The true body of Star Stealer Sol was just a stone's throw away, with surging magical power grazing the skin like a blade.
Under such intense detection, an item of the "A Midsummer Night's Dream's" level was utterly useless. If not for Perradat's "concealment" and Teest's [God's Forsaken], they would have been discovered by Star Stealer Sol immediately.
Now, Nol and Teest could withstand this terrifying pressure. But Nol was certain that the dragon leader Subelbot definitely couldn't fly this high. Players couldn't possibly approach this place either. The "United We Stand" strategy wouldn't work here.
In the end, to deal with Star Stealer Sol's true body, it still came down to the two of them.
"It's strange. How did Perradat get in?" Teest had one arm around Nol's waist, and the other hand was curiously touching the "starry sky".
"I'm more inclined to think 'seeped in'." Nol followed by knocking on the shell. "It's similar to an eggshell, this layer can't be completely sealed—at least sunlight can come in."
After moving the Lost Tower, he specifically looked at Perradat's true form. It had a smoke-like special texture, with a touch between liquid and solid. When these things were still active, they could become completely transparent.
This "eggshell" acted like filter paper, sifting away Star Stealer Sol while letting the Floating Cocoon pass. However, due to its nature, even if Perradat seeped into the shell, it could only drift along the shell, roughly equating to being back-to-back with Star Stealer Sol's true body.
Thinking of this, Nol couldn't help but feel a bit frightened—if both were blocked by the eggshell, given Perradat's character, they might have even cooperated at some point. Fortunately, the Floating Cocoon took the lead, resulting in a situation of unending hostility between the two gods.
Nol ended his contemplation, preparing to refine the plan with Teest. Just as his gaze moved to Teest's face, Nol's scalp tingled—seeing the Mad Monk's eyes bright, his lips curled up in an insincere smile. Whenever this guy wanted to do something bad, he always showed this excited expression.
"Let's not alarm it for now." Just to be cautious, Nol still whispered a warning.
"I was just thinking, it's hard to make a move like this. Hitting the eyes alone isn't lethal enough."
Teest's fingertips trace the shell, with golden threads following and slowly fading away. "If you need, I can cut open this layer of shell—just need to leave a mark first. I know I can do it."
He looked eager to try. The Mad Monk really had been restrained for too long. At this moment, Nol felt a strong sense of murderous intent he hadn't sensed in a while. Hidden in his chest, the gold wheel responded with a moment of heat.
He knew "the truth of the world" wouldn't be Teest's end.
The Mad Monk indeed loved challenging formidable targets. But like most criminals in this world, he had his standards—the killing couldn't stop, and his revenge hadn't ended either. He always preferred those targets that displeased him.
Teest's hate and love were as rare as they were intense, yet he had never realized it himself.
The golden threads ignited, extinguished, then reignited. Teest caresses the false starry sky, much like planning the dissection before a cut.
"I've got a good grasp of the situation nearby." Nol didn't point it out. "A few plans can no longer be used, but thanks to you, I have a better idea."
He cupped Teest's face with both hands, turning it towards himself. Then, Nol whispered a plan involving blood and death into Teest's ear.
Under the murky moonlight, their posture seemed like an intimate embrace.
Listening to Nol's whisper, Teest's smile grew wider. After the secret talk, he moved his face and gently licked Nol's lips.
Together, they stretch out their hands.
Imperceptible golden threads moved along the sky, intertwining with blue halos as they proceeded. They ran along the four massive moons, cutting out a perfect circle, with the four moons perfectly enclosed in the center.
Like a diamond cutting glass, those golden threads didn't immediately destroy the shell but left behind faint marks.
Above the marks, blue fire burned gently. In the not-so-bright blue flame, hair-thin live flesh quietly wriggled near the golden threads, waiting silently.
After completing this, Nol embraced Teest tightly. He relaxed his wings, not using any magic, and plummeted towards the sea surface like this.
In the howling night wind, Nol looked up at the sky.
The starry night twinkled, and the four moons emitted a soft light. Teest's long hair was lifted by the wind, shimmering like silk. Darkness still enveloped them, like they were falling into an abyss. The decisive battle that would determine their fate was imminent, yet he felt no anxiety or fear.
Nol closed his eyes, tightening his embrace around Teest. The path home became clearer, and he had never felt so calm.
"Let's go home, Teest." he said, his voice dispersed by the falling wind.
"Of course, honey." Teest's breath fell on Nol's neck. "What would you like to drink before bed?"
"Something warm, like milk porridge."
"A good choice."
...
