Chapter 286 Chapter285-Collaboration with the Devil
John seemed to catch the sharp glint in Ghana's eyes.
In the weary, melancholic trio of orbs that belonged to the Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana, a faint smile emerged. "Well? Surprised by what I've said?"
Instead of directly addressing the query, John responded with a neutral face, "Surprised might be an overstatement. I'm merely curious about what led you to believe I hail from another world."
Ghana slowly shook his head, stating solemnly, "It was merely a speculation on my part, but now I'm leaning towards thinking that my hunch might just be the truth. The moment individuals like you stepped into the Godslayer realm, we took notice. Those hypocritical deities of Godslayer Continent have set their sights on the Void, largely ignoring your presence. But we're different. We lack interest in the Abyss, hence we've been quietly observing you."
"While my brothers are preoccupied with internal strife, I've harbored no ambition for power, investing more of my energy in observing newcomers like you. I've noticed something peculiar: you all seem to possess a unique ability to teleport, to leave our world at will and reappear just as easily."
"I once tried to track one of you, but even with my capabilities, I couldn't determine your origins. Many speculate that you come from an unknown place, perhaps one beyond the confines of the Godslayer realm?"
Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana expressed all his speculations in one breath.
John, in turn, remained silent, fixing his gaze on the earnestly speaking Ghana. "Go on. What else have you deduced?"
Ghana blinked, asserting seriously, "If I continue, won't you entertain thoughts of silencing me permanently?"
John's fingers gently caressed the hilt of his Divine Palace sword, his expression unreadable. "I haven't considered that...yet."
Ghana spread his hands out nonchalantly, "In any case, it hardly matters. I'm currently devoid of any means to resist. If you truly wish to end me, it would be as effortless as lifting a finger."
John shook his head in exasperation. Instead of making a move, he flipped his right hand and directly stashed the Divine Palace into his equipment slot.
"Speak freely. If you provide a plausible explanation, perhaps I really will release you back into the Abyss," he assured.
A sly grin appeared on Ghana's face.
After a brief pause, he continued, "Though I've never spoken of it to anyone, I believe my conjecture isn't misplaced. You all, despite having classes identical to those in the Godslayer realm, seem to advance in a manner wholly unlike ours."
"You don't require dedicated training or meditation. Merely slaying a sufficient number of monsters enables you to level up instantly!"
"To be honest, I've never heard of such a bewildering mode of advancement."
"Furthermore, you appear to have your unique mode of communication.
Your factional roles are clear-cut, and everyone's purpose, right from their arrival in the Godslayer realm, seems predetermined."
"Apart from another world, I can't fathom where else you might have come from."
After a brief silence, John softly inquired, "Are you certain you've never shared this speculation with anyone else?"
Ghana smiled faintly, responding without hesitation, "Of course. So, rest assured. If you were to end me, no one would know about your origin from another world."
John lapsed into silence once more.
The assertion was such that he found no words to reply.
In truth, from the moment Ghana voiced these thoughts, John's intent to kill had dissipated.
Perhaps killing a Devil would yield some extraordinary equipment.
But sparing this one seemed to be more advantageous for John.
He discerned in Ghana a temperament starkly different from the previous Desire Devil, Mammon.
This Devil wasn't as frenzied, appeared more rational, and wasn't as brutally disposed towards members of other factions.
Regarding the slaughter of the people in the surrounding villages, while John felt outrage, he didn't perceive it as egregiously inappropriate.
For a Devil to consume the souls of ordinary beings to heal its wounds was all too common in the Godslayer Continent.
According to intelligence provided earlier by Duke Dinan, the large-scale massacres caused by other Devils far surpassed that of the Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana.
In the dwarven territories east of the Easternwood Empire, an entire dwarf town had been obliterated, with not a single life spared - a true annihilation.
And after the massacre, that Devil swiftly disappeared, leaving no trace behind.
By comparison, the slaughter at the Soulstone Temple seemed trivial.
The major forces of the Godslayer Continent had already braced themselves for inevitable casualties.
