Rebirth as a Time Dragon

"Chester, my shepherd."

"Now go and do what you must."

"Remember, no matter what obstacles and hardships you face, I am watching over you and protecting you."

Garon said, and his figure faded away like a shadow of light, leaving only an ethereal and sacred echo lingering.

Chester did not rise but remained in a kneeling position for seven days and nights before slowly standing up. He brushed off the wrinkles on his clothes, his body glowing with a silver holy light, and step by step, he walked out of the dense forest into the vast world full of lost sheep.

At the same time, the eternal and time dragon from another dimension swept across the continent, elevating a group of shepherds.

A simple boy from a rural village.

A young lord exiled to a remote area.

A fallen noble wandering the streets.

Garon selected a total of twelve apostles to serve as his shepherds, walking the continent, performing miracles, and spreading his faith.

While choosing, brainwashing, and elevating his apostles, Garon was also gathering information about this world, focusing on the good and evil gods and magical gems.

The good and evil gods were the two major factions among the gods in the main timeline.

Here, however, they were two opposing deities.

"The Holy Church of Good and Evil is the mainstream faith in this world and the biggest obstacle to spreading my faith."

"However, the time flow of this world is over five hundred times faster than the main timeline. I can play with the local church for a bit."

"As for the magical gems, they are strictly controlled by the Eternal Empire, which is responsible for their production, manufacturing, and sale. It is said that they were born from some ancient evil creature."

As the dragon pondered amid the drifting clouds, considering his next plan, Garon silently monitored the progress of his apostles spreading the faith.

Each apostle possessed legendary strength, and depending on the sincerity of their faith, Garon would further enhance their power.

Due to the significant influence of these powerful beings walking the continent, the Church of Time had already taken shape. Tales of the Church of Time spread through the streets and alleys, gradually developing corresponding doctrines, temples, and clergy.

While keeping an eye on the progress of the shepherds, Garon roamed this dimension, exploring and discovering its secrets.

Thus, time passed quietly.

The Church of Time grew larger and began to conflict with the Holy Church of Good and Evil.

The Holy Church of Good and Evil felt threatened by the Church of Time and declared it a heretical organization, deploying their arbitration knights to hunt down all members of the Church of Time. Since the Holy Church of Good and Evil was the state religion of the Eternal Empire, the Church of Time suffered considerable setbacks under their attack.

However, the power level of this world wasn't very high.

Facing the Church of Time with twelve legendary shepherds, the actions of the Holy Church of Good and Evil were not smooth.

Moreover, due to the large-scale actions of the Holy Church of Good and Evil, many people became curious about the Church of Time. After learning about it, they were attracted by the Church of Time's unique knowledge and power system, significantly different from this world, and many couldn't resist joining the Church of Time.

Simultaneously, the Holy Church of Good and Evil increasingly focused on the Church of Time, with their patriarch planning to personally eliminate the twelve apostles of the Church of Time.

Garon, intending to observe and gather more faith, decided to intervene at the critical moment when his apostles could no longer hold on.

However, before the patriarch of the Holy Church of Good and Evil could act, an interesting event occurred.

In the Eternal Empire, the capital city of Belt.

Ten years later, Chester, now twenty-five years old, with a handsome and mature appearance, blended into the crowd on the streets without attracting attention, looking like an ordinary pedestrian.

Chester gazed ahead.

In front of the imperial court.

In the presence of countless gathered citizens of the empire, a herald read an edict from Emperor Izero, the ruler of the Eternal Empire.

"I hereby announce that to select the next ruler of the Eternal Empire, I will follow the prophecy of the ancient emperor and initiate the trials of the emperor."

"All noble descendants of the Eternal Empire are eligible to participate in the trials of the emperor."

"The first to complete all the trials will, according to the ancient imperial laws, become the next emperor of the Eternal Empire."

As the edict was read, the surroundings fell into a dead silence, so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.

After people regained their senses, the entire capital city was in an uproar.

The news spread rapidly, and all the citizens of the Eternal Empire learned about this royal edict concerning the next emperor. The nobles were ecstatic, eagerly mobilizing to search for the six trial locations of the emperor.

Especially the powerful great nobles, who were overjoyed.

Because they already possessed some secret information about the trials and had various resources, they could mobilize a lot of manpower and resources, making it highly likely to pass the trials and become the next emperor.

Garon observed all this.

Having spent ten years in this dimension, Garon had a deep understanding of the Eternal Empire.

He knew why the emperor of the Eternal Empire wanted to select an heir from the nobility.

