Chapter 1176: Reasoning With A Divine
Chapter 1176: Reasoning With A Divine
The goddess shook her head and responded, "Not yet. First, I want to ask a question..." She turned her gaze toward Aurora. "I remember you from a memory. You were one of his failed experiments to create the perfect being. It was supposed to be impossible. So how is it that you became a goddess? And where did you get an artefact like that?"
"It's none of your business," Aurora responded with a scowl.
The goddess raised an eyebrow at Aurora's undisguised irritation. However, instead of showing annoyance, she simply nodded and focused on Orion.
"For my condition, I want you to return the residents you have removed to the pocket dimension. Because of my promise to my demigods and to avoid alerting the Divine Mysteries, I had to watch as they suffered, waiting for them to arrive so I could offer them the choice to stay or leave. But now that everything has been settled, there's no longer any reason to hold back from bringing them here," she said.
Orion was inwardly surprised by her request. His mind raced, recognizing the delicate nature of the situation.
"I'm sorry, but we must disagree with that request. We've already spent so much effort rescuing the residents of this pocket dimension. We had no idea this awaited us here, so your request feels a little inconsiderate, even if you are offering your inheritance. Perhaps if we had known from the start, we would have made different decisions and brought them here instead," Aerialia responded.
'Nice job, Aerialia!' Orion praised. He couldn't have said something like that without sounding disrespectful. But with Aerialia saying it, the goddess might reconsider and revise her request.
As expected, the goddess's face twisted into a deep frown as she turned her head and focused on Aerialia.
"Are you saying you won't return them?" she asked, her tone cold and emotionless.
Aerialia shook her head. "No, that's not what I'm saying. I suggest you offer something else in return for our efforts, or make it a decision for them to choose one where to reside, rather than making it a condition to accept your inheritance. Our Ilse helped us make this rescue possible, so releasing them won't be easy."
"It's obvious how she would react once she learns the truth about her existence and the consequences that will unfold when she hears your request, especially when considering there is the Primserion race, some of whom are survivors. The nymphs are also not an option; they are determined to reunite with their sisters in our territory. Even if they are grateful for all you've done, I doubt they would choose to stay here."
"Lastly, the human race will certainly not allow one of their own to remain here for any reason. As one of the leading forces in our territory, they will undoubtedly show their gratitude for all you've done for one of their own, but they will not leave them behind," Aerialia explained.
"Also, didn't you say this place is still under the watch of the Divine Mysteries? So wouldn't bringing them here be the same as putting chains on them, preventing them from utilizing their powers while they wait for their deaths, without giving them a chance to fight back? Just like in this pocket dimension, the world outside has changed dramatically. I can assure you they will be much safer if they stay with us," Orion said.
He couldn't sit back quietly while Aerialia did her best to oppose the goddess's request. Even though his strength wasn't sufficient, he was clever enough to contribute with reasoning.
A tense silence abruptly filled the chamber.
The only sound that could be heard was the clattering of the goddess's teeth.
"Are you trying to enrage me? What makes you think they'll be safer in your territory than here? Do you think I'm chaining them, stripping them of their ability to fight back by bringing them here? Fine... Let me ask you a question! Do you believe they could defend themselves from the Divine Mysteries if it decides to attack now, no matter where they are?"
"Do you think the Divine Mysteries is so weak that mere mortals could resist it regardless of their numbers? Will you be able to protect them from the Death plague or Naka if he senses their presence and decides to use them for his experiments? Are you suggesting that we goddesses, who have sacrificed so much for them, don't know what's best for them, but you, who has been here for such a short time, somehow know better?" she demanded, as the atmosphere in the room steadily dropped in temperature.
WHOSSHH! Heavy winds began to stir, penetrating the chamber. A pressure wave pressed down on him as though attempting to crush them.
Outside, countless terrifying snowy tornadoes swirled around the sanctuary walls.
The sanctuary's residents became more anxious about the strange turns of events, firmly believing that they were under attack. The atmosphere was more solemn among the Arch- knights and knights as they could not enter the Priestess's manor due to an invisible force surrounding it.
Aurora swiftly strengthened her barrier. Fortunately, thanks to her mother's deterrence, the goddess no longer forced her aura as intensely as before. Otherwise, they would have fled before encountering a situation as dire as the previous one.
Aerialia sealed her lips and looked at Orion. She wanted to know how he would deal with this situation.
Orion met the gaze of the goddess floating above the golden, inky black, mixed-coloured pool.
"I respect everything you've done for the countless races living within this pocket dimension, and I sympathize with every horrible thing you've endured. But I believe we can offer them greater security in our territory than here..." Orion began. As he spoke, the barrier cracked, threatening to burst open. Still, a wave of energy emerged from Aurora's sceptre, healing and restoring it to normal.
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Aurora felt her reserve energy rapidly depleting, but she held on. The sceptre continuously absorbed energy from the surroundings and from her. Since it had been gathering energy while outside, its reserves were far greater than expected, so she knew this wouldn't be enough to drain it.
Orion felt a sudden pressure on his body, threatening to sink him into the ground. But thanks to Aurora, whose arms supported him, he remained upright.
"Our territory is protected by a Primordial barrier. During Ilse's resurrection, we witnessed it withstand the anger of the Divine Mysteries, which is why her resurrection succeeded," Orion continued. "We also doubt Naka would take the time to revisit his old experiments, considering he has likely made considerable progress since then. Nonetheless, I don't think it would be that easy even if he does."
Orion remembered the unknown woman from the Divine Corps who had completely annihilated two powerful Vylkr spawns, withstood Ilse's pursuit, and endured Aurora's fierce, relentless attacks before dying.
If more of these individuals were out there, it made sense why the Vylkr spawns would be restrained in their actions and not wreaking havoc everywhere. He didn't know who led the Divine Corps, though he presumed it had to be someone no less than a god. He had no desire to meet them right away, just like Naka.
He simply hoped his words would convince the goddess. He also wanted to win her over, as with her help, the residents of Paradise would surely be able to attain godhood, just as those here had done in the past.
If Paradise had succeeded in creating such a firm foundation, then in time, he would have no doubt they would be able to stand against more extraordinary foes in the future.
From the Greed Gods stealing all the animals in the world and fleeing with them to the goddess before him, Orion understood how frightening divine beings could become when pushed into a corner. With the Vylkr vines spreading everywhere and threatening their lives, he wondered what drastic measures they had taken to ensure their survival. Suddenly, the pressure wave decreased, and the fierce, swirling snow tornadoes outside the sanctuary walls dissipated.
Aurora exhaled in relief and reduced the output of her energy reserves.
Orion also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Primordial barrier?" The goddess frowned, her gaze fixed on Orion and Aurora standing side
by side.
"You praise and speak so grandly of your territory, yet you haven't mentioned its name. How can I be certain you're not lying?" she asked.
Orion swallowed, maintaining a firm expression, and bowed respectfully toward her. "Forgive me for my lack of etiquette in failing to mention the name of the territory I promised your children would be safe in. It is called Paradise..." Orion said, quickly adding as he heard Aurora's barrier shatter at that moment, "This Paradise has no relation to the former one, except that it's made up of races who suffered under Naka's experiments and seek revenge, along with countless other races who are residents of the outside world."
Orion sighed, wiping the sweat from the bridge of his nose as he felt a cool breeze wash over
him.
"You might have already guessed my identity, but allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Orion, the Supreme Leader of Paradise," he announced.