“Enough, I don’t wish to discuss this further,” Leixar stated, a frown creasing her brow. “I won’t hide it from you all: this God Lord candidate likely knows nothing at present.”
I quickly nodded like a pecking chick, gazing pitifully at Leixar. “It’s true, I really don’t know anything…”
‘I was inexplicably stared at by a group of people, inexplicably became some candidate, and inexplicably got challenged by a dashing black-haired man. Honestly, I’m completely bewildered.’
Leixar nodded once more, then rose to her feet. “First, I shall explain the situation to Miss Moe God. Do any of you object?”
Everyone except the black-haired man expressed no objections. Only he continued to fix me with a terrifying gaze, sending shivers down my spine.
Shen Ming, the black-haired man, grew increasingly distrustful of this candidate. However, having no alternative, he offered no further comments.
‘As for me, an unspeakable sense of grievance welled up. If you’re dissatisfied, glare at Leixar! I’m just a poor, clueless soul, alright? Why keep targeting me? It’s incredibly unfair!’
Ignoring Shen Ming, Leixar continued, “Very well, Moe God, I will now tell you everything from the beginning. Firstly, your ascension to godhood wasn’t due to an accumulation of faith power, though your divine title *is* derived from it.”
I had indeed vaguely sensed that my path to godhood wasn’t so simple.
‘But the title ‘Moe’? That was entirely my own doing! Why did I have to pick the ID ‘Big Dream Lord’ back then, practically asking for trouble?’
“And you, for reasons unknown, are indeed Blood Lotus Tianqi’s designated successor from six hundred million years ago,” Leixar pressed on. “As for how she knew, that is not our concern.”
‘Blood Lotus Tianqi? That heroic, stunning woman in red?’
“Next, the Divine Realm is currently divided into roughly two factions,” Leixar explained. “One faction is ours, composed of Blood Lotus Tianqi’s former subordinates. We temporarily hold three seats among the God Lords: Fifth God Lord Tian Yuehua, Sixth God Lord Mie, and Seventh God Lord Aklys.”
“The other side is led by Second God Lord Ken Laxting, comprising Second God Lord Ken Laxting, Third God Lord Shang, and Fourth God Lord Ke Milaire.”
I nodded slowly. “So, in simple terms, both sides are evenly matched?”
Leixar shook her head. “Not quite. While we appear evenly matched on the surface, our other supporters are far too few. If this continues, our strength will eventually be eroded piece by piece.”
“Therefore,” Leixar paused, “we must secure the position of First God Lord in this election. If we succeed, we can gradually grow stronger. If we fail, eternal damnation awaits.”
Still, I couldn’t quite grasp it. “But why does it have to be me?”
Leixar offered a slight smile. “Because only you hold hope. No one else in our faction could possibly contend with Ken Laxting’s candidate.”
‘And I can?’ I mused inwardly.
“Of course, on the surface, you can’t either,” Leixar admitted, shrugging playfully. “But since there’s no other hope, we might as well heed the words of that First God Lord.”
‘What the hell? If you’re not confident, why drag me into this? I could easily die!’
“However, you needn’t worry,” Leixar reassured. “As our candidate, we wouldn’t expose you before you’ve grown powerful. God Lord Aklys claimed to her subordinates that you were merely a smokescreen.”
“She then deliberately exposed your location, creating the illusion that you were blown up on the train to the Divine Realm. Do you remember jumping off?”
“Five minutes after you jumped, that train was attacked. But as things stand now, you are perfectly safe.”
“Ah?” ‘Safe? Then, what about that assassin from before?’
Leixar sighed. “You must learn to analyze carefully. Would an opponent send such a lone assassin for a role this crucial? And then give up so easily after failing?”
Leixar narrowed her eyes. “Still, they are truly vicious. They likely just saw you as a promising potential enemy and moved to eliminate you.”
I gulped, my voice trembling. “Then, then, can I withdraw?”
I was terrified. If things continued like this, and I was exposed, then…
Leixar nodded. “You can, but you must carefully consider the implications.”
I pondered for a moment. “Are you saying… you would… silence me?”
Leixar shook her head. “It’s certainly a possibility. However, have you considered this: without our deliberate concealment, you would quickly be thoroughly investigated.”
“Even if you declared your withdrawal, do you truly believe they would trust us to leave such a hidden danger alive? Do you think they wouldn’t capture you and then…”
At that moment, I understood. ‘I’ve boarded a pirate ship…’
Leixar’s expression suddenly turned solemn. “However, you absolutely don’t need to worry, because,” she swept her gaze around the assembled group, “even if every single one of us here were to perish, we would not allow *you* to lose your life. Because you are… our last hope.”
Each word resonated with undeniable weight.