In Yggdrasil, Angels were magical beings that were summoned from another realm and a race a player could choose to be.
Yuuji, himself, possessed the Angel race as well as its advanced evolution; Archangel and Seraphim.
In the new world, most people considered them as simply monsters summoned from another world.
While some, such as the citizens of the Slane Theocracy or those who believed deeply in their teachings, believed them to be the messengers of the Gods.
And those who were given access to ancient knowledge through scriptures, tomes, or possessed divine items left by the Six Great Gods, such as the one who held the title of First Seat of the Black Scripture, knew that their beliefs were much closer to the truth.
There were many types of angels, and they could be divided into several ranks. Each possessed a different appearance as well as the number of wings, which signified their power and station within the heavens.
An Archangel Flame was a low-ranked angel that most priests within the Scripture were capable of summoning. They possessed one pair of wings and were proficient in melee combat and magic, in addition to having the ability to fly and reducing the damage they would've taken from unenchanted or special weapons.
They were powerful when compared to an average soldier, or even to an average knight of the Baharuth Empire. However, when compared to the more skilled individuals who possessed enchanted weapons, they do not pose too much of a threat.
The Principality of Observation was a mid-ranked angel with 2 pairs of wings that could only be summoned by a 4th tier magic. They were powerful angels with the ability to enhance the defensive capabilities of all allied forces within its line of sight as long as it was stationary.
However, while its main capabilities were oriented more towards enhancing allies' capabilities, it was still an angel at the pinnacle of the third sphere.
Any adventurer teams below at least Orichalcum would be hard pressed in a battle against it. Though, members of the Black Scripture would not find it too difficult to dispatch.
However, there was one angel that even the captain of the Black Scripture wished he wouldn't encounter in a battle.
Dominion Authority. An angel that would be impossible to summon unless through large scale rituals. It possessed three pairs of wings, and was an angel of the second sphere. A heavenly governor of the heavens. The manifestation of the Gods' will and might.
It was a being that perhaps, only the special seat could contest against, and "she" was not in the realms of mere mortals or heroes.
The Captain of the Black Scripture looked at the being that stood in the sky. His mind raced through the decades of knowledge he had been granted by the Theocracy in hopes to identify the being before him. But, while his knowledge may have helped him before, he only dug himself to even deeper despair.
The being that stood on the skies above, with not three, not four, but six pairs of jet-black wings on its back.
None of the ancient scriptures, tomes, or divine knowledge bestowed by the Six Great Gods had ever mentioned an angel with six pairs of wings… Nor had they ever mentioned an angel with jet-black wings.
Moreover, while the summoned angels were humanoids, they do not resemble humans so closely.
But the being before them appeared human in every way aside from his jet-black wings.
It wore a tight, purple-dark with golden stripes, long wrapped sleeves, and a frilled white cravat. And worn over it was a black and gold cloak with crimson lining the inside and an enormous black cape enriching the head.
Judging from its attire and the physique that rippled from beneath the obsidian fabric, the figure appeared to be a man. However, his true appearance could not be ascertained as his face was covered by a they couldn't really tell his true appearance as his face was covered by a spiky black and indigo mask.
The being looked down at them. Despite its eyes obscured by the mask, every single one of them could feel it.
They were exposed before him as his gaze bored into them. An indescribable pressure pressed upon them, before he shifted his gaze towards the vampire, and the pressure disappeared.
"You did well, Shalltear. There is no need to worry about the ranger that got away. He would serve nicely as a catalyst for our plans."
"Y-Yes! I-I understand! Thank you very much, my lord!"
The Black Scripture all froze when they heard the words uttered by the vampire called Shalltear.
At first, they thought that the fallen angel was her comrade. A being of equal station and power.
But the realization of their mistake sent chills down their spines.
He was not her equal… He was above her. Her lord…!
The vampire alone had resisted the effects of the divine treasure left to them by the Six Great Gods, killed Cedran and Beaumarchais, and injured lady Kaire in a few moments.
'By the six… Just what kind of monster could lord over such a monster…?'
Escape. That was the only thing he could think of now…
They could not win… They could not even win against the vampire. Now with her lord here, only death awaited.
His mind raced once more, concocting a plan to escape the two catastrophic monsters and bring the injured lady Kaire and his two dead comrades back to the Theocracy.
Running away physically would be impossible. He knew they would not be capable of running away from the two monsters, especially with added literal dead weight.
Their only option was to escape magically, through teleportation.
The captain of the black scripture glanced at the beautiful golden-haired woman, her feathered green hood that normally decorated her head now long gone, blown away by the powerful winds created by the vampire's rampage.
Without the need for words, just a look of fear, desperation, and hope, the captain conveyed his will to the holder of the fourth seat of the Black Scripture, "Divine Chant".
With her magic, she would be able to teleport most of them out… They'd only need to buy time until she could finish her chant.
But before they could even attempt it, the fallen angel spoke once more.
"Your attempts to teleport or call for help would be pointless. I have cast [Dimensional Lock] to prevent any form of teleportation and an Anti Divination barrier to prevent your "friend" from looking here."
A bluff.
The Captain of the Black Scripture would've written off those words as a mere bluff of a delusional magic caster, if they were not spoken by a twelve-winged fallen angel.
While he was not aware of the name and effect of the spell called [Dimensional Lock], he could not dismiss it and attempt his teleportation plan.
The name of the spell often described its effect. And if it was true in this case as well… he could not fathom just what tier of magic could a spell capable of twisting and locking the space around them to prevent teleportation via magic be.
'Seventh… no, perhaps even eight…?'