On the carriage to Bissus, Painter put down his bowl of porridge and sighed heavily.
The former Pope thought his life had been rebellious enough, but even he had never considered "using the power of one god to track another". According to Lord Creator, it seemed Enbillick was now his responsibility. Having lived for over forty years, Painter had never shouldered such a heavy burden. Moreover, Enbillick was currently heading to the headquarters of the Temple of Life, which only added to the fun—
They were also being followed by Eugene, who was desperately searching for someone.
After Painter showed up in the Black Forest, the Golden Sword family left Grape Collar. Knight Eugene was convinced that these two events were related. He seemed to think that Painter was inextricably linked to Paradise and that Enbillick was sheltering him.
Naturally, Eugene couldn't find Painter, whom the God of Fate had hidden, so he decided to follow Enbillick from a distance as a way in.
Poor kid. Painter shook his head internally. If Eugene knew what they were planning to do, he would probably pass out in anger—
"Enbillick must think we'll start by targeting his avatar." Nol said, "To justify our mission, he'll definitely go to Bissus—any attack on him can be twisted into an 'attack by the Demon King's forces' on the Temple's holy land."
The mistake of Star Stealer Sol was that it tried to engulf this system.
It didn't create its own power system. It allowed the system to measure itself. As a result, it turned itself into a "game strategy puzzle".
A mad God of Creation could only use his last strength to find a way out. But Nol was sober now, and as the creator of this world, he was best at creating "game strategies".
Before the core figures, Nol spoke with a steady and confident voice.
"Bissus is the stronghold of the 'Homeward Saints Guild', and the Saints Guild is currently the Player group with the least connection to Paradise."
"Star Stealer Sol will definitely guess the relationship between Hermitage, Amazon, and us. The leader of the Saints Guild is eager to return home. It will choose the Saints Guild as its first object of instigation."
"Mentor, please let Hermitage release rumors appropriately. I will also issue complementary tasks to the General—we need to make Star Stealer Sol believe that our main target is his avatar."
"Fischer is inactive now. Star Stealer Sol will definitely try to domesticate him to control the Eternal Church. This, Teest and I will find a way to solve."
...
As Nol narrated, chess pieces made of golden threads moved positions. The Lost Tower, the three major guilds, the dragons, the Church, and core combat personnel—their dazzling light flickered, slowly moving across the map.
Bissus was surrounded by several pieces, becoming the most eye-catching spot on the entire map.
"It sounds very good. I just have one question." At that time, Painter asked, "No matter how meticulous the plan is, it's futile in front of absolute power. Are you two sure you can kill Star Stealer Sol's true body quickly? If we can't kill its true body in a short time, everyone will be doomed."
The core of the battle lay in being "fast, accurate, and ruthless". If there was a problem, he was really worried that Star Stealer Sol would flip the table. Seeing that the situation wasn't good, he would abandon the whole world. It wasn't like Star Stealer Sol hadn't done this before.
"We're sure." Teest played with the small hunting knife in his hand. "I'm more worried about you guys messing up. Can you really hold back Enbillick?"
"You're asking if mortals can hold back the avatar of a god?" Painter smiled bitterly. "I can only say I'll do my best."
Painter wasn't complaining about this decision. They all knew that the true body of Star Stealer Sol was the most dangerous and indeed deserved the simultaneous action of three gods. As long as they could drag things out until that guy's true body dies, they would win most of the battle.
Remembering this, Painter sighed again. He idly played with the faceless god statue on his chest—ever since meeting Nol and Teest, he always drew the "god" position in the Drifting Mercenary Group.
He wondered if this was a joke by the God of Fate.
However, during the entire plan meeting, no one mentioned that delicate issue—
[His existence brings glory to God, and his disappearance will fulfill divinity.]
This was the oracle Painter received years ago. So far, the oracle of the God of Fate had never been wrong. Perhaps he was destined to die in this battle, Painter thought, and there was no occasion more fitting for "fulfilling divinity" than the "Battle of the Gods", right?
Dying in such a level of war was somewhat worthwhile. He hoped the god he fulfilled was the gentle God of Creation, not the ominous Star Stealer Sol. In these times when gods were aplenty, it would have been nice if the oracle was clearer.
By the way, he hoped his death wouldn't be too gruesome. After running around for so many years, he deserved a quick and dignified end.
Painter stretched and looked outside the carriage. He knew Knight Eugene was moving forward, not far ahead—Eugene was still following Enbillick from a distance, utterly unaware that Painter was close by.
…Should he have another chat with that kid before he dies?