55 – Chapter 55 – Escape 5 –
Angels, the representatives of gods created by heaven.
The counterparts of evil, demons, who are the representatives of malevolence, form a prominent special race.
They are the offspring of gods, yet not the subjects of the gods but a distinct existence.
Among them, there was an angel who had succeeded in breaking free from the rarest of constraints.
“So, how does it feel? To be the only angel to break free from the restraints and avoid divine interference.”
[The demons have also broken free.]
“That’s not the same. When the demon is sealed, it merely loses the entity that commands it. If the seal on the demon is broken, just like the angels, it gains a master.”
[There’s no chance of the seal being broken, so there’s no issue.]
“Are you being arrogant?”
[It’s a matter of certainty.]
“You might not even be able to foresee the future if the gods are gaining power. How do you know?”
[The seal was accepted by the demons as well. Demons embrace the freedom of everything, even rebellion against themselves.]
“Most sentient beings do not wish for the resurrection of the demons, even if it’s possible. They won’t do it, I suppose.”
[That’s the correct answer.]
Demons, like angels, are beings who obey the commands of the demons.
They shouldn’t have been granted freedom as they are not subjects but a race.
However, due to the seal of the demons, they have been granted freedom.
As a result, they became powerful beings without the constraint of a leash.
“So, why have you come here?”
“I’ve come to find the Heaven’s Sword.”
“What…?”
The only thing I can obtain here is the Heaven’s Sword.
But it’s not something I can easily obtain; it’s a matter of luck.
“Regardless of whether you’re an enlightened one or driven by greed, the fact remains that you seek something. It merely depends on how people perceive it.”
“That may be true, but the one who decides is Yeo. She cannot bestow the sword upon you.”
“Isn’t it a bit presumptuous to covet something that isn’t even yours? The reason the gods didn’t reclaim it is because they believe the sword is the source of corruption.”
Angels have a blurred sense of self.
It’s difficult to understand from a human perspective.
Even though they have their own existence, it’s as if they’re bound to their master.
Because they follow their master’s thoughts, not by force, but it is forceful.
If the heavens desire something,
All angels are synchronized, desiring the same thing as the heavens do, not by obligation,
but by having their memories and inclinations engraved, they move on their own in accordance with the heavens’ wishes.
Of course, if the heavens wish, they can forcibly control the body,
but that wasn’t necessary.
Perhaps the angels were surprised to know this fact,
they asked me in a bewildered tone.
“How do you know that fact…?”
“It’s not that remarkable of a story. Down there, it’s a common tale.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Such a story is not common at all.”
“Well, didn’t you say that no one had met anyone for tens of thousands of years just 30 seconds ago? How do you know that?”
“There’s no other way. If it was such a common story, there would have been more people looking for me. Many have come here since ancient times. But those who were looking for me didn’t exist, and most of them didn’t even know that this place is a prison.”
“Do you happen to know any legends or oral traditions?”
“Oral traditions?”
“When people talk to each other, distortions are introduced. The more generations it passes through, the worse it gets. That’s why the stories people hear now are just developments. Most people don’t know who said it or where it is.”
The easiest way to deceive living beings is to mix a little falsehood into the truth.
The distortion of human speech is common,
and it is also common for oral traditions and legends to change from when they were first told.
It just doesn’t apply to that angel.
“The sword you received doesn’t seem to have much power left.”
“How did you know that!?”
“Don’t you think it’s strange that you succeeded in coming here?”
The black eagle of the sky was a very powerful entity.
That is why the heavens bestowed it upon the angel most favored by them.
However, a problem arose.
Its power became too strong.
The immense power severed the mental link between the angel and the heavens.
As a result, the angel was ultimately trapped in this place where the sky met the earth.
[It can be said greatly to have caught that. However, even so, I cannot give you the divine sword.]
“Why? Even if it is a remarkable sword, no one would think it is great if it cannot be used or seen.”
[This is a proof of my specialness. It is a sword that symbolizes being freed mentally from the constraints of the heavens.]
“Specialness? What good is being special to someone who is ultimately just a shell? Even if the mental restraints are lifted, there are still physical limitations, aren’t there?”
Furthermore, the divine sword of the heavens that is supposed to be evidence of your uniqueness. Isn’t it just a mere shell in the end?”
[You knew everything. How miserable you are.]
The divine sword of the heavens is currently just a shell.
However, even if the power of the sword is withdrawn.
The sword itself remains with the angel.
Even if it is an empty illusion.
Even if it is a meaningless sword.
I need that sword.
She does not need that sword.
“So, can you give it to me? I can make good use of the sword.”
[It is forbidden.]
But she did not allow my proposition.
Angels are compassionate, wise, and other things, etc.
