Chapter 276 - Into the Fire (Patreon)

“I’m glad,” Paina approaches.

“How did you-”

Without her playing the tune, Master Mita likely wouldn't be able to return to normal or would suffer some side effects.

“I heard a voice, telling me to play the melody. She said it would help.”

To Paina’s reply, I look up to the ceiling that has been turned into a golden corridor between this realm and somewhere beyond. A silhouette with a pair of wings stood in the middle. Still too bright for the eyes but gradually becoming more visible.

The angel. He or she who has bestowed me a blessing. For the first time, I am about to meet the august presence. Angels are servants of Goddess Estelle and rarely descend into mortal realms but there have been records that they do so very occasionally, usually on matters of great importance to the world as a whole.

The Arte before, Purge Evil, came from the angel. I didn't know it before but in another moment the knowledge of the Arte was in my mind. This Arte's area of effect was huge, reaching the floors down below. Not to the very bottom, about a fifth? And it hit everyone. However, only those I deem enemies take damage. I felt that hundreds of enemies were banished.

It was holy affinity, different from my wood affinity or the life affinity that I dabbled in with Ixi Arte. The angel has… Wait, that's not important. What should I do? Should I not look at the angel? Surely the sight is not meant for mortals. Should I bow until I kiss the ground? Should I offer greetings and thanks? Aaah, I think too much and I can already see…

What?

I know that face.

“L-L-Leon!?”

Am I dreaming? My friend, who Viers killed… He’s…

Leon smiles. It is so nostalgic.

“I made a promise. Praise be to the Radiant Lady.”

I glance at Viers, who is as stupefied as I am but Leon doesn't seem to give mind to the one who killed him in the slightest.

“I’ll be by your side… Always.”

“Wait!”

I reach out my hand although I know it is useless. Leon doesn't wait -or can’t- and retreats back to the other side of the golden shining realm. When the majesty and holiness of the angel are no more, the ceiling returns to normal, not a stone out of place.

But there’s no need to despair. The warmth I feel in my heart is sign enough.

One day, we will meet again.

“I know it’s uncouth to interrupt but we really should retreat.”

Rachel’s voice brings me back to reality. Yes, it’s exactly as she says. Master Mita has been rescued, Jerrold is wounded, but we’re still in the middle of the enemy's territory.

Not to mention, the Level 5 Governor-King that even now hasn't made a move. Alvared still sits on his throne looking bored.

“What about the people taken into the Tower?”

“Those we met on the way, we’ve done all that we can,” Damon’s voice is laced with regret.

“Then we retreat. Goddess willing, we’ll be picking many those we missed,” Ciel says.

“Guess it’s too convenient to defeat the head honcho and everyone return to normal, huh?” Bryan exhales in frustration.

The consensus is to retreat, I agree but we all have one unsaid question: would the enemy let them?

“Mwuahahahaha! Mhmhahahaha… Leaving so soon?”

The voice amplifies the dread created by the ominous laugh. An otherworldly presence envelops us once more. Leon’s was majestic and holy, this other… is sinister and bloodthirsty.

A wooden totem with a face takes flight from Alvared’s side and floats at the center of the humongous throne room.

“Well done, meddlers. Thanks to all of you, especially the angel-bringer. You all have done me a great service.”

…Oh no.

Viers makes a sound of realization.

“Your aim was the angel all along. Jerrold is your creature. The theatrics, the Magitek Wonder, the ramblings, are all to push Rose to be able to summon angel’s might!”

What?

“You’ve sharp mind, little human. Exactly.”

The voice came from the totem. It begins emitting waves of unpleasant mana. I recognize this. It is the same unpleasantness of the Valkut barrier only a thousand times more potent. It feels like I’m breathing in fetid air. However, something else is more urgent. I see a portal being created.

“Rachel-” Damon urges.

“Something is trying to cross over!” Rachel says in a hurry. “Oh my Goddess… Whoever it is, they’re above Level 5!”

Above Level 5, the words strike fear into our hearts. Even Level 5 is out of our league, above that? We’re less than dust to such a being.

“What? How can it be!? Creatures above Level 5 shouldn't be able to come through the dimension barrier of the Radiant Lady! Wait, don't tell me-”

“Yes,” Wendy clears Bryan’s doubt. “Angels are above Level 5 too. He must be making use of the hole the angel created.”

‘Hole’ is a gross oversimplification but there’s no time for the specifics.

So I’ve been dancing to their tune all along… Goddess forgive me.

“And here I thought Jerrold just loves to hear his own voice,” Viers speaks in a calm manner. How? What makes him able to maintain his composure in all of this? “Is it correct to assume you are the fae lord in Jerrold’s stories? How may I address you, great one?”

“Khuhuhuhu… I like your style, double-faced human. Hark, and behold! I was once known as Reedglade. Now, I'm Foulfae. Marquess of the Unseelie Autumn Court! The hour of my descent is nigh!”

