"Kanao."
"Be careful."
"Wipe your mouth."
Kanae Kocho gently took out a handkerchief to wipe the ice cream from the corner of Kanao Tsuyuri's mouth.
"..."
Kanao Tsuyuri's cheeks were slightly flushed.
Seeing this scene.
Both Kanae Kocho and Shinobu Kocho showed smiles.
No matter what.
During this time.
Kanao Tsuyuri's changes were becoming more and more noticeable. She was no longer like before, which was a good thing.
That's right!
The Kocho family of three was currently on vacation.
Or rather, on break.
Sora wasn't someone who rushed work. His personality was actually more easygoing, or rather, he did as he pleased.
Everyone had been busy for so long—it was time to rest a bit.
Even Esdeath was like this.
Although she enjoyed rigorous training, combat, and every bit of becoming stronger.
This didn't mean Esdeath was purely obsessed.
She also knew how to enjoy life.
Look!
Esdeath wore a hot swimsuit, leaning on a deck chair with sunglasses, enjoying the sea breeze. As for the people around her? Sorry! Esdeath had directly cleared out everything around her.
The Ice General had reserved the place today!
"Esdeath, want to play beach volleyball?"
Leone extended an invitation to Esdeath.
"Hmm?"
Esdeath sat up slightly. Everyone in the distance seemed to be ready.
"Sure, let's play for a while."
Esdeath stood up.
Team one: Esdeath, Leone, Chelsea, and Sheele.
Team two: Najenda, Akame, Kurome, and Mine.
All eight women had fun playing.
Smack!
Smack!
Kasumigaoka Utaha, Katou Megumi, and Eriri.
The three women walked along the road.
"It feels like..."
Eriri looked around and said softly: "After His Majesty took control of the world, it feels like the happiness index of the entire world has improved!"
"This isn't strange."
Kasumigaoka Utaha explained: "No oppression exists, no persecution exists. Everyone's life, except for faith, has returned to stability—like living in a utopia."
"Would ordinary people dislike such a life?"
"As for those nobles..."
"The dark divine power production machines in the Underworld are still discussing whether there are enough people."
"Uh..."
Eriri shrank her neck. She had seen those dark divine power production machines.
Trembling!
Trembling!
"Moreover."
Kasumigaoka Utaha contemplated: "I've learned recently that His Majesty seems to plan on bringing technological systems to develop technology in our world."
"Eh?"
Eriri was stunned, asking strangely: "Our world is going to develop technology?"
"Dark Universe 001 develops mysterious systems."
"Dark Universe 002, I heard!"
"Now Kanae, Shinobu, Mitsuri, and little Aoi."
"They're still debating whether to develop toward mysterious systems or technological systems."
"However."
"Our world originally had no mystery, so naturally we should develop technology."
Kasumigaoka Utaha explained the situation.
Regarding these matters.
In the past half month, Kasumigaoka Utaha had learned a lot.
She was a smart woman, so naturally she couldn't just eat, drink, and have fun every day. There was much she needed to understand.
"Oh right!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to think of something and suddenly said: "Little Megumi, your sister and Akane-senpai have apparently been noticed by Lord Hades and are being considered for selection into the secretarial team."
"Eh?"
Katou Megumi tilted her head, seemingly surprised but without much emotional change, just shaking her head: "Sister hasn't told me about this. I'm not very clear."
"Secretarial team..."
Eriri's cheeks suddenly flushed, seemingly thinking of something inappropriate.
Seeing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but complain: "Could it be that Kashiwagi-sensei is thinking of something erotic again?"
Eriri retorted: "I am not! If anyone's thinking about those things, it's you, Kasumi-fattie! Before this! You actually deceived us?"
"Oh..."
Hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms: "Although I'm sorry, His Majesty just prefers my figure. This is something Kashiwagi-sensei might never compare to."
"Damn it!"
Eriri was so angry her teeth itched. Steeling herself, she said directly: "I still have..."
"Eriri."
Before Eriri could finish, Sawamura Sayuri appeared behind Eriri in a kimono, smiling: "I don't remember teaching my daughter to be such an impolite person."
"Mom..."
Eriri immediately backed down.
