Free Web NovelChapter 435: 435 Chapter Tyrant God_1
Aiden stared at Halo for a while, didn’t argue with the other’s mockery, and instead asked a question, "It seems you’re not the type to follow the rules of the game, what would you do in my place?"
"I would pretend to play the game with you, pretend to follow the rules, and then flip the board at the last moment and watch you get frustrated." Halo said with a twisted smile.
"That sounds like the tactic of a bully who picks on others," Aiden frowned slightly.
"Are you fantasizing that gods have their own pride, their own principles?" Halo retorted.
"Well, no, living with the goddess of conspiracy taught me one thing..." Aiden said, "You have overwhelming power over mortals, so you don’t respect mortal rules."
"Exactly, you’re quite aware after all," Halo chuckled.
"But rulers are also ascended mortals, and everyone is different," Aiden added.
"That’s true, if you became a ruler, would you follow the moral rules of mortals?" Halo asked.
"I would, even with the power of authority, I wouldn’t suddenly become someone else," Aiden responded.
"I believe you’re that stubborn. But you should also know that once you become stronger than the rules, external constraints disappear. From then on, you follow the rules not because you have to, but because you want to, and from a motivational standpoint, that’s the same as me trampling over the rules... because we like it, because we choose to!" Halo said.
"But what if a ruler also wishes to follow the rules of the game?" Aiden said, "The rules are made by her, wouldn’t breaking her own rules ruin the game experience for her?" fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
He felt that Melifilia followed the rules because they were set by herself. This conspiring goddess sealed herself away just for the sake of following rules on a whim.
"Wow, you really think she’s your wife, huh? Do you even know how many scars and moles she has on her body?" Halo sneered with disdain.
"Can we not make such weird comparisons?" Aiden suggested with a wrinkled brow, for just imagining Melifilia sitting beside him was chilling.
"Get this straight, kid, she might not like flipping the table as directly as I do—the scheming ’bitch’ might indeed do it in a more ’civilized’ way, but regardless, she has the ability to do it," Halo said, tone as if enlightening an oblivious student, "Once the rules lack intrinsic binding power, they’re just a paper cover-up. From nations to individuals, it’s all the same. Great powers trample over the weak under civilized pretenses, rulers exploit their citizens with laws, bullies pick on the poor... When rulers face mortals, they’re essentially the ’bullies,’ oppressing or treating kindly at their whim. Rulers come from mortals as well, some things inherently don’t change, it’s just the extension of mortal’s law of the jungle."
"Therefore, rulers also have mortal weaknesses, the stronger they are, the fewer crises they have, and inevitably, the less sense of crisis," Aiden replied leisurely, "Of course, I constantly consider the possibility she might flip the table. That’s why I’m always looking for a way to stop her from flipping the table while she still has no sense of crisis!"
Hearing this, Halo’s expression changed a bit.
After thinking, a hint of admiration appeared on her face, "Oh, that’s a valid point, the stronger you are, the easier it is to lose your sense of crisis. Haha, because that’s how I am!"
"I can assure you, at least at first, you’d only have to contend with the ’Desire’ authority. What do you think the odds are for the ’Betrayal’ power?" Aiden picked up the question again.
"Seventy percent," Halo answered decisively.
"Not an even split? That high? With both being authorities, you’re that confident?"
"The ’Desire’ power can manipulate someone’s motives, that’s a very detailed job. But ’Betrayal’ is more straightforward, just turn positives into negatives. It takes effort to build blocks, but to smash them... extremely easy," Halo explained, "It’s not that my power is stronger, at least my task is simpler than theirs."
"The ’Hatred’ authority actually has a restraining effect on ’Desire’?" Aiden was a bit surprised.
"But the premise is that the powers are equal. A saint’s ’Betrayal’ power wouldn’t be able to change desires manipulated by a ruler," Halo said with a meaningful smile, "If you want to use me as a balancing force, you’ll have to let me take back my authority first, kid."
"I need to assess your danger level first, after you get your authority back you’re not going to turn on me, are you?"
Halo thought for a moment after hearing this and replied, "Hmm, I might endure it for a bit."
"You actually need to think about that?" Aiden shook his head.
"Would you believe me if I said I’m grateful and want to repay the favor? We’re using each other, as you yourself said earlier!" Halo burst into laughter.
It seems it’s hard to expect direct cooperation with someone who’s completely lost their sense of morality, compared to that, the witch’s conclave might be slightly more trustworthy, even though those folks are ready to betray allies when it comes to their interests, but at least they pretend to have some dignity.
But at least, it’s a wild card in hand, if the ’Hatred’ authority could really restrain ’Desire’ to some extent...
"Alright, since the mercenary group still flying the ’Temple of Vengeance’ flag is unlikely to be under Mr. Red Clothes’ control, there’s no need to bother with them..." Aiden said.
The Temple of Vengeance was now implicated in Gistas’ political conspiracy of manipulating wars abroad, and Aiden naturally didn’t want that mess.
"Why not bother? They’re mostly my devout followers I left in other regions, still preaching around for me. Now that I’m back, their loyalty is still valid... I want to use them to rebuild the Temple of Vengeance," Halo stated, "But you, kid, surely wouldn’t want to, would you?"
"Why wouldn’t I? There will always be a chance to use these terrorists," Aiden replied coolly, "Once I find Mr. Red Clothes, why don’t you have them strap on bomb vests and take themselves out with him?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"I’m suddenly finding our little chat surprisingly interesting, I feel like I understand a bit why that bitch holds you so dearly," Halo said with a teasing smile, "Kid, interested in becoming my follower?"
"No, thank you," Aiden answered without hesitation.
