With Lin Qiye's affirmative reply, No. 22's smile widened.
"What's your plan?" No. 22 immediately asked.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Qiye did not answer. Instead, he asked:
"How many divine artifacts taken from King's Treasury have you hidden away?"
No. 22's expression darkened.
From Gilgamesh, Lin Qiye had already learned that some divine artifacts were missing. Back in the treasury, aside from the Sumer gods and Lin Qiye's group, the only one who could have taken them was the surviving No. 22.
If nothing unexpected had happened, the missing King's Holy Grail and King's Treasure Sword were both in his hands.
A flicker of light flashed through No. 22's eyes, as though he were struggling with something. At the same time, Lin Qiye's unhurried voice sounded again:
"You said it yourself—we're on the same side. Are you still planning to hide those divine artifacts as a backup?
Whatever cards you have, you should put them on the table sooner. It'll save us a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Gritting his teeth, No. 22 forced himself to speak. "The Silver Lock that can bind gods, along with the scepter and the sword, were all with me... but they've been taken away by them now."
"So they kept you alive because they want to use you to activate the scepter when the time comes?"
Lin Qiye immediately guessed why the gods had kept No. 22 behind.
"...Yes." No. 22 continued, "What does that have to do with our plan?"
"Only by knowing under what circumstances they would willingly release you can we proceed with the next steps, right?" Lin Qiye countered.
No. 22 fell silent.
"I need to think this through."
Lin Qiye said nothing more. He leaned alone against the corner of the cell, closed his eyes, and appeared to