The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaOwKfLBze
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNKft85mVl
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3xLCLDist
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRrllZHV0n
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufJZ7XDtaz
This was something new.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZKfwY0RXX
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0PbrXv1PT
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc8sITwuDk
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmTHZMc7GN
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGYjy3FpUi
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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmLoUJtTpE
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfkUPtZN1o
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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPaxsH9frD
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVmCzVmpl2
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGCafCQVLP
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8VyLBUigF
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUSxPkuNQ4
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi0wOCRHA1
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWPOZ8d4LT
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaOhBa5OrO
But don’t confuse them with what others have.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDpkdiiZDG
They follow similar rules—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqAS2rmzrg
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3GzhJaFo7
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZyrP3orfw
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7qHyU5bTc
In those cases, their soul crosses over—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRVw5czvod
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3TuZjPfDu
"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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjdms3lQCD
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM5VciIAiZ
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgF5BVLNby
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qLz2UAAfx
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP64ekQezQ
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAUICoPy7k
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4QjrLvVYN
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqQNU3u3y6
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G6PLtM5kZ
Not physically—mentally.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMmr3ZcWWO
Most of the people here passed that test.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRLE6hSphP
That’s why we’re even here—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3xfgdv2Pz
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9p1MJz7bp
We saw the lie.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4Ou0fNHhY
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcGIphnNdk
There’s only one problem:63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMne7ZNbps
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0HUVd1ZrK
but this fight won’t be easy.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN87ceo6cr
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqBBI4e7bz
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx8NPPkX4V
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdByuW879Fl
Then let’s move. President, take your people.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmquqOKL7S
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zC9AT6IBh
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sExXCyA5W
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4UC7zfBTv
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGQuypd1Im
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRziR7jYXf
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKWkoJjq6L
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tNOEu5JZi
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjfYRaK33F
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS29lXlNqT
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLdyMTGfQ1
We spend two hours here—then we leave.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz1NhpavyT
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUTK3IX4LV
If you find something, report it immediately.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEBU7rdN6j
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?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCTW27qLV6
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvawJquWjun
but so are other demons and angels.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pnWtTRsxz
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.)63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW6SXKwThJ
