"Don't just stand there, let's go up and see if they're our old acquaintances."
Luke patted the dazed Krul's shoulder. Krul nodded, but her expression remained one of surprise and confusion.
While the Progenitor conversed with these followers, Luke and Krul openly walked onto the stage.
Both immediately went up to Belial to take a closer look.
Krul asked Luke.
"How is it? How similar?"
Luke looked back and forth.
"To be honest, besides the hairstyle and clothing, I can't see any difference. Oh right, you don't have these Orleans chicken wings."
"In other words, we Progenitors who were the first to follow the Progenitor were actually already following him at this time, but we've lost our memories?"
Having received an answer, Krul voiced a possibility.
"The information we have right now is far from enough; we need to learn more."
The speech lasted a long time, only ending when the sun went down. The Progenitor assigned subsequent tasks to many angels, mostly centered around the construction of the High Tower and the collection of 'Photon Quantity.' It must be said, there were quite a lot of affairs to handle.
The Progenitor left alone with Paimon, while the other followers did not accompany them.
Luke looked in the directions the two parties had left.
"Which side should we follow?"
"The Progenitor!"
Krul's target was clear.
The Progenitor and Paimon walked through a long, narrow passage that led to the Progenitor's laboratory; only a very small number of angels were allowed to enter.
The two angels walked like that without any communication, the atmosphere inexplicably oppressive.
Krul frowned at the sight.
Despite having just announced receiving what seemed like a very impressive award, the expression on the face of this guy, who looked exactly like the initial Rig, was clearly one of worry. What could be the reason? Angel Mika's symptoms?
After walking a bit further, Paimon couldn't help himself and spoke with a very complex expression.
"King... how should that matter be handled?"
Seeing the Progenitor's silence, Paimon's expression gradually became firm as he continued to ask.
"That experimental subject named Mikael—if we are to go to Paradise, the subject must be disposed of, or the King will face Divine Punishment. We, the Angel Race, are not allowed to create life. It must be handled in secret. King, please allow me to dispose of him."
"Paimon."
"Here."
The Progenitor turned around, no emotion visible on his face.
"Could you give me some time? I have an idea."
Paimon was somewhat puzzled.
"An idea?"
The Progenitor nodded and spoke slowly.
"Yes, there is still hope for Mikael."
Paimon hadn't expected the Progenitor to still believe there was hope.
"Hope... I can't help but ask, has the King developed feelings for that experimental subject? Such a thing surely wouldn't happen to the King."
Paimon grew more and more agitated as he spoke.
"I don't want to see the King face judgment. This country cannot be without the King's leadership!"
As expected, no matter the era, Rig is a hardcore fan of the Progenitor.
The Progenitor's tone remained calm.
"Don't I still have you and Bael? The two of you are enough to take over my throne."
Paimon immediately retorted.
"No, if someone must die, it should be me. Only the King must survive... *cough cough cough*..."
Mid-sentence, Paimon suddenly began to cough violently. The wings behind him visibly started to wither, shrinking by a third compared to just a moment ago.
When the coughing stopped, there was blood at the corner of Paimon's mouth, and his face still bore an expression of pain.
Krul's expression changed slightly.
This was the same disease as that Angel Mika, and Paimon's symptoms were even more severe.
The Progenitor showed a look of worry, his tone filled with helplessness and reproach.
"So you've contracted it too. Why did you hide it from me?"
Paimon stood up again and asked the Progenitor.
"King, for what purpose exactly did you create that experimental subject named Mikael? Was it to cure the disease spreading among the angels?"
Luke asked Krul uncertainly.
"Does Rig usually talk to the Progenitor like this as a subordinate?"
Krul nodded in response.
"The Progenitor is very easygoing. Sometimes... sometimes one can even feel a parental tenderness and care from him. However, only Rig occasionally dares to disregard hierarchy and argue with the Progenitor like this."
The Progenitor sighed and said.
"If things continue like this, even if we reach Paradise, half of the angels will die..."
Ignoring the blood on his mouth, Paimon continued to argue his point.
"Please do not stray from the path. Creation, Life Extension, and Resurrection are all grave sins."
"..."
The Progenitor obviously knew the risks involved but still wanted to do something.
"Don't worry, I will handle it properly. As long as we make good use of the power in the tower, we can all reach Paradise without leaving anyone behind."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Paimon became somewhat anxious.
"King! You should focus on the big picture to achieve great deeds! There's no need to consider people like us! Please order the disposal of Mikael!"
The Progenitor seemed to compromise.
"Fine, I will dispose of Mikael in five days."
"Are you serious?"
Paimon looked at the Progenitor. The Progenitor only met his gaze for a moment before turning and continuing forward.
"Yes..."
Paimon didn't follow further, shouting at the Progenitor's back.
"I believe in you. After all, you have never betrayed us, and we will surely reach Paradise under your leadership. Please implement this without wavering."
Luke frowned as he watched the dialogue between the two, his expression becoming increasingly strange as he complained to Krul.
"Why do I feel like a subordinate just gave his boss a severe lecture?"
"When it comes to being offensive, compared to you, he's actually quite restrained."
Luke gave a forced laugh and quibbled.
"But just like him, I respect the boss from the bottom of my heart."
"I don't have the energy to talk to you. However, I didn't expect Angel Mika to also be just an experimental subject. I understand the Progenitor's thoughts less and less. Let's keep following."
Luke pulled Krul back.
"You follow the Progenitor, and I'll follow the Rig-lookalike."
Krul thought for a moment. Splitting up was indeed more efficient, so she agreed to the proposal.
The Progenitor's promise to dispose of Mikael just now was clearly problematic. If she could notice it, Paimon surely had as well. If persuasion failed, he might take other actions.
"You go follow the Progenitor."
After saying that, Krul followed behind Paimon.
It didn't matter which side he followed; Luke naturally followed the Progenitor.
Krul hadn't followed Paimon very far when her lips curled up, and she called out in a certain direction.
"What are you two doing hiding there?"
After Krul spoke, two small heads popped out from around the corner in that direction.
"Lady Krul, you're here too. What a coincidence."
Mika tried to cover the embarrassment of being discovered and took the initiative to greet her.
"The only ones you two can hide from right now are me and Luke, right? What, worried we'll eat you?"
Mika and Yuichiro didn't know how to explain and just kept laughing awkwardly.
"Forget it, I'm not interested in you two anymore."
Krul could probably guess that these two weren't sure whose side she and Luke were on. Hiding was pointless; they just instinctively wanted to keep their distance. That's why she and Luke hadn't exposed them when they first spotted them.
She didn't have time to keep chatting with them. Before leaving, she said to them:
"You two are really bad at hiding."
You will get 30 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
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