Before Sia's defeat, at the Artificial Death faction's base of the Numinous Episcopate...
Haiter waited anxiously. Not long ago, he had received an oracle declaring that the "God of Death" would soon send an avatar, and he was to prepare to receive it.
Truthfully, though Haiter had long wanted to uncover the true identity of this "God of Death." He hadn't expected such a sudden announcement.
His emotions were complex. On one hand, he eagerly anticipated the "God of Death's" arrival, hoping for the outcome he desired. On the other, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
Haiter still remembered how cold and imposing His Majesty the God of the Death had been, and the Death Consul, as his divine son, was practically a smaller version of him.
Haiter's loyalty to the God of the Death was unquestionable, but that didn't stop him from both anticipating and fearing the God of the Death's ruthlessness.
Yet, at this point, he had no room to refuse. He could only wait anxiously, torn between hope and dread, while preparing for the worst... if the one who arrived wasn't His Majesty or Lord Azik but the Evernight Goddess or the God of Combat, Haiter would join forces with Sia to resist.
He knew they couldn't match a Sequence 0, but this wasn't the Fourth Epoch when gods roamed freely. In the current era, the Seven Gods couldn't easily descend, and if they used a vessel, there was at least a chance to escape.
As Haiter fidgeted restlessly, he suddenly sensed something and shot to his feet, turning toward the source of the disturbance.
A gate to the Underworld had appeared, unnoticed until now. As its doors opened, tall skeletal spirits emerged, standing neatly on either side like guards. They then knelt, bowing to the figure stepping through.
Azik emerged with an impassive expression, clad in an ornate black robe reserved for Balam's consuls. His dark eyes met Haiter's, and he gave a faint smile. "It's been a while, Haiter."
Indeed, the Death Consul knew Haiter. As the God of the Death's high priest, Haiter had been within the Death Consul's circle.
"Lord Azik, it's really… it's really you!" Haiter's excitement left him nearly speechless. Though he'd suspected the "God of Death's" identity, confirmation sent his emotions surging.
He noticed three young figures trailing Azik but paid them little mind, his focus locked on Azik in fervor.
Azik glanced at the overwhelmed Haiter, feeling a twinge of sentiment but little joy at reuniting with an old acquaintance.
Back then, he and Haiter were merely colleagues, or rather, superior and subordinate... not friends.
Now, it was even less so. Whether Azik would have to confront Haiter depended on whether Haiter would willingly lead the Artificial Death faction to submit or resist upon learning his true intentions.
Azik knew Haiter's current devotion stemmed from his identity as Death's heir. If Haiter realized Azik had no plans to revive the God of the Death or restore the Death Church's glory, instead aiming to reform the Numinous Episcopate, his loyalty was uncertain.
After all, Haiter was a devout follower of the God of the Death, not Azik.
Hiding the truth from Haiter was pointless... secrets couldn't be kept forever, and their plans for the Numinous Episcopate wouldn't take long. If Haiter's stance wasn't clarified now and he rebelled later upon discovering the truth, it would be troublesome. Better to address it upfront.
Unaware that the Death Consul he revered was prepared to confront him, Haiter cautiously watched Azik. After hesitating, he asked, "Lord Azik, since you've returned, do you know when His Majesty the God of the Death might awaken?"
Haiter knew the question might be inappropriate, but as a believer, he had to ask.
Azik looked at him, smiling faintly. "The God of the Death will not return."
Haiter's heart sank, and he glanced cautiously at Azik, a bad premonition growing stronger.
Just as Sia clearly harbored ambitions for Sequence 0, aiming to replace the God of the Death, Haiter now saw Azik's response as a similar desire to supplant him.
It wasn't surprising. At this level, who could resist the temptation to ascend further? The gap between Sequence 0 and below was that of a god and a mortal.
But… Haiter's heart wavered. As a devout follower, he should immediately denounce Azik's ambition. Yet, like when he faced Sia, he'd resisted but ultimately tolerated her. After all…
The God of the Death had been gone for over a thousand years.
Even the most devout believer's faith couldn't remain pure after so long, and Haiter wasn't a fanatic driven solely by faith.
If anyone else coveted the God of the Death's position, Haiter's opposition would be fierce. But this was Azik, the Death Consul, second only to the God of the Death in the Balam Empire.
No one had a greater claim to inherit the God of the Death's position.
"Haiter…" As Haiter grappled internally, Azik gave a soft, chilling laugh.
Looking at him, Azik said, "If Father knew about your Artificial Death plan, what do you think your chances of avoiding execution would be?"
Haiter's heart sank again. He instinctively protested, "The Artificial Death plan was meant to awaken His Majesty…"
"But the result didn't awaken Father. Instead…" Azik interrupted, "it's as if you were creating a new God of the Death."
"Do you think Father would believe your intentions?" Azik asked softly, staring at him.
"..."
Bitterness flooded Haiter's heart. He knew if His Majesty returned, he wouldn't listen to explanations... only death awaited.
At that moment, Haiter sensed something and turned, stunned, toward a certain direction.
It was the Royal Family Faction's territory... the Pale-White Empress Sia's residence.
***
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