268 An amicable conversation (2/2)
Tomas and Oliver descended from the air and landed behind the grey humanoid. Their eyes were still filled with boiling asphalt, and they remained as faithful statues behind the Sage.
Zatiel's eyes were still empty. He gave one look at the Angelic Paragons before focusing on the Sage.
Neither the Sage nor Zatiel spoke. They remained watching each other for a long time. The tension in the air was so high that it could suffocate a weak life form.
The Sage was the first one to act. He reached for the runes that were in Zatiel's head and analyzed them.
”The information about your mastery over rune crafting is not exaggerated at all. Despite not being a Rank 4 rune, I find myself incapable of neutralizing them without killing you.” The Sage withdrew his hand, and his monstrous mouth disappeared. He knew that intimidation would never work on the man in front of him.
”I am sorry about the scene with that Angelic Paragon and those Angels of Supremacy. It was a little too barbaric to my taste, but it was the most practical way of handling them. However, I must say that if you thought that I would not notice that trump card, you are sadly underestimating me.” The voice of the Sage returned to his robotic tone, and there was a power in it that would make people lower their guard.
When Zatiel heard that, nothing changed in his indifferent eyes or emotionless face.
”If you think they could qualify as a trump card, then I can only say that you are the one underestimating me. I only played with their minds to pass the time and have some fun. It doesn't matter if they did not spread doubt in the Heavenly race. In death, they have fulfilled their purpose.” Zatiel's voice was flat and apathetic. It was impossible to detect anything about his feeling from it.
”No battle between the Magi and the Heavenly race that involved Rank 4 life forms had occurred recently. I am sure some people will have doubts about the disappearance of these four individuals. After all, the number of Soul Forging existences in the Beta Heavenly World is not so large for their absence to go unnoticed.”
The Sage remained quiet after he heard Zatiel's words. Finibus and the others may not be able to spread their suspicions about Oliver and Tomas. However, their disappearance right after the dukes visited them would raise questions.
”Finibus, Pipit, Tina, and Samuel did not disappear. They were corrupted by the Taboo Existence known as Zatiel Daybreak and became Fallen. They blocked communication with the exterior and ambushed Oliver and Tomas. Both dukes attempted to make their friends listen to reason, but there was nothing that could be done, and it is with great pain that they killed them.” The Sage's words created an illusion above his head that displayed exactly what he told it happened between the dukes and the other four members of the Heavenly race.
The illusion transformed into two beams of energy that landed on Tomas and Oliver's heads. In the next second, a genuine and extremely sorrowful expression appeared on their faces. Even tears fell from their eyes, but due to their condition, instead of liquid, what came out were drops of boiling asphalt.
Zatiel stared at the Angelic Paragons for a moment, and even for him, it was impossible to see any falsehood in their actions. The reason he could not see their lies was that they truly believed the idea the Sage planted in their minds. Their sadness and regret were honest, and the moment they share the story with the rest of the Heavenly race, no one would doubt them.
”I see, they are not disposable servants. You have plans for them in the future, so you can't steal their free will and force them into servitude since that would waste away their talent. I must say that the control technique you used on them is impressive.” Despite his words, Zatiel's voice was still emotionless.
”You are absolutely right. The price I had to pay to control two Soul Forging with Emperor bloodlines was high, but when they reach Rank 5 and travel to the Heavenly Creator World, I will have two powerful pawns in one of the Principal Worlds of the universe.” The Sage's voice was robotic, and you could find none of the pride that would usually accompany such a grand statement.
Zatiel and the Sage appeared to be having an amicable conversation and openly expressing their thoughts. However, both the Neo-Demon and the grey humanoid knew that from the moment they began to speak to each other, a contest of deception tactics started.