The day after Amane and Maou dragged Copyhara to the demon realms, the group returned to that mysterious laboratory deep underground, preparing to kick off the final phase of their assault on heaven.
Countless bodies, the remains of an army of mechanical soldiers, could be seen lying in the cracks running along the ground. Beyond them lay a legion of enigmatic machinery, crafted by unknown hands during an unknown age. It was all reminiscent of Satanas Arc, the ancient city Satan had discovered, which once served as the demons’ stronghold in this realm. But this did not evoke good memories for Maou or Emi. Even as they returned here, moving through this graveyard of soldiers—as well as through the demonic power-sucking entrance that had stymied Maou and Camio before—kept Emi on high alert.
“Well…I really don’t think they’ll attack now, the way things are. No point in being too anxious.”
“Wasn’t it the same last time, though? And Alas Ramus has been kind of unstable lately. The time may come when Acieth’s power no longer works against them.”
Maou shrugged at Emi, who seemed ready to believe there were enemies in all directions. His guard wasn’t down, though. The first time they’d journeyed down here, the only true fighters in their party had been Emi, Camio, and himself—and being robbed of their demonic force meant relying on the strength of Emi, Acieth, and Kinanna. But in addition to the members from before, they had Urushihara, Gabriel, Amane Ohguro, and also a certain other person tagging along. It seemed safe to assume they had a firm foundation to work with.
“Damn. This place is gross.”
Urushihara winced as he ran a hand down his hair. Passing through that entrance had taken all his demonic force, as expected, so now his hair and eyes were back to their “angel” versions. But as a fallen angel, he was still capable of using power resembling any other member of his kin. (Maou and Camio, just like before, were also forced to retreat into their respective human and chicken forms.)
“If I may ask… How come I wound up like this, but Laila’s still got the same coloring?”
Fairly recently, Laila had experienced the opposite transformation from Urushihara—going from silvery-blue hair and brilliant red eyes to a purple hue for both. They believed this happened after Maou had healed her injuries in Japan, but considering the entrance here sucked demonic force away from physical bodies, no one had expected this to happen.
“I don’t know… Maybe, unlike you, my magical force isn’t an integral part of my life systems or something.”
Laila didn’t give it much more consideration than that.
“Well, maybe you’re fine with that, but…what about him, then?”
Urushihara, still unconvinced, turned toward another figure next to Amane. Ignoring the stare, the Da’at flashed a breezy smile exactly as Urushihara would.
“Well, you know, it wasn’t an acquired thing like it was with you. I’ve been like this from the start, dude. Isn’t that right, Amane?”
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