"Indeed, Will, you feel the same way!" Lynn clearly saw through the angels' mutual scheming, but he didn't expose them. Instead, he smiled at Mr. Door and said:
"Bethel, why not give it a try? If you're shy about doing it alone, we can invite Antigonus and Amon. I'm sure they'd be very willing to transform into children with you."
Bethel: ...Are you sure they'd really be "willing"?
Although he had many retorts in his mind, Bethel knew that Lynn's words, despite the exaggeration, had a high probability of coming true.
Bethel could already imagine how the cowardly Antigonus, who had always been terrified of Lynn, would react. Fear was certain, but for a Faceless, turning into a child was nothing significant. In his quest to become a Fool, he had played many roles. Becoming a child, or even a foolish dog, wouldn't be a problem.
As for Amon, who had previously suffered, he had evidently overcome this psychological barrier and had become quite adept at acting cute.
But Bethel, Bethel Abraham, Mr. Door, the top man under a true god, had never truly played the role of a child.
In Bethel Abraham's memory, childhood was a distant recollection, almost forgotten. During the era when the Ancient Sun God suppressed other Beyonder races, he, as the heir of the Abraham family, was deeply immersed in learning and combat every day.
Bethel's childhood had few leisure memories, only parchment filled with knowledge and countless slain monsters, a childhood too harsh for a normal child. But Bethel didn't think it was bad.
He knew that, as the support of the Abraham family, he was destined to be different from ordinary people from birth. The family responsibilities and the inherent dangers of that era left him no time to relax. He didn't mind that life; he enjoyed knowledge and combat.
Yet, Bethel most loved traveling, witnessing different landscapes and people worldwide, and recording these experiences.
Bethel Abraham was, in a sense, a natural-born traveler, with an innate passion for exploration.
Did Bethel regret anything? He didn't know.
Had he ever envied the other children in the family, playing and gossiping together? Maybe for a moment?
Bethel suddenly took a deep breath, feeling perhaps corrupted, And arruptly asked "Is there truly no strange corruption coming from you?"
"Hmm, probably not. Even if there is, you already have a part of the Lord of Mysteries' Will. One more won't make a difference." Lynn mused, then shrugged with a "you might as well accept it" look.
So, there might be corruption?
Bethel's lips twitched, feeling an urge to sigh. He did sigh and then asked softly, "Can't you say something more reassuring?" Though he said respectfully, the words carried a helpless complaint.
"I could lie to you, but…" Lynn paused, looking at Mr. Door seriously, "Do you want to be deceived?"
Bethel fell silent. He admitted he preferred the truth, even if it's harsh.
"Don't worry. Even if there is Corruption, it won't forcibly change your Will like the Lord of Mysteries' Will." Lynn winked, "I'm not that kind of person."
"I have much more of a moral compass than that contemptible God."
Bethel's eyelid twitched, asking almost instinctively, "Do you know the Lord of Mysteries?"
Will, quietly observing, was also surprised. Their interaction revealed a lot, even without critical information.
"This question…" Lynn thought of the original plot about the Lord of Mysteries and smiled mysteriously, "I can know him."
Not wrong. Theoretically, he could know anyone, past, present, or future.
Bethel and Will pondered this. Knowing or not knowing is straightforward, but "can know" was ambiguous.
It couldn't mean he hoped the Lord of Mysteries would resurrect, right? Bethel's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Lynn, who seemed to understand and smiled.
"Don't worry. I don't intend to resurrect the Lord of Mysteries."
"A completely indifferent Lord of Mysteries doesn't align with my core values. I'm on the side of light!" Lynn said, then looked at Mr. Door.
Perhaps due to aftereffects, Lynn seemed to see Bethel's future, corrupted by the Mother Goddess of Depravity.
"Bethel, do you really want to be the Lord of Mysteries?" Lynn asked suddenly.
Bethel paused, recalling Lynn's previous words. After a few seconds, he said, "I do have this desire, but if I can't, I might pass this responsibility to someone more suitable."
Bethel didn't have to be the Lord of Mysteries. His ambition was for the world's safety. If there was a better candidate, he could give up.
But he wouldn't surrender easily; at least, he'd fight first.
Bethel had pride. He wouldn't become the Lord of Mysteries but wouldn't hand the position to the unworthy.
So, would the future Lord of Mysteries be someone capable and willing to protect the world?
Bethel looked at Lynn, silently asking.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Check out the new translated fanfic: Life of a Villain Starting from The Naruto World.
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