Cooperation

"Cooperation?"

Hearing Nimrod actually bring up "cooperation" with him, the Celestial Worthy's gaze gradually darkened, but a faint smile soon followed.

"Tell me, how do you intend to cooperate?"

"As far as I'm concerned, there's no need to destroy your psyche. Unlike you, I don't despise everything that can influence my will."

Ignoring the Celestial Worthy's question, Nimrod continued at his own pace. "The Mother Goddess of Depravity, the Circle of Inevitability, Klein, Adam, Amanises... and you. Those are all the participants I've seen in this dream."

"A Great Old One, a Pillar, two half-Great Old Ones, a half-Pillar. What an extravagant lineup."

The Celestial Worthy listened quietly.

"The Mother Goddess has already entered the fray. So tell me, compared to you, the embodiment of deceit, wouldn't God Almighty be more trustworthy?"

Nimrod looked at the Celestial Worthy, a hint of amusement seeping into his voice.

"Two Pillars join forces-the 'Error' from beyond this world dies, and the heinous Celestial Worthy is sealed away. Doesn't that sound pleasing? Music to the ears?"

"God Almighty protects this universe and seals away his enemy, while the Mother Goddess reclaims the Brood Hive and returns to her supreme throne. You're the only loser-of course, if you're willing to give your life for the Oldest One, then I'd be the only loser."

"But... are you truly willing?"

The Celestial Worthy's gaze flickered. "So you think I'm a selfish creature who wouldn't oppose you for the sake of the Original Creator?"

"Amon proved everything." Nimrod shrugged. "I think the child takes after you."

"...Heh." The Celestial Worthy chuckled, without denying Nimrod's words.

"In the end, we're still alike. You share our arrogance and obstinacy, yet I cannot refuse your invitation-don't rush to point out how many times I've said that. This time, I mean it. Believe me or not, as you please."

With that, the Celestial Worthy shook his head.

"I need very little: all I ask is that there be no place for God Almighty in the new world."

"Agreed." Nimrod accepted the Celestial Worthy's demand and said:

"I want you to help me ascend to the throne of a Pillar. In exchange, as long as you don't betray me, I won't completely erase your mental imprint."

-As a "transmigrator" from another universe, only by becoming a Pillar could he keep himself safe here. Only by becoming a Pillar would he have a chance to escape this place and return to the universe where he belonged.

There was no contract, no notarization.

Because, for them...

Neither would serve any purpose, nor was either necessary.

"I should return to the dream," Nimrod said after some time.

"...Then I'll see you in the Mysteries Timeline, Celestial Worthy."

He closed his eyes, then opened them.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that Lumian had already awakened and was making preparations with a serious expression.

Lumian was checking the weapons he carried over and over, making sure he was ready-he had chosen a sharp dagger for maximum concealability.

"From the look of you, you might have a talent for acting as an Assassin, too."

Nimrod's sudden remark made Lumian turn toward him, curious and puzzled. "Assassin?"

That sounded far more mysterious than "Hunter"!

"It's an adjacent pathway to Hunter, also known as the Demoness pathway," Nimrod told Lumian with a smile.

"Explaining it myself would be a bit too much trouble, but in short, people on this pathway change sex starting at the mid-Sequences. Want to give it a try? I wouldn't mind my godson becoming my goddaughter."

Lumian suddenly seemed to turn to stone, because when he had heard that the Assassin and Hunter pathways were adjacent, he had genuinely entertained the idea of switching pathways.

Good thing I didn't say that aloud, or this bastard might-no, definitely would-laugh at me for months! Lumian muttered inwardly, a smile appearing on his face.

"Godfather, shouldn't we get going?"

He had absolutely no desire to engage with Nimrod's topic.

"Yes, let's go."

Nimrod didn't say anything else to tease Lumian at this juncture. He merely nodded.

"I'm an outsider, with no reason to attend Lent. Showing up uninvited would only put the others on guard, so you should go through the usual motions and take part in Lent as normal. I'll enter the church in my own way."

"Once the Father of the Parish, Guillaume Bénet, comes out of the church, I'll detonate the traps we set inside yesterday. When that happens, take the initiative and attack them."

At this point, Nimrod emphasized:

"Your Sequence is too low, and you don't know enough about the Beyonder world, so you'll be responsible for holding off the other evil god followers. Leave the Father of the Parish to me and your sister Aurore."

He paused, then brought up the Father of the Parish and laid out his analysis for Lumian.

"I suspect that, as the ritual's leader, the Father of the Parish most likely has some formidable Beyonder abilities. He certainly hasn't reached the level of a demigod, but his Sequence is surely higher than my current one. That's why your task is important. A Mystery Pryer working with a Warlock, plus a few little traps, still has a chance of quickly killing a mid-Sequence Beyonder."

-This had also been documented in "The Two Pillars Battle Rosago."

His "current" Sequence... Lumian slowly exhaled and said with considerable seriousness:

"I understand, Godfather."

Nimrod and Lumian exchanged a light high five. "Then, good luck."

Lumian gave a firm nod and headed out the door. After Lumian left, Nimrod went downstairs and spoke to Aurore, whose gaze was somewhat dazed and whose condition seemed off.

"How are you feeling now?"

As Nimrod spoke, thin gray fog gradually rose around him, spreading over the Cordu Village Dream like a fine layer of putty.

As the fog rose, Aurore's previously dazed gaze gradually cleared, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

"...I, I do feel that something's wrong," Aurore murmured, as though seeking confirmation from Nimrod.

"Lumian... has already gone over there?"

"Yes. I drew on some of the... power that constitutes this dream to shut out Lumian's subconscious. I imagine you've now realized what's happened to you?" Nimrod said slowly to Aurore.

"You can speak freely about your suspicions, Ms. Lee Xi."