As if he was walking in a park together with the Demon Nobles, the Emperor sauntered his way towards the Angels possessing the bodies of his knights. There were no quakes, flames, and bolts of lightning that we're able to impede his advance.
Upon reaching an appropriate distance for a conversation from his objectives, he bowed his head to show some respect to the superior beings. Ten meters apart within a raging thunderstorm and a sea of fire, it was expected that the two parties would have a hard time understanding each other. However, there were no such things as deterrents for the actors who were extraordinary themselves.
"The one afore your existences is the ruler of Seraphiel Empire, Hector Atticus Seraphiel. I gladly receive the entirety of your omnipresence in this world."
Once he was done with his greetings, three pairs of eyes locked in on him, and never in his life did he felt such malice of utmost purity. Like a garbage bag in the middle of a murder of starving crows, it was a genuinely unpleasant sensation for the Emperor to be looked down upon.
"OOOO OOOO OO OO OOOOOOO OO"
Right after one Angel opened its mouth, uttering a sort of spell that the Emperor did not harken, the booming sound of a gong being hit twelve times detonated in the area. All at once, everything ceased from moving - It was as if time had stopped itself, save for the space where the Angels and Atticus were standing.
The latter did not exactly know what was happening. Nevertheless, the Emperor concluded that neither his nor his knights' lives were in danger. Thus, he awaited the angels' actions with patience and anticipation.
"To inform you about this phenomenon, mortal, time."
"The fourth dimension which contains time."
"We have closed it."
Voices that transcended worlds, and were too ambiguous to be classified into any species, began to reverberate the still space. He might not have shown it, but the monarch felt aghast at the newly uncovered mystery.
'Closing a dimension? The dimensions that serve as gears that represent the universe's function? I might have underestimated the Angels' capabilities a tad.' As he contemplated on the circumstance, a smile crept up on the Emperor's previously aloof countenance.
'This has proven to be a worthwhile attempt.'
"Revered guardians of the Deities, I am aware that it is not to your liking that we have summoned you in this measly realm."
Thereafter saying his statement, the Angels gave the man a questioning glance. The sharp glints on their golden orbs and the slight scowl on their faces perfectly conveyed how disgruntled they were.
"If you were aware, why did you even do it?"
"We are not your servants who will act upon your convenience."
"This will not be forgiven."
Regrettably for them, Atticus did not mind their rumblings and simply went ahead with his main intention.
"What is the promised time?" He queried, receptive of the sensitivity of the inquiry.
When they heard his question, the grimaces on the visages of Haamiah, Rochel, and Veualiah turned even deeper. They did not expect for the human to bring up an impressionable topic for discussion despite being in the wrong.
In that instant, Veualiah recalled a report apropos to Ierathel and Rehael's experience with the summoning through their invocatory verses.
'Those two are to blame for this. Who would have thought that they would talk in connection with the promised time to these mortals.' The Angel complained in its mind as it observed the human who was putting them on the spot.
"Mortal, do not be impudent. Know your limits."
"We will take our leave with the demon nobles under our accountability."
"Isn't that your purpose for requesting our presence?"
Although he knew that too much effrontery was not pertinent in this situation, the Emperor's curiosity got the best of him.
"I read it once, in a scripture that I happen to find on a certain island. The promised time is an ar-"
Withal, even before he could finish, the Angels intervened in his speech.
"Cease your reverie of ably procuring clarifications from us."
"Who are you?"
"And what is it that you desire?"
Arrogance thought it might be, the Emperor simply shrugged his shoulders and did not utter a word of response to their queries. Hence, the Angels took that as a sign of petty tenacity.
"This is taking too long. We are warning you for the last time."
"We will take Decarabia, Halphas, and Sabnock into custody."
"This world will return to normal once we depart. In return, you will not pronounce any knowledge you have of us."
The monarch inwardly clicked his tongue after the disappointing turn of events. At the least, he wanted to earn something out of this reckless move of his.
"Then, if you will not allow us to summon the other angels, how will we defeat the Demon Nobles that will be visiting us in the future? They're supposed to be your responsibilities, yet they're running around, wreaking havoc in other realms. Are the Angels that lenient or is it because you don't have the power to contain the demons anymore?"
