The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepHoA6hqFA
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSi9JZ4V5W
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLunqfQ3rGV
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXNPvIkGKC
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN19zXQUW9O
This was something new.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5498tLS0M
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYkbDA5Iqu
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E9Mf9txld
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjmn3lDNA2
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslJK9XZcDC
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—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML91MqIx6w
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5QFd9MWMC
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—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNhXibEJxV
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlptYSt3mV6
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rBBHFkpTU
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrbWpo5TBt
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNePabtsxRf
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb8irs2Ek2
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wi3kY2TH9
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy6AwYI6y8
But don’t confuse them with what others have.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg1StjCUbi
They follow similar rules—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD2X4UtYx9
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gzabxs8eF
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlZ4QcDXqO
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM7f1pI8F3
In those cases, their soul crosses over—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkIc1QwcFU
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BUfh9FjeA
"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—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxoPD5epgr
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCNeKQUekT
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MxgeEA6Xf
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQwRE9LpvW
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujlhtXmfaY
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfehlUdTOba
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6lrkNK61c
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMVpgadYsa
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO10WYMQKSx
Not physically—mentally.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM7GMCjpVk
Most of the people here passed that test.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6VoZCA6Ab
That’s why we’re even here—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMdh45vnjb
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxGz7TENk3
We saw the lie.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZktv6aHAz
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kq3Wr0ahk
There’s only one problem:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QbaJLGzQQ
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY5a0JTjMh
but this fight won’t be easy.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGViUqiLq2
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQNVxgeuGd
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVOTa7Efpy
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmktLdEFPI
Then let’s move. President, take your people.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlTIMRWyRz
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUvyweGga3
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQFCbC3E0M
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHswPyGoGT3
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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYak7HVOcT
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa5QL9WRGC
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSspemWy1w
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI97WNRWxA
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkf6JslPPZ
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfe95W9rQc
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwaQLZb6p1
We spend two hours here—then we leave.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMADgP9wNM
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhSnQuiZHA
If you find something, report it immediately.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhvDIuweVs
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?11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJO12c6qWo
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkuwXo9GEK
but so are other demons and angels.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1245wbTRyB
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.)11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ThquroQWV
