After some time, Krishna opened his eyes. He had just performed a prophecy.
The prophecy told him that if he insisted on opposing Aslan, the losses would certainly not be less than those of the Holy Child.
Thus, the matter now was very simple.
The first option: treat Aslan as an absolute threat. While he's not yet mature, act immediately and eliminate him swiftly.
But the consequences of this were severe. It might even prompt some Chinese figures to return to Little Garden once again.
The second option: ignore him, let Aslan grow, make the Lower Layer his personal domain, and recover losses through Christianity.
Krishna slowly closed his eyes. Upon reopening them, he had an idea.
He chose the third option.
Thinking this, Krishna looked at those present.
"Ouroboros's final meeting ends here. As of today, Ouroboros is dissolved."
At this point, Krishna calmly looked at Raphael.
Raphael's face showed despair. She could clearly see Krishna was now expelling her.
Ouroboros was gone, so why was she, Christianity's financier, still lingering here?
One step away from saying "Get out!!"
The next second, Raphael's ghostly figure vanished from her seat, and her chair was empty.
Raphael left honorably. She neither left nor took anything.
Just as when she came, she brought not a single cloud.
However, aside from Raphael, the others sat quietly in their places. Even the Halloween Queen and Kurma didn't stand.
Waiting for Krishna to speak.
Seeing that, except for Christianity represented by Raphael, who had left, the others didn't abandon the snake, Krishna showed a faint smile not seen in a long time.
"Alright, the nuisance is gone. We can now discuss forming the new snake."
Little Garden couldn't be without a "snake," just as the West couldn't be without Jerusalem.
This was Little Garden's characteristic, a part it must experience.
"However, before forming the new snake and starting anew, we still have one matter to handle."
"Invite Aslan to join us and rebuild the snake together."
After Krishna finished, he looked around at the executives with varied expressions. He understood their malicious thoughts and said coldly, "Whoever can accomplish it will receive two Authorities from my personal aid. Handle it."
If you can't fight him, make him one of us. This was the third option.
As for two Authorities, digesting one Authority was enough to create a Four-Digit Outlier or at least an Authority Artifact.
This was immense wealth even for Three-Digits.
Two Authorities were enough to motivate all Three-Digits present.
This was the allure of "money."
"Boss, for real? If I successfully invite Aslan to join, I get two Authorities?"
A mischievous voice sounded, full of excitement.
For some reason, Krishna felt a bad premonition. His right eyelid couldn't stop twitching.
As the saying goes, left eye twitches for wealth, right eye twitches for disaster. For Full Authority Domains, this wasn't empty talk.
Every bodily reaction wasn't random. All had deep meaning.
Who was this? So rude?
Krishna turned slightly displeased, but the next second, he understood where his premonition came from.
In the chair emptied by Raphael's departure, a new figure appeared.
A man with black hair and eyes sat there, legs crossed, looking very familiar.
No? Who's this? Was there such a person in Ouroboros?
Krishna was stunned. After clearly seeing the man's face, he seemed to understand the source of his premonition.
No? Who's this efficient? He just assigned the task, and Aslan already showed up.
Krishna glanced at the smiling Halloween Queen and snorted coldly.
"Of course it's true."
Krishna said through gritted teeth. He felt like he was being set up.
But strangely, he had to admit it, and the two Authorities had to be given. Otherwise, where would he hide his face?
Losing two Authorities was fine. But if, in front of two peers, he wouldn't even give two Authorities, that'd be true embarrassment.
This time, Krishna truly felt nauseated.
"Then, Boss, I want one Authority related to History and one related to Writing."
"Thanks, Boss. Wishing Boss great success."
Aslan didn't care that Krishna before him was a Two-Digit. He truly treated him as a mark to exploit.
If there were Authorities to take, say so earlier. He'd have joined long ago.
Really.
Hearing this, Krishna's face darkened, fitting his title Krishna (Black Sky).
(You dare exploit the situation? Even making demands?)
(So annoying. Can I hit someone?)
But seeing the Halloween Queen and Kurma covering their mouths, hiding laughter, Krishna knew he'd lose face this time.
He could only accept the loss.
Otherwise, the Halloween Queen and Kurma would surely team up to embarrass him further.
Kurma… Halloween… He'd take this loss.
Thus, Krishna, with a dark face, tossed out two Authorities.
Authority of History and Writing.
