As everyone saw the fleshy ball, a mixed feeling of relief and nervousness washed over everybody. As far as they knew, Humanity had never managed to find one of these kinds of spies. They had uncovered a danger they had never known existed.
The people felt relief because this proved that they were on Humanity's side. After all, if they were working for the Demons, they would have never unveiled the existence of these kinds of spies.
Yet, they also felt anxiety. After all, the Demons had lost a huge weapon. This would make them more careful and nervous, which could have devastating consequences. The Demons might decide to increase the pressure on the front lines as a warning.
In a way, one could say the equilibrium between the two sides had been disturbed.
Overlord Riverly looked at the fleshy ball in her hands with narrowed eyes. The fleshy ball was a New Ascendant Demon, but it basically didn't have any combat potential. Due to the unique way in which Overlord Sandpike's human body had been created, the Demon couldn't just make a new one.
This was neither an arm nor an Avatar. This was something completely different.
People couldn't just grow new Centers, minds, or Souls, and Demons couldn't just grow new Beast Cores. Most likely, this Demon had the power to create a new body, but the body wouldn't be nearly as powerful as the old one. At most, it could create a Mortal body, which would then need to advance through all of the Realms again. Something like that couldn't be achieved within just a couple of years.
'Luckily, she knows quite a bit about Karmic Luck,' Kyle thought. 'I already know a lot about Karmic Luck, but she seems to know even more. She even managed to track the Demon's original body!'
Kyle remembered how Overlord Riverly had attacked the body. Back then, Kyle had seen a blue pulse on the Karmic Line. This was similar to the time the Red Witch had killed the Countess. However, it was only similar, not identical. Based on what Kyle could see, Overlord Riverly didn't know the actual Law of Karmic Causality. She only knew part of it.
According to Kyle's estimates, Overlord Riverly couldn't launch an attack via a Karmic Line, but she could send a signal. The signal had traveled through the Karmic Line, and since Overlord Riverly could sense her own attack, she could feel where her attack went, allowing her to track the Demon.
'I could have maybe done something similar, but I'm not sure,' Kyle thought. 'I can probably interact with this kind of Karmic Line to some degree, but I've never really tried it.'
A moment later, Overlord Riverly looked at the present people.
She still had no idea what had actually happened. Overlord Stygian, Overlord Cloudhorn, and several Spirit Lords had died. She could guess why Overlord Cloudhorn was dead, but she didn't know why or how any of the others had died.
"Overlord Sunlight," Overlord Riverly transmitted. "I do not have much time. I need to return to the front lines. I need a succinct summary of the investigation."
"Of course," Overlord Sunlight answered before she summarized the past events and the results of the investigation.
The things Overlord Riverly heard made her worried. It was very unnatural for such a large group to be this united. Even more, it seemed like the group had prioritized itself over Humanity, which was not a good thing.
Humanity required unity, and this little group could cause significant disturbances. Was this some kind of revolution? Were they intending to separate from Humanity?
Overlord Riverly looked at Manny. Apparently, he was the ringleader of this group.
Yet, at the same time, she also looked at Kyle.
She knew a lot about Karmic Luck, and Kyle couldn't keep his true aura hidden from her.
What she saw seemed impossible. The intensity of Kyle's aura was far beyond anything that could be considered reasonable. It was almost like he was a completely different existence.
Today's events had been history-defining. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Even though Overlord Riverly didn't know how everything had started, there was no way that Kyle's presence was a mere coincidence.
"What's your judgment?" Overlord Riverly asked Overlord Sunlight. "Where do their loyalties lie?"
"I believe they share the same goal as Humanity. They want to get rid of the true enemy and repair Ayuvar. I believe they are still part of Humanity, but I also believe that they have formed an isolated faction within Humanity. They seem to trust each other with their lives, while they do not trust us with their lives. I am almost certain that a very restrictive oath is involved."
"And you?" Overlord Riverly asked. "If your guess turns out to be true, where will your loyalties lie?"
"I want Ayuvar to prosper," Overlord Sunlight answered. "I want the demonic threat to be extinguished, and I'm willing to do everything that's necessary to achieve it. My heart lies with Humanity, and I will never betray it, but my mind can't help feeling hope as I see this group. Under the leadership of one Sage, they have uncovered something that none of our Ascendants have uncovered. I want to give them a chance, but I also believe that Humanity should be careful."
Overlord Riverly only deliberated for a short moment.
"I want you to conclude the investigation right now. Include everything you've learned in the report, but leave your personal feelings and guesses out. Only report the facts. Afterward, you are free to choose your actions. If you wish to learn more about this group, I will not stand in your way."
"However, it is imperative that none of this causes any risk to Humanity's continued survival. If you decide to get involved, make sure that you can still report potential risks to Humanity."
Overlord Sunlight was surprised by Overlord Riverly's words. The mere existence of this group was already a significant risk, but Overlord Riverly didn't seem very concerned about them. Sure, they had proven their loyalty by unmasking this new kind of spy, but internal conflicts could spell the end of Humanity.
"If I may ask, why do you permit the existence of this group?" Overlord Sunlight asked.
"According to my position and my beliefs, I should not allow this separatist group to keep operating," Overlord Riverly answered, "but there's one reason that changed my mind."
"Overlord Stygian. I knew Overlord Stygian very well. Even though he often said that he had committed many mistakes during his life, nobody else can confirm this. He rarely made a wrong call. Whenever Humanity decided to ignore Overlord Stygian's advice, things usually turned out worse."
"I'm pretty sure that Overlord Stygian has seen something special today. He had the option to sacrifice himself many times in the past, but despite his guilty conscience, he always knew that his continued existence was more important than whatever he wanted to save. He knew his own worth very well."
"But today, he has seen something that was more important than his continued existence, according to his values."
"I believe I know what he has seen," Overlord Riverly transmitted as she covertly inspected Kyle's aura again, "and as much as it pains me to admit, I believe that he might have made the right choice."
"Humanity's rules are built on fundamental truths. Yet, if one of these truths turns out to be false or inaccurate, the rules have to adapt."
"I'm willing to give them a chance. Whatever you do is up to you."
Then, Overlord Riverly teleported away with the fleshy blob, leaving Overlord Sunlight with the group.
Overlord Sunlight thought about Overlord Riverly's words as she looked at the group.
Over 30 Ascendants, including a One-Infused Ascendant.
If the group decided to attack her, there would be nothing she could do.
The author's patreon. If he gets more than 1000 per month, he will increase the number of words in the chapter.
/user?u=27791050