Seeing Sawamura Sayuri appear, Kasumigaoka Utaha also withdrew her gaze and stopped teasing Eriri. Elders deserved respect. Hmm? She was an elder, right?
Kasumigaoka Utaha suppressed her thoughts and asked: "A..."
Instantly!
Before Kasumigaoka Utaha could speak, she already felt danger. Seeing Sawamura Sayuri's seemingly smiling but terrifyingly demonic expression, she smiled stiffly: "Sayuri-oneesama, did you pass the secretarial team assessment?"
"Hmm..."
Only then did Sawamura Sayuri show a gentle smile: "I've also passed. Hiromi, Akane, and I are the initial three members of the secretarial team, with Pandora as manager."
"However."
"His Majesty doesn't seem very interested in the name 'secretarial team.'"
"He gave it a wonderful name: Hell Council!"
"..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha, Eriri, and Katou Megumi.
All three women fell silent.
What kind of name was this?
Wasn't this too chuunibyou?
However!
If you thought about it carefully, it seemed very appropriate.
Hell Council.
His Majesty was the Dark God.
And...
Led by Pandora and composed of Sawamura Sayuri, Akasaka Akane, and Katou Hiromi—they were meant to plan and consider all future development directions including True Hell.
Looking at it this way.
It seemed...
The name Hell Council was surprisingly appropriate!
"Surprisingly appropriate."
Katou Megumi provided the summary.
"See!"
"See!"
Sawamura Sayuri happily hugged Katou Megumi: "Little Megumi also thinks it's very appropriate, right?"
"Mom, this name was actually your suggestion, wasn't it?"
Eriri, seeing this scene, immediately understood something.
Sawamura Sayuri giggled: "But His Majesty also agreed! Besides, don't you all think it's very suitable too?"
"Fine."
Eriri looked at her mother's smiling expression and knew she should just behave.
Not just the four women.
Actually!
The dependents and divine subordinates of the Pure Land of Bliss.
Except for Nezuko Kamado, who was in seclusion igniting divine fire.
Even Demeter and Persephone, this mother-daughter pair, had left Sora behind and gone out shopping.
It proved.
Even though gods could create anything themselves, as long as they were women, they quite enjoyed shopping.
And!
Sora was on Fairy Island, feeling the tranquility of Fairy Island, enjoying the sea breeze, wearing beach shorts, looking completely lazy.
"Indeed!"
"People should take vacations. Always working is really very tiring."
Sora squinted his eyes. Beside him, Ker had taken over Persephone's duties, preparing a lip-printed dark cigarette for His Majesty and filling him a glass of ice-cold beer.
"Ker."
"Sit down."
"It's vacation time, so rest well."
Sora looked at Ker standing beside him, reached out to pull her down to sit beside him.
"Your Majesty."
Ker said helplessly: "Next..."
Sora placed his finger on Ker's thin lips: "Alright, alright, don't think about so much. Vacation time is for vacation. Many things can be done slowly."
"Moreover."
"Even if we're anxious, there's nothing we can do, right?"
"Alright..."
Ker nodded obediently.
Looking at Ker with her dark purple lip print, Sora suddenly had some ideas.
Hmm...
Ker had pinned up her black hair. Sora wore sunglasses, comfortably squinting his eyes. Indeed! This was life!
People shouldn't be too tired. Take it step by step, slowly.
As gods.
Time was countless anyway. Take it slowly—what's the rush?
"Mu, be careful."
"Aldebaran, stay safe."
"Right."
Two figures clad in Gold Cloths almost instantly arrived at the outskirts of Fairy Island, floating above the sea surface without advancing further.
Aries Gold Saint: Mu.
Taurus Gold Saint: Aldebaran.
This time.
These two had arrived.
Normally.
In the previous period.
There were always some frictions between Sanctuary and the Underworld.
Simply put.
Both sides were probing each other, basically just sparring without really getting serious.
Everyone knew this was the mutual probing phase. Before the true Holy War fully commenced, anyone who went too far would trigger all-out war.
At the very least.
Sanctuary didn't have the confidence. It wasn't about bottom-level strength, but about the power behind them.
Behind them stood a god-king!
And on their side?
