Chapter 433: Chapter 433 Absolute Devotion_1
Rose Iron Prison, the solitary confinement corridor.
"The purpose of noting down the regulations is to comply with them. I hope you didn’t waste your time on this piece of paper," Aiden said to Halo in the solitary cell.
He had deliberately given her a day to check if she could recite the regulations. Initially, he thought that with the Goddess of Revenge’s pride, it would be difficult to make her accept the prison’s administrative rules. Surprisingly, she cooperated unexpectedly well and recited the content without omitting a single word.
"Lucky for you, kid, you’re not talking to me with a gratified face," Halo said with a smirk, "otherwise I would have to take note of that."
"To be honest, you’re easier to talk to than I imagined. I thought you would never cooperate to the death," Aiden said with a laugh, "Should I thank you for your understanding of the prison work?"
"Kid, what I understand is not your rules, but my own situation. It’s a fact that I really can’t do much without Divine Power. I’m not so foolish as to stubbornly resist you for a dignity that doesn’t exist. It’s meaningless, and not at all interesting. Plus, even if you truly step on me, it doesn’t matter—the more suffering I endure, the more intense the pleasure of revenge," Halo said, grinning.
"Not bad for a ruler; people with great vision are always especially easy to talk to," Aiden nodded, "But by the standards of mortals, your temperaments are still quite strange."
"Us? Are you lumping me in with that bitch?" Halo’s expression turned sinister.
"Hey, you just said there wasn’t much worth getting emotional over..." Aiden sighed and smiled helplessly, raising his hand to signal her to stay calm, "You both have lived long and held authority; some common ground isn’t strange, right?"
Sometimes the Goddess of Revenge acts irrationally, but this impulsiveness isn’t about being quick-tempered; it’s about extreme spontaneity—in this respect, the Goddess of Revenge and Melifilia are actually alike, just that their ways of being spontaneous (crazy) differ.
Unlike the other prisoners in his jail, they don’t care about mortal standards of morality and personal dignity—mortals’ hostility and respect don’t matter much to them.
Melifilia doesn’t mind being imprisoned by mortals, and the Goddess of Revenge can also "stoop to conquer" by reciting the prison’s regulations; they’ve never felt they were truly stepped on by mortals. To Melifilia, this is just a game, while the Goddess of Revenge sees it as part of her vengeance.
Their actions lack logic; they act solely based on personal likes and dislikes. Having dealt with Melifilia for years, Aiden has concluded that there’s no need to care too much when dealing with them because it’s futile anyway. No matter how one treats them, if they’re inclined to like you, they will, and if they’re inclined to dislike you, they still will.
"I remember you saying yesterday that if I recited the regulations, I could order food here?" Halo suddenly brought up the topic of the next meal, "I have memories of eating in this prison. The food here, the ingredients, and cooking time are not commendable, but the seasoning is quite interesting. I have something I’d like to eat today..."
"I’m glad you find the meals here to your liking, but I never made such a statement," Aiden replied calmly, "Prisoners can’t order food here."
Considering yesterday’s reaction, could this be the real reason why this Goddess was willing to cooperate?
"..." Halo stared at him without speaking.
"However, offhand, I can decide what dishes will be in the next meal sent to your cell," Aiden added.
Getting her to cooperate a little in exchange for a meal she wants to eat seemed like a good deal.
"That food where the meat is cooked with spices in a crust, and rolled up with vegetables, cheese, and sauce..."
"Stuffed meat roll," Aiden nodded, "Lucky you didn’t ask for anything too excessive."
"I want it hot, and make sure there are no green peppers," Halo stated, making a request as soon as she finished speaking.
"You don’t eat green peppers?"
"Is that a problem?"
This goddess is quite interesting...
"No problem. However, I can’t guarantee the temperature of the dish will be to your liking, so please bear with it if it’s not hot enough," Aiden said casually, brushing over the detail, "Since you’re willing to cooperate, can we continue our discussion about yesterday’s topic now?"
"What do you want to know this time? The powers of ’revenge’ and ’sacrifice,’ or the supreme authority? Or do you want me to directly reveal to you the weaknesses of the ’hatred’ authority?"
"I’m interested in all of that, but before we get started, there’s something I’d like to tell you. I’ve found your followers outside," Aiden said, looking into Halo’s eyes, "They have been sighted around the southern border of the Gistas Kingdom, still flying the banner of the Revenge Sanctuary—most ’Revenge Sanctuaries’ went silent after you were killed once, probably fearful of being targeted by the forces that killed you. Those who continue to use this name after your influence has all but disappeared, I guess their devotion to you must be sincere."
"How touching," Halo responded with nonchalance.
"Such devotion is quite rare, so I was actually wondering if there might be another ’God of Revenge’ manipulating them from behind?" Aiden voiced his suspicion, "Mr. Bloody Cloak is an implacable enemy to your close followers, but those in other places probably don’t know the details of your downfall. If someone demonstrated miracles similar to yours after you disappeared, would they possibly..."
"Are you suggesting that curs took away what little followers I had left? Do you think it’s likely?" Halo asked in return.
"It’s hard to say, because as far as I know, the Revenge Sanctuary seems to be conducting business as usual," Aiden said with a shrug, "If they are now under the control of Mr. Bloody Cloak, these mercenaries should be out searching for certain individuals, not engaging in terror attacks and fomenting ethnic strife."
"You still have some brains left. The followers who are truly devoted to me would never betray me," Halo suddenly laughed.
"You’re quite confident in your own charm," Aiden raised an eyebrow.
"The body I used last was quite beautiful," Halo smirked, making a joke out of it.
"But even the most beautiful carcass has decayed by now, their devotion to you must be for other reasons?" Aiden asked seriously, "Is this also the power of the authority?"
"Among the many bearers of divine power, I must be the one who comes closest to what mortals expect of a god," Halo suddenly said, responding to something other than the question.
"What do you mean?"
"What mortals desire most is a practical god. Offer up faith, and then God will bestow blessings," Halo explained with a smile, "And that’s exactly the kind of god I am. I am the God of Revenge; just offer me a sacrifice, and I will grant my followers the power of revenge!"
"So, you’re saying it’s your diligent service that has earned the loyalty of your followers?"
"Wrong! It’s the sacrifices they offer that prevent them from betraying me, for they have given me their hearts in their own hands," Halo said as her smile twisted, "The power of ’sacrifice’ can take away more than just life and flesh, it can take away the spirit as well."
