On the very first day Caelus ascended to godhood, Mavuika already had serious objections to the policies he implemented.
However, she had been completely defeated in her duel against Caelus and no longer possessed the strength to oppose him by force.
Under such circumstances, attempting to make Caelus change his decisions through combat was impossible.
The only option left was dialogue—to speak with Caelus, understand his reasoning, and find a way to persuade him.
Mavuika was, fortunately, quite articulate. Even after her defeat, she frequently went to the Sacred Flame Arena in hopes of speaking with him.
Unfortunately, Caelus rarely gave her the opportunity.
Whenever Mavuika encountered him, he would immediately dispatch her to areas where Abyssal creatures had appeared, leaving her no time to exchange words.
Now that both of them happened to be free, Mavuika finally had the chance to hold a proper conversation with him.
"I don't intend to discuss the Holy Night of the Return of Flame any further."
"But regarding your plan, I do have a few things to say."
Caelus folded his arms and tilted his head slightly, meeting the gaze of the red-haired woman before him.
He was roughly the same age and height as Mualani. Thus, when standing before Mavuika, whose figure was that of a fully grown woman, he only reached her chest level and had to lift his head slightly to look into her eyes.
"From your tone, it seems you're dissatisfied with my plan?" Mavuika rested one hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow.
"There is no such thing as a flawless plan in this world. Yours is no exception—former Pyro Archon of five hundred years ago."
Caelus continued, "Selecting successors for the ancient names through the Great Spirit, waiting for them to receive recognition, and then invoking the Authority of Death to counter the Abyss…"
"And as for you—you crossed five hundred years of time to arrive in the present, fighting alongside today's people of Natlan. In the end, you would use the Authority of Death and sacrifice your own life."
"To be honest, I was genuinely surprised when I learned of this plan."
"When you play chess, do you always calculate dozens of moves ahead of everyone else?"
He added the last line in a teasing tone.
"… "
Mavuika remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"Your resolve is admirable. But the risks in your plan are simply too great."
"As the Pyro Archon, I cannot stake Natlan's future on the hope that the six successors of the ancient names will awaken before the Abyss launches a full-scale invasion."
He was not trying to argue for the sake of it.
In the original storyline, the heroes of Natlan only completed their awakenings at the very last moment.
The final one to awaken was Chasca.
She achieved her awakening only after witnessing her younger sister, Chuychu, fall in battle against the Abyssal creatures.
That awakening relied far too heavily on circumstance.
If Chuychu had not died, if Chasca had not been present at that moment, or if Chasca had fallen first—any one of those possibilities could have prevented her awakening.
"I understand your concerns," Mavuika replied. "But this is already the best solution I could devise."
"Once the six heroes are assembled, we can invoke the Authority of Death. At that time, everyone in Natlan can be revived through the Ode of Resurrection."
"Even if the Abyss invades on a massive scale, we would still be able to preserve the majority of our people."
Entrusting hope to the timely awakening of six heroes was indeed a gamble.
However, the Authority of Death was undeniably powerful.
Once it was activated, the people of Natlan would effectively be able to resurrect repeatedly, allowing them to continue fighting until the Abyssal invasion was repelled.
It was no wonder that the previous Pyro Archons had all supported Mavuika's approach.
"Caelus, I know you are protecting Natlan in your own way."
"Granting Visions to ordinary citizens and commissioning Xilonen to forge new weapon types—these are proof of your determination to safeguard this land."
"But I still hope—no, I implore you—to continue holding the Holy Night of the Return of Flame and the Night-Warden War."
Mavuika's expression grew solemn.
"Although I don't know what method you are using to sustain the Sacred Flame, it must consume an enormous amount of power."
"If that's the case, why not continue the Holy Night of the Return of Flame? Let the people of Natlan ignite the flames of competition through their struggles, and allow that passion to nourish the Sacred Flame."
"In doing so, you could conserve a portion of your own power."
Hearing this, Caelus could only smile inwardly.
His emotion points had already been exhausted—there was little point in discussing energy conservation now.
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Mavuika continued.
"The Holy Night of the Return of Flame and the Night-Warden War have been passed down in Natlan for generations. They have become spiritual pillars for our people, carrying our history and collective memory."
"If they are abolished so abruptly without explanation, it will deal a severe blow to morale. The people of Natlan may not even be able to perform at their best when facing the Abyss."
Mavuika placed immense importance on legacy and remembrance. Even knowing that Caelus could sustain the Sacred Flame by other means, she still hoped Natlan's traditions would endure.
"Mavuika, I've already said that I do not wish to discuss the Holy Night of the Return of Flame any further."
Caelus's tone was resolute. "You've been speaking this whole time. Now it's my turn."
Silenced by his firm interruption, Mavuika paused briefly before replying, "Very well. Please."
"From today onward, you no longer need to fight Abyssal creatures."
"What?"
Mavuika's eyes widened in shock.
[Emotion Points from Mavuika +100]
"Not just you," Caelus continued. "The people of Natlan will no longer need to fight Abyssal creatures either."
"Caelus, what do you mean?" Mavuika frowned. "If we do not resist the Abyssal creatures invading Natlan, then who will defend this land?"
"I will."
Caelus replied calmly. "I will personally eliminate every Abyssal creature that appears in Natlan."
"No!"
Mavuika responded almost instantly.
"The Pyro Archon must remain where they can communicate with the people of Natlan."
"If you leave the Sacred Flame Arena to personally eradicate the Abyssal creatures, the Abyss could exploit your absence and launch a large-scale invasion."
"Caelus, you've participated in several Night-Warden Wars. You know the Abyss is not foolish. On the contrary, it employs every conceivable tactic."
"If you disappear from our sight, the Abyssal creatures may seize that opportunity."
"Who told you that I must stand face-to-face with the Abyssal creatures to eliminate them?"
Caelus extended his hand, and a bow formed from blazing flames materialized within his grasp.
"As long as an Abyssal creature appears anywhere in Natlan, my arrow will pierce its body."
Mavuika froze, her pupils contracting slightly.
She could clearly sense the unwavering certainty in his voice.
There was no doubt—Caelus truly believed he could accomplish this.
"Mavuika, I am merely informing you. No matter how strongly you object, it will not change my decision."
With that, Caelus turned to leave.
But after taking a few steps, he paused as though remembering something.
"One more thing," he said, turning back toward the red-haired woman.
"From now on, you will address me as Lord Pyro Archon."