While Asher reveled in his newly acquired title, changes continued unfolding on Gaia.
Two centuries later, humans finally encountered the elves still living in the Elven Forest. Around the same time, intelligent life-forms on Gaia discovered the world's inherent energies—Mana—which transformed animals into magical beasts. The Church quickly labeled this a miracle of God.
During the first meeting of humans and elves, minor conflicts arose due to differences in appearance and language. But the elves, despite their smaller numbers, proved resilient—largely because their battles with magical beasts had already awakened them to Mana.
Indeed, the elves had produced their first Awakened. With Mana, many reached F- or E-rank—still far from their potential zenith—but strong enough to outmatch the average human.
Initially, peace seemed possible between humans and elves. Yet a serious conflict erupted when Duke Raktos, ruling a northwestern province of the empire, claimed the elves occupied his lands. He immediately marched his army to the Elven Forest to expel them—but was swiftly defeated. Thousands of his soldiers fell to just a few hundred Awakened elves.
Humiliated, the duke fled to the imperial capital (formerly Heron's capital) seeking reinforcements from other nobles and the Emperor. But before any army could rally to him, the Church intervened. Declaring that their God did not wish for further bloodshed, they urged peace and were equally impressed by the elves' use of Mana—considering them a blessed species.
Their regard deepened upon discovering that elves could live for centuries. They hailed them as divine and began forging alliances with humans. What had threatened to spark war instead blossomed into large-scale peace.
By the 345th year of the Divine Era, formal peace was achieved. A few years later, elves introduced humans to the dwarves—who were suffering food shortages. Thanks to elven assistance, dwarves survived and began trading with humans, offering prized minerals in exchange for sustenance.
Thus began the first Three-Way Peace among humans, elves, and dwarves—lasting many years.
In the 521st year of the Divine Era, a dark shadow fell across the lands. Two decades after declaring independence from the empire, Duke Raktos's realm erupted in rebellion. His family's corruption and greed had finally provoked the people's uprising.
In response, Princess Maria Raktos—once exiled for exposing her family's corruption—returned. Claiming to be a Saint chosen by God after witnessing one of His miracles, she possessed holy power bestowed by Asher. This sacred energy, akin to Mana, triggered a forced Awakening in her, granting her abilities similar to a C-rank Awakener—but fundamentally different, as her power was divine rather than mortal. She could not age and specialized in healing and supporting fighters.
Backed by the Church, Maria overthrew her father, punished her corrupt family, and liberated the people. In 525 of the Divine Era, following the kingdom's fall, the Church took in refugees and proclaimed Maria Raktos the chosen Saint of God. They renamed the calendar to the Era of the Redeemed Saints.
As Asher watched these events, a voice of the World suddenly announced a new milestone:
"You have gathered the maximum number of Faith Points. You ascend from 'Lesser Deity' to 'True Deity.'"
Flooded with divine power, Asher felt his might surge beyond belief. Surpassing the Faith Point limit triggered an evolution—elevating him to a higher existential plane.
"Congratulations, Master. You ascended remarkably fast—much faster than most creators!" Renas declared dryly. "Now that you've reached the rank of True Deity and established your first mortal world, it's time to create your first independent Realm."
Asher, absorbed in his newfound power, nodded in agreement.
An independent Realm exists outside any physical planet—immaterial spaces used for purposes like afterlives or training. Creation requires Faith Points, which Asher now had in abundance.
After mastering his new might, he opened the Worlds Shop and discovered a new section: Independent Realms. Among the presets—heaven, hell, paradise, the void—he selected to craft his own divine kingdom.
Suddenly, in the formless void, Asher's divine presence glowed like a radiant sun. Channeling his divinity, he painted the empty space like a canvas.
Golden light coalesced into majestic towers, gleaming silver-white walls, and an impregnable gate. Surrounding it, countless marble houses emerged, forming a heavenly city. On a floating islet connected by a bridge stood a grand marble temple.
Thus was born his realm of paradise—the Realm of the Gods.
Proud of his creation, Asher announced:
"I shall call this place the Celestial Heaven."
But one thing remained: inhabitants.
He waved his hand, opening a round portal inside the temple. It would welcome pious souls from across the galaxy after death.
Soon, spirits arrived—confused, curious, glad.
"Where am I?""Am I dead? Is this God's Heaven?"
Upon entering, each soul gained a physical body with a soft halo—marking them as spirits in the afterlife.
Soon thousands filled the realm: soldiers, citizens, believers—plus notable figures like Aaron Brandt, his wife Silvia, Pope Mannheim Wilfried, first elves and dwarves.
As the spirit-count crossed ten thousand, Asher revealed himself: standing vast and luminous in the sky, twelve great white wings spread behind him.
"Welcome to My Celestial Heaven, my children and faithful. Your faith has moved me and granted you entrance to My divine kingdom. Here you are all equals—my beloved under My guidance."
In one voice, the souls knelt and worshipped:
"Hail our God!""Long live His Highness, the God of Redemption!"
Asher smiled and added:
"Treat this realm as your new home. Help newcomers settle in. Choose any abode and live here."