The angel stared at the message in front of it, utterly bewildered.
It couldn't comprehend how an unauthorized user had accessed its main system.
In countless cycles of the apocalypse, nothing like this had ever happened.
[Sentinel No. 3 blocks the unauthorized user accessing the main system.]
[Block denied.]
[Sentinel No. 3 blocks the unauthorized user accessing the main system.]
[Block denied.]
Moreover, warnings kept appearing that its attempts to block the unidentified user accessing its system were being rejected.
The angel had no idea how to handle this unprecedented situation.
Then, another message appeared.
[Unauthorized user inputs command to the main system.]
[Releasing captured resources.]
With the message, the writhing mass of tentacles protruding from the angel's body split open with a crack.
Alicia, unconscious, slid out from within like she was slipping free.
Clutching her Fang-Wolf Sword tightly, Alicia fell away from the angel's body and plummeted toward the ground.
Kugugugu—
At that moment, Bucephalus swooped in from the sky, catching the falling Alicia on its back.
Alicia landed safely on the ground, sprawled across Bucephalus's back.
Having forcibly released Alicia, the angel was now losing control of its main system functions in real time.
Kudududuk!
The angel tried to escape the current situation, but it had already lost control and couldn't move as it wished.
Just then, the space in front of the angel rippled, and someone appeared.
Tsutsutsutsu—
It was Zeke, dragging along the other angel bound by the Chains of Solomon.
Zeke looked at the immobilized angel, which had lost control, and smiled in satisfaction.
"My guess was right. Two bodies, but only one controlling system."
He had used Dragonʼs Wisdom and the Akashic Code to access the main system of the angel bound by the Chains of Solomon.
He had bypassed the main system's security, seized control by force, and terminated the extermination program to neutralize it.
The angel glared at Zeke, desperately trying to regain control.
Seeing this, Zeke unleashed lightning toward the angel. Pajijijijik—
A powerful bolt of lightning wrapped around the angel's body.
Kaaaaaaaak!
The angel screamed in agony as the pain pierced through its entire form.
With its defenses disabled by Zeke, it had no choice but to feel the torment fully.
Chiiiiiiik—
Unlike before, the angel's surface blackened and scorched, white steam rising from it.
"Resist again, and this time I'll fry you from the inside out."
Whether Zeke's threat worked or not, the angel flinched and stopped resisting.
Soon after, the Chains of Solomon emerged, wrapping tightly around the other angel as well.
Bound back-to-back just like when they first appeared, they were now perfectly restrained by the chains.
Zeke descended to the ground, bringing the subdued angel with him.
Kugugugu!
As Zeke landed, Helen and Duke rushed toward him.
"Zeke!"
Helen approached Zeke warily, keeping an eye on the bound angels.
"What the hell is going on? What are those monsters, and why is the Red King helping us...?"
"I'll explain slowly. First, we need to secure the battlefield and stabilize Jupiter Castle." At Zeke's words, Helen snapped back to reality.
She nodded and turned to Duke.
"Sir Duke, take your forces and check inside the castle first. There might be enemy remnants."
"Understood. I'll send a signal if all's clear."
Duke led the Black Sword Knight Order into Jupiter Castle ahead of them.
Helen worked to stabilize the allied forces and prepare to enter the castle.
As Zeke watched, preparing to move again, Bucephalus approached with Alicia still on its back.
Zeke confirmed Alicia was unconscious and gripped her shoulder, invoking the Authority of Full Recovery.
Wuuuuuung!
A warm energy seeped into Alicia's body, healing all her remaining wounds.
At the same time, her eyes snapped open, and she bolted upright.
"Ha! You monster bastard! As if that would be enough to take me down... Huh?" Realizing she was on horseback, Alicia looked around.
She spotted Zeke watching her and was startled.
"Zeke Draker!"
Her surprise was short-lived; she grinned happily and leaped off Bucephalus's back.
Pounding her armored chest, she said,
"How about that? You saw the Grand Duke's performance, right?" Zeke smiled at Alicia.
"Yeah, thanks to you buying time, I could capture it."
Alicia glanced at the Gemini Palace angel bound by chains, her expression one of renewed admiration.
"Ha, calling this a monster feels like an understatement. Zeke Draker, what the hell is this thing?"
"An angel."
At Zeke's response, Alicia looked incredulous.
"An angel? Like the ones from scripture?" Zeke nodded quietly at her question.
Alicia stared in disbelief for a moment, then approached the chained angel, inspecting it closely.
"Ha? My god. I could buy the demon king talk, but angels too? Next thing you know, constellations will show up."
"They probably will."
"What?"
As Alicia gaped and was about to ask more, someone approached from behind.
"Zeke Draker."
The Red King, clad in Hercion, dismounted his Red Steed.
As the Red King drew near, Alicia instantly tensed, raising her Fang-Wolf Sword in guard.
Zeke raised a hand toward her.
"It's fine. No need to be on guard."
"Not guarding against the infamous Red King? You're too soft, Zeke Draker." Zeke shook his head at Alicia's words.
"You have a point, but more importantly, he's not the Red King." Alicia frowned at Zeke's statement.
"What do you mean? A Red King who's not the Red King?" Bathory then removed her Hercion helmet.
