Myths Reawakened

Hesione struggled. While she hadn’t put all her thoughts into words, she had expressed her feelings.

Wayne messaged her back, “Don’t worry. I promise you that Hestia will continue to be pure as Purity.”

...Why don’t I believe you?

Hesione had been reborn anew only two days ago, yet that afternoon—before the night even arrived—she had already lost her purity.

She sat down in resignation. She had made her case. There was nothing she could do if the Anointed One wanted things one way.

“Sit down, Hestia.”

Wayne glanced at the trembling Hestia, silently praising her beauty. What a shame that there were only two empty spots among the Seven Sacred Virtues. If there were three, he could’ve added Olga into the mix for even better presentation.

How annoying. Why wasn’t Auriel dead?

Wayne sighed. Once Hestia was seated, he handed the Staff of Gospel to Milia, announcing that, from today on, Milia would rule her own legion through the sacred dragon and the winged stigma.

The Seven Sacred Virtues entered a new phase:

Mikhael, Viceroy of Heaven, Seraph, and Śār, representing fire and Humility;

Hesione, Viceroy of Heaven, Seraph, and Śār, representing water and Sincerity;

Auriel, Seraph and Śār, representing earth and Generosity;

Milia, Seraph and Śār, representing wind and Diligence;

Gerar, Cherub—Courage;

Vilkul, Cherub—Tolerance;

Hestia, Cherub—Purity.

Sincerity would correspond to Deceit, so it had to be Hesione. Wayne would be the first to object to it if she wasn’t Sincerity. Hestia was Purity, the counterpart of the Lord of Lust. They were evenly matched in figure alone, but Hestia could never be Lust’s match in terms of appearance—more precisely, charm. Lust was the ideal type of any and every living being, after all.

Gerar was given the label of courage for a simple reason: in Wayne’s eyes, he was undoubtedly courageous with his penchant for tanky women.

As for Vilkul, he was an honest man with a temper, no longer embodying the Gentleness that was supposed to be Wrath’s foil. He thus took on Lahr’s Tolerance.

Milia wasn’t yet a Seraph, and Hestia was still a Throne. Wayne would remedy that with the necessary Fruit of Life once he was able. Gerar and Vilkul, too, would each receive a Fruit of Life so that Kael and Archibald could return to the human world. Then, the new Seven Sacred Virtues would officially enter the next phase.

It wouldn’t take long. Today would be the day.

Wayne had come to Heaven for knowledge. He had no attachment to the title of the Anointed One, nor to the divine throne he was currently sitting on. It started to bruise his bottom after a while; he would say his sofa in the human world was better.

If Hesione didn’t need time to become a god and thus required a temporary Anointed One to hold down the fort, he would’ve made his escape like Elohim had.

“As I am the Anointed One, the Seven Sacred Virtues have entered the next phase, and Heaven will change,” Wayne said deliberately. “The status quo no longer fits in the new world. From now on, all angels will take on human forms...”

“I once visited Hell and saw how the demons walked in human forms. With beautiful skins and lies, they fooled the humans into trusting them...”

“While the Gate of Hell may not open again, demons have been keeping up with the times. How could Heaven remain stagnant?!”

“Great Anointed One!” Milia spoke up. Knowing that her appearance was incongruous to her superior’s standards, she was especially concerned about the matter. “There are many angels in Heaven. It’ll take a long time for all of us to reincarnate into humans. Do you have a solution to expedite the process?”

Good question!

Wayne nodded to himself. While she was a vermin, she was a vermin with a good grasp of politics.

He waved and displayed the layout of the nine levels of Heaven. With a thought, he transformed the Spring of Reincarnation on the first floor entirely. The clear water became muddy, with writhing white foam that seemed to have a life of its own.

“I’ve placed the Fruit of Life in the spring. Once submerged in it, an angel will gain a human form...”

“Since some are not born with wings, they will look no different from humans after transforming. To differentiate yourselves, I’d suggest you add a halo on your head.”

Wayne pointed at his head and conjured the special effect, imitating the typical rings of golden light. “The halos represent justice, light, power, peace, and harmony. They will set the angels apart from the humans.”

He had been testing the halos the past few days, enlisting Hesione’s help. It made for a nice handle whether the counterpart was on her knees or standing. It made the car easier to drive and gave a better user experience. Ten out of ten, would recommend.

As soon as he said that, six out of the Seven Sacred Virtues lit up with newly created halos.

Hestia, the newcomer, did it a beat late. Her halo popped up after everyone else’s.

“I have a question, Great Anointed One.” Mikhael frowned. “With the coming of a new phase, the Sacred Tome in the human world will need adjustments. Do you have a concrete plan for that?”

“Not actually.” Wayne shook his head. That would be Hesione’s concern. He was only acting on her behalf, and he wasn’t going to write his name on the Sacred Tome.

“I understand. That’s for us to consider.”

Mikhael nodded. Such was the role of the Anointed One. He would simply play the role of a god everyone admired on the divine throne, while the viceroys had many issues to consider.

For example, what to do with the Anointed One’s identity in the human world, how to embellish his absurd actions, what to do with the Anointed One’s family, girlfriends, lovers, fiancees, and babes, as well as the roles they should play, how to record the Anointed One’s salvation of them in the Sacred Tome, and how to portray his experience in Heaven as epic and compassionate...

Mikhael took a deep breath. The matter was too important for corners to be cut. Other vermin might get it wrong, so he had to be the one to do it.

You’d better understand for real!

Wayne smothered a sigh. The two people who knew the truth had died at Mikhael’s hand, leaving nothing save for a skeleton. Wayne thus couldn’t find any proof to back himself up even if he wanted to protest that he was a human rather than the Anointed One, so he didn’t try.

Time would prove everything. Once Hesione became Heaven’s god, all would be cleared up.

“Take it slow, Mikhael, and don’t overdo it. Heaven exists to guide the human world. You know the meaning of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Sacred Virtues.”

Wayne turned to him. “Put your pride aside. Angels aren’t meant to be worshipped!”

Stunned, Mikhael lowered his head. “Don’t worry. I will not act recklessly when it comes to Heaven.”

“I hope so, but I have a feeling that you’ll do something absurd...” Wayne waved. Just in case, he added as insurance, “Pontiff Reza, the man who came to Heaven with me, is an excellent talent, and he knows the human world well. Have him assist you in ushering a new era for the Seven Sacred Virtues in the human world.”

The Sacred Virtues thought of Reza with disdain. Hesione and Vilkul, in particular, wanted the man dead. However, since the Anointed One had praised Reza and shown appreciation for him, they had no choice but to nod and agree that Reza was a talent.

Mikhael nodded. He was pleased that the Anointed One was doing his job. He wouldn’t even mind if the Anointed One sent Reza to fight for his power.

A mere pontiff was in no place to yap. Mikhael could send him to Hell to watch the Deadly Sins lunge at each other any time he wanted!

Wayne looked at Mikhael’s arrogant face. He only realized then that the Pontiff and Pride had doomed Heaven with their separate actions, and now, the two kindred spirits were finally going to work together.

Things couldn’t possibly go wrong, right?

He snorted. Although he knew things would go terribly wrong, he couldn’t help but look forward to it. After some consideration, he pointed up and sent two fruits to the First Heaven, gifting them to Pontiff Reza. The Fruit of Life was to make him a Cherub, and the Fruit of Knowledge was to provide the Golden Law. Reza wouldn’t become that much stronger, but at least he wouldn’t die after Viceroy Mikhael threw a punch.

Even if he died, he would deserve it. He would only have himself to blame for riling up the Viceroy of Heaven for no good reason.

After all that, Wayne concluded the meeting. “Milia, Hestia, stay. The two of you lack the power to match your new positions. I have something to give you.”

The four other Sacred Virtues walked away. Mikhael was walking the fastest, looking much more spirited in the white robe. He had single-handedly raised the level of hard work in Heaven.

Milia and Hestia stayed, as did Hesione. She tucked her hair behind her ear with a poker face like she belonged here. Indeed, she now lived in the ninth heaven, so she never had to leave.

Wayne smiled at Hesione before producing a Fruit of Life and a Fruit of Knowledge for Milia.

“Milia, these will help you become a Seraph and gain the power of a Śār. At the same time, your stigma will change to grant you command over Lahr’s legion.”

“Anointed One, will I gain a human form?” Milia said, suppressing her anticipation.

“You will.” Wayne nodded, telling Milia to consume the fruit next door. Then he repeated the process with Hestia. “To make up for your lack of power, you have to take the fruits. Your stigma will change, and you’ll have to leave Hesione’s legion.”

After a pause, Hestia said tentatively, “Great Anointed One, may I say no?”

“Why? Hesione has spent two days and two nights bedding me into letting you fill the empty spot of the Seven Sacred Virtues. If you say no, she would’ve done all that for nothing.” Wayne raised an eyebrow. “Besides, you’ll become a new Sacred Virtue, thus expanding her influence. This is a good time for you to show your loyalty. You have no reason to say no.”

Hestia nodded, looking at her Śār with gratitude and heartbreak. She broke into tears when she thought about the Śār’s suffering over the past two days. Picking up the fruits with her thoughts, she was about to consume them when Hesione stopped her.

“Go to the other room!” Hesione snapped, not giving her a chance to reveal her body. Actually, with her around, Lust incarnate would never get to taint the Anointed One’s pure gaze.

Hestia walked away tearfully.

“You’ve underestimated me, Hesione. I didn’t plan on taking inappropriate peeks.”

Wayne looked at Hesione seriously, spreading his thoughts to broadcast images from the two locker rooms. He had to keep a close eye on the two angels in case something went wrong after they consumed the fruits.

Hesione shot him a glare, lowering her head. “Are you going to leave Heaven?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be seeing you. Mona will be by my side, and you can descend through her anytime. But watch your timing. You know how crowded it can get at night. Don’t disturb her sleep.”