"Let them focus all their attention on those places. That way, he'll have enough time to take over the authority of the Spirit Realm. After completing this last task, the God of Sleep turned around and looked at Laine, who was sound asleep on the throne."
"For some reason, he always felt that the scene before him was somewhat unreal. Perhaps the victory came too suddenly, making him subconsciously a bit overconfident."
"It won't be, from now on."
Taking a deep breath, Hypnos slowly stepped forward.
"That's how Deities are, aren't they?"
He reached out his hand towards the position of Laine's chest. Before this, he didn't know what the symbol of the Spirit Realm's authority looked like; he only guessed that it was probably a pen since the Divine Artifact that suppressed the core of the Spirit Realm was a book. And indeed, just as Hypnos had thought, the next moment, he really grabbed hold of an ethereal feather pen."
Its color was a grey hue throughout, with dark silver patterns on it, mysterious symbols engraved upon it, and most importantly, it was the symbol of the Spirit Realm's authority."
"Now, I am the king."
He whispered to himself, his right hand tightening instinctively. At this moment, Hypnos felt as if he had 'seen' an incredibly majestic being, even his own consciousness became somewhat blurred.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he regained consciousness, the God of Sleep felt as though he had established some kind of connection with the Spirit Realm. A powerful sense of force filled his heart, and in that instant, he felt omnipotent."
"So this is the Lord of the Spirit Realm..."
At the thought, all the worlds trembled, having gained this long-desired power, Hypnos could no longer suppress his laughter."
"This is your arrangement."
The phrasing was questioning, but the tone was certain. Although Liana did not know how the other party managed to contact the native lives of the Spirit Realm, she did not believe it to be a coincidence."
In response, Asmodeus faced her with a polite smile."
"Perhaps so, so why don't we stop here? In fact, there is no need for us to continue this pointless struggle. I also promise you that after today, I will no longer personally interfere with the matters of souls."
For a Lord of the Nine Hells to personally come and compete for souls was not a matter of pride, which meant that there had been secret dealings, else the Lord of the Nine Hells wouldn't have possibly done so."
But that's all for now. From here on out, it's the business of the lords he enshrined and the gods of the Spirit Realm. After all, with this initial 'investment,' Hell's internal circulation was already on the right track."
"..."
Listening to the Lord of Hell's words, Liana fell silent for a moment. The first three layers of the Spirit Realm didn't matter much; no matter how much chaos those spirits caused, they couldn't harm the Spirit Realm itself, so their struggles truly didn't need to be cared about. However, the All-Spirit Realm was different."
The area around the Well of Reincarnation swallowed the souls of the whole world, which was far more important than the small Aurora Plains. After weighing the pros and cons, what mattered more was clear."
But this would be the last time, Liana decided secretly. From now on, she would advise Laine to sever the connection between the fourth layer of the Spirit Realm and other planes."
The sacred ground of Samsara did not need to welcome even the native lives of the Spirit Realm. From now on, only the water of the River of Oblivion or Angels who held a portion of the Spirit Realm's authority would be able to enter this plane."
In just a few words, the previously tense situation subtly shifted, and the atmosphere above the human city ruins changed yet again. But this time, the pressure was on Hestia standing aside."
Not only because she could not watch human souls being taken away by others, but also because she saw that the unnamed stranger turned around, focusing their gaze upon her."