Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

Rhodes shook his head and chuckled softly:

“Your attitude is wrong. It’s fine to negotiate with me in a cooperative manner, but it’s a bit disgusting to say that your life is not important and then ask me to do things for you.”

To put it bluntly, if I die, haven't you considered the wrath of my divine ruler?

"You look down on the God of Soul Evolution?"

Mirado's words caught in his throat—

Her usual casual demeanor faded slightly at this moment, and her eyes became a little calmer.

Although Rhodes was simply making baseless accusations, it is undeniable that the protective attitude of the Soul Kingdom Melanie Empire has been clearly recorded for hundreds of years.

Why are the people of the Land of Souls rarely outside?

Firstly, because the population is indeed only one percent of the total population.

Secondly, it's because almost all souls that have ascended more than four times will not leave Melanie to go to other countries.

Unless they are hired by another country, they would rather die than serve as an assistant to someone else.

These regulations are an inevitable result of historical development. After all, although the God of Souls is the weakest of all gods, he is the most terrifying among all humans.

"So what? You're not going to save them, are you? Do you want to see the Empire go to war with us? Or do you want to see these girls around you get caught in the crossfire?"

"Within three days, the power of the Deep Sea God will become uncontrollable. Do you think you have enough time to escape far away without being affected at all?"

"I'm afraid...it'll be difficult, won't it? After all, some of you are quite weak."

"The reason we are here to negotiate with you is not fundamentally out of necessity."

I'm just telling you out of goodwill that you have to do this.

So, you might as well not do it.

But we will never let go of the fact that our gods have lost one-twentieth of their souls, and that our people have died on land.

Rhodes shook his head.

"Isn't your goal simply to avoid starting a war that would lead to the death of your loved ones? Why make it sound so lofty?"

If both sides have ulterior motives, then avoid using a commanding tone in negotiations.

He easily saw through Mirador's pretense and exposed his true needs.

Isn't that how it is? If Mirador wasn't unwilling to go to war for some special reason, why would she go through all the trouble of negotiating with him? So why speak so nobly and arrogantly?

“…It doesn’t matter.” Mirador’s hand clenched slightly. “So, are you going to do it or not, Chivenlance?”

Rhodes glanced at the students outside the window, who were being controlled in the square and were going insane.

The pros and cons of doing this have already been considered.

He was never afraid of risks... or rather, the benefits of this matter were far too great.

Firstly, it allows you to complete the rewards provided by Merrick; secondly, it allows you to use the Deep Sea God to figure out the opportunity to fuse with the Fallen Demon Seed; thirdly, it allows you to win over a brand new god; and fourthly, it allows you to find out whether the other gods are resurrected in the second playthrough.

Given this information, he had no reason to be afraid or back down.

The key point is that the most important and irreplaceable of these is actually the last one.

Yes.

This is the problem that Rod had been thinking about and worrying about.

If the girls can be resurrected, then there is no reason why God cannot be resurrected.

After all, they were also a major part of the war.

And if the Dragon God were to be resurrected... then the level of threat would be absolutely enormous.

Therefore, it is absolutely essential to understand the extent of information the enemy possesses in advance in order to have a chance to respond.

He reached out his hand—

"My name is Rod. Nice to meet you."

……

...

The curtain has not been lifted.

Essentially, it was a bargaining chip; at this moment, the sea creatures released some of the weaker students.

Rhodes also gained a better understanding of Carmen's current situation.

The current [Carmen] is equivalent to the outer space of the Deep Sea God, unconsciously resisting the invasion of outsiders.

Several hours ago, Mirado and her companions sent out their marine companions entered [Carmen] and never returned. Or rather, because they entered [Carmen], the location of [Carmen] is now even more vague and uncertain.

Therefore, even entering a dungeon becomes a problem.

Here's a simple summary of the three challenges of this instance.

First, how to get in.

Secondly, how to find the Deep Sea God's [human form] in countless chaotic spaces.

Third, how to enter the soul world of the Deep Sea Goddess and successfully help her overcome the difficulties.

Of these three problems, the second and third are extremely dangerous.

The former is because the difficulty in many of Carmen's dungeon spaces is not low, and the latter is because of the power of the Deep Sea God's soul.

No matter how you look at it... it's a very tricky task.

At that moment, after the negotiations concluded, Rhodes and his group returned to his apartment.

As soon as I opened that familiar door, a familiar atmosphere rushed towards me.

It's a recollection of the first playthrough, but more importantly, it's a memory of Lilith crying here late at night.

Rhodes rubbed his temples:

"I wasn't able to relax very well. She gave me a little too little time. I had to go to [Carmen]'s place in half an hour, which was a bit of a hassle."

"Pat pat, you just got back and need to rest." Felicity reached out and gently rubbed Rod's head on tiptoe. "But, Rod... he should be okay, right?"

"What's the problem?"

"The god who dwells in the deep sea... we have never encountered him."

"Although it was dangerous, it was a pleasant surprise. Right... Natalie?"

Rhodes's gaze fell upon the young priest.

Natalie's apricot-red eyes blinked slightly at that moment, pointing towards herself:

“Me…? Rhodes, you know I’ve never been good at deduction or anything like that. But…”

She lowered her head and remained silent for half a second.

Natalie's calm was not without reaction.

Or rather, both Rhodes and Felicity knew that she wasn't silent, but rather that she was holding back a movement—

This is true.

She smiled sweetly and walked directly toward Rhodes.

The girl's white priest's robes fluttered gently in the air and slipped into Rhodes's arms.

In an instant, that soft, yielding feeling pressed against Rhodes' body. Her eyes were somewhat pitiful as she looked up at the tall Rhodes like a penguin—

"Rhodes!"

Natalie wrapped her arms around Rhodes' neck like a cat, then affectionately rubbed her nose against his collar.

"It smells so good... I haven't smelled this in so long..."

what.

The fragrance was one she loved all the time.

Why does Rhodes always use such strong-smelling incense... It makes her linger in it for a little longer each time.

A lifetime has passed.

Or rather, they reunited three years after losing Rhodes.

Her eyes were brimming with tears that were about to spill over, but she managed to hold them back.

Crying isn't her style; bringing joy to everyone is enough for her.

"Still the same as before, Na." Felicity stood to the side, surprisingly not making any hostile moves, and chuckled softly.

"Ah!" Natalie immediately released Rhodes upon hearing the voice, seemingly embarrassed and awkward. She quickly scratched the back of her head, then turned and gave Felicity a hug.

"Hitie, you too, let's have a hug after so long!"

I hugged him.

For some reason, Natalie felt that this hug wasn't as natural and pleasant as before.

What is the reason...?

A hint of intimacy flashed in her eyes.

Because of Felicity and Rod's engagement.

It doesn't matter, as long as Rhodes and Felicity oppose this, the Emperor can't force them to do so.

Moreover, now is not the time for such sentimental talk; we are currently in a crisis of being trapped in the academy.

"Okay..."

Felicity smiled a kind, innocent, and sweet smile, but her heart was at peace.

As she expected.

That's why she didn't go and get Natalie off Rhodes.

It wasn't that she wasn't jealous, but rather that she knew that in this situation, she only needed to call out to Natalie, and Natalie would immediately turn her attention to someone else.

"Okay, that concludes Felicity's greetings. Who's next~?"

Natalie's hugs with anyone were brief, lasting only two seconds before she released Felicity.