Ziffnel clutched her dizzy head and swallowed hard at the pitiful behavior of her younger sister, who had been like this for exactly 1,900 years. She had been nobler than anyone else when she was first born, so how could she have fallen so far?
She clutched her heart as she recalled Raynell’s 100th birthday.
[“Dear sister, is this birthday present for me?”
“Hmm, yes. It’s your 100th birthday. I’ve prepared a special gift for you.”
“A special gift?”
“I plan to show you a glimpse of your future. This time, I was able to use the powers our father taught me quite well.”
“Wow! Thank you so much, sister. Speaking of the future, what kind of angel will I become?”]
Even now, Ziffnel regretted showing her future back then.
“…Raynell, what is that picture?”
“Oh, you mean this? This is my believer that I saw in the future you showed me. I haven’t been able to gather a single believer yet, but I can’t believe I’ll have someone so dignified supporting me. I’m happy.”
Raynell had looked genuinely joyful when she said that, so Ziffnel had simply watched her younger sister draw the picture with pride.
But Raynell’s behavior grew increasingly strange over time.
“…Raynell, what is this again?”
“Ah, it’s a statue modeled after my believer. I really put a lot of effort into making it, and I’m happy it turned out better than expected.”
It was believers who made statues of angels, not angels who made statues of believers. That’s not how things were supposed to go.
Therefore, in frustration, Ziffnel gave her a sharp warning.
“As an angel, you must refrain from such actions. Angels are worshiped by all people. It is unseemly for such noble beings to create statues for humans.”
“…I understand. I’ll be careful next time.”
Contrary to her words, however, Raynell’s actions grew increasingly erratic.
“Telmere, when you draw a picture in the Scripture, make my image especially beautiful.”
“…May I ask why?”
“Why? Why else would Krail, what child would fall in love with me at first sight.”
Hadn’t she even urged the first saint to paint a flattering portrait of herself, unbeknownst to others?
“300 years until Krail is born. I need to strengthen myself to become an angel worthy of that child.”
Did she not mutter strange things continuously?
“100 years before Krail’s birth.”
When she hung an obscene message in the prayer hall, their father himself had cautioned her.
“Raynell, I understand your feelings of anticipation, but you must restrain yourself.”
Despite his words, Raynell had ignored him, pouring all her energy into sculpting statues.
Even after that, she continued.
“Krail was finally born, sister. Just 20 more years, only 20 more years.”
“It’s better if my believer doesn’t get hurt. I need to give him enough strength to protect himself.”
“Krail has finally turned twenty. I’ll return to earth for a while.”
At that time, Lionelta, who usually laughed at Raynell’s antics, and Tapnel, who was solely focused on her training, desperately tried to stop her by holding the hem of her skirt.
“Sisters, and my beloved sister. It’s only 100 years. I’m going to earth to take care of the children for a while.”
“You’re not going to take care of children; you’re going to create children. I will not allow a demigod to appear in my lifetime!”
Tapnel’s trembling lips and stricken face still appeared in Ziffnel’s nightmares. From then on, the remaining angels, except Raynell, took turns guarding the Hall of Expeditions.
“Sister, don’t stop me. I’ve been patient enough. I’m only going to earth to punish Saint Erman for his heresy.”
“…Father knows, we know, and even the devils on earth knows you’re lying. It’s troubling when Tapnel does such things, but must it be you as well?”
“I heard Julius, Tapnel’s favorite, is in danger. Tapnel can come with me.”
“You’re the only angel foolish enough to feel affection for a human nearly 2,000 years your junior.”
“Don’t disparage our relationship like that! Krail and I share a sacred bond between angel and believer. Anything more than that… more than that… more than that?”
Raynell’s voice broke as she repeated the phrase, her composure unraveling.
Even Lionelta exchanged concerned glances with Ziffnel, her own face growing pale.
Pulling Raynell by the hair, Ziffnel dragged her away while muttering.
“Father, please end this chaos first.”
It seemed her sleepless nights were far from over.
***
“Tapnel, my daughter.”
A majestic and sacred voice echoed in Tapnel’s ears as she knelt in prayer. Lifting her face, she responded with reverence.
“Father, just give me an order. I will announce your great name to the world and behead Erman immediately!”
“…Watch closely to ensure Raynell does not descend to meet the one named Krail. The time is not yet right.”
Tapnel waited, but no further words came.
With a sullen expression, she trudged toward the Hall of Expeditions. Suddenly, a chilling thought passed through her mind.
“…Not yet?”
A shiver ran down her spine.
As her father’s prophetic words echoed in her mind, the color drained from Tapnel’s face.
The Angel of Faith, frozen in place, trembled, cold sweat trickling down her brow.
In the heavens, a minor tale unfolded in the home of the angels and their god.
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Check out my other projects: Rehabilitating the Villainess, Pushover Extra Trains the Villainesses, I Picked Up an Amnesiac Witch, Transmigrated as the Butler of a Defeated Heroine, My Summons Are Special