First, due to Aslan’s lie, the Warrior God seemed to have put aside his suspicions.
Of course, he appeared to regard Aslan with personal disdain, but it seemed as though he was letting it slide because Aslan was the husband of one of his own people.
Aslan thought this until the Warrior God opened his mouth again.
“So, what brings you here?”
‘Ah, so not everything is forgiven yet?’
Aslan looked at the Warrior God, who asked without relinquishing any trace of suspicion, and gave an awkward smile.
He hadn’t expected that even mentioning being a couple wouldn’t allay suspicion.
But it wasn’t as if he minded too much.
It was true that calling themselves a married couple had mostly dispelled doubts.
Initially, Aslan’s intention wasn’t solely to remove suspicion.
In fact, Aslan’s mention of being married also served to test Lewena.
If this were Lewena’s hallucination, then her reaction to Aslan’s words and Angie’s response would have been immediate.
A kind of illusion that tested the mind by transforming objects into others, living beings into objects, and vice versa.
Among those illusions, shadowy blades likely attempted to slash Angie.
Given that they didn’t, it proved this wasn’t Lewena’s doing.
‘Lewena wasn’t exactly a patient person.’
Aslan thought this while trying to gauge the situation behind his awkward smile.
If this wasn’t Lewena’s hallucination, then the current scenario was likely real time travel.
The problem was determining which era it was.
Answering the Warrior God’s question without understanding the context of the era could easily lead to stepping on landmines.
Those landmines would result in endless battles with the Warrior God, and possibly deadly confrontations with others aligned with him.
Aslan sought to avoid such a situation and blinked before the Warrior God grew suspicious.
In the instant between closing and reopening his eyes, a deep resonance echoed through Aslan’s mind.
“Save.”
Cognitive acceleration. Time stretching. A fleeting moment becoming eternity, requiring dozens of breaths to reach.
Aslan activated his foresight.
“Alright, let’s finish quickly.”
Foresight placed a heavy burden on Aslan’s brain, and he certainly didn’t intend to die here, so he didn’t use it to directly manipulate anything.
Instead, within the foresight, he turned his head to assess the surrounding space.
This level of activity wouldn’t overly strain Aslan’s mind.
Believing this, Aslan proceeded accordingly.
The ruin he observed was unmistakably unfamiliar to him.
Similar style, similar structure.
Yet none of it matched his memory.
Thus, it had to be one of three possibilities:
A new ruin added within the game.
A ruin introduced via mod.
Or a butterfly effect created when Gelaadridion became reality and the ancient deities rearranged things.
Of these three, the third seemed most plausible to Aslan.
Having experimented with every large-scale mod capable of creating entirely new ruins, Aslan knew this ruin lacked the distinctive sentiment or roughness characteristic of mods.
It wasn’t innovative enough to be new, nor did it maintain the feel of existing ruins.
It appeared to be a mundane ruin with no reason for addition.
However, the butterfly effect explained it.
With purity existing and the remnants of the ancient deities’ arrangements still present, creating events Aslan had never experienced made sense.
Though the specifics would need further investigation.
Within his foresight, Aslan noticed the Warrior God growing increasingly wary and realized they stood in what appeared to be a corridor—more precisely, an entrance.
Seeing the massive doors behind both himself and the Warrior God confirmed this.
And he surmised:
The attack upon seeing Aslan and Angie.
Despite their association with symbols of war and knowledge, which might imply them as heralds of victory, they were attacked anyway.
From these two points, it was evident they weren’t in a normal era.
Likely, it was a period when the Warrior God wasn’t utilized to maintain the rift between worlds.
That meant it was shortly after the defeat of war and knowledge.
It was the point where the heavens were just opening and evil deities began revealing themselves.
Thus, Aslan’s task was clear.
As he ended his foresight and opened his eyes, he smiled and said,
“We’ve come to offer our assistance.”
The Warrior God didn’t respond, only rolling his golden eyes to glance at Angie.
An action suggesting doubt about the truthfulness of Aslan’s words. He was cautious. But Aslan had what some might call a “cheat code.”
“Sorry, Angie.”
Thinking this internally, Aslan wrapped his arm around Angie’s waist.
Angie offered no resistance, allowing herself to be pulled close, her face turning beet red as she clung to Aslan.
Her seemingly confused smile unexpectedly came off as delightfully affectionate toward her “husband.”
‘This acting is better than expected. Thank you.’
The Warrior God appeared convinced by the performance, allowing Aslan to speak freely.
