Myths Reawakened

“After my awakening, I found the Lord of Pride’s altar under Londan. He’s been in the human world for a long time, yet he hasn’t turned the world into Hell...”

“All this time, I’ve suspected the Lord of Pride of harboring a conspiracy, so I sealed myself and pretended to be unawakened, keeping an eye out in secret.”

“Last time, when you and Kael parted ways, I sensed the energy in full. He called me an old friend...”

Sitting in the passenger seat, Gerar explained the information he had gathered.

He had said all that to Auriel, too, but their difference in allegiance made Auriel suspect Gerar of foul play, that Gerar was merely using the Lord of Pride as an excuse to make the two Śārim stop fighting each other.

It was a natural conclusion on Auriel’s part.

First, Gerar’s story was full of illogical parts. The Lord of Pride couldn’t bypass Heaven’s seal and descend to the human world. Even if he could, what did Gerar mean that Pride had reincarnated? Into a human?

Ridiculous!

Secondly, even if the Lord of Pride had successfully descended through reincarnation, what was he waiting for? Why hadn’t he turned the human world into Hell already, but had instead been doing nothing?

Ridiculous!

Last but not least, Gerar said that the Lord of Pride had seen Kael, Archibald, and that guy—three reincarnated angels in total. Why hadn’t he attacked them before they awakened? Why would a demon lord just leave after greeting an old friend? Because he was the embodiment of pride and found it beneath himself to make a move against a weakling?

RIDICULOUS!

Anyway, Auriel didn’t believe Gerar’s nonsense. He had come to Londan to help Mikhael’s bloodline return to power, which took top priority.

Auriel and Mikhael were allies close enough to share the same pants, so Auriel had little goodwill for Hesione. If the Windsor family had remained in power, he wouldn’t do anything. Now that Hesione had made the first move, having Wayne steal the throne from the Windsors, however, Auriel wouldn’t be able to face his bestie once he returned to Heaven if he did nothing.

Not with Olga, Mikhael’s lieutenant, watching him.

Gerar explained everything with a wry smile, expressing his resignation. The reincarnated angels had entered this world for the Anointed One, yet remained hung up on their differences in Heaven with no concern of propriety.

At the same time, Hesione was informing Wayne about the four factions in Heaven, consisting of the four legions commanded by the four Śārim.

The Viceroy—Mikhael, their current leader—was such a hardliner that Hesione and Lahr ignored him out of their aversion to infighting. They were all Seraphim. He wasn’t the Heavenly Father. What gave him the right to order them around? Did he think he was the actual leader?

Auriel was close to Mikhael, making them allies to some degree. Together, they worked to oppress Hesione and Lahr, but the two victims had not banded together. Hesione chose to ignore everything, while Lahr chose to shut himself in.

Under the circumstances, the Viceroy of Heaven secured his authority as the head.

The three Cherubim representing three of the Seven Sacred Virtues, Milia, Gerar, and Vilkul, directly or indirectly got involved in the power struggle between the factions. Milia was quite close to Hesione, so she often spoke up for her. Gerar and Vilkul were close to Lahr, so they became hermits together.

Gerar and Vilkul stood with Lahr because they wanted to keep Heaven in a peaceful equilibrium. Moreover, Lahr’s aversion to infighting made it easier to take his side.

The Seven Sacred Virtues were divided into three factions, barely maintaining a balance and ensuring the stability of Heaven. They didn’t dissolve into a civil war as soon as the Heavenly Father left.

“What did I say?” Wayne teased. “There are factions and infighting in Heaven, but you wouldn’t admit it. You’re a bad angel for telling lies.”

Hesione didn’t say anything. She hadn’t wanted to tell Wayne about it, but she believed it necessary for the Anointed One to learn about the politics between angels now. Besides, Heaven had been fighting among themselves because they didn’t have someone making the final decisions. Once the Anointed One returned to Heaven, everything would be peaceful again.

“Gerar, you said that Vilkul left to seek the Anointed One?” Hesione asked.

“Yes, Vilkul believed me. He suspected that the Lord of Pride had been hiding in Londan because the intel on the Anointed One had been leaked...” Gerar’s expression turned grave. “Although the chance of the prophecy leaking is exceptionally low, I cannot think of another explanation. The Lord of Pride has been leaving us old friends alone because there is something he is more concerned about. That could only be the Anointed One.”

It’s okay. I’ve found the Anointed One!

Hesione nodded to herself. The Lord of Pride was a formidable opponent to have somehow acquired the prophecy from Heaven and confirmed that the Anointed One was in Londan. She thought long and hard about it, but couldn’t figure out how.

Thankfully, the Heavenly Father, in His omniscience and omnipotence, had made the Anointed One’s virtues difficult to perceive. At first glance, the trash had nothing in common with the Anointed One, thus eluding the Lord of Pride.

Hesione was both angry and resigned. If not for the concerted effort between Pride and the Pope, she wouldn’t have found the Anointed One so soon. It was a relief. Though she had lost something, at least she had found the Anointed One before Pride did, thus making her sacrifice worth it.

Hesione agonized over whether she should tell Gerar about Wayne, but decided against it in the end. She would rather keep her bad reputation than take on any more risks. Once she regained her full power, she would take the Anointed One to the Papal State and enter the Gate of Heaven from there.