His voice shakes our very Intio to the point of almost breaking. Not only me and my Level 3 friends, but even the Level 4 elf siblings are also forced to stabilize their inner foundation lest they fracture. His true body hasn't crossed the portal yet and already we’re buckling under the weight of his presence.

Foulfae… the name of the swamp that we visited before to get medicine for Ciel. Was the place called Reedglade in the past? At any rate, Foulfae is hostile to us and doesn't even have the slightest intention of hiding it.

“My dear friends, I believe we should run for our lives now.”

Conn agrees to Viers’ suggestion immediately and while no other speaks it out loud, none disagree.

The portal churns and thrums.

“Human king, bestow them a peaceful death in my stead. Kill the double-faced boy last, because he amuses me. Who knows, he may writhe most delightfully.”

After I turn to the exit, I see death in the form of a man. Alvared’s brown eyes look straight at me.

“Do not order me, fae… You’re the biggest variable,” he says, turning the arrows let loose by Delimira and Kailu into dust without any gesture. “Angel’s power might be vast but it is still constrained by rules. You’ve spent your miracle wrongly.”

A finger touches my forehead and so I feel death is inevitable.

Ahh, so this is it. And it had been going so well… I know Leon’s help does not make me invincible. I just hope we continue to do the right thing and laugh about it during dinner with everyone. The Goddess is already very benevolent for giving me a miracle, hoping for a second is just downright ungrateful.

I’m sorry, everyone. I’ve failed you.

Death came… and got averted.

“Kyaah!?”

A gust of wind protected me. So mighty as if a typhoon at its peak suddenly teleported into this room. I hug Master Mita tightly.

“It’s your miracle that has run out. Your evil ways shan’t continue a day longer.”

The voice makes me think of a spring breeze.

The owner of the voice is walking towards us, quartz flakes fall down as she does. The old woman dressed like a beggar, playing a musical instrument, in the streets of Valkut. Viers suspected she was a Level 5 and he is now proven right.

The old woman is no longer that, revealing her true form. The dirty rags change into white and red robes of the highest standard. The gray hair returns silky jet black. The wrinkles disappear and although her eyes are covered with black cloth, I don't doubt that she is a beautiful woman through and through.

“Y-you’re-!”

“Your Eminence!”

The senior legionaries bend the knee before her, for the woman is wearing the cloth of a Cardinal.

One of four, welding authority second only to the Popess. They each oversee Church matters in each of the four great territories of the Human Dominion.

The Harkelan Empire in the northwest. The Latias Kingdom in the northeast. The Zetel Sultanate in the southwest.

And the Free People Coalition in the southeast. Our Cardinal is easy to recognize because she’s blind.

“Cardinal Judith Tanaquil…”

“Rise, all of you,” the Cardinal smiles. “You all have done well, pride of the Silver Legion. Friends of the forest, my utmost gratitude. Of course, the two of you as well… Or is it more? Apologies, I don't mean to pry.”

She turned to Paina and Viers for the later part. More? What does she mean?

Then she faces me, or more accurately, Master Mita who was sleeping in my arms.

“What a peaceful, sleeping face this disciple of mine makes,” she chuckles.

Rumors are she uses the very air around us to sense the surroundings. Even though she cannot see with her eyes, it doesn't hamper her ‘sight’. Wait, disciple? Master Mita never said anything about that.

“That voice… It was you who instructed me to play the flute earlier,” Paina says.

So it was her.

“The angel’s descent gave me the opening needed to break free of my seal. Now go, disciple of my disciple and companions. Unfortunately, my opponent is not something I can take while protecting you.”

“B-but what about the fae?” I ask.

“Steps are being taken. Your sole concern is to protect yourself until this is over. Beware. I fear this will not be an easy task.”

“Got it, we’re getting out. Good luck, Cardinal. Guys, hurry up!”

Viers dashes first to the exit, pulling Paina’s hand as he does. It’s rude but considering the circumstances, I can't blame him too much.

“T-thank you!” I shout to her before exiting the throne room.

“May the Radiant Lady light your way.”

Cardinal Judith replies with a customary Church phrase. She and Governor-King Alvared are emitting a massive amount of Victa, tensely facing each other.

“We’re past due a round of killing each other, don't you think, sister?” Alvared says.

“...This gives me no pleasure, little brother.”

It seems the matter is also personal to Cardinal Judith. We are in the middle of running down the stairs before hearing Marquess Foulfae’s sigh.

“Ohhh, humans. Why do I even bother… Rise, Jerrold. I still have use for you. The angel's done quite a number on you but it can be arranged.”

Damon doesn't need to tell us to run faster before we pick up the pace even more.

Without warning, a portal the size of a small window appears beside me. A bug-hybrid fae’s head wriggles in and chokes my neck with its slimy black tongue.

Delimira the elf cuts the tongue almost immediately using her long knife but the crisis has just begun. My blood freezes, seeing hundreds of portals of various sizes blooming all around us.

“Hmph, those that can cross immediately are Level 3 and below. Still, five thousand Level 3 fae should be enough. Execute my will, children.”

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.