Humanity Undivided [DxD Great War OC-Insert / CYOA]

Chapter 10

Viktor Inox

It has been two weeks since I accomplished the impossible—sealing the underworld. In doing so, I have trapped the Biblical God and delivered a decisive blow to the pantheons, weakening them by sealing their respective gods of death.

Most of this time, I have spent within the Throne World, overseeing the early stages of the human Imperium. It was within the 'hyperbolic time chamber'—where years pass in the span of days—that I laid the groundwork for all that I have accomplished. There, I had the time to work on humanity's future, creating the tools and knowledge they will need to rise above their oppressors.

I have created much during that time, laying the groundwork for a revolution in human progress. Weapons, meticulously crafted by my own hands, lie ready to arm humanity against any foe. Blueprints for mass production, carefully designed for scalability and efficiency, await implementation. I have transcribed every food recipe I can remember, ensuring that the culinary arts I used to enjoy will not be lost.

Even the laws of physics—every fragment of knowledge I have encountered—have been painstakingly documented, a legacy for the generations to come. Everything I have done is with one goal in mind: empowering normal humans to stand as equals against the gods, devils, and monsters that have preyed upon them for so long.

I am not blind to the parallels between myself and the Emperor of Mankind. The comparison is unavoidable, yet I vow not to repeat his mistakes.

My goal is to elevate all of humanity, not just a select group of transhumans. While I do have plans to eventually refine the human genome to a state of perfection, that endeavor lies far in the future. Even then, such an undertaking must be approached with caution, considering not only the scientific/magical challenges but also the profound moral implications.

I am fully aware that many of my actions—past, present, and those yet to come—would make the modern version of me recoil. But I cannot afford hesitation or self-doubt now. Humanity stands on the precipice, and without a foundation of strength and unity, we will fall. To ensure survival and progress, I have implemented what are essentially war protocols.

The Imperial Truth is one such measure. While I drew heavy inspiration from the Emperor's ideology, I have tailored it to better suit humanity's needs. It is not blind dogma or a rejection of the mystical, but a guiding principle designed to unify, strengthen, and push humanity toward a brighter future.

Some have begun to revere the Imperial Truth as a religious text… and, to some extent, I can understand why.

Even though I adamantly deny being a god, my actions tell a different story to the average person. To them, my deeds are miraculous, and I can hardly fault them for their perception. While I actively work to ensure that my Imperium does not devolve into a theocracy, I have allowed certain groups to practice their faith in me.

The results have been… interesting.

At first, it was inconsequential—small groups offering prayers, nothing more. But as more and more people began to pray to me, whether out of religious belief or genuine admiration, I noticed something unexpected. I began to receive what I have termed faith energy.

The nature of this energy is strikingly similar to the divine presence I once felt in the biblical God. It is, for lack of a better word, neutral. It carries no elemental alignment or unique properties. It is simply a pure, malleable energy. After conducting experiments with the minuscule amounts I have gathered, I discovered that this energy is particularly suited for performing what can only be described as "miracles."

Faith energy bypasses the complex steps normally required when using magic. For instance, I can create matter ex nihilo with it—something I could also accomplish with pure magical power, but faith energy is vastly more efficient. The implications of this discovery have raised more questions than answers about its true nature and origin.

So far, I've determined that faith energy is exclusively produced by human and hybrid human souls. This revelation has cast a harsh light on why humanity is so fiercely guarded and exploited by the gods. An almost infinite energy source generated by worship? It's no wonder they demand humanity's devotion.

Understanding this enrages me. Humanity is nothing more than a glorified battery to these so-called deities—a resource to be drained for their convenience and power. It only strengthens my resolve to free humanity from their grasp and forge a future where we stand as equals—or better.

This discovery has also had intriguing implications for my plans to empower humanity. I have begun devising what I call a system.

By harnessing the infinite energy of the Dimensional Gap, coupled with occultism and my other abilities, I plan to create a power distribution framework for humans. The concept draws heavily from entertainment I consumed in my past life. Stories that once seemed like mere fantasies now serve as blueprints for a revolutionary idea.

