Colin Iliad had already handled everything in Lucifer's absence, appointing a temporary chief to lead City of Silver and preparing contingency plans. He was ready for this day, set to venture into the outside world as a scout, paving the way for the city's eventual relocation.
Alaric noted Colin's excitement but merely smiled. "Walk with me through the city. If you have any good stories, I'd like to hear them."
Colin's expression grew serious. Having learned about this angel's temperament from Derrick, he was well-prepared. Acting as a capable guide, he led Alaric through the city while recounting a story he'd rehearsed... one not of others, but of his own life. As City of Silver's chief, Colin's experiences were vibrant, filled with adventure and shaped by the city's curse. A sealed artifact allowed their survival in the darkness but forced a grim choice: each citizen had to kill their direct kin to prevent them from becoming monstrous.
Every soul in City of Silver bore the sin of kin-slaying.
Alaric listened quietly, then turned to Colin. "Is it painful? That sealed artifact lets you survive this darkness but burdens you with the sin of killing your own."
Colin paused, caught off guard by the question and Alaric's knowledge of City of Silver's secrets. Realizing who he was speaking to, he relaxed. After a brief silence, he answered honestly, "Of course it's painful. But we have no choice."
City of Silver's survival, one of only two surviving settlements in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, relied on the Black-Faced Grass provided by that artifact. Without it, the city would have fallen long ago.
"Very honest." Alaric said with a smile, then continued, "I'm curious... have you ever resented the Creator who abandoned you?"
Colin fell silent, his voice hoarse when he finally spoke. "Sometimes. I don't know about others, but I've resented the Creator for abandoning us. I've wondered if our lack of faith is why… why the Creator left us."
Colin had once truly believed in the Ancient Sun God. Though born into City of Silver's darkness, the tales he'd grown up with instilled faith in the legendary deity. Yet that faith made the city's plight all the more crushing. As chief, Colin keenly felt how dire City of Silver's situation was... a city teetering on collapse after over a thousand years in darkness, one push away from the abyss. In rare moments, he had indeed resented the Creator. He wasn't a devout follower; his duty lay with City of Silver's people, not a distant god.
Alaric could sense the complex emotions beneath Colin's words and understood. City of Silver's faith in the Ancient Sun God was practically woven into their blood, and even now, shifting their allegiance to him couldn't erase that inertia overnight.
Holding a thick book that appeared from nowhere, Alaric flipped it open to a random page. "He didn't abandon you because of your lack of faith."
Colin looked up, stunned.
Alaric stared at the blank page as if it held secrets. "The Ancient Sun God, the Creator you worshipped, fell long before the Cataclysm. More precisely, the Cataclysm happened because of his fall."
Colin's mind went blank. For a moment, he thought he'd misheard, but his senses confirmed he hadn't. The absurdity hit him... the Creator hadn't abandoned them; he'd simply fallen.
Colin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, unsure if City of Silver's fate warranted sorrow.
But as chief, he quickly composed himself, bowing deeply. "Thank you for telling us this, Your Highness Lucifer."
"Please rest assured, regardless of the Creator's fate, City of Silver's faith belongs only to you, to The Fool."
Colin pledged swiftly, uncertain why Lucifer shared this truth... whether for amusement or as a warning. All he could do was offer what was needed. City of Silver couldn't afford to be abandoned again.
Alaric's gentle laugh followed. "No need to be nervous. I'm not questioning your faith. I was just curious how you'd react to the truth. And, well, it was as entertaining as I'd hoped."
Despite the warm tone, Colin felt a chill, truly grasping the angel's "mischievous" nature. But no matter how "malicious." Lucifer was City of Silver's only hope, so Colin said nothing.
Alaric wasn't surprised by the reaction. He chuckled in his Lucifer-esque way, catching the awe and yearning in the glances of City of Silver's residents. Clearly, Colin had been diligently spreading word of "Lucifer" These past days.
"Good work." Alaric said with a nod of approval.
Colin blinked, then realized what Alaric meant. "It's my duty." He replied.
Alaric checked his pocket watch. "Gather those leaving. Get ready... we'll depart soon."
"Yes, Your Highness Lucifer." Colin responded promptly.
***
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