The chaos in the Holy Capital hadn't fully died down yet.
But the worst of the conflict was over.
Thanks to Rei Ao's invisible yet absolute protection, the core team—Emilia, Emerada, Suzuno Kamazuki, and Albert—completely dismantled the corrupt power network left behind by Olba with overwhelming force.
The evidence was rock solid.
Backed by Church auditor Suzuno Kamazuki,
reinforced by Emerada's magical pressure and widespread connections, anchored by Albert's unwavering defense and commanding presence, and fueled by Emilia's return—a hero with massive influence and unity behind her.
The parasites who once latched onto Olba either gave up in despair or panicked and switched sides.
Some higher-ups in the Church—those who still held real faith and were heartbroken by the corruption—finally found the courage to stand up and join the effort to set things right.
The Church's internal power structure was going through a full-blown purge like never before.
There were still undercurrents, of course, and the road ahead wouldn't be easy.
But the suffocating dark cloud Olba had cast over the Holy Capital had been ripped open by the returning light of the Hero.
A new dawn was breaking.
And the heart of Ente Isla was going through a painful, but hopeful, rebirth.
Then, in the calmest moment before dawn—
a new presence quietly descended on a remote hill at the edge of the city.
Compared to Sariel or Gabriel's earlier arrivals, this one felt softer, purer… almost maternal in its warmth.
No loud booms. No blinding lights.
Just moonlight, drawn in like liquid silver, gently pooling in one place.
From that light, a figure slowly formed.
She had long, silky silver hair that flowed like moonlight to her waist, shimmering with tiny sparkles like stardust.
Her beauty couldn't be described with ordinary words—timeless and graceful, yet untouched by any worldly impurity.
Her violet eyes were deep and calming, like a night sky that seemed to understand everything, filled with warmth and wisdom.
She wore a simple white dress that glowed faintly with divine light, outlining her elegant, dignified figure.
A pair of soft, pure-white wings rested quietly behind her, glowing with a gentle radiance.
She was Lailah Justina, the Archangel of Life, Creation, and Protection.
Almost at the same time, Rei Ao appeared on the other side of the hill.
Same casual outfit.
Hands casually tucked into his pockets.
Gaze calm as ever, meeting hers head-on.
He never tried to stop her from arriving.
He didn't trap her in another space like he did with Sariel.
Because he could sense it clearly—she didn't come with any hostility.
Just curiosity. Concern.
And a soft, indescribable bond.
Lailah looked at him.
Her violet eyes filled with open curiosity, quietly studying him—like she wanted to peel back every layer of his mystery.
Rei Ao didn't mind. He let her look, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, amused smile.
After a brief silence, Lailah spoke first.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Lailah Justina."
Her voice was gentle and light, like the softest harp string.
"Rei Ao," he replied simply, his tone calm.
But there was a knowing look in his eyes.
"Archangel Lailah, I'm guessing you know what happened to the last two birdbrains who showed up here, yeah? The way they got chased back to heaven with their tails between their legs?"
Lailah laughed lightly behind her hand,
and even the moonlight around them seemed to soften.
"Yes… Sariel's hot-headedness and Gabriel's slippery games—I know. I sensed their embarrassment, too."
She spoke like she was talking about two troublesome little brothers.
"But trust me—my reason for coming is completely different."
Rei Ao nodded.
His gaze had already gone far past her peaceful demeanor, straight to the core of her soul.
Then he said something that caught her completely off guard:
"It's true. Sariel came for the Evolved Holy Sword: One-Wing. Gabriel came to observe and maintain balance.
But you, Lailah Justina…"
He paused.
"You're Emilia's mother. There's no way you'd ever harm her."
Lailah's smile vanished in an instant.
Her violet eyes flew wide, stunned.
The moonlight around her shimmered as her emotions rippled outward.
"How… how do you know that?!"
Her voice, usually so serene and celestial, now trembled slightly.
That secret… only the highest-ranking angels in Heaven knew it.
Yet this man from another world had just spoken it without hesitation.
He was right.
She wasn't Emilia's biological mother—
but Emilia's soul, the life that carried so much hope and potential, was something Lailah had personally helped create.
She guided Heaven's light of life into the essence of Ente Isla and gave form to Emilia's soul.
She was her true creator—the one who gave her meaning.
Rei Ao watched her shaken expression and smiled knowingly.
"When I want to know something, it's pretty hard to keep it from me. As for how I found out…"
He shrugged.
"Too complicated. And honestly, not really important right now."
He shifted the subject and looked toward the Holy Capital.
In the distance, faint sounds of celebration could be heard—suppressed, but unmistakably joyful.
"You came all this way. Don't you want to see her? Your daughter?"
Lailah followed his gaze.
Her violet eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions—longing, pride, anxiety… and that hesitant fear of being too close to home.
She could sense Emilia's presence—pure and strong, marked by the aura of the holy sword.
And beside her, the unwavering determination of her companions.
"She's… doing something incredible."
Lailah's voice softened, touched with quiet pride.
"Even if it's not quite how I imagined things would go."
Emilia's growth, her convictions, her choices…
and especially this man standing beside her—
everything had taken a very different path from what was originally planned.
~~~
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