The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm61yGVrGJ
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktquTlsV1E
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEqRoW0xCh
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDGyY0BuPn
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWCbBgbdNX
This was something new.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0QexlbIa8
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lHd2K3kes
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4zLQkHUgD
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ya3f2N9B5
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPzy8gMo5z
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—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCuanpzPUM
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9LarA7FIo
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—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCewSSEfaH
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpC6sUfp8v
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFwGr7fdqS
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnuUe2Jukp
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuanO705ORu
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVzu6QzIBI
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBqzY5jKgv
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLxeYdEPLt
But don’t confuse them with what others have.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy9HwZUmRP
They follow similar rules—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnwYi55N2i
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB8Ht06XOf
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrvSbQ7vi8
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagsFIhMCcK
In those cases, their soul crosses over—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TIrjRPdru
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKJvOUh4h
"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—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQJXbNRmsj
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qJZ92DPRd
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCweu8oTGr
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGfhT4KnWB
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnVom2YznL
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7k492PWMa
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4xTXchdFf
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6IK8wpwgt
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlZSQJlHwQ
Not physically—mentally.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmdjoRj8Rq
Most of the people here passed that test.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3vQ2uaWVa
That’s why we’re even here—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6zdnlSnPj
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvZ7weCeY
We saw the lie.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95OHGWUN91
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xilxbm7VX
There’s only one problem:17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzWNiHobw1
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGooqWqJajb
but this fight won’t be easy.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2XXJ9esdd
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoT8NpJa5b
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4C8WPz2Rv
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGFa2fSqnm
Then let’s move. President, take your people.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplmeecFa91
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM81RYyGvk0
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0x5mWZXnp
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBQzwEPAp6
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpToGP3Ee7O
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcyN1z9bi5
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GrBY92nj5
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnYcrKG8Dj
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH85DcHFXd
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCu9fzhb5v
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RehUnO26v
We spend two hours here—then we leave.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdmfF86gkD
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdwUgPb3nb
If you find something, report it immediately.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Va3j3rIEo
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?17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVUI77gPUz
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUaqBePo9u
but so are other demons and angels.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZNdtoYEr3
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.)17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbPWTt2Nec
