"Do you think it was the correct move?" one of the Council members asked the one who had suggested the second proposition for Wilford's punishment.
"To me, it was the right move, Rathanor. We must see if he has any other talents that may benefit us. Who knows what changes in potential this 'one' might have. If he proves useless, there's no real loss," the Council member responded.
"Hah, that's true. No wonder you are favored by Kuao. It won't be long before you reach Sapphire Sky, right?"
"A few more centuries, that's all," the member replied, shifting his focus elsewhere.
"Edmond Fowl, eh? Amaidine, can you summon that boy here?" the member asked, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
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Wilford gasped for air, his chest heaving as the terror of the Council's overwhelming presence finally receded. Composed entirely of Quasi-Deities, their mere existence exuded a horrifying power, one that had nearly suffocated him in their grand hall.
"And those sparks…" Wilford thought, his mind racing. By the way the Council had referred to them, he grasped that those sparks were extensions of the Deities of Paradise. A faint connection, yet enough for Wilford to realize something crucial.
"If those sparks are still here, it means the Deities are still alive," he mused, but quickly dismissed the revelation as irrelevant to his current predicament. His focus shifted instead to his punishment.
"Revocation of authority, achievements, and wealth. Eh, they're not that important right now," Wilford reasoned with surprising calm. His primary goal had always been the creation of a suitable progression method. As long as that remained undisturbed, he could accept whatever else was taken from him.
Would the loss of resources impact the development of the method? Perhaps. But Wilford had barely begun to analyze the existing system, and the early stages required more theory than material wealth.
"Akkaris is a good place," he thought to himself, recalling the details of the border town. Situated at a weak point in the barrier separating Paradise from the Wildlands, it was frequently the site of incursions. This constant threat had turned Akkaris into a near ghost town, with only a handful of guards left behind to serve as its sole inhabitants.
"A barren place sounds… quite nice," Wilford considered, The isolation would afford him the peace necessary to think, strategize, and ultimately, create the progression method he needed.
A little serenity in a forsaken town might just be what he required.
Suddenly, Wilford felt a firm pat on his back.
"Who?" His thoughts scrambled as he spun around, only to be met with a scarred face and a broad grin.
"So you're WilfordDarrow, right? Welcome to Akkaris!" the man greeted him with unexpected cheerfulness.
"What?" Wilford blinked in surprise. It only took a moment for him to realize that the Council had already sent him to Akkaris.
"Well, that is incredibly fast!" He had to admit the efficiency of their actions.
"How do you know my name?" Wilford asked, hoping to glean more information about the man and how he knew about him. After all, he had just been sentenced moments ago.
"Oh, a Kanaan came and told me a minute ago," the man replied casually. His tone seemed truthful enough, and Wilford nodded, accepting the explanation.
"Of course. The Council doesn't waste time," Wilford thought to himself, though part of him couldn't shake the unease from how quickly everything was unfolding.
"So, let me give you a proper introduction to this town!" The scarred man announced, his voice full of energy.
"Akkaris is a relatively small place—only four houses and two shops. One shop is for general supplies you might need, and the other... well, it sells specialized items. You'll figure that out eventually, maybe," he added, pausing awkwardly before continuing.
"The four houses belong to the current residents of Akkaris. There's myself, Old Man Tallow, Drunkard Broth, and Miss Grease. Oh, right! I completely forgot to introduce myself!" He slapped his forehead in mock embarrassment.
"My name's Hottanicus Pottanicus, but you can just call me Hot Pot!" He beamed with pride at his nickname.
Wilford stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or take the man seriously. "Hot Pot, huh?" he thought. Who would've thought that he would encounter someone with such a 'unique' name ?
"Now that you've arrived, it's time to build you a house as well! How would you like it?" Hot Pot asked with enthusiasm.
Without missing a beat, Wilford responded, "A two-storey house with lots of boards on wheels, couches, and also a wooden chair." His quick and oddly specific request left Hot Pot momentarily stunned.
"Wow, that's... quite an architectural taste you have!" Hot Pot praised, before snapping his fingers.
The ground rumbled briefly, then settled. "Alright, now turn around!" Hot Pot announced, and when Wilford did,his eyes widened in disbelief. A wooden two-storey house stood before him, just as he'd requested.
"So quick!" Wilford was amazed. In mere seconds, Hot Pot had constructed an entire house from nothing.
"Hahaha, creating something is truly harder than destroying! But it helps me hone my mastery of Earth!" Hot Pot laughed heartily.
"You're an Earth Saint? Have you completed your Animus Flower?" Wilfordasked, trying to gauge Hot Pot's true strength.
"Saint? No, no, no! You think The Council would let someone that weak come here? Of course not! I am a Quasi-Deity!" Hot Pot declared, causing Wilford 's jaw to drop.
"WHAT?!" Wilford blurted out in surprise.
"Haha, surprised? Akkaris is one of the main strongholds against the Wildlands, so naturally, its inhabitants are powerful!" Hot Pot explained with a smirk.
Wilford 's eyes widened in realization. "That means the other three are..."
Before he could finish, Hot Pot cut in with a grin. "Yep, the others are Quasi-Deities too!"
Wilford stood there, stunned by the revelation. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
Suddenly, his shock melted away, replaced by a calm serenity—no doubt Tharmas's influence. It seemed to inherit Urizen's original qualities.
Pushing that aside, Wilford turned to Hot Pot with a smile. "Senior, can you kindly provide me with information regarding the Quasi-Deity Stage, and if possible, beyond as well?"