The system's core principle is simple: it will monitor individuals and recognize when they push themselves beyond their perceived limits—whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. The system will reward determination and willpower by triggering what I call an awakening.

These awakenings will vary in form and potency. Some may gain a basic version of what one might call the "Gamer" ability, granting them the ability to quantify and interact with their progress in a structured way. Others may develop powers akin to the "shards" I remember from Worm, powers unique to their personalities and struggles.

Initially, this system was a long-term project, something to implement once humanity had established a stable foundation. However, the discovery of faith energy has dramatically accelerated these plans. Faith Energy provides a new and incredibly efficient avenue to fuel the system's requirements.

While the temptation to lean on my perceived divinity and rapidly gather faith energy has crossed my mind, I have resolutely decided against it. To compromise my principles for a shortcut, no matter how appealing, risks creating a spiral of dependency that I cannot allow. The path forward must remain deliberate and controlled.

Progress on the system will be slow but steady. I estimate that it will take a few decades to complete—perhaps just in time for God's inevitable return.

Speaking of Him, His absence has sent His so-called children into chaos. With their Father sealed, Heaven's activity on Earth has spiked noticeably in the past two weeks.

I have avoided direct conflict with the angels by remaining in the Throne World. However, my Sentinels have… I was about to say 'not been so lucky', but they are truthfully enjoying it. Their operations have encountered resistance, skirmishes erupting wherever our paths intersect with angelic forces.

While I continue spreading my knowledge to the newly formed institutions and ministries of the Imperium, my Sentinels and the more charismatic of our speakers have taken on a vital role. Their efforts to convert human settlements into our fold have been relentless, and to my surprise, remarkably effective.

Currently, our influence is spreading through northern Africa and the Middle East. As of now, I estimate the population of the Imperium to be in the low millions.

Every time a city chooses to join us, my Sentinels immediately erect a barrier surrounding it, serving as the first line of defense. Additionally, for each city that joins the fold, five Sentinels are stationed as guardians.

Having five Ultimate-class beings—capable of handling threats on the level of Satan or mid-tier gods—guarding a single city may seem excessive, but I refuse to take any chances. I will not allow an opportunistic god or what have you to damage any human under our banner.

As I finish crafting another book—this one containing the equivalent of third-grade material—I receive a call from one of my Sentinels.

"My lord, I believe this is something you will want to see."

Attached to the magical message is a visual memory, projected directly into my mind. It shows a supernatural being casting healing magic on a woman. At first glance, it seems ordinary enough, but as I peer past the illusion masking her true form, I blink a few times in surprise.

Tiamama?!

The thought escapes before I can stop it, my lips twitching with restrained amusement. Shaking off the reaction, I refocus and contact the Sentinel directly.

"Approach her courteously," I instruct. "Ask if she would be so kind as to meet with me. If she refuses, do not press her—let her go."

I pause, considering the situation further. "In the meantime, create a profile for her in the database. Log her magical signature, appearance, and any notable traits. Designate her as a neutral entity for now."

Getting an affirmative, I go to the meeting room and prepare myself for an interesting meeting.

Within moments, a golden vortex manifests in the room, and one of my sentinels steps through, escorting someone I'm almost certain is Tiamat.

The moment she enters, my senses immediately register her presence.

She is no mere dragon king. Her power rivals Lucifer's, placing her among the most formidable dragons — I suspect only the heavenly dragons and the two dragon gods surpass her strength.

My mind races as I process this information, quickly filing it away for later analysis.

I smile outwardly, sitting up and greeting her, "Hello, I am Viktor Inox, or the Revelation."

I gesture to a chair, inviting her to sit, then nod to the sentinel, who exits through the portal and leaves to continue his mission.

Tiamat surveys the room before locking her gaze with mine. She tilts her head, considering me for a moment, then accepts my invitation and takes a seat. "Are you siphoning power from the gap? How are you not dead?" she asks, her voice calm but inquisitive.

I grin at the question. "Indeed, I am," I reply, letting a smirk tug at my lips. "And why would I tell you how? We've only just met, and you haven't even introduced yourself yet."

She blinks, letting out an 'oh' before responding, "Right. Hello, Revelation. I am Tiamat, the Chaos Karma Dragon."

