Gabriel POV
She is infuriating. Her ac-
"Gabriel, listen."
Me and the archangels had our own little table.
"Sorry, I was spacing out."
"I noticed. You keep looking over at Rose, why?"
"Because she broke another important rule."
"*Sigh* What did she do this time?"
"She made her own version of an angels grace and somehow revived Asmodeus and Hades to use it on."
"Plus, the fact that Milel is now on her side."
"She could have an angelic army based in her own image."
"Exactly."
"Should we eliminate those of Milel's faction?"
"No, then we'd be declaring war on Garden, and I doubt Lucifer would let that go. And Rose would be furious."
"So, we are in a new balance."
I grimaced.
"She just shoved herself into the balance and somehow it's still standing."
"But what if she actually bests Lucifer."
"… Impossible."
I shook my head at Michael's unhelpful response.
"Oh, it's definitely possible. Because if I know my older sister, she wouldn't just swear loyalty to someone other than the Lord unless she was bested in combat."
Michael gave me side-eye.
"Your sister was stronger than me while in life, and she is invulnerable as she is dead, there is no way she could be beaten by Rose."
"Then she wouldn't have sworn loyalty, so…"
I put my hands on the table.
"There are two things we must assume. First, Rose is stronger than Michael. Second, Rose can hurt the soul directly."
"If either of those are true, then we are in big trouble."
"What if she tries to replace one of them?"
"That could cause chaos that even the Ruler would struggle with."
I grimaced.
"Gabriel, what is it?"
"Knowing her, replacing one is only a step of her plan."
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Yes, I believe Rose wants to become the only Supreme being."
"Impossible, she will die before she can even get to the point of being one of them."
"If the fight against Hades was any indicator, I don't think that death is enough to stop her."
"Hmm… We need to stagnate her level."
"That won't work."
"Why?"
"She's an admin herself. She could just unstagnate herself."
"You're right. But we need to at least slow her down."
"I agree, but how."
"YO LUCIFER, DRINKING BATTLE!!!"
We all turned to the voice of Rose, who was holding some of the wine and challenging Lucifer to a drinking contest.
"Does she actually think she can outdrink Lucifer."
Lucifer smiled.
"I'll take your challenge."
Then both of them started drinking at the same rate. Both the Ruler and the Author looked with a bored interest. Eventually Lucifer began wobbling while Rose wasn't even tipsy.
"That's not possible."
"Rr-Rose, I won' luz… zzzzz"
Lucifer fell asleep at the table.
"Victory! Hah. You can't out drink the drinking master. Ruler, you are next."
"I have no interest."
"Chicken, bak bak bak."
The Author snickered as the Ruler turned red.
"Fine, if you want to learn how to truly get out drank, then I'll show you."
Then they clinked their glasses and began drinking. The discussion between the archangels had fully stopped as we were all just in silent amazement at the ludicrous situation in front of us.
Then the Ruler started swaying, but now Rose was also a bit woozy.
"Wow! You made me a bit tipsy."
"Grmp."
The Ruler faceplanted into the table before falling fast asleep.
"These are my opponents… really?"
"Come on, join in the fun."
"This is an artificial body; I can't get intoxicated through it."
"Bah, no fun."
Michael looked in amazement.
"How do you outdrink both Lucifer and the Ruler?"
Rose looked over and smiled.
"This is the first time I've ever been tipsy, and I drink every day, so proper moderation gives me more resistance."
Then the Author smiled.
"I suppose being in a draconic body comes with some benefits."
"Indeed, it does."
Dallel looked at her in a tired way. I felt like I was making the exact same face.
_
Author POV
…. Why do you want my Pov? No, I won't let you see my thoughts…
Still here?
How annoying. Here, go to the elf. Or to the dragon.
No?
Fine then I'll tell you something. You really want to learn what happens to this world? I'll tell you. A spoiler you could call it. Rose will fight Lucifer then I will kill them both. Then the Ruler will fall to me and I will rule everything. Then, then I will come for you.
…
You don't believe me… do you? Then what a fool you are. Now, get out of my head.
_
Weird. The Author started rubbing his head, and he had an annoyed expression… actually that made sense, two of his three enemies are passed out drunk, and the third is challenging the archangels to a drinking battle.
He probably was wondering how they gave him any trouble at all.
Of course, Rose did because she gave trouble to everyone, including her allies.
She was quite a danger magnet, but she was also the best at getting us out of it.
That combination made her likely one of the most dangerous beings in existence. Some would consider her evil.
Of course, the idea that she was evil was false. She had too pure a heart. Frankly, for her dark actions, the only ones I have to blame are the three others sitting before me, enjoying themselves.
They were the true evil. Lucifer was even willing to sacrifice his own men for his sick goals. The Ruler only used us to get at Lucifer. And the Author pulled the strings until Rose cut them off.
I wasn't sure what would happen. All I knew was that Rose would be at the center of it.