Peter had imagined countless scenarios in which he would one day arrive at Mary Geoise.
Perhaps it would be to collect his nineteen Celestial Dragon slaves, or perhaps simply because he was in a bad mood and wanted to vent his frustration on those idiots.
But no matter the reason, he had always expected to stand in complete opposition to the Holy Land and become its sworn enemy.
Never had he imagined that he would enter the very heart of the World Government at the invitation of a demon.
Apparently, however, Apo had no intention of revealing his identity in front of others. After carefully avoiding every guard, he led Peter through a narrow side passage, taking several twists and turns until they reached the depths of Pangaea Castle.
Eventually, they arrived at a heavily concealed garden.
Stopping in place, Apo smiled.
"This is where I spend most of my time. My favorite thing is sitting in that pavilion over there, enjoying some wine while keeping up with the news of this world."
Peter surveyed the surroundings, strongly suspecting that this was the famous Chamber of Flowers where Imu had once appeared.
Yet Imu was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, Apo walked over to the stone pavilion and enthusiastically waved him over. After Peter sat down on the stone chair opposite him, Apo pulled out a bottle of red wine he had prepared beforehand and poured each of them a glass.
Peter wasn't worried about the wine being drugged. He lightly clinked glasses with Apo before asking,
"So, can you finally tell me? Why did you choose me? And how did you end up on this planet in the first place?"
Apo didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he removed his helmet, revealing his dark charcoal-colored skin, a pair of elf-like pointed ears, and bright golden eyes with ring-shaped pupils.
After taking a long drink, he let out a sigh before slowly beginning his story.
Apo had been nothing more than an ordinary soldier in the Demon Legion.
He joined the army two thousand years ago, when the Fourth War between Angels and Demons broke out, and at the time he was merely a fresh recruit.
Most of his duties involved logistics and resource gathering.
As the war intensified, the already disadvantaged demons quickly found themselves suffering from a severe shortage of supplies.
Eight hundred years ago, Morgana dispatched Apo and his squad to the star system near the Pirate Planet to gather resources.
It should have been a simple mission.
Unfortunately for them, they encountered an angel.
Just one angel...
Yet that single angel overwhelmed their entire squad by himself.
Realizing they had no chance of winning, the squad captain ordered everyone to scatter and flee.
Apo was one of those who escaped, eventually ending up in the Pirate World.
Originally, he planned to recover from his injuries before contacting the Demon Legion and returning.
However, before he could do so, news arrived that the demons had suffered another crushing defeat.
Even worse, Queen Morgana herself had disappeared.
Left with no other choice, Apo went into hiding in the Pirate World, treating his wounds while waiting for the Queen's summons.
That wait...
Lasted eight hundred years.
"Hold on... You're saying you've been in this world for eight hundred years?"
Peter couldn't help interrupting.
Damn.
Wasn't that exactly when the World Government had been founded?
Could this guy actually have been one of the masterminds behind its creation?
Apo immediately understood what Peter was thinking and waved both hands.
"No, no. Back then I was too busy running from the angels. Why would I have gotten involved in the affairs of these mortals?"
Peter frowned.
"Then how did you end up in Mary Geoise? Don't tell me a first-generation demon was enough to defeat Imu."
Apo raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"You know about Imu too?"
This time, he was genuinely shocked.
He had never mentioned Imu.
So how could Peter possibly know about someone who had remained hidden for eight hundred years?
Still, since Peter already knew, explaining things would be much easier.
A bitter smile crossed Apo's face.
"To be honest... it's a little embarrassing."
"My combat ability isn't anything special. If I were surrounded by opponents on the level of the Navy's Three Admirals, I'd have no choice but to wait for death."
"But squads sent on external missions aren't just responsible for gathering resources."
"We're also responsible for spreading Her Majesty's faith."
"So I always carried Devil Factors."
"They can transform infected individuals into primitive Devils."
"Although the increase in strength and regeneration is nowhere near that of a First-Generation Devil, they greatly extend a person's lifespan."
"Imu was the first to discover me."
"But instead of exposing me, he concealed my existence and fulfilled every request I made."
"In return, I granted his wish, allowing him to survive from eight hundred years ago until today."
"We also agreed that once I returned to Her Majesty's side, I would ask her to grant him true immortality."
Peter nodded thoughtfully.
"So you're not master and servant."
"You're partners."
Apo nodded proudly.
"Exactly."
"Though because of the Devil Factors, my authority usually outweighs his."
The arrogance on his face was obvious.
After all, he was a Devil from a highly advanced civilization.
Even if he was only an ordinary soldier, he would never consider himself inferior to the natives of some remote planet.
Peter took another sip of wine.
By now, he had a clear picture of Apo's situation.
Only one question remained.
"So..."
"Why me?"
"You hid from the angels for eight hundred years."
"And now you've suddenly appeared before me."
"Aren't you afraid I'd report you to the angels and have them send someone to chop your head off?"
The moment Apo heard that, he burst into laughter.
"You?"
"Report me to the angels?"
"Hahahaha!"
He laughed so hard he had to clutch his stomach.
"You—an Outer God who secretly came to a backwater planet, interfered in mortal affairs, murdered, looted, committed every evil imaginable, and was completely consumed by lust..."
"And you're going to report me to the angels?"
"Trust me. Those self-righteous birdbrains would slice you in half with their Flaming Sword before they even bothered looking for me."
"Come on."
"If your style weren't so similar to that of a Devil, I never would've approached you in the first place."
"Damn you..."
Peter nearly cursed aloud.
Being told by an actual Devil that he committed every evil imaginable and looked just like a Devil...
That was genuinely irritating.
Wasn't he a good person?
Sure, he'd kidnapped a few more women than most people.
