But Michael did not waver in the slightest.
"As long as... as long as you release Zadkiel, I'll do whatever you ask. But until then, don't speak to me about faith—I will never allow anyone to harm my brethren, not even you."
"Ha ha ha ha—"
Rather than making Yahweh hesitate, Michael's words only made him burst into loud laughter.
"Michael, I never expected you to still be this naïve even now. Have you still not understood? You are all my believers. Every one of your bodies belongs to me. What does one mere Zadkiel matter?"
"How... how can you say something like that? Weren't we all family in the past? Zadkiel believed in you so deeply—how could you do something like this? If you wanted to be reborn through memories, anyone on earth could have served as your vessel. Why sacrifice your most loyal subordinate?"
"Because of power."
Before Yahweh could answer, Ye Ting gave her the answer from Michael's side.
"Angels are my masterpieces. I can say without hesitation that they are creations closest to gods themselves. How could the frail bodies of mortals compare to angels? More importantly, Zadkiel possesses the power of 'memory.' With that power, using her as a vessel for rebirth would preserve Yahweh's strength after his resurrection to the greatest extent possible, giving him the best chance to rise again."
"...Is that really true?"
After hearing Ye Ting's explanation, Michael looked at Yahweh, disappointment filling her eyes.
She truly could not believe that the one who had done such a thing was the Heavenly Father they had once revered most.
Yet amid her overwhelming disappointment, she still retained a trace of hope.
How dearly she wished to hear Yahweh deny it all.
But in the end, she did not.
"Heh heh heh, ha