After the Lord of the Abyss Awakens - Chapter 58.1

Levin was about to speak when, in the blink of an eye, he found himself pushed out of the door.

Huh? Did the Cat God want to speak to the Prime Minister alone?

***

In the study, the gray cat exclaimed in shock. “Goddess of Wisdom, why are you here!”

“Didn’t notice? That means my disguise was quite good.”

The Prime Minister’s tone was flat, showing no ripple of emotion even after being recognized.

Inpos immediately transformed from cat to human. The black mist around him dissipated, revealing a young man’s form. He frowned slightly, staring at this Goddess of Wisdom disguised as a human.

He had met the Goddess of Wisdom up close twice before, six thousand years ago and four thousand years ago. Both were long past events. But the Goddess of Wisdom’s characteristics were too distinctive; his impression of her remained vivid to this day.

This one had been missing for so many years, and it turned out she had come to the human empire to be the Prime Minister? Why?

Inpos couldn’t understand, but thinking of the situation with the little black bird God of Darkness, he guessed some possibilities. He had heard that the Goddess of Wisdom had been injured. And when gods were injured, it was very difficult for them to heal themselves. They either had to wait for an extremely long time, or devour the divine power of other gods, or use humans as “food”, plundering various things like the God of Light did. The Goddess of Wisdom definitely had not adopted the latter two methods, otherwise some news would have certainly spread.

So, was she hiding in the Oedipus Empire to conceal herself and wait for self-healing?

The Prime Minister seemed to see through Inpos’s thoughts and admitted, “As you imagine, I am waiting for my divine power to recover.”

Inpos asked curiously. “With your divine power, do you really need to hide your identity among humans?”

When gods were injured, they usually self-healed in their divine kingdoms. But divine kingdoms were too big a target and easily spotted, so some gods would leave their divine kingdoms and hide elsewhere.

However, the Goddess of Wisdom had so many followers, and the strength of her divine kingdom was in the first tier. What need was there to hide elsewhere, and even mingle among humans?

Moreover, Inpos didn’t think there was any god at this stage who would target the Goddess of Wisdom.

Of course, otherworld gods were an exception. Their actions were unpredictable.

At this moment, the Prime Minister’s expression was calm as she slowly stated, “I am somewhat surprised.”

Inpos fixed his gaze on her. “What are you surprised about?”

Prime Minister: “I have been observing you for some time.”

Inpos: “Oh, so the ‘gaze’ Samikina mentioned was referring to you.”

“Did he say that?” The Prime Minister was frank. “I didn’t intentionally pay attention to you, but information about you always reaches me. I find it difficult not to notice you even though I’ve been actively trying to avoid you, haven’t I?”

Inpos was inwardly displeased and said coldly, “So it’s our fault now?”

He didn’t particularly like talking to gods like the Goddess of Wisdom. He felt this should be left to Aelioge to negotiate.

As he thought this, the idea was instantly transmitted, informing Aelioge of the situation here.

Far away in the Aust Empire, Aelioge frowned, glancing back at Amon. He set up a clone on the spot and sent his main body to where Inpos was.

At this moment, the Prime Minister slowly stood up. White light flowed around her body, finally revealing the appearance of her divine form.

Her figure was tall and slender, entirely silver-white, with a white dress and white hair. Her skin was like white jade porcelain, and even her pupils were silver. Her aura was ethereal and solemn, like the pristine snow on a mountain peak – beautiful yet majestic, sacred and inviolable.

“Goddess of Wisdom.”

Aelioge stepped out of the void, staring at her as if comparing her similarity to “Priest Xilin”.

When Inpos saw Aelioge appear, he immediately sealed off the entire space. Even the Goddess of Wisdom could not easily escape.

The Goddess of Wisdom’s expression remained impassive as she said, “Don’t stare at me like that. I have no ill intentions towards that person you cherish.”

Aelioge raised an eyebrow. “You’re neutral?”

The Goddess of Wisdom nodded. “Yes.”

“Is that so.”

Of course, Aelioge wouldn’t let the Goddess of Wisdom prove whether she was truly neutral or not. Such self-proof was meaningless.

He asked directly. “How much do you know?”

The Goddess of Wisdom lowered her eyes, her voice carrying a heavy tone, “I only figured it out recently.”

Aelioge: “Oh?”

“I’ve always felt that your origins weren’t quite normal.”

The Goddess of Wisdom spoke softly, analyzing slowly, “It was only after seeing that person that I understood.”

Aelioge: “That doesn’t seem to fit your identity as the Goddess of Wisdom. With your wisdom, shouldn’t you have known long ago?”

The Goddess of Wisdom raised her eyes, admitting, “I thought so too, but the problem is, I really didn’t figure it out.”

Aelioge was puzzled, “What do you mean?”

The Goddess of Wisdom: “Your sibling Agares cast a world-class magic spell before leaving.”