She looks around the room, clearly taking in her surroundings, and adds, "This place is very nice, I like the shiny golden accents."

My lips twitch at her casual tone. "Thank you for the compliment," I reply, shaking my head. "Now, if you don't mind me asking, what brings the Chaos Karma Dragon to the human world? From what I understand, you spend most of your time in the underworld."

Tiamat crosses her arms and frowns. "Someone sealed the entire underworld while I was out for a walk," she says, her voice darkening. "So, I can't go back."

I nod slowly, my expression softening. "I apologize. That would be my doing." I scratch the back of my head, continuing, "I am willing to compensate you for the inconvenience, as long as you don't attempt to break the seal. I need it to hold for as long as possible."

Her expression turns serious at my confession. "So it was you…?" she says, her gaze shifting as she takes my measure. After a moment, she leans back in the plush chair with a huff. "If it were anyone weaker, I might've fought you over it, but you're strong enough to defeat me. And I doubt I could escape this dimension without your permission."

As she leans back, a mischievous glint appears in her eyes. "So, you mentioned something about compensation?" she asks, her grin widening. "Your little insane stunt has caused me a lot of trouble and emotional trauma, you know? Being away from my den for so long is... very scary." She wraps her arms around herself in an exaggerated shiver, as if playing the part.

My jaw nearly hits the table at the sheer shamelessness. Is this truly a being powerful enough to reshape maps and slay gods? Why is she acting like this?

I cough, gathering my thoughts. "Yes, tell me. What would you desire in exchange for not interfering with the seal... and with my actions on Earth?" I ask, trying to maintain composure.

She drops the playful facade and tilts her head, a thoughtful hum escaping her. "Hmm~" she muses, before continuing. "You see, I have quite the collection of treasures. A whole hoard, in fact. But..." She pauses, a faint frown crossing her face. "There's a certain red lizard who's borrowed some of them and never bothered to return them."

She meets my eyes, the glint in hers sharpening. "If you can retrieve my treasures from Draig, then I'll consider us square." A sly smile curves her lips. "And who knows… maybe I'll be quite thankful."

I ignore the flirtation for the moment, focusing on the task at hand. This is acceptable. I'm confident I can reclaim whatever Draig has taken from her, and securing her as an ally could be incredibly valuable, given her immense power.

I nod. "Very well, I'll retrieve your treasures. In the meantime..." I raise my hand and summon a golden token. "Take this. It will grant you free access to the Throne World, and more importantly, it will allow you— and only you—to teleport freely between Earth and this dimension."

She takes the token and gives a nod of acknowledgment. "Thank you." Her eyes shift to the darkening sky, and she hums softly. "Well then, I think I'll go explore this place. I can smell something... quite delightful about a kilometer from here."

I smile. "I hope you enjoy your time. If you need anything, or have any requests, you can always find me through the token."

With a wave, she says her goodbye and exits, heading toward the city.

'Well, that was productive,' I think to myself, watching her disappear into the distance.

Lilith

This is real.

That's what I keep finding myself saying over and over these past two weeks.

I glance at the people living their lives as I walk through the city toward the Magical Institute, still in awe of how 'society' is developing in real time the longer I stay here.

In these two weeks, I've witnessed entire roads being reconstructed overnight, buildings torn down and rebuilt to be larger and grander, and even lightning tamed and harnessed by ordinary humans.

They've managed to bottle it, using it to cast light in the darkness, transmit messages without magic, and much more. Yet, every day brings something new.

I shake off those thoughts as I approach the Institute. The building is a large, three-story structure, shaped to surround a green yard with benches scattered throughout. I can feel the enchantments emanating from the magic the building passively emits.

As I stop on the road and gaze at it, I notice students and teachers walking throughout the premises.

Standing there for a few moments, one of the students spots me and approaches.

"Hello! How can I help you, miss?"

I look at her—she's a young lady with brown hair and green eyes. Her outfit is a visibly modified purple school uniform, a garment used to identify apprentices in their respective fields by the embroidery they bear.

Blinking, I reply, "Hello, I'm Lili. I have an appointment with the headmaster regarding my enrollment in the Institute."

