The benefits Alistair's subordinate gods, kin, and clan received were undeniable.
Why had Persephone so easily ascended to God-King?
Heh…
It wasn't just because she inherited the Hades Godhead. The core reason was her status as Alistair's subordinate god, elevating her rank, potential, and essence.
Every aspect of her had undergone a tremendous transformation.
Otherwise!
Have an ordinary god ascend to God-King?
Even with endless world force, the most likely outcome would be catastrophic overload.
The saying goes: swallow a golden elixir, and your fate is yours to control.
But in reality?
Not just anyone could obtain such an elixir, and even if they did, consuming it might only lead to destruction!
This was why Persephone's rise to God-King shocked and baffled the gods.
Because it shouldn't have been possible.
Persephone lacked the qualifications to become a God-King.
By the divine generations:
The Primordial Gods, led by Gaia, were the first.
The Titan Gods, led by Cronus, were the second.
The Olympian Gods, led by Zeus, were the third.
And finally, the fourth generation: Athena, Apollo, Ares, and the erased Abel.
Among the fourth generation, only Athena, Apollo, Ares, and Abel were qualified to become God-Kings.
Even as the new Hades, Persephone shouldn't have had that potential.
But now?
Things seemed different.
Of course, none of this concerned Alistair. He was still on vacation!
The Underworld, on vacation?
Huh?
Wait.
The Sanctuary could take vacations too?
When Mu and Aldebaran relayed the news to the Sanctuary, the entire place fell into stunned confusion.
What?
Why?
Why could the Underworld take a break?
What about the Sanctuary?
It wasn't that the Sanctuary desperately needed a vacation—Saints weren't particularly concerned with such things.
Undeniably, Saints lived lives akin to ascetic monks.
But the core issue was: why?
Why wasn't the Underworld plotting to invade Earth, preparing to win the Holy War, or using Earth as a springboard to attack Olympus?
Instead, they were… on vacation?
This baffled the Sanctuary. They just couldn't wrap their heads around it!
When Saori Kido heard the news, she too fell silent.
Huh?
What?
Saori was equally perplexed but powerless. The Underworld's vacation plans didn't affect the Sanctuary.
They could only remain vigilant.
After all, could this be an Underworld scheme?
But then.
For the next two months, Hades' Castle remained utterly still, and Andromeda Island was practically a resort, with everyone acting like they were on holiday.
The Sanctuary was nearly driven to the brink.
In the end!
Two and a half months later, everything returned to normal.
To be precise.
Ten days remained until the next portal's cooldown completed.
The third world had finally been fully dragged into the Dark Multiverse, designated as Dark Universe 003.
"Hmm…"
Alistair mused, "Though we've planned for Dark Universe 003 to develop a technological system, do we even have that?"
"As for Dark Universe 002…"
He glanced at Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho, and Mitsuri Kanroji.
The three women lowered their heads, visibly embarrassed.
They were still debating, unable to decide which path their home world should take.
"Fine," Alistair said, rubbing his brow. "Since you haven't figured it out yet…"
He continued, "Let's discuss what's next."
"Yes!" The group immediately focused.
Present were the women, standing attentively, except for Alistair, Persephone, Demeter, Sayuri Sawamura, Hiromi Kato, and Akane Kosaka.
Only these six remained seated.
As for Nezuko Kamado? Still in seclusion, likely needing three to four more months to fully ignite her divine spark and become a true god.
"Alright, the first Hell's Council can begin," Alistair said, surveying the room. All subordinate gods and kin, except Nezuko, were gathered.
In the future, as Alistair's subordinate gods and kin grew in number, those qualified to sit here would dwindle.
Likely, only those selected for Hell's Council or subordinate gods would remain.
As for the distant future?
Who could say?
"Then…" Pandora adjusted her glasses. "Hell's Council begins!"
"First."
"Currently, the Dark Multiverse contains three Dark Universes."
"We must determine their development paths to acquire world force."
"Dark Universe 001 is driven by a mystical system."
"Dark Universe 003 is driven by a technological system."
Pandora continued, "Next, we decide the development path for Dark Universe 002."
"…"
The room fell silent.
After a moment.
"Hmm…" Akane Kosaka spoke up. "I'll take the lead."
"First, Dark Universe 002, given its historical context, isn't suited for a mystical system. It aligns better with a technological one."
"After all, Dark Universe 002 has entered an industrial revolution, and demons and Breathing Styles don't have widespread impact."
Akane continued, "My plan is to steer Dark Universe 002 toward a technological system. Also, I've researched the next world to conquer, the Overlord world—a standard magical world, a mystical system."
"This way, in the first phase, True Hell's four conquered worlds will have two technological and two mystical systems."
Clearly, in these two and a half months, Akane had studied and planned extensively, considering every detail.
"Heh…" Persephone smiled gently. "Akane-chan's done her homework thoroughly, and her reasoning is sound. I support her proposal."
"Agreed," Demeter nodded, backing her daughter's approval.
As for Pandora, Sayuri Sawamura, and Hiromi Kato?
