The effect was too dramatic; this should've been good news.
But Aslan was starting to get a headache. Azi Dahaka had truly lost his sanity—how was he supposed to communicate with him later?
With good intentions to build a rapport with Ahriman, Aslan actually wanted to help Azi Dahaka.
There'd probably be more trouble later. Oh well, no point overthinking it—the immediate problem was more pressing. He hoped the other gods could be relied upon. If it was just him and Kalki, Aslan wasn't confident they could defeat Azi Dahaka, even though Azi Dahaka was currently very weak.
In an instant, his thoughts were organized.
When Aslan snapped back to reality, Azi Dahaka had broken free from the heavily injured Kalki and was charging toward him. Looking up at the insane killing intent in Azi Dahaka's eyes, Aslan smiled and waved, greeting his opponent.
"Die!!!!"
He wanted to leave a good impression on Azi Dahaka, but why did it feel like Azi Dahaka was getting crazier? Aslan sank into his thoughts…
As for being killed by Azi Dahaka? As the embodiment of a virus concept, a Last Trial of Mankind, Azi Dahaka truly couldn't kill him. Even injuring him was difficult.
Aslan was too widespread now; he was a phenomenon. He couldn't be killed unless every virus in Little Garden was destroyed at once. Even if he died and was surpassed, he could revive through a Magic Card.
It could be said his attack power was lacking, but his immortality was maxed out.
Forget it—Aslan had no time to think further. Azi Dahaka was already attacking.
*SWOOSH!*
A claw nearly the size of an adult's head pierced through his chest, crushing his heart. Even so, Azi Dahaka wasn't satisfied. He opened his dragon mouth again, aiming the full-powered, unrestrained Halo of the Supreme Ruler at Aslan!
Even Azi Dahaka, to avoid damaging Little Garden, tilted the angle slightly, shooting toward the starry sky of Little Garden.
Who knows how many stars would be destroyed this time.
"Kind of hot," was Aslan's comment on it. Since his body died too quickly, he didn't feel much.
Seeing Azi Dahaka, slightly confused after venting his rage, Aslan sighed in relief.
(Thank goodness he's not completely insane. If Absolute Evil truly went mad, Little Garden would be finished.)
Absolute Evil was still manageable because Azi Dahaka only bore the "Curse Flag" and boldly waited for others to challenge and surpass him. He didn't have much inclination to destroy Little Garden. In other words, Absolute Evil wasn't entirely absolute.
If Absolute Evil hid and grew like Dystopia, perhaps no god or Buddha in Little Garden could sleep soundly.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Hello? Anyone with a healing gift?"
Atop a majestic Roc bird, its entire body cloaked in golden flames, Aslan held a pitiful, heavily injured child whose consciousness was fading, on the verge of death.
Yes, that pitiful child was Kalki. Fortunately, he was the savior, and his character could be called resilient. Otherwise, who wouldn't have psychological trauma after enduring such blows right after being born?
In a single day, he'd nearly died twice. Once by Thor—no, by Zarathustra—and saved by Heracles. Then, before he could recover, he was almost killed again by Azi Dahaka.
If Kalki had grown a few more days and awakened his Another Cosmology, he wouldn't be this miserable. Or perhaps, Azi Dahaka would've used his Another Cosmology too, and Kalki would've been beaten even worse.
Hearing Aslan's voice, some spectators below, along with those trying to seize Arcadia's flag, started scheming. Though they weren't sure they could truly surpass Absolute Evil now, leaving an impression on Arcadia's heir could help.
Next time, when they were ready to challenge Absolute Evil, they could be called again. That way, when achievements were distributed, their Pantheon could claim a larger share.
Even if not for next time, only Kalki could truly face Azi Dahaka. The others weren't pure human Spirit Status holders. What if they triggered Another Cosmology and added Spirit Status and worldview to him? In the end, they'd be the ones in trouble.
Back then, to prevent useless people from interfering with defeating Absolute Evil, Canaria didn't hide information about Absolute Evil. She let them know how serious the issue was. Of course, except for the fact that a Perpetual Motion Machine Spirit Status was required.
"Here!"
A golden-haired, nine-tailed fox with a white face emerged from the ground. Her two claws gleefully held a jade bottle.
"This servant has a golden pill from Taoism. It can revive the dead and heal broken bones. As long as he has one breath left, he can be saved!"
"Please, Your Highness, use it freely!" Though she felt reluctant, for the sake of achievements and leaving a good impression on Aslan and Kalki, she was willing to sacrifice.
