"What benefits did the Old Gods promise you?"

Bazarian blurted out, curious as to what someone like Ethan might actually desire.

Wealth?

Too cliché, it definitely wouldn't appeal to Ethan, not to mention he didn't seem to be lacking money.

Power?

According to the information she gathered, the Royal Family and the new cabinet of the Empire often wanted to offer Ethan a real position, and "Imperial Truth" was exhaustively beautifying his image. In the eyes of many Imperial People, Ethan, who ended Julius's reign and brought change to the Empire, was already no different from a True God.

Beauty?

His personal emotional life seemed to be going smoothly.

The most common human desires that Bazarian knew of seemed difficult to apply to Ethan.

"I owe Old Ba a lot of favors."

"So you're planning to use me to repay those favors."

"Don't put it so bluntly, that's a low emotional intelligence way of saying it."

Bazarian sneered, "Then what is the high emotional intelligence way of saying it?"

"Everyone needs friends to help each other out when away from home. Today I help you, tomorrow you help me, that's how things work."

This time, Bazarian lowered her head and didn't continue to argue. She remained silent as if going through an internal battle.

After about ten seconds, she finally made a concession, "What do you want me to do? Let's be clear, there's nothing to discuss between Him and me, your hopes might be dashed."

Through this "mayoral campaign," Bazarian had come to understand a little bit about Ethan's style. He was always silently dedicated to resolving things perfectly, and now, though he used the pretense of repaying favors, in reality, he was trying to intervene in her relationship with Bazatous.

Considering her relationship with Bazatous, Ethan might be planning a father-daughter reunion scene.

However, she would never fulfill Ethan's wish.

The thought of showing emotion in front of Bazatous and the true face beneath that seven-eyed woman's skin sent shivers down her spine.

"Let's start with the first step, we'll walk over now and greet your future boss."

"Boss?"

Bazarian repeated, though the term was reluctantly acceptable, even if she must find a job with Bazatous, it had to be official.

A bit awkwardly, she followed behind Ethan. She wasn't good at handling interpersonal relationships; they only brought her unrealistic expectations.

Mere moments later, interviewers, agents, and the boss gathered at a corner of the city center square.

"Boss."

Bazarian's voice sounded a bit cold, and her hands clenched into fists. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The seven-eyed woman didn't speak. Each eye stared deeply at Bazarian, with a gaze as blatant as admiring a work of art, making her skin crawl. In front of a true Old God, her lofty status lost its effect.

The interview stalemated in mutual silence until the seven-eyed woman finally spoke, "Embodiment of evil, the spokesperson of fear."

"What?"

"You possess an unparalleled villainous charm; none can surpass you for these roles."

Bazatous judged with the eye of a seasoned film producer.

In just a few minutes of meeting, He thought of at least seven scripts suitable for Bazarian and could foresee her popularity peaking across the Empire's cities within months.

He extended his right hand to Bazarian, a gesture learned from humans, and recently He began to truly understand the significance of these gestures.

With just a small gesture, unnecessary words were avoided, "Bazatous Legendary Film welcomes your addition."

"Seems like things are progressing well between you, I won't stay here and intrude."

...

Ethan turned away, and after taking a few steps, the smile on his face disappeared as he reached into his pocket to check the antidote for the Omega Blocker left by Super Little Lintong.

His steps were slow, the sound of his boot heels striking the pavement echoed clearly through the empty streets, and the bright moonlight stretched his shadow long behind him.

After a few steps, he raised his hand and rubbed his brow with his knuckles, slowly and firmly.

What a long day it had been.

The trial in Oasis City had finally concluded, marking the end of the "Goddess of Chaos" chapter, and everyone in the city could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Except for him.

A mess awaited him ahead.

First, he had to explain to Lindong why he mysteriously disappeared for three days after entering a house in the Lower City. Then he had to explain the existence of Super Little Lintong, the Omega Blocker, and the identity of the great "First Seat" in the Holy City. These pills could likely change Lindong's personality significantly, and even Super Little Lintong couldn't predict the outcome of restoring Lindong's memory.

The feelings between them were real, yet the ruler far away in the Holy City held an exceptionally special significance for the "First Seat."

He bore the vision of all creators for the gods together with the "First Seat." From some perspective, the Messiah was indeed the embodiment of the "First Seat's" ideals, and the arrival of the "Day of Destruction" forced everyone to choose a stand.

For this reason, Super Little Lintong couldn't ascertain whether the brief life Lindong led after "crossing over" would be strong enough to make her change her faith.

After all, the Holy City was her birthplace and where she grew up; her life there as the "First Seat" was far longer than here.

Ethan walked under the moonlight until he was far from the crowd, returning to the empty hostel in the Lower City. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, a faint light shone through the crack in the door of the west-side guestroom.

Ethan took a deep breath.

Despite the unease in his heart, he was never one to enjoy evasion.

Of course, this might also be the result of Lindong "feeding data," for in essence, he, Lindong, and the "First Seat" were of a kind.

"You're back?"

Upon entering, Lindong, seated at the table with her back to Ethan, spoke without turning her head. Her tone was calm, lacking the overly intense reaction Ethan had anticipated, "I saw Bazarian across from that house."

"I can assure you, there's nothing between her and me beyond friendship…"

"I know."

Three words from Lindong stopped Ethan's prepared explanation in its tracks.

She always knew and trusted Ethan; this was their tacit little pleasure.

Therefore, Ethan clearly understood that when Lindong didn't exploit these little matters as a pretext for signing a series of unequal treaties with him, it signified matters were heading in a more serious direction.

"What secrets has your 'future self' shared with you this time?"

"A lot."

Ethan steadied himself, walked to Lindong's side, and placed an amber-colored bottle on the table, "Firstly, a correction: she isn't your future self, but… a small assistant created for you to control this adventure."

With that, he went back to sit on the bed, resting his elbows on his thighs with hands folded to support his chin.

Despite Super Little Lintong mentioning possible risks of losing control, Ethan never considered hiding anything. He didn't want to embellish the truth with any rhetoric, preferring to reveal as much of the whole situation to Lindong as possible.

Lindong picked up the amber bottle, playing with it in her palm, her beautiful red eyes gazing at Ethan, awaiting further explanation.

She, too, noticed Ethan's change.

When Ethan stopped his banter and ceased efforts to distract her with unsound explanations, it indicated matters were turning for the worse.

Evidently, the secrets mentioned by "her future self" were more troublesome for Ethan than a resurrected "Vengeful Goddess" as even facing Bazarian's problems hadn't weighed on him this way.

"Then let's start talking about the Holy City."