Chapter 503 (2): Had a Change of Heart Already?

Saigner’s eyes turned crimson as she lunged at Wayne. Suddenly, the top of her head tingled, and the octopus emptied her body. Her legs buckled, making her fall right before the bathtub with a loud thud.

“Kekekeke—”

“Nice expression. I much prefer this defiant look on you to the way you groveled earlier.”

Wayne looked down at her with open contempt, his laughter stinging Saigner’s pride. She snarled and tried to push herself to her feet with clenched fists, but couldn’t get up.

Her rage reached a boiling point. She let out a long, ragged growl of frustration before collapsing to the floor, panting heavily.

Mauve couldn’t bear to watch. She carefully stepped forward and helped her superior up, preserving what little dignity she had left.

Saigner gave her a grateful look, only to see her quickly look away. Saigner’s heart thumped, and her hands and legs started trembling.

“I’m no traitor. I was only following the goddess’s oracle...” Saigner murmured to herself in panic, repeating the words like a mantra.

“It’s one thing to fool others,” Wayne said in a low voice, “But don’t fool yourself. For those who are truly loyal, the goddess has given them different missions.”

Saigner didn’t believe him. She gritted her teeth and said, “Who? What missions?”

Wayne pointed at his right eye, releasing a tendril of Aztimor’s thoughts. “The goddess entrusted a portion of her thoughts to me for safekeeping. Rognes had some as well. We’re the truly loyal ones. Do you have any?”

Saigner stilled like she had been struck by lightning, whispering, “I... I didn’t...”

Wayne was disappointed. He continued the verbal barrage. “See? You’re a rebel at heart. Oracles are only an excuse for you. The goddess had you play the role of a villain because She knew that. She’s essentially casting you to play yourself!”

Saigner trembled. Tears ran down her face, and low, broken sounds escaped her throat. It seemed like she was close to giving up herself.

Wayne didn’t offer his skeletal ribcage for comfort. Instead, he said harshly, “Stop playing the victim. Is it so hard to admit that you have a rebellious heart? If your conscience is clear, tell me: why did the three of you attack Rognes?”

“That... that was Sizorn’s idea. He believed Rognes also had the potential to become the God of Death, so...” Saigner responded in panic, alternating between a traitor and a loyalist. Her thoughts were in chaos, and her mind became scattered.

“That’s what I thought,” Wayne said. “You want to become a god. Loyalty that isn’t absolute is absolutely not loyalty. The goddess hasn’t misjudged you.”

“That’s not—I didn’t—”

“I only followed the oracle. The others couldn’t be trusted, and I alone am worthy. I only wanted to get closer to Her...”

Saigner staggered back, picturing Death walking away while she desperately chased after Her, never shortening their distance. With her back pressed against the wall, she dropped down and held her head with both hands, begging Wayne to stop with tears running down her face.

Such was the nature of faith. It could shatter at any moment.

Wayne went up to her and patted her on the shoulder, speaking quietly, “If your loyalty is genuine, Saigner, you must not give up now. You must prove your loyalty to the goddess and save the Underworld, awakening Her. Only by earning Her forgiveness could you redeem yourself!”

That sounded like the whisper of a demon, but it worked wonders on Saigner. She grabbed Wayne’s skeletal hand like it was a lifeline. “I still have a chance. I can still prove myself, right? That has to be true, right?”

“Of course.” Wayne extracted his hand firmly and pressed it to Saigner’s face, releasing Death energy from his right eye. “I pointed you to the path to redemption. You have not died. Think about it. Isn’t this the goddess’s will as well? You couldn’t see yourself clearly and were tortured by your desires, which was why the goddess gave you an ordeal so that you could overcome it and be born anew. She has never given up on you.”

That hit Saigner like a revelation. Her dim eyes regained light, and through Wayne’s right eye, she saw Death halt Her steps for her.

One couldn’t see the forest when they were right in front of a tree. Mauve stared at Wayne with horror, feeling a shudder run down her spine. This man seemed like the worst villain of the Underworld. He had truly mastered the language of faith.

As an outsider, Mauve was able to see the situation clearly. Were she in Saigner’s place, she would’ve fallen for the same manipulation.

Saigner couldn’t let go of the lifeline, her grip tight around Wayne’s skeletal hand. She was terrified that if she let go even a little, she would lose the chance to catch up with Death.

Someone like her was a great risk for Wayne. He could lose nine times to her per night.

“Alright, let go. I’ve seen your loyalty. I promise you that the goddess has never abandoned you, and you will have a chance to prove yourself.”

Wayne pulled... pulled...

Clack!

He managed to extract his arm, but his hand was in Saigner’s grip.

(는_는)

“Saigner, how dare you? Do you want to be forgiven by the goddess or not?!” he snarled. “I’ll have you know that I’m Her trusted confidant. I have Her attention. Whatever I say to Her, She will believe it!”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Saigner hurriedly reattached his hand with frantic tears welling in her eyes. After the chaotic interlude, Wayne found himself sitting comfortably in the bathtub, with Saigner polishing his bones behind him, her black dress drenched.

She exhaled, then scrubbed him. Rinse and repeat.

(一﹏一)

Mauve couldn’t believe it. Faith truly was a terrifying thing. The perfectly good subordinate god had lost her mind because of it.

She messaged Saigner, trying to make her see the truth and liberate her from Wayne’s emotional manipulation.

Wake up! He’s gaslighting you! Don’t let him destroy your self-worth!

It didn’t work since Saigner was in desperate need of a chance to prove herself. In her desperation, she couldn’t afford to be picky. Whether Wayne was telling the truth or not, she would eat right from his palm.

