Coloid's expression tightened, and he hurriedly said, "My lord, whatever I choose, it's my own decision. I hope you won't take your anger out on my friends because of it."
Desterie's killing intent faded, and he instead regarded Coloid with admiration. "You're neither servile nor arrogant, and you value loyalty. Now I want you even more as my emissary."
Coloid smiled wryly. "If you insist, my lord, I can only comply."
Desterie glanced at Dalayer, then chuckled. "There's no point forcing someone who's unwilling. When you're no longer opposed to the idea, come find me in Changhe Prefecture."
He then asked, "Who's coming? Your friend can't be weak."
Coloid gave an awkward smile. "It's Hermes. He's already a Sovereign Emissary."
Desterie's expression turned amused. On this trip to the Earth Divine Plane, he had intended to contact Arturo's Sovereign Emissaries, and Hermes was one of his own. He hadn't even tried to seek him out, yet here he was, showing up of his own accord.
"Boom—" Before long, another huge hole was blasted in the Metal Lifeform, and a burly man with a mouthful of gold teeth barged in.
"Coloid, I called for you! Why're you being so wishy-washy and not answering me?" Hermes, the gold-toothed giant, laughed heartily as soon as he entered. But he soon sensed something was wrong. Everyone in the room, Coloid included, looked solemn.
Everyone except his old friend—his very, very old friend Dalayer—and an unfamiliar man was kneeling on the ground, heads bowed and expressions humble, not daring to speak.
"Coloid, what are you—" Hermes began instinctively, but in an instant his pupils trembled. He wasn't stupid or ignorant. As a Sovereign Emissary, he'd seen Asuras kneel countless times. He turned to Desterie and Dalayer and managed to choke out two words: "Sovereign...?"
"Heh.