"What's happening?! What's going on?!"
"The barrier's been destroyed!"
It was like dropping a deep-water bomb into a mirror-smooth lake—the mont the Holy barrier shattered, its magical backlash threw the entire church into chaos.
On the platform at the front of the sanctuary, a blonde, twin-tailed loli nearly lost her footing as the sudden tremor made her stumble. She had to flare her black wings midair to avoid smashing her face against the steps.
From behind the Roman columns flanking each side of the platform, two figures stepped out simultaneously, blocking the aisle that led straight to the church's main doors. Both took up defensive stances, clearly on high alert.
In front was a tall, coat-wearing man with a bowler hat—evoking so odd cross of a steampunk cleric, though his dark, feathery wings left no doubt about his identity as a Fallen Angel.
"This is crazy… We're on Holy ground, protected by God's blessing. Is the Gremory girl looking to spark another war?!"
"Who knows. And it might not even be her. Besides, what reason would they have for starting a fight with us?"
Behind him, another Fallen Angel—a Blue-haired, Busty woman—looked just as rattled.
It was obvious these Fallen Angels had co to seize territory. But… they'd hardly done anything yet.
They even had a ticulous long-term plan: first, let that maniac Freed—the ex-priest—eliminate any normal humans who'd been seduced into devil-worship by the Gremory family. Next, they'd spread the Fallen Angels' doctrine and draw power from the new converts' faith. That was only step one—started today.
And now, re hours in, was Gremory already sending an army to attack them?
This was like trying to set up a chessboard in the park, only to have scalding tea thrown in your face before you even placed a single piece.
Kalawarna silently cursed in her mind.
Just then, the big Fallen Angel man—Dohnaseek—abruptly spun around, looking up at the twin-tailed loli who was still hovering in midair.
"Mittelt! Where's Raynare?!"
"Uh… I think Raynare-nee headed out to check Freed's progress."
Still clueless, the small blonde Fallen Angel, Mittelt, tapped a finger to her lips thoughtfully.
"After all, we all know Freed's ntal state. Once he starts 'working,' it's like he loses himself entirely. And he also took that Saint Girl with him—if we're not careful, she might run off, which would be so not fun…"
She didn't finish.
An instant later, an urgent voice—familiar to them—rang out from above the church. It quaked with fear.
"Kalawarna! Dohnaseek! Stop that boy! Mittelt, co with —we have to begin the ritual imdiately!"
"Huh?"
Mittelt blinked, looking up, and the next second, a loud crash broke open part of the church roof.
A black-haired Fallen Angel woman in a revealing outfit—covering only the essentials—ca plunging through, practically crash-landing. She was clutching Asia beneath one arm, skidding and flapping her wings to brake.
"R-Raynare-nee, are you okay?!"
Mittelt panicked at the sight of her seemingly invincible big sister returning in such a bedraggled state. She had always believed Raynare's combat power to be first-rate among them. Even without God's blessing, Raynare could conjure light spears lethal enough to grievously wound mid-level devils and easily slaughter lower-tier ones.
In their group, Raynare was definitely the top fighter—right behind any actual Fallen Angel officers.
Yet she'd co back, battered and breathless, sothing Mittelt could scarcely imagine.
"I'm fine," Raynare spat, gasping for air, wiping her face with the back of her hand. She gestured at Kalawarna and Dohnaseek behind her.
"But that guy is in pursuit—I only just managed to get back. You two—go outside and stall him. Don't risk your lives; just hold him off until I finish the ritual. Then we can all gang up and destroy him!"
Just thinking about the boy she'd t outside that house made Raynare break into a cold sweat.
It was terrifying…
At first, she'd figured that as a Fallen Angel, she could easily scoop Asia up and flee into the sky, where so powerless human with no special wings or flight gear could never catch her. Yet the next thing she knew, the boy had attacked from long range, 'Shattering' the Holy barrier around the church in an instant.
Fortunately, her airborne path had been too unstable from the wind currents overhead, so she narrowly dodged what might have been a crippling hit.
Since when were humans capable of that?
It felt impossible, but the evidence was right in front of her eyes. There was no denying it.
All she could do now was start the ritual at once, forcibly transplant Asia's Sacred Gear into herself. If Asia died in the process, well… so much the better. They'd lose one "Saint," but Raynare would gain the power to heal anything. She would beco the new "saint" of the Fallen Angel faith.
"Understood,"
"Got it!"
The two Fallen Angels answered in near unison. Dark purple energy flared around them. With their crow-black wings unfurled, they prepared to rise into the air.
However—
"You won't need to look for . I'm right here."
A calm, youthful voice sounded out of nowhere within the church, freezing the pair in place—both nacing powers ready to launch, now forcibly halted.
An imnse, invisible pressure flooded the space, locking every occupant in fearful stillness.
Raynare felt cold sweat running down her forehead; she knew full well whose aura this was.
He was inside the church.
Among them.
Behind her...
Asia—tucked under the Fallen Angel's arm like a small, trembling piglet—lifted her tear-stained face. Her voice ca as little more than a whisper:
"Bokue-san…"
Standing in the middle of four Fallen Angels, Bokue Keikain remained perfectly poised. The bright golden aura from before was gone now, as if a sword's edge had been sheathed. Pale moonlight filtered through the damaged ceiling, lending a silver sheen to his shoulders as he lowered his head slightly.
"You told to save you, Asia. So here I am."
❁❁❁❁
Update Schedule: 21 Chapter/week.
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
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