Chapter 6

  Hearing Samael’s words, Gabriel couldn’t help but chuckle. “So that means you’re scared of us dying. Never knew you cared.”

  “I do a lot. I just don’t show it very often, but I do care. I picked you all for a reason, so I have to.”

  “Even Azrael?” he said, letting out another chuckle.

  “You all look down on your superiors. That’s one of the problems you all have,” Samael replied disappointedly.

  “Surely you jest. Azazel can’t be our superior.”

  “He is the most dangerous angel. That’s why I chose him. It helped that he was also an angel of death.”

  “I don’t see how he’s stronger than I am.”

  “I don’t mean physically. I think that’s pretty obvious. Look at it this way… every archangel was chosen because you all have the potential to beat me. Azazel has the most by far.”

  “That is sad. You picked us to beat you?”

  “When I was younger, I wanted to be the strongest. But after achieving that, I was hollow… bored… angry. So, I started looking for strong opponents. Sadly, none of the fallen angels could make me try at all. So, I started holding back, hoping to fight a worthy foe. When I still couldn’t find one, I decided to use my omniscience to find people with the highest chance to beat me. That’s why I picked you all.”

  “You mean to tell me being the strongest is boring? That sounds unbelievable,” Gabriel said, a confused look on his face.

  “When you become the strongest… you will understand,” Samael replied with a coy disposition.

  “Don’t you worry, I won’t feel like you. So, is that why you picked me? Because I’ll be the next strongest?”

  “Yes. Your physical prowess surpassed mine, so picking you was a given.”

  “What about Ariel? I can’t see her beating you.”

  “Well… I agree in a sense, but it depends on how she uses her advantage.”

  “What advantage would that be?” Gabriel asked, wondering what Ariel could have over Samael.

  “Her mana, of course. I hate to say it, but her mana capacity exceeds mine.”

  “Let me guess. You told her to seal part of her mana… just like you told me to seal part of my strength,” he said, mild disgust on his face.

  “Come now. Don’t look at me like that. I did it for her sake. Fallen angels started tracking her mana, thinking it was mine. Those idiots aren’t smart enough to track mana signatures; they only track mana capacity.”

  “I see. You did it for her safety. What of Jophiel? You didn’t pick her she won fair and square.”

  “Did she?” Samael asked confusing Gabriel. “I injured Uriel so she would win. He was the only major obstacle in her path. Like Uriel, she is very talented but Uriel just wasn’t ready yet.”

  Gabriel chuckled, “So ‘The Trial’ was just a farce, I suspected foul play but I see you had your reasons. Uriel is strong, very strong the time when we sparred, he used five chapters at the same time. It was unexpected. I believe only you could do that. However, his lack of experience and overconfidence is a major issue and from what I saw Jophiel has no such problem.”

  “Well time will fix his shortcomings, also don’t compare me to Uriel, I can use all the chapters. Our levels aren’t the same,” Samael replied with pride.

  “Your cockiness is coming out again.”

  “My bad. I suspect Raphael is your next question, right?”

  How did he… right, I almost forgot he’s Samael. He can do anything.

  “It must be nice being able to do anything,” Gabriel said with jealousy.

  “You all have the misconception that I can do anything without trying. I train, and that assumption insults my training. I’m omniscient, not omnipotent. There’s a difference,” Samael replied, angered.

  “Ha, I’ve hardly seen you train.”

  “Then you don’t pay attention. If you did, you’d know I’m training now.”

  “What a joke. Are you trying to mock me?”

  “I’m not. I train my mind and my soul all the time. You should do the same. Both Raphael and Michael do it. That’s why they have an advantage over you.”

  “Is that why you picked them?”

  “That’s not the only reason. Raphael is a healer and a fast learner too. Also, he’s the one who mastered [Reverse Jobs] and can even do it better than me. Imagine all the injuries he’s ever healed being forced on you at the same time. A very scary technique.”

  “Scary indeed,” Gabriel responded, chills running down his spine. “… What about Michael?”

  “That’s the main reason you asked all these questions; I gather. I picked him because his battle instincts match mine, and his military tactics are second to mine. That’s the reason… well, there’s also ‘that’ power… oops, I’ve said too much,” Samael said, trying to be coy.

  “What do you mean by ‘that’ power?” Gabriel asked inquisitively, hoping to learn about his rival’s abilities.

