735
The shape of the "future" unfolded before Medici's eyes, at this very moment, in this very scene.
He understood what had already happened and what was about to happen.
The answer had come so uneventfully, without the slightest danger.
He had imagined how he would feel at this moment. Or rather, ever since the True Creator decided to head to the Eastern Continent, Medici had known what would happen. The War Angel had guessed that, once he was told the specifics and everything was settled, he would become agitated, roar in anger, perhaps even experience a slight loss of control or a self-destructive fury. But when he truly learned of it, his reaction was calm.
The Creator of the Creator who was not human;
the Omniscience and Omnipotence One, equally merciful and indifferent.
It was a terrible, truthful answer. Worse still, the True Creator had already traded everything he had for that form, exchanged everything for eternal, elusive goodwill-even though he himself knew not to trust the mercy of those above him. But this was the ending and long-cherished wish of the one Medici had followed for thousands of years. It left Medici with an irritation that made him want to smash something, yet gave him nowhere to direct his strength.
He clearly felt certain connections between himself and this world abruptly sever. His perspective rose, and he looked toward the sky.
"...Even the god who wanted me to hold this territory is gone. What am I still doing here?"
"Because you still need a base and a nominal backer. Otherwise, you're a walking Conqueror Beyonder Characteristic."
Edward answered casually, with something implied in his words:
"He seems to be treating you fairly well. You aren't under any restrictions at present, and your mind hasn't changed."
Medici raised an