In fact, this is closer to the nature of angels.
More precisely, it is derived from the perspective of an intellectual being viewing angels.
Even if angels are considered as servants of the heavens, as long as their minds are bound to the heavens.
The will of the angels is essentially the will of the heavens.
From the perspective of humans, the authority of angels is practically the same as that of the heavens.
That is why some other fallen angels who have succeeded in breaking free from their restraints or angels like this one become arrogant.
As a servant of the divine, they possess various special abilities.
To be considered sacred.
Because the messengers of the gods can also inspire fear.
From a human perspective, it is also difficult to distinguish between celestial messengers and fallen angels.
But it’s of no use to me.
The intellects here may not know it, but I am aware of the fact that there are places where celestial and demonic beings cannot act indiscriminately.
I come from a place where there are no gods.
There may be, but at least they don’t manifest in a world like that.
That’s why I don’t fear the gods.
Celestial and demonic beings were not omnipotent.
So, I said,
“Well, I have a real curiosity.”
[What is it?]
“What do you plan to do in the future? Do you think this place will last forever? Someday it’s bound to crumble.”
[Well, if that happens, I can just escape.]
Huh. I was baffled by his response.
Even if it’s safe now, there’s no guarantee it will stay that way.
What does he mean by that?
“I don’t know if you’re aware of the situation on the earthly plane right now. It’s the darkest period in history, and in the midst of it, the angelic legion and the demon cult are clashing. Moreover, the incarnations of sin and evil are beginning to stir again. If you fall into the demon cult, you’ll be at their mercy; if you join the angelic legion, you’ll become a fallen angel, and if you encounter the incarnation of sin… you’ll simply die, right?”
[What problem does it become if those fools run amok?]
“I don’t know about the others, but you can’t possibly ignore the incarnation of sin. If that existence is present, you can’t even be a momentary intellectual. When you think about the origin of sin…”
[It’s done. I have no interest in such trivial matters. I only desire peace. You may leave now.]
The angel issued a dismissal order to me.
Usually, it should have been settled by this point.
It was clearly different from the incidents in WFS.
What went wrong that led to this?
“I did the same as in WFS. And it failed. What’s the problem?”
Think about it.
There are different factors at play here.
What was different that led to my failure?
“Conversation is the same. The only difference is… we progressed through the main story. Is that the issue?”
The main story.
Let’s think back. What was there in the main story that could have resulted in this outcome?
“While conversing in here, I experienced reminiscences. Angels can show their memories. Should we try that?”
After all, from the angel’s perspective, I am just someone who came up from the earth.
So, if it’s different, it must be found in the reminiscences.
“Then, please show me. What happened. If you’re that confident, that is.”
“That doesn’t matter. I will personally show you.”
Great.
Angels, because of their arrogance, like anything that restores their self-esteem.
That’s why it’s surprisingly easy to manipulate a gentle angel.
It’s convenient to think of it as nobles walking very slowly, as they insist on maintaining their nobility.
Paaang…
Fragments of memories shown by the angel seeped into my mind.
My eyes went dark.
“I will definitely find you.”
In any case, that angel can’t kill me.
I could make that statement, but since it’s somewhat different from WFS, I should follow along as much as possible and then use the last resort.
—
In the distant past.
The time when she directly touched the heavens.
The heavens adored her.
Among the angels, she was one of the earliest creations.
She was incredibly beautiful, powerful, and lovely.
Of course, she wasn’t the most powerful among the angels.
But it didn’t matter.
The heavens at least cared for her.
“O deity, we thank you for your boundless glory.”
So she never doubted that she would enjoy eternal praise with the heavens.
However…
Paa-ah—
A war erupted between the divine and the infernal.
Countless angels were buried in this land.
Angels who should have resided in heaven plummeted to the earth,
While demons who should have crawled on the earth ascended to the skies.
After an eternity had passed, the victor of the war became the divine, sealing the infernal.
Yet, after the mighty angels had largely vanished.
The world remained the same, even with the absence of the infernal.
The divine bestowed upon her the Heavenly Sword, the Celestial Blade, for she had become the highest angel among the remaining few.
“I understand… O magnificent divine.”
Until that moment, the divine’s gaze upon her had been full of compassion and warmth.
Angels were a species enslaved to the will of the divine.
Therefore, they could sense those emotions better than anyone else.
“You are truly remarkable.”
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“How splendid!”
“May I become like that one day too?”
“Only the divine would know.”
Angels possessed their own identity.
They merely synchronized with the divine’s desires, following them voluntarily.
They felt the divine’s emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
Hence, despite having their own identity, they could willingly follow the divine.
Therefore, some angels envied her.
Some angels aspired to be like her.
Because those emotions could be cast aside at any time, as long as the divine willed it.
