Chapter 166

The angel has left. And also, gave an answer.

Finally, I saw the answer to what I must do. What the angel said is correct. If the Demon King is not dealt with, no matter how much effort is put in, similar events will just repeat.

Whether through persuasion or force, by any means, I must bring an end to him. Otherwise, even if the Death God is defeated, similar problems will just arise again.

Just like how after barely dealing with the Phoenix, a Death God named Modrig appeared, if I keep cleaning up the messes the Demon King causes everywhere, there will be no end to it.

“Good heavens, an angel? An angel? Was what we just saw really an angel? That was…”

If the Lord had intended to solve it, He probably wouldn’t have needed to step in directly. He could have easily sent any angel to handle it.

But He didn’t. He is simply watching the tyranny the Demon King spreads. It means we must solve our own problems.

That must be because there is a possibility for us to defeat the Demon King.

“That’s… not an angel…”

Looking back, everyone was greatly shocked. Some even lost strength in their legs and collapsed.

Still, Roka and the Princess, who had seen the Night Angel directly, weren’t too surprised. They were relatively calm compared to others. But the others, no matter how high their level, were greatly astonished.

“That, that, that, so…”

Lady Kisea stuttered several times. The dragon within the Dragon’s Sword remained silent, but a flustered expression could be seen even here. Among them, the two Archbishops were almost unable to regain their composure. Even their gazes at me were filled with fear.

“You, what… exactly do you serve…?”

It was fear mixed with various meanings. That fear didn’t seem to belong solely to that person. Beyond those amber eyes, a higher existence seemed to be trembling. A woman who wasn’t even aware she was trembling was visible.

But something felt off. It might have been a delusion, but that person seemed to have changed somehow.

Soon, I realized. She had become younger. Already overflowing with Divine Power, she looked younger than her age, so it took me a while to notice.

Looking around, the change became even more apparent. Those who had been older due to their high positions had regained some of their youth.

“This is…”

The Princess and Lady Kisea, along with the Masters, were the first to notice the change. The Princess, who had been touching her body, made a shocked expression.

“This is like when I ate the Firefly Meringue…”

“My body feels better somehow.”

Lady Kisea plucked a hair from her tail and quietly glared at it. The plucked hair gleamed smoothly. Beside her, Roka channeled magical power into her magic circuit and nodded. It was certain that their bodies had been reconstructed.

“Good heavens. My hair grew back. This is a miracle!”

One of the Archbishops touched his head and shouted, despite the solemn occasion. When everyone’s gaze turned to him, he awkwardly quieted down.

Still, the astonished gazes didn’t leave his head. I didn’t know him, but it seemed he was famous for being bald.

Yes. One of the angels serving the Lord.

The Light Angel can be anywhere and go anywhere.

That the angel flickered means it decomposed itself into infinite possibilities, and possibilities can extend anywhere. Choosing one of those possibilities to reassemble itself is the angel’s method of movement.

It was this method that inspired the creation of the Firefly Meringue, wasn’t it? I’m still lacking in skill and need the fruit as a medium, but the angel naturally has no need for that.

Simply by bathing in the light it emitted, it brought effects greater than consuming the Firefly Meringue. Even Roka and the Princess, who had already eaten the meringue, felt the effects. The angel had directly bestowed grace upon those gathered here. However, there is one downside.

Though extremely minor, those who bathed in this light will no longer be affected by the Firefly Meringue. They’ve already swallowed a stronger light.

In a sense, the Firefly Meringue is an imitation of the domain the angel oversees. It’s only natural that its effects are weaker than the original.

[Me…?]

Unfortunately, it seems the grace was limited to humans.

The angel wouldn’t have carelessly excluded anyone, so it must have been intentional. Why that was, I don’t know, but the result was clear. Azahadaka remained unchanged.

[Are you discriminating against dragons? This is so sad, I can’t live like this. Even the priests discriminate, and now even the angels?]

Indeed. Why was he excluded?

Perhaps the angel thought the dragon shouldn’t have a body yet?

“Fascinating. I didn’t think I’d see further progress at this level.”

“That’s not it. It’s just that my body feels better. If you’re talking about true progress in level, there needs to be enlightenment. It’s just that my body is stronger, so my power is stronger too.”

Master Geher and an unnamed old man whispered to each other. Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. Turning around, a person whose image was now clearly visible clasped their hands together and slightly bowed to me.

“For the first time in my life, I saw light. Not a solid, not a liquid, not a gas, but something I only knew through words. Today, I finally saw it. Light is more beautiful than I thought.”

Even to the blind, the angel’s form was visible.

And when the angel left, their sight was restored.

“And when leaving, the angel gave me eyes. Showed me light. Now I can see. Please convey my gratitude to the one you serve.”

Master Xerox said that. I nodded.

Whether the one above will be pleased to hear this gratitude or not, I don’t know, but since the request was made, it’s my duty to deliver it. The duty of a priest who mediates between gods and humans.

“Since the angel personally came and gave instructions, you’ll likely have to head to the Arctic. It can’t be helped. There must be a reason. We’ll work with the temple to somehow stop the Death God.”

His Majesty spoke with a somewhat regretful expression. He probably hoped I’d lend a hand in stopping the Death God.

“Archbishop Halonen. What do you think? Let’s discuss… Archbishop Halonen?”

But the two representatives from the temple were currently in a daze. There was no reason for it.

Perhaps something happened over there? It’s certain that the three goddesses are watching this place through their eyes.

*****

A hand, too white to be human, gently strokes a pale cheek. Shiver. The spirit trembles without realizing it. A whisper is heard in the ear.

“Do not fear, mortal. I have not come to take your life.”

The voice was kind, warm like a grandmother telling a story to her granddaughter.

But that’s not the issue. It was impossible to tell where it was coming from.

Above? Below? Front? Back? Left? Right? Maybe all directions. To that being, inside and outside have no meaning.

Countless white hands reach out, stroking the entire body. The faceless one at the center of those arms whispers softly.

“I came only to tell you not to fear. He gives everyone a chance. There is nothing to fear. The deep, unfathomable will of God always moves towards the right answer.”

If you looked at the face, something might have been visible. But trying to recall, nothing comes to mind. No one knows what the faceless angel’s face looks like.

The three goddesses were bewildered. They were afraid of this being who suddenly appeared in their secret meeting place. But they dared not resist.

The moment they thought of resisting, they forgot they even had such thoughts. They fell into a deep, deep oblivion.

“Do not worry. The Lord has no intention of taking away your faith. Hope shines best when it comes from within. Seeking it outside is when something goes wrong. He desires no one to worship Him.”

They could only quietly listen to the whispers.

“But the Lord loves you and has set aside that belief. You worry about the battle before you, but what you truly should worry about lies far beyond. But do not worry. This too shall pass.”

The sun. A blazing sun was visible.

The three goddesses all opened their eyes wide and stared at the huge sun. Something was crawling on the sun. It looked like a large sphere, or perhaps a small star.

But one thing was certain.

That thing is alive. No,

Those things are alive.