An Angel Lives in the Academy
Chapter 108: The Angel Goes to Sea (7)

The Inquisition Sword was a black sword. He didn't know what material it was made of, but its luster resembled that of obsidian or black jade.

The tip of the sword was blunt. It was forged to pass judgment, not to kill, and, therefore, it was without sin.

A single inscription ran along the blade.

[By the name of God, forged. This sword without sin.]

It was the only item, among all the items he knew of, that explicitly mentioned ‘God.’ Even holy swords forged by angels, even Sanctus, woven by angels, only spoke of Heaven. This sword was different.

‘It’s really strange when you think about it.’

An item that mentioned God, an item that could only be used through summoning. Where did it even come from? And just what kind of power did it possess to be able to even judge a Fallen Angel?

‘Well, that's not important right now.’

What was important wasn’t that, but the fact that the Inquisition Sword had an extreme advantage against a corrupt angel like the Demon King.

The sword, now glowing white, soared towards the sea. Perhaps it was heated by air friction, or perhaps it was because of the blessings from the Angelic Abilities it was imbued with.

The reason didn’t matter.

What mattered was that it was beautiful.

As the brilliant sword plunged into the sea, a massive explosion erupted. A gigantic sinkhole spread, with the point of impact as its epicenter.

And then the gleaming Inquisition Sword,

Shining brightly, vanished into the darkness...

“Stop tormenting people by sending monsters at them.”

Leffrey muttered as he looked at the fading light. Just how many evil deeds had the demon king committed? He destroyed the other world, and now he’s trying to destroy the human world.

“Stop making people do evil deeds.”

And it wasn't just by brute force, either. He was using karma, a power that could only be wielded by angels, to guide the world toward darkness.

“Stop... stop killing people!”

So many people had died.

“Please, just stop it! You scum!”

Perhaps this was his only chance. The demon king was revealing his location by blowing those annoying trumpets—*Booo, Booo*. And Leffrey was the only one left on Earth who could hear those trumpets and track his location.

Maybe, maybe the demon king, having used demonic power to blow those trumpets, had taken massive damage from this throwing sword attack.

Without needing a hero or a holy sword…

Could the Demon King be defeated like this?

Of course, this was just the personal wish of Leffrey, the greedy angel, but...

‘It’s not just my wish. Everyone wants that!’

Even if he failed, it didn’t matter. All he had to do was disable the demon king’s ability to use the trumpets. After all, the Inquisition Sword was an item that had to be summoned.

‘Wait…?’

Even though he’s a stupid angel, Leffrey had taken that into consideration before throwing the Inquisition Sword. Surely he wouldn't have thrown the Inquisition Sword, thinking to use it just once and discard it.

‘Y-Yes, I considered it all, of course.’

… Hmm.

Anyway, the Inquisition Sword continued its journey, unhindered. It pierced through the deep ocean with a loud boom, and, finally, reached the Demon King's Castle Gate somewhere in the Mariana Trench.

But the Inquisition Sword didn’t stop there. Towards the place where the war trumpets were blaring, the place where the seven trumpets echoed…

Towards the place where the Demon King dwelled, the sword flew.

“… It stopped.”

Less than five minutes after throwing the Inquisition Sword, the trumpets that had been shaking the karma finally went silent.

The karma was quiet.

And so was the shore.

It was just another evening at Mariana Camp.

“Did I... succeed?”

Leffrey muttered. Saying such things often leads to failure, but Leffrey couldn’t help but say those words.

“But why… Why isn’t a message popping up?”

Leffrey tilted his head. Angelic messages would appear for even the smallest things. But there was no message for stopping the demon king’s trumpets?

Gulp—

Leffrey readied himself once again, staring at the darkened sea.

Thump—Thump—Thump—

Just what was that sound?

Leffrey’s heart beating?

Or…

“So, this is how we meet.”

A beautiful voice came from the shore. It was a somewhat androgynous voice, not quite that of a girl’s, a voice that carried a hint of nostalgia.

There’s a saying that feeling nostalgic is a human foolishness, but…

“Hello.”

A boy stood on the shore. He had long black hair that swayed in the sea breeze, and a gray trench coat that flapped around him. Ruby red eyes and a gaze that held a hint of cruelty.

But he, somehow,

Resembled Leffrey.

“My little angel.”

The demon king smiled.

“The Demon King, Luciel…?”

Leffrey took a step back, hiding his trembling hand, and looked at the demon king.

‘Black hair, red eyes, the form of a pure-looking pretty boy who seems to look clueless. That’s the demon king I remember.’

But how could the demon king suddenly appear here? There were seven systems in place to monitor the Demon Castle Gate in the Mariana Trench, two in Earth's orbit and three at Mariana Camp.

How could he possibly appear so suddenly without any warning?

Leffrey cautiously focused on his Silver Shoes. He couldn’t feel the flow of karma.

‘If the demon king had appeared in person, the Silver Shoes would have notified me. A being like the demon king… would always be accompanied by a massive karma storm…’

Therefore, Leffrey could only come to this conclusion.

“It’s an avatar. Or perhaps an illusion.”

“That’s right. Hehe, quite perceptive for a little angel.”

The demon king readily admitted it.

“But even this avatar would be stronger than a little child like you, right?”

