LIGHTNOVELONLINE 202 – Change or Corruption (2)
Kill the evil. Fight solely to eradicate the evil. That is the fundamental mindset angels must possess.
This sentiment was especially emphasized for the archangels who straddle the line of transcendence, the seraphim. A strong faith that helps them surpass their limits through bone-crushing effort.
The centerpiece of the Celestial Realm was the archangels, armed with a cold and thorough mindset like machines.
‘Control the opponent and accumulate as many achievements as possible.’
Uriel was also among the archangels. And, as expected of an archangel, she faithfully followed the orders of the seraph Michael, steadily building her accomplishments.
During that process, she paid no attention to anything else. Not the gazes of the people, nor their opinions, laws, or customs.
“Ugh, aah!”
“I see malice in your eyes. That much is akin to committing murder. Answer me. What sin have you committed?”
This was a filming location she had rushed to after receiving an urgent call. Though it had been peaceful right up until her arrival, chaos erupted the moment she showed up.
The person she pointed out, having broken through the window, was a famous broadcaster. Dressed sharply in a suit, he had been chatting away just moments before, but upon being singled out by Uriel, he fell into a panic.
For countless people already knew what happened every time Uriel appeared.
“Ah, no! Nonsense! It’s nonsense! Don’t be deceived, everyone!”
Surprised by Uriel’s mention of “an act equal to murder,” he shook his head frantically. The people around him, who had hesitantly stepped back, stared at him in shock.
“I don’t speak lies.”
“Don’t kid around! Do you think we don’t know what you’ve done? You’re just a scoundrel who ignores laws and everything else by dragging up events from the past!”
Realizing he had something to be ashamed of, he started sweating profusely and shook his head with irritation.
“One can make a mistake! I didn’t know back then. And didn’t I mention it? There’s a truckload of people who were cursing that person just like I did back then!”
“Hey, what are you saying right now…”
While Uriel merely watched, he rambled on, trying to defend his disgrace. His companions were baffled and shocked by his behavior of throwing them under the bus but were too afraid of Uriel to speak up.
“Sins do not just stay put. Scars remain, but wounds can heal. Have you made any attempts to lessen them?”
“Do you think an apology is that light…”
He grumbled in frustration despite being terrified. Truth be told, from his standpoint, he was just resentful of Uriel rather than searching for his own sins.
If his sin was anything, it was publicly targeting an innocent person, swayed by the media’s portrayal of the perpetrator.
However, he remembered how the whole nation had ardently mocked and belittled the victim at that time.
Despite the truth having come to light and the situation turned on its head, he could never accept that he was wrong, not for the sake of his pride.
“Rather, I think you have no idea what you’re saying. Your sins seem to be more than just a mistake.”
“…What?”
But Uriel shook her head at his words. What she was seeing went much deeper, an offense buried for over 30 years.
“Speak the truth.”
With a wave of her hand, Uriel threw a spear at him. It was a spear of golden light.
The moment it pierced his chest, he began to involuntarily articulate the misdeeds he and his friends had committed against a disadvantaged student during middle school.
“No… this is! Please! It was a prank! A childish prank! Save me…”
“I am not a murderer. You should understand why others are unharmed, why they looked at you that way when they heard your testimony, and now, why you must perish.”
On the rooftop of the broadcasting station, Uriel, having grabbed him by the collar, was about to let go and drop him.
“Ugh, aaaaah!”
And she really did let him go. Those watching gasped as they witnessed him plummeting while screaming.
“Aria.”
However, he did not die. Aria, flying in at tremendous speed, caught him in mid-air, crashing her body against the building wall, saving his life in the end.
Uriel merely watched the scene unfold, choosing not to intervene. She had already accomplished her objective.
“Th-thank you…”
“Get your hand off me.”
On the other hand, Aria, who had just saved him, was disappointed to realize the true nature of the famous person she liked and pushed aside his outstretched hand.
