join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
Although there was a small interlude, the meeting was clearly unaffected. Soon, Solomon arrived, and the meeting began, proceeding and concluding according to the usual flow.
After the meeting ended, Ouroboros, who hadn't really understood what was discussed and only confirmed that it had nothing to do with him, resumed his usual reclusive 'home' life, continuing his daily routine of praying, painting, zoning out, and slacking off.
On Lin Ruo's side, however, he seemed to have become busy after the meeting, but Ouroboros was unsure exactly what he was busy with, only hearing that it was mostly related to the Judgment Sword.
In fact, for a period afterward, he didn't see Lin Ruo at all, only occasionally receiving letters and gifts from him.
As for Alista Tudor, he saw even less of him.
Of course, this was nothing. For beings like them, time had long lost its meaning. A few years, or even decades, might be most of a Mortal's life, but for Ouroboros, it was just a very short interlude in his life.
However, as this interlude passed and time went by, before Ouroboros saw Lin Ruo again, he gradually heard many rumors related to Lin Ruo.
These rumors were strange and varied, but they all had one thing in common—they described Lin Ruo as a dangerous existence.
It seemed that in these short decades, Lin Ruo, the Angel of Judgment and sword-wielder of the Solomon Empire, had become a figure who could stop children from crying. His existence made countless Beyonders tremble in fear. Even in the civilian Beyonder circles, most people dared not mention Lin Ruo's name, referring to him only as 'that adult'.
Ouroboros actually didn't quite understand why this was the case, something he couldn't grasp even when the Divine Kingdom was still around long ago.
Lin Ruo had never harmed ordinary Beyonders, and everything he did was to protect ordinary people and law-abiding Beyonders. Why were these people so afraid of him?
So later, when he finally saw Lin Ruo, who had finished his work and entered his vacation, coming to visit him, Ouroboros asked this very question.
"Hmm, how should I put it? This is a very complicated question to explain." Lin Ruo frowned slightly in distress, seemingly troubled by how to explain, finally flipping the wings he was grilling while saying:
"It's normal for them to fear me. After all, to suppress the dangerous elements within the Empire with the best effect, my external demeanor is indeed quite tough and ruthless, and I show no mercy to those dangerous elements."
Lin Ruo picked up the bottle of prepared barbecue powder nearby and sprinkled it onto the wings.
"Although I wouldn't harm innocent Beyonders, they can't be sure of that. Plus, with some people fanning the flames and spreading rumors, it's normal for them to be afraid of me..."
"Well, to be honest, it's unavoidable. After all, the Judgment Sword, which I'm in charge of, is specifically for internal purges. No one in this position has a good reputation." Lin Ruo finished speaking and handed the grilled wing to Ouroboros, "Here, eat!"
Ouroboros took the wing but didn't immediately bite into it, his gaze falling on Alista Tudor nearby.
Unlike his youthful appearance when they last met, Alista now looked like an adult, appearing to be around twenty, still with brown hair and azure eyes, but his features were deeply sculpted as if carved by a knife and axe, carrying a faint sense of majesty.
Ouroboros glanced at Alista Tudor, who was still serious and proper even while barbecuing, as if he were in a meeting, then looked at Lin Ruo in confusion and asked, "But isn't Alista your deputy? He's also with the Judgment Sword, but the rumors I hear about him are very good."
"Ah, this!" Lin Ruo blinked, then smiled and said, "Great Serpent, do you know what it means for one person to play the bad cop and another to play the good cop?"
"We have to give some people hope. Alista is specifically reserved as hope for those who can still turn back. Of course, you might not quite understand what I mean, but just know that it's necessary."
Ouroboros indeed didn't quite understand, nor did he try to. After a pause, he just asked, "Then why can't you be that hope?"
Lin Ruo's action of sprinkling barbecue powder paused. He looked up at Ouroboros, his smile a mix of helplessness and something Ouroboros couldn't comprehend:
"Because I am the sword-wielder."
He suddenly reached out a hand and ruffled Ouroboros's silvery-white hair, his voice carrying a faint chuckle:
"Alright, I know you're trying to defend me, but there's no need. This is the path I chose, and it's also the result I had long anticipated. Besides... what do the world's opinions matter to me, as long as you, my friends, know what kind of person I truly am."
Ouroboros fell silent upon hearing this. He felt he should say something, but didn't know what, so he could only sullenly begin eating the wing in his hand.
After they finished the barbecue, Lin Ruo suddenly remembered a certain someone next door who had been forgotten. To prevent future retaliation, he took the temporarily packed portion and went to knock on the neighbor's door. As he left Alista Tudor and Ouroboros to deal with the aftermath, Ouroboros suddenly heard Alista Tudor speak:
"More than half of the rumors about Teacher were spread by His Highness Amon. If His Highness Ouroboros is displeased by this... perhaps we could discuss together how to give His Highness Amon a warning."
Ouroboros immediately looked at Alista Tudor, whose expression remained the same.
"In any case, wantonly spreading false rumors about the sword-wielder who protects the Empire is simply too disrespectful." Facing Ouroboros's gaze, Alista Tudor calmly stated:
"As Teacher's student, and also the deputy of the sword-wielder, I cannot ignore His Highness Amon's actions, so I intend to take some necessary steps."
Undoubtedly, this was Alista Tudor explaining to Ouroboros why he would do what he intended to do.
Ouroboros blinked slowly. He didn't quite understand why Alista Tudor needed to explain, but it wasn't important, so he simply voiced his confusion: "But I can't beat Amon, and you've only just been promoted to Sequence 2; you definitely can't beat Amon."
"His Highness Antigonus will assist us. Just giving His Highness Amon a warning will be enough," Alista Tudor said unhurriedly.
Antigonus... Ouroboros thought of the Demon Wolf who was quite close to Lin Ruo. After comparing their combat strengths in his mind, he nodded and said, "Okay."
Alista Tudor was clearly not surprised by his agreement, merely saying, "I will notify you when it's time to act."
Ouroboros naturally had no objection to this. He just stared at Alista Tudor, thought for a moment, then said, "You are a good student."
Alista Tudor, who was tidying up the barbecue grill, paused. He seemed to have smiled, though the smile quickly faded. Still, it was clear that his mood had improved significantly.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr