Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

George didn't listen anymore. The two's blunt conversation was more nauseating than sweet talk between lovers. He sat back on the bench, crossed his legs, and hummed an off-key folk song that was unrecognizable in the sacred church.

As dusk fell, his brothers emerged from behind the curtain. The handsome, dashing men walked side by side, their smiles radiating a divine aura that made George squint. The taller, more robust man opened his arms and strode quickly toward George.

Raymond laughed and said, "You're back, George. Congratulations on your triumphant return."

Ignoring Raymond's attempt to embrace him, George sat on the bench and replied, "The remnants are nothing to worry about, but it is indeed a good thing that the war of conquest has come to an end, and the Judgement Legion can finally go home."

The wandering gaze returned to Raymond, who still had his arms outstretched, a smile on his face, and bright, piercing eyes. Not only that, Galarón also remained rooted to the spot, facing George with the same smile. Raphael also smiled silently, his eyes filled with anticipation.

George felt uneasy under the three men's gazes, cursed under his breath, stood up, and opened his arms like the suffering Jesus.

"Welcome home, my brother." After being patted twice on the back by Raymond, the four angels concluded their welcoming ceremony for George.

……

The sharp, golden blade, its edge so bright it hurt the eyes, was a spear of light that seemed to dissipate the atmosphere and unleash lightning simply by being held in one's hand. The tip, where the light coalesced, exuded an aura that made even the angels solemn. George and the others stared at the spear of light in Raymond's hand. Its shape was not much different from the standard spears used by Crusader knights, but its mere presence made the remaining angels feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

"Is this what justice is?" Galaron said, somewhat disheartened.

“No, this is a force worse than [justice],” George asserted.

Raymond held the light gun horizontally, allowing his companions to examine the entire spear, from its conceptually materialized tip to its illusory, non-existent tail.

"I named it Longinus Godslayer. This is the power weapon I stripped from the tenth level of the chain. The tip of the spear has the concepts of 'purification' and 'annihilation of everything,' while the shaft is imbued with 'uniqueness' and 'light speed.' With my power, I can only create one, although it is very easy to create."

"What a powerful weapon!" Raphael exclaimed.

“It’s a decent key too,” Raymond said. He released the Spear of Longinus, suspending the weapon between the four of them, and continued calmly, “Completely constructed from concepts, I’ve granted the four of us the right to use this weapon: Galarón, George, and Raphael. Use it, feel its power. After you advance to the eighth rank, your power growth will stop. To reach the ninth rank, you need to touch the [Concept], touch Longinus. This is the best way to feel the [Concept].

Galarón frowned as he looked at the divine spear in the center. "This is your power weapon, Raymond. Lending it to us will weaken you."

Raymond smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "I don't want a repeat of what happened before, weakening me to strengthen you—that's exactly what I want. That way, if my power gets out of control again, at least you'll stop me. Don't hesitate, my brothers. We've already made humanity the masters of this era; we should strengthen ourselves and protect our time. Who wants to go first?"

Raphael was the first to shake his head.

"I have only recently advanced to the Angel level. Rather than touching the threshold of higher levels, consolidating my power is the most important thing. Besides, I need to familiarize myself with the Holy Sword you gave me. Let's lend the Divine Spear to them for now."

Galarón and George stared at each other across the sniper rifle. Galarón smiled silently and gestured for George to yield.

George snorted and looked at Raymond.

"Give it to our nobleman. The war of conquest is coming to an end, and I have plenty of time to explore higher levels. The Angel Spokesperson, on the other hand, is responsible for handling daily affairs and territory development. I think Galaron needs some external help to catch up with us. You know, I am also a genius among geniuses."

George was right. His talent was comparable to Galaron's, but as a nobleman, Galaron needed to devote more energy to certain things, and the Fire Angel lived a much more carefree life than the Water Angel. However, the hot-tempered George preferred fighting and causing trouble to self-study, so his power level was actually not that different from Galaron's.

In addition, George Edmont has his own pride. He regards Raymond as his brother, goal, and rival. It is more in line with his character to work hard without relying on the grace of the Angel of Light.

Longinus the Godslayer was given to Galarón Loshutar by George's modesty.

The Fire Angel quickly regretted it.

……

A moonless night.

The splattering golden blood illuminated George's vision as he watched the figures separating on the balcony—his brother, his nemesis, had fallen.

