From the heavens above, gazing down upon the earth—The Great Authority of Clairvoyance, the Heavenly Eye.
Also known as “The Eye of God,” this power allows the Archangel Michael to oversee the entire continent.
Yeah, just the ‘continent.’
According to the ancient covenant between the Demon God and the Lord, neither the Celestial Realm nor the Demon Realm can interfere in each other’s dimensions. The reach of the Heavenly Eye doesn’t extend into the Demon Realm either.
Angels must not step foot into the Demon Realm. Likewise, demons or devils cannot enter the Celestial Realm—it’s a law binding them all.
Unless one side summons the other, that is.
“Troublesome situation.”
Archangel Uriel has been summoned into the Demon Forest.
Michael, closest to the Lord, immediately activated the power of the Heavenly Eye, worried about Uriel.
The Demon Forest is part of the Demon Realm. Though its twisted dimensional barrier connects it to the continent, it’s still beyond where Uriel’s Heavenly Eye should reach. Yet, for now, he could see Uriel.
When Uriel first made contact with Lucifer, Michael wasn’t overly concerned. While they’ve long been bitter rivals, neither had enough power over the other to truly harm one another.
But then, when a single demon boldly approached Uriel…
Michael felt an unfamiliar terror grip him.
Not the kind you feel when facing a powerful foe.
For ages, there’s been the traditional battle between heroes and demon kings. Usually, the hero wins, but if they don’t, Michael steps in to intervene and slay the demon king.
Of course, most combat-related duties are handled by the “strongest of all,” Holy Knight Gabriel. Wasn’t it Saint Michael himself who once punished Satan when he turned into an evil dragon and led 72 devils in rebellion?
So how is Michael, usually so confident, afraid of just some random demon? It was absurd.
But it was reality. Through the Heavenly Eye, the demon was shaking Uriel with just “a few words.”
Yeah, that’s what scared Michael.
The fear of the unknown.
An instinctive dread born from ignorance.
Can’t tell good from bad.
While Uriel’s fall seems clearly rooted in evil, the demon’s words weren’t wrong. They weren’t clever traps or manipulations; they simply brought out the ugly truths buried deep within Uriel’s soul.
Like a pure-hearted child discovering a fun new toy.
And right now, it’s happening again.
“Choose! From the four options I just mentioned! Oh, leaving Uriel alone is also an option, so let’s call it a five-option choice?”
The demon gleefully threw questions at them like a teacher giving a test to students, genuinely enjoying every moment.
It wasn’t just deriving pleasure from their distress. He was fully immersed in the scenario he’d carefully orchestrated.
Michael slowly scanned his surroundings through the Heavenly Eye instead of his physical eyes.
Lucifer, trying to understand the rapidly unfolding situation while grappling with confusion.
The mysterious demon standing with arms wide open, giggling behind his white mask.
A wolf-like beast blocking the way between the demon and them, growling fiercely.
A Holy Knight lying unconscious after losing too much blood from a gut wound, and Raphael nearby, healing him with divine energy.
Losing emotional control wouldn’t help in this situation. Maintaining composure, Michael thought deeply.
“Don’t worry too much! Just hand him over to someone you think, ‘Ah! This guy can take care of Uriel forever without any issues!’”
The best solution would be to bring Uriel back directly or move him somewhere safe.
Clang!
“…Damn, I spent too much time thinking.”
As crimson chains burst forth from the void, wrapping around Michael’s limbs, he quickly discarded such thoughts.
“Wow, it’s rare to see Causal Chains actively punishing rule-breakers!”
‘Our Saintess is already pinned by causal nails… makes me miss her. I wonder what she’s doing right now?’
Clang, Clang, Clang!
It wasn’t just Michael. Gabriel and Raphael, who arrived through manipulation rather than summoning, were also bound by the chains.
“Lord, what should we do?”
Time was running out.
The chains were pulling him closer.
Michael frowned, seeking guidance from his noble Lord, knowing full well no answer would come.