Pandora naturally agreed, and the other two wouldn't contradict someone from their own world. They'd be allies in the future.
Besides, Akane's proposal was flawless.
"Then," Alistair said, "Dark Universe 002's development path is set as a technological system."
"But," he added, looking at Demeter and Persephone, "we don't have a complete technological development framework. Developing one ourselves would take too long and hinder world force acquisition."
Persephone smiled. "Dust, don't worry. I've considered this."
"I'll seek out Prometheus."
"As the former God of Wisdom, Prometheus holds a complete technological development path, reaching faster-than-light eras, per human terms."
"However, faster-than-light technology can rival high gods but not main gods."
"That's enough for now."
Alistair nodded. "That level is sufficient for now. As for future technological systems, conquering more worlds will yield suitable advancements."
In the multiverse, worlds with advanced technology were hardly rare.
"Pandora, continue," Alistair prompted.
Pandora nodded. "Second point: in ten days, the portal's cooldown ends. Once the Overlord world is conquered, we can prepare for the next phase."
"Second phase."
"First, our approach to world conquest remains unchanged: from weakest to strongest, step by step."
"Our primary goal is to elevate Lord Hades to the pinnacle of God-Kings or even the level of Primordial Gods."
"That's the core!"
Pandora was earnest, and everyone agreed without hesitation.
Alistair nodded in approval.
Truthfully, he wasn't in a rush to grow stronger. His supreme rank required immense resources, and the gains might not match the investment.
Instead, the focus should be on Persephone.
If she reached the Primordial God level, Alistair estimated she'd achieve multiversal combat power. At that point, most worlds would be easy prey, save for a select few.
"Second…" Pandora began.
Persephone interjected softly, "Dust, as you explore new worlds with the Dimension Star Map, how many can you scout at once?"
Alistair pondered. "Uncertain, but theoretically, five worlds per exploration."
"I see," Persephone nodded, gesturing for Pandora to continue.
"Second, we need suitable gods for Hell. Born from the Yamato divine system, we must find fitting candidates."
"Hmm…"
"At minimum, they should meet the standard of a Yama-like god."
"As for further advancement, that's for later consideration."
Pandora outlined the second step.
"Lord of Mount Tai," Sayuri Sawamura said softly.
"Exactly!" Pandora nodded seriously. "Using the Greek Underworld as an example, the pinnacle is Hades, or rather, Tartarus, the God of the Underworld."
"But that's irrelevant."
Alistair said casually, "Persephone is the ideal Hades. At minimum, Hell needs a Yama. As for becoming a Lord of Mount Tai?"
He smirked. "When Persephone becomes a Primordial God, will Tartarus still be the Underworld's pinnacle? That's uncertain."
His words earned nods from the women.
Lord of Mount Tai!
The true overseer of death in the Yamato divine system.
Izanagi?
Irrelevant.
In the Yamato system, everyone knew foreign gods were exceptionally powerful.
Besides, Izanami's domain was Yomi, not Hell—two distinct realms.
It's like the Underworld: the true core was never the Ten Yama Kings but the Earth Sovereign, who stood at the pinnacle.
So!
Forget the Lord of Mount Tai. The priority was finding a Yama.
Without a suitable god, Hell would remain empty. Even with the Demon Clan managing it, the second experience zone would falter without an overseer.
"Third, win the Holy War and seize the Earth's divine artifact, born every 243 years," Pandora concluded, pausing the discussion.
"Huh?" Eriri tilted her head curiously. "Your Majesty, aren't we using Earth as a springboard to attack Olympus and claim this world?"
Alistair looked at her, shaking his head. "Eriri, you're overthinking. We can't do that."
"This world's waters run deep."
"At minimum, Primordial Gods exist, and they won't allow changes. We can take the Earth's divine artifact, but more?"
"Not yet."
"And it's meaningless."
He continued, "Winning the Holy War is easy. Olympus won't act without certainty, especially over a divine artifact that appears every 243 years."
"Sure, no one dislikes more resources, but they'll abandon it if necessary."
"But if we escalate, dragging ourselves into a quagmire of war?"
"That's pointless."
"With the Dimension Star Map, our goal is the multiverse, with endless growth potential. Why get stuck in this war?"
Alistair's question left Eriri scratching her head, smiling sheepishly.
He softened. "Don't worry too much, Eriri."
"Speaking of…" He looked at Persephone, puzzled. "To reach Primordial God level, one needs Ultimate Power. What exactly is this power?"
Persephone pondered, then shook her head. Demeter spoke softly, "Cosmo isn't just a system—it's a power everyone possesses, depending on whether you awaken it."
"Advancing is less about promotion and more about evolution, culminating in realizing the Will of the Gods to become divine."
"Ultimate Power is similar."
"As gods master the Will of the Gods, they grow stronger, eventually evolving again, transforming the Will into Ultimate Power."
Demeter's explanation left everyone deep in thought. Was this the core?
Alistair, meanwhile, considered other matters.
***
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