A few days later, Aslan—who had finished his final tasks and received rewards until his hands were sore—stretched his body.
"Finally done. Are they that afraid of dying? Rushing to appease me like that."
Aslan said amusedly. If only he could reveal he'd long joined Angra Mainyu.
He wondered what expressions they'd show.
(Definitely very interesting ones.) Aslan thought happily.
(Too bad—I really can't see those expressions.)
Then Aslan narrowed his eyes, stood to check surroundings, verifying repeatedly.
After ensuring no eavesdroppers—he pulled out a round stone disk resembling a Gorgon Stone, only more beautiful—with the engraved Gorgon looking like Algol.
To Aslan, it resembled Algol merchandise more than a Divine Artifact.
But its main function was communication between Aslan and Algol.
"Hello, hello—Cave Serpent, please respond."
The stone disk glowed faintly, emitting soft cream light.
Static sounded for a long while. Finally—a pitch-altered voice responded.
"Hello received, hello received. Tsk—I'm not Cave Serpent. What code is this?"
Aslan chuckled, then laughed.
"Where are you now?"
Algol frowned, shaking her head helplessly, staring at empty void.
"How should I know where I am? No worlds or universes around here."
Algol said very resignedly.
(Do you really think everyone can freely wander the void without getting lost?)
(If so—dimensional gates to outer worlds wouldn't be monopolized by the Halloween Queen alone.)
Though a strong Three-Digit—she could only wander the void, searching for worlds in human history.
But even searching was pure luck. Lucky—she'd soon find a world, trigger Historical Transition Period, return to Little Garden quickly.
If not… lost in void.
Though not fatal—eternal emptiness and solitude enough to drive one mad.
In fact—freely wandering void to other worlds without losing way—only Two-Digits and a few Three-Digits with Dimensional Authorities could.
Two-Digits could orient via faith tied to themselves in human history—and their twins.
But Three-Digits were awkward. Lacking Two-Digit traits.
Pre-placed coordinates couldn't connect in concept-less void.
A Divine Artifact just for Aslan to locate her was already Algol's limit.
Otherwise—why call exile exile? Precisely because hard to return.
As for normally leaving Little Garden—going to outer universes observed by Little Garden's Central Core—with help from Great Gods mastering space dimensions.
Or unobserved universes via dimensional gates and very special Gifts.
But that's legitimate departure—not falling into void.
Of course—not exile.
"Fine."
Aslan helplessly slapped his forehead. He'd overestimated Algol. Thought she could at least locate herself?
Now seemed—she'd truly get lost.
If not for him.
Was Algol that confident in him? If issues on his side—very hard for her to return to Little Garden.
"Okay—I'll come right away."
Hearing Aslan—Algol slightly relaxed.
After all—lost in void was a huge challenge for her.
She looked down at her nearly dim communication device—sighed.
"Really—energy stored so long—why drain so fast? This void really isn't for humans."
"Alright—let's go."
Familiar voice came beside her ear. Aslan—somehow already beside Algol.
"Hoh—that fast?"
Algol unconsciously clutched her chest. She'd been lost in void days—still wondering if she could find a world.
But Aslan could find her?
"We must move quick. I can't be gone long—they'll suspect."
Aslan said calmly.
He currently enjoyed treatment like Origin Candidates during Absolute Evil's emergence.
Gods feared him causing slightest trouble—refusing to fight Last Trial of Mankind.
Precisely because Aslan still in Little Garden—Absolute Evil seal confirmed intact.
Only then gods dared stay.
Otherwise—from Aslan's understanding—just Absolute Evil freeing itself—at least for over half gods and Buddhas from Flying Ship faction.
Algol's earlier words enough to scare most gods and Buddhas.
Of course—partly because Aslan's Two-Digit Campione War qualification provoked most old folks.
Especially after Arthur set record killing Judas—old folks used power to stabilize Little Garden.
They cared not for Last Trial of Mankind, Angra Mainyu, Kali Yuga, etc. One request—wait until Campione War ends.
"Next world we head to is the real destination."
"In a sense—landmines there rival Campione world."
Aslan stared deeply afar, walking void with Algol—explaining that world.
Biblical God dead—Great Red Dragon wandering dimensional gaps, protecting world—Infinite Dragon Ophis exiled inside world.
That world had Mount Sumeru—but no Heavenly Palace. Had Three Hindu Main Gods—but no Buddha.
Also Nordic world—plus devil, angel, fallen angel worlds.
Such a world—even without Aslan causing trouble—just observing enough to uproar Upper Layers rivaling Campione world observation.
No Heavenly Palace. Indra became Mount Sumeru supreme ruler—East's only Heaven Emperor.
Hearing Aslan's description—Algol couldn't help laughing.
"I just hope Indra won't scare to death seeing this Indra."
Aslan's expression nearly cracked.
Current Indra saw himself useless god—but other gods and Buddhas didn't think so.
Last time nearly becoming King of the End already scared him near madness. Imagine how cowardly Indra now.
What if adding High School DxD world's Indra possibility?
So—High School DxD's Indra—Aslan would capture and surprise Indra.
Who told him to abandon Aslan last time? Called brothers—yet fled then.
"But besides Indra, Buddhism, Heavenly Palace—others quite normal."
Here—Aslan suddenly realized—High School DxD world situation too similar to current Little Garden.
High School DxD no Heavenly Palace—Little Garden's Eastern Pantheon long gone.
Biblical God dead—Little Garden's Yahweh long incarnated Dystopia—vanished from mind liberation via Black Plague virus exploited by Origin Candidate.
Finally—High School DxD no Buddha. Meant Buddha also preparing escape?
Instantly—Aslan felt more like fool about to take over stalled project.
Damn—definitely huge trap left by old folks in Little Garden—waiting for him to jump and fill.
Now he just didn't know what trap worth them destroying current Little Garden—rebuilding new instead of filling.
Hope not worst case. After all—Second Little Garden under his control.
At worst—abandon this Little Garden.
Aslan sighed helplessly. Knew his smooth journey had price.
Originally thought they'd be ancestors—voluntarily handing throne?
So-called predecessors plant trees—successors enjoy shade?
Tsk—clearly predecessors chop trees—successors suffer heat—that's right.
Trust future generations' wisdom, right?
Aslan's mouth corner twitched helplessly. Now realized he was that successor generation.
Feeling clearly unpleasant.
Fine—Aslan sighed helplessly, dismissing chaotic thoughts. Face problems when come—handle floods when flood.
What else? At least—being fool taking stalled project far better than pawn for some existences.
At least—facing stalled project fool taker—their attitude wouldn't be bad—give much help.
For example—if stalled project in your hands—and fool ready to take—still fool? Clearly godfather!
Now Aslan felt in that situation.
"With this world's help—you should make them all fall to Demons—then via Little Garden's Central Core observation—plant Demon seeds in all gods and Buddhas' Spirit Statuses at once."
Thus—even not Two-Digit—adding slight fall possibility for all gods and Buddhas.
Greatly complete Algol's Spirit Status. If lucky—push to Three-Digit Breaker stage.
"Hmm—also hide fact Dystopia awakened here."
They surely wouldn't expect one world exploding with two major events simultaneously.
Aslan could use Algol's demon fall to scheme behind scenes.