And by that time the other blade was already on its way down
This wide swing was using the back of the blade In other words the flame blade
Lucia’s back was bent so he managed to sway out of the blade’s path but the blue flames scattered by the passing weapon still scorched his skin
I’m not done yet
As the boy tried to pull back Ange stepped further forward and placed her body weight behind the first attack
The boy and scythe were knocked backwards and his smoking body crashed into the wooden wall
Kh D-damn you’re fast
No I’m not
Lucia grimaced from the damage and the angel’s foot was already right in front of him
He somehow managed to escape to the side and Ange’s flying kick shook the entire tower when it hit the wall
But she used that as her first step and made a second and third step on the nearby column and wall
You’re just slow
As if to pay him back for earlier she stabbed a sharp midair kick into his cheek
She watched his body fly off and made a light landing
She was strong Even as a bystander the difference in their strengths was overwhelming to
Mutsuki Lucia clearly had superhuman power but Ange outdid him in everything
I’m no match for you
The boy had avoided an actual fatal blow but his skin was burnt and he had been kicked across the room His voice was weak as he got back up and he raised his hands as if to surrender
Improper interference in the human world is a first degree violation of the Angel-Demon Détente In particular involving the bearer of a special power for no reason is punishable by Nemesis 66
Yeah I know And that 66th form of divine punishment is a requisition of your material form in the physical world In other words
Death
She mercilessly approached with both swords at the ready
Mutsuki frowned and seemed to entirely forget the situation
The boy’s burnt skin cells were rapidly healing and the scorch marks were vanishing so he
clearly was not human Still he looked just like Mutsuki or Ange Getting kicked on the cheek had left a bloodstain on his lips Mutsuki did not want to see him sliced to pieces
It was because of his fear that he did not feel any hatred for the boy
Not to mention the friendly smile on the boy’s face
Heh heh Thanks
Mutsuki’s thoughts must have gotten through to him because Lucia winked his way
That confident expression did not look like someone prepared to die
In fact boldness filled his face as he faced Ange again
Not to worry
I said I’m no match for you not that I can’t win
He lowered his raised hands
In that instant black water poured down from where it was hidden in the dark ceiling This downpour was made up of the blood-colored demonic creatures known as Succubi and they quickly surrounded Ange and Mutsuki However this was not enough to turn things around Wings of blue flame had already surrounded
the girl and Mutsuki as a shield so the black water vaporized and turned to ash as soon as it fell down
What was the point of that Surely you didn’t think that would help
Ahh ahh Are you sure you should have burned them
Ange was confused that he had not tried to escape while making his futile last attempt but Lucia made a show of looking upwards When the girl noticed a sudden presence she too raised her head
Those little guys were protecting you
It was already too late
Obstacle gone Resuming capture of intruderpositive
It looked like a giant spider to Mutsuki
It hung down with eight metal stakes driven into the columns and it viewed everyone inside the tower using round eyes made by placing countless cameras at different angles
Once it determined these truly were intruders the tail-like shell split apart
A Springloaded Wah Why you-
Several wires shot out toward Ange She fought back with her blue flames but she could not immediately burn through the metal wires and their thread-like flexibility kept her from cutting them with her sword They ended up capturing both her wrists This mechanical spider was a Springloaded They were the soldiers of the human organization named FeTUS which was also after the Serpent’s Eye
Mutsuki had seen ones based on cars before but this one seemed to have modified the engine running the large clock It was mostly made of metal parts and some analog pieces like gears and springs were visible here and there Ah ha ha ha Weren’t you listening moron I found a way to deal with you
Like a trapped butterfly Ange was lifted up high by her captured arms and Lucia laughed in delight
Wh-why does a demon like you have a human weapon
I’m not using it The humans left it here to monitor Mutsuki since he’s a top priority target
It took me three weeks to find a toy that would eliminate anyone who got close and that was waiting somewhere I could lure you to
The boy looked perfectly calm but the spider Springloaded was attacking him too However the black water swallowed up the approaching wires and hardened to keep them from moving
My adorable little Succubi were keeping it from moving but – heh heh – a certain someone thought it would be a good idea to burn them all awayWhoops
While mocking Ange he turned around and stood in front of Mutsuki to protect him from the metal wires coming his way The black water followed him and surrounded both of them
Are you okay Mutsuki
The boy had been left speechless by the successive reversals
Stay close to me
Lucia moved so close his shoulder pressed against Mustuki’s chest
L-let go
Even if he could not keep up with what was happening Mutsuki did not remember growing that close to the boy so he violently twisted out of the way
Lucia furrowed his brow at the unexpected resistance but his smile remained
It’s no use With a Springloaded on the scene you’ll have to rely on me
He spoke with a confident tone different from his usual charming one
Were you thinking that girl could help since she beat me and I’m holding off the Springloaded If so I’ve got bad news Angels aren’t that all-powerful
Mutsuki stood perfectly still as the black water created a wall around him and the boy calmly walked out amongst the flying wires
All of those with power are burdened with a certain duty None can be perfect but god If there’s someone at the top then there have to be people down below That’s the absolute rule of all things
He picked up the girl’s dropped swords
You know rock-paper-scissors right Rock beats scissors scissors beats paper and paper beats rock It’s the most even matchup in the world
He placed the two swords together like scissors and lightly swung the original sword around It easily sliced through the Succubi at his feet like they were paper but it was easily deflected by the spider Springloaded that’s metal was as hard as rock An angel’s flames are a purifying light so demons like us can’t beat them But angels can only intervene according to the rules of the natural world and those patterns have been analyzed by the descendants of those who ate the Fruit of Knowledgein other words you humans We demons on the other hand have no restriction to the natural world FeTUS only has the knowledge built up by mankind so they can’t kill non-life forms In other words It’s a three-way deadlock muttered Mutsuki
Lucia gave an exaggerated nod
Mutsuki looked up toward Ange but the captured girl made no rebuttal She hated to lose so if she had nothing to say it was likely true
Angels were strong against demons demons were strong against humans and humans were strong against angels
But enough boring talk What matters is that the angel isn’t going to be any help here
Lucia tossed the sword aside
Two intruders Possibility of capturenegative Prioritizing examination of captured target
The Springloaded also seemed aware of those compatibility issues so it gave up on the demon It quit battling the black water and turned all of its threads toward the girl it already had