A realm even he only ever heard in legends and ancient scriptures…
Then, his attention quickly shifted to the second part of his words.
Could he… know? Was he aware that the Thousand Mile Astrologer would periodically look over them during this mission…?
'And he even has the ability to obscure divination spells…?'
If all he said was true… then there was no other path to escape except running physically. And he was sure they would not be able to outrun the two monsters with literal dead weights in their hands. Not against the monsters, who each of them would be at the very least on par with the Extra Seat.
"Oh black winged angel… It seemed there had been a misunderstanding. We are the Black Scripture of the Slane Theocracy, and we had just defended ourselves from the vampire under your rule. We do not seek conflict!"
"Conflict?"
The twelve-winged fallen angel muttered, but his voice was clearly heard by every single living member of the Black Scripture as they looked up, clutching onto their weapons or whatever symbolic items they had for comfort.
"Indeed. You may not seek conflict with my subordinate. However… I know that you wished to control her with that item, didn't you, members of the Black Scripture?"
""!!!""
Though no words were uttered, Lelouch could easily take their silence as confirmation.
Their eyes were widened in shock. Every single one of them.
"Well, it would've worked. Unfortunately for you, however, the 'divine item' you consider absolute… is not."
'He even knows about the [Downfall of Castle and Country]...?!'
If it was silent before, it was now a vacuum.
The Black Scriptures could not believe it… How could he know about the most powerfully guarded secret divine treasure of the Slane Theocracy?
His first instinct was to immediately suspect the existence of traitors. However, he could confirm nothing right now. All he could was that, suspect.
But even more than that… he was now worried for his and his comrades' survival…
Shalltear, on the other hand, finally realized what had happened.
The "Divine Item" Lelouch mentioned must've been one the so-called World Item, the ones the Supreme Beings mentioned on multiple occasions to be the strongest treasures in Yggdrasil.
And to resist the effect of a World Item, they must possess a World Item of their own.
'Is… Is that why Yuuji-sama lent me the Billion Blades…?'
Could he have predicted such a thing to happen…? For someone within this world to possess a World Item that might threaten her?
Such a foresight… Shalltear could not even begin to comprehend the wisdom and intelligence her beloved master could possess to predict such a thing.
'And he lent me such a valuable item… all to protect me…'
A warmth spread from her undead heart. A warmth only in her own imagination, but one that filled her being with comfort, love, and affection for her beloved.
Oh how she wished she could return to his side and be in his presence now.
The Fallen Angel slowly descended down to the ground. His wings fluttered slightly, shimmering like the starry night sky as the light of the moon shone upon it.
"Now then, the night has gone late, and there are still things we should attend by the morning. And I'm sure Yuuji would like to see you to make sure you are well the moment we tell them what happened. We should finish up here soon."
Her eyes shimmered in delight as her lips curled into a wide, delighted smile.
"Yes!"
Lelouch turned towards the Black Scripture, and all of them raised their weapons immediately.
"Ready for battle! Divine Chant, take us out of here!"
"Lelouch Lamperouge commands you…"
The captain moved swiftly and stood before the Divine Chant while a few of the still living members of the Scripture made their charge towards Lelouch.
But before they could even move far, an absolute command was given.
"Obey me."
And all of them went to a stand still before taking a knee on the ground before him.
""Yes, my lord.""
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Shalltear watched in awed silence as one of the Supreme Beings stood before her. Before him, a company of perhaps the strongest humans she had ever encountered ever since coming to this new world kneeling before him. Their will bent to his will with but a single word of command.
Yes. This was how every single human being in this world should act. Kneel with reverence beneath the feet of the Supreme Beings that ruled over the world and act absolute obedience.
"Shalltear."
"Yes, my lord!"
Shalltear lowered herself into a slight bow. Her eyes closed in pure reverence towards the Supreme Being and one of the closest friends of Yuuji-sama before her.
"You've done well with the group of sellswords in that cave as well as retrieving Brain. He would be a nice pawn to have for our plans in E-Rantel."
Lelouch glanced towards Brain and looked into his eyes. A pair of cloudy, unfocused eyes looked back to him, his mind still affected by Shalltear's Mystic Eyes. But, it did not matter, for his Geass would overwrite her command and take him under his command.
"Thank you very much, my lord. However… A-About that ranger…"
Shalltear pursed her lips as she forced those words out shakily. She could not bear the shame and regret for having failed in her task, especially when one of the Supreme Beings was watching!
She should've succeeded with nothing less than perfection!
However, Lelouch waved his hand dismissively and turned to her, his voice soft and gentle.
"It is fine. His escape would be a blessing in disguise. We can use him to spread the news about a rampaging vampire and have Yuuji, Aika, Ainz, and Lupu's adventurer group to vanquish it. Of course, there won't be any real fight. We can simply destroy the surroundings to the point that it would seem like a great battle had occurred."
Shalltear's eyes sparkled as her lips hung open in shocked awe.
'As expected of the wisest supreme being…!'
"Yes! Thank you very much, Lelouch-sama!"
Lelouch nodded.
"Now then, before you continue your mission, we should report this back to the others and return for a moment. I believe you have a way to communicate with Albedo?"
"Ah, yes Lelouch-sama. I have been given several Message scrolls for such uses."
"Good. Then tell her about the situation. I will call Yuuji."
"Yes."
The two sent their messages to Yuuji and Albedo. And after a brief conversation, Shalltear opened a [Gate] to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick and entered along with Lelouch, with Brain and the Black Scripture following closely behind.
The dark portal vanished, and the night once filled with screams of pain and cries for mercy returned to its serene silence.
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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!
Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at patr_eon.com/verglasx ~!
Thank you~!