Political Situation (1)

'But still, this is just one level of Baator. The relationship between me and Dis isn't as intimate as that of a true god and their divine realm either, and there's no way to bring my worshippers' souls here…'

Leylin did not wish for his worshippers to enter Baator after death, becoming Lesser Devils.

'However… I'm sure this incident exposed my status to the remaining Archdevils…'

He seemed to smile as he looked down, his gaze piercing through the numerous hells all the way to Nessus…

Leylin knew that the moment he usurped control over the 2nd Hell of the Nine Hells of the Baator, Dis, his true nature as Demigod from the World of Gods, would be known for all of the Hell Lords.

Especially for the Asmodeus, the holder of the Primordial Contract of the Baator and the most powerful of the Lords. Leylin had long since studied the patterns of behavior of Asmodeus and everything about his enemy, as he got a really bad feeling about him.

"Hmm? He even sent me a message and wants to speak to me?"

Leylin had received a spiritual energy wave, evidently a message from Asmodeus.

"Indeed, getting the assistance of an outsider like me would be best. My position in Nine Hells of Baator is still unstable after all. However, this Devil's goodwill cannot be trusted at all; and the best way to avoid all negotiations is to leave."

Leylin put on a mysterious smile as he was warned by someone who was Lord of the parallel Baator in his own Universe, the Father of All Devils. Never trust the Devils, as they were creatures that were fundamentally the same as the Magi, always only caring about their own interests.

But contrary to the Magi, the Devils were very cunning and smart, always spouting lies that sounded like truth and velvet for the ears.

While he met the Father of All Devils, Zeoticus Lucifer, only a few times during the meetings of the Longinus Dreizhen Orden, he was aware that the man couldn't be entirely trusted.

He sensed that he was always hiding something or not telling the whole truth. Or if he was telling the truth, he felt like something was missing from the puzzle that was making the whole image of his statement.

"Azlok!"

Leylin then shouted the name of the Pit Fiend who was one of the most powerful subordinates of the former Lord of the Dis, now deceased Beelzebub.

"Your Excellency, I'm here!"

When Azlok arrived, he had some of Leylin's worshippers in tow. The collective armies of the different hells had now returned to their own levels of Baator. Had they remained, Leylin would most likely have assimilated them into his own forces.

"I'll be leaving for a while. Take care of the affairs in Dis for me. I also have a few missions for you to take care of."

Leylin did not hesitate to hand the tasks down to his men.

Azlok wasn't in a position to refuse him, and even if he was, why would he?

This Pit Fiend was extremely glad to be able to take over an entire layer of the Nine Hells of the Baator. All Devils had some innate longing to rule and organize things, so this was like a dream came true.

'Since I'm the one with Authority, when I leave, Asmodeus can only look on without doing a thing… For now, it would be best to avoid any contact with them, because it would only result in schemes from their side; not even a single word from them can be trusted and right now, I don't have a position to crush them outright.'

While he had a stable and strong connection to his True Body that was standing at the Rank 7 Law Godhood and had combat prowess that would probably be enough to defeat some weak Rank 8, it would be a death sentence to use it right now.

If he showed that ability right now and by some accident, it became known, then the entire World of Gods would join hands to hunt him down. So until Leylin achieved Rank 8 Law Godhood with his True Body, the connection would remain as his last resort.

'Once my goals are achieved and I finish ascending to Godhood with my Clone and establish the Divine Kingdom within the Baator, I can copy the method of Father of All Devils up to a certain degree... then any scheme that Asmodeus is plotting would be utterly futile.

Leylin turned back and looked at the City of Iron for one last time before leaving Baator.

Right now, as he was Lord of Dis, one of the Nine Hells of the Baator, moving between the Prime Material Plane and Baator was as easy as casting basic spells. Although many others found it difficult to travel between different worlds, to Leylin, it was like taking a walk in his backyard.

***

Holy Nāga Empire of the Debanks Island, Heavenly Serpent Church

'Almighty Lord, you are the Serpent that controls all, holding the powers of Devouring and Massacres.'

The church itself radiated a colorful sheen, and many of the priests prayed piously, there were also countless ordinary people carrying out their prayers as the Theocratic State of the Holy Nāga Empire was doing everything to propagate the religion.

Tiff, as the Supreme Pontiff of the Heavenly Serpent Church, was at the back of the church, meeting a white-robed Leylin.

"Master!"

he began a report, his eyes blazing with fervor and zealous worship for the Heavenly Serpent God Nāgarāja.

"We moved Marquis Jonas and his wife to the Empire as per your decree, along with all their servants, soldiers, citizens, and everyone from the islands. Everything has been transported and the former Faulen Domain has remained empty."

Leylin nodded his head as he heard the report from the Supreme Pontiff of the Heavenly Serpent Church, who was right now temporarily in charge of things together with Isabell Faulen, his cousin.

"Well done."

This was something he'd planned immediately after he'd become a Demigod.