Chapter 43

“Are you floating there on your knees, Shamash?”

“It’s not a spectacle…”

“What about the verdict?”

“It must be fair…”

“And false accusations?”

“They shouldn’t be punished…”

“Hmph. Good.”

After creating a brief eclipse by smacking Shamash on the top of their head, I proceeded to administer some physical education with a bit of force behind it.

It was harsh, sure, but considering how Shamash had treated the courtroom like entertainment while human lives hung in the balance, this was just the right amount of discipline.

“From now on, don’t treat trials as mere spectacles. Approach each judgment seriously. Understand?”

“Yes… sir…”

Shamash’s avatar, still sporting an indented crown of their head, looked oddly amusing. Their golden-haired visage bore the dent where my blow had landed. Was my strike truly that painful? It caused an eclipse after all! Though it might have something to do with using their main body to create the avatar—meaning they felt every bit of the pain.

“That aside, this body… it’s really amazing. I can even feel the pain clearly.”

“Of course, since it’s made directly from your true form. How could it not hurt?”

Shamash nervously brushed at their body, surprised by the faint light emanating from their flesh. “If it’s created from the original body… Can I return to my original form?”

“Not difficult at all.”

With a flick of my finger, Shamash’s body dispersed into light and reformed back into its original state. “Creating a body from your true self allows for perfect sensation—but also perfect pain. Who knew knocking your head would cause an eclipse?”

“I didn’t ask for such an intense headache! My beautiful hair almost got ruined!”

“Yet you didn’t die, did you? Just revert back if it gets too bad.”

“Still, I’d rather not repeat that level of pain—it was excruciating!”

After teaching Shamash how to create avatars, we tested them out together. During our chat, Shamash mentioned searching for Erebus to regain dragon flesh but failing because as a god of light, they couldn’t find Erebus. They’ve been aimlessly wandering ever since, spreading light wherever they go. Now humans worship them as the God of Light, which makes them quite happy. However, enforcing law and justice proved harder than expected, requiring deeper thought.

“Ah, when will I learn to read memories and detect lies?”

“It already exists.”

I had crafted mental-linking magic long ago; tweaking it took little effort. Of course, I added restrictions so only those vastly inferior could be targeted—lest Shamash misuse it recklessly. Still, even gods need practice, but Shamash caught on quickly despite some flaws.

“Can I not read the memories of… Mother?”

“Unfortunately, it works only on beings lower in rank. Sinners should suffice.”

Though technically, humans would work too—but no need to share that detail.

“Hmm, well, this will certainly make passing judgment easier.”

Speaking of judgments… Do humans even have laws yet? Likely not. Writing on stone tablets or clay slabs suggests formal laws are scarce.

“Shamash, do humans have any established rules?”

“If they did, why would they ask me for rulings?”

Without documented laws, reliance on Shamash’s decisions is inevitable. Thus, clear laws are necessary.

“So then… we need proper laws.”

Rules, regulations, commandments—whatever name fits. Defining what intelligent beings shouldn’t do ensures fairer judgments.

“But can’t I just judge everything myself?”

“As more cases arise, do you think you’ll manage all of them?”

For now, it might seem manageable, but future guarantees are uncertain.

“I’ll try! These foolish humans need their God of Justice!”

“Even so, wouldn’t clearer rules prevent transgressions?”

Isn’t being judged by vague standards unfair?

“Hmm… That’s true. For fair rulings, to avoid punishing the innocent, we need clear rules.”

Thus, let’s draft simple laws.

I conjured a pristine crystal tablet, completely spotless.

“Let’s inscribe laws here, bestowing this code upon humanity under your name, Shamash.”

Upon reflection, wasn’t Hammurabi’s Code attributed to Shamash too? Perhaps names carry destinies—how intriguing.

“My name? Not Mother’s?”

“You’re the God of Law. Trespassing into others’ domains isn’t wise.”

Defined territories should be respected. With that settled, I began etching words onto the tablet with my fingertip.

“I, the God of Light, Law, and Justice, establish righteousness to punish evildoers and protect the weak from the strong. Let my light illuminate your heads and brighten the world. Thus, I decree this code.”

Swiftly writing, elegant letters carved into the solid crystal.

“First, let’s start with the most fundamental rule.”

Given countless possibilities, defining the core principles first seems prudent. Starting with something akin to the Ten Commandments feels appropriate—but adapted, naturally.

“One: Revere the gods sincerely.”

“What does ‘revere’ mean?”

“To admire and respect… But humans won’t understand that. Let’s simplify.”

Erasing part of the text with my finger, I rewrote it.

“One: Sincerely admire and respect the gods.”

“Two: Do not disdain another’s deity.”

“Three: Honor and care for your parents.”

“Four: Do not take life frivolously.”

“Five: Do not commit adultery.”

“Six: Do not steal.”

“Seven: Do not lie.”

“Eight: Do not discriminate against others.”

“Nine: Do not harm yourself.”

“Ten: Rest one day out of seven.”

“Those who break these ten rules will be punished according to the weight of their sins.”

This should suffice. A knockoff version of the Ten Commandments, but fitting given the lack of Catholicism, Christianity, or Judaism here.

“These are the basics? Some parts are hard to grasp.”

“All have reasons. Now, let’s add specific penalties.”

The blank spaces on the crystal tablet remain ample for further details. Including ‘an eye for an eye’ seems wise—ensuring punishments never exceed the crime committed.

—

Shamash’s Code.

Long ago, in a time devoid of any laws, the pure white crystal tablet bestowed by the God of Light, Justice, and Law became the foundation of kingdom regulations. Its foresight regarding racial conflicts, religious tolerance, and labor rights remains remarkable. To this day, housed deep within the Temple of Light, it gleams pristine white through countless ages.

Please observe reverently, as the God of Light watches over you.

– Guide at the Temple of Light