The tip of the god-slaying spear was bathed in its master's blood, ironically, this baptism further enhanced its divinity. The one who wielded this sacred weapon stood in the shadows, his blood-red pupils the same color as his fallen wings.

"Galaron!"

George gritted his teeth, roared like a beast, and pounced. Flames erupted, and the wrathful angels forced their dodging brothers back into the flickering candlelight. Galaron's appearance had changed drastically; his skin was pale and bloodless, his already tall figure became even thinner, and his once gentle eyes were now filled with bloodlust and madness.

“You betrayed him! You betrayed me! You betrayed everything! Our cause! Our future! And the Holy Light…” With each word George spoke, his burning flaming blade left a wound on the fallen angel. Ignoring the vampire's counterattack, the fire angel endured the weakness from the blood draining from his wounds, attacking like a mad beast. His voice did not stop, turning into curses, vicious curses, and meaningless wails.

“Raymond is not human.” A cold, ruthless voice came from fanged lips.

"My Lord showed me the future. The future he fled from, disguised, feared. The weapon in my hand—behold, it is his. What a holy radiance, what a majestic appearance, yet this artifact can only bring destruction, the destruction of everything. He destroyed the mimics, the fairies, the sirens… the monsters, the dragons. We adorned his crown with victory, sprinkled gold dust on his armor. After the destruction of all races, what can be his glory? Us."

"He can destroy a city with a wave of his hand, and it wouldn't take him long to wipe out most of humanity. Raymond, he's a monster, a monster without chains. George, do you know how many humans fear him? His power transcends human fear. Countless people whisper in my ear, unable to sleep, because they cannot resist Raymond's power."

“You have betrayed our trust.” George’s face was even paler than Galarón’s, their blood binding them together. He repeated viciously, “Raymond gave you his power, and you used it to hurt him.”

"This is the only chance to get rid of the threat around us. Don't you know how? George. Run away from the dangerous beast and kill it before it bares its fangs. Don't be naive. Maybe its momentary amusement will make it your friend, but Raymond will still retain that danger. Do you want to keep a sword of Damocles hanging over your head all the time? It's human nature, George."

The Angel of Fire successfully plunged the blade into Galaron's heart.

"No, I only saw a coward manipulated by fear, turning into a disgusting and ugly creature. You ultimately lost to the evil within yourself, Galarón. Defining weakness as human nature, the warriors we led, those who raised their swords to fight against the demons, were the humans we swore to protect with Raymond."

"revenge."

"I will take revenge for your betrayal."

Galarón shrugged in boredom, grabbed George's arm, and smashed the flaming sword that had pierced his heart. Blood flowed back, and the wound healed.

"You will only believe what you want to believe. The true Creator has already decided the fate of mankind. Revenge? You can't kill me. I have now escaped the fate of being slaughtered and have received grace. I am an immortal chosen one of God, the darling of the gods."

George said quietly.

"In other words, a power that doesn't belong to this world can kill you."

"?"

The rift in the void opened at the call of the angel. His feathers, like flames, extinguished, his skin peeled away, and he became a silhouette of emptiness in the lightless darkness. His disintegrating body clung tightly to his fallen brother, and together they were swept into the darkness.

"I dedicate everything of the Fire Angel to the Void."

"With this as a pledge, I will take everything from you and complete my revenge."

On that day, three of the four angels fell, and the people in the fortress watched as a dark shadow, enveloped in flames, departed.

……

On the edge of the battlefield, the Soul Reapers welcomed two special guests.

A fading ray of light was thrown in front of the lich.

"Heal him, or I'll kill you."

The lich spoke calmly, seemingly unconcerned about the threat posed by the dark shadow.

"It is truly a strange thing that the Angel of Fire and the Angel of Light have come to seek healing from the dead."

"His existence was erased from the concept of the God-Slaying Spear; his holy light could not save him."

The Soul Reaper realized that he was desperately trying anything, a last resort when all other options were exhausted.

"I will try my best. It would be so interesting if I could recruit two angels for my future academy."

“One. I will not be subordinate to anyone. You saved him, so he is yours. If you failed, you will have to go and join him.”

The Soul Reaper, a skilled necromancer, began his patient work; such a special case was enough to make a lich devote himself entirely to it.

"His soul is almost as empty as his bones. I'm very curious what power could have destroyed the King of Holy Light like this?"

"His own strength."