  “Don’t ask. I can’t tell you. Father gave me one rule: never use omniscience to talk about the future.”

  “Ha. Funny. And yet you still tell us what happens next. How are you obeying that order?” Gabriel asked with a serious look.

  “Funny enough, I do obey that order. All I tell you is based on patterns and past behaviours. I make a likely conjecture. Any one of you can do it. I hardly use my omniscience anymore.”

  “Is that so?” Gabriel replied, looking irritated.

  “Of course. I’ll let you get back to training. If you do all I’ve told you to do, you’ll win,” Samael said, leaving the training room.

  After completing their rigorous training, the archangels prepared to launch their long-awaited assault on the realm of the fallen angels—Duadel.

  As the preparations unfolded, they noticed a heated exchange between Azrael and Samael. Azrael departed shortly after with a faint smile, leaving the others to wonder about the nature of their conversation. However, there was no time to dwell on speculation; the battle ahead demanded their full attention.

  “Before you all leave, I would like to say a few words,” Samael declared, stepping forward.

  “I wonder what this is about,” Michael muttered under his breath.

  Samael’s voice thundered with authority as he addressed the gathering. “Comrades! This is our final battle against those wretched fallen angels. If we destroy them now, this war—a war that has raged on for aeons—will finally come to an end. Show no mercy, for hesitation, will be your undoing. Fight with everything you have. End this war and secure our victory!”

  His fiery words electrified the legions. A deafening roar erupted as the archangels and their infinite armies raised their arms in unison, their war cry echoing through the heavens.

  “AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

  With resolute hearts, the heavenly army took flight, soaring toward Duadel—the forsaken stronghold of the fallen angels. Like Heaven, Duadel existed outside creation itself. It had originally been a prison for those angels who dared defy The Lord. Over the aeons, countless fallen angels sacrificed their lives to corrupt the realm, transforming it into a source of power for themselves and a bane to the forces of Heaven. Under Azazel’s leadership, Duadel had become a bastion of unimaginable strength—a dark mirror to Heaven, pulsing with malevolent power and a constant threat to the forces of light.

  The journey from Heaven to Duadel was vast and seemingly endless. The laws established by God ensured that only beings who had transcended all concepts—plutonic concepts could move in such a place, and even then, only barely. The fact that the archangels could navigate this void was a testament to their unparalleled power.

  As the angels entered Duadel, they immediately felt its oppressive nature. Their mana began to drain, and their souls started to falter.

  “Michael, what’s going on?” Jophiel asked, collapsing onto one knee.

  “This is bad… If our mana keeps depleting like this, we’re doomed,” Raphael added, his voice strained.

  “Relax,” Gabriel interjected, his tone calm but firm. “Use Genesis to create a barrier and Deuteronomy to establish a law preventing mana depletion.”

  “How astute… Gabriel,” Michael replied, momentarily impressed by his rival’s quick thinking.

  The angels moved cautiously through the barren wasteland of Duadel, heading toward the massive castle where Azazel lay in wait. Suddenly, a colossal flood swept toward them, dwarfing their infinite army. Without hesitation, Michael invoked Acts: Holy Flames, evaporating the flood in an instant. However, the collision between fire and water created a thick smokescreen.

  The fallen angel generals seized the opportunity, launching a surprise attack. When the smoke cleared, Michael realised he was alone. Where is everyone? I didn’t hear or sense anything. Damn it… they were expecting us.

  As Michael began tracking his comrades using their mana signatures, a massive ice lance hurtled toward him. He narrowly dodged it.

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  “Dagon,” Michael said, recognising his opponent. “I suppose you’ll be my challenger.”

  “Don’t be so confident, this is a slaughter…we can finally destroy you now that damned Samael is out of commission,” Dagon said cracking his fingers.

  Both combatants unleashed their mana to the peak, the sheer force distorting the space around them. Michael, analysing Dagon’s tactics, noticed that the fallen angel avoided close combat and relied on ranged spells. Determined to exploit this perceived weakness, Michael closed the distance. However, his assumption proved flawed. Dagon deftly created space and continued his barrage of attacks, frustrating Michael.

  “You’re annoying,” Michael muttered before invoking Exodus: Second Commandment – Punishment of the Lord, which severed Dagon’s senses, leaving him vulnerable. Michael charged, his fist wreathed in Acts: Holy Fire, and aimed a devastating haymaker.

