Haiter felt things slipping out of control, a gnawing anxiety taking hold. Yet, he was at a loss for how to regain the reins. This matter involved the Uniqueness, and even as an angel, he was powerless and frail before the might of Death's Uniqueness.
Haiter carefully recalled the oracle he'd just heard, picturing the vague figure within it, trying to discern who it could be.
Suddenly, he froze, connecting the figure to one he'd once known intimately.
"…His Highness Azik?"
Haiter's heart pounded fiercely. In his understanding, if the Goddess of the Night, the God of War, or another deity hadn't seized Death's Uniqueness, then among the remaining candidates, only one could possibly influence it... aside from Death's true return.
That was Azik Eggers, the former Death Consul of the Balam Empire, the most favored scion of His Majesty the Underworld Emperor.
Haiter's mouth went dry. If the Night or another deity had claimed the Uniqueness, he'd fight back, no matter how outmatched, as a loyal former High Priest of Death. But if it was His Highness Azik…
Could this be His Majesty the Underworld Emperor's arrangement?
Haiter refused to believe His Majesty had fallen so easily, never to rise again. He'd created the Artificial Death to see if it could awaken Death... though the results had veered off course. Still, if this was all part of His Majesty's plan…
A glint flickered in Haiter's eyes as he sank into thought.
At that moment, an aura approached the mausoleum, followed by a voice from outside: "Your Highness Haiter, I just received an oracle…"
"I know. I received it too." Haiter interrupted, his mind made up. "Spread the oracle. Let everyone in the Numinous Episcopate know... our Lord has returned! Let the Royal Family Faction know we're not heretics…"
Whether this was Death's subtle design or Azik's own initiative, it was an opportunity for the Numinous Episcopate and the Artificial Death faction.
The former needed no explanation. The latter meant Azik might have claimed the Uniqueness, becoming an King of Angel... a prospect Haiter found far more legitimate than Sia.
To put it bluntly, had Azik not vanished back then, Sia, with her diluted royal blood, would never have risen to prominence. The faithful would have crowned Azik as the new pontiff long ago.
But times had changed, and many had lost their pure faith. Even if Azik appeared now, some would likely still back Sia.
That was, unless Azik had claimed the Uniqueness… Haiter's heart raced at the thought.
The Numinous Episcopate had been suppressed for years, teaching Haiter the value of strength. In an era where gods couldn't easily descend, a being wielding the Uniqueness offered immense security.
And if Azik returned, the Royal Family Faction would fracture, creating an opening for Haiter's faction to rise.
Whether driven by faith or ambition, this oracle was an opportunity.
So he continued, "Since our God has issued an oracle, we must naturally obey…"
…
While the Numinous Episcopate buzzed with unrest from Azik's mass-sent false oracle, Alaric, cloaked in his Lucifer persona, had escorted Danitz away and taken the City of Silver group on a tour of the Generous City. Afterward, he handed them over to an Amon Avatar for safekeeping.
"…If you encounter trouble, you may pray to my Lord, but remember, my Lord values the principle of equivalent exchange. Everything has a price." Alaric said with a smile, bidding farewell to the City of Silver group. Taking them around the Generous City for a day was mostly for his own amusement, but now that he'd had his fun, he had no intention of playing free babysitter.
After all, Alaric was, at heart, quite lazy.
"Yes, we'll remember Your Highness's teachings." Colin Iliad replied respectfully on behalf of the group.
Alaric turned to the Amon Avatar, smiling. "I won't say much to you. You know the consequences of messing up."
"I know what I need to do." The Amon Avatar replied with a smile. "Trust me, I'm more rational than you think."
Alaric gave a noncommittal hum.
He then looked at Amon's true body. "Let's go, Lil' Raven. Back to the Forsaken Land of the Gods. I'm heading to Moon City with your father. Coming along?"
"I've no reason to refuse." Amon's true body said, adjusting his monocle.
Alaric chuckled, unsurprised.
The two returned to the Forsaken Land of the Gods. Upon arrival, they saw the Angel of Fate, Ouroboros, waiting nearby.
This was, of course, prearranged by Alaric.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ouroboros." Alaric said with a smile.
"Not long at all." Ouroboros replied, shaking his head earnestly.
After a pause, he added, "As long as I can see the Lord, no wait is too long."
"Such devotion… Truly, you and The Ancient Sun God share a mutual father-son bond. Amon's already lost this round." Alaric said with a teasing jab at a certain someone.
Amon's grip on his monocle tightened, and he shot Ouroboros a cold smirk. "Hmph!"
"From that laugh, I sense jealousy, indignation, and a touch of envy. Lil' Raven, you agree Ouroboros and The Ancient Sun God have a father-son thing going, don't you?" Alaric didn't miss Amon's reaction... after all, he'd been deliberately stirring the pot from the start.
Turning to Ouroboros, he said, "Big guy, would you like the Ancient Sun God to be your father?"
Ouroboros paused, then actually considered it seriously. After a few seconds, he said, "I would."
His bluntness made Amon's gaze darken further. Though Amon firmly believed he was his father's true child and this Angel of Fate was just daydreaming, what kid wants their father snatched away?
Amon certainly didn't.
So he sneered, glaring at Ouroboros. "You, acknowledging an imposter? What right do you have to call Him father?"
Ouroboros blinked, unfazed, and frowned. "The Lord isn't an imposter. He's just… not in the best condition."
***
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