Crack.
The floor beneath Edward's feet shattered, and he ground his teeth in fury. "That old bastard!"
Although he had long suspected this, he simply could not accept it now that it had been confirmed—the Red Priest was the very pinnacle of the Hunter Pathway. Switching to Red Priest really would turn her into a man, completely and utterly!
Even if Lilith eventually did kill Cheek and obtain her Beyonder Characteristics and Uniqueness, as the two pathways of the City of Calamity, wouldn't she seemingly only be able to accommodate those Beyonder Characteristics and that Uniqueness to advance to a Great Old One, rather than switch pathways again?
Forgive Edward for his insufficient level of existence, narrow perspective, and limited horizons, but he simply could not accept it.
Seeing Edward's reaction, Krismona pursed her lips and said, "To be honest, I don't like the idea of someone I've called Mom for so many years suddenly becoming Dad either. But Mom said that was the only way she might be able to take revenge on Cheek."
"Besides, it's also for self-preservation. Without enough strength, once Cheek finds an opening, there'll be no chance of turning things around."
Edward gritted his teeth. "Then if I could kill Cheek for her, would she no longer have to switch to the Red Priest?"
"..."
Krismona regarded him calmly. There was no contempt in her expression, but neither was there any belief. In her usual tone, she stated, "If you're truly as special as Mom said, perhaps you really could reach that point someday. But Mom might not be able to wait."
She can.
Edward silently thought, *At least, judging by the future I know, Lilith still hadn't successfully switched to the Red Priest by then. In other words, I have at least another hundred