Her face lights up. "Oh! Yes, she mentioned she was expecting someone today. I'll take you to her office, if you'd like?"

I nod in thanks. "That would be appreciated."

As we walk, she breaks the silence. "I'm Lisa, by the way. One of the students here at the institute."

I nod politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lisa." After a moment of thought, I ask, "Are there many students attending here?"

She hums, considering her response. "Well, this is the main headquarters of the institute, so there are a few thousand students here right now, and more are arriving every day." She shrugs casually. "If you include every branch of the institute outside of the Throne World? Probably close to a hundred thousand."

I nod outwardly, maintaining a calm demeanor, but internally, I'm stunned. A hundred thousand humans learning magic? The number is staggering. Before arriving here, I would have thought the total number of human magicians worldwide to be a fraction of that—most of them working under the umbrella of some supernatural faction.

This… this Imperium I've found myself witnessing is an existence that outright defies the natural order of the previous world. Even in its infancy, barely a few months since its inception, it could already be argued to be one of the most powerful factions in existence.

It has those golden-clad warriors—Sentinels. A thousand of them, each as powerful as any being at the pinnacle of the supernatural world. That alone would allow this Imperium to enter the Great War and hold its own against the combined might of the biblical factions.

And then there is the Revelation himself.

A being whose power places him undoubtedly among the strongest—perhaps even in the top ten across all realms. This is not just a faction—it is a paradigm shift.

I shake my head of these thoughts and respond, "I see, that is certainly a lot of people…"

She nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, even though it hasn't been long, most of them are already qualified as low-class magicians." As we cross another hallway, she continues, "A lot of them have started choosing specializations and helping with the industrialization efforts."

I nod thoughtfully. "And what about you? Have you chosen a specialization yet?" I ask, genuinely curious about the young girl's aspirations.

A bright smile spreads across her face as she lifts her hand, purple lightning crackling between her fingers. "I'm specializing in combat lightning," she says proudly, "and I'm also learning alchemy on the side."

I raise a brow, intrigued by her choice. Before I can press further, we arrive at our destination.

"This is the headmaster's office," she says, gesturing to the large wooden double doors. She offers a quick smile. "I'll leave you to your business now."

As she walks off, I turn toward the doors and knock firmly. A voice from within answers, "Come in."

Entering the office, I find it sparsely decorated but not uninviting. Behind a wooden desk sits a woman clad in a sharp uniform resembling the suits that have recently become popular in the city. She looks up from her papers, a superior version of parchment, as I enter, a smile forming on her face.

"You must be Lili, correct?"

I nod. "That's right. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arcanis."

She waves a hand dismissively. "Please, no need for formalities." Motioning to the chair across from her desk, she continues, "You can just call me Selene."

I take the offered seat, settling into it as she leans forward, her fingers interlaced. "I personally reviewed your application," she says, glancing briefly at one of the papers on her desk. "I must say, it's an impressive demonstration of ability."

I nod in thanks, keeping my expression neutral.

"While I've been informed that you were brought here following the raid on the underworld, I must admit I don't know much beyond that." She tilts her head slightly, her tone measured. "Don't worry, I have no intention of prying into your personal business. It's become something of a taboo to ask about the circumstances of those who arrived in the Throne World as you did."

Her expression softens as she continues. "I just want you to know that if you need anything, you shouldn't hesitate to reach out to any member of the institute. We also maintain regular contact with one of the Sentinels who specializes in psychology, should you ever wish to speak with them."

She picks up a folder from her desk and hands it to me. "While your qualifications certainly exceed the requirements, I'm afraid you'll need to attend classes alongside the other students until you've gained proficiency in our magic systems."

I open the folder, glancing through its contents as she elaborates. "Once you've completed your studies, you'll have a reserved position within the institute. You'll receive a research budget and a team of students who are interested in specializing in your field to serve as assistants."

Her tone is warm and encouraging, her words measured with care. I close the folder and nod, considering the possibilities. "I see. Could I ask how I'll be learning? I must admit, the concept of 'schools' is unfamiliar to me."

