269 Go (2/2)

Originally, the Sage planned to maintain the Neo-Demon in a state of trance after giving him the Soul Apple. That is why he spoke with him for so long before this. However, his interest was aroused when he heard about Zatiel's original world.

”What game would that be?” The Sage did not pull back his hand, but he also did not move it forward.

”An abstract board game for two players named Go. The goal of the game is to surround more territory than the opponent. The rules are simple, but the game itself is very complex. To give you an example of the variations that can be formed in this game, let's say that you counted every atom in Baator and then multiply it by a million. The number you would obtain will still be inferior compared with the total of board positions in Go.”

”Oh, you like this type of game. I see the intellectual appeal in them, but what is the point of proving your intelligence to others. Violence is the ultimate force in this universe, and everything else can be crushed under its might.” The Sage continued speaking in his robotic voice, but there was a deep meaning in his words.

Of course, someone like him understood that this type of game could allow you to have a greater understanding of your opponent. However, the Deep Dark Dream would show him all he needed to know.

”Absolute power can crush all schemes. But tell me, who has been able to say that they can move unhindered and act without any form of restriction in the universe?.”

”I can think of one individual. I don't dare to speak his name, but he was able to make a Principal Plane tremble, and every Being of Law in it felt despair. Even the Archangels and Daw Titans could only depend on the assistance of their worlds to face him.”

”I think I know who you are speaking about, but didn't he die as well?.” Zatiel's eyes were indifferent, and his voice was still emotionless.

The Sage did not show anything when he heard Zatiel's words. Him knowing about the Incarnation of Death and Destruction was not surprising since it was a piece of information that could be bought. The grey humanoid nodded and signaled for the Neo-Demon to continue.

”If I was free, with one word, I could make the Magi leave this world and forget about it. You currently control Oliver and Tomas, so the Heavenly race it's at your command. To the two of us, the Beta Heavenly World can be considered it just one giant board of Go.”

The Sage did not show anything to Zatiel's words, but he pulled back his hand before breaking the restraints that keep the body of the Neo-Demon tie to the torture chair.

Zatiel could still feel the black power in his body, freezing his energy and consciousness. He knew that his body could not move faster than the Sage's thoughts. If it attempted to do anything, he would be paralyzed.

”Explain the rules of Go.” The Sage's robotic voice did not reveal anything, but it was clear he was interested in the game after Zatiel's speech.

The Neo-Demon did not stall for time. He calmly taught the Sage everything that there was needed to know about the game.

It would take several hours for a gifted human to understand the game of Go. To someone like the Sage, less than three seconds after Zatiel explained how the game was played, he fully mastered.

The grey humanoid waved his hand, and from the ground, a board of Go came out. A small box with black stones appeared on Zatiel's side of the board while the Sage had one with white stones.

”Let's play until your soul is ready for me to act in it.”