“With the world facing a crisis, how could we stay idle? My wife and I, along with the God of Dueling, have come to offer whatever small aid we can and to realize justice.”
Not significantly different from what Aslan had previously stated.
Yet the Warrior God raised an eyebrow, reacting with surprise.
Considering the era, traitors hadn’t emerged yet.
So Aslan’s statement would simply appear commendable.
“Fellow countryman, is this true?”
Even with lingering doubts, asking Angie revealed Aslan still held his “cheat code.”
Aslan crafted an expression.
One that mixed reverence and affection, as if addressing his deity and beloved wife.
Then, like a doting husband soothing his spouse, Aslan lightly pressed his cheek against Angie’s hair and whispered near her neck,
“Isn’t it?”
Aslan’s soft, tender voice.
Angie shivered, curled inward, and with a barely audible exhale, managed to reply,
“Uh, y-yes!”
Her flushed face completed the act.
To the Warrior God, it must have seemed like a couple lost in their love, oblivious to time and place.
The Warrior God grimaced at the sight of his “fellow countryman” and “doting husband,” shaking his head.
“In that case… I will gratefully accept your help, mortal.”
He undoubtedly believed Aslan and Angie were priests and their forbidden relationship.
Realizing “Spiral Tower” referred to Aslan, he pitied his compatriot and turned away.
“Open the door!”
The resonant roar, directed at the door behind him, caused the ancient ruin’s gates to slowly creak open.
The Warrior God moved toward the gate while Aslan and Angie remained stationary. As Aslan guided Angie to follow the Warrior God,
“Ahslan.”
At Angie’s unexpectedly moist voice, Aslan turned.
Angie was brushing her shoulder with her own hand.
The movement accentuated her chest, but more striking was her crimson face.
Shy, almost bashful.
An oddly sensual, adult-like expression on a girl’s face.
With that look, Angie said,
“Just… stop doing that. It feels weird.”
Casually murmured words. After blinking twice, Aslan forced a smile.
“Sorry.”
Despite all this, there was no sign of shadows rising.
It was clearly not Lewena’s hallucination.
*
Inside the ruin, it resembled a fortress of the resistance.
And within the ruin, there were far more ordinary people than soldiers, demigods, or heroes.
Most were common folk, fearful yet believing the ancient gods would somehow intervene.
For Aslan, who knew the future—or rather, his present—it was an uncomfortable scene.
Yet it confirmed something.
They were likely not long after the fall of War and Knowledge.
And it suggested information control was definitely in place.
Judging by this, the Warrior God was an excellent leader.
“Warrior God, our medicinal herbs are running out. What should we do?”
“Take turns using divine power to heal. Fill gaps in the defense forces with volunteers among the mortals.”
“Warrior! The reconnaissance team returned last night! Things outside are really bad…”
“Not now. Let the reconnaissance team rest first and give them time to consolidate their information. Above all, we have guests.”
Demigods and heroes approaching the Warrior God in sequence, seeking advice, then dispersing.
At first glance, the resistance led by the Warrior God seemed surprisingly successful.
Unaware of the enemy’s scale or strength, they likely overestimated their chances.
Their confidence was understandable.
The resistance force within this ruin truly functioned as a cohesive unit.
“Surprised it’s going so well?”
Caught mid-thought, Aslan turned to the Warrior God’s inquiry and nodded affirmatively.
Without looking back, the Warrior God read Aslan’s agreement and chuckled,
“Many of my fellow countrymen and heroes have surrendered out of fear, but I believe we can win.”
The smoothly operating resistance activities, sufficient justification, ignorance of the enemy.
The people centered around the Warrior God genuinely believed in their chances of victory.
However, Aslan knew the truth.
That they couldn’t possibly win against the true transcendents who had destroyed countless worlds.
That such an impossible feat required decisions beyond common sense and layers of miracles.
These people were destined to fail.
The Warrior God was unaware, and Aslan had no reason to reveal this fact and disrupt the plan.
Reading Aslan’s silence, the Warrior God glanced at Angie with a disinterested expression.
“Fellow countryman, why do you choose such a gloomy lout as a companion?”
Until now quietly catching her breath, Angie reacted to this by looking at Aslan.
Their gazes met.
Her emerald eyes, clouded with melancholy.
The deep concern in her gaze directed at him.
His faint smile, apologetic for making her endure such unpleasant acting.
Still, the subtle trust and gentle face.
And the sculpted features framing it all.
Swallowing, Angie suppressed the many words exploding in her mind.
“Do you want me to kick you?”