She nods, understanding evident in her expression, and begins to explain. "Of course. Currently, the institute is accelerating the learning process due to humanity's circumstances and the rapid expansion of the Imperium. That said, we maintain a regular schedule of classes, structured to be both intensive and comprehensive."

Selene gestures to the folder in my hands. "Inside, you'll find your schedule, along with optional extra classes you can attend. At present, most classes are mixed-age due to the circumstances, but we aim to refine the system in the coming years. Our goal is to implement a more grounded structure to nurture aspiring mages from an early age."

She leans forward slightly, her tone becoming more formal. "Your achievements and abilities will be graded and documented as part of your progress. Once a month, you'll also have the option to apply for a class promotion. Each promotion allows you to advance one rank higher. For example, after your initial studies, you would be classified as a low-class magician and eligible to take on independent work contracts from the other institutes."

Her voice takes on a more excited note as she continues. "Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to create original spells to contribute to the library. If you choose to do so, you'll receive a monthly stipend based on the spell's quality and utility. This system was implemented to encourage innovation and the sharing of knowledge among institute members."

Her enthusiasm tempers as she addresses a more serious topic. "There are no outright forbidden practices of magic here; however, certain arts—such as necromancy or mind magic—must be studied under strict supervision and only with a permit issued after a psychological vetting process. This is to ensure both the safety of the practitioner and those around them."

She finishes with a slight smile. "That's the gist of it. If you wish to know more, all of this information and more can be found in the library, along with texts that I imagine will greatly interest you."

I nod, absorbing all the information she's provided. After a moment, I bow slightly. "Thank you."

She waves her hand dismissively, a warm smile on her face. "No need to thank me. You're a very promising student, and the information you've already contributed to the institute has proven incredibly fruitful." She chuckles softly, leaning back in her chair. "One of the professors, in particular, has been practically glued to his lab. Every spare moment he's not teaching, he's been buried in research inspired by your work."

She shakes her head, amused by the thought. "Anyway, that's all for now. I hope to see you again soon, Miss Lili. Until then, welcome to the Magical Institute."

I nod, and for the first time in a long while, I can feel myself smiling for the future.

Loki

"And that is why this opportunity must not be squandered. With Him sealed away, nothing can stop us from regaining our rightful pla—"

I tune out the pompous droning of the self-proclaimed king of gods. Zeus, in all his overinflated glory, is exactly as insufferable as I'd heard. My eyes wander over the gathering of deities, a veritable pantheon of egos crammed into one room. Truly, Odin never tires of giving me these thankless assignments.

Being the proverbial black sheep of the Norse faction, my presence here isn't entirely out of place, even if no one else from my pantheon has deigned to attend. Part of me—the goddess of trickery—relishes the ruse, playing the estranged wildcard, sowing confusion wherever I tread. But another part of me, the pragmatic one, is screaming to get the Hel out of here. These fools are about to doom themselves.

"With only His creations to oppose us," Zeus continues, voice dripping with arrogance, "it will be easy—"

I raise my hand, deliberately childish, cutting through his self-important bluster. "Hey, hey~! Aren't you forgetting something kinda important?" My grin is all teeth, sharp and mocking. "What about the humans, hmm~? If you go through with this 'full attack' plan of yours, it's gonna cause a lot of collateral damage topside, you know?"

Zeus scoffs, his disdain palpable. "What about them? Mere upjumped mortals playing at divinity. Any of us could erase them with little effort. As for their so-called leader? He succeeded through cunning and deceit. That is why you're here, is it not?" His tone is laced with derision, but it's Zeus—thinking with his big head has never been his strong suit.

I bite back a twitch of irritation, letting his words slide off me like water. Instead, I shrug lazily, leaning back in my chair, playing the disinterested observer. He snorts and turns to the rest of the assembly, the self-proclaimed conductor of this symphony of fools.

"With that settled, we must decide when to begin our rightful reclamation." His gaze falls on Ra, whose stern demeanor hardly wavers. "While the rest of us deal with the angels, you have only the humans to handle. When can we expect you to finish them off and join the true fight?"

Ra's growl is low and simmering. "I cannot say. Thoth has reported that the barriers erected around their cities cannot be breached, not by conventional means."