Because Emperor Izero had no offspring throughout his life.

No matter how powerful the magic or various remedies, they couldn't solve Emperor Izero's infertility. Now sixty-two years old, he still had no offspring, no heir to inherit the Eternal Empire.

As a result, various small nations suppressed and exploited by the Eternal Empire began to stir. The imperial family also schemed over the matter of succession, making the rule of the Eternal Empire somewhat unstable.

In this situation, Emperor Izero recalled the prophecy left by the first emperor of the Eternal Empire.

The ancient emperor's prophecy: When the imperial bloodline faces extinction, the current emperor must follow my prophecy, initiate the trials of the emperor, and select the destined king from the nobility to ensure the Eternal Empire remains eternal.

As for the trials of the emperor, only the imperial family knew the secret locations. To pass the trials, one first needed to find them.

"The six trial locations... seem to be the six secret realms I've visited."

Upon learning the specific details, Garon thought to himself.

During his exploration of this world, he found intriguing secret realms filled with various dangerous mechanisms, traps, and monsters. Even legendary beings would struggle to exit, but they were merely interesting toys for Garon.

There were six such secret realms in total.

After accidentally discovering one, Garon, out of curiosity, found the remaining five and cleared them all, thoroughly understanding the mechanisms and traps inside.

"So, these are called the trials of the emperor."

Garon confirmed that the six secret realms he had cleared were indeed the trials of the emperor.

"In that case, things are getting interesting."

That night.

While the twelve shepherds of the eternal and time dragon prayed as usual, they heard the teachings of their deity.

The locations of the six trial sites and the various mechanisms and strategies within were all infused into the minds of these shepherds.

Several shepherds qualified to participate in the trials of the emperor set off with clear goals, heading straight for the trial sites.

With the strategies given by Garon, the trials of the emperor, which were extremely challenging for legendary beings, posed no threat to the shepherds. They easily cleared the trials, advancing rapidly.

While many nobles were still rejoicing over finding the first trial site, they received shocking news.

A young noble named Chester had collected all six trial tokens within a month.

Before this, Chester was an unknown minor noble, with almost no one having heard of him.

Shepherds always hid their true identities while spreading the faith.

"A minor noble from a remote town has earned the right to inherit the Eternal Empire."

"Tsk, the great nobles of this empire will probably go mad."

While establishing his divine pasture and spreading faith, Garon also enjoyed witnessing various interesting events and reactions.

"Moreover, it seems the ancient emperor's prophecy wasn't wrong."

"With Chester, my shepherd, as emperor, the Eternal Empire will naturally belong to me. With my protection, barring any unexpected events, this empire will remain eternal."

Garon thought silently.

Following this, numerous assassination attempts targeted Chester before he could enter the capital and officially assume the throne.

Unfortunately, no assassin could have guessed that this minor noble was one of the twelve heretical shepherds wanted by the Holy Church of Good and Evil. As a result, all assassination attempts failed due to unforeseen events.

The great nobles united, hoping Emperor Izero would rescind the edict.

However, Chester's seemingly destined performance only strengthened Emperor Izero's resolve.

He dismissed all opposition and transferred the throne to Chester, retreating himself.

Thus, the new emperor of the Eternal Empire, Emperor Chester, was born.

The Eternal Empire was the hegemon of this world. Its governance and civil affairs were already quite perfected, with nothing much to change. The emperor only needed to maintain the foundation to ensure the Eternal Empire's continued glory.

Many believed Chester became emperor through luck.

No one thought Emperor Chester would achieve anything significant.

But they were gravely mistaken.

Emperor Chester, just days after assuming the throne, began large-scale reforms targeting the religious authority in the empire. He restricted the influence of the Holy Church of Good and Evil, reduced their status, and legitimized the Church of Time, opposing the Holy Church of Good and Evil.

Many nobles were taken aback, thinking Chester was ambitious, aiming to crush religious authority with imperial power, using the Church of Time as a pawn.

Before this, the patriarch of the Holy Church of Good and Evil held power comparable to the emperor of the Eternal Empire.

In this world, religious and royal

 authority were equally powerful.

Facing the challenge from this young emperor, the Holy Church of Good and Evil responded fiercely.

"Emperor Chester is one of the twelve shepherds of the Church of Time."

"His rule will lead the Eternal Empire to ruin."

"The Holy Church does not recognize the legitimacy of this heretical emperor."

Joining forces with many disgruntled great nobles and some small nations, the Holy Church of Good and Evil armed their followers, launching a rebellion and attacking the capital at night to assassinate Emperor Chester and establish a new ruler.

