Profaning the Gospel. Deceiving the Lord.
Even Igula and Harvey—raised beneath the crimson glow of the Blood Moon—felt their temples throb at Anan's audacious plan. For Ash, a godless outsider, it was equally unsettling. This wasn't just stepping on the Lord's toes; it was doing so while tap-dancing in their living room.
Though Ash had never witnessed any deity intervene directly, the divine influence on reality was undeniable. Blood Moon's implants and Gospel's Book of Fates were but extensions of godly power entrusted to mortals.
Ash, Igula, and Harvey had pulled off daring feats before—breaking out of prison, surviving the Blood Moon Trials—but in the eyes of the Blood Moon Lord, their escapades were mere squabbles among insects. Hardly worth a glance.
But the Weaving Festival was different. It wasn't just a momentous event; it was one that would draw the personal attention of the Omniscient Weaver. This wasn't just a playground for children—this was a sacred spectacle.
For Anan to propose exploiting this festival was akin to cockroaches boldly challenging humans in their own homes. The likely outcome? A swift squashing, leaving them to reincarnate in the Void.
Anan was ready to help her new recruits adjust to this high-risk endeavor. But instead of fear, she saw their eyes light up with excitement.
To her surprise, the most enthusiastic was Igula. His ears turned red, and he clutched Ash's shoulder with barely contained glee.
"Ash, being around you always pulls me into the most dangerous whirlpools."
"Why is this my fault!?" Ash shot back.
Anan raised an eyebrow.
"Seems like you all were quite the troublemakers back in your homeland."
Igula grinned.
"Isn't that exactly what you wanted, Miss Anan? Dangerous, reckless lunatics unafraid of death?"
"Don't lump me in!" Ash protested. "And why do all of us need to be involved? Let me be the team leader—I'll keep these two in line."
"First of all, it's not three of you—it's four." Anan patted Lis on the head. "Second, while your status as outsiders gives us the foundation to deceive the Gospel Book, my strategy hinges on numbers. The more of you participate, the higher my margin for error."
She continued, "Yes, you can fool the Gospel Book, but the conditions vary. For instance, if one of the rankings is a 'Beauty List,' then only Lis and Igula stand a chance."
Lis immediately chimed in, "But Igula is so much prettier than me!"
"Ash!" Igula turned to him with a saccharine smile. "You should teach your child some manners."
"Right." Ash nodded seriously, then turned to Lis.
"Lis, you're being very rude. Igula is in my generation—you should call her Aunt Bogin."
Lis froze, pinched her own cheeks, and stammered, "B-Bogin Auntie…"
Harvey raised a sharp question.
"What if there's a ranking none of us qualify for, but it has the highest hidden points?"
"Even if we make it onto a list, what guarantees we'll rank first? As outsiders, we might have a better chance of becoming Echoers, but we can't control which lists we're on or where we place," Harvey continued, gnawing on his fingers.
"You're correct," Anan admitted. "However, hidden points can accumulate."
Igula paused mid-squabble. "Wait, do you mean…"
"Exactly. If each of you ranks on multiple lists, your hidden points will surpass those of single-list Echoers," Anan explained. "Typically, excelling in one area is enough to be recognized. Multi-list Echoers are rare."
"But as outsiders, if you can deceive one future ranking, why not three? Or five? Or even… nine?"
Igula's eyes narrowed.
"To operate so brazenly… this isn't deception. This is blackmail."
"You're planning to hijack the Weaving Festival," he continued, "forcing the Weaver to uphold the Gospel Book's credibility by offering you ransom."
"Mr. Bogin," Anan said with a smirk, "you're as cunning as I'd hoped. If you were in my position, would you let this once-in-50-years opportunity slip by?"
"Even if the opponent is the Lord who governs reality?" she challenged.
"Even then," Igula replied, taking a deep breath, his cheeks flushed with excitement. "It's a temptation impossible to resist. Ash, it seems we're teaming up again."
Ash sighed.
"Why do you like me so much, Igula?"
"Huh?"
"Every time there's a suicidal scheme, you're the first to drag me in. You're like my old roommate who joined a pyramid scheme and immediately called me to sign up."
Harvey's voice cut through.
"If we're so critical, why did you sell us to the Four Pillars Church? Weren't you worried they'd destroy these 'key pieces?'"
"She wanted to break us completely," Igula sneered. "She didn't want employees—she wanted unwavering loyalty. If her and the Red Hat's acting weren't so terrible, we might've genuinely become her devoted pawns out of gratitude."
Anan interjected, fingering her earring.
"And for this." She gestured to the purple crystal.
"This is the payment the Four Pillars Church gave me—a Margaret Crystal. If you'd died, I'd still have this. If you lived? I'd win twice, with both the crystal and you in my pocket."
Igula scrutinized the gem.
"What's so special about it?"
"Margaret Crystals come from the deep layers of the Boeotia Flame Abyss, embedded in the steel walls. Extraction is nearly impossible—only the 'Bluebeards,' who suppress the Abyss, can retrieve them under specific conditions. Fewer than three are found annually."
Igula nodded thoughtfully.
"So, does it enhance miracles? Improve sorcerer spirits? Or maybe it's just expensive enough to trade for a larger penthouse?"
Lis tilted her head, gazing at Anan with wide eyes. "Sister, you're so beautiful. This earring makes you even prettier, right, Daddy?"
Ash blinked at Anan, then nodded.
"Yeah, it makes you look so… alluring. Really makes a guy wonder what you'd look like blushing."
Anan raised a brow.
"Mr. Bogin, kindly cover Ash's eyes."
"Already on it." Igula grabbed Ash's face.
"Wait, why does he have to do it? I can cover my own eyes!" Ash protested.
"Shut up," Igula snapped. "Be thankful she didn't order me to gouge them out and replace them with mechanical ones."
"Traitor!" Ash shouted.
Harvey blinked, confused.
"So… the earring's effect is… looking nice?"
"Wrong," Anan corrected him.
"It's about making me look nicer."
Anan stood, the light catching her brilliant green eyes.
"Tomorrow, we have one goal: to deceive the Omniscient Weaver."
And with that, she left the room, her gilded dragon-lizard perched on her shoulder.
As the trio mulled over their plans, Harvey and Igula quickly decided to head into the Void for training. With his abilities reliant on the soul-bound Sword Maiden, Ash had no choice but to catch up on sleep.
In his room, Ash barely had time to shut the door before a familiar voice called out.
"Daddy."
Turning, he found Lis standing there, her face full of mischief.
"Lis wants to have a life consultation with you."