Chapter 426: The Connection Problem (Bonus)
"And if that happens, we’ll immediately find ourselves at a disadvantage."
He paused for a moment before adding, "Unfortunately, my lady is not at a level where she can contend with them."
Ethan shook his head in visible frustration. Even for someone like him, fighting a construct that could only be properly damaged through divine means wasn’t exactly an appealing prospect.
Abaddon continued, now speaking to his Matron. "My lady, you need to regain your power as soon as possible."
"Vastar only allows his sentinel to be used in this manner because he knows you are not as strong as you should be."
Dark sighed. "I know, Abaddon. I know....But I don’t think I’ll be able to regain my full power right now, not with Sentinels already here."
Abaddon looked at her strangely. Then, instead of replying aloud, he spoke directly into her thoughts.
[My lady...but the final component is standing right in front of you.]
His eyes briefly turned toward Ethan who was lost in thought and paid no attention to either of them.
Dark Bella understood what Abaddon was implying and replied back; [That will not happen]
Abaddon visibly inclined his head; [Forgive me, my lady]
That was when Ethan suddenly spoke, drawing both of their attention back toward him.
He gestured towards the angel. "Like you just said, the only reason this god would allow his Sentinels to be used like this is because he wants my wife dead."
Abaddon nodded.
Ethan then added. "I started up this idea with my father yesterday, to create a believable scenario where Isabella is found dead...’
"but we never really got the right method to pulling it off.. although the old man is currently working on it"
Both of them stared at him with confused expressions.
Ethan noticed their confusion and then clarified further, "if the blessed and the deities behind them truly believe the mistress is dead, then their attempts would stop..."
"their duty would be over, and those gathered around Beatrice would leave her... I assume that would also include these sentinels which would be withdrawn from Beatrice’s control"
A grin spread across Percival’s face as he cracked his knuckles. "And after that...It’ll be a whole lot easier to eliminate that bitch."
Dark Bella immediately shook her head. "I suppose your assumptions are correct, but what you’re trying to do is almost impossible"
"The Blessed share a connection with their gods. The higher their Resonant State, the stronger that connection becomes."
"These gods would know if someone suddenly began tampering with the minds of their blessed. And once they do, they’ll interfere."
Then Ethan replied, "Yes, that would be true If there was active connection being maintained between at that particular time."
Dark Bella looked puzzled. "How so?"
Ethan glanced toward Percival. "Take Percy and me, for example... I can reach into his mind for us both to communicate through sigil at any time."
"But when we’re not actively communicating, I don’t know what’s going on in his head."
He turned toward Abaddon. "And I’m willing to bet the same applies to you and the angel standing here."
"I’m fairly certain that unless one of you deliberately reaches out, neither of you actually knows what’s happening with the other."
Dark Bella thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Yes. That’s true."
Ethan slowly smiled "That’s exactly what I’m looking for, that window when there’s no active connection between a deity and their Blessed..."
Dark Bella looked at him with skepticism in her eyes, but also intrigue as well.
"But how could you possibly know when that period even exists?" She asked. "For all we know, the connection could be happening at any given moment."
"I’m sure you know that things are different for those who have reached the Complete State of Resonance."
What Alter-bella meant with that last statement was that those who have reached the Complete State of Resonance had no need to actively maintain a connection with their deity.
Resonance at that level had matured to such an extent that their gods were constantly aware of them
"Yes." Ethan nodded. "I’m aware of that. And as for how I would possible know that period, frankly I’m just waiting for my father...that’s what he’s working on’;
She stared at him. "I have so many questions."
A smile appeared on Ethan’s face. "Yeah, I know, but right now, this is all we’ve got... I just hope the old man turns up with something we can work with, then we would kick this off"
The conversation continued for the next thirty minutes or so, turning into a constant exchange of questions and answers. The others interjected or added their own opinions from time to time.
Meanwhile, Ethan answered whatever he could. Of course, there were still several details he couldn’t fully explain because of the fact that a significant portion of the plan still depended on Nathan and whether his power could accomplish what they were attempting to achieve.
Eventually, they reached the conclusion that there was no point forcing an answer that wasn’t there yet.
The remainder of their discussion revolved around precautionary measures and the steps they could take over the next few hours and days to prevent their family members and the people close to them from becoming targets.
At the very least, until they discovered a proper way to put Ethan’s idea into motion, protecting those around them would have to become their highest priority.
The converstions eventually came to an end and after that, Abaddon lowered his head in a respectful bow towards the Mistress, before taking his leave from the manor
He was to keep his attention on the Morgenstein estate in the meaning, pending till he was needed to take action.
The rest of the afternoon passed on gloomily...
***
———
Later that evening...
Ethan stood outside the Stark manor with a glass of wine in his hand as he stared on ahead.
The events of the day still weighed heavily on his mind, and it did not feel any better that he was still waiting for feedback for from his father.
In fact, it was one of the reasons he was currently standing here as he waited for when Mr Nathan would suddenly pop out of nowhere.
However, the sound of approaching footsteps of alter-bella eventually drew his attention.
She came to a stop by his side as she looked out into the night.
Ethan glanced at her. "It’s surprising you’re still here."
He was referring to the fact that the alter personality was still the one in control.
A smile appeared on her face as she said, "Actually, I’ve been looking for the opportunity to speak with you alone."