“I think the world is seeking the protection of the angels of heaven. If so… shouldn’t we send twelve angels?”
Inside the sacred church-like building, Raphael, with wings on his back, was bowing his head devoutly, muttering incantations. He gently grasped the cross on his chest, but his eyes were not devout... but filled with confusion.
"Because the gods do not descend from heaven themselves, but there are calls and the voices of angels, and the sounding of trumpets, that bring the dead back to the earth, and the living who remain are reborn on earth, thus ending the ominous sign of the dead awakening."
“Angels should firmly believe that neither death nor life, the future nor the present, high or low, can separate faith from humanity forever… Every living being is a treasure of the gods, and it is necessary to protect them.”
The gods said: "Do not be afraid."
"..."
Raphael, who was reciting the stories of the gods, eventually fell silent... During this time, he pondered every day how his actions should be defined.
Is it the arrogance of meddling in human affairs? Is it the arrogance of unilaterally deciding on things that haven't been determined yet? Or... is it the arrogance that stems from his own personality and beliefs?
Or perhaps, he is a fanatical guardian, a pathetic creature still immersed in the glory of the past divine era.
Arrogance is a great sin... Perhaps he was indeed wrong.
But he...
Unrepentant.
"..."
"In the kingdom of the gods, all glory belongs to the gods; on earth... all joy belongs to mortals."
Raphael, who was chanting the scriptures, also made a decision. He suddenly widened his eyes, pulled the greatsword out of the ground, and stood up without hesitation, walking towards the palace gate.
His steps were exceptionally firm, as if he had already prepared himself for certain death.
"boom……"
As the heavy gates opened, the heavens were as beautiful as ever, filled with golden ribbons of color. But... at this moment, countless angels lingered in the sky, staring intently in his direction.
"Raphael! Why are you so...obsessed?"
Leonardo da Vinci, also a celestial knight, said this with great frustration, trying his best to persuade Raphael: "Our time has long passed, let mortals be mortals... Isn't that better?"
Donatello, too, spoke in his aged but firm voice, urging Raphael to change his mind: "We no longer need to carry out the will of the gods, as it is written on the stone tablet, the gods are long dead."
Raphael glanced around at their words. The angels flying in the sky had different expressions. Some looked at him with regret, while others seemed to be deep in thought, lost in their own thoughts.
It seems that there are very few angels who support one's ideas.
But Raphael had no regrets. He simply stood there firmly, looking at the other three Celestial Knights who were blocking the Rainbow Bridge, and said, "I no longer hesitate, my brother... I no longer need to be confused."
The omnipresent light shone on Raphael's face, making one vaguely aware of his sense of justice.
"This is my own will, and has nothing to do with the gods!"
Raphael proclaimed this, clutching the cross pendant around his neck, tearing it off and throwing it high into the sky, shouting, "The gods are dead... but mortals live forever!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding angels all wore indescribable expressions... as if many of them had been moved.
"I will protect the civilization of mortals! I will protect the creatures protected by the World Tree!"
I will protect the prosperity of the main plane!
I want this mortal joy to exist forever!
!
"
Raphael, declaring his resolve, attempted to force his way through the defenses without hesitation, but was blocked by the three. He roared, "The duty of a Celestial Knight is no longer bestowed by the gods... This is the mission I have given myself! I swear to protect the world!"
These words sound childish and ridiculous, but the blazing light in his eyes, the light that seemed to illuminate everything, made it clear that he was serious... and he truly believed he could do it.
The fighting prowess of the Celestial Knights is indeed exceptionally high.
"But Illa is not necessarily Chaos... His actions are far removed from Chaos."
Michelangelo spoke calmly, shaking his head, and said with a sigh, "Why are you unwilling to use your own eyes to confirm? What if you are wrong? Can what you are doing really be considered justice?"
However, Raphael had already made up his mind...
Moreover, he didn't think his actions were particularly righteous. He said, "If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong! If Illa Elkaras isn't Chaos, then I'll risk my life to pull him back from the World Tree!"
Raphael's vow caused the other three Celestial Knights to look troubled... Logically speaking, the Celestial Knights do have such an ability, but why bother?
Why gamble with your own life?
It's not that there's anything wrong with it, but why not wait a little longer, why not wait for the truth to come out, why not... just watch quietly?
Is it really necessary to exchange the life of a celestial knight for the life of a mortal?
Seeing the expressions on his three colleagues' faces, Raphael shook his head. He drew his greatsword from behind his back, and a white-gold storm erupted around him, breaking through their defenses. At the same time, he shouted, "Judging from your expressions, who is the arrogant one here?!"
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