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Chapter 276: It's Him Again
Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
"You've done very well."
Having purged the moles, the Commander gave everyone a slight nod, his previously furious attitude gone.
Orin Vale put on a self-reproachful look. "But the mission failed. This subordinate was incompetent and couldn't stop the target."
"Ah, that's not your fault. The other teams failed too. You have a point. There must have been an A.R.G.U.S. mole planted within our ranks."
The Commander waved his hand dismissively.
"The important thing is that you came back alive. That's what matters most. You're the only team to survive this operation and even capture the moles. That's already a great achievement. I was right about you."
"Thank you, Commander," Orin Vale said.
Behind him, the members of the Justice League remained silent, but inwardly they all found it amusing. *The only subordinates of yours who weren't moles were just purged. You really were right about them...*
Kara, in particular, kept her head down the whole time, hiding her face in her hood. It was a struggle to hold back her laughter.
As expected, fun things always happened whenever she went out with Mr. Orin.
As a precaution, the "traitors" were left alive; the Commander said he would take them back for a slow interrogation. Orin Vale didn't stop him. Just moments ago, their thoughts and memories had been rewritten by the Martian Manhunter. They now firmly believed they were the good guys—loyal A.R.G.U.S. agents, even if their own mothers came to question it.
Finally, the Commander's gaze swept over them. "As you can see, the Lord perceives all and knows all. Any delusional attempt to infiltrate our ranks is doomed to be exposed under the Lord's watch."
"There had better not be any among you, either. Otherwise, if you're discovered... heheh, you don't want to know the consequences."
The group repeatedly pledged their absolute loyalty, willing to offer their hearts to the organization. Orin Vale even thumped his chest, guaranteeing, "You can rest assured. The brothers we have left are purer than 100% distilled vodka. Absolutely no one has divided loyalties."
*We few may not have divided loyalties, but whether we're on the same side as you, Commander, is another story.*
The Commander was very satisfied. "Good, that's very good. Although this operation was not successful, the fault does not lie with you. You have proven your ability, and I have even more confidence in your future arrangements."
"You will become our Blood Cultists' moles inside A.R.G.U.S., dismantling the organization from within."
At this, the Commander revealed a cruel smile and muttered to himself, "Heh, they like infiltration? They like undercover operations? Let's have these overconfident mortals experience for themselves what it feels like to be dismantled by a traitor from within..."
Orin Vale already knew about the arrangement, so it was no surprise to him, but the Justice League members behind him exchanged glances, looking utterly bewildered.
*Ah... we have to go undercover in A.R.G.U.S.?*
*Is it possible that we, right here, are the only undercover agents within the Blood Cultists? We're all present and accounted for...*
"This is a glorious mission, and moreover, an opportunity. Before that, the Divine Emissary has specifically asked to see you to personally entrust you with some matters," the Commander said to Orin Vale.
"The Divine Emissary?" Orin Vale was taken aback.
"That's right." The Commander's expression was even a little envious. "Feel honored. Not everyone receives this distinction. The Divine Emissary rarely descends in person, only occasionally sending down oracles. Even when he does descend, only the most devout few in the organization have the chance to receive a blessing in person."
Orin Vale accepted, mechanically reciting a string of lines praising the Divine Emissary while his mind began to ponder.
*The Divine Emissary of the Blood Cultists?*
*Could it be...?*
***
"Why are we looking for the Wizard's successor?"
A son of Trigon, the demon Saraka, asked in confusion.
"The ones chosen by the Wizard are the guardians of this dimension. Aren't they our enemies?"
Also a son of Trigon and visiting this dimension for the first time, the demon Tisak answered coldly, "This is why I always say you need to do more homework, use your head more instead of relying on power."
"Teth-Adam is no ordinary successor. His reckless actions caused him to lose the Wizard's trust, leading to his eventual sealing."
"He possesses the power of six gods and is one of the most powerful beings here, yet he lacks the self-awareness and magnanimity of a guardian. He has desires, things he wants, his own obsessions. And it is precisely mortals with such things that are easier to manipulate."
Saraka was beginning to understand. He nodded thoughtfully.
"You're saying we might be able to make a deal with him."
"As long as there are desires, there is a price." Tisak smiled. "I believe Black Adam's price is his nation, that place called Kahndaq. He doesn't care about the rest of the world. As long as we promise him Kahndaq, he will become our ally."
"But..." Saraka thought for a moment. "Even if we agree to his terms, it's not like Father will abide by them. Once Father descends, this entire dimension will belong to him. Even Kahndaq will..."