What?!

Aelioge and Inpos were both shocked. When had Agares done such a thing?

The Goddess of Wisdom: “It should be called perception blurring? That world-class magic spell would blur the connection between you and that person, making all people or gods unconsciously overlook it.”

Inpos found it hard to believe, “Is that true?”

Agares, how many surprises did this second brother of theirs have that they didn’t know about!

The Goddess of Wisdom: “I was shocked too, but as you know, the unique aspect of perception magic is that it can change everyone’s perception while simultaneously preventing anyone from noticing it.”

Inpos asked. “Aren’t you the most skilled at perception divine arts? How were you also affected by the perception magic?”

The Goddess of Wisdom frankly said, “You should ask Agares about that. I’d like to know how he managed to do it, even including me in his control.”

Inpos choked, looking towards Aelioge.

Aelioge knew nothing about this.

He had thought Agares was just making a suggestion, but didn’t expect that he had seen through their unreliability and set up a perception blurring magic in advance, making people or gods on the continent unable to perceive their relationship with their father?

Agares, with his habit of speaking in riddles, was indeed capable of doing such a thing.

Their second brother was strong, but his natural airheadedness and tendency to speak in riddles was indeed a problem. He only restrained himself a bit in front of their father.

Aelioge thought back and still had a vague understanding of Agares’s “perception layout”.

The Goddess of Wisdom continued, “In any case, I hope you understand that I have no conflict of interest with you. I’ll continue to wait here for my divine power to recover, while you continue to protect that person you cherish. Isn’t that good?”

At this point, she had clearly expressed her attitude and stance.

Her neutrality had remained unchanged from ancient times to the present. She would occasionally help intelligent beings, but these occasions were few, limited to when the whim struck her.

As for why she was here, her reason was very simple – this place was livable, that’s all. As for why she took on the identity of “Prime Minister”, the answer was convenience.

However, Aelioge pressed further. “You may not be unrelated. Do you have any idea about the mastermind behind this?”

The Goddess of Wisdom shook her head. “I’m not sure. The summoning magic initially was just summoning magic. We seven gods provided magic ideas and theoretical guidance, while human sages were responsible for constructing the magic. As for who set up the ‘back door’ midway and contaminated the magic, that’s beyond my knowledge.”

She added. “The summoning magic failed countless times and underwent numerous improvements. Many people were involved in the construction and improvement of the magic. Why don’t you turn your attention to humans?”

Aelioge fell silent, then asked directly. “In your opinion, who is the most likely suspect?”

The Goddess of Wisdom also remained silent, her expression indifferent, and said, “There’s no reason for me to answer just because you ask.”

“Do you really know something?”

Aelioge’s tone lacked emotion, her gaze unsettlingly calm.

At full strength, the Goddess of Wisdom could resist the God of Light, and even suppress Him, but She was currently in an injured state.

Facing two max-level demons, and their third, fourth, fifth, or even eldest brother whom they could summon at any time, the power disparity was quite significant.

It was impossible for the Goddess of Wisdom not to be wary.

She suddenly said, “I only know one piece of information. I can tell you, but I hope you can help me accomplish something.”

Aelioge: “What is it?”

“The ancient gods are reviving, including one of the most troublesome deities, the [God of Destruction].”

The Goddess of Wisdom said, “You should know how powerful He is. I hope you can disrupt His revival.”

“We’re not interested in solving your world-saving problems,” Aelioge said disinterestedly.

“But this matter is related to the hero Justin,” the Goddess of Wisdom looked at Aelioge, Her silver eyes like jewels, emitting a faint light.

Aelioge was a bit surprised to hear Justin’s name and asked, “What did the God of Destruction do to him?”

“Perhaps something.”

“With such ambiguous information, you expect us to take action?”

“You’ll need to investigate the details yourselves,” the Goddess of Wisdom seemed helpless, “As you can see, I have many enemies and need to hide my identity. It’s not convenient for me to act.”

Inpos remarked from the side. “I thought all the other heroes were killed.”

“They wanted to kill them, but it’s not necessarily successful. Heroes aren’t so easy to kill,” the Goddess of Wisdom’s words were loaded, directly admitting that the mastermind indeed wanted to kill the heroes.

Aelioge stared at Her, “Don’t forget, you’re also on the list of suspects for being the mastermind.”

The Goddess of Wisdom suddenly smiled, “If I were the mastermind, you wouldn’t have had the chance to grow up.”

Her expression was indifferent, but Her eyes revealed the arrogance and dignity of a god.

All the gods knew that while the Goddess of Wisdom appeared aloof on the surface, Her divine nature had a considerably arrogant side.

This was also why Aelioge ruled Her out as a suspect.

If the Goddess of Wisdom did something, it would definitely be more perfect.

“Fine, as you wish,” Aelioge accepted the proposal.