Apollo hadn't given any indication either. Better to be cautious.
However.
Half a month had already passed, and during this half month, nothing had happened.
The Underworld City remained motionless.
Fairy Island was completely quiet.
This...
Sanctuary began to be alert, thinking something might be wrong. Shion dispatched Mu and Aldebaran to see what was happening.
Because of this.
The two had arrived here.
"Hmm?"
At the cliff edge of Fairy Island's coastline, Leone and Sheele sat on folding chairs with fishing rods beside them, obviously fishing.
However.
To be precise, Sheele was fishing, while the lively little lioness was clearly getting restless.
"Sheele, if you want to fish, ask Akame and Kurome. Why call me?"
Leone was quite helpless.
Sheele tilted her head: "Akame and Kurome went traveling. Everyone's not around, and you're the only one I could find."
"I..."
Leone opened her mouth, not knowing what to say. They had played too hard yesterday and were too tired to get up today, which is how Sheele caught her.
Then?
Leone was dragged here to fish.
What could she do?
Leone had no choice but to obediently come fishing.
"Hmm?"
Leone frowned slightly and stood up, her original smile disappearing completely.
Her eyes instantly transformed into beast-like pupils, emanating the majesty of a lion king, her voice sharp: "Guests from Sanctuary?"
"..."
Mu and Aldebaran appeared, looking at the current situation.
For a moment, there was silence.
What was this situation?
Mu smiled: "Leone, Sheele, nice to meet you."
Obviously.
Sanctuary also knew the two women's names.
Actually.
Regarding the Underworld's current actions, Sanctuary had a general idea—could it be that their purpose had nothing to do with them at all?
Or rather.
Could their actual target be Olympus? Was Sanctuary just a transit point? Was Earth just a stepping stone?
After all.
The Underworld's ruthlessness, except for that ice-wielding woman, wasn't particularly brutal. It was mainly focused on training.
Of course.
These were just thoughts. Sanctuary didn't dare be careless.
No one could guarantee whether problems would arise, so it was better to stay alert.
"Ah!"
Leone looked at the two people and said matter-of-factly: "Aries? Taurus? Two Gold Saints! Mu and Aldebaran, right? What are you doing here?"
"Could it be..."
"You're planning to cause trouble on Fairy Island?"
"If so."
"I advise you not to cause trouble. Ker is on Fairy Island recently."
"Moreover!"
"We're on vacation here. If Ker gets angry, you'll really die."
Leone waved her hand, looking like she couldn't be bothered to fight and didn't want to.
"..."
Both Mu and Aldebaran fell silent.
Listen!
Listen!
Were these human words?
What were they saying?
Vacation?
You could actually take vacations? The Underworld actually had the concept of vacations? Ah! They could take vacations?
Leone said very casually: "Although Ker isn't good at combat, no matter what, Ker is still a middle-tier god. Have you two reached the eighth sense? If you can burn your cosmos to the eighth sense and awaken God Cloths, maybe you could spar a bit. Otherwise, you should retreat."
"Besides."
"We don't have time to cause trouble for you."
Leone really didn't want to be bothered. It was finally vacation time—if they still had to fight?
Please!
She wasn't a battle maniac like Esdeath!
Once fighting and killing started, that one got excited.
"Alright."
Mu smiled and nodded: "In that case, then! Have a pleasant vacation."
Mu and Aldebaran left.
Leone and Sheele didn't care about this small episode and continued with what they were doing.
Honestly!
The Underworld had never taken Sanctuary seriously.
They really weren't in the same weight class. From the moment Persephone appeared, both sides were no longer equal.
Worth mentioning!
The demon race created by Nezuko Kamado, as Sora's dependent race.
They were born with sixth sense cosmos, and subsequently, once they reached adulthood, they stably possessed seventh sense, with those with better talent even having eighth sense cosmos.
What was there to compare?
The demon race, belonging to Sora who held the supreme status of 666, was in a certain sense more outrageous than the humans of the Golden Age from mythological times.
As for the dependents?
Surely no one really thought their rapid cosmos cultivation speed had nothing to do with their transformation through becoming dependents?
Hyodo Michiru, Hashima Izumi, Himekawa Tokino...
