The mad pope, beguiled and endlessly collecting the remnants of the Goddess scattered across the Far West, when Carlo finally fulfilled his long-cherished wish, he unexpectedly did not become the new god. Instead, through a ritual, he brought Bazarian back into this world, proving that the one who shared secrets with him had deceived him at the most crucial moment.

Because of this, from the moment Bazarian awakened, everyone presupposed that she was the black hand behind everything.

She was the greatest beneficiary, the conclusion followed naturally.

It wasn't until an offhand remark during a conversation with Mary and others that Ethan saw through the clouds and glimpsed a greater beneficiary.

The series of events that occurred since arriving in the Far West nearly made Ethan forget his original purpose for coming here, but fortunately, when the conversation turned to the God of Truth, he returned to his original intent.

This journey originally began with the frenzied experiment he glimpsed in the God of Truth's archive.

They used the factor of the Evil God and the crystallization of Kania's civilization to create Bazarian, and then released similar experimental entities into this plane, acting like points of light in the dark universe, serving as bait to lure the Old Gods.

Ethan puzzled over their purpose, only just now did he finally think of the answer.

They needed data.

Enough data to cover every corner of the universe.

Only the Old Gods could provide the Holy City with such vast amounts of data.

"Unless you can solve all the mysteries of this world, but that's impossible, for even the God of Truth cannot achieve this grand ideal."

This sentence was originally meant to persuade Leon and Grave, who studied in the Truth Society and were deeply influenced, while Ethan had seen the God of Truth and stepped into Their archive.

There were records of multiple civilizations' destruction and studies on the Old Gods, using Them as reference, that "probe machine" completed its evolution, from a mere tool sphere emitting light and recording data to an existence comparable to the Old Gods. Yet even so, this was far from enough for Them.

The ultimate goal of knowing everything was still far away.

But the God of Truth was not a pessimist, and They did not retreat into nothingness.

They had already chosen Their stance, and in fact, until the archive "exploded," They believed that one day, the being residing in the Holy City could become the master of truth and knowledge.

At that moment, They could understand the past, deduce the future, and become the ruler of destiny.

"My god, Anzi, you're like a human-shaped walking information receiver!"

Ethan spoke his feelings.

"Is that sarcasm?"

Bazarian showed no anger, "I'm not as smart as you, if you don't say it outright, I'll take it as a compliment."

An information receiver, powerful, at least it sounds useful.

"I understand you've signed a confidentiality agreement and can't reveal the complete resurrection list to me, but I guess those people didn't tell you the full picture."

"What about you?"

Bazarian did not answer but asked in return, "Are you willing to tell me everything?"

"I can do my best."

"Senzi, you really are..."

Bazarian took a breath, momentarily unsure how to describe Ethan. From a positional standpoint, they were undoubtedly enemies, and this "mayoral competition" was far from over, yet here they sat side by side in front of the jewelry store in the Lower City, unnoticed by the bustling crowd due to the influence of the concealment magic.

It's noisy yet tranquil, like... a pair of close friends with no secrets between them.

For Bazarian, those were not pleasant memories.

Gathering with other True Gods under the starlit night to plan the future of this world, though losing eternal life, they felt unprecedentedly fulfilled and happy.

Because those memories constantly reminded her that the title of "Goddess of Life" belonged to someone else, and Bazarian was merely the excised filth.

"I guess either your sense of compassion is beyond ordinary, or you're trying to gain something from me."

Bazarian lowered her eyes, considering how Ethan differed from any human she knew, he didn't need her to fulfill any wishes, the answer seemed self-evident, "If you think doing this will awaken that pathetic woman, you're destined to be disappointed." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

This was the only answer she could think of, and the only correct one she believed in.

Interactions between people are always filled with desire, she believed Ethan was no exception, he must be trying to gain something from her.

To awaken the true Goddess of Life, rebuild Oasis City, everyone can achieve a happy ending.

To accomplish this grand goal, Ethan must approach her, even acting like her friend.

"Awaken who?"

Ethan paused, pondering for a moment before understanding the "pathetic woman" Bazarian referred to, "Of course not, why would I want to awaken someone I don't even know?"

"Lies."

Bazarian didn't even lift her head, kneeling with her hands hugging her knees in front of the jewelry store's window, staring at the insects passing by her feet.

"Believe it or not, I'm actually quite afraid of dealing with strangers."

This time Bazarian finally looked up, shocked, the smile on her face vanished.