"An… angel?!"
In the capital of the Knight Empire, the Grand Archbishop stared in disbelief at the newly arrived intelligence report in his hands. His expression shifted between shock and awe.
"The angels haven't descended upon the Three Great Empires for hundreds of years… Why now of all times? Could it be because of that Gate of Hell?"
"Your Excellency, I think you'll want to see this."
The door burst open, and a disheveled middle-aged man rushed in, clutching a thick stack of documents as though his life depended on them.
"There's a girl in Heim City, Mandrake Duchy of the Selyphis Kingdom — she's awakened an angelic bloodline."
"Awakened?"
The Grand Archbishop took the report with trembling hands and began to read through the detailed contents.
Moments later, his eyes widened, and he burst into booming laughter.
"Wonderful! It's one of our own! One of our people has awakened angelic blood! Hahaha! What a blessing!"
He slammed the table and barked, "Quickly! Who's in charge of that parish? I need him to find this angel immediately!"
"Uh… the bishop in charge there is named Orad."
"Orad? That name sounds… familiar somehow."
"Grand Archbishop, he's the one who fell — the bishop who became a demon. You personally issued a Purge Decree on Heim City because of him."
The old man blinked several times. His secretary's reminder jogged his fading memory — age had left him forgetful at times.
"The Purge Decree? Oh, by the Light, that's right! Who did I send to execute it? Stop them immediately!"
He practically roared, but then paused, his expression shifting.
"No… wait. Don't stop them — change the order. They're not to execute the purge. Instead, they must protect that angel!"
"Understood."
"And another thing!" the Grand Archbishop barked again. "Alert all the Holy Sentinels along the Watcher's Wall — the beastmen may attempt a sudden invasion. Then send the nearest Saint-ranked warrior to Heim City to assist in protecting the girl."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
The secretary bowed and hurried out.
The Grand Archbishop — the strongest man in the Knight Empire's Church — was, in truth, little more than a symbolic leader these days. It was his overworked secretary who truly kept things moving.
Meanwhile, in the court of Aela, War Witch Nikki sat frozen, staring blankly at the fading illusion of an angelic silhouette in the sky.
"An angel…? How could an angel appear? But that location — wasn't that where I sensed death magic earlier?
Could it be… that the angel descended to judge the Death Witch?"
She plopped down on the floor in despair, sitting like a defeated duck — looking every bit like a salted fish that had lost its dream.
Just then, the Insect Lady entered the tent, clutching a parchment scroll with a troubled look.
"Lady Nikki," she said carefully, "a message just arrived from the Church. They report that a girl in Heim City of Mandrake has awakened an angelic bloodline. The Church wants you to mobilize your army and, before they can relocate her, eliminate the girl."
"The Church again? That bitch from the Seven Calamities must be behind this, right?
What's her problem?! She treats the Church like it's her own damn backyard! Why do the Seven Calamities get to act like the Church's high council, while we Seven Kings are treated like workhorses?"
She snapped in irritation, then waved her hand dismissively. "Tell her to quit bothering me."
But halfway through her rant, something in the Insect Lady's report finally clicked. She sat up straight and called out, "Wait — did you say the angel awakened on her own?"
"Yes, Lady Nikki. Our sources say the information is accurate. The humans have already dispatched their elites to protect her."
"…Interesting."
At once, Nikki's previous lethargy vanished. A grin spread across her face.
If the angel had awakened naturally, then the Death Witch must still be alive. Perfect — this was her chance to take advantage of the chaos and maybe capture that cunning little cutie along the way.
"By the way," she said, her tone sharp again, "what about the investigation I asked you to conduct?"
"Not very promising," the Insect Lady admitted. "The moths refuse to approach that place. It's as if it's forbidden to them. Any moths that get too close are attacked by the others."
Nikki frowned, stroking her chin. "Could it be that there's another Insect Master from Luxuria on the other side? But that doesn't make sense — those humans despise beastmen. They'd never tolerate one of our kind."
The Insect Lady hesitated, then finally spoke up. "Lady Nikki… the moths told me that what they felt wasn't fear — it was submission. They said it was like meeting their god."
"Their god? You mean the Worm-Fish Witch? She's dead, isn't she? Her saintly remains were sold off by those vermin from the Kingdom long ago—wait…"
Her pupils contracted sharply, a cold sweat running down her back.
"Don't tell me… she's been resurrected."
A shiver of excitement and dread ran through her. Then a crooked smile appeared on her lips.
"Heh… resurrecting one of the old witches? This Death Witch really does bring surprises."
"Then… Lady Nikki, should we still go?"
"Of course we go! What's there to be afraid of? Just a pitiful creature who's been locked up by humans for who knows how long — and one brat.
You think I'd fear them? I am the Uncrowned Queen of Aela — the Unyielding Warlord of Ruin!"
She seized her long spear from the weapon rack and raised it high into the air.
"I will reclaim our lost lands! Let the shame of Godien's Wall fall into dust! May the wolf's spirit guide us forever!"
"Um… Lady Nikki," the Insect Lady murmured anxiously, "as a newly ascended Demon King, shouldn't you… maybe… consider your safety a bit?"
Despite Nikki's immense talent as a dual master of magic and martial arts — the youngest Demon King in centuries — she was still far weaker than the ancient Demon Kings.
If she charged into a battle among Saint-level beings, she might not even know how she died.
"Silence, bug! My mind's made up — now go deliver my orders!"
"But, Lady Nikki—"
"One more word and I'll kick you again!"
"…Then please, kick me gently, my lady."
"Get out, you damn pervert!"
With a powerful kick, Nikki sent the Insect Lady flying out of the tent.
The bug woman rubbed her backside, giggling foolishly for a moment — but then quickly wiped the smile off her face and regained her usual cold composure.
Turning to the waiting soldiers outside, she commanded firmly:
"Summon all high-ranking officials of the royal court. Lady Nikki has called for a war council."
"Yes, ma'am!"