บท 3094: Chapter 2247: Bad Luck for Barbados (Part 2)_2
Lucifer was summoned here because this matter was related to Hell, or to be precise, Hell was in chaos.
When implementing his whole plan, Shiller opted to first open all the investment channels to every dark box. That wasn't just a shot in the dark, because Constantine holds a significant position within the magic realm of every cosmos.
Not only because he was a popular figure, but also because he was the key to the contention between Heaven and Hell. He was both a short-term investment and a long-term benefit.
Devils put more weight on the roulette game than angels, so they were the first to notice something was wrong.
For a long time, they had been placing bets on the roulette, until the countdown ended, the roulette reeled to a specific point and the winner took everything along with their chips.
But now, the roulette on the table mysteriously disappeared in large numbers, along with the chips invested by the devils, as if they had never even existed in this world.
Note that not only the Demon Lords gamble, just as the Archangels in heaven hardly gamble, those who do are essentially their subordinates.
They aren't beings of high level like the Archangels; they're some sort of energy creatures. This kind of small-betting based on official odds is allowed as a form of entertainment and motivation.
At least Heaven has disciplinary committee members, but Hell, on the other hand, is riddled with gambling.
Some famous Constantines were obviously on the boss's table, which they couldn't touch, so they picked some unpopular ones instead. As absurd as it may sound, this game in Heaven and Hell was designed by professionals who created a system to analyse odds.
Several decades of life isn't long for a decent devil, it's even a positive feedback of instant gambling. Many devils in Hell stare at the big board every day, waiting for their bets to pay off.
Yet with Constantine's disappearance, it's like a sudden delisting of the stock you bought, not only the hope of winning disappeared but also the chips invested, who could bear such a loss?
Given that the number of gambling devils was too great, and although most of them were harvested like leeks, gamblers all believe they can win, thinking that a problem with the odds was the major obstacle preventing them from getting rich overnight.
Demons have their own society too, and the society of intelligent creatures tends to be similar. Once the lower class starts a large scale riot, people at the top will have to pay attention.
Demon Lords don't just sit back either, their boss is Lucifer. Although Lucifer returned to Heaven, the old gang in Hell can't just stand by. Given his good relationship with Lucifer, Azazel, for instance, took the initiative into his own hands.
Through this connection, Azazel discovered that every missing Constantine had previously used some mysterious Dark Power. Thanks to the unity and determination of the devils, this power quickly lost its mystique, with the notorious name of Barbados resonating throughout Hell.
Having found the main culprit, the next step is of course to seek justice in person. But this Barbados is also quite capable, defending his homeland, the Dark Source, so thoroughly that not a single demon was able to get in.
They certainly can't get in, thought Lucifer, because it's not Barbados who's defending, but Michael. While Michael excelled in defense, he was so good at guarding the Holy Spring back then that not even Lucifer could break in. So, these bunch of devils squashed together had no chance to touch Barbados.
However, the demons didn't have the authority to see the blockade, and they just assumed that Barbados was an amazingly tough opponent.
He deliberately infused the dark energy into Constantine, killed him, and stole all the chips. Then he crafted for himself a tough turtle shell and reneged on all debts. Even a devil would say that the whole thing was devilish.
Yet countless demons came with high hopes and returned disappointed. Not one could break the protective shield, not even when Azazel personally took action.
For a time, Barbados' name became a child scare in Hell, and the sophisticated circle of mysterious forces in the cosmos dug up all his past, making quite a fuss of the ancient Dark Dragon.
By the end, whether it was a garbage can being tipped over in front of your house, or aliens attacking from the sky, don't ask, blame it on Barbados' scheme to invade the cosmos.
The saying goes, the more gossip, the more hearsay. Demons, always dealing with the human race, wouldn't they be able to find human intelligence? They soon dug up the relationship between the Court of Owls, Judas Cultists, Barbados, and Gotham.
It was well-known that Batman was special. As you ascend in power levels, your understanding of this fact becomes clearer. You're telling me Batman's power stems from Barbados?
Something is off, very off. Could it be that all the strange things that happened previously were Barbados' work?
The seed of doubt was planted, and even sprouted, Barbados' assessed threat level ballooned within multiple major factions, eventually placing him at the very top of the list.
Temporarily setting aside the immediate problems needing to be solved, the Demon Lords found themselves out of their depths, unwilling to take losses for no reason, the grievances below grew more significant, making Hell feel like a frying pan full of hot oil.
Those in the world who were stronger than them could be counted on one hand, or rather bluntly, only the Archangel remained superior.
Micheal watched the demons come beseech him in a complicated state of mind, but Lucifer was even more conflicted.
So, this is what Bruce meant by a solution?
He got fooled once again. Topics about applying for a PhD were only a mere ruse to draw out his mind reading technique.
He just enthusiastically flaunted his ability of mind reading to Bruce, could he now feign ignorance?
If he could read minds, then he should be able to see that this was a lifeline thrown by Bruce, a lifeline to him and Michael.
Lucifer remained Hell's Master. For all living beings, for the common people, for the Demon Lords who had suffered for most of their lives, what could stop him from humbling himself before Michael? Even for the prideful, given the current situation, there were more than enough reasons to do so.
If he humbled himself, it would show that he was responsible. What Michael resented the most about him was his irresponsibility shown when he washed his hands of matters, and left. If Lucifer was willing to step down, the rift between them could be restored.
Lucifer was tempted.
But he still refused to admit it, succumbing to the full force of his arrogance which ironically served as a therapeutic memory boost.
What did Shiller say again? If you display sufficient arrogance, when you lower your head, you can earn ample rewards in return.
Of course he was after decent compensation, Lucifer gritted his teeth, thinking, to hell with Hegel, what did Shiller's paper on manipulation say?
Lucifer ditched the documents, lifted his eyes to look at Michael. His gaze full of judgement, yet tinged with disappointment.
It seemed like Michael had an inkling of what was going on, he opened his mouth, slightly flustered, stating, "No, this certainly wasn't me..."
"It's okay," Lucifer averted his gaze to Gabriel standing behind him and said.
Michael looked at Lucifer in shock, trying to find a hint of jest in his facial expression, to no avail. He heard Lucifer say with a voice just as weighty as his gaze.
"If this is what you want, then I will give it to you — My dear brother, help me."
God was stunned.
Meanwhile, an unknown psychologist providing theoretical backing for all this - meticulously dressed in a three-piece suit, and burgundy court-style tie - was standing next to a table organizing some books.
He didn't even bother to glance up at Constantine, merely saying, "Do you still think I have been making a big deal out of nothing?"
Constantine swallowed, he had just seen God upon opening the door, the physical one. Then suddenly, God, oh my God, scurried off looking like he had just suffered a massive blow.
"What did he do to you?" His survival instinct made him phrase the question that way.
Shiller paused, looking out of the window, the city of Gotham adorned with fluttering flags in anticipation of the upcoming festivities in the sweltering summer. He observed for a while before saying.
"Without my consent, he sent me to another world... making me endure a dreadfully uninteresting period of at least thirty years."
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