The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7KGrDQdNQ
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3VVyOeJEY
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUXQvTbNBC
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SH9qjbCbh
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUUtu0qfWI
This was something new.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4Tjt9b4Ff
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCc0GqS348
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GReSlGqix
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfYceukKAp
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaicXzrHCS
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—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRhPmbA5Dp
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCjyjwLVYX
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—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNIojkfws7
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8L3vdcuHY
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKVFfAzQ3m
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTEsnXz97f
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcSVavpzIx
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByjXpLU94h
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PkxswW3SR
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tKL3WOkat
But don’t confuse them with what others have.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQXuuIlart
They follow similar rules—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wm6N4sUof
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhwBza21IB
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBYOrucvVD
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT1cw7fVPM
In those cases, their soul crosses over—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuMkA6985m
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZyUx8Ujri
"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—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcciiCUsYUl
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTdG37DLPF
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p7e1hFeU1
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWnhbHBKBV
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuQb8HhRLz
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JsNE6CpXl
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQn1hCy8bB
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6NhZndULI
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXWnadHUT5
Not physically—mentally.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkLeCAJiJh
Most of the people here passed that test.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwsRCQH48V
That’s why we’re even here—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIS1hbC8VA
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQBiV7AlPg
We saw the lie.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtXUqnKqqf
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5wHpN6cUf
There’s only one problem:16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfriTkKndSa
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjynit9c1P
but this fight won’t be easy.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulx7BxugSs
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpEEETlHOb
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytqvw10S66
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXAxsuHxUy
Then let’s move. President, take your people.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwanIm6lni8
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJDd4HYPrh
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAnhXDkjr5
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ543bFBMVH6
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.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sQ71QZZf
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ue9z1crKW
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxswN6jdxd
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IlCHRG5rH
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7YprGjhlv
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNRknndu5A
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXQrUM1DBZ
We spend two hours here—then we leave.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDrvv8fs2T
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPXTs8b0jk
If you find something, report it immediately.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaNoVbh0GP
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?16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzNJcsBapY
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEcbXZq4Z0
but so are other demons and angels.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslTnXGNvy8
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.)16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGSqqURKN8