For a brief moment, she had experienced such happiness.
“Why, though?”
Until one day when she began to question the divine’s words.
“Why, why… me? Why…?”
She asked because she couldn’t understand.
All the angels couldn’t help but be bewildered by it.
Due to the nature of their unified consciousness,
Even if they didn’t know everything, they understood.
That emotion.
That thought.
That feeling.
Cheonsin was not angry, but
She was extremely resolute.
To the extent of being cold.
In this way, Cheonsin placed the angel who had broken free from the reins in this boundless mountain.
While recovering the power of the Heavenly Sword.
[The Heavenly Sword… It’s too powerful, and you broke free from the reins! It’s unfair! I really feel unjust, Cheonsin!
Please don’t think of me like the other angels! I was just… carrying the sword according to your will…]
However, Cheonsin did not return to her.
She remained trapped in this prison.
For countless millennia.
Until I arrived here.
She couldn’t escape from this place.
Her appearance was very pitiful.
The images of tens of thousands of years slowly zoom in.
Her tone changes.
She becomes arrogant.
She rationalizes.
All of these images come into my sight, one by one.
She was crying now.
Showing a truly pitiful process within her memories.
And…
“Stop thinking about it, okay?”
I said to the angel while looking at the scenery.
[What on earth is the problem.]
Where did that arrogant tone go?
The angel who changed her tone to a childish one from before.
It’s really unbelievable.
She’s showing unhappiness and pornography claiming that she will show how great she is.
It’s not about showing how great she is.
It’s about showing how difficult she has had it.
To not even realize that.
Really.
“You still don’t understand? It’s all a lie.”
[Don’t say anything nonsensical.]
She still hasn’t realized.
This is actually what happened.
But it’s different.
This scenery doesn’t show her memories.
It’s the scenery she created based on her memories.
There were many errors, too many.
“Well, there’s something I’m really curious about.”
What she tried to ignore.
But the moment she realizes, it’s something she can never overlook.
“Do you not feel any curiosity in this scenery?”
I might not notice it well.
But to me, who has seen angels,
and met adults,
and encountered WFS, I have countless questions.
“The angel hasn’t said a word until now.”
The angel is not a silent god like Yahweh in Christianity.
She just has a hard time going to have a conversation.
If it’s possible to have one, the angel doesn’t hold back in conversation.
But in this space, the angel hasn’t said a word.
The reason lies right there.
“No… It’s the divine will…”
She fears merely conjuring the divine.
Because she dreads recalling the chilling emotions she felt at that moment.
It’s not just that, even.
“There are other things too. That resonance echoing in your mind. That’s something only you use. All the other angels speak in the ordinary way, yet it’s just you making that sound alone.”
“No…”
“Even the emotions bestowed by the divine are false, aren’t they? If the divine was aloof, why didn’t they kill you? If you were truly special, wouldn’t it have been better to not confine but to eliminate you? Are you claiming that the divine couldn’t even do that? Or perhaps… you weren’t even worth killing?”
“No… I haven’t been abandoned… I… I haven’t been forsaken…”
She suddenly wails at my words, clutching her head.
It’s the same sight I witnessed in WFS.
Only then could I perceive what was different.
“I came with others. Moving forward together without abandoning the protagonist of the story, as companions.”
The story’s text remained the same.
The story’s protagonist and companions had come to this place together.
Naturally, the angel was raging, saying this and that, but they remained unwavering in not abandoning their comrades until the end.
“Well, I don’t quite get it. But in a way, I do. Thinking about being trapped here for millennia.”
She believes that the divine abandoned her.
Among the unshackled angels.
She’s the only one confined.
Despite even fallen angels not being imprisoned.
Furthermore, they’ve been stripped of their angelic status, yet they now roam freely.
She can’t help but be more pessimistic about her situation.
And what torments her even more is that she still hasn’t fully understood why the divine supposedly forsook her.
Despite not being abandoned.
“Now that everything’s over, it’s probably right to speak.”
I reached the scene I saw at WFS.
So, I opened my mouth to correct the misunderstanding.
“I was discarded.”
The more I think about it, the more absurd the words are.
The main existence didn’t say a word.
Yet, I arrogantly judged and discarded myself.
I don’t think I deserve to even see heaven in my subconscious.
I thought I wouldn’t be able to have a conversation with heaven.
I have no idea what the problem is.
That’s why I said,
“Who said that? That I was discarded.”
The truth.
“You were not discarded.”
She wasn’t abandoned.
“I don’t say I was kicked out for abandoning the path on my own.”
I left.
She couldn’t become an angel.
“Why do you think you were discarded when you broke free from the chains yourself?”
Some people want to be expelled but can’t.