"Also, you're weak now. Can you even attend the banquet in this condition?' Gabriel further asked, letting out a calm response.

"You're not strong enough either," Karyk responded, without reacting much. "You need time to be able to understand the strength of your own body. I'm dropping this plan. We won't attend the banquet. I'll take care of the rest after I finish recovering. As for you, you're going back. Unless..."

"Unless...?"

"Unless you can show me that you're capable enough to protect yourself in this world." Karyk wasn't a person of many emotions. His emotions were only reserved for his friends and family. However, he also didn't want his other self to die for no reason.

At the same time, he also knew how stubborn his secondary soul was since he had been one with it. Just words weren't enough to convince Gabriel, so he used another method, all to protect this stubborn guy who didn't want to listen to him.

"And how should I show that?" Gabriel frowned. He couldn't help but feel that Karyk was treating him like a child which left a sour taste in his mouth.

Even though it was true that he wasn't able to utilize or even understand the full strength of this godly body that he had received, but it didn't change the fact that he was a mage! He might not have the Element of Death, but he had the Element of Light and the Element of Darkness!

Moreover, he had learned to master those two elements from Cylix and Novius, who were comparable, if not better than the Holy Lords of the two Elements! He also had the knowledge that he had gained when Karyk devoured the souls of previous Generations of Holy Lords!

His knowledge when it came to those two elements was secondary to none! At the same time, he had the Ancestral Staff of Darkness and the Ancestral Staff of Light. Although they were both clones of the real thing, that didn't change the fact that they were beneficial to him.

At the same time, he also had the Holy Grimoire of Light! As a person in a god's body, he might be completely clueless. However, as a mage of Light and Darkness, he wasn't! He could at least protect himself, or so he believed.

"Is that so?" Karyk glanced at the young man through the corner of his eyes. "I'll give you an opportunity to prove it."

He raised his gaze, noticing the Goddess of Nature in the distance before continuing. "As long as you can defeat her, I'll allow you to do as you please."

Even though the Goddess of Nature didn't fight often, her strength wasn't weak at all. If anything, she had been amongst the strongest gods on earth.

She didn't have the offense of the Element of Death. She didn't have the versatility of darkness. She also didn't have the benefits of light. However, what she had was nature, which allowed her to turn every terrain into her own strength!

Karyk knew that even if the Goddess of Light had fought her a thousand years ago, she wouldn't have been defeated. The only reason she lost and was sealed was because it was he who fought her!

Karyk knew that Gabriel had potential. When it came to physical strength now, he was probably even stronger than him. However, he also needed plenty of time to show the potential of that body. That's why he didn't want to watch him leave stubbornly.

He used a battle with the Goddess of Nature to sway him. At the same time, it was to train him! If Gabriel was weak minded, then after a few defeats, he was going to give up and agree to go back.

On the other hand, if he actually had the zeal to win, no matter how many times he lost, then these battles were something akin to his training, which could force him to learn more about his new strengths and weaknesses in an effort to win.

Karyk didn't know what the outcome of these battles was going to be. However, no matter which outcome it was, it was good. One outcome led to his safety while the other outcome led to his strength.

After he finished speaking, he closed his eyes once again, not paying attention to anything else. In any case, the invitation token that led to the secret realm of the banquet was with him. Without his approval, Gabriel couldn't leave. He needed to prove his strength!

At the same time, Karyk could focus on his soul strength recovery to his peak.

****

In a faraway place, there were two people standing next to each other. One was a young boy, whose body was brimming with strength that was way above the strength of the True God that Karyk had killed on earth.

Next to him, stood a man, seemingly in his late twenties. The man felt like an ordinary human, not having a trace of any godly strength. However, the laws of the universe could be seen in his eyes, revealing that he wasn't a simple man.

Before them, was a mirror that was showing them a still image. In that image, they saw the lifeless body of a True God, and next to him stood Karyk.

"Should we meet him?" The man asked, looking at the image that he had seen a month ago for the first time.

At that time, they had received the news that a god was killed by a mortal who didn't even have true divinity yet! As they were both curious about who this person could be, the young boy had used a treasure.

It was a mirror that could show them the scene of that god's death! That's where they saw Karyk for the first time! However, for some strange reason, it was as if even Karyk was able to see them!

They saw Karyk looking straight in their direction before their mirror shattered ultimately. Ever since then, they only had this one still image. However, more than anger, their faces revealed fascination.

"If he's really related to 'him' then he might have the Royal Blood. You might have another Candidate..." The man asked the young boy next to him.

Even though the boy looked young, he had lived for what appeared like an eternity already!

"Then you won't need my son for the battle of thrones... Isn't that right, Janus?" The man asked, revealing a calm yet intrigued glance.

On the other hand, the young-looking boy didn't respond. He only frowned, looking at the still image on the mirror. "Could he really be... his son?"