Centuries after the destined day. She who appeared before the Ten Authorities was undeniably Rukil. Her golden hair flowed, and with a compassionate aura that could be said to embody an angel, she radiated a benevolent presence. At a glance, anyone would have called her a saint, a holy person, as if her divine aura had taken visible form. Such was the divine nature of her existence.
… Except for one detail: her halo and wings had turned pitch-black.
“Ten Authorities, thank you for inviting me. Rukil has arrived.”
Rukil knelt on one knee, bowing her head. Her posture suggested complete subservience to the Ten Authorities. At least, that’s how it appeared.
“Rukil, I must express my gratitude to you anew. Because you adjusted the Angel Chief’s body as a golem and worked on our brethren on the surface, we were able to descend upon this world sooner than planned. In other words, you created the opportunity for our restoration.”
“Your words are too kind.”
Though Eld, the leader of the Ten Authorities, expressed his thanks, Rukil responded with monotonous words. She seemed uninterested in the conversation.
“Hmph. Eld, this woman says she doesn’t need your thanks. Why don’t you skip the pleasantries and get to the point?”
“It seems so. Rukil, we are prepared to grant your wish. The murder of Melfina, the previous false god, is that your wish?”
“…”
Rukil offered no reply. She neither reacted to the name Melfina nor showed any disturbance. She simply waited for Eld’s next words, as if appraising the Ten Authorities themselves, staring intently.
“…We shall take your silence as affirmation. From here, we will begin the first stage of this world’s purification. The targets of purification are those who could become obstacles to our god, which includes Melfina, your target. We are thinking of having one of the Ten Authorities accompany you to assist in the purification work… Will you do it?”
“Of course, that is a most welcome offer. However, what meaning is included in it being a form of accompaniment? While your assistance is greatly appreciated, I can manage on my own. I would prefer to be allowed to act freely.”
“Rukil, it is not wise to underestimate your enemy so much. No matter how base or inferior they may be, they are someone who deceived you once, are they not? Do not let your guard down.”
“…”
While Eld and Rukil remained expressionless, the atmosphere surrounding them grew incredibly heavy. The pain was so sharp it pricked the skin, to the point that Rem, who was nearby, began to whimper again.
“Cack! Little girl, it’s not that we’re worried about you. According to information from the fallen angels on the surface, your target, the former false god, is now in a country called Reigand, isn’t she? We have business there as well. Accompanying you is merely incidental, a nuance of escorting you along the way. If you can handle it alone, that would be ideal. We won’t interfere at all. Well, that might change if you fall into crisis, of course?”
“… Understood. In that case, it shall be so.”
Rukil closed both eyes, accepting the terms.
“Sniffle… Then, who will go…?”
“Well, it certainly won’t be Rem. I don’t think you can cooperate with anyone in your current state.”
“Uuu…”
Rem still had tears in her eyes. Though possessing the power of the Ten Authorities, she appeared to be a severe crybaby.
“Ridwan, you will accompany Rukil.”
Eld called out to the Ten Authority seated near the entrance of the Chamber of Wisdom.
“…”
A giant figure wearing an iron mask stood up in silence. Though he uttered no words, this seemed to be his signal of assent.
“It is decided. We already have operatives in Reigand. You can get the details from them.”
“…”
The masked fallen angel, Ridwan, gave a small nod.
“You are a man of few words. Shall we go then? To achieve our respective objectives.”
“Rukil, if you achieve your objective and return here safely, we shall bestow upon you the source of our power, ‘Authority’. We await your success.”
“… Thank you. Then.”
The next moment, Rukil and Ridwan vanished from the Chamber of Wisdom. They seemed to have headed for Reigand.
“…Eld, how much do you trust that woman? She doesn’t seem obedient to me at all. Rather, she seems to be using us for her own purposes.”
“Conversely, I doubt Rukil believes we trust her implicitly. She may be excellent as an angel born on the surface, but she is as ferocious as one cannot predict when she might bite the hand that feeds her. It’s the opposite of her appearance.”
“Ah, she puts on a facade, but she is pursuing something other than our objective.”
Kelvum and Gloria voiced their concerns regarding Rukil’s presence.
“I understand. As you both say, she is like a barrel of gunpowder, someone who will betray us at the slightest opportunity. She will be difficult to manage. The reason she helped us revive is merely to spite Melfina… Well, either way, her reason for cooperating with us is only to that extent.”
“Cack! To involve the world in spite! What a bold woman, I like her!”
“Are you… cooperating with someone like that…? I’m scared…”
“…At the same time she is a barrel of gunpowder, Rukil’s madness towards Melfina is also genuine. After all, she is a witch who spent centuries waiting for an opportunity, deceiving herself and others to gather strength. As expected of a strong candidate for a false god, her skill is likely top-class in this world. Depending on the circumstances, Rukil could become an obstacle for us. That is precisely why we cooperate. We cooperate to use her as a pawn and crush her.”
“Ah, I see. So your plan is to have them tear each other apart while Rukil’s attention is focused on Melfina? And then Ridwan will dispose of the survivor… Eld, you are quite the strategist.”
“Hmm… But judging by her demeanor, she likely know that too, doesn’t she? Wouldn’t that mean she might oppose Ridwan first?”
“Her objective is Melfina, after all. She wouldn’t act rashly to weaken herself before achieving that goal. Well, even if that happens, Ridwan will act. Baldog, do you think there’s any possibility of Ridwan losing?”
“Heh, it’s impossible. After all, he is my—”
“—Baldog, stop. That story is likely to be long. However, Eld, what if that ‘impossible’ happens and Ridwan loses to that Rukil? The Ten Authorities are supreme beings who act as the god’s two fingers; any unnecessary losses will be held accountable. As your sub-leader, I worry about such things.”
Kelvum asked Eld, speaking his mind freely.
“Indeed. In that case, how about we have her take the lowest seat among the Ten Authorities in Ridwan’s stead?”
“…What is that? Are you saying you will take in a powder keg yourself?”
“Cacacaca! I approve! Only the chosen rule the world, is that not our ideology! If she truly defeats Melfina and Ridwan, then Rukil is the one truly worthy of being among the Ten Authorities! Cac, it’s good, it’s delightful!”
“Ugh, Hazama, your voice is too loud…”
“Hmph, pointless talk unless it’s beneficial.”
Hazama laughed boisterously, and Rem covered her ears. Meanwhile, Baldog looked somewhat displeased.
“In that case, let’s move on to something beneficial. Those heading to Reigand have been decided. Regarding the greatest threat to purification, the false god Gordiana and Hero Serge… Who desires to kill them?”