And yes, he had accidentally gotten a few thousand innocent civilians caught up in the battle in the East Blue.
But did that really make him evil?
He hadn't even destroyed a single planet like a proper Saiyan!
Wasn't that proof enough that he was a good guy?
He snorted.
"Bullshit."
"Among all Saiyans, you won't find anyone kinder than me."
Apo's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
"Then I found the right person!"
"Saiyans should join the Devils!"
Had Apo not been so friendly ever since they met, Peter would've blasted him with a Ki wave long ago.
Oblivious to Peter's dark expression, Apo continued enthusiastically.
"Brother."
"I've been watching you ever since your battle with Crocodile in Alabasta."
"My helmet comes equipped with a scanner capable of detecting valuable resources and high-energy signatures across the entire planet."
"The energy you released back then..."
"Was no weaker than the Angels' Heavenly Blade Judgment."
"In fact..."
"It was even stronger!"
"A god as powerful as you, who embodies the Devils' ideals of freedom and rebellion..."
"Is exactly the kind of person the Devil Legion needs."
"And five years ago, I received word that Queen Morgana had returned."
"She's gathering her followers throughout the known universe."
"This is the perfect opportunity for you to join the Devil Legion and become Her Majesty's right-hand man!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became.
After all, he had served the Devil Legion for less than three hundred years before being forced to hide in the Pirate World for eight centuries.
Even if he returned now, no one would value him.
He would simply go back to being another insignificant grunt responsible for logistics or mining.
Originally, he intended to wait until Imu eliminated the Nika he had become obsessed with and unified the world before bringing him to Queen Morgana to claim a reward.
But now...
A far better candidate had appeared.
By Apo's estimation, Peter possessed at least the combat power of a Third-Generation Divine Body, perhaps even greater.
If he could recruit someone like that into the Devil camp...
Queen Morgana would undoubtedly reward him generously.
He might even become one of her trusted confidants and finally obtain a Divine Body himself.
Watching Apo lose himself in his beautiful fantasy, Peter didn't have the heart to interrupt him.
Become Morgana's subordinate?
What a joke.
If he ever got close to her, it would be as her man, not her subordinate.
And comparing his strength to Heavenly Blade Judgment?
Ridiculous.
With his current power, plus his Great Ape transformation, even if Kesha herself showed up, he'd slap her across the face ten times without hesitation.
This little soldier really had no idea what true power looked like.
Still, Peter had finally learned why Apo had approached him.
Now...
He wanted to uncover the truth behind this world.
Especially this so-called "known universe."
He strongly suspected that the territory explored by the Angels, Devil, and every other civilization was far smaller than it had been in the original Super God universe.
Otherwise, based on the System's hints, the Angels could never have dominated the universe so completely.
Just as Peter organized his thoughts, preparing to draw more information out of Apo...
Six figures suddenly entered the Chamber of Flowers.
One in front.
Five behind.
The man leading them spoke calmly.
"Mr. Apo, it's rare to see you bring a guest here."
Apo frowned.
"Imu, what is the meaning of this?"
"Can't you see I'm entertaining a guest?"
"Take your people and leave."
Peter narrowed his eyes as he examined the newcomer.
Imu.
He was neither the woman many fans had speculated had possessed Queen Lily's body...
Nor was he even human.
He wore a black robe embroidered with golden thread and a small, elegant crown atop his head.
The portion of his face visible beneath the robe...
Was the same dark complexion as Apo's.
A genuine Devil.
Peter silently thought,
"So that's it... The Devil Factors are what allowed him to live this long without transferring his soul."
Outwardly, however, he remained expressionless, quietly watching the confrontation.
Imu hadn't come with the Five Elders to negotiate.
Ignoring Apo entirely, he looked directly at Peter.
Curiosity and greed flashed through his golden eyes.
"Peter... God of Destruction."
"The man who repeatedly opposed the World Government, and whom Mr. Apo described as the perfect gift for Her Majesty."
"I had originally planned to deal with you in secret."
"But it seems you've delivered yourself to me."
Peter leaned back slightly and smiled.
"Oh?"
"So you're here for me."
Then he glanced at the flustered Apo with dissatisfaction.
"What do you mean, a gift for the Queen?"
"What exactly do you take me for?"
Apo hurriedly waved both hands.
"Wait! This is all a misunderstanding!"
He immediately turned toward Imu and shouted,
"You bastard, shut your mouth!"
"Have you forgotten who granted you this long life?"
"If you anger me..."
"You can forget about immortality."
"I'll reclaim the Devil Factors inside your body right now!"
He pointed his hand toward Imu as though he truly intended to strip the Devil Factors from him.
Yet Imu showed no fear whatsoever.
Calmly, he replied,
"There's no need to be upset, Mr. Apo."
"I have no intention of becoming your enemy."
"Your goal is simply to recruit a powerful warrior, return to Queen Morgana's side, and receive your reward."
"If that's the case..."
"Then it shouldn't matter who that warrior is."
"So..."
"Why not let me take over this man's body..."
"And accompany you back to the Devil Nebula?"
Both Peter and Apo froze in shock.
"Damn..."
"That's actually possible?!"
Apo had always known that Imu possessed a mysterious method of transferring his soul.
But he had never imagined that Imu would set his sights on Peter's body.
Worse still...
He found himself hesitating.
Seeing the silence, Imu smiled confidently.
His analysis had been correct.
What Apo needed was a powerful warrior capable of pleasing the Queen.
Who that warrior actually was...
Didn't matter.
If he could seize Peter's body, he could accompany Apo to meet Queen Morgana.
And once he earned her favor...
The immortality Apo had once promised him would become insignificant.
What he truly desired...
Was the indestructible Divine Body and the even greater powers Apo had once described.