After all, a millennium is no joke, especially for Medici, who existed in an evil spirit state, trapped with his two former enemies, Sauron and Einhorn, in an underground structure devoid of any other beings.
Moreover, this underground structure was their death site. During this period, Medici could only watch helplessly as the True Creator he worshipped was defeated in the War of the Four Emperors, exiled to the Forsaken Land of the Gods, his orthodox belief turned into a heretical god, and ultimately became insane.
— With such a series of misfortunes, it's remarkable that Medici didn't go completely mad after a thousand years and could still maintain his sanity. This could be attributed not only to his resilient will but possibly to Adam's covert protection.
"It seems it's not too late after all..."
Lynn suddenly couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Medici's baffled expression, he slowly took out the Weather Warlock's characteristic, waving it in front of Medici like teasing a puppy, and said with a smile, "Look, doesn't it look familiar?"
— Just to mention, the Weather Warlock's characteristic that Lynn acquired was originally Medici's.
Other people might not be able to accurately extract the desired characteristic, but Lynn could.
With his time authority, he had unique identification methods.
And for a characteristic used for so many years, even though it had passed through Alista Tudor, Medici could still recognize it.
"Where did you get this? Did you kill that lunatic Alista?" Medici narrowed his eyes, his aura becoming more terrifying, though not directed at Lynn.
"Not quite. I just gave him a beating, right in his beloved little garden, with the help of Bethel, Amon, and Antigonus, his three most trusted confidants. We beat him up and took this characteristic," Lynn said frankly, then listened to Medici's laughter again.
Not surprised at all, Lynn made a chair for himself on the spot and sat down comfortably. After Medici finished laughing, Lynn noticed something and asked, "Where are Sauron and Einhorn?"
Although Medici's face also showed signs of decay, indicating Sauron and Einhorn were indeed part of him, Lynn was surprised that the other two mouths on Medici's face hadn't spoken or laughed, even when they heard that Alista Tudor was beaten up.
In the Fifth Epoch, they had laughed hysterically.
"You know me quite well." Medici said meaningfully, touching the two scars on his face with a mocking tone, "Those two idiots still refuse to accept reality and are escaping in their dreams."
Understood, in deep sleep.
Lynn nodded, not fully believing Medici's words. Considering that the current Medici was stronger than his future weakened state, Lynn guessed that Sauron and Einhorn might be even weaker now and had to sleep.
But do evil spirits in this world grow stronger with age? Or was the Fifth Epoch's Medici stronger because he devoured many of Tudor's descendants characteristics?
Lynn speculated but didn't dwell on it. He looked at Medici and said, "By the way, aren't you curious who I am or what my purpose is?"
"Or sarcastically say I'm a stranger suddenly interfering in your life." Lynn rested his chin on one hand, noticing that this version of Medici seemed less hostile toward him.
Was it because he had already gained goodwill with the young Medici?
Lynn thought silently, his relationship with the young Medici indeed having improved compared to their first meeting in the Fifth Epoch.
"Heh, what's there to ask." Medici glanced at Lynn, crossed his legs, and said lazily:
"I don't know what you are, but I'm sure you're not one of those Outer Gods and don't intend to destroy this world. In fact, you have more humanity than most mythical creatures in this world."
"Of course..." Medici paused, then gave Lynn a mocking smile, "Most importantly, you don't have the brains for it."
Lynn: ...
That's too much. Even if I'm not very smart, do you have to insult me across time?
"Heh, I'm indeed not as smart as you guys." Lynn sneered, showing Medici a bright smile, "But what made you think that just because I'm not as smart, I can't beat you up?"
Then Medici got beaten up again.
Twice in a row!
"Come on, call me brother, or I'll keep beating you." Lynn said, smiling wickedly.
"Brother!" Medici squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, his tone as hostile as addressing an enemy.
"Good boy!" Lynn patted Medici's head like he patted wolves, then said, "Let me confirm. Although you don't know what I am, you acknowledge me as your brother, right?"
"Hmph!" Medici snorted, not denying it, but asked, "So, what kind of little monster are you?"
He confirmed he couldn't deny Lynn's existence as his brother. Even though Lynn didn't originally exist in his destiny, in the altered childhood and past, Lynn was indeed his brother, albeit an unorthodox one who still fulfilled his brotherly duties.
And in that altered past, Medici genuinely regarded Lynn as his brother.
Medici didn't intend to deny this past or the familial bond. He was indeed influenced by this affection.
But Medici's acceptance wasn't just due to this memory and emotion. On one hand, he deduced from the memories related to Lynn that the latter valued humanity and was harmless to Earth. On the other hand, Lynn's recent actions spoke volumes.
Whether beating up Tudor for him or bringing him the Weather Warlock characteristic, Medici swallowed his doubts. He hadn't fully trusted Lynn but didn't reject him either, partly due to affection and partly because Lynn's behavior revealed much.
Lynn didn't seem like a malevolent time traveler. His personality and emotions shown in the memories and altered past were probably genuine.
This implied a lot.
(End of Chapter)