“We’ll consider what you’ve said, since it involves a hero. But if it’s false information, you know the consequences.”

The Goddess of Wisdom said seriously, “I hope you’ll consider it carefully.”

Aelioge stared at every expression of the Goddess of Wisdom. Perhaps He could use magic to threaten and monitor the Goddess of Wisdom’s every move from now on, but He disdained to do so.

“I will verify the truth about the God of Destruction. As for you, don’t even think about running away.”

The Goddess of Wisdom remained unmoved. “How could I? In my current state, I can’t run far, and I’m not foolish enough to oppose you.”

These words sounded like those of a wise person who knows when to submit, but it was indeed the correct judgment. She was injured and couldn’t run far, and offending the most evil force on the continent – who in their right mind would do that?

Aelioge fell silent, while the Goddess of Wisdom turned Her head and transformed back into the appearance of the “Prime Minister,” even putting on glasses in a convincing manner. To anyone who looked, She was just an ordinary, hardworking Prime Minister.

****

A few minutes later, at a certain artificial mountain.

“Aelioge, so what’s the plan? How should we deal with Her?”

Going round and round, Inpos was almost dizzy from listening. He was about to suggest ganging up on the Goddess of Wisdom to force Her to reveal all information, but Aelioge seemed a bit hesitant.

Aelioge summarized. “Her chances of being the mastermind were already extremely low. Investigating the culprit is one thing, but we can’t take action against Her without any evidence. Besides, the matter She mentioned does need attention.”

Inpos: “So…”

Aelioge turned His head. “You go keep an eye on Amon, I’ll check on the situation in the Divine Kingdom of Destruction.”

Inpos paused, then honestly admitted. “Well… I can’t beat Amon. He’s extremely cunning, and his abilities are quite abstract. I’m worried he might outmaneuver me.”

Unlike Aelioge, Inpos wasn’t skilled in combat. Aelioge possessed the [War] ability, so despite only ranking fifteenth, He could go toe-to-toe with many of His siblings.

As everyone knew, Aelioge’s nickname was “Fifty-fifty.”

Aelioge smiled and said, “I have leverage over Him. If He tries anything, just threaten to play it on loop for Father.”

“What leverage?”

Inpos took the memory orb Aelioge handed over, then widened his eyes in disbelief. “How did you even get this?!”

“He wasn’t careful,” Aelioge said calmly. “He didn’t expect Father to return suddenly.”

However, Aelioge was still not at ease about Inpos.

Inpos and Buer had too many prior offenses. Compared to Buer, Inpos was slightly more steady, though only by a bit.

He wanted to wake up Vassago, but everyone knew about Vassago’s morning temper, and Vassago might fall asleep midway, which was even less reliable.

After much consideration, Aelioge pulled a small white bird out of the void.

This little God of Light, though a bit slow and not even half a year old, was quite sensitive to certain things.

It might be useful.

Aelioge ordered the little white bird. “Go help keep watch on the demon.”

The little white bird nodded vigorously and flew to Inpos’s shoulder, exuding a confident “I’ll definitely be useful!” aura.

Aelioge chuckled, then pulled a small black bird out of the void as well.

Unlike the amnesiac God of Light, the God of Darkness had memories, and remembered quite a bit about affairs between the gods, so it could be put to use.

Aelioge stared into the little black bird’s beady eyes and asked directly, “Do you know what I want you to do?”

The little black bird made a gesture of absolute dedication with its wings and said solemnly. “Understood, Fifteenth Brother!”

What the heck, Fifteenth Brother?

Aelioge’s face darkened, but the fearless little black bird immediately flew to His side.

The little black bird was overjoyed. “Leave Fifteenth Brother to me!”

Aelioge’s eyes instantly went black.

Inpos was a bit worried, “Father is right there.”

Aelioge contemplated. “Although Buer is naive, She wouldn’t act recklessly when it comes to Father’s safety. She will protect Father well.”

Inpos was still concerned, “With that personality of Hers…”

“If there really was a great enemy, Buer’s loud-mouthed nature would probably alert Big Brother faster than anyone else.”

Aelioge’s assessment was very accurate.

Inpos thought that was true. They had all given their location markers to Big Brother, meaning He could reach their side with just a thought.

It would only take an instant, always in time. There weren’t many gods or demons on the continent who could defeat Buer, and Father had so many super-grade magic spells on Him, He was like an impenetrable fortress, even more indestructible than the Continental Human Alliance headquarters, so He was safe.

Aelioge seemed to have other thoughts about this, but didn’t express them.

“Let’s leave it at that for now, and act separately.”

“Alright.”

****

A few seconds later.

Inpos went to the Historical Research Institute, observing Amon’s situation from afar across the bookshelves.

The little white bird perched on His head, also staring with wide eyes.

Inpos hadn’t seen Amon for a long time, always considering Him a troublesome sibling, but now looking at Him, He seemed alright?