Tisak's lips curled upwards.
"But Black Adam won't know that, will he?"
"True enough." Saraka's mouth twitched.
The two demons looked at each other and began to laugh in low, sinister voices.
What else would you expect from demons?
Honestly keeping a promise would be considered a disgrace to their kind.
"But this operation doesn't seem to have been very successful... Heh, I should have known," Tisak said lightly. "Humans are fundamentally useless. We shouldn't have expected these cultists to accomplish anything significant."
If there was one thing the demons had learned during their brief guidance of the Blood Cultists, it was that if you want something done right, it's best to do it yourself. These Believers were loyal, but their abilities were questionable.
"I hope this batch of cultists is at least a little more competent," Saraka muttered. "That human organization called A.R.G.U.S. seems to have a lot of information. With their intelligence network, it will be easier for us to obtain intelligence on this world."
"Hmph, it's impossible to rely on mortals to be competent," Tisak grunted. "I'll have to handle this matter personally."
"You mean...?" Saraka's eyes glinted.
"For the cultist in charge of the undercover operation, I will directly implant one of my fragments into his consciousness. I'll tell him it's a blessing. But I will hide in his mind, monitor his every move, and if necessary, take over or even replace his consciousness."
Tisak said calmly.
"This will make it more convenient for me to intervene directly. And if something goes wrong, I can retreat unscathed."
"I see." Saraka sneered. "You really are the one with the methods. Ha, that weakling Belial refused to come to this dimension again, no matter what."
"I'm very curious to see the look on his face when we offer this dimension to Father..."
"Alright, enough talk. That Believer should be arriving."
The two demons immediately shut their mouths, sat upright in their respective positions, and struck a pose, creating a terrifying and eerie atmosphere.
The Believer they were to meet then appeared at the main gate, swaggering in.
As soon as he entered, the demon Saraka sniffed a somewhat familiar aura.
An aura that was incompatible with demons like them, one that made them uncomfortable, an aura like... light.
It narrowed its eyes and took a closer look.
The next second, its expression changed drastically. The entire creature nearly had its soul scared out of its body.
"It-it-it's him!"
Saraka shrieked.
"It's him again!"
(end of chapter)
Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
"You've done very well."
Having purged the moles, the Commander gave everyone a slight nod, his previously furious attitude gone.
Orin Vale put on a self-reproachful look. "But the mission failed. This subordinate was incompetent and couldn't stop the target."
"Ah, that's not your fault. The other teams failed too. You have a point. There must have been an A.R.G.U.S. mole planted within our ranks."
The Commander waved his hand dismissively.
"The important thing is that you came back alive. That's what matters most. You're the only team to survive this operation and even capture the moles. That's already a great achievement. I was right about you."
"Thank you, Commander," Orin Vale said.
Behind him, the members of the Justice League remained silent, but inwardly they all found it amusing. *The only subordinates of yours who weren't moles were just purged. You really were right about them...*
Kara, in particular, kept her head down the whole time, hiding her face in her hood. It was a struggle to hold back her laughter.
As expected, fun things always happened whenever she went out with Mr. Orin.
As a precaution, the "traitors" were left alive; the Commander said he would take them back for a slow interrogation. Orin Vale didn't stop him. Just moments ago, their thoughts and memories had been rewritten by the Martian Manhunter. They now firmly believed they were the good guys—loyal A.R.G.U.S. agents, even if their own mothers came to question it.
Finally, the Commander's gaze swept over them. "As you can see, the Lord perceives all and knows all. Any delusional attempt to infiltrate our ranks is doomed to be exposed under the Lord's watch."
"There had better not be any among you, either. Otherwise, if you're discovered... heheh, you don't want to know the consequences."
The group repeatedly pledged their absolute loyalty, willing to offer their hearts to the organization. Orin Vale even thumped his chest, guaranteeing, "You can rest assured. The brothers we have left are purer than 100% distilled vodka. Absolutely no one has divided loyalties."
*We few may not have divided loyalties, but whether we're on the same side as you, Commander, is another story.*
The Commander was very satisfied. "Good, that's very good. Although this operation was not successful, the fault does not lie with you. You have proven your ability, and I have even more confidence in your future arrangements."
"You will become our Blood Cultists' moles inside A.R.G.U.S., dismantling the organization from within."
