activated his Elemental Vision, searching the surrounding area.
Elemental Vision allowed him to perceive all energy flows.
Even gods descending into the lower realm, though forbidden from using divine power, were essentially massive walking power stations.
It didn't take long for him to identify a target within the ruins beneath his feet.
Without hesitation, he converted his body to Geo and began digging frantically.
The chaos around him went unheard.
Even the massive black silhouette destroying the city in the distance, harvesting lives constantly, went unnoticed.
Meanwhile, at the Original Large Tree Labyrinth Borderline…
"This isn't Antares's main body."
"It's merely like a 'high-rank avatar,' isn't it?"
Lumine and the other surface-returned allies stared grimly at the colossal creature before them, now collapsing into dust.
Above, the second residual moon still hung in the sky.
Moreover…
On its "moon-as-bow" illusion string, a colossal arrow of light slowly coalesced.
Judging by the pace…
"At most, one hour before it falls."
Herding his habit, Hedin adjusted his glasses but pressed too hard, causing small cracks to form.
"That is…"
Riveria murmured almost instinctively.
"That is Artemis's arrow… the strongest arrow in the upper realm. A single shot can annihilate the entire lower realm."
Her usually playful tone had no trace of frivolity now.
The others followed the sound…
"Hermes?"
"And…"
"Miss Asfi?"
From a scorched area nearby, three figures emerged: one boy dressed as a traveler, face covered in dust and grime, and two women.
The current leader of his created familia, a Level 4 blue-haired woman with the title Almighty, looked pitiful.
Her left arm, left leg, and part of her torso had disappeared.
Bloodstains covered her body.
Had it not been for a masked elf consistently casting healing magic, this top-tier magical item creator would have already been dead.
As the three approached…
"Lumine, could you please help treat Asfi?"
Hermes's expression was serious as he removed his traveler hat and bowed slightly.
"There are many healers who can reconnect severed nerves, but only the little Archon girl you summoned can directly restore the missing parts of the body."
"Please."
Seeing his formal request…
"My consultation fee isn't cheap."
Her half-joking reply both accepted the god's request and prevented any later resentment.
But even the wise make mistakes.
Lumine knew she was no sage.
And in that moment…
"Healer?"
"Are you a healer?"
"Please save my companion… he can't hold on much longer."
"There are many seriously injured here…"
"Please… don't let him die."
Hermes, usually shrewd, had acted recklessly in his haste.
He wasn't causing trouble deliberately; he simply ignored the scarcity of healers vs. patients in the emergency.
Instinctively…
"Please don't display divine presence here. We have enough trouble already."
The selfish god wanted only to protect his familia members.
Lumine stopped him, seeing his serious demeanor.
Hermes hesitated… then fell silent.
The survivors, clinging to the hope of salvation, crowded toward them.
For the first time, Renjiro (Aether) in Orario and Lumine at the Large Tree Labyrinth border truly understood the importance of mana.
Lacking it, nothing could be done.
Across Orario and the Large Tree Labyrinth…
Everything became scarce.
Everything became impossible.