Pallez glanced at Luo Lin. Though he had his doubts, he still opened the iron box Luo Lin handed him. Then Pallez froze.
Inside the iron box was none other than a semi-transparent Time Worm. That was not the crucial part—the crucial part was that, as Amon's old rival, Pallez could tell that this Time Worm belonged to Amon. It might even have died only a few days ago.
"Is Ancestor satisfied with my meeting gift?"
Luo Lin's voice rang out at that moment. He sounded like a junior sincerely hoping for an elder's approval. Pallez gave Luo Lin a deep look and said, "I am very satisfied."
That was the truth. Though he had no idea what was going on with this "Luo Lin Soroast," Pallez was indeed very pleased with the gift he had brought.
A Time Worm whose characteristics had already returned to Amon was not particularly valuable. At most, it could be used to make some high-level talismans. Yet it meant that one of Amon's Avatars had definitely met with disaster, perhaps even an Avatar of considerable status.
For Pallez, who had suffered under Amon for far too long and had been hunted by him until there was nowhere to flee in heaven or earth, this was the best possible intelligence—the best possible gift.
After all, who did not enjoy seeing Amon suffer?
Thus, although he still harbored deep wariness toward Luo Lin, Pallez could not help but feel somewhat more favorably toward the person before him.
"As long as Ancestor is satisfied." Since Pallez was satisfied, Luo Lin was naturally pleased as well, and he immediately smiled.
"...How did you find me?" Pallez closed the iron box containing the Time Worm and asked directly.
"My Lord guided me, allowing me to trace your whereabouts," Luo Lin said with a smile.
"Could you introduce the existence you worship?" Pallez was not particularly surprised by that answer, but he pressed on.
"My Lord is the great Chief Sovereign of Chaos; the one who walks backward through time; the reflection of the world, the Avatar of joy." Luo Lin spoke with a devout expression. Naturally, the existence he described was himself.
As the saying went, the traditional skill of the Lord of Mysteries—believing in oneself. He was his own Blessed, an existence combining believer, Blessed, and deity into one. That was a hallmark of the Lord of Mysteries, so Luo Lin naturally had to experience it for himself.
Strictly speaking, it was not even a lie. The honorific name Luo Lin had made up could indeed point to himself. Perhaps because of the Nyarlathotep fragment within him, although Luo Lin did not have a gray fog where he could hold gatherings, he possessed some divine characteristics. He could establish connections with others through an honorific name and respond to prayers.
Pallez frowned. Of course, he could tell that Luo Lin had recited a standard three-part honorific name. That meant the existence it referred to, even if not a True God, was at least an Angel of Kings with uniqueness.
Yet Pallez had never heard of such an existence. Even considering the possibility of an old friend wearing a new mask, he could not think of any deity fitting that description.
Chaos... Pallez thought of someone known as the Child of Chaos, but he quickly dismissed the guess.
After all, as far as he knew, that Child of Chaos had been thoroughly ruined by the old Lord of Mysteries long ago. It was unlikely that he had suddenly escaped his predicament and started searching for Pallez's whereabouts.
After pondering for a long time without results, Pallez simply stopped dwelling on whom Luo Lin worshipped and asked bluntly, "What does he want?"
"My Lord does not wish for Amon to become the next Lord of Mysteries. Though he does not think highly of you either, at least when it comes to stopping Amon from becoming the Lord of Mysteries, my Lord stands with you."
Luo Lin said this with a smile. He had naturally done so on purpose. On one hand, he was showing that he stood on the same side as Pallez, lowering the latter's guard and increasing his sense of identification. On the other hand, bringing up the Lord of Mysteries made his disguise more credible.
After all, not just anyone knew of the Lord of Mysteries.
"The one you worship truly does not mince words..." Pallez was not surprised by Luo Lin's words, but he could not help giving a bitter smile.
Although he was also one of the candidates competing for the position of Lord of Mysteries, even Pallez had to admit that his chances of ascending to that position were slim—practically zero.
"So, is Ancestor willing to cooperate with my Lord?" Luo Lin asked with an expectant expression.
"...I have a few questions. First, why me? Since you were able to find me, you should know how terrible my current condition is." Pallez's expression finally turned serious.
"The reason my Lord seeks cooperation with you is simple. First, you and Amon have fought for a long time. You understand him well, and intelligence itself is an important resource." Luo Lin explained unhurriedly. "Second, the hatred between you and Amon is irreconcilable. Third, as you said, you are weak enough."
Luo Lin looked up at shadowy Pallez and revealed a shy smile. "I imagine you have guessed it as well, Ancestor. My Lord is also in a difficult situation, so your weakness is actually a good thing for this cooperation."
For a deity in a difficult situation, an overly powerful partner could instead pose a danger. An existence that was similarly weakened could ensure both sides' safety.
"You really dare to say anything." Pallez gave Luo Lin a deep look.
"My Lord is merciful. He will not punish me for speaking the truth, and you, Ancestor, are a good person as well," Luo Lin said with a cheerful smile.
"Heh..." Pallez chuckled, then looked at Luo Lin and said leisurely, "Then you think far too highly of us higher beings, child. I wonder if you have heard this saying: Believe in the might of deities, but do not believe in their mercy."
By the end, Pallez, who had been smiling like a kindly old man all along, revealed for the first time the bearing of a superior.
It was the bearing of the former head of the Soroast Family, the majesty of an Angel who had once served the Black Emperor.
Leonard, who had been watching the show from the side, lowered his head instinctively. His mind even went blank for an instant.
Yet Luo Lin merely shook his head. He continued looking up at Pallez, seemingly completely unaffected by his aura, and said with a smile:
"Ancestor, you are mistaken. I have never believed in my Lord's mercy. I merely believe that my Lord will not waste anyone's value. Even if my Lord grants me death one day, it will surely be because the value of my death exceeds the value of my life."
Pallez gave Luo Lin a deep look upon hearing this and said meaningfully, "I am very curious. Why are you loyal to your Lord?"
Those did not sound like the words of a devout believer.
"Is Ancestor concerned about me?" Luo Lin asked in all seriousness.
"As your ancestor, I naturally wish to know why my descendant came to believe in a deity because of a certain existence," Pallez said, neither answering yes nor no.
"It is very simple. My Lord saved me. Amon would originally have eaten me as a little snack, just like my parents. Because my Lord exists, I can now stand before you, Ancestor." Luo Lin spoke the plain truth. His gaze fell upon the iron box at Pallez's side, and after a pause, he added, "This is the spoils left behind when my Lord saved me."
Before you continue