The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHIlLAUOWl
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMGjaHZ1TZ
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH30VSJaaXj
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyGG4xYhho
Red pearls hung around her neck, and her braided hair was adorned with a white flower.
To the soldiers, she had only ever been a war maniac on the battlefield.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Tu0XHPWq
This was something new.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo944QQX4L
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX7QQxVUxB
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP2ld6eMn5
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TxWfWIFqr
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fnpb29VJ6
Her red lips moved as she reached him.
"How do you find me?"
Dae’s nose—and brain—were already overwhelmed by her strawberry perfume.
"Hey, Dae? And?"
"You look stunning, Rayshel."
"Hihihihi, thank you! You also look handsome. A good change, wouldn’t you say?"
"Yeah. But we won’t stay long."
"Don’t ruin the mood. Relax."
She swung her arm around his and pulled him closer, dragging him along as she spotted the carriage.
"Woah! Let’s go!"
She ran forward, Dae still in her grip. He sighed—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN2CGoBlGN
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa2gQUkNat
Just then, a line of other carriages arrived for the rest of the soldiers.
Into Dae’s carriage stepped Pandora, who had chosen a similar style to Rayshel’s—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRUEVinmWN
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCNXpzle0g
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPNnuUxweH
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSHMImqHy1
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuufnOSfkb
The group included older men and women, children, and a few soldiers.
"Will this even be enough?" Sarah asked aloud.
Before Michael could answer, an old man spoke up first:
"I know what you’re thinking.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MRS3kfAU8
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaQQ76wnce
But with my weapons, everyone here becomes one."
They brought in weapons that gave off faint gold and violet glows.
"These weapons were forged using the soul of a demon or angel.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdNffc81WN
But don’t confuse them with what others have.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dHBN68tkm
They follow similar rules—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8vLT4I2jt
but the souls used here are extremely small. Their egos are not present in the weapon."
"What would’ve happened if their ego was present?" Rick asked.
"Then it’s possible the ego might take over.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnI0K1jhVa
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCBvTvUt1C
But only energy—not the soul or body.
What some people have done, though, is use energy from demons after they’ve already possessed someone.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9tlFEOfs2
In those cases, their soul crosses over—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohwEfMsLnL
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ678C8pcAaU
"But I assume this way, the wielder is safe—though the weapon is weaker?"
"You’re right," Michael added.
Beside him stood a short man with black hair and golden eyes—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQj5QjPHYA
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU7YGvVmn6
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPi8FOXLcr
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wfgaMRbJH
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60iAsLUgyM
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9baZOdTKSE
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwfUqRWaxr
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAacC8cyDK
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwpqmLQSxw
Not physically—mentally.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6eZAl2xcG
Most of the people here passed that test.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnvBAINYL9
That’s why we’re even here—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAAhhVQLhb
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7bNrLXrlM
We saw the lie.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeplc8RCDVo
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCooV4MX8TZ
There’s only one problem:18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7dAQ17hUf
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0RDLHk36x
but this fight won’t be easy.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOpnbtrpBG
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVbVAxdAu7
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnSHYnFHOy
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKNaV8KNat
Then let’s move. President, take your people.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwMyNr9XBk
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T2QzNewXO
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE8Zp3LDUp
Every outfit looked like it cost a fortune.
Dae was the first to step out.
Then he heard Rayshel behind him.
"Didn’t you forget something, mister?"
Dae turned and offered her his hand, helping her down.
Rayshel puffed out her cheeks.
"One minus point!"
"Excuse me? What?"
"One minus point, I said. You’re supposed to be a gentleman! Hm!"
Dae offered his arm again.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0nkrbz2eQ
Rayshel immediately clutched onto it, beaming.
The couple approached the villa, where a man stopped them.
"And you are?"
"They’re with me," Pandora said.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98FjnrLpxo
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPCTwmUjym
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRCRIWqcw2
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt23tN5nfV
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj7MEn2utM
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAbb7YSLMv
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjstYdyNGh7
We spend two hours here—then we leave.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQswqjPsnV
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUT0HspcXy
If you find something, report it immediately.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB6OQgaVQH
Dismissed!"
The soldiers dispersed.
In a Cell
(Glacia: I can feel it. We don’t have much time. Something is coming.)
"Say… why do you hate me so much?18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedJl5C1wCV
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsivwxpKcW
but so are other demons and angels.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWnfyA7QxS
Your rage… your hate—there’s more to it."
(Glacia: …)
"Well, I figured—if we’re dying anyway—why not get to know each other better?"
(Glacia: And what will that change?)
"What will it change not to?"
(Glacia: Nothing. But I’m bored anyway… Fine. I’ll allow you to hear my story.)18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMLrND58BS