"Oh, as expected of the King of the Ages... Wait, unbelievable, I actually succeeded. He's reshaping his soul, recovering his destroyed memories, and what makes him so powerful? Obsession! Wow, I think I've found the most precious thing about the Lich, I'm going to add that to the school motto."

A flash of light appeared, and a soul flame rose from the golden skull. On the silent battlefield, the sound of exhalation could be clearly heard.

"Like I said, he's yours now. Take him away, or leave him in the middle of nowhere, it's up to you."

George, the Void Angel, stood still. His revenge was complete, and Raymond's existence had been preserved. As his will relaxed, he once again felt the constraints coming from the other side of the void; he was about to be pursued for his debts.

The lich stood aside, quietly waiting for George to finish his lyrical verses.

"Aren't you really going to consider my academy? You seem to have nowhere else to go, angel."

George sneered.

"Don't push your luck. I'm about to ascend into the void and become a part of the Dark Lord."

The dean tapped his fingers.

"Actually... some of our college's outstanding club members have just discovered a way to deceive the Void and evade the consequences. If you're truly determined to die, I won't..."

"Daddy, save me!"

……

Have you decided on a new name yet?

“Mr. Darkness, that arrogant guy will definitely compare himself to the Holy Light, and I’m going to be his adversary.”

"Well, regarding Mr. Raymond, as his summoner, I'd like to ask his brother's opinion: what kind of relationship do you think I should have with him?"

“Treat him like your own son! Dean, you are Andrei’s heaven, how can anyone stand on the heavens!”

“…Mr. Darkness, since you became void, I feel that you are much different from the Fire Angel I remember.”

"There's nothing I can do. Although this Demon-Sealing Bandage exempts me from the cost of the contract, it doesn't block my connection with the void. Do you know what happens when a bunch of dark whispers are constantly echoing in your ears? You should have gone crazy long ago."

Chapter 851 It's Just Another Conquest

"The [secret] of the death of the Holy Light leader, its value, I have no [secret] of equal value."

The inorganic voice revealed a hint of regret, but the strange phenomenon of the transaction did not dissipate; [mystery] revealed its greed.

There is no equivalent, not "unable to pay." Merchants are not satisfied with equivalent exchanges; they profit from the difference by exploiting customer demand. What Mr. Dark truly wants, both he and [Mystery] know.

"Answer."

"The original concept, as part of the world itself, you can answer the question I want. Use the secret of the fallen angels as payment, [mystery], to answer me in place of heaven."

"Having experienced betrayal and death, and with great achievements destroyed in an instant, has the light of heaven ever faded?"

……

The secret maker violated the rule of secrecy, revealing a priceless secret to everyone. Spielberg, enduring the excruciating pain of his soul being torn apart, roared: "No! Mr. Raymond! The Angel of Light has never fallen! He has never declined! He has never fallen! Remain pure and noble, shining a magnificent light in the darkness!"

A complete sound resounded from the Ring of Andrei. The corrupted angel ceased its movements, and the weeping and roaring from both ends stopped. Flesh and blood stirred, transforming into branches that wove a web across its body. The tentacles of the Sleeper descended from behind the angel, like toppled stone pillars enveloping the suspended angel. The tentacles isolated the angel from the others, but unfortunately, the corrupted angel merely stopped moving; it did not undergo any further change.

"Now, Lyle!"

Only one person could hear the excited voice. Lyle raised his palm, blood gushing from his fingertips, and threw out a lump of dark flesh from the shadows—the fragment of the evil god imbued with spirituality that Nia had prepared for so long. Soul, medium, container—the much-anticipated necromancer began to adjust the barriers within the materials; this was all he had to do.

A magnificent holy light descended from behind Lyle. With the shield of the Heavenly Net removed, there were quite a few people who could use the holy light. The condensed light was like gold dust sprinkled from the sky. Pope Atlas began to pray.

"Holy Light, forgive his transgressions with love, cleanse his sins with mercy. Recreate a pure heart, infuse a righteous spirit. Your servant Atlas offers his life of penance, and pours out compassion upon the penitent."

Light, redeem this soul.

Hymns resound, light pierces the clouds and bestows grace, the shadow of angels sprinkles fluttering holy feathers, blessings are bestowed upon flesh and blood to guide the departed souls. Holy winds disperse defilement, and the miracle of resurrection brings forth the beautiful angels once more.