After this, as long as either Aslan or Kalki remembered her, she'd gain significant benefits.
Aslan wasn't polite and gave it to Kalki.
The pill truly deserved to be called a Taoist golden pill; its effect was remarkable. Just one pill healed Kalki's wounds. And there were still two pills left in the bottle.
Aslan glanced at the fox in slight surprise. Why did she seem familiar?
(A golden-haired, white-faced, nine-tailed fox? Ah, that's Tamamo no Mae. I didn't expect her to be only Four-Digit?)
Even the Demon King Roc was Four-Digit. After all, Tamamo no Mae was just a Great Demon.
The fact that she was still alive and even came to join the fun surprised Aslan.
"Anyone else willing to help? We need combat support!" Aslan tossed the partially recovered Kalki, letting him float in the air.
It'd be strange if a Four-Digit couldn't fly, especially since Kalki was the savior.
But the surroundings remained silent. Even Tamamo no Mae, who'd just offered the pill, said awkwardly, "Um… this servant already gave a pill. Can we call it even?"
They all had psychological trauma from how Canaria used people, leading to their deaths.
If Canaria hadn't sacrificed people so ruthlessly back then, Aslan might've been able to ask for help now. Unlike now, with only the pitiful Kalki, born just days ago, holding on here.
No choice.
Who told Aslan to be Arcadia's secret heir, trained by them?
Even the savior's achievement was a world Canaria had discovered long ago, all arranged, just waiting for Aslan to bear the burden at the critical moment.
It was all part of Canaria's plan. So, in terms of using people, Aslan didn't inherit Canaria's ruthless style of sacrificing others. Most importantly, afterward, you couldn't even hold her accountable, as it was all for the greater good, a necessary sacrifice.
"Fine." Aslan paused, then held Arcadia's flag and stared at Azi Dahaka.
(Canaria, you really did some terrible things! No wonder Ouroboros exiled you, and you died.)
(Damn it, now I can't even get help! Or rather, of everyone here, not one dares take the risk, all because of Canaria! The only one who took a risk was someone who gave medicine and has no combat ability.)
(Even past allies, even Heracles, stayed silent, pretending to be absent. Just how awful were you back then, Canaria!!!)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Hahaha, I didn't expect the community that sealed me back then has fallen this far?"
"Arcadia!" Azi Dahaka couldn't hold back his laughter seeing Aslan.
He had truly hoped Canaria and Koumei, after using every means, would surpass him and stand over his body, proclaiming absolute good.
But who would've thought Canaria chose to seal him instead?
What was the true way to surpass Absolute Evil? It was a way even Absolute Evil himself didn't know! Only then would it be the safest. Absolute Evil just needed to wait for others' challenges; he didn't need to know how to be surpassed.
"As his heir, are you ready to face the trial of Absolute Evil again?" Azi Dahaka tilted his heads, a cruel smile appearing on all three of his dragon faces.
He decided to show Aslan despair once more, as he did to Arcadia before!
He'd let him gather enough strength before challenging him again!
He wanted to feel that thrill of nearly losing again.
"Of course I'm ready."
Aslan stomped his foot, signaling Kalki to fly higher.
"Don't step on my head! Believe it or not, I'll toss you down!" Kalki said, annoyed. But he still flew higher, to a height where he could oversee the entire battlefield.
That height also let Aslan ensure everyone on the battlefield could see Arcadia's flag.
"I swear on Arcadia's flag! I won't sacrifice anyone who helps me."
"I guarantee with my Spatial Divinity, under the witness of the Central Core, that whenever someone is severely injured, or when the three-headed dragon unleashes his Another Cosmology, I'll teleport them out of the battlefield."
Hearing Aslan's guarantee and oath, others finally dared to step forward and offer help.
"Lord Aslan, don't forget this servant. I can provide illusion support!" Tamamo no Mae gleefully waved her claws and tails, her face full of flattery, like a dog begging for a bone.
"Kid, don't forget Greece. No Greek hero is a coward in battle!" Heracles raised his club and stood firm on the ground.
"And the Huntress!" A bright moon descended.
A green-haired girl, agile as a leopard, clad in animal hides, raised her simple bow. This was Artemis, the Greek moon goddess.
Even in the previously ravaged forest, someone made of leaves and vines emerged.
"Vidar, the avenger, there are no cowardly gods in the Norse!"
Vidar, one of the two Norse survivors, unlike Thor, whose true identity was unclear.