Whoosh- A cold wind blew from the distant sea. A cold wind that shouldn’t exist in the South Sea.

[The Silver Shoes have detected a strong movement of karma.]

[The Silver Shoes have detected a strong movement of karma.]

[The Silver Shoes have detected a strong movement of karma.]

At that moment, Leffrey felt it.

‘This avatar is on par with Iriel… no, even stronger?’

To think that a mere avatar could emanate this much power. Just how powerful was the demon king’s true form?

‘… I already knew that the demon king was strong.’

Perhaps only Leffrey, among all living beings, knew the demon king’s true strength.

‘After all, he was the one who defeated all the professors and the heroes of the human world. And even stopped Iriel’s mutual destruction attack…’

He already knew he was strong.

But Leffrey decided to fight.

“So what? Are you hoping I'll be trembling in fear? Or hoping that I’ll surrender to you?”

“Hehehe, to be honest, I can’t say that’s completely untrue, but…”

The demon king smiled.

It was a truly innocent smile.

‘Tsk, this cowardly Demon King. You probably use that smile to catch people off guard, don't you? So cowardly!’

While Leffrey, the contradictory Angel, was inwardly grumbling, the Demon King looked at the sea and slowly continued.

“I didn’t come here to harm you. I came for a conversation.”

“Conversation?”

“Yes, a conversation. A conversation between angels.”

The Demon King said,

“My little angel, why are you fighting for this world?”

“Naturally, it’s to protect humanity from you! You’re the one tormenting them!”

At those words, the demon king nodded understandingly.

“Then we can get along. Because you’re fighting for the same reason as me.”

And he said something that made no sense at all.

At those words, Leffrey was furious.

“What the heck are you talking about?!”

“I’m saying that I feel the same. I’m also trying to defeat the demon king to protect my people. I would do anything for that.”

Honestly, he didn’t expect to have a normal conversation, but wasn’t this a bit too insane? Leffrey took a step back and asked again.

“Demon King, are you out of your mind?”

“Hehe, perhaps it’s a concept too difficult for a young angel to grasp.”

As he spoke, Luciel, the Demon King, then began to build a sandcastle with his small hands, just like a child would.

“Long ago, there was a demon king. The demon king always stole, murdered, deceived, and waged war.”

Just what was he talking about? Telling a story about a demon king when he was the demon king himself. Leffrey wondered if he should just run away and call the professors.

“The demon king’s evil deeds dragged karma into the darkness. The karma, pulled into darkness, further darkened the world, and, in that darkened world, the demon king could commit even more evil deeds with ease. My little angel, do you understand me so far?”

“Of course I do! You’re doing exactly that right now!”

Luciel, looking at the enraged Leffrey,

muttered, as if he were truly sad.

“But my kind, too good for their own good, didn't try to kill the demon king. They just wanted to lead the world towards the light. Some even sacrificed themselves trying to guide the demon king to the right path.”

And the demon king muttered in a cruel voice,

“Hmph, but you can’t defeat the demon king like that. They were so foolish. Truly… Thus, my kind… all of them...”

Then the demon king casually caressed Leffrey’s cheek, his face brightening with a smile as if he were really happy.

“But I’m so happy to see a surviving angel! My last remaining little angel! I’ll do anything for you!”

“… You’re truly insane, Demon King. You’re saying this after killing all the other angels, after you brought about the fall of Heaven?”

Slap—Leffrey swatted the demon king’s hand away.

And confidently declared,

“I am your enemy, not your little angel.”

“That… makes me a little… sad.”

Luciel stomped the sandcastle he was building and lowered his head as if truly saddened.

“But it doesn’t matter. I’ve confirmed that there’s a surviving angel, so I can work harder from now on.”

“… What are you going to work harder at?”

“Naturally, it’s to slay the demon king who’s corrupting this world and save my people.”

The Demon King, Luciel, smiled, his face twisted with madness, clenching his hands together as if he would surely succeed this time.

“And this time, I’ll definitely make this world a brighter place!”

Sparkle sparkle, a black halo glimmered behind the Demon King Luciel's head. Leffrey, speechless, just stared at the rejoicing demon king.

“Just what…”

Leffrey suddenly understood what Luciel meant.

“Wait…”

Leffrey recalled words he had heard long ago. Saint Rebecca, who’s always been cynical, once looked at him and said, ‘In the end, humans... are all just descendants of murderers.’

“Don’t tell me… You consider humanity to be the demon king?”

“Yes. Is there any being in this world more demonic than humanity? And who would know this fact better than you, Leffrey?”

Leffrey tried to refute Luciel’s words.

But he couldn’t.

“And by ‘people’... you meant us angels?”

“Of course. We are the only true people.”

The demon king approached Leffrey again and cautiously muttered,

“The only one I have left. My precious Leffrey. I’ll protect you from the demon king.”

“… Do as you please. But you’ll always be my enemy, no matter what you say.”

With those words, the demon king slowly disappeared into the darkness.

“Ah, and…”

Luciel opened his hand. A white, sword-like fragments remained in his hand. The shards of the Inquisition Sword scattered from his hand.

“That attack just now was quite impressive. You have my praise.”

With those words, the demon king disappeared.

Leffrey, left alone on the beach, fell to his knees and covered his face.

The young angel suddenly felt the weight on his shoulders to be unbearably heavy.