Chapter 331. Conditional Agreement (1)
“……Hmm?”
Archangel Gabriel paused.
He pondered.
‘Why has that human’s attitude suddenly changed so dramatically?’
Just moments ago, this human was extremely cautious around him, trying to avoid saying anything that might offend Gabriel, fearing he might incur his displeasure and suffer losses because of it. The human had been trying to appease him, clearly making an effort not to go against him.
But now?
‘I simply told him the truth. I explained that angels, regardless of their rank, are merely workers of the celestial realm. They are not to be worshipped, nor should they ever be. I just stated these facts plainly.’
The human’s demeanor changed dramatically.
Now?
He wasn’t even trying to read Gabriel’s mood anymore.
That careful expression and cautious gestures?
They were gone.
Archangel Gabriel felt the frustration of seeing his pay disappear from his account as he asked,
“What? You intend to point out how absurd my reprimands were, one by one?”
“Yes. I apologize, but that’s correct.”
Lloyd smacked his lips.
He began to lay out his prepared rebuttal.
It was like a craftsman perfecting a broth over three days and nights.
He had prepared and refined this rebuttal the entire way to the celestial realm.
“First, with all due respect, may I ask the Celestial Secretary a question? Regarding the Jewel of Truth, the structure in question. When was it designated an illegal building?”
“You mean in mortal terms?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not difficult to tell you that. Exactly 4,640,055 days, 12 hours, 20 minutes, and 16 seconds ago.”
“Uh, um, so… you mean 12,714 years, 1 month, and 15 days ago?”
“Approximately.”
“Then, it was designated an illegal structure long before I began its construction, correct?”
“Indeed.”
“Then why was there no prior notice or guidance when I started building the Jewel of Truth?”
“What?”
Archangel Gabriel hesitated.
Lloyd’s pointed question continued.
“Indeed, that was the case. When I began constructing the Jewel of Truth, I received no prior warning or guidance from anyone, by any means, that it was an illegal structure. Isn’t that a significant issue?”
“…”
“Isn’t it? You said it was designated an illegal structure by the celestial realm. You also said it’s a highly illegal structure, so much so that the act of building it is a major problem. The official who first came down to demolish it told me that.”
“Of course…”
“Yes, of course, that’s correct. I also understand that the Jewel of Truth is related to the leakage of celestial secrets. So, isn’t this a bigger issue? Despite being a highly illegal structure, why was there no prior warning or guidance when I began its construction?”
“…”
Archangel Gabriel remained silent.
That human had indeed built an illegal structure.
So it was undoubtedly his fault.
Yet, oddly enough, the human was now raising his voice instead.
And strangely enough, his argument wasn’t unreasonable!
Lloyd’s voice grew more confident.
“So, what I’m saying is, there is a problem. It’s an illegal structure. You said it’s rigorously controlled and prohibited. But shouldn’t you have descended and said, ‘Hey, buddy, don’t build that,’ when I was preparing to build it?”
“Listen, that’s…”
“No, please listen to me first. Wouldn’t I feel wronged? I truly didn’t know. No one told me or warned me that the Jewel of Truth was an illegal structure. How was I supposed to know?”
“…”
“I’m serious. I just thought, ‘Wow, this is an amazing structure from the mythic age, so it would be great to build it!'”
“Um, I apologize for that. But…”
“No, please listen to me first. Since no one told me it was an illegal structure, I poured all my efforts, sweat, and time into gathering key materials and constructing it, only for an official to come down later and say it was an illegal structure that must be demolished. Isn’t that absurd?”
“…”
“Think about it from my perspective. Wouldn’t you be furious?”
“Um, regarding that matter…”
“No, please don’t interrupt me.”
“Well, that’s because you’re asking so insistently…”
“Because it’s unfair. If you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you feel wronged? Wouldn’t you raise an issue?”
“…”
“Please answer me.”
“…Can I answer now?”
“Yes.”
“Hoo. You’re quite a troublesome human.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d praise me for being thorough.”
“What if you end up on my bad side?”
“Didn’t you promise that wouldn’t happen?”
“Hoo, I’m already beginning to regret that promise.”
“But if you break it, it’s not a promise.”
“That’s why I deeply regret it.”
Archangel Gabriel gave a bitter smile.
He couldn’t believe such a human existed.
Yet on the other hand?
He understood the human’s strong argument.
“So, you’re arguing that the demolition order without prior notice from the celestial realm is procedurally unjust. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s precisely it.”
Lloyd nodded.
He had raised a strong initial argument.
Deliberately going all out to confront his opponent.
Sensing that it was effective.
He then brought up his main point.
“I’m not disputing the designation of the Jewel of Truth as an illegal structure. I understand it was decided for valid reasons. So, I don’t consider the decision itself to be unjust. But-”
“But?”
“I take issue with the lack of prior notice or guidance about the illegal construction. I also take issue with the late demolition order issued just before its completion. This is clearly an administrative mistake, and as a result, I, an innocent person from the mortal realm, have suffered. That’s what I want to point out.”
“Hmm. Suffered, you say. Can you provide examples and prove the specific damages you’ve incurred?”
“Of course.”
Naturally.
Lloyd’s lips curled into a smirk.
“First, I invested money, labor, and most importantly, time into constructing the Jewel of Truth and the dam.”
“Time?”
“Yes.”
Indeed.
It was unfair.