On a night filled with bloodshed and smoke.

The empire's powerful magicians were firmly held at bay.

The radiant figure of the patriarch took advantage of the chaos, breaking into the royal palace and stopping less than a hundred meters from Emperor Chester under the wary eyes of royal guards.

Chester looked at the patriarch.

Patriarch Fuller, the leader of the Holy Church of Good and Evil, a powerful magician.

His face was old, but his spirit was high. He wore a black-and-white robe, with many small magical gems embedded like stars, emitting light that linked together, forming a beautiful and fluctuating scene.

"Chester, shepherd of the Church of Time."

"Do you think becoming emperor allows you to shake the divine authority of my Holy Church?"

"Ignorant heretic."

The patriarch said calmly.

He extended his hand, aiming at Chester.

Over forty magical gems shone brightly, connecting together.

With a crackling sound, a magic array formed under Chester's feet.

In an instant, a destructive lightning storm erupted, engulfing Chester's body and illuminating the palace in dazzling white.

"Your death is just the beginning. I will eradicate all heretical shepherds, leaving none alive."

The patriarch said lightly, turning to leave without looking at the result of his magic.

However, before he could exit the palace.

A chilling aura suddenly emerged, making the patriarch's expression change as he turned back in surprise.

On the other side.

Chester, who should have been reduced to ashes, was unharmed.

Moreover, although his appearance hadn't changed, his demeanor and aura were entirely different.

Chester's pupils glowed with platinum light, and time seemed confused around him. Past, present, and future merged into one, giving him an indescribable majesty and pressure, like a god descending, with a mighty presence.

Facing this Chester, even the patriarch felt an urge to bow in reverence.

"You're not Chester. Who are you?"

The patriarch quickly realized, and all his magical gems burst into dazzling light, ready for battle.

Using Chester's body, Garon glanced at the patriarch's magical gems and said slowly, "Chester is my shepherd, spreading faith for me. Who do you think I am?"

The patriarch's pupils contracted sharply.

"You are the deity worshiped by the Church of Time?"

"Eternal and Time Dragon... Hmph, only the good and evil gods are real deities, not some pretender!"

With a thought, all his magical gems connected, forming his most powerful spell.

But at that moment.

Crack!

His robe, staff, crown, necklace, and boots, all embedded with magical gems, shattered simultaneously, as if cut by an invisible force.

"Huh?"

The patriarch, now naked and bewildered, stood in the wind, utterly at a loss.

Garon extended his hand, and the magical gems were drawn to him, gathering in front of him.

They varied in appearance, resembling round glass, hearts, or solid flames. Each was unique, carrying the world's rules in Garon's eyes.

"I'm curious, without the gems, can you still use magic?"

Garon toyed with a red magical gem, speaking softly.

Each gem represented an independent spell, allowing magicians to cast diverse magic through different combinations. As magicians grew stronger, the quality of their gems improved, complementing each other.

In Garon's observation, without the gems, magicians lost all their abilities.

However, encountering a semi-divine magician like the patriarch was rare, and Garon was curious about his reaction after losing the gems.

The patriarch's pupils reflected Garon's face, filled with fear.

He tried to summon his gems.

Garon felt the gems' resistance but easily suppressed it.

The patriarch, without his gems, couldn't react.

Garon shook his head slightly, thinking, "It seems even the strongest magicians are rendered powerless without their gems."

Relying on magical gems, even the lowest-level magicians didn't need to chant or prepare for spells, achieving astonishing effects. However, this reliance made the gems almost their lifeblood. Once lost, magicians became ordinary people, despite their vast magic and powerful minds.

This extreme casting system had clear advantages and disadvantages.

"Lost lamb, accept my guidance, and I will grant you true power of your own."

Speaking kindly to the bewildered patriarch, Garon's voice became gentle.

In the patriarch's eyes, the entire world eerily froze. The battlefield outside the palace, the solidified night breeze, the suspended smoke and night wind, and the motionless warriors and magicians.

"There's no magic gem... This is divine power."

The patriarch was shocked.

Looking at Garon again, his faith wavered.

He prayed daily, longing to hear the divine voice but never received a response.

The so-called good and evil gods seemed like mere legends.

In truth, the patriarch had lost his faith long ago. He attacked the Church of Time and incited rebellion to maintain his power and status. Without real gods, the divine authority belonged to him.

"Are you truly a god?"

The patriarch trembled, asking.