The only thing she could say right now, pressuring the Warrior God.
“Truly bewitched…”
That was all the Warrior God could manage in response.
Afterward, they wandered the ruin in silence. Steps that initially seemed aimless soon revealed purpose.
“Well, ahead lies the dining hall. Shall we start with a meal?”
The sign written in the ancient imperial language indicating a dining hall. Seeing it, Aslan drew Angie closer by her waist.
Engulfed in his embrace, Angie reflexively tensed. The Warrior God observed this with a puzzled expression.
“I’d like to rest a bit… Could you guide us?”
Angie didn’t understand the words, but the Warrior God smirked slightly.
The guidance continued briefly, leading Aslan and Angie to a room.
“The bedroom of a mortal hero couple who recently passed. Since it’s vacant now, you may use it.”
“…Huh?”
Unaware of the signals exchanged between Aslan and the Warrior God, Angie voiced her confusion.
She didn’t understand why they were brought to a bedroom.
The Warrior God grinned at Angie’s reaction but added,
“Fellow countryman, I need the support of powerful individuals like you. Even in our brief encounter, I sensed your immense strength from your kick, capable of uprooting mountains.”
“Uh, well…”
“You and your beloved companion will need some leisure time together. Rest assured, I’ll accommodate that.”
Leisure time—a phrase Lumel might have understood, but Angie didn’t.
She only grasped they had arrived at a bedroom. With Angie wearing a bewildered expression, the Warrior God chuckled and retreated.
“If more demigods emerge, it will benefit our forces. For today, rest well. I’ll visit tomorrow.”
Welcome to the Rift of Worlds.
Leaving those words, the Warrior God departed. Fully comprehending them, Aslan scratched his cheek.
Thankfully, Angie likely hadn’t understood.
Turning his head, what Aslan saw next was unexpected.
Angie was biting her lips tightly, gazing straight ahead with a hazy look, evidently struggling to suppress her embarrassment.
Almost as if she had understood the Warrior God’s earlier remark.
Unlike Ereta, whose knowledge was patchy yet strangely informed, Angie displayed a curious sign of sexual awareness.
Surprised by this unexpected revelation, Aslan watched as Angie took a deep, labored breath.
When Angie closed her eyes tightly, Aslan recalled the Warrior God’s words.
‘…So this is the Rift of Worlds?’
An unexpected piece of information, simultaneously sparking thoughts about his future course of action.
Clutching Aslan’s wrist, Angie was dragged into the room.
Upon entering, Aslan immediately closed and locked the door, checking for any signs of surveillance outside.
There were none.
The clean but oddly mismatched furniture in the bedroom.
Aslan sighed, moving away from the door.
He was exhausted from maintaining the act.
Time to discuss matters while resting.
Thinking this, Aslan sat beside Angie, who was already seated on the bed.
Sliding sound.
Angie shifted her hips on the bed to create distance.
Confused, Aslan looked at her as she spoke.
“B-because we’re pretending to be a couple… If we sleep together, a baby might… be born.”
Gathering her hands together, she nonchalantly muttered this.
Her deeply flushed face and moistened golden eyes betrayed the pretense of casualness.
Thinking he’d eventually need to provide sex education, Aslan painstakingly explained,
“Just sleeping together won’t result in a baby. And babies aren’t only conceived between married couples.”
“R-really?”
A sigh of relief, tinged with another emotion.
Watching Angie, Aslan gave an awkward smile.
“Sorry for making you lie. Was it tough?”
“No! It’s fine. We’re comrades, after all. This is something we can do.”
Though stern, Aslan interpreted it as unintentional and expressed gratitude.
Adding casually about resting,
“When we sleep, I’ll take the bottom. Angie, you can rest comfortably on top. I’ll meditate…”
“No!”
Angie’s sharp shout startled Aslan, prompting her to clarify,
“Just… sleep together. You said babies won’t be born, right?”
Attempting to sound confident, Angie puffed her chest.
The gesture, combined with her arms crossed over her waist and ample bosom, inadvertently came off as seductive.
Avoiding eye contact, Aslan reiterated his thanks, while Angie forcibly masked her embarrassed expression with a proud one.
It was an awkward atmosphere.
Still, it was fortunate.
Had Ereta been here, she would have relentlessly showered Aslan with affection, likely compromising his sanity.
Had Lumel been here, trouble would have ensued, or Aslan might have done something regrettable.
It was lucky Angie only vaguely understood.
Aslan genuinely felt that way.
He didn’t expect it to last long.
