"Truly noble, gentle, and cruel, Mr. Grisha. It's moments like this that make me think Adam really takes after your lack of humanity." Alaric said with a smile, offering his critique.
The Ancient Sun God didn't argue, merely lowering his gaze. "I have to take responsibility for this world."
"I know. Honestly, I kind of like that about you... especially since I'm the one benefiting!" Alaric nodded, unabashed, then grinned. "So, let's talk about saving City of Silver. Just so we're clear, there's no place to settle them in the outside world yet, so my suggestion is to first improve the environment around City of Silver. Can you manage that, Mr. Grisha?"
…
After his talk with the Ancient Sun God, Alaric naturally sought out Klein to inform him he could start contacting City of Silver.
Half an hour later, in the Forsaken Land of the Gods...
Derrick was in a daze.
Just moments ago, Mr. Fool had summoned him privately and shared astonishing news: one of the angels under his command, a figure named Lucifer, was willing to help City of Silver. He could restore light to the city and its surrounding area and, when the time was right, aid their departure from the Forsaken Land of the Gods... all in exchange for their faith.
For Derrick, it felt like a dream, as if a gift had fallen from the gods, leaving him dizzy. Even after returning from the gray fog to his home, he wondered if he'd hallucinated the whole thing.
Slap!
Derrick smacked his cheek, the sharp pain confirming it wasn't a dream. A realization hit him, and he shot to his feet.
"I need to find the Chief!" He muttered, bolting out of his room to seek out City of Silver's Chief.
On that quiet afternoon, Chief Colin Iliad was in the library, poring over ancient texts, searching for clues to guide City of Silver toward a future. He was about to receive his own shock.
"You're saying you've been worshipping a… deity, and this deity is willing to send an angel to help us, with the only cost being that we switch our faith to them?"
Colin Iliad summarized Derrick's jumbled explanation, his face calm but his mind reeling.
What was this? Did Derrick even know what he was saying?
That was the only thought running through Colin's mind.
"Chief, it's all true…" Derrick said urgently, launching into an explanation, spilling everything about his involvement with the Tarot Club. This wasn't a breach of Mr. Fool's rules... up in the gray fog, Mr. Fool had permitted him to share details with the Chief.
Colin didn't interrupt, listening quietly until Derrick finished. "Derrick, what's the honorific name of this Mr. Fool you follow?"
Derrick didn't hesitate. "The Fool that does not belong to this era…"
He was cut off mid-sentence by Colin, who stopped him just in time. After a few attempts, even Derrick, slow as he could be, realized the Chief was preventing him from reciting Mr. Fool's full honorific name.
But why? Mr. Fool was here to save them… Derrick was puzzled at first, then understood. It was a lack of trust in Mr. Fool.
He knew it was reasonable. City of Silver had seen too many city-states destroyed by evil gods during their explorations. Distrusting a sudden savior was only natural.
But Derrick wasn't discouraged. "Chief, His Excellency Lucifer will visit within seven days. He'll bring light to City of Silver and select some people to take to the outside world. I think we should prepare in advance."
Colin's lips tightened. He could tell this was a notification, not a discussion. Regardless of his view on this Mr. Fool, City of Silver had no power to refuse.
For now, he could only hope with all his heart that Derrick's words were true... that this was indeed an angel coming with goodwill, not…
A demon bent on destroying their city.
…
While Colin Iliad grappled with the turmoil of Derrick's news, unsure of City of Silver's future, Alaric finally remembered someone he'd neglected for far too long... Old Man Pallez.
At the Church of Evernight's headquarters, the Cathedral of Serenity...
Leonard, fresh from Red Gloves training, returned to his small room to rest, only to find an unexpected visitor.
"You're… His Excellency Lucifer?"
Leonard's instincts flared, but upon recognizing the figure, he relaxed, asking curiously, "What brings you here, Your Excellency?"
It wasn't surprising that Leonard wasn't on edge. Lucifer's status as an ally had been solidified after successfully getting Klein time off, making it hard for Leonard to feel wary of this angel.
"Good afternoon, Leonard." Alaric said with a smile, greeting him warmly before continuing at a leisurely pace. "I'm here for Pallez Zoroast. If it's convenient, how about coming out for a chat?"
The latter was directed at Old Man Pallez.
"Old man, he's here for you." Leonard whispered to Pallez in his mind.
"What do you want with me?" A shadowy figure coalesced nearby. Pallez looked at the unfamiliar angel, a hint of curiosity in his expression.
"You haven't forgotten your promise to hunt Amon, have you?" Alaric said with a smile.
"Of course not. Has something changed?" Pallez's heart stirred, though his face remained jovial.
"You've got an extra option now." Alaric said, glancing at him unhurriedly. "In a few days, I'll be heading to the Forsaken Land of the Gods with The Ancient Sun God. So, you have two choices. First, stick to the original plan... we'll locate Amon's avatar and assist you in hunting it."
"And the second choice?" Pallez felt his non-existent heart pounding.
"Simple. Come with us to the Forsaken Land of the Gods. Under The Ancient Sun God's watch, we'll give Amon's true form a thorough beating. Though, we can't actually kill Amon... you'd still only get to consume some avatars." Alaric said with a smile.
He had no real intent to kill Amon. For one, he didn't have that deep a grudge against them. For another, he had to give the Creator's faction some face. Keeping Amon alive was more entertaining than killing them outright.
Besides, Alaric couldn't actually kill Amon... not with their "parent" watching. A beating was enough; killing was off the table, and severing a Sequence 1 characteristic was out of the question.
As for reaching the Forsaken Land of the Gods... with The Ancient Sun God involved, that was the least of his worries.
"So, what's your choice?" Alaric looked at Pallez, who answered without hesitation, "The second one."
A chance to thrash Amon's true form? Who'd pass that up!
Pallez was all in, even if it cost him a Worm of Time.
***
Every 100 Power Stones and 5 Reviews will earn you a Bonus Chapter.
And if you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)