Aslan accepted Krishna's friendly donation with a smiling face. This brought him one step closer to making the Wild History of Years a true Authority Artifact.
Krishna stared at him deeply. This time, he truly remembered Aslan.
He said in a deep voice, "Now we start the next agenda. On Ouroboros's remnants, gather what's left and rebuild the snake."
Finally, it could officially begin. There shouldn't be issues now, right?
Krishna glanced at the smiling Aslan from the corner of his eye. The bad premonition in his heart grew stronger.
"Wait, I think before this agenda, one matter hasn't been settled."
Aslan raised an objection. The Three-Digits present felt their hearts race.
Big brother, we beg you. Can you stop talking?
We're not like you. Your background's strong. You even dare offend Two-Digits. We just want to cut losses and quietly count our small money.
"Namely, the reorganized snake's name and operational philosophy."
"We must fully absorb the lessons of Ouroboros's past failure and strive to avoid repeating it."
But wasn't Ouroboros's previous destruction caused by you?
And the lesson they decided to absorb was pulling you in as a comrade?
"Kurma-chan thinks Aslan's right. We must learn from Ouroboros's past failure and reaffirm the name and philosophy."
Kurma bit her hand while propping her chin, saying with a smile.
"But I don't know if you have suggestions?"
Kurma looked at him with interest. Her instincts told her Aslan would surely bring her much amusement.
Just Krishna's distorted expression already gave her so much joy.
"How about Hydra? Cut off one head, and two grow back."
Krishna paused. He truly didn't expect Aslan wasn't here to cause trouble.
But seriously offered a suggestion. In a sense, Hydra's name and philosophy truly suited their snake.
(But, Aslan, why are you so skilled?)
(Pulling you in was indeed the right decision.)
"Fine."
Krishna paused, nodded slightly, approving Aslan's suggestion.
From now on, they were Hydra. And everyone here was a head of that snake.
Afterward, Aslan and Krishna held a heated discussion on Hydra's operational issues and methods.
It ended with Krishna as Hydra's leader and Aslan as deputy leader.
And Aslan reached a consensus with Krishna, setting Hydra's initial operational target: targeting Christianity.
Finding ways to profit from Christianity and strike when they're down.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Outer Gate 777, Eden Garden.
Raphael returned to Heaven dejectedly. She caused Christianity to bear such huge losses.
She didn't know how to face the Holy Child and Holy Mother.
Perhaps suicide was already the best outcome?
She had let down the Holy Child and Holy Mother's expectations.
"Mother, forgive me. I caused Christianity to bear such huge losses. Please punish me!"
Raphael saw an elegant figure approaching, knelt on the ground, sobbing.
Hearing this, the woman in a black nun's robe, full of Holy Motherhood charm, shrouded in praising Holy Chant, helped Raphael stand.
Holy Mother Mary, Christianity's current main figure besides the Holy Child.
"I know it's not your fault."
Mary gently hugged Raphael, patted her back, and comforted her softly.
Great Christianity couldn't be run by the Holy Child alone. The Holy Child handled Christianity's overall direction.
Michael, Vice King of the Kingdom of Heaven, handled Christianity's major and minor affairs.
While she handled Christianity's internal personnel and angels' mental health issues. Usually, she didn't manage issues.
But now, it was time for her to act.
Whether to stabilize the Holy Child's Spirit Status or calm panicked Christianity, only a Holy Mother like her could act.
"Jesus, or rather, are you truly Jesus?"
Mary muttered softly, looking at the palace in Eden Garden's center.
Though she also wanted to confirm the Holy Child's true identity, Christianity was more important. At least Christianity couldn't truly have issues.
If it did, that'd be a big problem.
"Go back first. I'll explain to the Holy Child for you."
Mary sighed, released her embrace, and let Raphael leave.
Raphael looked at her body turned into a little girl with teary eyes.
Holy Mother was good in every way. Just this bad taste was too cruel.
Though angels had no gender, why turn an angel into a little girl? Did angels still have such deterrent power?
But after Mary's comfort, Raphael felt relieved.
She troubled Mother again.
Only one thing Raphael didn't understand: why Holy Mother Mary gave the chance to become Two-Digit to the Holy Child.
When she was Christianity's main figure.
Raphael couldn't imagine Christianity without the Holy Mother.
Without Mother, Christianity might've long collapsed, right?
Raphael sighed, thinking with slight helplessness.