Slice-of-life worlds.
In Persephone's view, they weren't worth much effort. Not because she looked down on them—any world, once fully controlled, could yield immense rewards.
A complete world's benefits spoke for themselves.
But such worlds didn't require much attention. They could be delegated to others later.
"Manpower!" Persephone sighed. "Dust, we're critically short on people. Operating and developing these worlds requires hands."
Alistair shook his head helplessly. "I can't do much about that. We lack people for now, so we'll have to build up slowly."
"Fair enough," Persephone nodded, resigned.
Indeed, without suitable candidates, gradual growth was the only option.
Quality over quantity.
Or rather, watching Alistair lift Pandora and head toward the temple for a second round, Persephone shook her head.
Given her divine master's personality, random recruits were unlikely.
Alistair was fiercely loyal to his desires.
Persephone, Ker, and Pandora all knew exactly what kind of choices he'd make.
The Elysian Fields, filled with tranquility and serenity.
Yet, the temple was now cloaked in darkness. Pandora, the witch of hope and despair, was putting up a fierce fight, unleashing every technique in her arsenal with mastery. But it was futile.
The suppression came from the very essence of their divine ranks.
No matter how hard Pandora fought, even giving her all, defeat was her only outcome.
Under the onslaught of countless forces, she succumbed, eyes rolling back as she lost consciousness.
Even as a goddess, she couldn't withstand such an intense battle.
Pandora was completely enveloped by darkness, utterly defeated, a puppet of the dark.
Outside the temple, Persephone sat with legs crossed on the sofa, exuding an air of regal elegance, like a noblewoman high above.
"Lord of the Underworld..." Ker began, hearing the increasingly strange sounds from the temple, yet remaining unfazed.
"Hehehe~~~" Persephone chuckled, covering her mouth, her crystal-like eyes narrowing slightly. "Ker, no need to be nervous. I don't mind. Who goes first or last—it's all the same."
"Dust, as the God of Darkness, which of us could escape?"
"Your Majesty... the God of Darkness!" Ker said with a touch of awe. She understood.
As subordinate gods to the God of Darkness, they would gradually be consumed—mind and body—bound by the contract they signed.
In the end, they would become eternal subordinate gods, forever centered on Alistair.
Would they lose themselves?
No.
But their will would always prioritize Alistair above all.
"Mind, body, future—we'll all belong to Dust," Persephone said casually. "So, we just need to prepare ourselves."
"Besides, following Dust, our future will unfold into unparalleled vistas."
"These worlds are just the beginning."
"In the future, we'll see even vaster worlds, won't we?"
Persephone smiled, posing the question to Ker.
The Dimensional Star Chart, still floating, unshrouded.
Gazing at it, Persephone's eyes gleamed with ambition, chasing a broader, more radiant future.
Any god would do the same.
When a path lay before them, every god would pursue it relentlessly.
"A vaster future..." Ker murmured, nodding earnestly.
Then, she pondered, "Lord of the Underworld, should we plan for the Holy War next? There are still two years—over two years—until the earth's divine artifacts are born."
"No rush," Persephone replied. "The Sanctuary's forces are at their peak right now. Stepping out now would be unwise."
"Besides, it's pointless."
"Two years."
"What kind of monumental changes do you think we could achieve in that time?"
Persephone's fingers traced the star chart. Though she'd studied it countless times, her eyes burned brighter with each glance.
"Impossible to say," Ker shook her head. "Lord of the Underworld, His Majesty wouldn't lie about this. If all goes well, two years could bring earth-shattering changes."
"Exactly," Persephone nodded approvingly.
Ker, however, asked curiously, "Your Majesty, why choose this world? Other worlds seem suitable too."
"Teigu," Persephone mused. "I have some ideas about Teigu, though they're not fully formed yet."
"More importantly, in the world codenamed Akame ga Kill, there are plenty of suitable candidates."
"With proper planning, it could bring us a significant boost."
"And don't you think the darkness bred by the Empire is a perfect little treat for Dust?"
***
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