Aztimor’s thoughts did indeed occupy Wayne’s right eye. That part couldn’t be faked. When Saigner looked at him, she saw Aztimor.

Half an hour later, the full treatment left every single bone on Wayne’s body gleaming with a soft glow. He nodded in appreciation. “You’re a true subordinate god. What exceptional technique. I’ll request you by name again.”

Saigner sighed in relief and smiled with humility.

Mauve covered her face, silencing her scream. She reached out to Saigner once again, only to be turned away.

There was no saving her!

Wayne reverted to his human form. After putting the bathtub and the flower petals into his personal storage, he turned to Saigner. “Where did the Authority over the Divine Realm come from? Did the goddess give it to you, or did you steal it?”

“It was... it was...”

When she stuttered, Wayne realized the answer. He patted her shoulder and delivered a carefully thought-out manipulation, “It’s okay. This is a necessary step in your path to redemption. It’s a choice that the goddess made for you. Since you have stopped yourself at the last moment, your past transgressions no longer define you.”

Moved, Saigner came clean. “In the Temple of Eternity, Sizorn, Grau, and I fought over the Authority after the goddess fell into slumber. I seized a portion of it. If I could take their shares, I would become the master of the Underworld.”

Wayne raised an eyebrow. “And that would make you stronger?”

“Yes.”

He nodded. The Underworld’s Authority had been divided into three parts, and each part’s power would be less than a third of the original’s. That meant Ines was still good enough to be the boss’s spouse.

“This is the Underworld’s Authority...” Saigner reached into her chest with both hands, presenting a sphere of white light to Wayne without hesitation. “Until I receive Her forgiveness, I’m but a sinner. You’re far more qualified to safeguard the goddess’s honor and authority.”

Saigner was a typical example of a victim counting the money for the criminal who sold them.

Wayne accepted the offering without a shred of guilt. She should be thanking him!

“Thank you,” Saigner said uneasily. “When the goddess wakes up, I hope you’ll put in a good word for me. I’ve come to understand my failings, and I’m willing to accept any punishment as long as She doesn’t banish me from the Underworld.”

Wayne said nothing. He studied the white sphere and found no information inside. The Book of Greed eagerly had a taste, but tasted nothing.

Nevertheless, the part of Aztimor’s thoughts inside his right eye seemed to sense the Authority, showing signs of awakening.

Nom.

Wayne devoured the light, blocking Aztimor’s senses with his own body. The stirring thoughts quieted once more.

This wasn’t yet time for Aztimor to rouse. It could wait until he had had his fill.

Saigner grew anxious every second Wayne didn’t give her a response. She batted her large, bright eyes at him, as if she would offer him anything.

He never responded to such free offerings from someone who wasn’t his first love. He turned to the sighing Mauve and said, “Beautiful. Exactly my type. But I know she hates me, so I won’t waste my time pursuing her.”

Mauve’s eyes widened. She had to marvel at this man’s shamelessness. When she noticed the thoughtful look on Saigner’s face, her eyes widened further.

Why are you considering it? Please stop!

Saigner opened her mouth, but didn’t sell her subordinate out immediately. Mauve had been loyal to her. She didn’t want to sell her out for selfish reasons.

“What do you think, Mauve?” Saigner looked at her. There were things a leader couldn’t say lest she hurt her subordinate’s feelings, so she hoped that her subordinate would show her some consideration.

“...” x2

They stared at each other.

Ignoring them, Wayne closed his eyes and probed the sphere inside him. With the Authority, he realized that his thoughts could now reach all of the Underworld. Not only could he seal up any of the twelve levels, but he could even change the basic Laws of the Underworld at will, including but not limited to matter, energy, and information.

The Authority granted many advantages in battles...

He catalogued everything he had gained quickly in preparation for the day he ascended to godhood.

As he explored the Authority, he sensed the empty space within. Either it was simply because this was only one third of the Authority, or, more likely, it was because Aztimor had held back. Saigner had actually received less than a third of the Authority. It was at most one tenth of it, or perhaps one percent of it.

Thinking back to the pressure he had felt when facing Saigner, Wayne frowned, taking into consideration the worst-case scenario. If that was one percent, what would a hundred percent be like?

Moreover, the Authority had to be greater than the sum of its parts. Having ninety-nine percent of it would be entirely different from having the full Authority. The latter would be much stronger.

He remembered Ines’s derisive face. “No wonder She wouldn't let me enter the Divine Realm of Darkness. She is capable of keeping me there as an heirloom...”

“I wonder if the Pale Knight would be enough to protect me...”

He muttered to himself. He had no desire to test the theory, so he decided to give Ines a pass. There was no rush. He should secure Death’s territory first. Only by growing stronger could he afford to go head-to-head with the dangerous woman.

Without overwhelming power, he would just end up ridden and dominated!

“Sir Wayne! Sir Wayne?”

Saigner’s calls broke him out of his reverie. He said with a smile, “Indeed, this is the Divine Realm’s Authority. The goddess’s thoughts responded to it. I can feel that She is pleased with your growth.”

Saigner lit up. She first expressed her loyalty to Death and thanked Wayne, then pointed at Mauve and said, “I asked. Mauve doesn’t hate you. In fact, she has fallen for you at first sight.”

(・˘_˘・)

Really? Are you that loyal?

Wayne was at a loss for words. He turned to Mauve gleefully. “Is that true? Have you had a change of heart already?”

(╥﹏╥)

“Saigner, are you sure that’s love at first sight? She’s crying.”

“Then make her smile.”

“...” x2

Wayne: As a bystander, I say you’re better off without this superior.

Mauve: As a victim, I say I’m better off without this superior.