道罗邪皇子 (邪神之道 B5)

886

[Shura do you still intend to ally yourself with these things and stand in my way after witnessing this? If there is one there will surely be another. Even if you manage to revive your legion they will also choose to turn their backs on you when you least expect it. Having taken part in their creation and having witnessed how hideous the human hearts are at times you can't possibly deny the possibilities of this.]

Without taking his murderous gaze away from those inside of the floating courtyard Ji Di Tian speaks these words to the Asura Monarch.

Throughout a practitioner's lifetime they would often come across numerous tales of betrayals that were the results of the human heart's hideous natures.

Having been around for as long as he did the Asura Monarch has no doubt seen such tragedies unfold far too many times to count. To him such tales are so common that he has probably heard just about every possible variant of it.

[...]

[...]

Hearing Ji Di Tian's words both Yi and Hua Luo frowns.

No doubt these words are meant to make the Asura Monarch hesitate in allying himself with humans.

Dealing with Ji Di Tian alone is already too much for them to bear and should the Asura Monarch show hostility as well their chances of survival would instantly become nonexistent.

Simultaneously the two turn their eyes towards the Asura Monarch.

[Reading between the lines of what you had told me... If I hadn't showed favoritism to our creations you wouldn't have resorted to killing me all those years ago. Can you absolutely swear that you were being truthful with your words?]

Instead of answering Ji Di Tian's question right away the Asura Monarch raises a question back at the former.

[I will not deny that I had felt envy towards your abilities to make progression for neither Tian Huang nor I have ever experienced such joys.]

Not a single hint of emotional disturbance could be felt from Ji Di Tian's voice as he speaks without beating around the bush.

[Compared to Tian Huang who is playing with fire I'd say my decision to eradicate these lifeforms are more logical and to answer your question... My goal from beginning to end was to ensure our group's survival. If I told you to abandon your legion because they will eventually pose a threat to our existence would you have done so without hesitation? If you were forced to choose between them and us which side would you have picked? Should you choose to stay neutral you would have cut yourself off from both sides. Even if my decision to kill you had been unjust the survival of the group must be placed above the interest of a single individual. Tell me other than that one time have I ever wronged you and the others in any way despite the differences in our factions?]

[*Sigh* no.]

Raising a sigh the Asura Monarch shakes his head.

He truly couldn't think of a time in which Ji Di Tian had wronged him apart from the incident that triggered their current conflict.

[Since the beginning of this world both you and Tian Huang had never done anything to wrong me or the others. The two of you treated all of us with equality despite your rivalries with each other. And... If I were forced to choose between two sides I most likely would have chosen to stay neutral- ...But even that I cannot say for certain as I could very well have also chosen to act at the last minute to pit myself against you and the others. Cruel of a decision as it was of you to make-]

A helpless smile appears on the Asura Monarch's face. It's rare for Ji Di Tian to be so open about his feelings and views.

[Indeed, it's because you can make such cruel decisions with ease that you are fit to be one of our leaders. Even now I find it somewhat difficult to truly hate you when you are being so opened about this. It might be pointless to ask but what choice would you have made as my eldest brother who isn't burdened with the duties of leadership?]

Sensing the conflicting and yet familial mood between Ji Di Tian and the Asura Monarch who seems to be mending their relationship as oppositions Yi and Hua Luo felt as if an invisible hand is currently clutching their hearts.

[I could have eliminated the entirety of your legion behind your back. But it would have been far too easy for you to have guessed the culprit. No matter what I chose...]

Feeling like there was little need to say more Ji Di Tian chooses not to continue.

[I see.]

Understanding the deeper meaning of these words the Asura Monarch sighs.

A leader will sometimes be forced to make questionable decisions that their followers will disagree with.

No matter what Ji Di Tian chose to do an inevitable wedge will have been driven between him and the Asura Monarch because the latter's legion from the former's point of view must be eliminated to ensure the safety of their group.

[Answer me then. What will you do if they choose to betray you in the end?]

Instead of forcing the others to carry the burden of killing one of their own Ji Di Tian had taken it upon himself to end the Asura Monarch even if it meant losing the trust of the other monarchs.

[Whatever happens in the future is something that I will deal with when I get there. No matter what I will revive them and if they choose to betray me in the end, then so be it. I've been betrayed once already and died from it as a result, so what's there to fear from being betrayed and dying a second time? In the present era I've no interest in allying myself with our creations nor do I have any intent to ally myself with you and the others. Having cut myself off from all sides I truly don't know who I can trust. But that doesn't change what I wish do right now.]

[And what is it that you wish to do currently?]

[Isn't it obvious? I'm only interested in giving you a beating even if I can't win.]

Feeling as if a heavy boulder had been lifted off their chests Yi and Hua Luo heaves a deep breath.

At the same time they both knew that under the current circumstances they couldn't possibly hope to remain on the defensive any longer.

[I see.]

Perhaps he had already expected this to be the Asura Monarch's answer as Ji Di Tian didn't show a hint of surprise on his face from hearing the former's reply.

[And what of you then? Just what is your goal?]

Despite being focused on the courtyard and the Asura Monarch Ji Di Tian had never once taken his attention off Chong Tianzi.

[Me? Are you asking me or are you asking him?]

[I'm asking both you and the uninvited guest.]