Ouroboros fell silent for a few seconds before slowly nodding and saying, "Yes."
"Ah, this..." Lynn suddenly didn't know what to say. He scrutinized Ouroboros for a few moments before waving to Medici beside him and said, "We're doomed, Little Red. I think the dumb snake has truly lost it. He said if fate decrees his death, he will obediently wait for it. Is that something a sane person would do?"
"He hasn't been sane for a long time, but I didn't expect him to be this far gone," Medici scoffed, his brow furrowing. As an angel, he naturally overheard the whispers at the next table, but he hadn't expected to hear such a statement.
"Has Ouroboros's self-awareness been suppressed to this extent by divinity?" Medici's frown deepened. The War Angel cared for few people or things, but Ouroboros, who had followed the True Creator and partnered with him for many years, was certainly one.
As a former Kings of Angels of the Red priest Pathway, Medici also did not believe in so-called fate. Thus, he always regarded Ouroboros's actions following fate's guidance with disdain and naturally disagreed with his view.
The True Creator, although silent, also glanced at Ouroboros.
Apparently, this was the first time the True Creator's faction had heard Ouroboros's thoughts on following fate to death. They had never discussed this topic before.
"I'm not insane," Ouroboros seriously refuted, feeling the others' gazes. A hint of confusion appeared in his eyes. He continued, "Did I do something wrong?"
"Of course, it's wrong, Ouroboros. As an Kings of Angels of the Wheel of Fortune Pathway, following fate's instructions is normal, but not to this extent. Otherwise, what's the difference between you and a puppet of fate?" Lynn said angrily, looking at Ouroboros almost with pity. "You should use fate as a tool, like I use time as a tool, a power. I wouldn't let this tool make me do things I dislike, let alone die for it."
"Though Lynn has a shit for brain, I agree with him on this," Medici said, arms crossed, leaning against the table, his blood-red eyes on Ouroboros. "Whether it's fate or something else, it's just a sword. The sword should be firmly held in hand, not turning on its master. The wielder should never be controlled by the sword."
"From my standpoint, I should encourage you to maintain this mindset, but..." Will gave Ouroboros a complex look, even sighing. "To think my rival is just a puppet makes even winning feel meaningless."
Even the True Creator rarely spoke up at this moment: "Ouroboros, I hope you value your life more."
Ouroboros was bewildered. He looked around at everyone, finally saying, "But I've always followed fate's arrangements. Isn't that correct?"
"You're not wrong," Lynn placed a calming hand on Ouroboros's shoulder but then changed his tone. "But you're a thinking being. When making choices, you should first listen to your deepest thoughts."
Seeing Ouroboros still confused, Lynn patiently added, "Let me ask you a question. If fate instructed you to kill Medici one day, would you do it?"
Ouroboros's eyes widened slightly. He glanced at Medici, and after a few seconds, shook his head. "I... don't know."
"Do you want to do it?" Lynn gently prompted.
"I don't want to," Ouroboros quickly answered, looking at Medici seriously. "I don't want to harm Medici."
"Tch, as if you could. Even as a Sequence 9, I could still outsmart you," Medici scoffed, avoiding eye contact with Ouroboros. Clearly, Medici wasn't entirely unaffected by Ouroboros's words.
Lynn smiled and continued, "If fate instructed you to betray the True Creator?"
"I wouldn't..." Ouroboros shook his head firmly.
"See, that's it!" Lynn nodded in satisfaction. "Fate's guidance doesn't always align with your inner self. Fate might give you guidance that you can't accept or that brings great danger. For such guidance, you should learn to think and refuse."
Ouroboros showed rare contemplation but still seemed quite confused.
This wasn't surprising. After all, it's Ouroboros. You can't expect someone who rarely uses their brain to suddenly think clearly.
Lynn expected this situation and continued smiling, "I know it's hard for you to stop following fate's guidance suddenly and start thinking, so let's start simple."
Ouroboros looked at Lynn, waiting for his answer.
Lynn pulled Little Red over, saying, "Next time you get a fate directive, think about it first. If you can't, ask Little Red's opinion."
"I don't mind enlightening this dumb snake," Medici said, eyeing Ouroboros with disdain before sighing.
He said nothing more, but it was clear what he meant.
Anyone else might have been angry, but Ouroboros was indifferent, nodding seriously. "Okay, I'll remember."
Lynn sighed in relief but also with some resignation.
Depending on others isn't ideal, but it's better than relying on fate's arrangements. Medici, under normal circumstances, wouldn't harm his teammates.
During this process, Medici could guide Ouroboros to think for himself... uh!
Lynn glanced at Ouroboros, then at Medici, suddenly silent.
He realized his group was full of problem children.
Instead of relying on them to save each other...
'Maybe I should find a professional psychiatrist, and get Ouroboros more followers. His personality must be way too much influenced by divinity.'
Lynn felt once again that his decision to establish the True Creator's Church was very correct.
It was a win-win strategy.
(End of Chapter)
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