"Are you an idiot? Your kind built this entire system. Birth and death. Why the hell would I know why the rules exist? Besides, souls continue eternally even after separating from lifeforms. Life and death are only temporary states. Every soul simply passes through them as part of a process."
Even as he spoke, Amon let out an exasperated grin.
The absurdity of himself sounding like a god preaching philosophy amused him.
Yet Joseph only felt the question digging deeper into his mind, like seeds being crushed between his teeth.
According to the collective will of the gods, the world had been structured this way.
Souls entered vessels known as lifeforms, existing simultaneously across countless dimensions as multidimensional beings moving from life toward death. Once the vessel collapsed, the soul was temporarily stored within the spirit world, and the deeds performed during life elevated the soul's rank.
But Joseph questioned whether that system was truly correct.
For gods, the span between life and death lasted only a fleeting instant. Yet during that tiny fragment of time, lifeforms experienced countless waves of suffering and emotion.
Sometimes they received wounds within the uncertain realm called the heart—wounds that could never heal.
The gods believed such suffering served as training to elevate the soul's rank.
But even if a soul ascended through such pain, what exactly awaited it beyond that point?
Souls were still souls.
Lifeforms were still lifeforms.
Did the system not merely create hierarchy and discrimination among individuals?
Such doubts constantly rose and sank within Joseph's mind.
Yet voicing them openly would be considered rebellion against the gods themselves, potentially leading to his fall from grace.
That was why he could only speak of such thoughts here.
Ironically, only before his greatest enemy—a Devil—was he permitted to express his true beliefs.
"It is too early to reach an answer here. This is not something for me to conclude, nor something to debate with you. Forget what I said."
Joseph raised his right arm.
Instantly, the entire limb ignited with blue flames, as though a massive log had been engulfed in azure fire.
"So now we fight, Joseph? Fine by me. This is much simpler than listening to your nonsense."
Amon welcomed the battle, grinning like a predator before its favorite prey.
Then thick black liquid burst from his body.
In an instant, it transformed into a beast.
Its appearance resembled a leopard or lion, and as one of Amon's servants, it leapt forward to confront Joseph directly.
Even at the brink of battle, however, Joseph's thoughts lingered elsewhere.
Surely that man would one day uncover every answer.
His beliefs would transform the entire world and guide existence toward a better future.
Even if his ideals differed from those of the gods—
If they could still lead to a brighter future, then that alone would be enough.
Joseph carved that conviction deeply into his heart like breath itself.
Then he swung down his arm wrapped in blue flames.