Chapter 34 – Cooperation
"Cooperation?"
Hearing Ning Lu actually propose "cooperation," the Celestial Venerable's gaze darkened, though a faint smile quickly followed.
"Tell me—how exactly do you plan to cooperate?"
"For my part, I have no need to destroy your mind; unlike you, I don't loathe anything capable of influencing my will."
Ignoring the Celestial Venerable's question, Ning Lu continued: "Mother Goddess of Depravity, Circle of Inevitability, Klein, Adam, Amanises… and you—those are all the participants I see in this dream."
"One Outer Deity, one pillar, two quasi-Outer Deities, quasi-Pillars—an absurdly luxurious lineup."
The Celestial Venerable listened in silence.
"The Mother Goddess has already entered the field; so, compared with the embodiment of fraud—namely you—wouldn't God Almighty be more trustworthy?"
Ning Lu looked at the Celestial Venerable, a trace of amusement seeping into his tone:
"Two pillars joining forces—the 'Error' beyond the world dies, the heinous Celestial Venerable is sealed—music to the ears, isn't it?"
"God Almighty protects the universe and Seals His nemesis; the Mother Goddess reclaims the 'Nest of Mothers' and returns to Her supreme throne. The only loser is you—unless, of course, you're willing to offer your life to the Original, in which case the loser becomes me."
"But… are you truly willing?"
The Celestial Venerable's eyes flickered. "So you think I'm so self-absorbed I'd refuse to oppose you for the sake of the Original creator?"
"Amon proved everything." Ning Lu shrugged. "I'd say the child takes after you."
"…Hah." The Celestial Venerable chuckled softly, neither denying nor affirming:
"In the end, we're the same. You carry our Pride and stubbornness, yet I can't refuse your invitation—don't rush to say I've repeated myself; this time I mean it—believe what you will."
With that, the Celestial Venerable shook his head:
"I ask for little: I only want a new world—one with no seat for God Almighty."
"Done." Ning Lu accepted the condition and said:
"Help me ascend to the pillar's throne. In return, so long as you don't betray me, I won't wipe your spiritual imprint clean."
—As a "Transmigrator" from another world, only by becoming a pillar could he protect himself here, only by becoming a pillar could he escape and return to his own universe.
The Celestial Venerable gave no verbal reply; he simply stretched out his hand and slowly clasped Ning Lu's.
No contract, no notary.
For them… neither was of use nor necessity.
"I should return to the dream." After a moment Ning Lu spoke:
"…Then, see you on mystery timeline, Celestial Venerable."
He closed his eyes—then opened them.
The instant his eyes opened he saw Lumian already awake, solemnly making preparations.
Lumian was checking his weapons again and again, confirming his condition—he had taken a sharp dagger for maximum concealment.
"—Judging by your look, you might even have a gift for playing Assassin."
Ning Lu suddenly spoke, startling Lumian, who turned curiously and questioningly: "Assassin?"
That sounded far more mysterious than "Hunter"!
"The neighboring Pathway of 'Hunter', also called the 'Demoness' Pathway." Ning Lu smiled:
"Explaining it all is tedious, but in short, starting from mid-Sequence, this Pathway changes your gender. Care to try?—I wouldn't mind my godson becoming my goddaughter."
Lumian froze like stone; the moment he'd heard "Assassin" neighbored "Hunter" he'd actually considered switching.
Good thing I didn't say it out loud—this bastard would've laughed at me for months! he grumbled inwardly, though a smile crept across his face:
"Godfather, shouldn't we head out?"
He wanted nothing more than to drop the subject.
"Mm, let's go."
Ning Lu didn't needle him further; he simply nodded:
"I'm an outsider with no reason to attend Lent; showing up uninvited would only raise suspicion. In a moment you'll join the festival as usual, while I'll slip into the church my own way."
"When Parish Priest Guillaume Bene steps out of the church, I'll trigger the trap we set yesterday; then you launch the assault."
Here Ning Lu stressed:
"Your Sequence is too low and your knowledge of the Beyonder world too shallow, so you'll handle the other heretic cultists; the Parish Priest is mine and your sister Aurore's."
He paused, then added an analysis of the priest:
"As the ritual's conductor, the Parish Priest likely possesses considerable Beyonder powers—certainly not at demigod level, but definitely above my current Sequence. Your role is crucial: a Cryptologist plus a Warlock, plus a little trap, still stand a chance of quickly killing a mid-Sequence Beyonder."
—This is recorded in The Two Pillars' Battle Against Rosago.
"Current" Sequence… Lumian exhaled slowly and said earnestly:
"Understood, Godfather."
Ning Lu gave him a light high-five. "Then—good luck."
Lumian nodded deeply and walked out. Once he was gone Ning Lu went downstairs to Aurore, whose eyes looked vacant and state uneasy:
"How are you feeling now?"
As he spoke, thin gray mist rose around him, coating the "Cordu Village dream" like a layer of fine putty.
With the mist rising, the once-dazed Aurore gradually came to, beads of sweat on her forehead.
"…I really do feel something's wrong," she murmured, as though seeking confirmation:
"Lumian… has already gone?"
"Yes. I borrowed some of the forces shaping this dream to isolate Lumian's subconscious. You should now realize what happened to yourself." Ning Lu spoke slowly:
"Feel free to voice your guess, Ms. Li Xi."