Derrick did not know how to respond to those words.
Being a chess piece was hardly a pleasant experience, but becoming one in a game between two gods... perhaps he ought to feel honored?
Derrick clearly had not yet attained such awareness. His fists clenched unconsciously, and a powerful desire for strength surged up from the depths of his heart.
Alger did not comment on Alice's words. Looking at Derrick, he gave a more detailed explanation of "betting on both sides":
"The danger of the 'True Creator' is something any intelligent being with eyes and a brain can perceive. Your Chief would never place all his bargaining chips on Him. He would certainly seek a force capable of balancing the 'True Creator.'
"And you, who exposed their conspiracy and were once possessed by the 'Blasphemer' Amon, may represent another possibility.
"The more Lovia and the others want to harm you, the more the Chief and the other elders will protect you. In this way, they will pretend not to see certain suspicions surrounding you that may not have been cleared up."
Audrey understood now as well. She was not surprised that there was quite a gap between her own abilities and Alger's, but after glancing at Alice, she could not help reflecting on herself.
...Why could even Miss Fortune understand it?
Audrey dearly wanted to puff out her cheeks or make some other gesture to vent her emotions, but the noble upbringing ingrained in her bones made her give up on that idea. Lowering her gaze to Alice's legs swinging back and forth beneath the bench, Audrey suddenly sighed in her heart.
Fors was amazed after finishing Alger's analysis, and for a moment, she was somewhat stunned—how had this become a good thing?
Emlyn found this part quite difficult to