"Angel?"
Upon entering the classroom, Naoki immediately overheard the class discussion as he set down his bag and sat.
A small group of students near the back door turned to him after hearing his voice. "Natsukawa, you didn't know? About what happened last night."
"Oh, that really bright light? What about it?"
"The thing emitting the light was apparently an angel. Last night, someone near my house saw something in the light, like an angel."
An angel emitting the light?
Naoki and Artoria exchanged a glance, then he asked, "Can you explain in more detail? About this angel."
"Sure, it wasn't just near my house—lots of people saw it. They say it was an angel with colorful, radiant wings, asking people if they wanted their wishes granted."
"Granting wishes? An angel that can grant people's wishes?"
"Who knows? I just heard it from my neighbor; I don't know the details—why, Natsukawa, you interested in this angel?"
"A little."
Clenching his fist, Naoki returned to his seat, lowering his voice to Artoria behind him. "Hey, Pendragon, is this another type of monster?"
"I think so, but we'd need to see it in person to be sure."
An angel-like monster that can grant human wishes?
Following typical story patterns, the angel form was likely a facade. Inside was probably a monster that gained power by granting wishes, or the so-called wish-granting was a trick—essentially dreams, illusions, or mind control. Something like that.
Naoki had seen similar scenarios on TV too many times.
"If a monster appears, we need to act. Please stay ready to strike, Master."
"Yeah, I know. It's just, to transform like that, the Holy Sword… it's still at home."
Though it was just a hunch, merging and transforming with Artoria required the Holy Sword. From what they'd seen, the sword would fly to them on its own, but if it didn't, they'd have to go back for it.
What if he carried the Holy Sword with him from now on? Maybe stuff it in a tennis bag?
And at that moment—
"Hey! Look outside! That light's appearing in the sky again!"
A voice rang out in the class, and all the students rushed to the windows. As shouted, the same colorful rainbow light from early that morning was now shining in the sky again!
In daylight, any light should appear much dimmer, as sunlight could overpower almost any glow.
Light would be swallowed by stronger light.
But now, the rainbow light shining in the sky was so bright it nearly outshone the sun. As the rainbow light grew brighter, within the red glow, a massive silhouette slowly emerged.
"An angel…"
Someone murmured softly.
No one doubted the statement, as the entity floating in the air truly gave the impression of an angel.
Wings of light radiating colorful brilliance, a pure white body seemingly connected by strange orbs—this figure, bathed in vibrant rainbow light, slowly descended from the sky.
[Announcement]
A voice suddenly projected into the minds of everyone watching the angel, as if splitting their heads to insert the words. The profound words made everyone clutch their heads.
[Commencing Announcement]
Raising both hands high, like a messenger delivering divine revelation, the angel looked down at the city.
[Here begins the announcement]
[Bringing destruction to this world, annihilation to this world, purification to this world]
The rainbow light bloomed on the wings behind the angel, as if fully charged. The pair of colorful light wings suddenly extended rapidly, stretching to the horizon in an instant, like a boundary line splitting Fuyuki City in two.
Then—
*BOOOOOM!*
Destructive light rained from the sky. The colorful rainbow light burst from the wings, and wherever it struck—centered at Fuyuki Bridge, extending north and south—everything in its range shattered into pieces within the rainbow glow!
The boundary line splitting Fuyuki City in two, previously just a figure of speech, became reality in an instant.
Truly, physically, tangibly, it split Fuyuki City in two!
"…"
A chilling silence enveloped the entire class, even the whole school.
And after the silence faded, what followed was…
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhh—————!"
"What the hell is that————!"
"Monster! Monster! It's a monster!!!"
"Run, quick—————!"
Fear, panic, terror… Such emotions instantly filled everyone's hearts. The students, who moments ago had looked at the angel with slight excitement, were now a group consumed by fear, thinking only of fleeing with all their might!
Unmatched chaos filled every corner of the class. Nearly all the students were packing their bags, preparing to run, though they didn't know where to. But instinct told them, in this situation, they had to flee, or when the rainbow light struck again, they'd surely die!
But before everyone could escape, a ribbon of light extended beneath their feet without warning. In the air, the angel with colorful light wings shifted its direction. Its massive wings moved too. Whether by chance or intent, directly beneath those wings was Homurahara Academy.
The shadow of death instantly cloaked everyone's hearts. In just a few seconds, everything within this ribbon of light would be utterly destroyed in the rainbow glow, just like the area before!
The fear already filling their hearts swelled even more. Not just their hearts—fear paralyzed their bodies, rendering nearly everyone immobile.
Yes, nearly everyone.
*THUD!*
Opening the window and stepping onto the sill, under Manaka's shocked gaze, Naoki leapt out. Following him, Artoria jumped too, and not far away in the air, a golden meteor streaked toward them!
"Naoki! Pendragon-san!"
Manaka rushed to the window and looked down, but instead of seeing them fall, a brilliant golden light enveloped her entire vision!
[Summoning element confirmed, activating pre-reserved ritual—commencing summoning ritual]
[Summoning target—King Arthur]
Under everyone's gaze, another massive silhouette emerged from the blinding light, landing heavily on the ground like a hero arriving!
Sacred Sword Armor: King Arthur—Appears.