Chapter 193: Chapter193-The Target of All
"You've got some nerve," Hades said, quietly staring at John. After a long silence, he suddenly sat up and laughed, "You actually dared to give away what I bestowed upon you. You've got guts."
"Lord, I was forced by the circumstances... No matter what kind of Authority Miles obtained, it would pose a significant threat to us. But if I handed your power over to him, I believed you wouldn't stand by idly," John chuckled dryly, touching his nose and shifting his gaze away with a guilty conscience.
No matter how he tried to explain, the fact remained that he had involved Hades without permission, and Hades wouldn't listen to his excuses.
Realizing this, John sighed and quickly admitted his mistake, saying, "Lord, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have involved you."
"Previously, when I granted you a portion of my Authority, it wasn't widely known, only a few were aware. But with your recent actions, the entire divine realm now knows I've suddenly taken sides. Heh, you're in trouble, John."
Hades stood up and slowly walked towards John.
With every step Hades took down the stairs, the pressure on John intensified.
By the time Hades stood before him, it felt like a mountain was pressing down on John's shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.
"Now that I am exposed, having gained my support, you will inevitably become the target of all. I can tell you clearly that all the living Divine Emissaries have received the same task: to kill you. They cannot tolerate someone who has inherited Hades' power to live, as it brings too many uncertainties. John, you have created quite a problem for yourself.
Don't worry, I won't make it difficult for you. I am looking forward to seeing how you will face the upcoming situation," Hades said before laughing loudly. With a wave of his hand, the scenery around John changed drastically. When he regained his senses, he found himself back in the Silent Depths, with Deception carrying him on his shoulder, muttering continuously.
"John's abilities are getting stronger, but this time he's clearly messed with the wrong person. If Apollo finds out about his identity, it won't end well. No, no, I need to find a way to slip away. I can't meet with John for a while. If those Divine Emissaries come after him, I'll be implicated too!
There are still three apostles that haven't awakened, and those guys aren't easy to deal with, especially [Rage], who can fight the Dragon of Death and Sin to a standstill. If he wakes up, we're all doomed! I need to think of a way..."
"Are you done? If so, put me down," John sighed, clearly exasperated by Deception's muttering.
Noticing John's expression, Deception chuckled awkwardly. "You... you heard all that?"
"More or less, I got the gist. You talk too much."
"Damn! Can you blame me? You suddenly passed out without any warning. I was already scared, and I had to protect you. What else could I do? What happened to you?"
"It was Hades. He forcibly pulled my consciousness into the underworld and said a few things to me."
"What did he say?"
John looked up, glanced at Deception, and smiled, "Are you sure you want to know?"
"...Let's hear it."
"He said that our relationship has been exposed, and all the surviving Divine Emissaries have been tasked to kill me at any cost. Actually, you should run away quickly. I estimate they are on their way now."
Deception: "???"
"Damn it! You should have told me such an important thing earlier! We're done for now!"
"Stop whining. You still have time to leave."
"Leave? Are you kidding? Once they target you, there's no escaping, even to the ends of the earth! John, you acted too rashly. How could you risk my life like this?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Did I have a choice at that critical moment? Besides, who said we have no chance at all? I don't believe they would dare to attack me here. Worst case, I'll never leave the Silent Depths and use Leviathan's influence as protection."
Hearing this, Deception felt utterly hopeless.
"Knowing you has brought me nothing but bad luck! Oh well, it's too late to escape now anyway. Transfer my Authority back to me so I can regain my Demigod-tier power. I can hold off one of them for you, but as for the other four, you'll have to figure that out yourself."
"No rush. I'm sure they won't act recklessly."
Unlike the panicked Deception, John remained much calmer.
"Not in a rush? When will you be? When they're right at your doorstep?"
"Think, how did Miles die? He was killed by Hades. Do you think the other Divine Emissaries don't know that? The gods backing them might be wary of breaking the rules and won't intervene easily, but Hades isn't bound by those rules. They are afraid that if they come recklessly, Hades might wipe them out. So, relax, for now, we're safe.
What's more important is to find [Gluttony] and take his Authority. Understand?"
"Are you... are you sure they won't team up to kill you?"
"They won't dare because if I were in their place, I wouldn't either. Unless they're all a bunch of fools."
...
Meanwhile, in the Snow Mountain Palace...
War smiled mockingly, "I was wondering who would be the next unlucky one, and it turned out to be Miles! Hahaha! Wasn't he supposed to see the future? Didn't he foresee his own death? How foolish to provoke Lord Hades!"
"That's enough, Windsor. Stop your mockery," Hunt glanced at War and continued, "Kaldaram is missing, Miles is dead. Out of the seven Divine Emissaries, only five remain. Clearly, we can't act recklessly anymore."
"Sara, you had a chance to eliminate the emissaries of the War God and the Wind God. Why didn't you do it?"
In the hall, a man hidden in the shadows cast a glance at Sara. Sara's heart tightened, then she averted her gaze and calmly said, "The Godslayer Bow is in their hands. I need to find a way to retrieve it."
"Are you certain?"
"No mistake. I serve by the lord's side. How could I not recognize the Godslayer Bow?"
"Very well, that bow is indeed important."
The man seemed convinced by Sara and did not press the matter further. Seeing this, Windsor pursed his lips, clearly dissatisfied.
"With Miles' death, our previous plans are completely disrupted. The master has given us orders to eliminate John at all costs. He possesses multiple Authorities and has gained Hades' favor. If he fully masters his powers, he will be extremely troublesome."
"Morgan, do you have any thoughts?"
"Isn't it simple? The five of us team up and easily kill John."
"Fool, do you think Hades would allow that to happen? In such a dire situation, Hades wouldn't stand by idly. If he can kill Miles, he can kill you too."
"Windsor, are you provoking me?"
"And what if I am?"
Watching the group descend into chaos, Sara frowned, her expression dark.
This was not unexpected. As Divine Emissaries, their powers and Authorities were nearly equal, and none of them were willing to take orders from another.
When Miles was alive, his abilities made him a de facto leader.
But now, with Miles dead, they had reverted to a disorganized, fractious group, teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Enough, stop arguing. The most important thing now is John. He can't be allowed to live much longer. Windsor, Sara, I need you to go to Atlantis and bring back his head. Remember, don't attack the city. If the situation turns unfavorable, retreat immediately.
We only have five people left, don't forget the task our master gave us!"
"I'm not going! Miles was killed by him. Am I much stronger than Miles? You just want to send me to my death!" Windsor immediately refused, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
"I will give you the artifact our master entrusted to me. With this artifact, bring back John's head and present it to the gods."