The pitch-black pillar of light gradually dissipated.
In its place came an overwhelming pressure.
In an instant, Leone and Hill were forced to their knees.
No—more precisely, Hill was on one knee, supported by her weapon. Without it, she would have collapsed entirely like Leone, who knelt on both knees.
"Haa~~~"
"Haa~~~"
Leone and Hill panted heavily.
Sweat dripped from Leone's forehead, her entire body drenched as if she'd been pulled from water. She struggled to lift her head, her voice hoarse as she whispered, "Who... what terrifying pressure. Is it Esdeath? Or..."
"Is this the power of a god?"
"Ker," a voice called.
"Ease up a bit."
"They're excellent candidates."
"As you command, Lord of the Underworld."
Two female voices emerged from the fading black pillar.
As the light vanished, three figures appeared before Leone and Hill.
"Leone. Hill," Alistair said, his dark eyes calm as he glanced at the kneeling women, deducing their location. "It seems we're at Night Raid's headquarters, north of the capital."
"..."
Leone and Hill forced themselves to meet Alistair's gaze.
In that instant, they seemed to lose consciousness.
Both collapsed to the ground.
"Really," Persephone said with a hint of exasperation, her voice gentle. "These two, mere humans, dared to stare directly at the God of Darkness. How could they withstand it?"
"The darkness in their hearts has been fully stirred."
"If this continues, they'll become puppets of darkness."
Ker observed the two women, understanding their condition.
Persephone raised her hand, sending two streams of radiant divine power into their bodies, gradually calming the darkness within.
Alistair remained indifferent to it all.
Leone. Hill.
They were already his.
He didn't mind a few more playthings, but that would be too dull.
Moments later, Leone and Hill regained consciousness.
Though they'd been consumed by darkness, their awareness hadn't faded. They remembered everything clearly.
"Lord God!" Hill knelt devoutly, hands clasped together.
"..."
Alistair stared at her, stunned.
Faith power?
What?
What did he do?
Was this airheaded glasses girl broken by the darkness?
How was she offering faith power so readily?
And with such purity?
Alistair was baffled. Were believers this easy to come by?
"Lord God..." Leone, unlike Hill, had a complex expression in her eyes.
After a long pause, she knelt respectfully, her voice almost pleading. "Lord God, can you save this corrupt Empire?"
Leone didn't believe in gods.
In her darkest moments, no god had appeared.
But the power radiating from these three was undeniably divine.
Whether she believed or not, she had to acknowledge it.
Alistair said with amusement, "I'm the God of Darkness, and she's the Lord of the Underworld. We're not exactly benevolent gods, are we? Do you think we'd save a corrupt Empire?"
"..."
Leone's heart sank into despair at his words.
Was this crumbling Empire, already on the brink, now drawing the attention of a God of Darkness?
What would become of this world?
In that moment, Leone felt only endless despair.
The chasm between man and god was an impassable divide.
A single glance had made her feel it.
"Leone," Hill said softly, her voice gentle. "Don't despair. Lord God will save everything. All you need is devout faith in him."
"Hill?" Leone looked at her comrade in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had happened to her.
Alistair, intrigued, asked, "So, Hill, how did you sense this?"
Hill replied softly, "Lord God, I... I don't know. It's just a feeling that tells me you'll save everything."
"Interesting faith," Persephone said, stepping forward. She lifted Hill to her feet, brushing aside her purple hair with interest. "Your heart is hollow. The moment Dust arrived, he filled that void, making you his most devout follower."
"As expected," she continued, "in different worlds, we encounter such unique humans."
Persephone understood Hill's situation.
Hill's heart was empty.
Most people harbored desires—light, darkness, greed, madness, wealth—something.
But Hill's heart held nothing. When she sensed Alistair's divine power, that void was naturally filled.
She became a devout believer.
"It's faster than brainwashing," Alistair thought, marveling inwardly.
"A hollow heart..." Leone looked at Hill with complex emotions. After a moment of silence, she had to admit, knowing Hill's past, it was no surprise her heart was empty.
Alistair turned to Leone, asking, "So, little kitten, what's your choice?"
"I..." Leone opened her mouth, her voice hoarse. "Lord God, what must I give?"
***
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