Saint Michael, the one “closest to the Lord,” weighed the four options carefully.
“Michael, look ahead.”
Her concentration was broken by Gabriel’s heavenly voice.
“Our Lord has shown mercy.”
***
In truth, this game already has a predetermined outcome.
Michael observed everything through the Heavenly Eye.
He knows perfectly well which of us is more dangerous: Lucifer or me.
Beatrix and Aru are under my command, so there’s no need to consider them. Essentially, it boils down to choosing between two options.
And Michael likely knows the difference between Lucifer and me.
Besides, Lucifer just introduced me as “Chaos.” Sure, it’s just nonsense from an old man rambling, but hey, freedom of thought, right? Michael might believe I’m Chaos. And Chaos is far more dangerous than someone like Lucifer.
Moreover, decisively,
Lucifer has no intention of killing Uriel. There’s history and mutual respect between them since they were once comrades-in-arms.
Sure, one day Lucifer might snap and kill Uriel, but that’s part of the game risks.
Why haven’t Michael and the angels already killed Lucifer? Sentimentality remains. They mourn the loss of a fallen friend. If they truly wanted to annihilate Lucifer, they would have sided with Uriel and wiped him out instead of mediating their conflict.
Given these reasons, Michael will choose Lucifer to take care of Uriel. Especially since Lucifer looked genuinely frightened by Uriel, Gabriel, and Raphael—it fits perfectly.
Though entrusting a saint to a devil seems contradictory, whatever. I need to get out of here.
Breaking the contract between Lucifer and Beatrix—that’s my goal. To achieve this, I caused Uriel’s downfall, which drew the three archangels here due to the resulting karmic consequences.
I don’t want to incur the wrath of the archangels. While they can’t interfere with me as long as I stay in the Demon Forest, grudges tend to grow into future problems. Not worth it against Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
“G-Gabriel…? What should we do? If things continue like this, Uriel will…”
“Raphael, shut up. We have enough watchers already.”
“H-However, we’re running out of time…”
“Michael will make the final decision. Unfortunately for Uriel… follow Michael’s judgment. He is the unique representative of our Lord.”
“I understand…”
‘The strongest of all’ Gabriel speaks, and ‘the healer of sick travelers’ Raphael deflates like a punctured balloon.
Looks soft and innocent, but don’t be fooled. Back in the days, when Uriel tried to kill the Demon King for embracing evil, Raphael cried tears of blood and fiercely attacked the Demon King. Eventually, Raphael fought me, his second-in-command, for an hour until I nearly killed him.
No point in making enemies unnecessarily. Redirecting their anger is better.
“…Lucifer, I have a favor to ask.”
“Michael, have you decided?”
“I need your help. For old times’ sake, please take care of Uriel.”
“…”
Good, very good.
Michael, keep pushing. Lucifer seems conflicted. Show some charisma and authority as an archangel.
“Besides, there’s Chaos too, right?”
“Lucifer, I’m asking you.”
Kneeling before Lucifer, Michael lowers herself. Why does it feel so disheartening…? I believed in the Lord too, yet this archangel trusts a devil over me. Intentional or not, it stings a little.
“I don’t want any trouble. Just maintain the spark in Uriel that’s about to go out. With your powers, even that shouldn’t be too hard, right?”
“Uriel tried to kill me. What if she tries again?”
“Uriel is no longer an angel. She doesn’t have the strength to threaten you anymore.”
“…”
“Lucifer, at least out of respect for the old days. Surely you wouldn’t trust someone as dangerous as Chaos with Uriel, right?”
Hey, why am I already being labeled as Chaos? Just raise a bit of suspicion and move on.
Man, I like the idea of entrusting Uriel to Lucifer, but the reasoning bugs me.
“…”
Lucifer chins his hand, deep in thought. He doesn’t seem entirely comfortable either. He laughed maliciously during Beatrix’s tragedy, but now, faced with the misfortune of his former friend and rival, he hesitates.
Rustle.
