NOVEL WEB Chapter 219.1
Chapter 219.1. Archangel
In the nearly twenty years since the dungeon emerged, the Ashikaga family’s mansion had grown more magnificent with each passing year. What had once been a small and modest home had now become a sprawling estate so vast that a child playing hide-and-seek might easily get lost. The garden, meticulously tended by a skilled gardener, was so beautifully arranged that it garnered admiration from all who saw it. The trees were pruned perfectly, and even the smallest item in the house was so valuable that an ordinary person would tremble at the thought of breaking it.
The Ashikaga family’s mansion, a symbol of authority in the inner city, was on the verge of becoming a ruin on this very night.
Corpses lay scattered around, and somewhere, agonized groans could be heard. Every wall had been destroyed, leaving gaping holes, and dark stains were splattered everywhere. The once beautiful garden was unrecognizable, the house filled with expensive furnishings was now in ruins, and fires had broken out in various places.
The sounds of shouting and screaming created a cacophony, making the scene appear like something out of hell, especially given the midnight hour.
In the midst of it all stood Shizuku, wearing a silver mask, quietly watching. Her silky hair fluttered gently, and the masked beauty mischievously smiled as she spoke.
“I heard there’s a vast difference in power between the heavenly and earthly realms, Michael. So, what happens when the difference is as vast as between the demon realm and the heavenly realm? According to you, I’d be defeated with just a flick of your finger, wouldn’t I?”
Teasingly, Shizuku asked this as she looked at Michael, who had been kicked away. The man who bore the name of the Archangel slowly stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes.
“Well, well, isn’t this Pixie? Are you trying to hide your identity with that toy mask? You really are a fool, aren’t you? From what I hear, you’ve run away from the Earth Federation forces and formed a gang. The once-called strongest of the strong have truly fallen.”
With a faint smile, Michael mocked Shizuku. His words also reached Yoshimitsu, who, with great interest, pricked up his ears to listen.
Seeing this, Shizuku wondered whether she should give away unnecessary information. She pondered what to do, but…
[It’s fine, isn’t it? We can use this Michael guy. Just keep talking and let Ashikaga imagine whatever he wants.]
Beside her, the ghostly figure of Sakimori floated, chuckling with a wicked grin. Shizuku, who always loved how Sakimori constantly schemed, gave a slight nod. They would make full use of this foolish Archangel.
As one of God’s servants who forgave everything, surely this much could be overlooked, Shizuku thought with amusement, letting out a little laugh.
She folded her arms, puffed out her chest, and responded mockingly.
“Well, well, isn’t it Michael? Are you trying to hide your identity with that ugly mask? You really are stupid, aren’t you? It’s about time you started neighing. There’s no carrot here, though, horsey. I don’t speak horse, but did you understand me, Michael?”
With a derisive snort, Shizuku’s mocking words caused Michael to twist his mouth into a crescent-shaped grin, his face contorted with anger.
“…This is my natural face. Did I get a bit more sarcastic? Your ugly face is only getting uglier.”
“Michael, are you eating properly? With your fallen army, I doubt you’re even getting decent meals, let alone a salary. I forgot to bring some cabbage scraps. Let’s have you stop by the kitchen later.”
Shizuku chuckled softly, and Michael also smiled wryly, the two of them staring at each other.
“You’ll regret this, you flat-chested girl with a big attitude.”
“Michael, you really forgot my name, didn’t you? You’re truly Michael, aren’t you?”
They fell silent, staring at each other for a moment, and then simultaneously prepared to fight.
“I’ll kill you!”
[Wind King’s Blade Dance]
Michael unleashed the wind blades that had cornered Yoshimitsu. A tornado swirled around Michael, and countless wind guillotines flew toward Shizuku.
“The power is on a completely different level from earlier?!”
“I’ll grant you a fitting end for garbage like you!”
As Yoshimitsu’s astonished voice echoed, Michael sneered with a vicious grin, shouting in a contemptuous tone.
“You’re still the same short-tempered guy, aren’t you?”
As the wind blades, moving at breakneck speed, came flying toward her, Shizuku began walking slowly toward Michael, a cold smile on her face.
“So predictable and uncreative, your magic.”
As the wind blades closed in, Shizuku took just half a step to the side. The blades of wind passed by her without hitting, her hair ruffled by the pressure, and she skipped lightly forward.
With each step, a wind blade passed by her side. All of them came just close enough to brush against her, but none ever struck.
“An attack without any battle sense.”
The fairy danced with a chuckle, and Michael, his face contorted in anger, increased the speed at which he fired the wind blades.
“Fairy’s Waltz. Consider yourself lucky to witness it, Michael.”
Shizuku, still laughing joyfully, quickened her steps, dodging each attack as she steadily approached Michael. The wind blades that missed her exploded behind her, smashing walls like a child knocking over building blocks, showing just how powerful they were.
“Why won’t it hit? Damn it, why won’t it hit?!”
“With status-dependent, brute-force magic, you can’t catch me. Didn’t you know that?”
Finally, Shizuku closed the distance between them in a single breath. Michael, his face twisted with rage, tried to jump back to create some distance, abandoning the magic he had been casting.
“You’re exhausted from a fighting style that only relies on the basics. Well done, Michael.”
As he bent his knees to jump, Shizuku closed in. With a cold smile, she pulled out a new type of weapon, with only the hilt visible, and conjured a crystal-like blade.
[Slash]
“Damn it—”
In a panicked attempt, Michael leaped, but it was too late. Far too late.
Shizuku swung her sword with such speed that her arm blurred, and Michael’s body was split apart. He flew through the air, spraying blood, propelled by the force of his own leap.
“Impressive… Is this the power of the Jester Knight?”
Yoshimitsu, who had been overwhelmed even after unleashing the power of his magic sword, marveled at the girl’s strength, finding it even more impressive than the rumors.
But, realizing that he had indeed been saved, he was about to express his gratitude when he noticed that Rei was still on guard.
“…I’m surprised. Can you tell me who did this?”
In a cold voice, full of accusation, Shizuku questioned Michael, who lay dismembered in a pool of blood.
Just then, Michael’s severed body twitched.
“Well done.”
“You missed nothing.”
Voices came from both the upper and lower halves of Michael’s body. From each half, wings sprouted, like those of a swan, and they floated up into the air.