At this, the Commander revealed a cruel smile and muttered to himself, "Heh, they like infiltration? They like undercover operations? Let's have these overconfident mortals experience for themselves what it feels like to be dismantled by a traitor from within..."
Orin Vale already knew about the arrangement, so it was no surprise to him, but the Justice League members behind him exchanged glances, looking utterly bewildered.
*Ah... we have to go undercover in A.R.G.U.S.?*
*Is it possible that we, right here, are the only undercover agents within the Blood Cultists? We're all present and accounted for...*
"This is a glorious mission, and moreover, an opportunity. Before that, the Divine Emissary has specifically asked to see you to personally entrust you with some matters," the Commander said to Orin Vale.
"The Divine Emissary?" Orin Vale was taken aback.
"That's right." The Commander's expression was even a little envious. "Feel honored. Not everyone receives this distinction. The Divine Emissary rarely descends in person, only occasionally sending down oracles. Even when he does descend, only the most devout few in the organization have the chance to receive a blessing in person."
Orin Vale accepted, mechanically reciting a string of lines praising the Divine Emissary while his mind began to ponder.
*The Divine Emissary of the Blood Cultists?*
*Could it be...?*
***
"Why are we looking for the Wizard's successor?"
A son of Trigon, the demon Saraka, asked in confusion.
"The ones chosen by the Wizard are the guardians of this dimension. Aren't they our enemies?"
Also a son of Trigon and visiting this dimension for the first time, the demon Tisak answered coldly, "This is why I always say you need to do more homework, use your head more instead of relying on power."
"Teth-Adam is no ordinary successor. His reckless actions caused him to lose the Wizard's trust, leading to his eventual sealing."
"He possesses the power of six gods and is one of the most powerful beings here, yet he lacks the self-awareness and magnanimity of a guardian. He has desires, things he wants, his own obsessions. And it is precisely mortals with such things that are easier to manipulate."
Saraka was beginning to understand. He nodded thoughtfully.
"You're saying we might be able to make a deal with him."
"As long as there are desires, there is a price." Tisak smiled. "I believe Black Adam's price is his nation, that place called Kahndaq. He doesn't care about the rest of the world. As long as we promise him Kahndaq, he will become our ally."
"But..." Saraka thought for a moment. "Even if we agree to his terms, it's not like Father will abide by them. Once Father descends, this entire dimension will belong to him. Even Kahndaq will..."
Tisak's lips curled upwards.
"But Black Adam won't know that, will he?"
"True enough." Saraka's mouth twitched.
The two demons looked at each other and began to laugh in low, sinister voices.
What else would you expect from demons?
Honestly keeping a promise would be considered a disgrace to their kind.
"But this operation doesn't seem to have been very successful... Heh, I should have known," Tisak said lightly. "Humans are fundamentally useless. We shouldn't have expected these cultists to accomplish anything significant."
If there was one thing the demons had learned during their brief guidance of the Blood Cultists, it was that if you want something done right, it's best to do it yourself. These Believers were loyal, but their abilities were questionable.
"I hope this batch of cultists is at least a little more competent," Saraka muttered. "That human organization called A.R.G.U.S. seems to have a lot of information. With their intelligence network, it will be easier for us to obtain intelligence on this world."
"Hmph, it's impossible to rely on mortals to be competent," Tisak grunted. "I'll have to handle this matter personally."
"You mean...?" Saraka's eyes glinted.
"For the cultist in charge of the undercover operation, I will directly implant one of my fragments into his consciousness. I'll tell him it's a blessing. But I will hide in his mind, monitor his every move, and if necessary, take over or even replace his consciousness."
Tisak said calmly.
"This will make it more convenient for me to intervene directly. And if something goes wrong, I can retreat unscathed."
"I see." Saraka sneered. "You really are the one with the methods. Ha, that weakling Belial refused to come to this dimension again, no matter what."
"I'm very curious to see the look on his face when we offer this dimension to Father..."
"Alright, enough talk. That Believer should be arriving."
The two demons immediately shut their mouths, sat upright in their respective positions, and struck a pose, creating a terrifying and eerie atmosphere.
The Believer they were to meet then appeared at the main gate, swaggering in.
As soon as he entered, the demon Saraka sniffed a somewhat familiar aura.
An aura that was incompatible with demons like them, one that made them uncomfortable, an aura like... light.
It narrowed its eyes and took a closer look.
The next second, its expression changed drastically. The entire creature nearly had its soul scared out of its body.
"It-it-it's him!"
Saraka shrieked.
"It's him again!"
(end of chapter)
