Haiter could sense someone battling Sia, and Sia seemed to be losing.
"It's begun." Azik said, glancing in that direction with a faint tone.
"Lord Azik, are your people attacking Sia?" Haiter asked, his voice strained.
Azik looked at him calmly. "I don't need any voice in the Numinous Episcopate other than mine."
"..."
He understood. Unless Sia surrendered, she was doomed this time.
He also realized Azik's words were directed at him... if he refused to submit, he might soon return to the Underworld.
Faith or survival... a tough choice. Fortunately…
The figure before him was the Death Consul.
Haiter dropped to one knee, head bowed, voice reverent. "Your Majesty Azik, your will is my will."
Haiter chose submission.
"Good." Azik said, studying him. Confirming Haiter's sincerity, he nodded, a slight smile curling his lips. "A wise decision."
Haiter gave a bitter smile inwardly, yet felt a familiar sense of relief. The Death Consul of old was just as cold and commanding.
Then, recalling something, Haiter asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, what are your next orders?"
"The current Numinous Episcopate isn't the one I need. After unifying it, I'll reform its members." Azik said, glancing at him. "You've likely guessed the direction."
Haiter had, recalling the "God of Death's" prior oracle. It left him conflicted. The Death Church had always followed a ruthless path, so shifting to a righteous one felt strange.
But, considering the thriving Seven Churches on the continent, Haiter relaxed. Times had changed. To revive the Death Church's glory, bloody sacrifices were ill-suited for widespread appeal.
Haiter wasn't foolish. He knew that for a sect to grow now, it had to appear gentle and kind on the surface. Otherwise, the Seven Churches, upholding their righteous image, would never tolerate a brutal orthodox church.
So, he bowed his head, saying respectfully, "I obey your will. Your intent is the Numinous Episcopate's intent."
"Stand. Your cooperation will be needed." Azik said, smiling after discerning Haiter's thoughts. He didn't elaborate, as Haiter's reasoning wasn't entirely wrong.
Per Lucifer's plan, if the Numinous Episcopate's reform succeeded and contributed enough to the revolution, a Death Church might reemerge.
Alaric, in his Jack persona, glanced at Haiter, catching his thoughts and smiling faintly.
Alaric had no intention of abolishing churches post-revolution. This world had gods, needed gods, and gods needed believers.
Beyond that, with endless Beyonder incidents worldwide, churches' Beyonders were essential for handling them. Churches also provided spiritual solace, offering significant positive value.
Denying a necessary institution was pointless. Alaric's goal was to curb divine authority after the revolution, ensuring gods stayed with gods, and humans with humans.
The Seven Churches already showed this trend, as the Seven Gods couldn't easily leave the Astral World. Take Loen, for example: despite the Augustus family's wariness of the three major churches, they remained the true rulers. Even the churches couldn't easily interfere with the king's decisions... otherwise, how could Augustus secretly conduct the Black Emperor ritual?
Yet, this was merely a trend. When gods wished, they could still sway wars, shape the world, and alter nations' fates.
Due to vast power disparities, wars meant for mortals often lost meaning, decided instead by divine battles.
Alaric disliked this.
His aim was to further restrict churches... or rather, divine power... so gods could no longer easily meddle in human affairs.
This required absolute strength, but fortunately, Alaric's side lacked nothing in power.
Some might argue Alaric's actions effectively replaced gods, controlling mortal destinies.
But first, the Lord of Mysteries world's mortals needed such a figure. Second, Alaric's side included some of the most morally upright beings.
Lastly, Alaric wasn't a saint. He never claimed to be. He followed a principle of survival of the fittest... so, being the strongest, he set the rules.
"Of course, I'm looking forward to humans advancing technology to counter me someday. That'd be fascinating." Alaric mused inwardly, his eyes glinting with anticipation.
While Alaric's thoughts wandered, Azik finished assigning Haiter's tasks... simple ones like gathering Numinous Episcopate members, suppressing dissent, and compiling rosters.
After Haiter left to carry out his orders, Azik's impassive expression faded. He rubbed his face, feeling it stiffen.
His earlier demeanor was a deliberate act to emulate the old Death Consul. It wasn't hard, with most of the Death Consul's memories at his disposal. The only challenge was suppressing his emotions.
Luckily, Azik felt little attachment to Haiter, so he managed.
Klein, watching Azik frantically rub his face, couldn't help but chuckle, whispering to Jack, "Mr. Azik's act earlier really spooked me. I thought his humanity was slipping."
"Honestly, Mr. Azik had serious presence back there... cold and ruthless." Alaric nodded in agreement, dramatically rubbing his arms. "Gave me chills."
"Or maybe it's just cold in here." Lil' Amon said, glancing at the still-open Underworld gate behind them.
***
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