Chapter 264
Ordinarily, and also in the case of Ebel Queen Maker, angels represent the forces of good. Good originally means kindness, and that generally implies not deceiving others or causing them harm without reason.
However, these so-called angels…
“Not a single bit of that seems to apply here.”
Camuel suddenly changed his stance and struck from behind for reasons even Nahun couldn’t understand. The only thing certain was that avoiding the fight was now impossible.
“…If I fight Camuel here and win, there will undoubtedly be consequences.”
Though slightly worried, Nahun was currently in mortal danger. Nahun gazed upward at Camuel. Despite striking from behind earlier, Camuel had inexplicably not followed up with further attacks since then.
“…He’s doing nothing.”
“Something…feels off.”
Ersha seemed to share the same feeling. The previous attack was undoubtedly executed with full intent, yet now it was eerily quiet, which was quite strange. If he had attacked with such determination while breaking a pact, it would make sense for him to keep pressing the advantage.
“…”
Nahun narrowed his eyes and focused on Camuel. The two other angels nearby seemed just as perplexed by the situation.
“Let’s see what happens if we wait.”
“What?”
“We’ll wait to see if he attacks again. If he doesn’t….”
That would mean the previous attack was caused by some external factor. Nahun kept his sword at the ready and, together with Ersha, stepped forward toward the portal again.
“…Master Camuel, they’re leaving.”
Barakiel reported this, but Camuel had already seen it. Almost compelled into attacking Nahun against his own will, Camuel now realized something else. He let out a silent sigh of relief as he reflected on the strange occurrence that had just happened to him.
‘That voice—without a doubt, it was Metatron’s.’
[Camuel, you must not fail to eliminate it.]
Yes, exactly like before. The voice of Metatron echoed again in his mind.
“…What… What are you scheming…?”
“Master Camuel, what’s wrong!?”
Since Barakiel and Ramiel couldn’t hear the voice, it was clear that Metatron was addressing only Camuel. The voice was so commanding that it felt like a divine revelation, causing Camuel’s body to involuntarily act against his will.
[Hurry, vanquish the evil. With your strength, you can do it.]
But this made no sense. Though Metatron garners reverence as a celestial figure among humans, she isn’t actually a deity but just another Archangel. While humans may call her powers divine, they are in fact merely the powers of an Archangel.
It should therefore be absolutely impossible for her, at the same rank, to impose such a compulsion on another Archangel.
“Damn it, Barakiel! Take Muspelheim from me!”
“…Understood.”
Barakiel made a move to grab Camuel’s axe, Muspelheim, but it was already too late. Once again, a holy flame blazed without Camuel’s consent.
“Grgh, Master Camuel…!”
Even Barakiel couldn’t touch the axe engulfed in holy fire. Against his will, Camuel’s body raised the axe once more.
“Damn it.”
With a tersely muttered curse, the holy flames of Muspelheim erupted again.
KWAHAAAAAAAANG!!!
The flames struck the ground once more. Only after breaking the pact and unleashing the axe could Camuel regain control of his body. However, his flames had already scorched the earth fiercely.
“There’s nothing ordinary about any of this, but… there are too many questions, so…”
Nevertheless, the flames of Camuel appeared to have no effect on Nahun, who remained unscathed. With his demon sword, Nahun had effortlessly blocked the flames again. Raising his head, he looked skyward.
“I’ve gotten the clear message that you no longer intend to uphold our contract.”
Nahun turned to Ersha.
“Go back.”
“Nahun-sama, it would be better to retreat with me. Though I don’t know why, Master Camuel has hesitated to continue his offense. There’s time!”
Ersha judged that avoiding a fight was the best course of action. Even if Nahun were strong, they were in the Human Realm, weakened further by the prohibitions placed on his powers.
Yet Nahun seemed to have made a different judgment, despite being fully aware of the same facts as Ersha, and chose a different path.
“That’s an order. Retreat now.”
Nahun flipped his demon sword.
Instantly,
KUHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAGA!!!
An immense torrent of mana began to swirl. A ferocious crimson mana swirled with immense power, and the sheer force made Ersha widen her eyes in shock.
