The Theory of the Big Stick Never Goes Out of Date

Zabriel's words were like the Rock dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a violent tsunami in the hearts of Afkar and the Fallen Angel!

Alvin especially noticed the changes in the expressions of Horok and Kay.

From the initial murderous intent, to the mistake, the shock, and finally the horror, there was an undisguised mixture of intense jealousy and envy.

"You—what you're saying, is it all true?!"

After the initial shock subsided, Afkar remained incredulous, a hint of fear in his eyes, and asked Zabriel in a trembling voice.

At the same time, Horok and Kay also turned their gazes toward him, their eager, burning eyes seeming as if they wanted to tear open Zabriel's head and crawl inside to see if it was true or not!

The Fallen Angel do indeed hate the Lion King.

However, the reasons for their hatred differ slightly. Some Fallen Angel are part of the Luther faction and harbor ulterior motives, while Fallen Angel are simply caught up in it!

This is why, despite their hatred of the Lion King's ruthlessness, these Fallen Angel also yearn for redemption.

Just like Ollsen, they resented the Lion King, but they didn't completely abandon their former honors and still had their hearts set on the Imperium. If they hadn't been forced into a corner by the Inner Circle Demon Witnesses, they wouldn't have considered cooperating with Chaos.

Being pardoned means that they no longer need to hide and live in fear of being found and taken back to repent by those evil people!

When life is good, who would want to be a fugitive?!

This was also Horok and Kay's truest thought. Of course, all of this was based on the premise that the Lion King was truly willing to pardon them, and not that those demonic witnesses were using this trick to lure them into their trap!

Don't think that the Demon King wouldn't do this.

When it comes to hunting down Fallen Angel, the Inner Circle demon witnesses have never been concerned with such trivial matters. They will never hesitate to use any underhanded or dirty tricks that they can find!

Over the years, the Fallen Angel have witnessed just how shameless these demons can be in order to deceive them!

They'll do anything you can imagine— Emperor permission, Lion King's pardon, feigned surrender—the list goes on and on!

Now, hope is within reach!

With the Lion King's Sword as proof, how could they not be excited?

Perhaps the demon's power was too great, even causing the mentally strong Zabriel to succumb to the influence of these former colleagues.

Even the instructor, seeing that terrifying gaze, felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly replied, "Of course it's true! I'd stake my life on it! The Lion King —he has truly returned, and he's even willing to forgive our 'sins'!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "sin" to reveal his implied meaning.

When facing these former companions, Zabriel, himself Fallen Angel, could not help but understand how shameful and despicable it was to have this unjust blame placed on their heads!

Ultimately, when Caliban rebelled, only Luther's faction of Dark Angels were the main force. Most others were dragged in and were bombarded by the Lion King without any reason, thus becoming innocent members of the Fallen Angel.

His mentor, Afkar, once hailed as the elite of the elite among the six heavenly armies of the Dark Angels, who cultivated countless talents, was absolutely innocent!

If this isn't explained clearly, given Afkar's proud nature, he would never accept being forgiven by the Lion King while bearing the stigma of Fallen Angel.

And things turned out exactly as Zabriel had predicted.

Afkar understood his implied meaning, frowned slightly, then turned his gaze to Alvin, took a deep breath, and calmly asked, "What exactly is going on? We need a reasonable explanation."

Yes, even a pardon needs a reason!

How could a proud Lion King so easily forgive his offspring, who were once considered traitors?

Alvin turned to look at Zabriel.

The latter understood the meaning in his gaze and then recounted everything that had happened and been experienced since he met Alvin and the Lion King.

Only after it was mentioned that another Fallen Angel had also been pardoned by the Lion King did the serious expressions of Afkar and the others ease slightly.

I believe what you've said, but--

Afkar knew the Lion King all too well. After listening, he remained calm, staring at Alvin: "How can I believe that the Lion King truly saved us, or that he has only recently awakened and desperately needs strength and an army, and sees us as sacrifices to his ambitions?"

Lion King?

To put it nicely, he was born to be a king.

But to put it bluntly, he was a ruthless, unscrupulous, silent, aloof, and extremely suspicious warlord!

How can they possibly trust someone like that?

Wasn't the rebellion in Caliban a tragedy ultimately caused by the Lion King's stubbornness?!

If only we had listened to his advice earlier, or at least helped Luther adjust his mindset and position, none of these things would have happened!

Looking into Afkar's piercing gaze, Alvin knew he couldn't give a direct answer, but he also couldn't remain silent.

But if he answers, he will fall into the trap of self-justification, because he cannot explain whether the Lion King actually sees them as "pawns," nor can he convince them of the Lion King's sincerity.

After a moment's thought, Alvin chose the third option from the two choices A and B given by Afkar, and posed the question to them, "I have made the conditions very clear. Now the choice is in your hands."

Afkar frowned. "Kid, you haven't answered my question yet!"

"I've already answered you."

Alvin glanced at them nonchalantly. "Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I'm simply informing you that by agreeing to join the Sons of the Forest, all your past sins, as long as they don't involve actual acts of rebellion, will be forgiven. This is a promise from the Lion King, and it's also a promise I'm making to you."

Afkar's gaze suddenly darkened. "What if we refuse?"

"I'm sorry, you have no choice but to agree."

At that moment, a Stormfront seemed to be brewing deep within Alvin's eyes, and his voice suddenly deepened, carrying the chill of the Warp throughout the bar. "Afkar, I reiterate, this is not negotiation, nor persuasion, but—"

Inform!"

"You?"

Afkar's gaze was unwavering as he coldly stared at Alvin, then turned to Zabriel: "I may be old, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you."

Finally, the negotiations reached their final stage.

No matter how sharp one's words are, ultimately, one must demonstrate corresponding strength. The carrot and stick principle will remain true even tens of thousands of years from now.

Just like now, even if Alvin tries to persuade him a thousand times, it's not as effective as showing his fist once.

If the Lion King were standing here today, even if Afkar had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare ask that question. The reason is simple... the Lion King could truly kill them!

But Alvin, no way!