His statement was no less than a reproach, but more of a challenge. The man was attempting to test up to what extent could the Angels tolerate his unequivocal manner of speaking. Fortunately, or rather regrettably, for him, the superior beings weren't willing to indulge his assay in delaying their departure.
"Then, if you will not allow us to summon the other angels, how will we defeat the demon nobles that will be visiting us in the future?"
"Come to think of it, there is another one nearby."
"We will assist you with this last noble."
"I, Rochel, will bestow you power that you can only use in defeating Sitri, a noble among nobles of the demon realm. Within this barrier, Sitri is the only demon that remains. Your attribute is sacred, make use of it."
All the while they announced their final pledges, the Angels joined their own hands together in the act of praying.
"Wait-!"
Not heeding his plea and preventing him from asking more queries, an ever effervescent light assaulted the Emperor's eyes. It was only after a minute that he had the capability to open them.
Contrary to Ierathel and Rehael's summoning, the environment instantly recovered its usual barren land and cloudless sky, unscathed and did not have any evidence that a catastrophe had passed through it - It was as if nothing ever occurred in the surroundings at all.
Still, the differences were inflicted on his companions; all of his knights were out cold, including those who were not possessed, sprawled on the ground; the bodies of the three demon nobles were no more; the leftover demon, Saleos, happened to be in a trance.
'Somewhat tell me how I will use the skill, won't you.'
The Emperor sighed, let down of the supposed bargain he hoped to have executed. The encounter solitarily left him things to be more confused about, making him a tad infuriated. However, he decided to dismiss the matter for now, since he had a task at hand.
'There are six Demon Nobles. We captured four demon nobles and exterminated three, so that leaves us with two remaining. One of them is Sitri, a noble among nobles. It's a royal then. What of the other? What about Zelel? He is-'
Ceasing his pondering, the monarch tilted his head to the side, puzzled of the occurrence.
'I lost contact with Zelel? It's either he is dead or captured. The latter is more possible for his grimoire is still linked with mine. These languid bastards need to wake up.'
"Exurgo"
The moment he cast the spell, one by one, the knights rose from their brief stupor with a groan. As they gathered their consciousness, they immediately remembered several incidents as they frantically surveyed their surroundings.
Concurrently Mikhail saw the Emperor, who was in deep contemplation, standing a stretch away from them. He proceeded to stride in the direction where the monarch was, utter disorientation still visible on his groggy countenance.
"Your Majesty, what just befell here?"
Thereupon hearing no reply, Mikhail took in a lot of air in preparation of shouting on top of his lungs, "Your Majesty!"
The monarch was not the least bit startled from the loud outcry that landed in his ears. He merely looked at the commander with his naturally detached expression.
"Oh, you are awake? Where's Jibrail?"
He didn't know when it began, but irritation seemed to have been permanently plastered on his face whenever he was having a chat with the Emperor. Even supposing that he was irked, Mikhail pointed at the area behind the Emperor where Jibrail was lazily sitting.
The Emperor turned towards Jibrail as he addressed the knight.
"Jibrail"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jibrail answered, scrambling to be on his feet.
"Scan the entirety of the three lands in search of the two remaining Demon Nobles. They might be holding some of the citizens as hostages. The Archdukes and Archduchess were able to assemble the population, but there is a great portion of them that are missing. Also, look for Zelel because we'll be needing his scroll."
"Roger that, Your Majesty."
Moving on to Mikhail, the Emperor articulated his order, "Mikhail, estimate the total number of legion gates that were already opened."
The commander merely gave a nod as an acknowledgement as he distanced himself from the group.
"Haniel, Iophiel, secure your scrolls. I don't care what the Angels said. We'll be utilizing those scrolls again for the sum-."
"Huh? What?" Interrupting his talk was Haniel's bewildered mumbling, so the Emperor questioned her.
"What is it?"
"I apologize, my scroll is nowhere to be found, Your Majesty."
"Come again?"
Atticus knitted his brows, deprecating the skepticism of the higher beings as he vexingly screamed inside his head, 'Those damn Angels!'