Chapter 29: I Did All of This for Two Reasons—One for Myself, and One for My Brother!

  Primer, after leaving the elven children's room, exited the castle and sat beside the fish pond.

  He appeared gloomy and dispirited, yet beneath his cloak, who could have seen it?

  Seeing the silence of their creator, the fish curiously asked:

  "Lord, what is the cause of your sorrowful silence? Have we done something wrong without realizing it?"

  Primer let out a bitter laugh and gently caressed the fish with his marble hand, saying:

  "Never think so... My silence stems from sorrows within me that I lack the strength to express to others. How could you possibly understand someone like me?"

  Upon hearing this, the fish replied with voices laden with sadness:

  "Lord, how could we not understand our own creator?"

  "You are our maker, and within the essence of each of us, you have placed a part of your own being."

  "If we cannot share in your sorrows and your joys, what meaning does our existence alongside you have?"

  "O Lord, we are intoxicated with love for you; whatever grieves you, grieves us, and whatever brings you joy, fills us with happiness as well."

  Upon hearing these words, Primer wept silently within his heart and praised his decision to create the fish.

  "Truly, I am in need of companions like you."

  Primer then recounted the tale of his soul's erosion and its rebuilding, and continued:

  "The only way to slow and prevent this decay is by drawing faith from sentient beings... Yet I am reluctant to exploit my power and position for this purpose."

  The fish exchanged glances, and one golden fish swam forward, saying:

  "Lord, this is by no means an abuse of your power! It is a blessing to your creations—to allow them to worship and revere their creator!"

  Primer gave a bitter smile and said:

  "But religions inevitably drift towards corruption and tyranny. If I were to create a religion today and offer a sacred book to my creations, would it not one day fall into decay?"

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  "Moreover, each nation and race would deem itself superior, refusing to follow a single faith, and would demand a religion of their own making."

  The fish again exchanged glances, and then a ruby-colored fish swam forth and said:

  "Then, Lord, create steadfast and loyal guardians, beings who shun corruption and loathe wrongdoing! And why limit yourself to a single religion? Create many, each originating directly from you!"

  Primer again let out a bitter laugh and said:

  "Nothing in this world is eternal. If corruption does not seep into their hearts today, what of tomorrow?"

  The fish pondered for a moment before replying:

  "Then appoint unwavering leaders and devoted rulers among them—those who would serve you and your ideals even to their dying breaths."

  Primer fell silent, contemplating the fish’s proposal, before finally speaking:

  "Who would willingly fight for another’s ideals unto death? Who would serve someone like me for all eternity? There will never be one who will truly heed my words in this world..."

  "Those dragons were mere small examples of how corruption grows within my creations. If I bring forth millions or even billions of sentient beings into existence, how much more would corruption thrive among them? Would I not, by my own hand, be creating a hell?"

  At that moment, one of the emerald-colored fish swam forward and said:

  "Lord, you underestimate lovers and see betrayal in everyone, but among true lovers, betrayal has no place!"

  Primer sneered mockingly and said:

  "I know lovers only by their fleeting passions and transient lusts. How can love for another truly remain steadfast? Who in this world would willingly love a monster like me? Is not love itself a root of corruption? Each soul loves something—one loves power, another loves bloodshed. Without love and lust, this world would be free of pain and sin... Alas, I myself am unable to bring such a world into being."

  Once more, the fish exchanged glances in silence, searching for a way to comfort their creator.

  At last, a crimson fish swam forth and said:

  "Lord, why not instill fears and nightmares into the hearts of the people? Fear is the enemy of love. If fear fills their hearts, surely they will cling to you, and their loyalty will be unwavering!"

  Upon hearing this, the other fish rose up in protest and rebuked him:

  "That is not the righteous path! It would only birth a love soaked in blood and lies!"

  "Many innocent hearts would be broken, and countless hopes would be trampled under the weight of fear and extremism!"

  "How can you be so heartless and devoid of compassion? This is not the way of kindness and righteousness!"

  The crimson fish, ashamed by the reproach of its companions, lowered its head and withdrew.

  Yet Primer did not dismiss the idea so easily.

  He pondered it deeply, but ultimately shook his head and said:

  "This is not the right path. It is not fitting to inflict such merciless cruelty upon my creations. Even if they wrong me, even if they disobey me, it does not matter."

  "It is the greatness of the wise and the noble to forgive the mistakes of the young and grant them new chances."

  The fish nodded and praised their Lord’s magnanimity.

  "Lord, what will you do next?"

  Primer lifted his gaze toward the crimson sky of sunset, and with a mysterious and joyful tone, said:

  "I will create more, filling this world with beauty and diversity, and among them, I will bestow wisdom upon the worthy."

  At that moment, the fish asked in unison:

  "Lord, what inspires you so deeply?"

  Primer placed his hand over his heart and smiled inwardly.

  "Because I wish to build a magical world for a very special someone..."

  The fish were left speechless by his answer.

  "Lord, do you truly do all of this for just one person? Blessed is the one who has won the love of our Lord!"

  I built this world for two reasons: one for my brother, and one for my own loneliness...