Instead, she left the aftermath to the rescue team and ascended to the rooftop where Uriel was, standing before her.
“How long do you intend to keep this up?”
“That’s a foolish question to ask.”
“…Is winning this damned competition really that important?”
Aria, frustrated by Uriel’s mechanical responses, gritted her teeth.
In some ways, it felt more hopeless than dealing with Michael. While Michael had his own convictions, Uriel merely followed orders. There didn’t seem to be any opening.
“This kind of behavior only disrupts order. Legal procedures, trials, and laws. All of them are things we’ve created and are developing.”
“I don’t understand. The laws you’ve made are absurdly flimsy. The fact that a sinner like that can still live on after such sins is proof of that.”
“Ugh…”
Aria faltered at her assertion that there was no reason to uphold the flimsy standards of the order she spoke of in this world.
After all, perfection is unattainable. Ultimately, it was a kind of dilemma.
“Suffering the consequences is our right.”
But Aria had faced countless such situations before. She had been broken and trampled yet returned to this point.
“It can be changed. It can be improved and evolved.”
“That’s nearly impossible. There are too many Earthlings, and more importantly, they are far too diverse.”
Uriel dismissed Aria’s belief as an impossible notion, one that only a naïve child would entertain, that the world was beautiful.
In reality, that judgment was not wrong. Everyone who had heard Aria’s thoughts so far had pointed it out.
“…Still, we do it. Even if it’s clear it won’t happen. I don’t care what happens along the way. That’s my way.”
‘Qualities of a hero.’
However, Aria was no longer easily swayed. This clarity had been instilled in her by Takilas.
Naturally, Uriel’s gaze flickered slightly as she recognized that mindset.
“Even if you achieve a miracle, what ultimately matters is the will of the Earthlings.”
“What do you know about those people?”
“I…”
“Have you ever thought for yourself before acting on Michael’s instructions? Have you tried to find out?”
Uriel flinched at Aria’s words. Come to think of it, remaining here to argue with her instead of leaving immediately was indeed somewhat different from the Uriel of the past.
“Think for yourself and judge for yourself. Are these people truly unworthy?”
Aria wanted merely to be understood. Even if the people in this world were used in their competition, she could not bear to see them treated like tools.
“Let’s become magical girls fighting for this world, not angels from another realm who came merely for competition.”
“…Is Takilas doing that?”
“While causing a ruckus like you, Takilas fundamentally differs. Takilas regards this place and its people as her home and kin. She’s likely living her true self better than anyone else.”
The response about Takilas struck a nail into Uriel.
For someone who valued principles and rules, it was something she couldn’t easily disregard.
Up until now, she had been acting according to the principles of an archangel. But if becoming a true magical girl was also a principle, then Uriel could follow that too.
“Aria!”
“Ugh, Silvia.”
Just then, the magical girl Silvia, who worked alongside Uriel, charged in with her weapon drawn, boiling with rage.
Aria braced herself for a fight with Silvia, knowing their bickering was bound to resume.
“Lady Uriel!?”
“We’ve achieved our goals, so we shall return.”
But Uriel blocked her way. It was an unexpected and bewildering decision for both Silvia and Aria.
However, Uriel merely spread her wings and took to the sky with her usual cold expression.
“Did… it work? What’s going on?”
“At least no conflict occurred, so that’s a relief. It almost became a hassle.”
Aria stood blankly, staring at the sky while murmuring, and their mascot, Lulu, let out a sigh of relief.
“Rene ultimately respected us and came to an agreement. Though she still questions us and our order, sometimes she acknowledges it. That’s enough for now.”
Regardless of who the opponent was, even if it was this vast society, Aria had already braced herself for a confrontation. She didn’t expect too much. Rather, she thought that as long as Takilas and the angels acknowledged them, it would be a trial for a better world.
“If it goes well, it should be fine. But that pink-haired one. She seems absolutely unwilling to back down from her stance.”
“Michael…”
Yet there were definitely targets for which even a sliver of hope was not visible.