Chapter 427: Chapter 427 Make do with it_1
The Revenge Goddess did not show any particular interest in Aiden’s proposal. "Do you think I’m going to nod along just because you rephrased the same thing?"
"It’s not the same. What I mean is, if you don’t like me, then we don’t cooperate. There are no terms between us, no contract. But our enemies and goals overlap to some extent. It’s just an exchange of intelligence while ensuring we don’t attack each other. That wouldn’t cost you anything." Aiden explained carefully, "Don’t you want to know where your adversaries are?"
"Where are they?" The Revenge Goddess immediately asked.
"As long as you tell me some things I want to know, I can tell you some of it," Aiden replied.
"What if I refuse?" asked the Revenge Goddess.
"I won’t do anything to you," Aiden answered, "It’s your freedom. You would just miss the chance to learn the intelligence you want to know."
"Then I’ll consider it," the Revenge Goddess replied without a second thought.
"Often, considering is the same as refusing. I am not quite sure which ’consider’ you mean," Aiden pressed further.
"If I intended to refuse, I would have refused directly, kid," the Revenge Goddess said, slightly running her hand through her hair, "I’ve just woken up; my head is still a bit in a muddle. I need some time to organize my memories... Now isn’t a good time for me to make a decision. Could you show some consideration for the patient?"
"Alright, a patient who just disarmed one of my subordinates and took a hostage... Can I take it that you’re at least willing to call a truce?" said Aiden.
"If you can get me a hot shower, I might just bear the conspiracy stench coming off you," the Revenge Goddess said, "It’s been a few days since this body was last washed."
"Uh, the bath water’s lukewarm at best. Make do with it. The prisoners have complained many times, but at least it’s not freezing. The boilers are hard to control; to prevent burns, we have to set a limit on the temperature," Aiden answered.
"Make do? You expect me... to understand?" The Revenge Goddess’s eyes showed displeasure.
She was once a deity worshipped by people, yet this man expected her to make do with the temperature of the bathing water?
"No, you’ve misunderstood," Aiden waved his hand, "I don’t need your understanding, just explaining. And another thing to explain, you should cherish this chance to bathe because for some time, you won’t get to enjoy it as much since you’ll be put in solitary confinement."
"What?" The Revenge Goddess’s face showed disbelief as her eyes widened.
"You stole a gun from one of my subordinates, fired at the prison guards, and took a hostage. This is serious, so serious that even if I considered your surrender just now, I can’t feign ignorance... Please don’t interrupt me, let me finish," Aiden saw her about to speak and gestured for her to stop, then continued, "This will extend your sentence, but that’s the adjudicator’s job. As for me, in my capacity, I need to punish you according to the prison rules. At the very least, ten days in solitary."
"Prison rules?" The Revenge Goddess seemed a bit slow to catch on.
"Maybe you don’t remember, but this is a prison, and a prison has its rules, Goddess," Aiden said.
"Right, speaking of that, do you have Halo’s memories? Oh, wrong, even if you do, that lunatic never went through prison training. Then it’s perfect, I’ll make time to catch you up during your solitary. I hope you’ll cooperate," Aiden said.
"Prison... I seem to recall a bit now..." The Revenge Goddess tried to remember, "Here I am, caged like an animal, fed periodically, occasionally shackled and taken for a shower. You actually kept me like some pet?"
"No offense, but Halo was the most comfortable prisoner in my jail. She didn’t even have to work," Aiden replied, "Fortunately, you can now communicate normally and can have a regular prison life—by inmate standards, that is."
"You expect a deity to abide by the rules of a mortal prison?" The Revenge Goddess gave a tight, mirthless smile as if she had heard a poor joke.
"Uh, it might sting a bit to say this, but I hope you realize the fact that you’re no longer the ruler, just a mortal retaining a shred of power," Aiden said calmly, "Secondly, if you were the ruler, then I’d have to use a different standard to guard you—and believe me, you wouldn’t like that. You know this is a mortal’s prison, established to uphold the order of mortal society. If your power supersedes the rules, then the rights within them wouldn’t apply to you either."
"It seems you don’t understand me very well, kid. Many have offended the Revenge Goddess, but the only ones I haven’t retaliated against are that bitch and her lapdog; everyone else has regretted it. I guess you don’t want to be one of them?" the Revenge Goddess said coldly, "Being subject to authority, I hold grudges... and I tend to be less than rational when exacting revenge."
"We might have something in common with holding grudges, but if you’re going to remember such small things, isn’t that a bit petty, Goddess? Besides, you’ve already admitted to disliking me, why should I try to please you? Moreover, I don’t need to, because you don’t have a choice in this matter. I’ll use the ’Wordless Code’ to limit your powers," Aiden took out the Wordless Code and started writing immediately.
By sealing the powers "Betrayal" and "Revenge," the Revenge Goddess would hardly be a fundamental threat to the prison anymore.
"You’re really not the reverent type, are you?" the Revenge Goddess frowned.
"If I were reverent, after the Conspiracy Goddess granted me so many favors, I’d be licking her boots or begging her like a madman instead of trying to get rid of her," Aiden said as he closed the code.
"That’s probably the only likable thing I can find about you," the Revenge Goddess said with sarcastic laughter.
"So, about what I mentioned earlier, is there anything that’s not clear to you, Goddess?" Aiden asked with a seemingly respectful tone.
"Hmph, I’ll take a bath first to sort out the memories in my head. We can talk about the rest later," the Revenge Goddess chose to set aside the issue.
"As long as you follow the rules while doing this, good. Right now the solitary cells are relatively quiet, so you can reflect there in peace," Aiden said, "By the way, I have a question, what shall we call you in the future?"
The Revenge Goddess lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before answering, "Just use the original name of this body. Call me as you did before; names don’t mean much to us."
"Alright, Prisoner 3020, Halo." Aiden snapped his fingers, "I’ll arrange for someone to take you to the shower right away."
"Get me a new set of clothes," Halo said with a sneer.
"Indeed, you’ll be getting a new set of clothes," Aiden assessed Halo’s prison uniform.
From today, the orange uniform would be upgraded to red.