  At the last moment, Dagon evaded, sweeping Michael’s lead leg and kneeing him in the face. Staggering, Michael transports himself away to avoid further strikes.

  Regaining his composure, Michael used Genesis: Creation to summon multiple light lances, hurling them at Dagon. With a wave of his hand, Dagon froze the lances mid-air, shattering them. This was possible due to his water-based defence that instinctively avoided danger, while his ice-based offence struck with precision.

  Dagon launched a brutal counteroffensive, pummelling Michael with a flurry of strikes aimed at his weak points. As he prepared to finish Michael with a mana-condensed haymaker, his arm was suddenly blasted apart by Exodus: Eighth Commandment – Punishment of Theft.

  Michael capitalised on the opening, landing a powerful kick to Dagon’s face, sending him flying. Enraged, Dagon retaliated with a storm of omnidirectional water arrows. Michael invoked Psalms: God’s Protection, forming an impenetrable barrier.

  Meanwhile, elsewhere in Duadel, Ariel wandered through the desolate terrain, wary of her surroundings. Suddenly, a tremendous force struck her chest, hurling her backwards. She hastily cast Psalms: God’s Protection, erecting a barrier, but the next blow shattered it and landed on the same spot, making her cough up blood.

  “Show yourself, coward!” Ariel yelled, her voice echoing through the wasteland. She invoked Ecclesiastes: Time Manipulation, rewinding time to track her attacker’s movements.

  A feminine voice cut through the air. “So, you can manipulate time too… Interesting. But yours is far inferior to mine.” The figure zipped past Ariel in an instant, ripping her heart out. The sheer speed and force tore a hole through her chest, leaving her unconscious.

  “Disappointing,” the figure muttered, raising her hand to behead Ariel. Just as the strike descended, Ariel’s heart detonated, obliterating the figure’s right arm and sending her reeling.

  “Damn you! How are you still alive?” the attacker roared.

  “It’s simple, really,” Ariel replied, standing tall despite her wounds. “I’m just better than you… Astaroth.”

  “You—!”

  Astaroth’s eyes widened in disbelief as Ariel’s heart regenerated before her very eyes.

  “I’m going all out now. Try not to die too fast…” Ariel muttered, her voice tinged with both amusement and menace. She paused, her expression briefly shifting to a contemplative frown. Damn, I’m talking like a brother now… I need to fix that.

  Releasing her seal, Ariel’s mana erupted like a tidal wave, its sheer force sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The fallen angels froze, their confidence shattered in an instant.

  “What the… When did Samael get here?” Dagon’s voice trembled as fear gripped him. His mind raced, scrambling for strategies to counter the overwhelming presence he sensed, only to realise a devastating truth: none would work. His soul quaked under the weight of what seemed like Samael’s mana, and the same dread echoed through every fallen angel. The mere possibility of Samael’s arrival threw their ranks into disarray, giving the angels a much-needed advantage.

  Michael seized the moment, delivering a flurry of blows that landed heavily on Dagon. Staggering, Dagon quickly regained his composure, summoning a massive water dragon that forced Michael to retreat.

  Without missing a beat, Dagon unleashed a barrage of water and ice, each attack laced with lethal precision. Michael countered with [Ecclesiastes and Isaiah: Godspeed], closing the distance in a blink and landing strikes that shattered the bones in Dagon’s hands. Using the momentum, Michael attempted a relentless assault, but Dagon dodged with expert agility, retaliating with a crushing blow to Michael’s chest. The impact froze Michael’s heart and sent him hurtling through the air

  Clasping his arms together, Dagon summoned an ocean above him, its scale and malevolence dwarfing everything in sight. “Behold, my [Inverted Sea] technique… Die beneath its power.”

  The sea inverted across the realm’s horizon, endless and foreboding. As Michael struggled to unfreeze his heart, a deluge of concentrated water blasts rained from above, obliterating everything in their path. Over seventy per cent of the angelic forces perished in the first volley. While the archangels narrowly dodged, Jophiel was struck in the head and fell unconscious.

  “Is that all you’ve got?” Astaroth sneered, her voice dripping with mockery as she advanced on Ariel, who knelt coughing blood, struggling to catch her breath.

  “Bold words,” Ariel shot back, her tone sharp, “from someone who struck when I was busy dodging that ridiculous attack.”

