"Have you laughed enough?!"
The aura of death instantly filled the air, silencing the mocking laughter of the Upper Class. The twisted smiles on their faces froze as they trembled, sensing an unseen demon awakened by their derision.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One by one, bodies hit the ground, a pungent stench of urine wafting through the pristine corridor.
Frowning, Gabriel withdrew her oppressive aura and pointed at the man holding the frail little girl.
"What are you waiting for? Go get her registered immediately."
Turning toward the doctor slumped behind the counter, Gabriel kicked the towering desk several times.
"Hey! You inside! Get out here and start saving lives!"
"Tch. What a disgusting place. If it weren't for this mission, I'd tear this wretched tower down."
Gabriel shot a glare at Mark, her voice rising.
"Mark, you better fix this damn tower. If you don't, I swear I'll destroy it myself!"
She glanced at the girl being registered and stomped her foot.
"If I weren't a combat angel, I'd have healed her already. Let's hope Hiroshi gets here soon to handle this. These people don't look capable of treating her."
Stepping on Mark's toes, Gabriel scratched her head.
"Alright, let's go see this Lord of yours. Wake him up and have him pass the position to you."
Looking down at the annoyed Gabriel, Mark let out a wry smile.
"Since 9033 has begun treatment, 0906, you and the others should head back. I'll inform you of any updates."
"Of course, of course."
0906 nodded quickly, leading the relieved civilians out while bowing in gratitude to Gabriel, Hifumi, and Mark.
Pulling Hifumi along, Gabriel followed Mark.
"Alright, Hifumi, stop crying already. I told you, this is an apocalypse."
"Even Hiroshi's world, chaotic as it is, has plenty of disgusting things going on."
"Once you can see the light of souls, you'll know how to deal with these vile people. Just smack them down when you meet them."
"If it weren't for this mission, I'd have turned this tower into a dungeon by now."
"Mm," Hifumi murmured, wiping the tears from her face.
Glancing at the live feed in the group chat, Hifumi noticed Hiroshi's world was shaking violently.
"Gabby, what kind of disgusting things are happening in Hiroshi's world?"
"Huh? Didn't you watch the broadcast from that so-called holy land?"
"No."
Hifumi shyly twiddled her fingers. "It looked too scary, so I didn't dare."
"You're scared of that but came to an apocalypse?!"
Stopping in her tracks, Gabriel stared at Hifumi in disbelief.
"Because… people here needed help…" Hifumi whispered.
"Ugh…!"
Gabriel sighed dramatically.
"I'm starting to think I'm the fake angel here."
In the medical ward, the steady beeping of machines filled the air. Slowly, Lord Morgan's eyes fluttered open.
Looking around groggily, Morgan turned to the doctor by his side.
"What happened to me?"
"You were deemed beyond saving by the Life Protocol. If not for Captain Mark bringing back those medicines, you'd be dead."
The doctor walked toward the door.
"However, Captain Mark has now become the first person to defy the Life Protocol in this tower. So, Lord Morgan, how do you plan to deal with him?"
Morgan remained silent, staring at the medicine box on the table.
"Where is Mark now?"
The doctor pointed upward.
"Aside from your son, everyone important in the tower is gathered there, including two unfamiliar girls."
Feeling his frail body, Morgan smiled faintly.
"It seems it's time to make a decision."
In the central command hall, Morgan, supported by Victor, took his seat as Lord. Gazing at the gathered leaders and his son, he nodded.
"You've seen my condition. I can no longer sustain this last bastion of humanity."
"It is time to decide who will take over as Lord."
Looking at Mark, Morgan smiled. Curious, he glanced at Gabriel and Hifumi but dismissed them as minor matters compared to what lay ahead. He trusted Mark to handle everything well as the next Lord.
"I had already chosen Mark as my successor. Though he defied the Life Protocol, perhaps it no longer suits the Lighthouse."
"I can no longer continue. It is time to pass this responsibility to the younger generation."
Straightening as much as he could, Morgan declared loudly:
"From now on, Mark is the new Lord of the Lighthouse!"
"As for his violation of the Life Protocol, I will reveal certain truths to him. It will be up to our new Lord to decide whether to maintain the current protocols or establish new laws."
Rising shakily, Morgan beckoned Mark.
"Come, Mark. From this moment, you are the Lord of the Lighthouse."
Supporting Morgan as he rose, Mark bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Lord Morgan."
Morgan chuckled softly, holding Mark's hand.
"Remember, the Lighthouse is now in your hands."
Looking into Morgan's kind eyes, Mark took a deep breath and nodded.
"I will lead the Lighthouse through this apocalypse. One day, humanity will return to the surface."
Creak.
"I believe so too."
A young, blonde man in a hoodie entered through the open doors, followed by two priests and a burly civilian trying to remain inconspicuous. Charles's gaze swept the hall, landing on the bored Gabriel and nervous Hifumi.
"After all, Captain Mark brought back two women with extraordinary abilities from the surface."
"If we acquire their genes, reclaiming the surface is entirely possible."
Meeting Mark's grim expression, Charles offered a slight bow.
"Don't you agree, Captain Mark… or rather, Lord Mark?"
"The Holy Dawn Hall is under our control. Can you hand these two women over to me?"
"Oh, by the way, congratulations on your promotion, Lord Mark."
Lowering his gaze to the burly man with the civilian badge on his chest, Mark's eyes narrowed.
"4063!"