In his Lucifer guise, Alaric spoke up. "Since you'll be impersonating Medici, you should spend the rest of today learning from him to make it convincing."
He glanced at Medici, the implication clear.
"Got it. Always stuck babysitting, huh? Am I a nanny or what?" Medici grumbled, rolling his eyes before turning to Klein. "I'll go over the key points of playing me. Do it right... don't embarrass me."
Klein nodded quickly. "Got it. Thank you, Mr. Medici."
Alaric then turned to Lil' Amon, his gaze growing serious. "Since you've chosen to go with Klein, stick close to him and learn what it means to be human. I don't want to see you later and find you're still an empathy-less Amon."
He looked at Klein, adding, "I'm entrusting Lil' Amon to you, Klein."
"I'll take care of him, Mr. Lucifer." Klein replied, nodding earnestly.
Alaric said no more.
The group dispersed. Klein and Lil' Amon followed Medici to learn about the precautions for their trip to the border city. Azik returned to compiling his Sacred Text. Jack and Will went to handle the Numinous Episcopate's personnel reformation.
The once-lively room quickly emptied, leaving only Alaric and Adam.
"Rare to see you show yourself so openly. Something on your mind?" Alaric asked, looking at Adam with interest.
Though Adam was always lurking nearby, he usually remained unobtrusive, like a shadow. Today, his presence was unusually pronounced.
"Just wanted to talk about the Eternal Blazing Sun." Adam said, his golden eyes meeting Alaric's with a gentle smile. "Is that alright?"
"What's there to be inconvenient about? Let's chat!" Alaric grinned, leisurely brewing a pot of tea and pouring a cup for himself and Adam. "What do you want to know?"
Asking if it was convenient but not diving in meant Adam was fishing for information.
"Did Aucuses survive in the future?" Adam asked bluntly, no hesitation in his tone.
Alaric took a sip of tea, glancing at the sun outside before smiling. "I thought you'd hate him, considering he betrayed you."
"Why would I hate him? He's just as pitiable as I am." Adam said calmly, lowering his eyes as a trace of a sigh flickered through them.
"Sounds like you know his situation well." Alaric said with a smile. He understood why Adam said this. Just as the Primordial God Almighty awakened within the Ancient Sun God, the Eternal Blazing Sun of the Third Epoch faced the same fate, often unable to control his actions, manipulated by God Almighty.
"He was one of the few I trusted most. Why else would I entrust the Sun to him?" Adam said, finally letting out a sigh. "Sadly, it seems that brought him unbearable suffering."
"So, God Almighty really is the root of all tragedies." Alaric remarked with a sigh, looking at Adam. "If you're asking about the original timeline, I can tell you plainly: the Sun fell. Aucuses refused to bow to God Almighty and chose to perish."
Adam lowered his eyes again, his thoughts unreadable in that moment.
Finally, he said, "I told him long ago... too much pride leads to ruin. He never listened."
Alaric watched him and said, "Yet you're still proud of him."
"I should be." Adam replied, his golden eyes complex for a moment before the emotion faded. He looked at Alaric. "God Almighty chose the Outer Deities, didn't he?"
"You're sharp." Alaric said, smiling without denial.
"I've long suspected as much. The Celestial Worthy and God Almighty... they have no attachment to this world. They're both our enemies. The difference is, the Celestial Worthy's vile nature means no Outer Deity trusts him. Even if he awakens, he'll oppose them. His revival isn't fearsome. But God Almighty…" Adam's brow furrowed. "He's too mysterious, too cunning. He knows too much. I suspect he's already foreseen all this. He's a terrifying foe, made worse by his impeccable reputation. As the greatest Notary, no Outer Deity would refuse his alliance if he offered it."
"That's why you need to suppress him." Alaric said with a smile, looking at Adam as if seeing a long-gone soul. "Imagined humanity won't hold God Almighty back. You need true humanity to have a chance in that war."
Adam didn't seem surprised, his golden eyes meeting Alaric's. "That's why I need your help, Mr. Lucifer. Please assist me."
"Haven't I been helping you all along?" Alaric said, smiling and shaking his head. "But when it comes to humanity, I'm just a beginner myself. If you truly want to reclaim it, go look. Look at each of the thousand faces, at those you nearly sacrificed. They'll challenge your heart and help you understand what humanity is."
"It may be a painful journey, but it's exactly the kind you need to cleanse your soul of divinity and madness."
Humanity varies. For some, like Azik, it shines through family. For others, like the Ancient Sun God, it's about the masses.
The old Adam had lost his humanity. Though he'd regained a sliver, he still had a long way to go.
"…I understand. I'll do it." Adam said, nodding as if enlightened. Then, as if struck by a thought, he looked at Alaric. "And you, Mr. Lucifer? How are you seeking humanity?"
"Me?" Alaric paused, then laughed. After a few seconds of thought, he met Adam's gaze. "Through all of you, of course."
"I observe you, learn what humanity is from you. I treat you as friends, letting our bonds enrich my humanity. By helping you reclaim yours, I come to understand it better myself."
He paused, looking at Adam. "Satisfied with that answer?"
"Thank you for your response, Mr. Lucifer." Adam said, lowering his eyes.
***
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