Light chuckled softly, finding a certain pleasure in her bewilderment. "You're amusing, you know?" Without giving her a moment to react, he advanced, indifferent to her sword thrusts.
Deep down, Light was assessing the extent of his defense. If there was any weak spot, this was the perfect opportunity to find it. But truly threatening him would take more than merely the Durandal in Xenovia's hands.
She, however, didn't give up. With determination, she continued to strike at Light, but every slash, no matter how swift and accurate, sealed itself instantly, as if his skin possessed unbelievable regenerative capabilities.
"Damn it!" Xenovia growled, frustrated that she couldn't inflict any harm.
Amid the conflict, Irina joined Xenovia, but both found themselves powerless against Light's superiority. With each of his moves, their confidence wavered. After all, they were supposedly of similar ages. How could he be so much stronger than them?
"Irina, Xenovia," Light began, his voice soft yet laden with commanding assurance, "you must understand that I'm a direct descendant of light. Do you truly believe a weapon forged from luminous essence would harm me?"
With innate grace, Light bent down and picked up a dry twig. In an almost magical gesture, he summoned the "Blade of Astral Light" onto the twig, which, upon contact, transmuted into a radiant blade of light, rivaling the most legendary of swords. The sky, previously cloaked in the mantle of night, was flooded by the brilliance of the blade, making it the center of attention.
Those present watched in astonishment at the spectacle before them: Light had not only forged a mythical weapon from a mere twig but had also enveloped himself in a luminous armor, making him appear celestial.
Anyone might be forgiven for thinking they stood before a deity's descendant. The magnitude of this divine power was so palpable and overwhelming that the certainties and beliefs of the viewers were shaken, leading them to question reality itself.
However, the emitted brightness did not convey warmth or comfort. It was a cold, impersonal light, sending a chill of dread down the spines of those present, as if they were facing an harbinger of the end.
Noticing the apprehension of the two women, Light gently closed his hand, and the intense light vanished as if it had never been. With a calm yet firm voice, he inquired, "Do you understand now? Transforming into a Devil would only bring advantages for me. More power, a majestic wing, and an enhancement of my abilities. So, why not choose that?"
Irina, with a mix of revolt and disbelief, questioned, "Would you choose the path of evil just for power?"
Light let out a sarcastic laugh. "Evil? Are Devils evil because the church says so? And the church? The secret projects, the exploitations... So many atrocities hidden beneath the cloak of faith!"
Light's accusations struck deep into Xenovia, who, consumed by remorse, lowered her head. The impact of his words was so strong that Xenovia's faith wavered, and consequently, the fortune of the host increased.
Xenovia's eyes blinked rapidly, a shadow of doubt passing over them as she bit her lower lip.
The Female Protagonist, Xenovia Quarta, had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune increased by 20, while Destiny points increased by 100.
Irina struggled to keep her belief intact.
In the heavy, charged atmosphere of that arena, Irina, with an intense gaze, tried to console Xenovia, "Don't listen to him, Xenovia." Her voice trembled, but the genuine tone of faith was evident. "He might have a point about certain things, but he's using that to unsettle you. Not everything is black and white."
Light, with a twisted smile and mocking gaze, cast a provocative look at them. "And the Devils? Aren't we in the same boat? Sounds like a double standard to me!"
Irina, clearly shaken and at the end of her patience, shot back, "Why don't you just shut up?" Yet her words seemed more a reflection of her own insecurities. She tried not to ponder the complexities and nuances of the reality that Light was portraying, but deep down, she felt he might be right.
{If it's not a double standard, then what do you call what's happening? If Asia Argento returned to the church, how would she be received? Would she be embraced with open arms? Or would they stone her until there was no life left in her body? Heh... Are there malevolent devils? Yes, unquestionably. But are they all? Just as there are bad humans, there are also Devils with pure hearts.}
{Thinking about Kuroka. She too is a victim of circumstances. Even if her story were told far and wide, would people stop judging her? I highly doubt it. Every race has its wonders and its flaws. But they want to convince me that Devils are the embodiment of evil, while humans are the pinnacle of goodness? Oh please, don't make me laugh!}
Light's inner voice, filled with genuine mood fluctuations, seemed to have the power to trigger long-forgotten memories. It was a familiar yet distant voice that echoed not just in their ears, but deep within their souls. As he spoke, images began flooding Irina and Xenovia's minds, taking them back to moments they had tried to pretend didn't exist.
[flashbacks]
Scene 1: In the Library
[Not long ago, the library was silent with several people reading or studying. Irina and Xenovia sit at a table, looking at a book about legends and myths.
Irina: These Devils, always causing trouble. Typical of them, right?
Xenovia: True, and the way they deceive people... It's awful.
At a table nearby, a believer stands up and starts to bother another person, trying to convert their faith.
Irina: (ignoring the believer) Well, Devils will never learn.
Scene 2: Walking in the City
The streets are bustling with people, vendors, and music. Irina and Xenovia stroll among the stalls, looking at items.
Xenovia: I find it funny how Devils always want something in return. They never do anything for free.
Irina: Exactly! Always with ulterior motives.
Across the street, a believer tries to sell sacred amulets promising protection but for a high price.
Xenovia: (ignoring the believer) We always need to be wary of Devils.
Scene 3: At the Café
In a cozy setting with the aroma of fresh coffee in the air, Irina and Xenovia sit at a table, discussing their studies.
Irina: Devils are always after power, never satisfied.
Xenovia: They are insatiable. Unlike us, who seek balance.
Two tables over, a group of believers heatedly debates who holds more power and influence in their community.
Irina: (ignoring the group) Yes, we have principles.
Scene 4: At the Temple
The ambiance is serene. Many believers pray and meditate. Irina and Xenovia are in a corner, speaking in hushed tones.
