"Is this about the method being crude or not?" The God of Steam and Machinery swallowed hard, his voice weak. "If I say I believe you're the Ancient Sun God now, can I avoid the beating?"
The Ancient Sun God didn't respond, instead turning to Alaric.
"Sorry, Stiano ol' pal, but as the saying goes, we've already come this far. No way we're leaving without a fight," Alaric said with a gentle smile, though his words were icy. "And strictly speaking, we're here to beat you up because of the mess you made. Everyone's gotta pay for their actions, right?"
The God of Steam and Machinery froze, his gaze instinctively shifting to Roselle.
Roselle met his eyes without flinching, saying candidly, "Stiano, maybe you meant well, but I need to get justice for my kid."
Bornova, standing nearby, furrowed his brow as if to speak, but was stopped before he could.
Amon placed a finger to his lips, signaling silence. "This is between your father and the lord you serve. You should let them settle it themselves... it's what they both want."
Bornova hesitated, glancing at Roselle and then at the God of Steam and Machinery. Neither looked at him, but he suddenly understood. Amon was right.
This was their issue, and they had to resolve it.
"Fine! I've been itching to punch you for a while, Roselle!" The God of Steam and Machinery suddenly laughed, looking at Roselle. "I haven't forgotten your betrayal either!"
Roselle held a grudge over Bornova, but the God of Steam and Machinery was just as bitter about the betrayal.
If they didn't fight, neither would be satisfied.
"Now that's the spirit! That's how it's done!" Roselle grinned, then turned to the Ancient Sun God politely. "I'll leave it to you, Mr. Grisha."
How did things escalate to this point? Simple. While shouting outside the divine kingdom, Roselle had suddenly proposed that he wanted to personally take on the God of Steam and Machinery.
"This is between me and him. I won't be satisfied unless I punch him myself," Roselle had said, his expression complex, the megaphone still blaring his earlier taunts, distorted by the Black Emperor's abilities.
"Stiano's not exactly a combat-savvy god, but let me remind you... you're not a proper Sequence 0 right now," Alaric had said, not objecting but offering a caution.
"That's why I'm asking for Mr. Grisha's help," Roselle had replied, turning to the Ancient Sun God earnestly. "I know a bit about Gods Above the Sequence. If you're willing to assist, I might be able to briefly regain my Sequence 0 strength."
The Ancient Sun God hadn't agreed or refused outright, instead looking to Alaric.
"If you can do it, give him a hand," Alaric had said with a smile, meeting the Ancient Sun God's gaze.
So the Ancient Sun God nodded, turning to Roselle. "I can indeed help you temporarily return to your peak, maybe even make you stronger. But are you sure you can overpower the God of Steam and Machinery?"
"If it were anyone else, I might not be so sure. But Stiano, that shut-in? Hah, if I can't even beat him, I might as well not bother living!" Roselle had declared confidently.
With that settled, the Ancient Sun God said no more, giving a nod.
And that led to the scene that followed.
Back in the present, at Roselle's request, the Ancient Sun God raised his hand. A golden light enveloped Roselle, and his aura shifted instantly.
If Roselle had previously held only the title of a Sequence 0 without the corresponding power, he now briefly returned to his peak, truly embodying the Black Emperor once more.
This was the work of a Quasi-God Almgihty, utilizing the Spectator's authority of imagination.
Beyond that, the Ancient Sun God also used the powers of the Sun and White Tower pathways to buff Roselle, greatly enhancing his strength.
The God of Steam and Machinery watched silently, unable to intervene or stop it. But he wasn't idle. Metal fragments floated around him, forming a colossal mech-like structure, while a scroll appeared in his hand. The scroll depicted scenes of history tied to steam... his mark on the world.
Alaric, observing the two poised for battle, shook his head. "Stiano doesn't stand a chance. His big move is practically all Roselle!"
Indeed, the historical scroll in the God of Steam and Machinery's hands was filled with Roselle's influence.
Seeing this, Roselle seemed to recall something, his expression briefly complex. But it didn't waver his resolve to punch the God of Steam and Machinery.
Coincidentally, his opponent felt the same.
And so, the divine battle began... a clash between the Artisan and the Black Emperor, a showdown of machinery and rules.
Both fought with all their might, yet both tacitly avoided lethal blows. Still, Roselle held the upper hand, visibly overpowering the God of Steam and Machinery.
Whether intentional or not, despite not excelling in close combat, Roselle repeatedly charged forward to throw punches, each aimed squarely at the God of Steam and Machinery's face. First, he gave him a stylish pair of black eyes, then left a series of lumps on his head.
"Not sure about the damage, but it sure looks satisfying," Alaric commented, losing interest after watching the divine battle for a bit. He wandered to the edge of the divine kingdom, to the boundary of the Astral World, curiously studying the barrier before him.
This barrier shielded against the invasion of the Outer Deities. At that moment, perhaps sensing the commotion within, a massive shadow loomed faintly beyond the barrier... clearly belonging to an Outer Deity.
"The Mother Tree of Desire," The Ancient Sun God said, appearing beside Alaric and identifying the shadow.
"Too bad. I was hoping for the Mother Goddess of Depravity," Alaric said with a slightly regretful smile. "Still, the Mother Tree of Desire's an old friend…" He raised his hand, pressing it against the barrier, and grinned. "Hey!"
With that, the massive shadow beyond the barrier visibly trembled. Seemingly realizing something, it fled at breakneck speed, as if it had seen a ghost.
"Why run so fast? I'm not gonna eat you…" Alaric shook his head, retracting his hand. When he opened his palm, a fleshy "branch" lay there.
The Ancient Sun God gave the "branch" in Alaric's hand an odd look, suddenly understanding why the Mother Tree of Desire had fled like it had seen a ghost.
"Don't look at me like that. It's just a stripped characteristic, probably Sequence 9. Hardly worth mentioning," Alaric said with a smile, glancing at the Ancient Sun God.
***
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