Life and Descent were both summaries of a past era, but Order was the true beginning of Civilization.
What set Him apart from the preceding six true gods was that He had genuinely descended bearing Origin's expectations for Civilization. That was why His power was so formidable — enough to sweep the entire universe single-handedly.
Of course, War's help had been instruntal, though the extent of War's contribution to that god war remained unknown.
Cheng Shi understood now. Nodding, he looked at the codex and spoke again.
"I see. As I suspected, it was His expectations that granted You such trendous power.
But Lord Codex, don't You feel that this mont mirrors that one? That supre being bestowed upon You the power of Order so You could realize His vision of a universe in order. So why not follow His example — bestow upon
the power of Order and let
deliver a vision of Order back to You?
When that ti cos, I will be like You once were — carrying expectations from above, singing the song of order across the universe.
And wouldn't that be the best way for You to draw closer to Him?"
The codex slowly closed all its pages. His aura grew solemn — clearly entering the final stage of deliberation.
He was tempted. So He asked:
"What do you want from ?"
Cheng Shi didn't even think. The word flew out: "Authority!"
The instant the word left his mouth, the aura around the codex snapped taut, then contracted — like a fed-up investor flipping the negotiation table and storming out of the nauseating eting room.
Seeing things going south, Cheng Shi's face changed and he hastily anded:
"...That would obviously be inappropriate.
Deals should proceed step by step. If You were to generously grant authority right off the bat, then I would actually hesitate under the weight of such overwhelming expectations."
He paused to check whether his flattery had landed. Unfortunately, it had zero effect. The codex showed no intention of continuing negotiations.
Cheng Shi sighed inwardly, recalibrated, lowered his ntal asking price slightly, and held out both hands to display every ring he'd received from the gods — regardless of whether they still worked — in front of Pride of Order. Then he pressed on.
"Your special creations or semi-divine artifacts of that caliber would work. Anything lower would be useless. If I'm to walk the world on Your behalf, I need to win the trust of our own Order followers and intimidate the lawless rabble who won't listen to reason.
And what You see here is proof that I have the ability to spread order for You."
The codex let out a cold laugh, dripping with contempt. "It seems you carry quite a few divine mandates."
Cheng Shi straightened his back without a shred of deference. "Many hands make light work."
"..."
'Many hands make light work, he says!'
For a brief mont, the codex's cover seed to distort. It was unclear what this Order — one who had witnessed untold ages of the universe — truly thought of the shaless Clown before Him. After a pause, He made one more remark:
"So you are His answer."
"?" Cheng Shi's expression froze. The smile died.
Before learning that the "answer" ant "sacrifice," he might have harbored so vague aspiration about bearing that title — or at least felt no complete terror about it. But now...
'No thanks. Whoever wants this lousy title can have it. I'm done.'
'Best if Wei Mu takes it. He's smart — maybe he could actually be useful to Them.'
While Cheng Shi's face cycled through expressions and his mind ran wild, the codex's aura stabilized once more. He rejected Cheng Shi's request and spoke with lofty pride:
"Were it not for Chaos and Deceit's restraints, I could grant you any creation you desire. Life is too crude, Existence all style and no substance — neither possesses Civilization's refinent.
But now — hmph — thanks to your two Benefactors, whatever you deserve has already been returned to Void."
"..."
Hearing this, Cheng Shi's expression grew even stranger.
'Fine, fine — stubborn as a mule. Just admit you can't grant anything. Why do you have to throw shade at everyone in the process? Who do you think you are — Folly?'
'Actually, co to think of it — Folly can't grant authority, and neither can You. From that perspective, you two really are alike.'
Cheng Shi was numb. The bargaining chip he'd been banking on had slipped through his fingers, leaving him with the deflating feeling that all his verbal effort today might have been for nothing.
But they'd co this far. The duck was practically cooked — no way was he giving up now. So the Clown regrouped and switched tactics.
"Very well — You're the 'investor,' Your word goes.
Then Lord Codex, what exactly can You grant
right now?
Even ordinary followers receive their Benefactor's gaze as motivation. You can't expect
to work for free, can you?
Cab fare alone costs money. I can't be paying out of my own pocket to spread order across the universe..."
Cheng Shi's tone was "utterly pitiful," making it sound as if Pride of Order were a heartless boss withholding wages. The scene left Kataro dumbstruck all over again.
The codex's cover creased even tighter.
He felt that the mortal's words weren't a plea for sympathy at all — they were a ruthless mockery of His inability to offer anything.
This Clown was jeering at the fact that He had nothing to give.
What infuriated Him most was that the Clown was right.
The codex fell silent. He suppressed the indignation and arrogance within, and after a long deliberation, calmly offered the largest chip He could currently pledge.
"I can grant you a seat on the tribunal that serves supre Order. A position analogous to your standing in the Chaos Temple — to beco a mber of Order's Tribunal, a piece in the puzzle that safeguards Order's universe."
"An Envoy?!"
"No. I have never had Envoys. The subordinate role is rely a title. Should you prove unfit for the position, I shall strip you of your judicial authority."
"..."
Cheng Shi understood. In that instant, he recalled the history of Order that Aph Ros had once told him — the tale of Blazing Sun and Thundering, two wild gods who had both served as Order's subordinates...
'After all that effort, I've beco an Order-appointed civil servant just like Thundering?'
Cheng Shi looked down at the rings on his fingers with a peculiar expression, his heart full of emotion.
'Thundering, oh Thundering — who would've thought? You got killed by Order, and you still end up working for Order.'
'And it's unpaid work at that — nothing but empty promises!'
'The kind where even the promises can be revoked at any ti!'
'Is this right? Is this fair?!'
'Workers of the world shall never be slaves!'
Cheng Shi was furious. He felt Order showed zero sincerity. So he protested indignantly:
"Lord Codex, forgive my bluntness, but if it's just a title, then even without our cooperation, my dual faiths in Chaos and Deceit would allow
to slap an Order title onto myself by brute force.
So why should I bear the sin of desecrating my own faith for so ethereal title?
Don't forget — I am never a good person. I am a lawful villain. And this is rely a transaction."
The codex resud its lofty bearing, scrutinizing the Clown before Him with a disdainful sneer.
"Any false identity you fabricate on your own would not survive even the most basic verification under Order's protocols. My bestowal, however, would legitimize you."
'Hah — legitimize?'
'Who do You think You are — Origin?!'
Cheng Shi scoffed with equal disdain. Then his expression shifted entirely — he bowed his head, lowered his body, and spoke with utmost devotion:
"Well then, Lord Codex — when do I start work?"
"...?"
...
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