And so on!
In Sora's plan, these dependents who didn't belong to Specter Saints or Evil God Tool users—if placed in Sanctuary, they would definitely reach seventh sense, Gold Saint level within a year at most. As for eighth sense? That wasn't a big problem either!
As Sora's divine subordinates, dependents, and dependent races.
From life, status, and origin—calling it a meteoric rise wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Chapter 65: Hell Council! Setting the Future Path!
The improvement that Sora brought to his divine subordinates, dependents, and dependent races was truly self-evident.
Why did Persephone so easily step into god-king level?
Hehehe...
It wasn't just because Persephone inherited the Hades godhead. The fundamental reason was that as Sora's divine subordinate, her status, potential, and origin were all enhanced.
Every aspect underwent tremendous transformation.
Otherwise!
Could you have an ordinary god transform into a god-king?
Even if given endless world power, the greatest possibility would be exploding and dying.
"One golden pill swallowed, only then did I know my fate was not my own!"
That's what they say, but actually?
Not to mention who could obtain the golden pill—simply put, some things, if you consumed them, might only cause you to explode and die!
This was also why!
When Persephone achieved god-king status, the gods felt shock and disbelief.
Because!
It shouldn't be...
Persephone originally had no qualifications to achieve god-king status.
If divided by divine generations:
The Primordial Gods led by Gaea were the first generation of gods.
The Titan Gods led by Kronos were the second generation of gods.
The Olympian Gods led by Zeus were the third generation of gods.
Finally!
There were the fourth generation gods like Athena, Apollo, and Ares.
And!
Among the fourth generation gods, those qualified to achieve god-king status.
Actually.
Only Athena, Apollo, Ares, and Abel—whose existence had been erased from all traces in mythology.
Except for these four, other gods shouldn't have the qualifications to become god-kings.
Even if Persephone became the new Hades, she shouldn't have had such qualifications.
Looking at it now?
Everything!
Seemed quite different.
Of course.
This had nothing to do with Sora's side—they were still on vacation!
The Underworld was on vacation?
Ah?
No way.
Could Sanctuary take vacations too?
When the news was brought back to Sanctuary by Mu and Aldebaran.
The entire Sanctuary fell into a state of bewilderment.
No way!
Why?
The Underworld could take vacations?
What about Sanctuary?
It wasn't that Sanctuary necessarily wanted vacations or anything—these Saints didn't really care about such things.
Undeniably.
Saints!
They generally lived lives like ascetic monks.
But the core of the problem was:
Why?
The Underworld wasn't researching invading Earth, studying winning the Holy War, or researching using Earth as a springboard to attack Olympus.
Now!
The Underworld was actually on vacation?
This was what Sanctuary found most bewildering—they mainly didn't understand!
When Saori Kido learned of this news, she also fell into silence.
Huh?
What?
Saori Kido was also bewildered but completely helpless. After all, whether the Underworld took vacations or not didn't affect Sanctuary!
Sanctuary could only continue being vigilant.
After all.
Was this perhaps a conspiracy by the Underworld?
As it turned out.
For the next two months, the Underworld City side remained completely motionless, not to mention Fairy Island.
It was basically in a true vacation phase, with everyone acting like they were on holiday.
This really almost made Sanctuary lose it.
In any case!
Two months later, everything returned to normal track.
To be precise.
Two and a half months' time.
There were exactly ten days left until the next portal opening.
The third world was finally completely dragged into the Dark Multiverse and named Dark Universe 003.
"Hmm..."
Sora contemplated thoughtfully for a moment: "Speaking of which, although we've planned to develop 003 according to technological systems, do we have that?"
"As for Dark Universe 002..."
Sora focused his gaze on Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho, and Mitsuri Kanroji.
The three women lowered their heads, looking embarrassed.
They were indeed still in dispute, having not decided which path their homeland should take.
"Forget it."
Sora rubbed his temples: "Since you can't discuss it clearly for now."
"Then..."
Sora continued: "Alright, let's discuss the upcoming situation."
"Yes!"
Everyone immediately became serious.
And!
The women present stood up one after another, leaving only Sora, Persephone, Demeter, Sawamura Sayuri, Katou Hiromi, and Akasaka Akane.