“Grgh… ugh…”
At that moment, the fallen Uriel groaned, drawing everyone’s attention. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael approached her, pulling on the causal chains.
“Uriel, are you regaining consciousness?”
“U-Uriel…? Are you okay? I infused some holy energy, but it’s not working well here in the Demon Forest…”
“Michael… Raphael… Gabriel… Urgh…”
Surrounded by the touch of the three angels, Uriel opened her weary eyes to examine her surroundings.
Her gaze stopped on her wings, burned away into ash by sins of guilt—a pair of pure white wings symbolic of angels.
Tears welled up in Uriel’s golden eyes.
“How shall I live from now on?”
“…”
“All my life, I only desired to stand beside you, yearning only to grasp the truth…”
None of the angels could answer Uriel’s tearful question.
An oppressive silence hung over them. A deliciously tense silence.
“Young demon…? What’s going on?”
Aru whispers beside me. To preserve the thrilling moment, I place a finger over my lips.
“Shh.”
“Kyee…”
Resuming my immersion in the emotions of the angels,
Life, effort, years, pride, self-esteem—all shattered for poor Uriel. Her three close friends deeply empathize with the intense despair she feels after longing so desperately for “truth.”
Truly a beautiful masterpiece.
“Michael… this isn’t the future I dreamed of.”
“…”
“I wanted to reach the truth. That thing you kept emphasizing was the sole mission of my millions-of-years-long life—not eradicating evil or meting out punishment.”
“I’m sorry, Uriel. I restrained you.”
“You always spoke the truth. I’m the defeated one who willingly walked into the trap.”
A thick despair hangs in the air. She seems to have lost all motivation to live.
“Michael, just kill me here. Even with your limited power, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
“…”
“I don’t want to be handed over helplessly to Lucifer. I don’t want to wander aimlessly without purpose. The moment my wings were torn apart by the flames of sin, I, Uriel, died.”
“Uriel, you…”
“Just one regret lingers. Our Lord. Though it pains me to say this to you, Michael, I foolishly blamed our Lord while burning. Despite all the wrongs I committed…”
“…”
“It’s only fair karmic retribution. It’s only fitting punishment for offending our Lord. But now, I deeply regret it.”
As Uriel’s heartfelt confession continued, tears welled up in the eyes of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
“Our Lord… Great Lord… forgive me… Please forgive me…”
She sends her irretrievable apology heavenward.
“Foolish me… punish me as You see fit. I’ll gladly accept it.”
Just as Michael was deeply moved,
Shhhrrk!
Uriel’s back is bathed in golden light.
An unexpected phenomenon.
“Michael, look ahead.”
To the dejected Michael, Gabriel firmly declared.
“Our Lord has shown mercy.”
“!”
At Gabriel’s quiet words, Michael’s eyes widened as she gently tilted Uriel’s body back.
Thus, Uriel’s bare back, previously hidden, was revealed to the world—and along with it, the small white object nestled in the middle of her smooth back.
Shock swept across the faces of Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Lucifer, and myself as we watched.
“Uh…?”
“My wings…!”
“Wings! Wings have grown!”
Clearly, Uriel’s original wings were completely incinerated into ashes. I saw it with my own eyes.
But now, new wings adorn Uriel’s back. They sprouted shortly after a faint beam of holy light embedded itself in Uriel’s back.
Through the grace of the Lord.
Through the benevolence of the Lord.
Through the miracle of the Lord.
They’ve descended upon the ruined angel, Uriel, resonating with her repentant heart.
“But… this size… too small! Too small to enter Heaven!”
“Test… Uriel, it seems our Lord is testing you.”
“Eh… a test…?”
“Originally, you were destined to lose your wings and become an ordinary human… But your sincerity moved the Lord. New wings have sprouted for you. However, these new wings are too small. It means you’re not yet ready to return to Heaven.”
“That means…”
“Once again, walk the path of the Lord’s messenger. Grow your wings, seek the truth. That’s your task from now on.”
