"Vishnu."
Frondier's gaze, still chilling, was fixed on Vishnu.
The tips of his gun-like fingers remained pointed at Vishnu, or rather, at Elodie.
[Yes? What is it?]
Vishnu, still in Elodie's form, rested her chin on her hand.
Her voice was brimming with composure, as if Frondier's killing intent couldn't reach her.
"Answer my question."
[Go on, ask away.]
His voice, coming from Elodie's body, was completely identical to Elodie's own. That fact alone irritated Frondier.
"Give me one reason why I should believe a word you say."
Frondier's killing intent filled the room, threatening to burst out.
Baal, caught between them, stiffened, his face pale with tension.
"And even if I did, tell me why I shouldn't kill you right here, right now."
Frondier's Demonic Power wouldn't take long to activate. Even if he unleashed Pandemonium, he could end it within a minute if he wanted to.
He had already recognized Vishnu as a potential enemy. Elodie's God was toying with Elodie's body. There were more than enough reasons to kill her, rendering any other reason secondary.
[Aha, I can tell you as many reasons as you want.]
But Vishnu remained nonchalant.
[The answer to your first question is simple. I was merely being benevolent.]
"Benevolent?"
[That's right. As I said, I'm just an information broker. You were curious about how the Gods would wage war against the Devils, weren't you? So, I answered. And the fact that Athena was hiding it from you, that's pretty important information, isn't it? As is the fact that she can return to Carla's body whenever she pleases. I don't need to give you a reason to believe me. If you don't want to believe me, then don't.]
Considering the circumstances, what Vishnu was saying was most likely true.
After their encounter in Pandemonium, Athena had almost certainly lost to Frondier. Naturally, she would have ceased to be a threat that Frondier needed to be wary of.
He hadn't imagined that she would be able to return to Carla's body. And even if she could, he thought it unlikely that she would risk it with Frondier around.
'The question is, why show up now?'
Frondier wasn't doubting the information itself, but rather, Vishnu's intentions.
Why reveal this now, going so far as to possess Elodie's body? What was Vishnu planning at this critical juncture, right before the outbreak of war?
[And as for your second question...]
As if cutting off his train of thought, Vishnu continued.
[You don't need to keep me alive.]
"What?"
[You can't kill me, that's why you don't need to keep me alive, right?]
Vishnu's smile widened.
[You can't kill me, so you have no choice but to let me live.]
"...Are you confident you can win against me in Pandemonium?"
[Ahahaha. That's not it. Frondier, you're surprisingly good at lying to yourself.]
Vishnu laughed, his voice still laced with amusement.
[You could never bring yourself to hurt Elodie.]
Her words pierced through Frondier, as if he saw right through him.
Vishnu continued, seemingly entertained by his reaction.
[As you just saw, I can possess Elodie whenever I want. And I can leave whenever I want. As I said, Elodie's resistance is quite strong, so I can't stay for long. But in this situation, what do you think will happen if you use your Demonic Power?]
Frondier's Demonic Power undoubtedly affected Gods. He knew that from his fight against Athena.
However, back then, Athena had underestimated him and hadn't been possessing anyone. Since Carla was the one channeling the divine power, there was no way for her to avoid Frondier's Demonic Power.
But now, Vishnu had the upper hand in Elodie's body. If things got dicey, he could simply return control to Elodie.
[Of course, it would be difficult for me to switch with Elodie faster than you could use your Demonic Power. The chances are slim. Maybe a 1% success rate? In most scenarios, things would probably go the way you want. Your Demonic Power would reach me faster than I could switch back with Elodie.]
Vishnu spread her arms wide.
[So, want to give it a try? Trust in that 99% chance and try to eliminate me with your Demonic Power. Whenever you're ready.]
"..."
Frondier's fingertips remained pointed at Vishnu.
However, his Demonic Power didn't activate.
[Ahaha. See? You can't kill me.]
As if she had read his every thought, Vishnu lowered her arms, looking slightly bored.
[You wouldn't take even a 1% risk if it meant endangering Elodie. And besides, you can't even be sure if my 1% claim is true, can you? After all, my words are nothing more than 'information' to you.]
To Frondier, information was crucial; it had the power to sway future events.
The reason was simple: he hated unexpected events.
He might be able to handle them alone, but Frondier was no longer alone.
His unwillingness to sacrifice anyone but himself, a trait that had become particularly pronounced during the war against Manggot, was well-known. He would sacrifice himself to save everyone else.
So far, it had worked.
But what if he couldn't save everyone, even if he sacrificed everything?
Or what if he wasn't even given the chance to sacrifice himself?
[That's why you're so obsessed with information. You want to know everything, what your enemies are planning, what your allies are planning. Ahaha. On the surface, it looks like everyone follows you, like you're leading them all, but looking closer, it's actually you who's serving everyone else.]
"..."
Frondier lowered his hand.
The overwhelming killing intent directed at Vishnu gradually subsided.
Vishnu tilted her head, surprised.
[Hm? I thought you'd be angry. You're surprisingly calm.]
"..."
Frondier didn't answer.
He lowered his head and exhaled deeply, as if trying to shake off the weight of his words.
Then, he turned to Vishnu and walked out of the shop, retrieving Obsidian, which was still binding Andro, as he went.
The reason for his subsided anger was simple.
'He's right.'
Vishnu was speaking the truth.
He couldn't kill him, and there was no more information to be gained from him.
As long as Elodie could regain control of her body at any moment, Frondier had to move. First, to the hospital. If Vishnu's words were true, then Athena was likely already possessing Carla.
Behind him, Vishnu's voice rang out.
[You don't call that camaraderie, Frondier.]
Frondier had heard many warnings in his life.
Some were truly cruel, threatening to drag him into the abyss of his curse.
But Vishnu's words, spoken in Elodie's voice, were unlike anything he had ever heard before.
[That's not camaraderie-]
Crash!
A sudden, violent crash echoed through the air.
Startled, Frondier turned back to see what had happened.
Vishnu had suddenly slammed his fist down on the table.
No, it wasn't Vishnu.
"...Sorry, Frondier."
It was Elodie.
Elodie had somehow regained control of her body and was speaking in her own voice.
'She regained control while a God was speaking... Elodie's resistance is exceeding the God's expectations.'
Frondier was surprised, but Elodie was not.
She radiated an immense aura of killing intent and rage that would have made even Frondier nervous. Her gaze was fixed, unwavering.
Her eyes weren't directed at anything in particular.
Or rather, they were directed at herself.
She spoke, her voice low and dangerous.
"Can you give us a moment?"
"...Elodie."
"Please, Fron."
Elodie still hadn't looked at Frondier. Or rather, it was as if the target she needed to face was so clear in her mind that she didn't need to move her eyes.
"I think someone needs to be taught a lesson."
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