If Roselle hadn't fallen, if he had become a Sequence 0 and walked a path of opposition against the God of Steam and Machinery, fully becoming his enemy, the rift between them might have grown until the God of Steam and Machinery saw him as nothing but a foe.
At that point, the God of Steam and Machinery would have severed all ties with Roselle, destroying anything related to him without a trace of lingering sentiment.
But Roselle had fallen... fallen at a time when their conflict was real but the rift not yet deep enough to erase all attachment. It was like a story cut short, leaving only melancholy and regret in its wake. Even the anger of betrayal seemed to fade into insignificance against that abrupt end.
Why did you betray me?
Was I not enough for you?
For years, the God of Steam and Machinery had grappled with these questions. He couldn't comprehend Roselle's betrayal. After all, he had given Roselle everything he could.
He had made Roselle's youngest son an angel, elevating the Gustav family to the most glorious angelic lineage. He had turned a blind eye to Roselle's ascension to Knowledge Emperor, even though he knew full well that Roselle at that level could potentially threaten his own position.
Was that not enough?
The God of Steam and Machinery didn't understand. Even more baffling was why Roselle would choose to become the Black Emperor, even at the cost of half his sanity.
Was it because of the Outer Deities?
Was it because of corruption?
The God of Steam and Machinery thought this might be the answer, but he often felt there was more to it. Their falling out wasn't just due to the corruption of the Outer Deities.
If not corruption, then what?
"It's been a while, Stiano," Roselle said. Unlike the God of Steam and Machinery, who was lost in thought, Roselle's expression was merely complex, not overly burdened. To him, the God of Steam and Machinery was a significant figure... not some inconsequential nobody.
This was the deity who had once been his greatest backer, a god he had helped elevate. Most of Roselle's life after transmigrating had been intertwined with the Church of Steam and the God of Steam and Machinery. Even if he treated everything like a game, that didn't mean Roselle felt nothing.
Even in a game, people invest real emotions. A game played for decades... how could it not leave a mark? Even a fictional character, after years of devotion, becomes an inseparable part of your life.
Roselle had once believed he and the God of Steam and Machinery would be lifelong allies. Even if he eventually struck out on his own, no longer working for the God of Steam and Machinery, they could still be partners.
But reality had slapped him in the face. The God of Steam and Machinery hadn't wanted him to go independent. The matter with Bornova became a permanent wedge between them, and the corruption of the Outer Deities pushed everything into the abyss. In the end, Roselle and the God of Steam and Machinery parted ways, the God of Steam and the Son of Steam walking in opposite directions.
So, at this long-awaited reunion, Roselle's heart was filled with both sentimentality and melancholy.
"Aren't you two going to say anything more?" Alaric asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the two who had fallen silent after their greeting. "If you feel awkward with outsiders around, I can step out for a bit."
"There's nothing awkward about it," Roselle said, breaking the silence first. He sighed, then fixed his gaze with determination.
Looking at the God of Steam and Machinery, he said, "I'm not here to rehash old grudges. I came for two reasons. First, to introduce my current boss, His Excellency Lucifer, to you. He hopes to collaborate with you to advance technology... and possibly other matters, though I'm not privy to the details."
"Wait a second," The God of Steam and Machinery interrupted, his face darkening before Roselle could finish. "'Not rehash old grudges'? Shouldn't I be the one saying that? You're the one who betrayed me! I never did anything to wrong you before that."
"Hahahaha!" Roselle let out a mocking laugh, glaring at the God of Steam and Machinery with a sarcastic tone. "Need me to remind you? How exactly did you make Bornova your angel…?"
At those words, the God of Steam and Machinery's eyes widened, his expression one of disbelief. He stared at Roselle as if he were insane, his voice rising. "That was a blessing! Do you know how many people would kill to become an angel? Roselle Gustav, don't be ungrateful!"
"Ungrateful? Me?" Roselle laughed loudly, almost derisively, as he faced the God of Steam and Machinery. "If Bornova had become a normal angel, I'd have been thrilled. But do you dare swear he's a normal angel? A divine angel with no humanity, no self, completely loyal to you... do you dare say you didn't have the slightest intention of using that so-called blessing to control me?"
The God of Steam and Machinery froze, unable to respond immediately. He wanted to argue, but a sliver of guilt held him back... because he couldn't deny that, when he made Bornova an angel, he had indeed harbored a small desire to keep Roselle in check.
The God of Steam and Machinery wasn't obtuse. He had long recognized that Roselle wasn't the type to remain subservient. Not wanting to lose him, the God of Steam and Machinery chose to make Bornova an angel when Roselle's youngest son was born, just as Roselle was beginning to show signs of wanting to break away from the Church of Steam.
In his vision, Roselle would see the weight of this blessing, realize how much the God of Steam and Machinery valued him, and abandon thoughts of leaving.
But in reality, Roselle had only lain low for a time... not out of acceptance, but in preparation.
"So you see, that's your so-called blessing!" Roselle said, his expression laced with mockery, though it was unclear who he was mocking.
The God of Steam and Machinery fell silent. After a few seconds, he spoke again, his voice slightly hoarse. "It was a blessing. Two angels would ensure the Gustav family's eternal glory... isn't that good? I admit I hoped it would dissuade you from leaving the Church of Steam, but it was still the best I could offer."
"But I never needed your so-called best!"
Roselle's composure finally shattered, his voice erupting with a mix of mockery, anger, and weary exhaustion as he glared at the God of Steam and Machinery. "I never cared about the glory of the Gustav family! I only cared about my child, loved my child... and you nearly destroyed him!"
***
Every 100 Power Stones and 5 Reviews will earn you a Bonus Chapter.
And if you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)