Medici bit into his apple with a vicious chomp, as if tearing into someone's flesh. "I'm barely Sequence 2 now."
He was proud but not delusional. Though once an King of Angel, he hadn't regained Sequence 2 strength. The Primordial Demoness wasn't just an established Sequence 0... she had unique trump cards. The gap was so vast that challenging her wasn't hunting; it was suicide.
"But you were an King of Angel!" Alaric said, grinning at Medici. "Commanding your past self is only natural, isn't it?"
Medici shot him a look and clicked his tongue. "You're really good at roping others into your schemes."
"I'm just good at creating win-win situations." Alaric said with a smile, sipping his tea. "Once the Augustus family fully trusts us as loyal allies, it's time to give them a crash course in scam prevention! Heh, I bet they'd be thrilled knowing their resources are fueling our reform."
Medici caught Alaric's drift. This wasn't just about scamming resources... it was about breaking the Augustus family's spirit. Given Alaric's track record, resources were likely secondary to the psychological blow.
As for success? Honestly, the odds were high.
The Augustus family had no real options. Unless they abandoned the Black Emperor plan now, with the Demoness Sect proving unreliable, they'd have to grasp Alaric's olive branch.
They'd never suspect a faction backed by a Sequence 0 was merely scamming them, nor could they fathom the True Creator's faction plotting their downfall from the start. In this era, such a scheme was unthinkable. Those who hadn't lived in the same age as the Lord or followed Him wouldn't grasp their goals. Even if the Augustus family grew suspicious, they'd likely assume the True Creator wanted to become a true god or claim a share of Loen's faith... not that their true aim was to topple everything.
"And just doing this won't provoke the Seven Gods too much. It keeps the Augustus family as a target… because when the dust settles, someone's got to face the guillotine." Alaric added with a sly grin, glancing at Ouroboros. "Of course, this is just my suggestion. The final call depends on the True Creator's stance."
Ouroboros blinked, clearly surprised Alaric addressed him. He glanced at Medici, belatedly realizing Medici had defected, then pondered slowly for a few seconds, as if receiving a message. He nodded. "The Lord agrees. I'll assist you."
"That's fantastic." Alaric said, his smile genuine.
With the True Creator unable to descend easily, their strongest asset besides Alaric was Ouroboros, the King of Angel of Fate.
"The Augustus family really stepped on a landmine with you." Medici said, incinerating his apple core with a flame and glancing at Alaric.
"They brought it on themselves with their inhumane actions. I'm just delivering justice." Alaric said, spreading his hands with righteous conviction.
"Hmph!" Medici snorted, saying nothing more.
"Of course, this is just a rough plan. We'll tweak it if things change." Alaric said, stretching lazily and looking at Medici. "This is mainly your show, great Red Angel. I'm just a weak, pitiful, helpless Sequence 7."
Medici didn't even bother responding.
Sequence 7? One who can summon the Ancient Sun God? Which of Alaric's schemes was fit for a mere Sequence 7?
Alaric didn't care about Medici's reaction. No matter what others thought, he always kept in mind he was only Sequence 7.
For grand schemes involving high sequences, Alaric's approach was to leverage others' strength, nudge from the sidelines, and act only when necessary... never taking the spotlight.
This was why he wasn't rushing to crush the Augustus family. They were just an ordinary angel family, but they could easily become a detonator, making Alaric a target for the Seven Gods. What good would that do him?
He had no desire to be an emperor or an urgent need for reform. While annoyed with the Augustus family, he wasn't hell-bent on destroying them. Detonating the situation now would flip his dynamic with the True Creator's faction... from them relying on him to him needing their protection.
Was he supposed to become a summoning tool for the Ancient Sun God?
No way. Alaric was fine with close cooperation, but he'd never oppose the world for them or become a pawn to make their faction the world's hegemon.
So, chaos was what he needed. If everyone united under the True Creator, Alaric... the wildcard who could drag everyone down... would become the target.
"That's why building my own faction is crucial. Only when you all need me, when we're bound by deep trust and mutual benefit, am I truly safe." Alaric thought, his smile growing brighter. He looked at Ouroboros. "Since Sherlock and the others are out, let's get that blood now."
"Alright." Ouroboros nodded, slicing his palm. Silvery-white blood dripped into a bottle Alaric had prepared.
"Thanks. Next time, I'll make you a feast." Alaric said, pocketing the bottle as his thoughts wandered.
Speaking of which, maybe it was time to meet Will.
Would that Snake of Mercury try to dodge him?
***
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