"However, since you, the leader, and Her Highness Aulia have said that Golden Dawn was founded by the Eighth Dawn Deity..."
"Then surely, by having the great Eighth God confirm with the other Seven Gods, we would be able to know the answer, right?"
As Su Lun's words left her mouth, both Aulia and the leader, shrouded by the black mist, noticeably stiffened for a moment. Atop the black mist, Shiayar couldn't help but laugh out loud.
As expected of Su Lun. Initially, seeing her at Golden Dawn's secret meeting had made him a bit uneasy. He had worried whether this girl had truly betrayed him, secretly making contact with a clandestine organization like Golden Dawn. After all, unlike Enola, he had met Su Lun later, and they had spent less time together. Ennie's personality was like a blank sheet of paper—pure and easy to understand. Their trust, built over many years of companionship, had solidified to the point where nothing could shake it—neither time nor death. But Su Lun was different. This girl was so intelligent that Su Lun effortlessly understood the grand conjectures and diagrams Shiayar proposed based on his transmigrator's knowledge, and could even modify and add to them. Whether it was the creation of 'Jayee,' or the research and development of the Black Knight, the Sun Furnace, or the Heaven's Wrath device, without Su Lun's help, Shiayar's progress would certainly have been much slower. In the field of mechanics, as well as others, Su Lun was a true genius. However, this also made it somewhat difficult for Shiayar to see the true heart of this bold, proactive woman who often flirted with him, even through their magic messaging. But now, it seemed he might have been overly concerned. At least, the Su Lun Shiayar knew was nothing like the dignified, holy, and somewhat endearingly foolish Dawn Saintess before him.
As for why the Eighth God did not go and contact the Seven Gods of Dawn...
The Power of Faith is the sustenance upon which Deities rely to survive and grow; it could also be called their lifeline. Each had their own designated share, so how could the Old Gods possibly allow a newly born Fabled Creature to snatch away their faith? If King of Gold Lai Yin, whom Golden Dawn revered and even planned to resurrect, were as righteous as the leader claimed, Golden Dawn wouldn't have to constantly hide in the shadows, even holding member meetings secretively. Why not just openly announce their existence within the Dawn Church and then comfortably take a share of the Power of Faith as the Eighth God? Wouldn't that be far more appealing?
In the end, no matter how majestic and glorious King of Gold Lai Yin might have been in the past, at least now, He was undoubtedly someone who had to avoid the light. Especially for the Seven Gods of Dawn. Never mind that King of Gold Lai Yin had initiated both the Holy See and the Holy Calendar. After all, when subordinates performed well, it was all to the leader's credit; they might be named an outstanding employee or a model worker, and that would be the extent of it. But if one truly tried to cause a major upheaval, undermine Their foundations, and aim to sit on equal footing with Them, they would simply be waiting to be dealt with.
Both Aulia and the leader were caught off guard by Su Lun's inquiry.
A moment later, the leader coughed lightly and said, "When the opportunity arises, I will naturally inquire of the Great One."
He glanced again at the composed and holy Su Lun, still somewhat unconvinced as he spoke again, "He truly hasn't reached out to you at all in these past few years?"
"Never." Su Lun shook her head emphatically. "Shiayar Egutt is a fickle and philandering scoundrel, who forgets old loves for new. Now that he has the Gray-Silver Witch and Her Royal Highness the Princess by his side, he has long forgotten me, the village lass from Lokiya City. If you don't believe me, leader, you may verify with the Seven Gods."
Ultimately, faced with Su Lun's retorts, which invoked the Seven Gods as witnesses and questioned why His Highness Rhine didn't simply ask the Seven Gods Himself, both Aulia and the leader could only sigh in resignation. They had no choice but to give up their questioning.
The astral spirit bodies upon the bronze table slowly dissipated.
Only Shiayar remained, leisurely leaning back on a reclining chair woven from golden branches.
What does she mean, 'fickle scoundrel'? I just love everyone equally. This is clearly pure love!
He recalled Su Lun's final words and couldn't help a wry smile.
He just didn't understand why she would get involved with a clandestine organization like Golden Dawn. Was it because of Aulia? Anyway, no matter what... Once Ennie completes her breakthrough, and we return to the Main Material Plane together, we'll sweep away all hidden dangers and conflicts. Then I can go to the Dawn Church and propose openly. If the Church is unwilling, I'll take her back by force if I have to.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Shiayar prepared to withdraw from the black mist above and return to the Garden of Eden, located in the ashes of the Imaginary Zone.
But at the next moment, the black mist in front of Shiayar started to swirl tumultuously, undulating up and down.
Voices of ethereal and hazy prayer rang in his ears.
"O lofty and mysterious black mist."
"You are the clouds that oversee the world, the eternal kingdom beyond time, and also the fog beyond the laws."
"Please witness this fair trade, and deliver this token to the secret coordinates in the capital of the Fresta Empire on the Main Material Plane."