  Astaroth smirked. “Ah, come now… Anything goes in battle. I simply took my opportunity to win.”

  Ariel’s eyes narrowed. Her expression turned icy. “Win? You think you’ve won this fight? What a joke.”

  “Such arrogance… Unacceptable!” Astaroth screamed, unleashing an omnidirectional attack. “Die!”

  A wave of energy erupted from Ariel, obliterating every incoming attack and cleaving Astaroth in half. The fallen angel’s thoughts spiralled in disbelief. What just happened? I was about to win… How am I the one who’s— Her mind faded into nothingness.

  “Hmm. Brother was right. I can do it too,” Ariel said, a wide grin spreading across her face.

  High in the heavens, Uriel watched through an orb, astonished. “Master, wasn’t that your move?”

  “Yes. [Genesis Reversal]. To think she mastered it after I taught her only once… What a monster. Like me!” His grin widened, dangerously unhinged.

  Damn. Master is terrifying when he’s excited, Uriel thought with a shudder.

  “You monster!” Astaroth’s voice resounded as her soul regenerated at an alarming pace. “I see… You are like the ‘Cursed One,’ bringing only destruction. I must take you seriously now.” Her grin was feral as her power surged. Ariel, unfazed, resumed her assault without hesitation.

  Elsewhere on the battlefield, Dagon glared at Michael, his disbelief evident. “You’re still alive? I’m honestly shocked.”

  “It takes more than that to kill an archangel,” Michael retorted, steadying himself.

  “Evidently,” Dagon replied, a twisted grin forming. But before he could unleash another attack, his [Inverted Sea] evaporated in an instant. The same number of fallen angels slain now mirrored the angels incinerated.

  “How irritating… Mixing [Genesis: Purification] with [Acts: Holy Fire]…Very clever,” Dagon said, his grin widening.

  Meanwhile, Jophiel stirred, her vision blurred. “Where… am I—?” Her words were cut short as a dark-haired stranger attacked without warning. She barely dodged, but the stranger extended his arm before she could rise. A powerful gravitational field pinned her down, crushing her.

  Focusing her power, Jophiel combined [Genesis: Creation] with [Deuteronomy: Law of the Land] to nullify the magic. Rising swiftly, she countered with a flurry of wind blades, but the stranger deflected them effortlessly. His smirk was cold.

  “A fallen angel wielding gravity magic… You must be Zeref.”

  “My name does not belong in the mouths of weaklings,” Zeref growled, his tone laced with disdain. He launched a devastating strike, the sheer force amplified by gravity magic. The impact shattered Jophiel’s ribs and dislocated her jaw.

  As he approached, she triggered a hidden seal. Lightning from [Isaiah: Divine Lightning] struck Zeref, forcing him to his knees. Furious, Zeref unleashed a gravitational wave that obliterated everything around him. The battlefield trembled as their clash escalated.

  Elsewhere, Gabriel faced a white-haired fallen angel in a black trench coat, his light-brown skin glistening with mana. “Oh, how I despise wars… Yet, I must kill you,” the stranger said solemnly.

  “Do you think you—?”

  Gabriel’s words were cut off as a barrage of steel, blacker than the night, rained down upon him. Channeling [Genesis] and [Isaiah], he created a lightning field, deflecting the onslaught.

  “Your power has grown since last we met,” the stranger mused.

  “I don’t have time for chatter,” Gabriel snapped, lunging forward. His strike was blocked by a slab of steel that materialised instantly.

  “Impossible!” Gabriel gasped. “I used Godspeed. How did you react to that?”

  “It’s simple. I fought Samael when he didn’t hold back. Compared to him, you’re a cheap imitation.”

  Gabriel smirked. “Oh, I see. Samael told us his childhood friend was among our enemies. This should be fun.”

  “My name is Camiel… and this will be the last name you ever hear,” he declared, teleporting his book into his hand as his mana surged to its peak.

  Camiel unleashed a barrage of steel spikes aimed at Gabriel. Though Gabriel managed to avoid fatal injuries, he was littered with wounds. Damn, I have to take this seriously, or he’ll kill me, he thought grimly.

  Summoning his resolve, Gabriel invoked [Judges: Strength of the Lord], a chapter that brought his strength to its zenith. Combined with [Godspeed], his movements became almost untraceable, his speed and power unmatched. Camiel, undeterred, retaliated by launching a torrent of dark light attacks from a distance. Gabriel, undaunted, tore through the assault as if it were nothing.