A woman with flowing red hair revealed her face, making Alicia's eyes widen. "What the—?"
Zeke explained to Alicia.
"Bathory Basarab. Heir to Count Vlad, the Red King. She's allied with us."
Alicia admired Bathory's elegant and beautiful features but remained wary, not fully trusting Zeke's words.
Bathory addressed the still-hostile Alicia.
"Northern Wolf, your reply to my thorny invitation was impressive." She referred to how Alicia had returned the barbed spear Bathory had sent.
Alicia snorted at Bathory's words.
"It would have been more impressive if that thorn had pierced your chest."
Bathory's red eyes gleamed as she shot back sharply.
"A wolf's head on a spike would suit you better."
"Ha? I should twist that head off and see if you'd still say that."
As Alicia and Bathory glared, auras clashing on the verge of combat, Zeke raised shadows to separate them.
He shook his head.
"It's good to have strong competitive spirits, but we're on the same side now, so no fighting."
Tsutsutsutsu—
Leaving those words, Zeke vanished with the Gemini Palace angel.
Left alone, Bathory and Alicia glared at each other before turning back to their camps. But after a few steps, they both spun around simultaneously, fists clenched, charging. "Haat!"
"I'll kill you!"
Their clash was only stopped when Helen arrived to reorganize the allied forces.
The pride battle between dragon and wolf ended in a draw.
*
Tsutsutsutsu—
A portal opened, and Zeke emerged with the Gemini Palace angel bound in chains.
The Gemini Palace angel thrashed to escape Zeke's restraints.
But with its main system seized by Zeke, no amount of effort could free it.
Through the main system, Zeke learned the true name of the Gemini Palace angel's master.
'Azrael.ʼ
The angel of death who blew the trumpet of doom at the forefront of the apocalypse, ruler of whirlwinds.
Zeke recited the name, then used the system to forcibly activate the power of the Gemini Palace angel.
Wuuuuuung!
He had compelled the activation of Azrael's Unique Domain.
The surroundings shifted, and a message appeared before Zeke's eyes.
[You have witnessed the forgotten city 'Sky City Laputa.ʼ]
[The fragments of forgotten time linked to this civilization connect with the Akashic Code.]
[A large amount of karma data is updated.]
[You have acquired information on 'Sky City Laputaʼ through this data.]
[System restriction codes related to this information are unlocked.]
[You can now view the list of skills and items related to 'Sky City Laputa.ʼ]
As Zeke had anticipated, witnessing the angel's Unique Domain updated new data.
'Sky City Laputa.ʼ
Zeke levitated with the Gemini Palace angel, surveying the completely transformed surroundings.
A city of astonishing civilization floated atop islands suspended in the sky.
Looking at Laputa, Zeke recalled something.
'Skyfolk.ʼ
When he had obtained the guardian Tot in the Zoin Tribe ghetto, he had discovered ruins of the ancient Skyfolk.
The Skyfolk ruins he saw then shared a similar style with Sky City Laputa.
'The ancient Skyfolk may have inherited the civilization of Sky City Laputa. And that connected to the modern Zoin Tribe.ʼ
Zeke thought that fragments of forgotten time had reshaped themselves, leaving traces in the phenomenal world bit by bit.
As his thoughts connected, a haze rippled in front of Zeke, and someone appeared.
"Zeke Draker."
It was none other than the Arrogant Savior, Satan.
Zeke regarded the sudden arrival of Satan with indifference.
"I figured you'd show up here." Satan nodded at his words.
"The dragon's grave and the Unique Domain must have merged to bypass causality's sanctions. Anyway, I'm glad to see your face again."
Satan smiled at Zeke, but Zeke showed no reaction. Undeterred, Satan continued.
"Why did you call me back?"
Zeke pondered before speaking.
"Straight to the point. What truth did you mention, and what preparations have you made for me?"
Satan smiled beautifully at Zeke's question.
"It seems the Knight of Salvation is finally interested in my proposal." Zeke glared at Satan and pointed to the bound Gemini Palace angel.
"If more of these will appear, I need to prepare for that."
This time, Zeke had infiltrated the main system before the angel fully awakened, minimizing damage and ending the fight.
But if two or more angels fully awakened and attacked the continent simultaneously, even Zeke couldn't stop them all.
Thus, Zeke decided he needed to grow stronger through the truth and power Satan had mentioned.
'Above all, I didnʼt know what Arthur Draker was aiming for or what he would do, so I needed defenses against that.ʼ
Arthur Draker was an unfathomable man.
Whatever his intentions, Zeke was certain they weren't good, so thorough preparation was essential.
Satan nodded slowly at Zeke's words.
Then he spoke.
"The truth I mentioned would be better heard from Mephistopheles. He's the one preparing the finale."
At the same time, Satan's eyes glowed red.
Looking at Zeke with a slightly subdued voice, he said,
"And the preparations I've made... Zeke Draker. Are you ready to accept them?"
Zeke nodded at Satan's words.
"Yeah, whatever it is, hand it over quickly."
Satan smiled, pleased by Zeke's straightforwardness.
He extended his hand.
Wuuuuuung!
In Satan's hand gleamed a red, lustrous orb.
He said to Zeke,
"Zeke Draker, this is my Unique Domain, 'Purgatory.ʼ"