Garon smiled, saying, "You have seen me with your own eyes. Why not use your eyes and heart to see for yourself?"

Hearing this, the patriarch looked confused, gazing at Garon standing high on the steps.

At that moment.

The world in the patriarch's eyes underwent dramatic changes.

The 'Chester' in his vision emitted a blinding silver light and a mighty aura, shattering the palace roof and soaring into the sky. In an instant, he transformed into a colossal god, obscuring the heavens with his wings, impossible to fully perceive.

Under the shadow of this god, the patriarch staggered back, falling to the ground.

When he regained his senses, 'Chester' was still in human form, the palace intact, and the god's figure gone.

But the scene had imprinted on his mind, unforgettable.

"I've been lost for too long, seeing the god without recognizing it."

"God, please forgive my mistakes and allow me to embrace your presence."

Having never seen the good and evil gods, the patriarch chose to worship the god who displayed true power before him.

"Lost lamb, you are on the right path. I forgive your previous disrespect and grant you divine grace for your faith."

Garon smiled, his body flashing to the patriarch's side, placing a hand on his forehead. The patriarch, feeling blessed, looked devout and excited.

This patriarch, with significant influence, was converted into Garon's shepherd.

The process went smoothly without any mishaps.

Meanwhile, the real Garon, hidden in the nearby sky, displayed a puzzled expression.

"Could it be that this dimension truly lacks gods, and the good and evil gods are just legends?"

"Otherwise, with me converting their patriarch, how could they remain silent?"

Garon shook his head, retreating to the background again.

With the patriarch, the rebellion's leader, now a shepherd, the night attack ended naturally.

The participating great nobles were hanged, and some small nations were eradicated.

With the patriarch converted and Emperor Chester's policies, the Holy Church of Good and Evil gradually transformed into the Church of Time.

Despite the patriarch's betrayal, some staunch believers in the good and evil gods left the corrupted Holy Church and secretly opposed the Church of Time. Interestingly, the most determined resistance came from young people.

The Church of Time showed no mercy in matters of faith.

Those who could be converted were, and those who couldn't were deemed heretics and burned at the stake.

Over time, the Church of Time, with the cooperation of the patriarch and the emperor, quickly became the new state religion, far surpassing the previous Holy Church of Good and Evil. Unlike before, the Eternal Empire now supported the Church of Time's growth, rather than just not interfering.

Additionally, Garon occasionally performed miracles to expand his influence.

Thus, in the thirtieth year of this dimension, Garon's temples were widespread, the number of believers in the Church of Time surged, and Garon began to feel a significant gathering of faith.

As for Garon himself, he spent most of this time in a temporary dragon nest in the Faou Mountains, staying low-key.

This mountain range was the primary source of magical gems.

Over time, the rocks and soil here mutated, transforming into magical gems, providing power for magicians.

Garon spent considerable time researching magical gems.

He found these gems were material manifestations of rules, allowing the lowest-level magicians to cast magic in the simplest way. Like building blocks, if enough and suitable gems were combined, they could even construct a small world.

"A new dimension, vastly different from the main timeline, indeed holds many surprises."

Garon opened his eyes, grasping many magical gems.

The legendary good and evil gods and the magical gems still held secrets for Garon to uncover, but he wasn't in a hurry. He planned to leave this dimension and open new divine pastures first.

To further explore the uses of magical gems, Garon ordered Chester and the patriarch to promote their applications before leaving.

When Garon returned, he hoped to see a brand new, surprise-filled magical empire.

Afterward, Garon left this dimension, traveling to various suitable timelines to continue establishing divine pastures.

With increasing experience, Garon often found the best ways to spread faith, meeting the requirements for establishing divine pastures in the

 shortest time.

Garon's divine pastures were mostly in timelines branching from the main timeline, but some were in entirely different dimensions.

Azeroth, Teyvat, Tyria, the Warhammer universe...

These alternate dimensional journeys deepened Garon's understanding of different realities, exposing him to many vastly different from the main timeline.

Some dimensions were so dangerous they made Garon's heart race. He stayed only briefly before leaving, not establishing a divine pasture.

However, he noted the coordinates of some intriguing dimensions, considering a future visit when he grew stronger.

Nine years after the main timeline.

Garon ended his journey through alternate dimensions and returned to the Hero Domain of the main timeline.

Shortly after returning, Garon, now a step away from mid-level deity power, began to feel a deep fatigue while absorbing life energy and entered eternal slumber in the Eternal Heroic Peak.

_________________________

[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] [[email protected]/INNIT]