Black Wings
Hmmm? Wait, did I only send the ones that were too weak?
Or have I been resting too long that I lost my sense for judging these things?
If it's neither of those... Hmm...
I thought they were feeble idiots, but the Monastir Knights... Maybe they are quite capable.
More importantly, that pink-haired one. She was actually the [Grand Master]?
I thought she was just a scatterbrain... but I guess she has some skill.
Krrrraaa...!
Whew... That one was probably the last of them.
It seems there are no Voidborns remaining.
Thankfully, we were able to stop them without major losses!
We couldn't have done it without your help. Thank you!
What are you talking about? Most of them were handled by you and the other Knights.
The rumors were true... the Monastir Knights really are incredible.
If anything, you were incredibly strong! Ms. Asherah, did you learn your swordsmanship in NOA?
No, this is a style passed down through my family, but I've adapted in my own—
...Mm? Come to think of it, the Deputy Master... Where's Carmen...?
...Huh?
Do not move.
...
This is royal palace territory. Civilian entry is prohibited here.
How did you enter, and who are you?
Hmm...? Would saying [just passing through] not be enough?
...From this moment forward, in the name of the Monastir Knights, I am placing you under arrest.
Do not resist.
Hmm. Well, that's one question answered. Guess the ones I brought along weren't weak.
It's just that you Knights were more capable than I expected.
You... Just who, or what, are you?
...How did you know I'd be here?
...If someone were moving forces toward the royal palace...
This would be the best place to command while observing the battlefield.
Hmm. Bravo.
You're quite clever.
A clever knight... Leaving you alone wouldn't really be a problem, but...
Today's show ended far too quickly because of you.
At the very least, if I take down a few of your knights, it should count toward my [quota].
!!
W-who... are you...?!
That's none of your concern.
Carmen!!
!
Stand down! To attack a member of the Monastir Knights like this... Identify your—
...H-huh?
Aren't you... the person who helped me at the theater...?!
Hello there, Grand Master. Did you enjoy the opera?
Be careful, Charlotte. She's the one responsible for the earlier disturbance.
She's the one who commanded the Voidborns to attack the royal palace.
What...?
Perfect timing. I'll add you to my [quota] for today.
Kgh...!
Charlotte, get behind my shield!
W-who is she...? Is she even human...?!
Kgh...!
You actually held out against my attack... Are you the Saviors blessed with the power of the stars?
But... you still seem far from sufficient.
With power that incomplete, it won't be enough.
Charlotte! Carmen!
Huh?
Aaaaaugh!
Luna...?
Th-that's it! The ominous [premonition] I felt earlier...!
It wasn't something like a rampage of Voidborns... It was something bigger, darker, and more terrifying...
W-what even is that?
...! Black wings...?
You there! You are completely surrounded!
Surrender immediately!
If you surrender now, then under my authority as Princ—I mean, as Quartermaster of the Monastir Knights...
I shall take your consideration into circumstances! I, I mean...
Drop your weapon!
And who are you supposed to be? Tch. I was hoping to finish this fast and neat...
Could you not make this more of a scene?
The black-winged girl casually swung her greatsword, sending a powerful wave of dark force crashing toward us.
Ngh...!
Kgh... I know this feeling...! Ah!
It's the same feeling I had when we encountered Gille...!
An overwhelming [power] filled with aura of the Void... and those black wings...
Is she... also an [Executor] like Gille...?!
Hmm? You've met Gille before?
The moment the word [Executor] left Asherah's mouth, anxious murmuring started rising from every direction.
Executor...? An Executor... of Aldebaran?
Wasn't that... something only mentioned in old legends?
"The" Executor...? Y-you're joking... right?
...Tsk.
I wanted to wrap this up as a [Voidborn disturbance] without escalating things...
Looks like it won't end quietly now.
The black-winged girl gently rose into the air and looked down at us.
A black, writhing mass of Void Force surged behind her and continued growing larger.
She's nothing like... the Voidborns we fought earlier...
Her power is on an entirely different level...
So that's what she is... an Executor...
...Ngh...!
I'm not kind enough to simply retreat after having my plan ruined by you humans.
Everyone stood frozen in place, unable to move.
How ironic. Your talent and determination only served to hasten your demise.
Mm?
...?
The moment I felt the girl's gaze turn toward me...
A cold chill ran down my spine.
You...
Her eyes bore into me as though they would swallow me whole.
I clenched my teeth and endured her piercing gaze, as if it could see straight through to my core.
...
*...Sigh* Great. Looks like there's an annoying one here...
The girl slowly lowered the sword she had raised.
At the same time the dark aura surrounding her scattered and vanished, the suffocating pressure around us disappearing as well.
...
I could tell I wasn't the only one struggling due to her overwhelming presence. Everyone was gasping for air.
...Things never go the way I want them to.
I'm tired...
Just as I thought the girl's body was rising higher into the sky...
She vanished before our eyes in a flash of bright light.