Pest's confusion was perfectly normal.
If it were any other being, or even any other god, it would make sense to talk about an enemy force.
In mythology, most major gods or god-kings had their own enemies.
But the Abrahamic faiths were different. They worshiped a single, supreme God. Even the so-called adversary of God, Satan, was no match for Him in their doctrine.
The fact that God didn't destroy demons was a matter of His own wisdom and consideration; it didn't mean He wasn't omnipotent.
Therefore, knowing that Su Mo's true identity was the God worshiped by these faiths, it was very strange to hear talk of an enemy force causing trouble.
Setting aside Little Garden, which she knew nothing about, who in this human world was qualified to be Su Mo's enemy?
Faced with this question, Black Rabbit shook her head and immediately explained.
"The enemy force I'm talking about isn't hostile to Lord Su Mo, but to our Holy Cross Group!"
"What's the difference?"
Pest still didn't quite understand.
"Setting aside the Master and Lord Kurma, there should be plenty of people in the Holy Cross Group who can defeat this monster, right?"
After composing herself, this thought immediately occurred to her.
"For example, that Lady Algol I met yesterday. She was drunk, but she felt incredibly strong. And then there were Lady Shiroyasha and the Queen, who almost got into a fight... Couldn't any one of them solve this?"
The Bull of Heaven before them was certainly terrifying, but its terror was based on size and power—a kind of terror Pest could see and comprehend.
Compared to the powerful figures she had met yesterday, although the monster's presence was a hundred times more imposing, Pest instinctively felt that the incomprehensible kind of terror was the truly frightening thing.
Just like Su Mo, who had never truly shown his hand.
With so many powerful people around, how could this monster be allowed to run so rampant?
"If those ladies took action, they could definitely defeat the Bull of Heaven with ease!"
Black Rabbit nodded, confirming Pest's guess.
"Forget them, even I could kill the Bull of Heaven if I got serious."
On this point, Black Rabbit wasn't lying.
Although her Spirit-rank was only four-digit, with the Simulated Divine Authority: Brahma-Indra Spear granted to her by Śakra, she could even threaten the life of a three-digit being if she went all out.
A mere Bull of Heaven—and not even the original Last Embryo from Little Garden, but a technological creation made by humans using the Third Stellar Particle—was no match for her.
"However, I am Lord Su Mo's subordinate, a being from the Mythology Side. The Bull of Heaven is a human technological creation, a being from the Humanity Side."
At this, Black Rabbit spread her hands helplessly.
"In order to perfect Human History, Lord Su Mo has forbidden me and all the other figures from the Mythology Side from interfering. So, I'm sorry, but we can't help."
Saving the world with the power of gods and buddhas could not create a blueprint that could be applied across the infinite multiverse.
To overcome eschatology, humanity had to use its own strength.
That was why Canary and the others were using such a roundabout method to cultivate a representative for the Humanity Side.
Whether by acting as teachers or descending to the mortal world, to overcome eschatology through the proper means, humanity had to overcome its own challenges by itself.
Therefore, no matter how weak the Bull of Heaven was to Su Mo, he would not act against it.
Solving the problem of a single monster was simple. Solving it the right way, however, was difficult.
"No wonder..."
Hearing Black Rabbit's explanation, Pest finally understood why she could only grab her and flee, despite being able to fight the monster.
It seemed the most Black Rabbit could do was offer indirect assistance.
If none of the powerful figures were going to intervene, then the only ones in this world who could deal with this monster were—
"Wait!"
Pest's expression stiffened as she finally realized something.
"Black Rabbit, don't tell me the Master intends to leave this monster for us to deal with?"
The existence of the Third Stellar Particle was not yet public knowledge; only a few secret laboratories around the world were aware of its potential.
Ordinary people were powerless against such a monster, and the same went for the Holy Cross Group.
After a process of elimination, the only ones who could possibly defeat it were the savior candidates in the Holy Cross Orphanage, weren't they?
In other words, a bunch of kids with an average age of less than fourteen?
Seeing that Pest had finally caught on, Black Rabbit stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
"It seems that's what Lord Su Mo intends. This monster is the first trial for you savior candidates!"
