Lord Shadow

Chapter 1673: Shining

He did not shout but it is enough to know that Azief threatening them. Right now, he is qualified to make such threat.

Raymond wondered how strong Azief is right now. In the world, truly, there is no one that could stop him now. At least that is what Raymond thinks. Because even if the three of them is so easily handled by Death Monache like this, then what about the other world powers

Or other forces that did not have Essence Creation leveler?

Before, even though Azief is in Divine Comprehension level, if the world power is determined, they could still fight against Death Monarch and there is still a possibility of winning

This is something that is simulated before in many wars training of the world powers.

Raymond is the Grand Commander of the World Government.

So, he knows very well about the many secret weapons of the World Government.

He was sure that if a conflict between Death Monarch and the World Government break out, even though the chance is low, there is still a chance to win

And if they allied with the other world powers and each one of them is determined to take down Death Monarch, consuming all the six great powers, the chance of winning even tilted slightly toward such coalition

The chance of winning become higher.

Of course, the aftermath of such battle would devastate the world and that is the reason why Pandemonium and the other world powers maintain this balance of power

Death Monarch knows this.

Before the Fall, the nuclear power is the deterrent.

In the world after the Fall, the reason why order is to be maintained between the world power is precisely because there is Death Monarch as the deterrence

He is the deterrence and reason for restraint.

The relationship between Death Monarch and the world powers also changes depending on the years

From antagonistic with each other, to rivals to the current hegemonic power all over the world. A world order led by Pandemonium

This deterrence also help the world powers not to force each other too much. Because weakening each other only benefits Pandemonium and Death Monarch

In the past, Raymond believe that if there is a time when Death Monarch goes out of control, goes crazy, or goes evil, the world powers still have the chance to win.

But now.....now, Raymond is not so sure. Essence Creation being is like a god. And even though Raymond did not feel then fluctuation of Azief energy, the fact that he so easily wrestle cortisol of the laws that he had, cut off his connection with the Terra Force and even breaks all the barrier that the other two Divine Comprehension leveler had set up...Raymond thinks that right now, even if the whole six great power united with each other, in one heart and attack Azief, the chance of winning is really low.

Raymond thinks all of this. He has many concerns right now. Azief however is still looking at him. Waiting for his answer and then he nodded to Azief answer ”I will talk to Hirate. He would listen to me. I too believe that we need stability right now” he paused for a second and added ”Olympus shows their presence. And then there is Kaiju. Those things under the Ten Seas. These monster that hides deeps in the ocean bed. Theres to many things that is uncertain. And there is so many new entities.....We need time”

Azief nodded

Then he added another word ”But I donʼt know what Japan would do. You have to ask him” Raymond said as he tilted his head toward Hikigaya

Azief turns to look at Hikigaya ”I believe Japan would like peace?”

Hikigaya smiles and nodded. ”You approve?” This is a loaded question and Raymond could not help but sigh as he shakes his head.

Raymond look at Hikigaya and then said ”You could give me a heads up before you did what you did” Hikigaya only snorted and then said ”And you would scurry to Hirate to tattle on us” he then chuckles bitterly and said ”You are stronger than Hirate. But you would rather be a loyal general than a king. If you wanted that position of the President, regardless of the opposition, you could sit on that seat” But Raymond only shakes his head ”I try to be a king before. Heh” he chuckles bitterly and with a sigh he said ”Iʼm not good at it. I killed a friend. I have to kill people I trust” Hearing this Jean look at Raymond and he remember a certain story about Raymond and he sighed.

Jean could understand a bit of Raymond sentiment. He too once a conqueror.

And in that time, how many people he killed. And how many choices he made at that time that he now regretted?

Jena could only sigh hearing this. But Hikigaya only shake his head at this ”So, you run away. What a typical cliché story. You could not handle the responsibility so you let others make the decision for you”

Hikigaya snorted and then added with a tone of dissatisfaction ”You are uncomfortable making the hard choices, so you let Hirate make the choice for you. So, your hands is clean, and Hirate hand is stained. The one that gained the infamy and the hatred is Hirate. You....shines always, like some kind of beacon of light” ”Raymond, Raymond”

But then Hikigaya look at Raymond and shakes his head while sighing. It is clear there is more things he wanted to say

Hikigaya does not approve all of Raymond action.

But in a way, he admired Raymond qualities.

There is a reason he shines. Azief knows this, Hikigaya knows this and Jean also knows this.

Is it really that he is throwing the blame at Hirate? Or is that just a skewed perception of him by Hikigaya?

Or is it envy that Raymond could wash his hand away, retreating and not competing for power?

Or is it his weakness that he would rather be ordered around rather than sitting on the leading position?

Hikigaya makes this assumption based on gains and losses. But maybe, Raymond did not think of it as a term of gain and losses.

He just lost many things. And he does not want to lose anything anymore. So...he does something not many people in his position could do.

He let go.

And maybe that requires more courage. Letting go

It is ironic that the four them is here. And out of the four of the, three of them have always had a problem in letting go.

It is for Azief, it is for Hikigaya and it is for Jean.

It is not easy for them to let go of anything.

But.....Raymond could do it. And the more he spoke, the more he wanted to scold. And he held himself back because Hikigaya could feel he is veering off topic

He takes a deep breath and calms himself down and then the only words that came out of his mouth is this ”You have a kind heart. And that is your fatal flaw”

Azief hearing all this could not make heads or tails about this matter. Why would Hikigaya mention Raymond past when they are talking about the secession of Japan.

Yes, what Raymond and Hikigaya is talking about is the secession of Japan as the founding members of the World Government

Azief did know a bit about Raymond.

Because he did send some people to investigate Raymond when he is close with Sofia in the past.

But it is not like he investigate all of his background.

So, he did not understand anything about what these two people is talking about.

He is even more puzzled when he sees Jean in the distance nodding his head like he knows what these two is talking about ”I would cooperate if it was you in the helm. Regardless of what Hirate did, at least he has balls” And Hikigaya shook his head and he doesnʼt seem like he want to continue this conversation.

Instead, he looks at Azief once again ”Would you approve?”

Azief donʼt know what Hikigaya and Raymond is talking about, but for this question, Azief knows what it is about

Japan seceded from the World Government and now it is playing with the idea of making an alliance with Greece.

Greece has the oracle. Japan has Hikigaya and Oreki. And if Oreki break through today, then Japan would have two Divine Comprehension leveler.

If not for the fact that Azief break through to Essence Creation today, the Japanese Empire could vie for the spot of the strongest world power

But there is no if However, it did not diminish that Japan is rising in power.

And it still needs time to grow and consolidate their forces.

Azief could easily see through Hikigaya plans

They wanted to be a lone power like Pandemonium.

A strong world power that did not need to fear the other world power, standing independent and do not need to be dragged into a conflict that they donʼt want to enter Thye wanted to be like pandemonium who sit on the top of the mountain and watch the petty squabbles of mortals and only when they wanted to intervene, they would intervene

Independence and freedom.

This is something Azief understood. .....