Six people still sitting here.
As for Nezuko Kamado? She was still in seclusion. Calculating the time, it would probably take another three to four months to completely ignite divine fire and become a true god.
"Alright, the first Hell Council can begin."
Sora looked around and slowly spoke. Except for Nezuko Kamado, all divine subordinates and dependents had gathered here.
Of course.
In the future.
As Sora's divine subordinates and dependents grew more numerous, those qualified to sit here might become very few.
Except for dependents selected into the Hell Council, probably at minimum one would need to be a divine subordinate to qualify.
As for the more distant future?
That was truly hard to say!
"Then..."
Pandora adjusted her glasses: "Hell Council begins!"
"First."
"Point one: Currently."
"The Dark Multiverse already contains three Dark Universes."
"Determine the development direction of the three universes to obtain world power."
"Dark Universe 001 will be led and driven by mysterious systems."
"Dark Universe 003 will be led and driven by technological systems."
Pandora continued: "Next, consider the leading direction for Dark Universe 002."
"..."
The atmosphere fell into silence for a moment.
After a while.
"Hmm..."
Akasaka Akane thought briefly before saying: "Then, let me speak."
"First."
"Dark Universe 002, based on its historical background, isn't suitable for mysterious systems but rather more compatible with technological systems."
"After all."
"Dark Universe 002 has already entered the Industrial Revolution, while demons and breathing techniques can't affect that much."
Akasaka Akane continued: "So my plan is to have Dark Universe 002 enter technological systems. At the same time! I've checked—the next world to be conquered, the 'Overlord' world, is a standard magical world belonging to mysterious systems."
"Looking at it this way, in the first phase, the four worlds conquered by True Hell would have 2 technological systems and 2 mysterious systems."
Obviously!
During these two and a half months.
Akasaka Akane had learned, planned, and understood a great deal, considering all aspects.
"Hehehe..."
Persephone smiled gently: "It seems little Akane understands very comprehensively, and her ideas are correct. Then, I agree with little Akane's proposal."
"That's fine."
Demeter also agreed with this idea. After all, her daughter had already agreed.
As for Pandora, Sawamura Sayuri, and Katou Hiromi.
Pandora naturally went without saying. The two women wouldn't deny people from their own origins. No matter what, they would be partners in the future.
Moreover!
Akasaka Akane's proposal had no problems whatsoever.
"Then."
Sora spoke: "In that case, the development direction for Dark Universe 002 is decided as technological systems."
"However."
Sora focused his gaze on Demeter and Persephone, asking: "We don't have a systematic path for technological development. If we develop on our own, too much time would be wasted, severely affecting world power acquisition."
Persephone smiled: "Dust, don't worry. I've already considered this matter."
"I will seek out Prometheus."
"Prometheus was formerly the god of wisdom."
"He possesses complete technological development paths that, according to human terms, have reached the faster-than-light era."
"However."
"Faster-than-light era technology can compare to upper gods but cannot reach the level of main gods."
"That's sufficient for now."
Sora nodded: "Reaching that level is sufficient for now. As for subsequent technological systems, in the future! With conquests across all heavens and worlds, we'll always obtain suitable technology."
In all heavens and worlds, there were truly many worlds with outrageous technology.
"Pandora, continue."
Sora focused on Pandora. Pandora nodded and continued: "Point two: in ten days, when the portal cools down, after conquering the fourth world 'Overlord,' we can prepare to enter the next phase."
"Phase Two."
"First, world conquest methods won't change—we'll still proceed gradually from weak to strong."
"Primarily!"
"Promote Lord Hades to stand at the pinnacle of god-kings, or rather, step into the level of Primordial Gods."
"This is the core point!"
Pandora was very serious, and everyone naturally had no objections.
Sora also agreed with this.
Honestly speaking.
Sora wasn't urgent about becoming stronger himself. The reason was simple—the resources needed for his strengthening were too vast. Spending such enormous resources might not necessarily bring much improvement.
Since that was the case!
Then.
Better to focus on Persephone.
Let Persephone temporarily serve as this pillar.
As long as Persephone stepped into Primordial God level.
According to Sora's calculations.
