The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UZyqRXa5F
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdrobUHZO0
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7spJsy7vi
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpMvHYJpfX
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xvv0q1ari
This was something new.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhTge7rfEl
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt44wJG0Cld
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlUVzfAu7C
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71R1gpx41L
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUKa7kSme8
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—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDdCIeimAK
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSecSHl2U8m
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—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0LKSFOskx
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyCbfx07io
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6X8zbibRC
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnokIHkXiuS
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXTWcDm7I5
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5kA1hX7s7
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMDbboHXf0
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmPgH2BQs4
But don’t confuse them with what others have.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7v63GnpWb
They follow similar rules—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E8oDVPUh7
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFzxcLUxBE
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGvMhuv6Q4
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcggGcFT5Y6
In those cases, their soul crosses over—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeppo6WucJA
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xyt9KTXMP
"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—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT6n31kem6
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL0jLB7QCl
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOUvfam6sq
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPXGqDoJx3
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHy0mOJjxP
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSdB8TZQ1j
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizqjk83DMa
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN4WZUNLMY
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZVHzGKWGM
Not physically—mentally.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDaERTBuwf
Most of the people here passed that test.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW0MjLpuOl
That’s why we’re even here—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi483C3Bkbs
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSxtEIzLEM
We saw the lie.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj4XtPpeyj
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjfVOEQwZg
There’s only one problem:34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqiyi3cxni
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyQ7Sfj3zH
but this fight won’t be easy.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cCw8M9wP7
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jqgqf4W7Y
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggAKzooVKb
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7MyR4OUj
Then let’s move. President, take your people.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPyTECCq7m
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKPxdGIfSl
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjXnwaJPkc
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT47U1p6Ryv
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKME9BjqLRy
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27s2P6AY7G
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeibTqfVmAX
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKoxoIDqA6
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKijOIJ9977
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2d4yKeWb5
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoClUuePpj8
We spend two hours here—then we leave.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4htSoITL5e
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOGKlmWo4J
If you find something, report it immediately.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt66N2BMYD2
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?34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNozS8Y54tD
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqa1ByulZs
but so are other demons and angels.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPkw3rKcgs
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.)34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RjPHChrsK
