The Golden Apple (10)
Frondier deduced from the fact that Charon's divine power wasn't Poseidon's that Hera and Aphrodite were also being impersonated by devils.
However, the reality was different.
He didn't know about Hera, but Aphrodite was undeniably the real Aphrodite.
‘This changes things.’
Until now, he had thought devils were provoking the gods, and the gods were about to wage war in response.
However, if Aphrodite was one of the forces instigating this war, there might be others among the gods who desired it.
‘And the fact that Aphrodite is currently in the capital, just like Poseidon…’
“Did Aphrodite-nim also suffer the same injury as Poseidon-nim?”
[That's right. I'm bound to the sea, and Aphrodite is bound to the capital. She seemed content with her life, but who knows what's truly in her heart.]
That meant Aphrodite was also one of the gods who survived the last Ragnarok.
‘Come to think of it, the gods who are bound and the devils in Agoris are in similar situations.’
Both were beings who had no choice but to survive where they were, unable to return to their homelands.
The gods were injured by humanity’s final counterattack and trapped on Earth, and the devils were unable to return through the gate that had been crossed due to Satan’s interference.
The process was different, but the situation was similar.
‘Just as the devils in Agoris want to return to the Demon Realm, do the bound gods also want to go to the world of salvation?’
Was that why Aphrodite was instigating this war? Believing that if the Olympian gods came here, they would receive some kind of help?
‘…I don’t know.’
He didn’t have enough information yet.
All he could think about was when the paladin Charon, the two women chosen by the gods, and he had met.
He had thought it was a meeting of three devils, but Aphrodite was among them.
In other words, a devil and a god had joined hands.
To make the devils and gods fight.
‘What a crazy game.’
Frondier shook his head. He had always believed that gods and devils were fundamentally different from humans, but now they just seemed insane.
“Which other gods were injured?”
[That’s a story for after you meet Aphrodite. First, go and see her.]
An expected answer. As if he would tell him so easily.
Poseidon acted as if he had said all he needed to say.
Frondier thought for a moment and then nodded.
He was going to meet Aphrodite soon anyway. Originally, he was planning to meet a devil.
Poseidon seemed to believe that meeting her would be more amicable than meeting Heracles, but he didn't know what would actually happen.
‘Good. I guess I’ve heard all I can from Poseidon.’
He had actually gotten much more information than he expected.
So much so that he needed to organize it.
Now it was Frondier’s turn.
“Poseidon-nim, I have something to tell you about the Palma capital.”
[What is it?]
Frondier told him about the current situation in the Palma capital.
The devils imitating gods. The gods possessing humans and heading to the Palma capital. The war that was about to break out in the capital.
Naturally, Poseidon's face contorted into an expression of rage.
[How dare those devils…!]
Frondier told him almost everything.
Except for one thing.
“However, I can’t distinguish between devils and gods.”
He planted a suggestion in Poseidon’s mind.
[What do you mean?]
“The gods of Olympus will come to this continent from the one I was on, possessing humans.”
[That's right. They won't ignore the devils' provocation.]
“The problem is that devils might be mixed in with them.”
[…!]
Of course, that was impossible.
Almost all the devils in the Empire were under Frondier's control. Unless Frondier himself gave the order, the devils of the Empire would stay put. It would be fortunate if they didn't catch the eye of the gods.
So, all those who crossed from the Palinned Continent to Agoris were gods of Olympus.
But Poseidon didn't know that.
“If devils are mixed in with the Olympian gods, we can’t let it slide.”
[…You’re absolutely right.]
If Poseidon believed Frondier’s lie, his opinion was valid.
There was one thing Frondier wanted to know here.
Humans, devils, and gods.
Could gods really distinguish between the three?
‘Humans can’t tell the difference between a devil hiding its wings and a human. They also can’t tell if it was a devil or a god who gave power to a human. It’s the same for devils.’
Gods and devils each shared their power with humans, and their methods were almost identical.
He already knew that gods could possess humans, and Frondier had witnessed with his own eyes the case of the devil, Bune, possessing the paladin, Antero. And humans couldn’t tell the difference between the two.
Then what about the gods?
“The gods of Olympus will be here soon. What should we do if there are devils among them?”
Frondier concealed his true intentions and asked Poseidon for advice.
[Hmm…]
Poseidon groaned as if troubled.
That was already an answer.
‘They can’t tell the difference.’
If Poseidon could tell whether a being possessing a human was a devil or a god, then other gods would be able to as well.
In that case, the idea of a devil hiding among the gods would be meaningless.
He would have laughed off Frondier for even suggesting it.
However, Poseidon was actually troubled and was looking for a way to respond.
‘This will buy me some time.’
The Olympian gods were coming to Palma. He couldn’t stop that.
However, if Poseidon stood in their way and tried to figure out who among them was a devil, the suspicion would spread.
If he could just buy that much time, it would be enough. He would be able to respond even after the Olympian gods arrived nearby.
[Alright. I’ll see what I can do.]
Poseidon said as if to reassure him not to worry. Of course, a god wouldn’t be worried about what a believer had to say.
[But why are the devils provoking the gods? Have they finally gone mad?]
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