Perun, ever the blunt instrument, chuckles darkly. "Don't tell me the great Ra is stopped by a few mortals and their little walls. Can't you just blast their cities to ash and be done with it?"

Ra's eyes narrow, a golden glow flickering beneath his gaze. "Watch your tongue, Perun. Would you so readily erase your own future worshippers for a fleeting victory? Then again, with your reckless temper, such shortsightedness is no surprise."

Before their bickering escalates, Apollo steps in, his voice smooth and conciliatory. "Now, now, let's not turn on each other." He turns to Ra with a calculating smile. "If I were to temporarily grant you my authority over the sun, could you deal with these… pests quickly? We cannot afford distractions while facing His angels."

My eyes narrow slightly. What's this shiny prick up to now? Handing over his authority, even temporarily, is no small gesture. It's a massive show of trust—or desperation. Judging by the flicker of surprise on Ra's face, I'm not the only one suspicious.

Ra straightens, his expression shifting to something more calculating. "With your authority… yes, I could deal with them within days."

Apollo's smirk deepens, almost imperceptibly. "See? Simple solutions to complex problems. No need for infighting."

The room relaxes marginally, tension easing as some measure of agreement is reached. But my trickster's instincts are screaming. Apollo doesn't do favors for free. There's something more to this offer, something carefully hidden beneath that polished exterior.

Before I can think further, a subtle communication from Odin pulls my attention, slipping seamlessly into my mind. As the message becomes clear, my composure cracks, and I blurt out, "What the fuck?"

The room falls silent as every god present turns their attention toward me, their expressions a mix of curiosity, confusion, and irritation. I meet none of their gazes, my focus entirely on the new vision that overtakes one of my eyes. Through the perspective of Odin's raven, I see it—a battlefield of cataclysmic proportions.

Above an endless desert, the Heavenly Dragon of Domination battles fiercely against a radiant golden figure. The sheer scale of their conflict is staggering, each clash of power sending shockwaves that ripple through the air and shake the sands below. The dragon's roar and the figure's radiant might are almost palpable, even through the distant vision.

I blink, my mind racing. What the hell am I looking at? Who in Yggdrasil's name is crazy enough to fight that thing head-on?

Then it hits me, It is that human Odin warned me about. Then a spark of mischief quickly blooms into full-blown chaos. The grin creeping across my face is sharp enough to cut.

Oh, this is too good to let pass.

Discreetly, I extend a sliver of my magic toward Ra, weaving it into a private connection. His attention flickers toward me, but I'm already in full scheming mode. "Psst! Ra! One of the Heavenly Dragons is fighting Set!" My tone is hushed, conspiratorial, and dripping with mock concern.

Before he can ask questions, I spin the vision into his mind using my domain—an artful distortion of the scene, now reimagined to show Set standing amidst a raging sandstorm, locked in combat with the infamous Red Dragon. The image is just fuzzy enough to pass as real but detailed enough to sell the urgency.

Ra's reaction is immediate. His eyes widen in alarm as he processes what I've shown him. "Shit!" he exclaims, leaping to his feet with such force that his chair topples backward.

Without a moment's hesitation, he vanishes in a flash of golden light, no doubt teleporting straight to Egypt to deal with his imaginary catastrophe.

The room is silent for a beat, everyone staring at the now-empty space where Ra once stood. The confusion and suspicion swirling in the air are palpable, and I can feel the glares starting to shift my way.

I lean back in my chair, stretching leisurely as I break the silence. "Guess he left his hearth on, huh?" I say, flashing a grin wide enough to show all my teeth.

Nothing. Not a single laugh. Not even a smirk. Just a wall of annoyed, unamused stares from the other gods.

But their irritation only fuels my satisfaction. The sheer absurdity of what just happened, the chaos I've sown with a few words and a well-placed illusion—it's almost too much to contain. I stifle a chuckle, feeling the bubbling glee spill into my voice as I hum innocently and lean back even further.

"Oh, come on," I say, casting a lazy glance around the room. "You've got to admit, that was a funny joke, I swear it will catch on in the future."