“Nahun-sama, that power…”
Ever since the restrictions were partially lifted after the Heavenly Horse Tournament, the amount of usable mana had increased, albeit slightly. Even though there were some restrictions, every adversary Nahun faced was powerful.
In combating them, Nahun “grew” each time. Much like Sitri, who grew stronger even while sealed, Nahun had also honed his mana handling skills through countless battles to grow stronger.
Even if not at the level of when the restrictions were completely removed…
“Return with peace of mind.”
He had no doubt grown stronger since meeting Seere for the first time. Nahun stepped forward.
“I’ll deal with this properly and follow.”
“…Please be careful.”
“Yes.”
When Ersha retreated as ordered, Nahun’s eyes changed. All traces of warmth were gone, replaced instead with the sharp, calculating gaze of a true supreme leader.
KUHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAHAGAGA!!!
The ground trembled.
The air shook, and fierce winds howled.
All of these phenomena were caused simply by the concentrated accumulation of mana. Simply being nearby caused an oppressive force that made moving difficult. That’s how massive the mana had become.
Unsurprisingly, Camuel and the other angels witnessed it all. Camuel, weakened by the penalty of breaking the pact, could feel the divine energy in his body returning. The penalty wasn’t lifted, but the Tree of Sephirot had partially removed his restrictions. It determined that Nahun, even under restriction, posed a threat to the world.
Realizing this, Camuel let out a hollow laugh.
“To possess such power even under restriction. I can finally comprehend it now…”
Who was standing before his very eyes.
“Is this truly the power that epitomizes Hell?”
#
The situation can’t be reversed now. Due to Metatron’s mysterious schemes, he had attacked Nahun twice. Even one time might have been excusable, but there was no reason why Nahun would overlook this happening twice.
“…Barakiel, Ramiel, I’m sorry.”
“Master Camuel…”
“Whatever…is going on?”
“It seems like it’s too late to fix it. We’ll have to fight.”
Camuel gripped Muspelheim, this time out of his own volition. Regardless of what happens after he returns, this situation demands resolution.
“This could have been resolved peacefully, but it appears we’ve come to this point.”
The power before him was undeniably formidable. Even if Camuel was powerful, as long as the tree did not fully lift the restrictions, the power was too great to ignore. However, it was also true that some restrictions were now lifted.
“Thus, I was curious anyway…”
Camuel was rational and pragmatic. Given his personality that prioritized amicability when advantageous, he preferred avoiding unnecessary battles. However, when a battle was deemed necessary, he approached it with fierce determination.
“Even in the Demon World, you overcame Michael with that strength.”
A sacred flame shot out from the axe blade, engulfing the axe in its entirety.
“Thus, I should directly experience it.”
The distance between Nahun and Camuel was vast—Nahun heading toward the portal while Camuel hovered in the sky. However, for these two unmatched warriors, such distances were meaningless.
The Archangel raised his axe. The Demon flipped his blade back to its proper stance.
The axe shrouded in holy flames and the blade charged with mana that seemed ready to devour everything.
“Sanctify.”
“Execution.”
The sword swept with enough mana to consume everything.
“Blaze of the stars.”
「 Flare 」
“Enforce Justice.”
『 Carnĭficátor 』
They swung simultaneously.
KUHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA─────────!!
Even Ersha heading toward the portal and Ramiel beside Camuel gasped at the sheer magnitude of the collision. The clash shook the entire land and resonated through the air.
The explosion above them from the collision of Camuel’s flames and Nahun’s mana was massive. The light from the explosion reflected off the smoke, making it appear as if the sun had risen in the sky.
Not only the civilians of the Holy Kingdom affected by Camuel’s flames, but also foreign nationals like the Bismarck Empire rushed outside to witness the spectacle.
“What…is that…?”
“…Is that the sun?”
In the sky, where Camuel’s flames clashed with Nahun’s mana, a massive explosion occurred. The explosion’s light reflected against the smoke, making it appear unnervingly bright like the sun.
Not only ordinary people but the leaders of various nations watched the situation with serious concern. Pope Sernius III of the Holy Kingdom, the lords of the Northern Alliance, and even rulers of minor nations were paying close attention. And then…
“…What kind of chaos is this on human land?”
Charlotte von Bismarck was also present.