He spoke with genuine sentiment.
“I would like to state that I constructed the Jewel of Truth to prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration.”
“Hmm, go on.”
“Thank you. So, I had to travel all over the continent like a madman. Why? To gather key materials. From the mermaid kingdom in the Arctic Ocean to the royal capital of Magenta, to the dragon’s glacier cave, to the northwest plains, and even to other dimensions. I traveled everywhere.”
“You must have put in a lot of effort.”
“It wasn’t just effort. I also invested a huge amount of time. I spent all my time preparing and working to prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration.”
Initially, he had intended to speak calmly.
But as he continued, his genuine anger began to surface.
“So! I gathered all the key materials, putting in all my effort and suffering, and just as I was about to finish the Jewel of Truth and look into ways to prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration, an official appeared and said it had to be demolished.”
“Hmm, that…”
“Doesn’t that seem unfair to you? Doesn’t it feel like an overreach?”
“…”
“That’s exactly my point. You should have given prior notice about the illegal structure when I started gathering materials. But what happened instead? Nothing. And now I have to demolish the Jewel of Truth before even addressing the phenomenon of destiny restoration.”
“…”
“I wasted money and time preparing for it, only to lose everything, including the opportunity to prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration. My life is ruined, thanks to the celestial realm’s lack of prior notice and their sudden demolition order.”
“Hmm, so you want compensation for the lost opportunity due to the lack of prior notice?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Lloyd nodded vigorously.
“I cannot die in peace without compensation. I’ve lost opportunity costs, and I cannot prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration. Where else can I express my grievance? Nowhere but here. Who else would understand my frustration but the fair and merciful Celestial Secretary?”
“I, of course…”
“Yes, I know. What kind of person are you? A benevolent figure who takes care of pitiful mortals like me. So, please, just this once, save me. Please?”
“Save you, how?”
“Support a conditional demolition of the Jewel of Truth.”
“Conditional…demolition?”
“Yes.”
Here comes the crucial part.
Lloyd spoke carefully yet boldly.
“As I mentioned earlier, I do not dispute the designation of the Jewel of Truth as an illegal structure. I understand it was a legitimate decision by the celestial realm. Hence, I do not entirely oppose the demolition order. Rather, I intend to comply. That’s the rule.”
“And?”
“But I take issue with the lack of prior notice about the illegal construction. The fact that I lost time because of it. Considering these points, I request a grace period for the demolition.”
“Grace period?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd’s voice turned gentle.
“Until the point when I can certainly prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration, I ask for a grace period for the demolition.”
“Hmm, you mean you want the opportunity cost you spent to prevent the phenomenon of destiny restoration to be protected until then?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
As expected of an archangel.
He understood Lloyd’s intent perfectly.
Lloyd was relieved and prayed sincerely, folding his hands together.
“Fair and merciful Celestial Secretary. You who tirelessly work day and night for the balance and progress of this world. Please, I beg you to ensure that a humble being from the mortal realm does not suffer unjustly due to administrative mistakes of the celestial realm. And one more thing…”
“Another?”
“Yes.”
“Is there another condition you wish to request?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd nodded as if it were natural.
He mixed a spoonful of shamelessness into his earnest plea.
“I would like to request just one more condition.”
“Why?”
“The grace period is merely to protect the opportunity cost I expended. Now, I’m talking about compensation for the damages I suffered.”
“Is there another damage you suffered?”
“Yes, mental damage.”
“…”
“I was forcibly brought to the celestial realm in my right mind. I was suddenly confronted with someone as sacred and imposing as you. Imagine the psychological shock for a mere mortal like me. Have you thought about that?”
“I heard you even faced the King of Hell.”
“Oh, how could the King of Hell compare to someone like you, Celestial Secretary?”
“…”
“It’s you, Celestial Secretary. How dare I compare you to the King of Hell? That’s absurd.”
“…”
“Facing you, the psychological pressure and shock I experienced were immense. So, when I return to the mortal realm, I might be bedridden for days, suffering from the aftereffects. Yes, because you are so great and sacred.”
“…”
“Um, Celestial Secretary?”
“…”
“Why have you been silent for a while?”
“Ah, I was just thinking how I ended up letting such a swindler into my office.”
“…”
“I heard your ridiculous flattery well. It’s quite impressive. But there’s an undeniable fact. The damage you claimed.”
“Yes.”
“It’s unclear if you suffered psychological damage, but it’s true that an official descended to demolish your structure, causing disruption to your construction. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd nodded.
Archangel Gabriel smiled kindly.
“Alright. After listening to your argument, I find no fault in it. It’s true you suffered due to the celestial realm’s inadequate administrative measures. Therefore, I have decided. I will consider your request favorably.”
“Does that mean?”
“I will grant the grace period you requested for the demolition. Additionally, I will actively consider the additional condition you mentioned. So, tell me, what is the one more condition you wish to request?”
…Success.
Finally, he did it.
The archangel agreed to his condition.
Seeing the archangel’s kind smile, Lloyd inwardly cheered.
But outwardly, he controlled his expression.
He reminded himself not to be hasty.
Especially at times like this, he needed to stay calm.
He thought of the big picture he had in mind.
He pulled out the puzzle piece to make that picture a reality.
He boldly presented his demand to the archangel.
“I request full cooperation to acquire the second sacred relic of the Magentano royal family, the Eye of Summer.”