Chapter 23
Yahweh suffered from insomnia.
On his first night in Hell, the usually drowsy deity couldn't close his golden eyes. Eventually, he simply got off the bed. The surroundings had the distinct scent of homes Lucifer once lived in, making Yahweh feel a surge of familiarity. If the main hall ahead was filled with debauchery, then this area was the epitome of cleanliness, similar to the Satan's palace in the Ninth Circle of Hell.
Even though Lucifer had fallen from grace, he remained virtuous and didn't allow himself to be tainted by the demons.
This oddly made Yahweh a little happy.
He walked around the bedroom, occasionally picking up objects to examine them carefully, sensing the residual power on them as if it could reveal details about Lucifer’s life in hell. The other angels probably thought that he was assigned to reside in a top-tier dwelling, they did not know that the place he was staying in was actually Lucifer's bedroom. All the items inside were at his disposal.
Lucifer had been absent all night, which disappointingly led Yahweh back to the bed. He unbuckled his belt and let his white robe fall, his silver hair cascading over his bare back. He changed into the formal wear he needed for the negotiation later that day — a classic attire of an archangel, which was more form-fitting than regular clothes. His waist tightly cinched, it was inevitably a bit uncomfortable.
But —
"Why are there trousers?"
A pang of confusion crossed Yahweh's mind. From his observations, it seemed like angels only wore trousers when they went into battle. Little did he know that the archangels had gone to great lengths to ensure his safety during his travels by trying to minimize any chances of him being taken advantage of.
"Knock, knock."
The door of the bedroom was gently tapped. Immediately, after receiving his permission, an angel entered to assist him.
Yahweh's reflection in the mirror transformed within moments. His hair was woven and tied up, the silver strands cascading over his shoulders like luxurious satin. He still looked divine but was now less icy and inaccessible. The gold and silver, white as the base color, a stylish robe with trousers — he and the angel walked out of the bedroom amid numerous admiring and awe-struck gazes.
Messiah secretly thought to himself, God indeed seems addicted to playing an angel.
Messiah approached to greet Yahweh as a colleague, yet without any praises a partner would usually make. Given a hundred chances, Messiah would never dare to compliment Yahweh on his beauty or his stylish clothes for the day. This would be no different from flirting with God.
Provoking God is a serious sin!
But just because he doesn't dare, doesn't mean someone else abstains.
At the head of the palace conference table, a man with black hair was lounging sideways, his fingers supporting his cheek. Unexpectedly, Samael was his companion.
The usually stern Samael was now wearing a sincere smile, conversing with him. Surrounding fallen angels and demons kept their eyes low and remained silent, silently revealing respect to the newcomer.
When Yahweh appeared at the conference site, the man gracefully looked up and gently said, "Yahweh, you look good today."
His dark eyes took in Yahweh's diligent attire. Along with a row of envious admiring glances, Lucifer knew immediately what the heaven was up to. Did they think that by doing this, he would disregard their grudges and avoid doing anything to Yahweh during the negotiations?
Yahweh was his darling.
Lucifer lifted his left hand, pointing at an empty seat opposite him, and grinned, "Shall we sit here?"
Yahweh glanced at the "decision-maker," Messiah. The latter kept his head down, silent, giving an 'as-you-please' attitude. A hint of Yahweh's coldness faded. Under the wavering gazes of the angels, he strolled towards Satan of Hell. When he sat down, his hand hidden under his sleeve was immediately grabbed.
The angle and height of the conference table, together with the tablecloth obstructing the view, kept their gesture hidden from the angels sitting opposite.
Samael pretended not to see.
If His Majesty wants to express love, as his subordinate, he could only help by being a shield.
The negotiations were still led by Samael and Messiah, Lucifer remained silent, but his opinion would play a decisive role. The conversation was full of subtle attacks; Messiah was putting his all into seeking benefits for Heaven. Every word was calculated most rationally and even managed to shift the blame for breaching the Holy War agreement onto Hell, accusing them of going back on their word.
Newcomer angels were stunned and speechless. They hadn't expected the usually quiet Messiah to have this side.
The angels who had previously witnessed Messiah's negotiation prowess with the fallen angels, however, focused more on the other end of the conference table — on Lucifer.
Their eyes held a fascination unseen when they looked at Yahweh.
Yahweh was sacred and noble, an existence that ought not to be insulted, while Lucifer was the taboo in the hearts of many angels.
The more he was a taboo, the more the angels suffered.
He was originally the deputy lord of Heaven, the pride of Paradise, the Prince Lucifer to whom all angels submitted. Now, what they saw was a fallen angel with black hair and black eyes. The perfectly familiar face made them feel as if their eyes were burned; a strong urge to weep rushed in.
But they couldn't cry.
The Prince had already left Heaven.
Messiah heard the faint rustling sounds behind him and silently shook his head. The judgment of those chosen by Michael was not up to scratch, as there were once again worshippers of Lucifer.