Gabriel calmly conveys the Lord’s will to Uriel.
This twist was unexpected.
“You are no longer Archangel Uriel. Start anew as a baby angel. It will be tough and arduous, but if you have the will to follow the Lord’s plan, don’t give up.”
“Gabriel’s right! Uriel, though you’ve lost all your powers, your experience and knowledge remain…”
“Uriel, may I ask you one thing?”
Throughout this, Michael has remained silent. Hurry up and hand her over to Lucifer. Whether she’s a baby angel or anything else, there’s nothing you can do for her. Taking her back to Heaven is impossible anyway.
“There are two kinds of lives. One is to live as an ordinary human, accepting one’s fate until the end. The other is uncertain but involves seeking the truth.”
“Michael…?”
“Choose one of these two lives, Uriel. I respect your decision. I cannot decide your future or your life for you. The choice, the responsibility, the life given to you—all belong solely to you.”
“…”
“Uriel, choose the life you truly desire. I’ll respect whichever path you choose.”
“…”
After an impossibly serious question, Uriel answered without hesitation.
“Truth.”
“Really?”
“I also wish to reach the truth. To meet the Lord and learn His noble will. If there’s a trial set for me by the Lord, I want to pass it proudly and stand before Him.”
“A dangerous choice.”
“If this reborn life is meant to die anyway, and there’s a choice that might lead to understanding the truth despite the risks—I’ll take it.”
“…Understood. I accept your decision.”
Standing up, Michael quietly addresses the awkwardly standing Lucifer.
“Forget my words, Lucifer. You’re no longer involved with us.”
“…Good news indeed.”
Hey, wait a minute. How can Lucifer be uninvolved?
Just because two tiny wings popped out doesn’t mean you can take Uriel back to Heaven.
Turning to me, Michael speaks.
“Mad demon of chaos.”
“Erm… Is the selection process over? Haha…”
“It matters little whether I entrust Uriel to you or one of your subordinates.”
“What?! Are you serious? Assigning her to me? Isn’t that dangerous? You know how perilous I am, Angel-san.”
Michael’s unexpected choice baffles me. I asked in exasperation, but Michael didn’t respond.
Gabriel and Raphael, standing beside Michael, step forward. Do they not understand either?
“Yeah, Michael, if that’s your choice, we’ll follow it.”
“Michael! Even if Lucifer seems unreliable, how can you leave Uriel with this demon? This demon caused Uriel’s downfall!”
You’re doing great, Raphael. You need to protest.
“Uriel has chosen this path, Raphael.”
“But…!”
“If Uriel stays with Lucifer, all she can learn is evil. Lucifer, who hasn’t grasped the truth, cannot guide Uriel toward enlightenment. But Chaos is different.”
“Eh?”
“Chaos represents disorder. In disorder, there is neither good nor evil. Thus, no one knows what Uriel might learn from Chaos. She might attain the truth, or she might fall further into danger. But Uriel has chosen Chaos. Even knowing the person who caused her downfall, she chose this gamble-like path to possibly attain the truth. To avoid regrets, she’s decided to walk this road.”
“Ah…”
“Therefore, mad demon of chaos. Uriel has chosen you. Take responsibility for her. Remember, if you cause Uriel’s death, the judgment of the three archangels will surely descend upon you.”
As Michael’s verdict falls like a hammer, my mind begins to whirl.
Damn.
Complications. Who would’ve thought Michael would make such a choice? My head hurts.
Headache alert. But it’s enjoyable. Despite the anticipated annoyances of traveling with Uriel, I oddly look forward to the future. An unintentional smile creeps onto my face.
What can I do?
Born this way, blame no one.
Accept it. Since it’s my problem, and Michael, with the Lord’s approval, resolved it brilliantly, I should reward her.
Spreading my arms wide, I cheerfully shouted.
“Yes! Thank you for participating in the show, Angel-san! Looking forward to your active participation next time!”
Laughter in tough times defines a pro. And I’m a pro.