The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3FfFKEHgb
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD7ypP76Bx
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj8hsJIpYt
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkxIq449J2
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5HL7L7sOP
This was something new.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGTh8eTLUe
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbQ2QPOVZX
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpONFKne52
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvSW5cIEMi
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSNINZtxui
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—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr54iGLZ5aO
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qhH4EdmD7
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—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX55XHU6stA
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhCCzygRNb
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLzkKzyvdA
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C8NFQsqMk
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsW1IzMHAq
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnWGfLPKE8
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5zByf5O4y
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhus2riWDdN
But don’t confuse them with what others have.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRoM2T4C8D
They follow similar rules—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkKi4UtqwG
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmKgfB3aU7
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3TYjVE7gV
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGMRaTtBjh
In those cases, their soul crosses over—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsGN8V34Ui
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBeesMm3Hr
"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—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ1eHKRrUC
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmFLkLPvwg
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj1AhUqXyp
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYNLCnaFgS
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4P1XP9hga
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB9NFN4O7v
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoRDBNAWGN
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy2BiSRchi
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSbk7erIU1
Not physically—mentally.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4UCl2IBks
Most of the people here passed that test.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cUZBAUYjP
That’s why we’re even here—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV57ovshvic
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6CZjmcRfr
We saw the lie.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuj7O3u7R4
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip6nZkwImq
There’s only one problem:10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgZ4QixfP2
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xC4qy3XTh
but this fight won’t be easy.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8UIjSHEbr
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e6NL6rXnY
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN0DPs4Se5
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqVL2qbLko
Then let’s move. President, take your people.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX228HNenY
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRz5XW9n87
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwgFXACm0h
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69nElAwrXg
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFGYNffOwD
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSG7fp1Mkm
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncJZ2T8t9W
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdp006ucUo
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gynzhEE70
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxav219K9YR
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J97TMyNAv
We spend two hours here—then we leave.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hF3IkEiAa
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUP8cd1qox
If you find something, report it immediately.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsw0ovskNA
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?10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgDUdn7m9u
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YOgvItABc
but so are other demons and angels.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDyI4phpEh
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.)10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXRE1BuhcS