As he remained on guard against Samael, he nonchalantly glanced over at Lucifer and Yahweh.
Why is God sitting so close to Lucifer?
No, why has Lucifer's chair moved closer to God's....and wait...what is Lucifer's hand doing?! A piercing magic spell was immediately applied to his eyes, and using his power, which was not inferior to Michael's, Messiah saw through the special material-made conference table. He could clearly see Lucifer's hand taking advantage under the table.
Yahweh remained silent. Noticing Messiah's power, he frowned towards Messiah, and Messiah instantly dared not look underneath the table anymore.
My God, why aren't you resisting!
Messiah's brain buzzed as his blood boiled.
The meeting was ongoing and Samael happened to be threatening Messiah, "Heaven really lacks sincerity. Are you determined to declare war on Hell?"
Messiah numbly gazed at him.
Declare war?
Heaven's top boss is right next to your Satan.
Samael felt uncomfortable under his listless gaze. He softened his tone and asked, "Messiah, don't you have anything to say? No matter how you look at me, I could never entice the dear Holy Son." He taunted the son in the usual way of Hell.
Deep inside, Samael had some regrets. If only he had known — he would have brought Cain out to distract Messiah. Who knew that the progenitor of the vampires was nowhere to be found today? Not even Baal had seen him.
He's just your father, what are you afraid of!
You've even killed your brother Abel, yet you fear facing Messiah!
Samael mentally cursed Cain and stared attentively at Messiah. It wasn't his imaginations—Messiah's reaction was somewhat off. Samael was startled, and he turned to see what his Majesty and Yahweh were doing. Predictably, his Majesty was already flirting with Yahweh, completely unconcerned by Messiah's gaze.
Messiah continued to look dumbfounded.
Samael coughed, "Messiah, don't daydream! Hell is not a place for you to waste time."
After his reminder, Messiah seemed to awake from his daze and hurriedly replied, "I think Heaven and Hell could negotiate peace. Let's drop the Holy War treaty. This constant fighting affects the atmosphere."
At his words, both the angels and the fallen angels regarded him as if he were an anomaly.
What a joke!
The seraphs behind Messiah were all screaming inside, to revere Lucifer was one thing, to propose a truce with Hell was another!
Under the gaze of the astonished and angry seraphs, Yahweh voiced, "Messiah."
There was a strong warning within his cold tone.
Messiah: "......"
The old man has been all sticky with Satan, what's the point of Heaven and Hell going to war!
Messiah seemed out of sorts, as his responses to Samael had been off. Samael, left with no choice, paused the meeting. Messiah seemed to have damaged his brain today – he'd discovered that Yahweh and his Majesty had an affair so what was there to be surprised about? There were many angels in Heaven who wanted to get closer to his Majesty, but Messiah had never seemed shocked before.
As they were about to take a rest from the meeting room, Messiah waited for Yahweh instead of leaving first.
If he didn't leave, naturally, the seraphs wouldn't either.
Hundreds of angels in the massive conference hall all gazed steadily at Yahweh, forcing him to reluctantly rise and say indifferently, "Let's go."
Lucifer also stood up alongside him, "I'll walk you out."
Samael: "......"
They were all in the same palace, what was there to walk out to, your Majesty!
Of course, Lucifer's aim was not as simple as escorting him out. Under the sudden vigilance of the seraphs, he regretfully only managed to send Yahweh to the bedroom entrance. Lucifer had no doubt that if he took another step forwards, the seraph behind him would intervene and prevent him from getting closer to Yahweh.
Yahweh stood in front of him, with clear and bright golden eyes.
Before parting, Lucifer gave his cheek a brief kiss, "I hope you have fun."
Their fleeting light kiss held an infinite delicacy.
Yahweh touched his cheek with his hand, replying unnaturally, "Mm."
Upon seeing this, the seraphs' eyes twitched. Flirting with an archangel in front of them, Satan, where is your restraint!
Having successfully teased Yahweh's heart, Lucifer happily left their field of vision. Darkness silently enveloped him, the candlelight in the corridor illuminating the depths of his pupils, igniting a faint light that had originally settled down. Lucifer thought to himself that perhaps fate really had been kind to him, and he finally had something to look forward to.
It seemed like love at first sight for him.
Lucifer lifted the corner of his mouth, black hair falling on his cheek, faintly concealing a hint of a smile.
"Has your Majesty truly fallen for someone this time?"
Samael's voice broke the silence and darkness of the corridor.
Lucifer halted his steps. His adorable and lackluster subordinate stood straight at the exit, the cold expression on his face showed no signs of compromise. This was Samael, once Heaven's angel of judgment. His eyes had witnessed more bloodshed and sin than any other angel and had dealt with countless angels, but throughout his life, he had only followed Lucifer.
Samael had seen his fair share of love and had experienced hardships himself, deeply aware of the risks and costs that come with losing oneself in it.
"Your Majesty, Yahweh's background has problems."
"Messiah reveres him."
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