"So, will you join our cause?"
Faced with Alaric's invitation, Azik offered a gentle smile. "Can you elaborate? What exactly are you planning to do?"
"Of course!" Alaric nodded, taking a sip of his tea before launching into a clear explanation of Loen's current state and their vision for reform.
Azik listened quietly. He frowned instinctively at the description of Loen's dire situation, and when Alaric spoke of their dream for an "equal society for all." Azik's expression shifted to one of surprise and realization. After a long pause, he said, "That's a noble idea. A society where everyone is equal… it's something to look forward to."
"You actually get it!" Medici, who'd been listening, looked at Alaric with mock surprise, perhaps intentionally.
"Obviously I get it!" Alaric rolled his eyes.
Azik studied Alaric, as if seeing him anew, then smiled warmly. "Jack, I didn't expect you to have such ideals. It's surprising."
"Strictly speaking, it's not my ideal." Alaric said, shaking his head. He sipped his tea and continued with a smile, "I'm just a facilitator. I'm not some grand hero with a burning desire to change society. The real visionaries are others. Don't give me too much credit."
Alaric knew himself well. He wasn't a savior like the Sun God. His push for reform stemmed partly from his disdain for Loen's current state and partly because dismantling the existing order wasn't a bad deal for him. Without breaking the status quo, how could he emerge as the biggest winner in the chaos? A stagnant world wasn't what Alaric wanted. Reform would tighten his ties with the True Creator's faction, make them rely on his strength, and let him carve out a piece of the pie from the Seven Gods while making the world better... a win-win.
"Others?" Azik looked puzzled.
"That brings us to our partner, the True Creator!" Alaric said with a grin. "Thanks to my teacher's efforts, the True Creator is much more lucid now and will be one of the key players in this reform."
Azik's expression turned to surprise. He glanced at Medici and Ouroboros, realization dawning. "I see. No wonder…"
"So, will you join us?" Alaric extended the invitation again. "At this stage, there's not much to do. It won't interfere with your search for past memories. The Aurora Order can even help you dig for clues. Plus, if something goes wrong, you won't be a lone angel without a Sequence 0 backing you. Even if your father comes knocking, you'll have nothing to fear."
Azik chuckled, feeling a bit out of touch with the younger generation's pace. Still, he nodded with a gentle smile. "It's a worthy cause. I don't mind contributing my share."
"Awesome!" Alaric flashed a peace sign.
Klein smiled too, relaxed enough to tease, "Wild angel, huh? You've really been leaning into the jokes lately, Jack!"
"What, you don't like a good quip, Sherlock Moriarty?" Alaric shot back with a knowing glance.
Klein was momentarily speechless.
Alaric glanced at Azik, then waved at Medici. "We've got work, Medici. Fill Azik in on your progress…"
He turned to Azik. "Medici's handling the details of the reform. I'm just overseeing the big picture. Ask Medici for specifics... he knows more than I do."
"All you do is delegate. You don't lift a finger for the real work!" Medici said, glaring at Alaric.
"Who says I don't work? I brought in the people, didn't I?" Alaric looked at Medici, feigning confusion. "I started the reform, recruited the team, and came up with the ideas. If I have to handle the details too, what am I, a workhorse?"
"If you're a workhorse, what does that make me?" Medici, who'd been doing most of the reform work, asked pointedly.
"A capable guy." Alaric replied earnestly, then added with a grin, "And since you're one of the biggest beneficiaries, it's only natural you do more."
"Hmph!" Medici snorted but didn't argue. He turned to Azik. "Alright, Azik, give me a rundown. I need to know your situation to figure out where you fit."
Azik didn't hesitate, providing a summary of his circumstances.
Medici listened quietly, pondering for a few seconds before speaking. "Honestly, you're not much use in Loen right now. We're far from open war here. But…" His blood-red eyes glinted with a fiery intensity, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Your identity could be a game-changer in the Southern Continent."
Azik paused, catching on. "You mean you want me to leverage my status as a descendant of Death?"
"Exactly!" Medici nodded. "The Rose School of Thought has been active in the Southern Continent for years. If you can bring them under control, it'll simplify things there. It's also an opportunity for you."
Medici's gaze sharpened, his words carrying a hint of temptation. "You may know about the Rose School's Artificial Death project, tied to Death's uniqueness. You're only Sequence 2, but your unique status could let you take over the Rose School. Whether it's their existing Sequence 1 characteristic or Death's uniqueness, we can help you secure them. You could become the next Death."
"Pfft... " Azik hadn't reacted yet, but Alaric, watching from the sidelines, burst out laughing.
Medici shot him a look.
"Sorry, couldn't hold it in." Alaric said, blinking with no real remorse. He looked at Medici. "But, Medici, your intel might need an update."
"Spill it." Medici said, a bad feeling creeping in.
"What if the Rose School's Artificial Death project is based on the other half of Azik's soul?" Alaric said with a smile.
***
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