Hearing Sasrir's words, Leodero finally turned his gaze to the former Dark Angel. His movements stiffened, tinged with unease, as if unsure how to proceed.
For any Kings of Angel who once followed The Ancient Sun God, Sasrir was a unique figure. As the Divine Kingdom's deputy, he often served as caretaker and guide to many Kings of Angels, even after they matured, acting like a nurturing elder.
To Leodero, Sasrir was especially significant.
Having followed The Ancient Sun God from a young age, like Medici, Leodero was practically raised by Sasrir.
Unlike Medici, a steadfast devotee of The Ancient Sun God, Leodero's past "betrayal" left him uneasy in this moment, despite it being unwilling.
He wouldn't make excuses for it... what happened, happened.
This rare moment of avoidance kept Leodero from seeking out Sasrir, despite knowing his whereabouts, opting instead to quietly follow news of The Ancient Sun God and Sasrir. His church contributed significantly to the revolution, offering both resources and effort.
Leodero was better at action than words.
"…It's been a while," Leodero said, his tone dry. The man who'd spoken so sharply to Adam now seemed at a loss for words.
"To me, it feels like we just met," Sasrir said with a smile, eyeing the clearly flustered Leodero. He reached out, patting Leodero's shoulder, neck, and back before the latter looked at him like a startled cat. "Your posture just now will give you a hunchback. It's bad for your spine."
"???"
He was a true god... did he need to worry about that?
Though exasperated, the light-hearted moment eased his tension. Old memories resurfaced, and he said, "I remember you always fixed our posture when we were young. Aucuses was better at it... he could sit still. I could never stay that proper…"
He'd never been overly rigid, always fidgeting, earning plenty of scolding back then.
"Compared to Amon, you were fine," Sasrir said, chuckling as memories stirred.
Leodero was manageable; Amon was the one who could never sit still.
"Being compared to Amon isn't exactly a compliment," Leodero said, crossing his arms with a sudden grin, exuding confidence. "I won't justify what I did back then, nor beg forgiveness, but I owe you."
Pointing to himself, he continued, "I know what you want. My Uniqueness and characteristics... you can take them anytime. If that's not enough, if you want my life to atone for the past, that's fine too."
If Adam became God, Leodero would never surrender his characteristics so easily. But for The Ancient Sun God or Sasrir, he wouldn't resist.
Sasrir sighed, knowing the "betrayal" was a knot in the hearts of all three gods. "I know it wasn't your fault back then," He said to Leodero.
Leodero's expression tightened. "A mistake is a mistake. The one who makes it should pay the price."
"You're as stubborn as ever!" Sasrir said, exasperated but fond. "Fine, as punishment for your mistake, when I or The Ancient Sun God ascends to that position, I'll take your Uniqueness and one Sequence 1 characteristic. I don't need your life, but I want your promise to follow our rules and help make this world better."
Sasrir knew Leodero didn't need forgiveness. The stubborn god needed punishment to let go of the past.
Leodero visibly relaxed, nodding solemnly. "Deal."
"So, you done chatting?" Alaric, who'd been quietly watching, finally spoke, raising his camera with a smile. "If you're finished, it's photo time. Amanises, Pigeon, want in on a group shot?"
The Evernight Goddess nodded gently. "I wouldn't miss such a memorable moment."
Leodero, after half a second, realized "Pigeon" meant him. Though puzzled by the nickname, he didn't ask, nodding eagerly. "I'm ready."
None of the three gods could resist Adam's spectacle.
What followed was a lively photo session, with Adam as the centerpiece. Alaric snapped dozens of group shots, each with multiple takes.
By the end, even the composed Adam grew uneasy. "Isn't that enough?" He asked.
"Feeling embarrassed now?" Alaric teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Any normal person would in this situation," Adam said candidly, a touch of helplessness in his voice. "My emotions are fainter than most, but they're not absent."
Click!
"…"
"Nice expression... very memorable," Alaric said, grinning as he patted the lamppost. "Ever think I did this just to embarrass you?"
"…"
After a second's silence, he said, "Can you let me down now?"
"No way!" Alaric looked at him, incredulous. "You've barely been up there. At least nine days and nine nights, right?"
Adam fell silent, his gaze sweeping the onlookers and considering who might pass through the Spirit World or rush over after hearing the news. A shiver of dread ran through him.
Hey guys! If you're a fan of Marvel and looking for an interesting story to read, don't hesitate to check out this new fanfic:
[The New Asgardian (Marvel × WoW)]
Synopsis:
A man reincarnated as a Paladin from World of Warcraft to Asgard long before humans could even think of creating fire.
What else could possibly go wrong?
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