“Śār Hesione,” Gerar said curiously. “You’ve descended in Londan, and you know what the prophecy says about the Anointed One. Do you have any clues about the Anointed One?”

“None.” Hesione shook her head.

Wayne leaned in. She hadn’t found any clues, but she had clutched his leverage.

Hestia leaned over to warn the clergywoman about her manners. “A Throne has no right to partake in the conversation between a Seraph and a Cherub, so a clergywoman should definitely stay out. Hey, you will not talk unless directly addressed. You should be silent as I have been.”

“Also, you should call him Sir Gerar. That’s the most basic respect you should show!”

“...” Gerar’s eyes twitched. Although he wasn’t omniscient or omnipotent, he was certain that he could see Frey’s future—she didn’t have one!

Still, as a kind Cherub, he kindly said, “Frey, a Throne cannot partake in the conversation between a Seraph and a Cherub, but a human can because the Anointed One is human. You’re the only one in this car who cannot talk.”

(￣～￣;)

Wayne felt like Hestia’s bust had grown a few centimeters larger. She seemed like she would die of a stroke at any time.

“Gerar, contact Vilkul,” Hesione said. “He doesn't know the detailed information on the Anointed One, and the blind search will yield nothing. The priority is the Lord of Pride. We must convince Auriel together.”

Gerar shook his head. “That’s not necessarily true...”

“What do you mean?”

“You know how close Vilkul and Śār Lahr are, and Lahr is in charge of safekeeping and interpreting the prophecy about the Anointed One.” Gerar spread his hands. “While he hasn’t told me about the Anointed One, he might have told Vilkul.”

“This is confidential, highly sensitive information,” Hesione said disapprovingly. “Lahr shouldn’t tell anyone but the Seraphim.”

“Can’t help it,” Gerar said in resignation. “He needs an angel who will do the necessary work.”

“I’ve never wanted to fight Auriel. He’s the one—” Hesione, noticing Hestia glaring at her, glared back before continuing, “Besides, I’ve been doing my best to look for the Anointed One.”

“Have you found him?”

“No.”

“Śār Hesione, looking at the results alone, you and Auriel have the key information, but neither of you has found the Anointed One. You’ve been too absorbed in your infighting and shown no signs of stopping.” Gerar voiced his conclusion. “Śār Lahr is right. It shows great foresight for him to tell Vilkul the truth.”

The sarcastic judgment left Hesione resigned. Among the three factions, Vilkul and Gerar were acting as an independent team, Auriel had the support of Olga and Fred, while Hesione only had Frey, who really needed a good lesson.

It wasn’t a problem, though. She had already found the Anointed One and secured her victory while lying down. She would be fine once she returned to Heaven with Wayne.

“Forgive me for not calling Vilkul back,” Gerar said. “We need someone doing the actual work. I sought you out so that you’ll help convince Śār Auriel that the Lord of Pride is in Londan. We need to find the Anointed One, but we must banish the demon, too.”

“Look at him and then look at yourself,” Wayne messaged Hesione telepathically. “You’re so obsessed with power and image, and you call yourself a Śār? I feel embarrassed for you. Kael’s like a completely different person after awakening, almost rivaling me in integrity. You... I shouldn’t say more, but even the Lord of Pride has been looking for the Anointed One. The demon is more professional than you.”

“But they haven’t found the Anointed One, have they?” Hesione responded.

“And you have?”

“I have.” Hesione held Wayne’s gaze steadily. Stop acting. I know you know that I know you’re the Anointed One.

“Why are you looking at me? I was just messing around when I said that I could be the Anointed One. Why would you take it seriously?”

Four of the Seven Sacred Virtues had come. The pressure prompted Wayne to make a disclaimer.

“You are the Anointed One, Boss. I’m sure of it.”

“Yet you’ve been sleeping with the Anointed One?”

Hesione choked. She let out a groan before saying, “You asked me to. I never wanted to.”

“So what? You’d give it to me just because I asked for it?” Wayne widened his eyes. “Is your excuse that you’re using your pure body to wash away the filth in me, and the more you do it, the more you can wash away the stains others have left?”

“Bastard, do you even hear yourself?!” Hesione seethed.

“Alright, alright. My bad. I’ll take responsibility.”

“No one asks for that!” Hesione said coldly.

“So? Should I not take responsibility?”

“...”

“Speak!”

“...”

Their telepathic conversation read like flirting to Gerar. He couldn’t bear to keep watching. Clearing his throat, he raised his voice and said, “Śār Hesione, please watch your image and remember who you are. Do not trouble other angels.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Hestia nodded vehemently, almost breaking into tears of joy. Finally, an angel with a high status was saying what needed to be said and voicing what Hestia had wanted to express. She had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Gerar was wrong about one thing, though. The Śār had always known who he was and maintained his image, but the shameless secretary stopped at nothing to seduce him.

Bah, the wench!

Hesione ducked her head hurriedly, tucking her hair behind her ear. Only after that did she realize she had done nothing to warrant the guilt.

“I understand, Gerar. I’ll keep that in mind,” Wayne answered for Hesione’s sake, preventing her from being put on the spot. He was shameless enough not to be bothered by the accusation. “I’ve sent someone to invite Auriel to a meal. It’ll happen tonight at the earliest and tomorrow night at the latest. Now...”

“It’s time for a meal. Why don’t I buy you a drink?”

“As you wish.”