Chapter 83
Enormous magical energy is overflowing from the town.
It might even exceed the more than two million units of magical energy housed within Yuurai.
"......What is this? What are you all doing?"
In response to Yuurai's question, Emma answered with a dry laugh.
"......I don't know the details either, but they're probably summoning another angel or something."
"Angel......? The ones who attacked Grimoire?"
"It's on a completely different scale from back then. It must be a more powerful, more terrifying angel."
Even those five angels were troublesome enemies for Yuurai. Angels with holy attributes are extremely difficult opponents for the Undead.
If it's stronger than those angels, it could become a threat that even Yuurai can't defeat.
As Yuurai began to panic, a gigantic human-like figure appeared in the center of the town.
Its height must be over fifty meters. It had the form of a beautiful woman and wore nothing. Its golden hair, reaching down to its waist, covered some of its bare skin, but most of it was exposed.
Unlike Earth's angels, there was no halo above its head, but on its back were six white wings in three pairs.
To a human, it would probably appear divine.
However, to Yuurai, it was an utterly repulsive and hideous sight.
Just seeing its radiance made her feel sick.
"That's...... more like an archangel or high-ranking angel than just an angel. If they could summon something like that, they should've used it in the last battle......"
If that thing had shown up, Yuurai would probably have lost. She would have been completely obliterated.
As Yuurai trembled in fear, Emma spoke.
"......It's not that simple. Summoning an angel of that level requires a huge number of human souls. Judging from the state of the town, they're probably offering up the souls of everyone here."
"......Huh? The souls of everyone in town? There are like seventy thousand people here, right? All of their souls?"
"All of them...... I'm not sure. Apparently, neither Emeralda nor I are included among the souls being offered. It seems they're offering the souls of weak humans who can't do anything but offer their souls...... or something like that."
"......What are you saying? Weren't human lives supposed to be important? Saying there are lives that can be thrown away—that's not like you."
"......It's not my idea. I'm just saying it's something the higher-ups might consider."
"You're all more messed up than I am."
"But it's not like they're forcing people to offer their lives for nothing. They're cooperating to defeat the Demon King and leave a peaceful world for future generations. It's not the same as your killing."
"If I were truly an evil Demon King who might destroy the world, maybe your reasoning would make sense. But I just want to live peacefully in the first place. Sacrificing tens of thousands of lives to defeat a Demon King who poses no threat to the world is insane."
"Haha...... I wonder. Maybe right now, you really do just want peace. But that will is terribly unstable. In reality, regardless of your goal, you've killed tens of thousands of people. A being who might destroy the world on a whim shouldn't exist in this world."
Emma's words carried a hint of madness.
And...... somewhere, there was also the presence of a lost child sobbing in despair.
"You all are far more dangerous than a Demon King like me."
"......More importantly, is it really okay to be chatting so leisurely? That angel is about to move."
Just as Emma said, the angel, which had been standing there with a vacant gaze, began to move. It looked like it was taking a deep breath, and Yuurai had a bad feeling.
"Fia! Cover us with earth! Make it a dome-shaped wall so we'll be safe no matter what comes!"
"Yes!"
Fia created a thick wall of earth and enclosed Yuurai and the others. Yuurai pulled Lipia close and also grabbed Claire's hand.
Relying on instinct, Yuurai began pouring magical energy into the two of them.
Immediately after, the archangel let out a scream. A high-pitched cry, almost like a shriek, and it was clear that it was harmful to monsters, especially the Undead.
Even through the wall of earth, the holy attribute waves could be felt. For Yuurai, it only caused her body to creak, but for Lipia, it was an attack that ate away at her life.
"Ugh...... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Cracks spread across Lipia's entire body, and blood spurted out. If Yuurai hadn't been pouring magical energy into her, Lipia might have vanished in an instant.
Claire was in pain too, but not as badly as Lipia. It was probably just pain shooting through her body.
The Skeleton that had been carrying Gilka disappeared, and Gilka fell to the ground. She might have been injured. Deena rushed over and held her.
Apparently, this scream posed no threat to ordinary humans. Right now, the ones in danger were Yuurai and the other Undead.
"Lipia! You'll be okay! I'm giving you my magical energy, so hang in there a little longer!"
The angel's scream continued for nearly three minutes. Lipia kept bleeding and eventually lost consciousness.
However, her body didn't disappear, and after the scream ended, Yuurai's magical energy healed her wounds.
Yuurai was relieved that she had saved Lipia, but this wasn't the end.
Rather, Yuurai understood all too well that the real battle was just beginning.