Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Angels.

They were the sentinels of the World System. They were harbingers of peace. It was said that when Vacuos had been enslaved by the Great Evil, it was the angels who descended from the heavens to liberate them from their shackles.

There were many Choirs of angels. Noele was no [Priest], so she didn’t quite understand the theology behind it all. She just knew that there were distinct types of angels ranging from the Guardian Angels to the Thrones, and that they were all divine beings.

They were supposedly even more powerful than the greatest of Elder Dragons to ever take the skies.

But they were a myth. Just like the stories of an empire of Elder Dragons that once ruled the world. It was all tales muddled by history that happened long before even the Valeri Empire existed.

Noele wasn’t well-educated— she never went to an academy to study ancient texts or the theology of the World System. Everything she knew about angels was what almost everyone in Vacuos knew about angels. They had wings like swans, and they used magic that was incomprehensible. She never thought that she’d ever encounter one in real life.

Yet right now, an angel was standing before her. Not only that, it wanted to speak with her.

But the blonde hesitated before she accepted its offer. For whatever reason, something in the back of her head screamed at her to think this through first. Because angels were agents of the World System, and that meant—

...she wasn’t sure what that meant. Noele found it puzzling. But it was a little niggling feeling that stopped her from blindly following the angel. And before the angel could press her, Amelia intervened.

Noele blinked, watching as her mentor stepped in front of the angel.

“Now tell me— what do you want with my apprentice?” Amelia held the angel’s gaze.

It stared at her with all twelve of its eyes. There was a hint of confusion in its expressionless face. The angel wore no mouth, no nose— nothing. But it tilted its head as it peered at the brown-haired woman.

I am Guardian Angel Z357, it replied. Its tinny voice resounded in Noele’s head. It had to be transmitting its thoughts into the minds of those standing close by as Amelia’s eyes narrowed. I require answers from the Noble Spellsword. Please do not interfere.

“Why not?” Amelia asked, frowning. “Why can’t I listen in to your conversation? Explain yourself— what’s going on?”

She didn’t let go of the angel’s arm. Even as it tried to pull its hand back, she didn’t budge. The angel’s twelve eyes darted warily towards her.

And Noele broke out of her stupor.

“W-wait, Amelia!” the blonde girl sputtered, drawing her mentor’s attention. “You shouldn’t start a fight with the angel— you just can’t!”

Amelia shook her head. “I’m not going to start anything as long as Guardian Angel Z-whatever answers the question.”

Guardian Angel Z357 blinked all twelve of its eyes one after another. It peered at the brown-haired woman, not responding for what felt like an eternity. Noele held her breath as she shifted back uncomfortably.

And the angel finally answered, I need to speak with your apprentice about the safety and sanctity of all of Vacuos. Now please do not interfere.

Noele shrank back as it took a step forward. Amelia refused to shy away from Guardian Angel Z357’s glare. Her brows just snapped together as it spread its wings wide. Finally, she acquiesced.

“Fine,” she said, stepping to the side.

Noele let out a sigh of relief. Her shoulders sagged as she placed a hand on her chest. But she tensed once more when she realized that her mentor hadn’t let go of the angel’s arm just yet.

“Amelia...?” She raised a nervous hand.

“I will let you speak to Noele,” Amelia continued as she glanced back at the blonde girl. “But only on one condition.”

Noele stared in confusion as Guardian Angel Z357 slowly nodded.

What is it? the angel asked.

And Amelia grinned.

Noele shook her head, dismissing those conflicted thoughts for now. She would tell Guardian Angel Z357 the truth, while skirting around potentially contentious topics. Especially since it had plenty more questions for her.

That does not explain anything, the angel said. How did you learn your Techniques?

“My... techniques?” Noele asked, blinking.

Your Techniques, it corrected her. Who taught you how to cast magic without your Skills?

The blonde girl just stared at the angel, slightly confused. It took her a moment to realize what Guardian Angel Z357 was talking about. And when it clicked, she snapped her fingers with wide eyes.

“Oh, you mean Glorious Noble Slash and Elegant Noble Slash? I learned it from—” Noele started.

“She learned it from herself,” a voice cut her off.

Guardian Angel Z357’s eyes darted to the side, and Noele looked back. Amelia emerged from the kitchen, carrying a pair of steaming dishes in each hand. She laid the plates down before the blonde girl and the angel with a smile.

“If you’re wondering how Noele got as strong as she is right now, she earned it through her own strength. But I did offer her a little bit of guidance along the way.”

Noele watched as her mentor took a step back. Amelia had her usual cloak on her back, but she wore a chef’s apron over her clothes. She gestured at the pair of dishes, speaking casually.

“Eat up. Don’t worry about paying— it’s on the house.”

I cannot eat, Guardian Angel Z357 said simply. I do not require sustenance to survive.

“Weird.” Amelia drew back, eyeing him up and down. “So you really are a robot, aren’t you?”

Noele just raised a brow. “What’s a robot?”

“I’ll explain it to you later. Anyways, what’s this about Techniques and Skills? I thought you guys were supposed to be talking about saving the world.” Amelia leaned on the bar as she peered at the angel.

Guardian Angel Z357 didn’t give an immediate response. Instead, it craned its neck to look between both women for a moment. Finally, it looked back at Amelia.

You are the Noble Spellsword’s mentor. You are the one who taught her to fight without the World System.

It was a straightforward statement. Amelia just nodded lazily in return. “Yeah, and?”

Are you a follower of the Void? Guardian Angel Z357 pressed her as Noele bit her lower lip.

Oh no... The blonde girl could almost anticipate what was going to happen next. She still remembered the whole debacle with the Elder Dragon. She really wanted to pipe— defuse the potential crisis before it had a chance to escalate. But she was too slow.

“Nope,” Amelia replied instantly. “I’m just a restaurant-owner, man.”

It was an obvious lie. Noele knew that the angel saw through this lie in an instant.

And Guardian Angel Z357 immediately shot to its feet as its twelve eyes focused on the cloak at Amelia’s back. Noele tensed as heads turned to face this scene. Nervous whispers swept over the restaurant. Harlan, Garron, Nolan, Nicole, and even Xakor looked on as Amelia just held the angel’s gaze.

A lance appeared in Guardian Angel Z357’s right hand as it posed another question to the brown-haired woman.

If you are not a follower of the Void, why do I sense the Void’s essence on you?

And Noele wasn’t sure how she was going to defuse this situation now.

MelasD

You can read up to 15 chapters ahead on my patreon here!

Join my discord and subscribe to my subreddit!

Or follow me on twitter!