Chapter 178 Seventy-Two (2/2)
”If you complete it,” the old man said. ”I shall answer one of your questions -- no matter what it is.”
”... what's the mission?” Lino inquired.
”I am afraid details cannot be divulged unless you accept it.” the old man said. ”Shall you accept it, you will be bound by two Oaths: one that will forbid you from divulging information about it beyond certain threshold, and second which will bind you to complete it. Think carefully.”
”... I accept.” Lino said after a short thought.
”Very well.” the old man nodded lightly as he picked up the parchment he was just writing on and injected it with Qi, sending it flying over to Lino who casually caught it. ”Eighteen Legions of the Hell's armies had invaded the Central Continent,” the old man said. ”Each is led by a Sin-Devil Variant as a Commander. Your task is to unite the powers of the Continent and act as the Commander in the upcoming war. As a form of assistance, the parchment holds the detailed information on the Hell's forces as well as the forces of this Continent in addition to numerous war strategies that you may employ.”
”... you knew I'd accept it, huh?” Lino mused with a smile.
”No indecisive fool would ever be permitted to bear the title of a Descended.”
”... what's the time limit?” Lino inquired.
”There's none, technically. Your mission will be qualified as failure if you lose three or more consecutive battles. At that point, someone else will be sent as your replacement and your benefits as the member will be taken away for five years.”
”... may I use this identity?” Lino said as he lifted up the winged medallion.
”Which other one would you use?” the old man looked at him, smiling faintly. ”From now on, you are Seventy-Two... and nobody else.”
”Heh, alright.” Lino shrugged as he got up. ”Look forward to the good news.”
”Good luck to you.”
”Aye, aye...”
The old man flicked his finger gently whereupon Lino suddenly disappeared from the white room. Just a moment later, two holes in the space open as two men walked through -- one rather stout in his build and the other one quite slender -- looking at the spot where Lino stood.
”What do you two think?” the old man asked with a faint smile.
”He threatened to kill you.” the bulwark-built man commented, smiling. ”I like him.”
”That was the most indifferent I've ever seen another person behave in front of you, Master.” the slender-looking man said. ”I like him too.”
”Y-you two brats!! Looks like I need to teach you two a few more lessons!!”
”Think of how much you love us...”
”Yes, we are your dear Disciples...”
”Ugh...”
”Anyway,” the slender-looking man said. ”What are his chances?”
”He's too weak, so pretty low.” the muscled man answered.
”He seems like a rather cunning type, though,” the old man said. ”Plus, he knows that the Devils are invading because of him. I have a feeling he'll fuck them over so hard soon that even that old Jailer will be spitting blood once he learns of it.”
”Oh, good point.”
”Yeah.”
”Now I suddenly feel bad for that old guy.”
”Yeah, true, true...”
”You two go back. I've heard that the Holy War between the Eternal Paradise and Aeonian Soul has escalated. Both had their Holy Children engage in a battle recently, and it seems they're planning to awaken the Fiends.”
”Should we tell them to stop?” the slender-looking man asked.
”No need,” the old man replied. ”Just limit the destruction.”
”Oh? Don't tell me you're trying to weaken the Holy Grounds for that Empyrean kid?” the slender-looking man asked further with a faint grin.
”Ho ho, is that so Master? You like the kid that much, huh?” the muscled one fanned the flames.
”Hah, it seems I really do need to flay you two back into submission...”
”Please no, Master. Remember how much you love your two dear Disciples...”
”Yes Master. Your love for us is like the universe... boundless and relatively warm at certain places...”
”... ugh...”