After dropping that bombshell, Black Rabbit quickly tried to soothe her.
"But don't worry, Pest-chan. Lord Su Mo is only holding back for now. If you all fail to defeat the monster, neither he nor I will stand by and do nothing. You are all fledglings acknowledged by Lord Su Mo, and he won't let you lose your lives over this!"
Black Rabbit's guarantee was undoubtedly a shot in the arm.
With their lives assured, no matter how terrifying the monster was, it was nothing more than a challenge game.
But...
"If Lord Su Mo has to intervene, it means we've completely lost our qualification to become saviors, is that right?"
Pest keenly picked up on the words Black Rabbit was hesitant to say.
The purpose of the Holy Cross Orphanage was to cultivate saviors, but it never guaranteed that any of them would actually become one.
Although the monster before them was already terrifying enough, Su Mo had said this was only the first trial.
If they, the savior candidates, couldn't even overcome the so-called first trial, then they wouldn't need to worry about competition or internal struggles.
An outcome where everyone failed was not impossible.
"Yes."
Black Rabbit nodded, her small face serious.
"If that happens, you will all be able to live freely in this world, and no new challenges will ever appear."
At these words, Pest's gaze sharpened instantly.
Before she could say anything, Kasukabe Yō's all-too-familiar voice came from behind her.
"It just means Lord Su Mo's plan will fail... is that all?"
The deadpan girl's tone was as flat as ever, but anyone could hear her dissatisfaction with Black Rabbit's statement.
"Using a goading tactic at a time like this... Black Rabbit, it seems I've underestimated you!"
Kudō Asuka, dressed in a magnificent miko outfit, approached from another direction. She looked at Black Rabbit with a gaze as majestic as an empress's and let out a cold laugh.
"Big Sis Black Rabbit's hearing should have detected us approaching long ago, right?"
From the opposite direction of Asuka, a kendo girl in a simple kimono and geta sandals walked through the dense fog, her sharp eyes looking at the bunny-eared girl with a hint of displeasure.
"I've heard that rabbits are quite the schemers. I didn't believe it before, but to think you'd say something like that in front of us on purpose, Big Sis Black Rabbit."
"Question: Is this a provocation?"
"N-No, no, no..."
Like a rabbit cornered by predators, Black Rabbit's small body stiffened for a moment before she frantically waved her hands.
"That's not what I meant, I just—"
"There's no 'just.' This rabbit is definitely provoking us!"
Black Rabbit's explanation was immediately cut off.
The figure of a blond boy arrived along with a strong gust of wind.
He looked to be no more than thirteen or fourteen, with a distinctly mischievous expression on his face, his right hand still clenched into a fist.
Just now, he had thrown a punch into the air, generating a gale that had slightly cleared the fog around them.
Sakamaki Izayoi, who could shatter mountains, part seas, and even shake the planet with a flick of his wrist, smiled and deliberately fanned the flames.
"She must be annoyed with us for all the trouble we cause. After cleaning up our messes so many times, she's had enough, so she's deliberately mocking us now, leaving us prideful Problem Children with no excuse to back down."
His words drew retorts from everyone.
"So you do know you cause a lot of trouble!" Black Rabbit blurted out subconsciously.
"Who's prideful?!" Kudō Asuka snapped, pressing down on her sore and trembling legs from having run at full speed.
"I'm not a Problem Child!" Kasukabe Yō raised her hand, faintly expressing her dissent.
"I never considered backing down either!" Kudō Ayato looked up at the monster coiled in the sky, her blazing eyes filled with fighting spirit.
"Excellent! Full of spirit!"
Seeing everyone's morale high, Sakamaki Izayoi began cracking his knuckles.
"Since you're all so serious, it looks like no one plans on surrendering and withdrawing from the battle for the title of savior!"
"Then the next step is to figure out how to deal with this big guy over our heads!"
As he spoke, his eyes shone with fighting spirit.
"Hmph! This is the perfect chance to show Lord Su Mo the results of our training. We'll let him see just what we, as Canary's students, are capable of!"
"It's just a monster that's a little on the big side. With our strength, taking it down will be a piece of cake!"