Surviving The Fourth Calamity

”That’s also strange.” Shaer said firmly, ”Whether they’re demons or devils, it’s true that it’s hard for them to control their greed and desires, but that group of battle angels won’t.

They know full well their leader is surrounded and beaten there, normally, even if the obstacles ahead are strong, they would still rush to the Pool of Life at all costs to carve a bloody path for Asmodeus!

But now, they’re still fighting with those weakest Gods of Order over there.

That’s really unlike them.

Indeed, even the weakest God of Order wouldn’t be below strong divine power... but once the battle angels fall, their combat power gets stronger!

They used to be able to besiege someone like Miska, a powerful one, day and night for several days, although at that time it was led by Asmodeus... but can those few really compare with Miska?”

”Do you recognize those few Gods of Order surrounded by battle angels, Shaer?” Lansendel asked thoughtfully.

”Hmm?” Shaer frowned, thought for a moment, then shook her head, ”I don’t know much more than Celene about the Heavenly Mountain side, only those who come out often I know.”

”Those few shouldn’t have any problems.” Lansendel could only confirm this, ”Although they’re not really great, their essence was recognized by the Heavenly Mountain... shouldn’t be easily tempted.”

Hill immediately understood what Shaer and Lansendel were discussing... they think that Asmodeus might have lured a God of Order... fallen into hell?

This is a bit too absurd, isn’t it?

Though these guys have no character nor morality, selfish and deceitful, they possess an unexpected good quality: no matter what they argue over, they are united.

Just for small matters they can fight together, but essentially always remain ’in a group’.

Even Hill, not knowing much about the Heavenly Mountain, knows they’ve adhered to their principle of minority obeying majority for years... once decided, they don’t even show displeasure towards the God of Order voting opposite.

Someone like Bartro who likes to cause trouble just finds battle angels unpleasant, doesn’t blame companions who voted in favor.

And if any God of Order truly doesn’t agree with past companions’ behavior, they’d voluntarily and consciously leave.

Even AO, this old silver coin, didn’t choose to see if he could become the guiding existence among the Gods of Order first.

It’s not about whether he could do it, but his personality shows he never considered it, which explains how united these Gods of Order are... knowing this Supreme God nearly left the day the Gods of Order and King of Battle Angels signed the contract.

Reportedly, he once persuaded many colleagues not to exclude battle angels from the Heavenly Mountain, to give them time for recovery... unfortunately, the God of Order’s arrogance simply can’t regard battle angels as equals.

In their hearts, tools should act as tools, naturally discarded if no longer useful.

Yet AO’s persuasion wasn’t entirely without effect, the vote was perhaps the first in a million years where the tally was so close... but some who promised AO changed their minds at the last moment.

As they saw the ugly battle angels, deeming their presence affecting Heavenly Mountain’s environment, they regretted it.

Thus, feeling backstabbed by companions, AO left Heavenly Mountain that day.

It’s to say, he actually also acknowledged, though the result wasn’t what he wanted, it couldn’t be overturned.

Think about his approach on Toril, to understand how sacredly inviolable this voting system is in the Gods of Order’s hearts.

Therefore, Hill never thought there would be a God of Order choosing betrayal... cooperating with Asmodeus?

If this King of Battle Angels was really that important, back then as long as the God of Order gave enough emphasis to him and his battle angels, those Gods of Order who were rather courteous to colleagues wouldn’t have gone that far.

Like how Asmodeus once expressed to AO: You indeed didn’t look down on me like other Gods of Order, nor did you hope for the battle angels’ expulsion from Heavenly Mountain, but what you see isn’t Asmodeus, rather, the guardian angel of Heavenly Mountain.

What you want to save isn’t the future of battle angels.

So, I don’t hate you, but there’s no friendship between us either.

From now on, let’s see who’s high who’s low, each ruling their world.

And AO, being the friendliest God of Order to battle angels... at least in AO’s heart, they aren’t tools, but thinking beings.

Like Bartro, although Asmodeus despises him, he wouldn’t want to take him out first.

After all, the old stubborn one, though he looks down on battle angels and thinks entrusting Heavenly Mountain’s safety to them isn’t wise, indeed regards them as living people.

Yet neither AO nor Bartro’s attitude toward battle angels reached the point of defending them before colleagues... just not participating in mocking or oppressing them, and would speak up against overly excessive acts.

But you could see at least when they stopped, those Gods of Order listened.

If truly any God of Order’s camaraderie with Asmodeus went deep enough to go to hell for him... how could the God of Order still be acting with such callousness and disgrace?

They’d still consider their own people’s strong requests.

Hill truly believes in the continuously strong camaraderie among the Gods of Order up to today.

This is why Hill never thought in the direction Shaer and Lansendel discussed... he’s the inherently optimistic one, always thinking of people the best.

Sure enough, his ability to discern human nature relied entirely on the favor of Natural Consciousness.

In situations where he hasn’t witnessed or experienced things firsthand, his analytical skills seem rather lackluster.

Fortunately, he knows better than to talk too much... otherwise, his limited intelligence would be plain for all to see.

Take a look at Lansendel!

Clearly he’s also someone who’s carefree, yet he still considers things from the worst possible angle. Though he ends up getting schemed against, not just anyone can pull one over on him~

Only Hill, no matter how hard he tries, has just a few pounds of rice in his head.

Hill squinted his eyes, unable to stop himself from thinking of someone... but unfortunately, he’s set on the path of the Mage.

Otherwise, if he truly became a god, the first thing he would do is fight William fiercely to take Snow Old Dog.

Sigh...

Fortunately, over there is a bewildered Celene, as if listening to celestial secrets.

At least Hill figured things out just by overhearing the conversation between Shaer and Lansendel, but that guy still hasn’t grasped it.

It’s not because Celene isn’t smart enough, but because the Silvermoon Maiden never bothers to figure things out for others.

While comparing oneself to her isn’t much to boast about, sometimes Hill seeks a little self-comfort.

When things are unclear, Celene never bothers to figure them out for herself. She immediately raised her voice and shouted, ”Can you not speak in riddles?

Look here, look here!

There’s a confused little dear waiting for answers here!”

Shaer didn’t even glance at her.

Celene sighed deeply... if she’d known she still needed to ask Shaer something, she wouldn’t have been so decisive earlier.

Then she cast a pitiful glance at Hill.

Hill felt that Celene really overestimates him.

Though his legacy memory is long and varied, his ancestors truly never liked the Heavenly Mountain.

Relying on himself, how old does Celene think he is?

Celene, observing Hill’s apparent awkwardness, finally realized that although Hill is the most kind-hearted, there’s no way he could know things she herself didn’t understand.

He’s just knowledgeable, but hasn’t reached the point of understanding even things as ancient as the Great Peacock.

Then she took a deep breath, making her silver-blue eyes seem like the doe-eyed Little Deer, gazing intently at the already tense Great Peacock: ”So, dear Lansendel, could you kindly explain your conversation to poor me?

Too many riddles can really be annoying~”

Lansendel hesitated for a few seconds, then resolutely flapped his wings: ”If you were a bit more normal, I wouldn’t mind explaining.

Don’t be so... terrifying, okay?”

Shaer erupted in a sharp laugh.

Celene’s expression changed, then returned to normal.

Hill felt those two sisters must be engaging in some hidden duel that he couldn’t perceive, but he... should best avoid probing.

Lansendel probably understood, but didn’t want to get involved, so he behaved with his signature style... a bit too much of his style.

Celene soon returned to normal, so Lansendel gently explained his and Shaer’s predictions to her.

The reason Asmodeus, at such a critical juncture, isn’t directing the Devil army to fight against the Gods of Order surrounding the Pool of Life might be due to some implicit understanding with one of the Gods of Order.

Whether this figure will fall alongside the Lord of Hell, they will certainly create a gap in what seems to be a perfect encirclement the moment Asmodeus breaks out of the Pool of Life.

In other words, no matter how powerful the spells or intricate the array the Gods of Order surrounding the Pool of Life employ, it’s all pointless.

”Didn’t AO say Gods of Order would never obey commands from what they deem inferior beings?” Celene blurted out.

Hill couldn’t help but press his forehead.

”Gods of Order consider anything not naturally formed as an inferior being.” Shaer, noticing his action, couldn’t help but clarify.

”But Battle Angels could naturally be eternal from the start!” Hill couldn’t help but retort.