Alaric raised a hand and said, "Could it be that it's not your educational approach that's flawed, but Grisha's? Don't forget, Grisha doesn't care if the kids fight... He just tells them to mind their limits."
Sasrir's expression turned thoughtful.
"See? That's what having an unreliable main body gets you." Alaric spread his hands, cutting straight to the chase. "So, compared to Grisha, I'm the more dependable boss, right?"
The implication was clear: "Why not join my team?"
Everyone present caught the hint. Roselle was unfazed, as if used to such antics. The God of Steam and Machinery, though slightly surprised, stayed silent.
Amon, meanwhile, studied Sasrir... who didn't immediately refuse this time... with a trace of disbelief. "Sasrir, you're not seriously considering betraying Father, are you?"
Aucuses's eyes widened. Catching Amon's words and Sasrir's reaction, he blurted out, "You can't do that, Sasrir!"
Sasrir looked exasperated. Turning to Amon and Aucuses, he said, "I trust you haven't forgotten that I, too, am the Sun God?"
Amon and Aucuses exchanged fleeting glances. As staunch believers in "different personalities, different people," They clearly didn't buy it.
Sasrir sighed, a mix of helplessness and frustration crossing his face. After a pause, he added, "At the very least, you know I'd never go against the Sun God's will."
At that, Amon and Aucuses both grew pensive.
Alaric, intrigued, turned to Sasrir. "So, Grisha's really planning to hand you over to me? He's willing to let you go?"
Though Sasrir was currently working for him, it was more like a temporary loan than a full commitment.
"Only in this era," Sasrir replied, his gaze calm and steady as he looked at Alaric. "I need to keep an eye on you, Alaric."
"Whoa!" Alaric blinked, catching the implication. A brilliant smile spread across his face. "What if I resurrect you in this era?"
"I'll serve you until my life's end," Sasrir answered.
"And if the Sun God gets resurrected in this era too?" Alaric pressed.
"He should learn to manage His own work," Sasrir replied coldly. "With His charisma, I'm sure He won't lack followers. If He does, He can always carve out another Deputy of Heaven."
"That's ice-cold," Alaric remarked with a chuckle. "But Grisha brought it on Himself."
Alaric let out a soft laugh. He saw through the Sun God's ploy. Just as before, upon learning of Alaric's new abilities, the Sun God had decided to tighten his grip on him.
This time, the bargaining chip was another version of Himself... the former Deputy of Heaven, Sasrir, whom Alaric had long coveted.
Though Alaric had already built a solid rapport with Sasrir and even secured his temporary assistance, the Sun God knew it wasn't enough. Alaric was fiercely territorial, protective of his own, and meticulous in distinguishing his people from outsiders.
As long as Sasrir didn't fully belong to Alaric, he'd never be entirely under Alaric's protection or become his most stable anchor.
So, the Sun God chose to let go completely.
"Classic Him... He really knows how to let go," Alaric mused, glancing at Sasrir. Then, a thought struck him. "What about the True Creator?"
"He's not me," Sasrir said, unflinching.
"Predictable answer," Alaric said, raising an eyebrow, unsurprised. "Clever move. Now I have to resurrect you, don't I, Sasrir?"
Sasrir didn't argue. "I'll prove I'm worth the price you pay for me."
"I'm looking forward to it," Alaric said, grinning, his mood visibly bright.
He knew that with the Sun God and Sasrir making this choice, unless Alaric lost his mind and tried to destroy the world, Sasrir wouldn't betray him... even if he and the Sun God fell out. Sasrir would be the Sun God's final safeguard for this world, the last thread keeping Alaric from falling.
It was a bold move, but undeniably in the Sun God's style.
Aucuses's expression shifted repeatedly, his gaze on Sasrir tinged with obvious conflict.
After all, Aucuses hadn't expected that, fresh off their reunion, he'd hear such a bombshell.
But to call Sasrir a traitor? Impossible.
Aucuses wasn't foolish. He knew this was the Sun God's decision, just like the founding of the Rose Redemption... born of the Sun God's will.
Still, it was too strange. How could Sasrir stop being the Lord's deputy and work for someone else?
It was just too weird!
So weird that Aucuses didn't know what to say.
Amon's reaction was less intense, likely because he knew Alaric better than Aucuses did and could understand why the Sun God made this choice.
"So, are you all going to keep catching up?" Alaric interjected, his mood visibly brightening now that he'd secured his long-desired top-tier assistant. Smiling at the others, he said, "If you're continuing your reunion, I won't intrude. I've got some real business to attend to. But when you're done, please make sure to send Sasrir back. The address is..."
Alaric had already mentally separated Sasrir from the Sun God's camp.
"…I'll make sure Sasrir gets back," Aucuses said, feeling uneasy but unable to blame Sasrir, the Sun God, or Alaric. One was his father, one his elder brother, and one inspired deep awe. In the end, he could only mutter sullenly.
Amon, far less bothered, had his own mini-Amon raised by Alaric's side. Lately, he'd been learning about humanity under Alaric, making him half an insider. So, he casually asked, "I'm curious... what are you off to do?"
Alaric glanced at Amon, not hiding anything. He tossed the key in his hand and said, "I'm heading to meet Antigonus. Want to come, Lil' Raven? He's probably an old friend of yours too."
***
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