The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWPdKTbt3t
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMbQcYM3Jm
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPZHXDncdz
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiLyZGbVmy
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXJEfYhH6q
This was something new.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfcmsCeIGB
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk5TbZmcj5
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYHtkxTRr1
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzin7hWxDBq
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMAS8I6Vlb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTGdRgZ9c8
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13FW6DNwcR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJinC29BICS
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrBxwaRsqs
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG58MAYMnDd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Yo10fmg9
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CmYywV4yj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8CxehyM6P
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd2HGBVvlx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHNEZrO7T2
But don’t confuse them with what others have.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gcKr9ijAV
They follow similar rules—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0hsT1TXjd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmC5OnlNjY
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8how5YHTG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyhP3vKCa8
In those cases, their soul crosses over—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZGBAbsCyr
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeDYBzP7wp
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECyNRLIZVm
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAshwaVJYh
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvuL6we1X7
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KYEJ2ZFqq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQcmcKOgnS
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdScZmI8XS
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3VZNvjqlj
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJcVdcobMX
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97lAu92LiN
Not physically—mentally.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJjQDXu5BM
Most of the people here passed that test.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizFf7kyQdp
That’s why we’re even here—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kt7lH6iJT
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfVCo8WkcO
We saw the lie.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtalN7cZryI
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI6KRIefQ2
There’s only one problem:16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYGKXLLuT8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49DL8wScjW
but this fight won’t be easy.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbQn317gSD
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnKvWJyCIp
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3TsHBaR4Y
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOtxqveOgv
Then let’s move. President, take your people.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWryDQHdS5K
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sRzjL1aG7
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqhsM2lsuR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9tHMsMZlb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwfbw7yXMs
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb6s6UjyDU
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUMInIBvtT
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqcaa4DJdL
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSa9MWa2mS
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY5JrzYch1
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvbYiQcfFv
We spend two hours here—then we leave.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaYaXDORS0
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2fAg0Vjhr
If you find something, report it immediately.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aOcrONqfT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn39oeFZ4wh
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmpGFLtevF
but so are other demons and angels.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDTlbMHEHZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NECbi98Ve
