Finally, I witnessed the figure of Auroa, my arch-enemy.
Auroa, who had finally appeared, was still inside this castle. If I go now, I should make it in time!
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Arisugawa, be careful. That guy is incredibly strong. He managed to bypass all security, even if it was thin.”
I know that. But I can’t let him escape here. That’s because he’s so close to the White Rose.
“Please, both of you, wait!”
Philiana’s voice stopped us as we started running. I almost fell forward with Sharin.
“Before that, we need to do something about this person.”
Philiana was referring to Lord Nephilim, who had been thrown earlier. He was slumped weakly in Veronica’s arms. His white wings were stained red with blood. I didn’t know the extent of his injuries, but he didn’t look like he would survive.
“To the hospital…”
Then, a small mouth moved slightly.
“I was caught off guard… I will be fine.”
“No, that’s not allowed. Is there a hospital nearby?”
Lord Nephilim, who had been slumped, suddenly opened his eyes and began to stir in Veronica’s arms. Then, he was enveloped in white light and flew up into the sky, his wings wrapped around him.
“Hey, what is that?!”
Veronica covered her eyes as Lord Nephilim suddenly began to glow. It illuminated the night sky like a fired flare. It was almost like another White Rose.
Spinning, Lord Nephilim ascended into the sky, transforming into a giant light and spreading his wings. His layered wings wrapped around his body like a dress. He was no longer a small child; he was taller than me.
We all looked up at the sky, stunned.
“He looks like an angel,” Philiana murmured. That’s right, he did say he had the blood of a god. This must be his true form.
Lord Nephilim conjured a giant spear of light and threw it towards the upper floor where Auroa had been. A tremendous blast of light, an explosion, and a gale swept through the area. Fragments of glass that were blown away reached us here.
“Ugh, everyone, let’s take shelter. This place is too dangerous.”
We wouldn’t have enough lives to spare if we got caught up in this battle. Even Auroa probably couldn’t withstand an attack like that. But as if in response, black flames engulfed Lord Nephilim.
It was a giant flame that made all the magic I had ever seen seem like a matchstick. I couldn’t help but stop and watch.
Light seeped through the gaps in the black flames, pushing back the darkness. The spear was fired again. It cut through the flames and pierced the upper floor.
About half of the roof was blown away, revealing the room inside. There stood Auroa, unharmed and nonchalant. As he raised his hand, black clouds surrounded Lord Nephilim. Then, the light seemed to flee like lightning.
That lightning bolt brushed away the clouds and struck Auroa with a massive bolt of thunder. The roar, powerful enough to shake the atmosphere, vibrated even the ground far away. I quickly hid behind a house. Come to think of it, what happened to the White Rose?
The magic stone perched at the summit had half of its pedestal collapsed. If it continued like this, it would fall from the top of the castle.
What happened to Auroa after being hit by the torrential lightning? I could see the floor cracking and on the verge of collapse. Before the dust settled, chains extended from there and captured Lord Nephilim’s body. He struggled, beating his chained wings.
The figure at the end of the chains was not Auroa. It was someone I had never seen before, probably a woman. She was holding onto several extending chains. Then, where did Auroa go? The dark chains were quickly broken. Suddenly, I saw a red shadow behind me.
I thought I saw bat-like wings, and in the next moment, darkness pierced the light. Lord Nephilim’s white body was once again stained red. But she regained her balance in mid-air and blocked the next blow with a spear of light.
Auroa, with his wings, and Lord Nephilim continued their battle in the sky. I called out to Sharin, who was waiting beside me.
“Hey, isn’t this our chance? Leave Auroa to him, and let’s protect the White Rose.”
“Yeah, you’re right. For now, only that angel can stand against him.”
I led everyone out from the shadows of the building. The woman waiting above the castle would be our next opponent. She was near Auroa, so her abilities must be top-notch.
The powers of darkness and light were in a stalemate. Then, the mage woman released a purple specter from her staff. It floated gently and clung to Lord Nephilim. It was a slight restraint, and Auroa didn’t miss the opening.
From the front of the castle, a drop of water fell from above. I wiped it off my cheek.
It couldn’t possibly be raining red.
“Arisugawa, hurry! The battle situation is dire!”
Still, Lord Nephilim pushed back the enemy with an aura of light. However, Auroa’s black spear mercilessly tore through it and pierced one of his wings.