  “Those measly attacks won’t work on me,” Gabriel said, pressing forward relentlessly.

  “I know,” Camiel responded coldly. “[Dark Drill].”

  From beneath Gabriel, a colossal steel construct erupted, aiming to impale him. Gabriel barely deflected the attack in time, but the force of it left him shaken.

  “Incredible… That strike was meant to pierce your heart, yet you managed to block it,” Camiel remarked, a hint of respect in his tone.

  What is going on? How is he this strong? I don’t understand… Gabriel’s thoughts raced as he struggled to make sense of his opponent's power.

  Camiel smirked. “I suppose I’ll need to go all out to kill you, nuisance that you are.”

  With a wave of his hand, he conjured an arsenal of steel blades, each one amplified with light magic. “Die!” he roared, sending the deadly storm toward Gabriel.

  Gabriel narrowly transported himself away, but the shockwaves from the attack tore into him, leaving gashes across his form. If I fail to dodge again, I’ll die, he realised grimly.

  “Hm, brute force won’t work… how tedious,” Gabriel admitted, irritation flickering across his face.

  “Don’t jest!” Camiel snarled. “You’re talking as if you haven’t already lost—”

  Before he could finish, Gabriel leapt into the air, unleashing a devastating barrage of fire using a combination of [Acts] and [Numbers].

  Camiel raised a shield of steel, deflecting the attacks with ease. “Nice try, but not good enough,” he taunted.

  Gabriel ignored the mockery and intensified his assault, forcing Camiel into a defensive stance. As their clash continued, Gabriel’s sharp eyes noted a crucial detail: Camiel’s auto-defence. Whenever an attack approached within a metre of him, a pillar of steel materialised to intercept it, capable of blocking both physical and magical strikes.

  So that’s his game… Gabriel thought, formulating a strategy. He feinted multiple attacks, weaving his strikes with deliberate misdirection. Soon, Camiel found himself surrounded by his auto-defence pillars.

  Gabriel seized the opportunity and called upon [Exodus 1st Commandment: Light of Heaven]. A radiant beam descended, exploding with immense force and obliterating the steel pillars surrounding Camiel.

  Undeterred, Camiel rose on a massive steel pillar and retaliated with a barrage of attacks from above.

  No damage? Gabriel’s eyes widened as he countered with [Chronicles: Divine Counter], reflecting the onslaught at him.

  Camiel transports himself behind Gabriel in an instant and delivers a crushing kick to his gut. Gabriel coughed up blood as the impact sent him reeling. This wasn’t an ordinary strike—it was imbued with condensed steel and light magic, amplifying its destructive power exponentially. Camiel followed up with relentless pressure, conjuring a series of cannons that fired continuously at Gabriel.

  In response, Gabriel summoned swords of light, amplifying them with fire and lightning. Using [Numbers: Amplify and Multiply], he increased the potency and number of his attacks, turning the battlefield into a storm of divine energy.

  “Damn, he’s combining four chapters at once… Impressive,” Camiel muttered, grudging admiration in his tone.

  The cannon balls and the swords clash and despite the overwhelming odds, Gabriel’s relentless assault began breaking through the barrage, though Camiel’s auto-defence deflected the most critical strikes. Adjusting his strategy, Camiel pulverised the steel pillars around him into dust and turned it into a deadly swarm aimed directly at Gabriel.

  Gabriel invoked [Psalms: God’s Protection], creating a barrier to shield himself, but Camiel’s condensed steel shattered through it, piercing his body. Blood streamed from Gabriel as he groaned in agony.

  “Guh—how did you do that…?” Gabriel gasped, struggling to stay on his feet.

  “It’s simple,” Camiel said smugly. “I condensed my steel to its strongest form. You weren’t half bad, but this fight is over.”

  Camiel summoned a colossal cannon in the sky, its barrel glowing ominously. A beam of concentrated light energy roared down toward Gabriel. As it struck, Gabriel invoked [Judges: Divine Absorption], drawing the energy into himself. With the newfound power, he coursed lightning through his soul, purging the steel fragments within.

  “You underestimated me,” Gabriel growled, his eyes blazing with determination.

  Camiel’s smirk faltered for the first time. The battle was far from over.

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