Thus, John didn't mind sparing the Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana before him.
Duke Dinan's quest, when he dispatched the Devil Elite Hunting Team, was to drive the Devil away, not to kill it.
Of course, Duke Dinan probably never dreamed that John could directly and head-on defeat a genuine Devil.
Seeing John deep in thought, Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana neither disturbed him nor attempted to flee.
It was well aware that escaping in the presence of a formidable being like John wasn't going to be easy, especially when within the Soulstone Temple, which bore the ancient seals of the Holy Light Church.
"Here's the deal," John began, reining in his wandering thoughts. "I'll let you return to the Abyss, but you must agree to one condition."
Unexpectedly, Ghana didn't immediately agree.
Meeting John's gaze, it nonchalantly responded, "First, tell me what this condition is. Then, I'll decide whether I can accept."
John realized that the Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana truly seemed indifferent to its own life and death now.
Only someone who no longer cared for their own life could remain so unperturbed in the face of mortality.
This indifference made John begrudgingly respect the Devil before him.
When the Desire Devil Mammon was defeated previously, its demeanor was far from the calm and composed attitude shown by Ghana now.
"Don't worry," John said with an air of nonchalance. "The favor I'll ask of you won't violate your principles, nor will it ask you to betray the Abyss or darkness. It's quite a simple request, really, nothing you'd find burdensome."
Ghana nodded understandingly, "As long as it doesn't ask me to betray the Abyss or darkness, I can accommodate your request. In truth, I don't have much of a choice right now. Your mercy is already a grace in itself."
John gazed intently at Ghana, articulating each word clearly, "My request is this: On a future day, when our two worlds truly merge, you and your Soul Legion must vow never to invade our world."
Ghana paused momentarily, a look of mild surprise crossing his face, "Is that all?"
John simply nodded, "Yes, it's as straightforward as that."
A puzzled expression appeared on Ghana's face, finding it hard to believe that the man who bested him would make such a seemingly casual request.
Ghana never had aspirations to invade this other world.
It wasn't for lack of desire to spread darkness or hunt souls, but rather, he believed that if the Abyss couldn't conquer the Godslayer Continent, aiming for this emerging other world was a tad ambitious.
Neither the Abyss nor the Godslayer Continent had any clue about the nature of this soon-to-merge world.
And even if the Abyss did manage to invade it, heavy losses might make them easy pickings for those who fancied themselves as righteous deities of the continent.
"So, do you think my request is reasonable?" John inquired.
Hearing this, Ghana responded without hesitation, nodding, "Absolutely. This request is almost too easy for me. I, Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana, swear by the eternal darkness that I will not invade the other world as long as I live. Should I break this vow, may my spirit be utterly destroyed."
With a grave countenance, Ghana pronounced this most solemn oath.
Suddenly, a mysterious ripple descended from the sky, enveloping Ghana.
This was the contractual pulse of the eternal darkness he worshipped, signifying the activation of his vow.
Only then did John nod in satisfaction.
For a being of Ghana's stature, ordinary oaths held no real binding power.
Such usual oaths were, after all, overseen by the very ORDER they controlled.
It was like watching over oneself, utterly pointless.
However, Ghana swearing by the darkness was an entirely different matter.
The cosmos originated from light and darkness—light representing righteousness and darkness epitomizing evil.
These two forces nearly symbolize the primal ORDER of the universe.
The ORDER controlled by these deities mainly extends from the light and dark.
Thus, Ghana's oath was akin to swearing upon the very source of his power.
Should he betray it, there's a high likelihood that, as described in his vow, he might indeed face utter annihilation.
"It's been a pleasure working with you," John said, waving his hand dismissively. "You can return to the Abyss now. I assume your injuries would heal faster in its environment?"
Yet, he noticed that Ghana remained motionless, a strange look on his face.
John raised an eyebrow, a hint of bewilderment in his eyes.
To his surprise, Ghana let out a wry chuckle, "I can't return right now. The portal I used to descend has been closed from the Abyss side. To return, I'll have to find a new natural passage."
John was momentarily at a loss for words.
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