In truth, the reasons Algol listened to Su Mo weren't quite so simple.
After all, Su Mo was the one who had helped her reclaim her star Authority from Little Garden's central hub. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she owed him a debt so great it was akin to being given a new life.
On top of that, their current positions put them both in opposition to the pantheons, making them natural allies who would have joined forces even without any formal arrangement.
Of course, all of the above only determined their allegiance, not their attitude.
The undeniable truth was that her affection for Su Mo stemmed from one simple fact: he was her type.
"Little Wings, there's no need to glare at Al-chan. A magnanimous beauty like myself doesn't mind sharing Master's splendor with you!"
"But I mind! I was here first!"
Algol said this to a waiting Jibril without a hint of self-awareness, then glanced at Peng Mowang, who was also staring at her with puffed cheeks.
"Hmm~ Though you're not on Al-chan's level, you're a cute girl too! Were you also moved by Master's and Al-chan's beauty and wish to get closer to us?" she asked with an air of supreme confidence.
"..."
Faced with such a direct question, Jia Ling glanced at Su Mo, her cheeks flushing red.
But when she heard the second name, she paused, processing for a few seconds before asking with a hint of confusion, "And you are...?"
Su Mo was one thing; he was her savior and possessed a noble air that rivaled her own Elder Sister, the Great Sage.
But who was this little girl?
Unlike Algol, Jia Ling valued inner substance more than outward appearance.
Yet, Algol wasn't the least bit offended by the rude question.
"I'm everyone's idol, Al-chan! I'm going to be famous all over Little Garden, so you better remember the name, little one!"
Despite not looking a year older than Jia Ling herself, she spoke with incredible arrogance.
After her declaration, she looked down at Shiroyasha, who appeared even younger than she did.
"Yo! Shiroyasha!"
The two great problem children of Little Garden met once more.
They had actually met the day before—all three of Little Garden's problem children had been united under Su Mo's banner—but in front of others, they had to pretend it was their first meeting.
Neither of them were great actors, so Su Mo hadn't forced them to put on a show.
Besides, the relationships between the three problem children were complex and fraught with conflict, so any number of reactions upon meeting would have been plausible.
"To think you'd shrink yourself down this small. Are you trying to corner the loli niche? The white hair adds some points, but you're far too young—a proper little girl. You pose no threat to the beautiful Al-chan!"
After sizing up Shiroyasha, Algol nodded in satisfaction, apparently convinced of her own victory.
"Who said I was competing with you?!"
Shiroyasha shot her a weary look.
Still, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at Su Mo's reaction.
Normally, she couldn't care less about her appearance, but Algol's comment had planted a seed of worry.
Her loli form was convenient, yes, but perhaps it made it difficult for others to see her as a woman.
A Celestial Star Spirit's age and appearance could be adjusted at will based on their power. She could switch to a teenage or adult form at any time.
So, maybe I should change? she wondered.
Seeing them chatting idly, Indra finally lost his patience.
"Ahem, since you've all resolved your issues, could you possibly let me go? And maybe undo the petrification on everyone else?"
In addition to his Brahmastra Spear, his arm and a part of his armor were also petrified.
If Algol didn't personally revoke her Authority, it would be nigh impossible for any normal power to undo this highest-level petrification Gift.
Hearing this, Algol didn't immediately refuse. Instead, she looked to Su Mo.
"What's the plan, Master? I don't really have a grudge against this washed-up god, but if you want him gone, Al-chan can take care of it anytime!"
Her casual tone sent a cold sweat down Indra's back.
This Demon Lord was genuinely capable of anything.
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you really intend to make an enemy of the Divine Army and the pantheons right now?"
Before Su Mo could answer, Shiroyasha immediately shut down Algol's thoughtless suggestion.
Killing Michael would, at worst, make an enemy of the Church. But killing Indra would mean making enemies of every pantheon in Little Garden.
The Divine Army was a public administrative body established through the combined contributions of all the pantheons. While it was often used for personal errands, attacking it directly would be a provocation against all of them, and they wouldn't let it slide.
"She's right! I don't know what you're planning, but the pantheons can still turn a blind eye to what's happened so far. If you go too far, things will get very troublesome later!" Indra narrowed his eyes and chimed in. "You might survive making an enemy of the Church, but making an enemy of all the pantheons is the same as making an enemy of Little Garden itself. You'd best think carefully."
His words sent a jolt through Shiroyasha.
What did Indra mean by that?
"It seems you've already guessed what's going on," Su Mo said, not particularly surprised. He looked up at Indra.
"I'm not an idiot. How could I not see through the Church's little tricks?" Indra said with a sigh. "I took part in the early stages of the Anti-Utopia Demon Lord War, you know. I never thought it would turn into... this. I didn't know this girl's true nature back then, but knowing it now, I can piece a few things together."
Although he seemed like a mere pawn being pushed around by the Church, his decision to actively leave the main battlefield to confront Algol proved that Indra wasn't brainless. He just preferred to avoid trouble.
The sudden reappearance of a Demon Lord he himself had supposedly vanquished, the Church's extreme reaction, and Canary's analysis from the day before—he had connected enough dots to get the general picture.
Of course, his understanding was far from complete.
But his smartest move was that he didn't press for details.
"So, whatever you're investigating, I advise you not to fight a war on two fronts and give the Church an excuse to rally the other pantheons against you," he advised with sincerity.
He then gave a slight wink.
"That being said, Shiroyasha, seeing as I owe you a favor, how about you let me go?"
Hearing such a spineless plea, Peng Mowang was dumbfounded.
She never would have imagined that one of the legendary Twelve Devas, a famed guardian general, could be such a complete slacker.
Where's your dignity as a war god?!
Indra may have lacked dignity, but his words were effective.
"Are you even making sense?! You're the one who owes me a favor, so why should I be the one to let you go?!" Shiroyasha retorted, utterly exasperated.
"What can I say?" Indra shrugged. "Nowadays, the debtor is the boss! If you kill me, there'll be no one left to repay you!"
At that, Su Mo didn't bother haggling and immediately instructed Algol to release Indra and the Divine Army from their petrification.
In truth, Su Mo never intended to move against the Divine Army from the start. Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically told Algol to use her petrification Gift.
At this stage, the Church alone was more than enough of an opponent.
"My thanks!"
Seeing Su Mo truly undo the petrification, allowing him and the entire Divine Army to recover with virtually zero casualties, Indra breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Su Mo with a newfound respect.
"This might be pointless to say, but here's a friendly reminder: be careful of the Church. They're far more dangerous than you think."