He couldn't say about more!
But Primordial Gods were definitely genuine multiverse-level combat power. At that point, everything would be much simpler. Throughout all heavens and worlds, most would basically be lambs for slaughter. Except for very few worlds still inaccessible, everything else would be much simpler.
"Second..."
Just as Pandora was about to continue.
Persephone said softly: "Dust, you continue exploring new worlds across all heavens. On the Star Map, how many worlds can you explore at once?"
Sora thought briefly: "Not certain for now, but theoretically, each exploration covers five worlds."
"I see."
Persephone nodded while signaling Pandora to continue.
"Second, find suitable hell gods. Hell was born under the Eastern divine system and requires finding suitable candidates."
"Hmm..."
"At minimum, they must meet Yama standards."
"As for."
"Whether further advancement is possible, that's for future consideration."
Pandora continued describing the second step.
"Taishan Fujun."
Sawamura Sayuri quietly spoke these four words.
"Correct!"
Pandora nodded seriously: "Using the Greek pantheon's underworld as example, the pinnacle is Hades—or more precisely, should be Tartarus, God of the Underworld."
"However."
"That doesn't really matter."
Sora said casually: "Persephone is the most suitable candidate for Hades. And! At minimum, hell's candidate must be Yama. As for whether they can become Taishan Fujun?"
The corner of Sora's mouth curved in a smile: "When Persephone achieves Primordial God status, will Tartarus still be the pinnacle of the underworld? That's hard to say."
His Majesty's words made all the women nod.
Taishan Fujun!
This was the true god who governed death in the Eastern pantheon.
What?
Izanami?
Meaningless.
In the Eastern pantheon, who didn't know that foreign monks recite better sutras—foreign gods were exceptionally strong.
Besides.
Izanami's core was Yomi, not hell. The two couldn't be discussed together!
This was like how in the underworld, the true core was never the Ten Kings of Hell, but the true pinnacle—Houtu Huangdi Zhi who follows heaven's example.
So!
Never mind Taishan Fujun—now the most important thing was finding Yama.
Otherwise!
Without suitable gods, hell would remain empty. Even with demon race management, it would be meaningless. The second experience zone had no administrator and was always intermittent!
"Third, achieve Holy War victory and seize the divine objects born on Earth every 243 years."
After Pandora stated the third point, everything was temporarily set aside.
"Eh?"
Eriri was stunned, curiously tilting her head: "Your Majesty, aren't we using Earth as a springboard to attack Olympus, then take over Olympus and become masters of this world?"
Sora turned to look at Eriri and shook his head: "Eriri, you're overthinking. Precisely speaking, we can't do that."
"This world's waters run deep."
"At minimum."
"Primordial Gods exist who won't allow changes, so we can obtain Earth's divine objects, but more than that?"
"We can't move temporarily."
"Moreover."
"It's meaningless."
Sora shook his head: "Winning the Holy War is easy. For Olympus, they won't do anything without certainty. After all, it's just divine objects every 243 years."
"Although."
"No one would mind having more resources, when it's time to abandon, they'll abandon without hesitation."
"However..."
"If we go further and truly drag ourselves into war's quagmire."
"That would be meaningless."
"With the Dimensional Star Map, our target is all heavens and worlds, bringing endless improvement. Why get trapped in this war quagmire?"
Sora asked Eriri back.
Eriri scratched her head foolishly, smiling embarrassedly.
Sora said gently: "Alright, Eriri, don't worry about it."
"Speaking of which..."
Sora looked at Persephone strangely: "Stepping into Primordial God level requires mastering ultimate power. What exactly is this ultimate power?"
"This point..."
Persephone thought briefly and shook her head, while Demeter said softly: "Rather than calling cosmos a system, it's better to say it's a type of power. This power exists in everyone—it's just whether you can awaken it."
"Step-by-step improvement is more like evolution than advancement, until comprehending the gods' will to achieve godhood."
"And!"
"Ultimate power is the same."
"As gods master the gods' will, they become increasingly stronger until finally welcoming evolution again—the gods' will evolving into ultimate power."
Demeter's explanation made everyone contemplate. Was this the core point?
Sora thoughtfully considered other matters.
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