For over two hundred years, the twelve high priests who governed the City of Gods — Shinshi, once the federated nation of guilds called the Zodiac — on behalf of the beloved deity they venerated, had long awaited this day.

"It has been a long wait."

They had hoped, day after day, that their beloved god would someday return and rule Shinshi once more. Though they were managing affairs well enough, in recent times they worried constantly: was it right to act so freely while their lord slumbered? Might their behavior offend the master's sensibilities? Each day felt like sitting on a bed of nails.

But all those anxious, sleepless days ended only a week ago.

"—All priests: prepare to greet our one and only, our absolute master, our revered lord."

A week earlier, EA., the oracle of the god and the de facto supreme authority of the City of Gods in the deity's absence, had conveyed that message to every priest.

That day, the priests could barely contain their joy.

Their revered god was finally awakening and returning to them!

They could not announce it publicly, so they spent every day in restless anticipation.

They wanted to rush to the presence of their lord, to bow before that majesty, to apologize for the years gone by and beg forgiveness — but EA. forbade them from acting on impulse.

The god wished, upon waking, simply to savor the sight of this world and enjoy it for the first time; they were not to disturb that delight. Even if it might be dangerous, as in the days of Yggdrasil, this was the god's play. With that injunction, the priests kept their impatience in check and waited for the lord's return.

And recently, their god personally identified the presence of an "enemy," slew one of that enemy's lackeys with his own hand, and sealed it away. Seeing that, the six priests who were there gazed at the divine seat and, overcome with emotion, wept.

And now, at this very moment—

As the god opened the gate that had been firmly sealed for over two centuries and stepped out, overwhelmed with rapture and awe beyond words, the twelve priests bowed their heads and pressed their foreheads to the ground in unison.

West Priest, Kima. Priest of War, Tauros. Guardian Priest, Lion. Earth Priest, Kaguya. Dragon Priest, Drake. Death Priest, Orochi. Demon Priest, Holstein. Sheep Priest, Mary. Primordial Priest, Monkyspanner. Celestial Priest, Pride. Dog Priest, Hati. Treasure Priest, Palkai.

All twelve priests — not one missing — gathered and bowed to the god.

Though not in the fearsome Dragon form they had last seen, his bearing, his aura, and the very essence from which he was made convinced every one of them without doubt: this being was their god, their master, their unique sovereign.

Tiamat glanced over them, then took his place at the seat prepared for him and flicked his hand lightly.

"Everyone, rise and take your seats."

"Yes!"

The twelve priests rose in response and sat in their original places — not randomly, but in the old order that had been used two centuries ago: from Kima the West Priest through Palkai the Treasure Priest, they sat around the round table, each gazing toward their god as if by mutual agreement.

Tiamat looked each of them over carefully, as if committing their faces to memory, then spoke.

"The reason I gathered you all today is… first, to apologize."

"Apologize? For what?"

"What are you saying!"

"Silence!"

Lion and Tauros both shouted out in their agitation, but before they could finish, a thunderous shout cut through the hall. All eyes turned to the source; Drake, who had been about to shout himself, ground his teeth and said,

"The god is speaking. Lion, Tauros — have you forgotten all reverence for the god during these two hundred years? Shut your mouths and bow your heads at once. I would punish you here and now, but the god is seated; punishment for you will be decided by the god."

"…We are sorry, O Lord."

"…We ask for your forgiveness; please kill us."

When the two priests bowed and pleaded guilty, the fervor in the others died down. Though their faces were filled with emotion, Drake's intervention restored order; they clenched their mouths and suppressed the rising feelings.

Tiamat kept his expression stern and continued.

"Enough. I will not punish you for that. Besides, I am the one who must apologize. For leaving you to your own devices for two hundred years."

"My God, but that is…"

"This is something I must apologize to you for—an inescapable responsibility. Will all of you accept my apology?"

Tiamat rose from the head seat and bowed deeply toward the round table. The sight struck the twelve High Priests like an unexpected blow.

The God… bowed?

Such a thing should never happen. Yet the shock was so overwhelming that none of them could even form words. While they remained frozen, Tiamat straightened once more and spoke.

"If this apology alone is not enough, then I am willing to take further responsibility. For example… I could step down from my position here and now."

"Th—That is utterly unthinkable!"

The very same Drake who had scolded Lion and Tauros earlier now shouted louder than both of them. But this time, no one silenced him. In fact, the others began to shout their agreement, rising to their feet.

"That's right! There is no need for our God to apologize!"

"We never once considered the last 200 years a burden!"

"I agree! Even while you slept, we believed You were always with us!"

"The same is true for me, my Lord! Please, I beg of You—take those words back!"

All twelve High Priests cried out at once, like a chaotic clamor—but their hearts were sincere. The thought of the God stepping down, right after finally returning, was unbearable. They would sooner rip out their own hearts than watch such a thing happen.

"I see. Then I will abandon the notion of stepping down."

""Thank you, my Lord!!""

They bowed again—so deeply it was almost frantic.

To an outsider, their dramatic reactions might have looked clownish, but there was no exaggeration in their feelings. Every word and movement from their God made their hearts soar or sink as if their lives hung upon it.

"Then let us put that matter aside. In truth, I must also offer praise—for the 200 years you ruled in my stead."

"That is too much…"

"We cannot accept such kindness…"

Once again, all twelve bowed, but repeating the same gesture again and again quickly made even Tiamat's youthful face crease with irritation.

"That is enough. Must you object every time?"

"N–No, my Lord. But for us—who presumptuously ruled Shinshi for 200 years in Your absence—to be praised instead of condemned… it is difficult to bear."

Drake bowed his head again. For two centuries, they had ruled the City of Gods—worse, they had even renamed it Shinshi. It was blasphemy. Servants taking the Master's domain and even changing its name… despite the circumstances, the guilt never left them.

But Tiamat remained calm.

"It does not matter. You governed the city well. I have heard that the population has grown and the vaults overflow with coin and artifacts—more than before we came to this world. For that, I have no intention of rebuking you. Instead, I commend you."

"Oohh… My God…"

All twelve priests trembled with emotion, tears flowing freely. The spiritual anguish, worry, and doubt they had endured for two centuries—the recognition of their God washed it all away at once.

He acknowledged them. He forgave them. He praised them.

To others, it might seem a small reward. But to them? It was everything. Their eternal lord had returned—and he approved. That alone was worth more than heaven and earth.

Then, Tiamat's tone shifted.

"For two hundred years, you have worked hard, my priests. I would dearly love to sit and hear every detail of what you have experienced and accomplished… but before we enjoy such luxuries—there is a threat we must address. One that now stands before us and before Shinshi."

The twelve priests looked up.

Tiamat smiled.

It was the face of a young, strikingly beautiful boy—but behind him, like a mirage, the vast jaws of a dragon seemed to open, radiating a terrible majesty.

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