Xenovia: I heard that the Devils are planning something big. Always scheming.
Irina: And always after innocent souls.
At the altar, a believer boasts about how many souls he "saved", making it seem more like a competition than an act of faith.
Xenovia: (ignoring the believer) Yes, we need to protect people from the Devils.]
"I..."
The two looked into each other's eyes, sharing a deep sadness and a feeling of guilt. Both realized they had been unfair in their judgments, ignoring the evident flaws within their own group while pointing out the faults of others.
The Female Protagonist, Irina Shidou had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune rose by 10, while the Destiny points increased by 50.
The Female Protagonist, Xenovia Quarta had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune rose by 10, while the Destiny points increased by 50.
Irina noticed the hesitation in Xenovia's eyes, the lost gaze, and the defeated posture. It was such a strong blow for Xenovia that Irina, though deeply affected herself, immediately felt the need to protect her. Amidst the confusion and fear, all Irina wanted was to take Xenovia by the hand and run away, far from the disturbing presence of Light.
In the midst of that palpable tension, Light's voice echoed, touching the depths of Xenovia and Irina's souls unbearably. There was something almost hypnotic about his words, something that tore at the core of their faith, making them question their own resolve. It was a torment neither had ever felt.
Curiously, even in the face of this challenge, the fortune of both women seemed to flourish. From an initial 300 and 350, Xenovia and Irina saw their numbers rise to 380 and 320, respectively. It was an unexpected revelation: their faith was directly linked to their fortune. But what did that truly mean?
Realizing his approach wasn't working, Light knew he needed to change strategies if he wanted to keep them close without resorting to force. Smiling sarcastically and with a challenging look, he taunted, "You always mention God, faith... But what would you say if..."
"Don't you dare!", Irina interrupted, a grip of panic in her chest.
Xenovia also felt a wave of discomfort, her stomach churning in a mix of fear and anger.
Nonetheless, Light continued, scoffing at Irina's attempt to stop him: "During the third war, many perished, including a figure no one expected. That someone, believe it or not, was God!"
Shocked and on the brink of tears, Xenovia shook her head vehemently, "That's a lie!", she shouted, the denial evident in every syllable. "It can't be true! It's a cruel lie!"
The Female Protagonist, Xenovia Quarta had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune rose by 10, while the Destiny points increased by 50.
The Female Protagonist, Xenovia Quarta had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune rose by 10, while the Destiny points increased by 50.
The Female Protagonist, Xenovia Quarta had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune rose by 10, while the Destiny points increased by 50.
The Female Protagonist, Irina Shidou had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune rose by 5, while the Destiny points increased by 25.
Light observed Xenovia's reactions astutely. He could see the contradiction in her eyes: while her words vehemently denied his statement, there was a visible hesitation in her posture, a questioning that had never been there before. In his mind, he reflected: 'She denies with words, but her faith is no longer the same. Could this be the influence of my mystic ability, the "Hypocritical Persuasion"?'
Sporting an enigmatic smile, he continued, his voice sounding almost melodic, "You must be wondering, how someone with my powers can continue to exist or use them after being reincarnated as a Devil?" Saying this, he reached out and, with a bold gesture, touched the crucifix hanging around Xenovia's neck. "Notice. The supreme symbol of Christian faith does not harm me. Could the answer to this be tied to the fate of God? Isn't Michael the one now leading the heavens?"
The weight of Light's words seemed crushing. Xenovia, with a heavy heart and a confused spirit, knelt down, murmuring words of denial, trying to cling to any spark of faith left. Beside her, Irina too felt her inner world shaken, even more so when Light, before their eyes, manifested a radiance brighter than any celestial light she had ever seen.
That luminosity was a living contradiction. A Devil displaying such pure and divine power? Touching holy symbols without any repulsion? And Irina's prayer, why hadn't it affected him? All of this led to an inevitable and unsettling question: had God, against all beliefs, truly ceased to exist?
The Female Protagonist, Xenovia Quarta, had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune increased by 70, while Destiny points rose by 350.
The Female Protagonist, Irina Shidou, had her faith shaken; the Host's Fortune increased by 100, while Destiny points rose by 500.
The expressions on Xenovia and Irina's faces twisted in agony, the weight of Light's revelations too much for their devout souls. And, in a moment of sheer vulnerability, they both succumbed to unconsciousness. The ensuing silence was almost deafening.
Light remained still, taking in the magnitude of what he had just done. He felt no guilt, for, in his mind, it was only a matter of time before they discovered the truth on their own. However, now, faced with two young women rendered unconscious by his words, he knew he couldn't just leave them here.
With a resigned sigh, storing their swords in the [Inner World], he gently took them into his arms, one on each side. His wings burst from his back, shrouded in a luminescent aura, and with a powerful flap, he soared towards his residence.
━━━━ ≪?￢ﾉﾫ ━━━━
Upon entering the hall of his dwelling, Himari looked at him with curiosity. "Who are these young girls, young master?", she inquired, trying to conceal her prior knowledge about them. She really didn't have a choice.
If she tried to intentionally reveal something that showed she knew who they were, and it led to the revelation of her hearing the inner voice, it was blocked.
With a half-sarcastic smile, he replied: "They are church-goers, devout Christians."
The truth about God's death had shaken the core of their beliefs. Even though they were unconscious now, a seed of doubt had already been planted in their hearts. The moment they challenged the Church about this truth, excommunication would be the inevitable outcome. And Light, well, he simply hastened the inevitable.
Irina's future was uncertain. It was unknown if, later on, she would be reincarnated as an Angel by the hands of Archangel Michael.
Inside the guest room, Light, with meticulous care, removed the holy swords from his [Inner World] and positioned them beside the beds where the two rested.
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