Chapter 59: Change(6)

What is the source of anger? While it varies from person to person, Avalli had a clear standard.

She understood that people had different perspectives. So, even if attacked, she wouldn’t be truly angry if the other person had a valid reason, though she would retaliate.

Avalli’s anger stemmed from injustice, whether in the modern world or this world of swords and magic.

The difference was—

“G… Get—”

—in this world, nothing could stop her wrath.

“Get your hands off me—!”

Cassiel struggled in Avalli’s grasp. He couldn’t break free, couldn’t even access his angelic powers. A feeling he hadn’t experienced since the end of the Great War 500 years ago washed over him:

Terror. He couldn’t comprehend the nature of this girl who was treating him like a child.

“You sent this… idiot to my village? You don’t understand? You want a welcoming party?”
“…W…Wait— There’s been a misunderstanding—”
“I’ve seen your memories.”

Avalli glanced at the Inquisitor, Cedric, who remained frozen, his mind having shut down as a defense mechanism against the horror of having his memories violated.

“’She’s clearly a heretic; deal with her as usual.’ Those were your exact words.”, “B…But Gabriel—”
“I don’t care about Gabriel. Answer me.”

Cassiel couldn’t answer, Avalli’s grip tightening around his throat. Instinct screamed that his life was in danger, so he choked out,

“G…Gabriel receives the Goddess’s pronouncements. I… I just relayed the message—”
“So, it’s not your responsibility?”

Avalli’s grip loosened slightly, and Cassiel gasped for air.

“Bring him here.”
“…Who?”
“Gabriel. Bring him to me.”

She folded her arms, her expression still dark.

‘…Now’s my chance.’

He could use his power now, his dominion over this space, to equalize their strength, to subdue her—

“Don’t even think about it.”

She seemed to read his mind.

‘Yes. I need to call the others.’

This wasn’t something he could handle alone.

Cassiel closed his eyes and sent out a message, a warning about the intruder, the silver-haired girl.

The air shimmered. Four angels appeared, surrounding Avalli.

Metatron, Archangel of Order and Law.
Azazel, Archangel of Guardianship and Protection.
Raziel, Archangel of Mysteries and Secrets.
And Gabriel, Archangel of Revelation and Prophecy.

“Greetings, Archangels!”, “Welcome.”

Cedric knelt, and then Raziel smiled and gestured subtly.

“You can… excuse yourself for now.”

Cedric vanished. Teleporting another person was considered impossible for mages.

But for Raziel, guardian of mysteries, it was a simple matter.

“Azazel, the barrier.”
“Of course, Metatron.”

The black-haired angel nodded, and as he invoked his power, the world around them shifted, the colors draining away, replaced by a monochrome gray. It wasn’t just a barrier; he had summoned a fragment of another world.

But no one cared about such technicalities.

Wings of varying colors sprouted from the Archangels’ backs. Cassiel, recovered, joined the circle, his own gray wings unfurling.

They surrounded Avalli, Metatron, the second-highest ranking Archangel, hovering above, eighteen pairs of wings spread wide, her sleepy eyes fixed on the girl.

“What is the meaning of this intrusion?”
“…Sigh.”

Avalli sighed, not from fear of being surrounded, but from annoyance.

‘Only the one above and the blond one are on Sylvain’s level.’

The other three were weaker. They weren’t a threat.

“Your response will determine whether we consider you an enemy.”
“I just want to speak to whoever sent the Inquisitor to my village. Why make such a fuss?”
“Sent the Inquisitor?”

Metatron’s gaze shifted to Cassiel, who immediately began to defend himself.

“I was just following Gabriel’s instructions! He said the Goddess hadn’t bestowed any blessings upon that eastern village!”
“That’s right. There was no such revelation.”

The blond boy nodded.

“…You’re Gabriel?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Explain what you meant by ‘no blessing’.”
“It’s exactly what I said. The Insight Knight reported witnessing a miracle in the east, but I received no such revelation from the Goddesses.”

Gabriel’s cheerful tone further irritated Avalli.

“How does that justify sending an Inquisitor?”
“She committed a crime.”

The answer came from above.

“Impersonating a miracle of the Goddess is a grave offense.”

Metatron’s words made Avalli think.

Kyle, the Insight Knight, had believed her powers were a divine miracle. Gabriel, however, had received no such revelation from the Goddesses. So Cassiel had sent Cedric, his subordinate, to investigate.

“I understand now.”

They were simply doing their jobs. A misunderstanding stemming from Kyle’s initial misinterpretation. It wasn’t unjust. It was… understandable.

“I’m glad you understand. Surrender now, and we will show leniency.”

But Metatron’s next words were… irritating.

“…Surrender? For what?”
“You used violence against agents of the Holy Kingdom.”
“They deserved it.”
“That is irrelevant. There are consequences for your actions.”

Metatron’s cold words made Avalli’s eyebrow twitch.

“Oh, really?”

She wasn’t entirely wrong. Order couldn’t be maintained if everyone’s “reasons” were taken into account.

But Avalli didn’t believe she had done anything wrong. She had tried to be lenient, to forgive their transgression, and now they were accusing her?

“…Perhaps we should talk this through.”

Avalli folded her arms, trying to calm herself. If there was a misunderstanding, a rational discussion would be the best way to resolve it.

But—

“The only place for a criminal to speak is in court.”

—Metatron was clearly not interested in talking.

If they were determined to force their will upon her, Avalli had only one option.

“Then words are useless.”

She would have to demonstrate her power.

**

“…”

“Did you feel that, mage?”

A sudden wave of unease made Lucy look up. Her gaze drifted westward, towards the Holy Kingdom.

“What’s wrong, Lucy unnie?” Camelia asked, looking up from her toy.

“…Nothing. Just… thinking about Avalli.”
“I wonder if she arrived safely.”
“She should have, by now…”

But considering the rumors of a “silver-haired Saintess”, perhaps her journey was taking longer than expected.

“When will this be finished?” Camelia asked, looking at the device Lucy was assembling on the workbench.

“About two months.”
“Two months?!”
“It’s a simplified version. The original design would take years.”
“So, it won’t be finished until after Avalli unnie returns.”

Lucy nodded, a persistent unease gnawing at her. As she wondered about the source of this strange feeling, a deep voice echoed in her mind.

[Did you sense it, mage?]
“…You too?”
[It seems our Master is in trouble.]

Snowy’s words made Lucy gulp. Avalli in trouble… which meant…

“Please, no…”

She prayed that Avalli wasn’t causing another incident, that nothing serious was happening. But her prayers went unanswered.

Events far beyond her comprehension were already unfolding in the Holy Kingdom.