Veronie was lost in thought.
Since it was said that this kind of script also appeared in the Handwritten Manuscript of the God of Calamity, it meant that this text was either a type of Ancient Falen script she was unfamiliar with, or perhaps a specific Exchange Rune.
A series of crisp sounds echoed in the distance, seeming to approach in a regular pattern.
At the same time, Veronie and Vellandelle were deep in thought.
“Clang, clang.”
It sounded like metal striking the ground.
“Stay quiet.”
Karansa signaled, cautiously poking her head out to check the surroundings.
Vellandelle remained alert as well.
The Giant Warden she had seen earlier was already so powerful—she could hardly imagine what other monsters might be like.
The metallic clashing sounds drew closer, and the faint sound of blades scraping against the ground became audible.
With a strange sense of dread curling in her chest, a massive figure slowly emerged.
“What is that?”
Karansa gasped in shock.
The being before them looked neither human nor monster.
Its skin had turned entirely to steel, yet it retained a woman’s graceful form.
Its eyes were tightly shut on a steel face, with a tear mark at the corner.
It stood at least two and a half meters tall, wielding a massive cross-shaped greatsword, with tattered steel wings on its back.
It was like a Steel Angel.
“Legend says the God of Calamity commands three angels: Steel Judgement, Morning Star, and Celestial Overseer.”
Veronie recited softly.
“You mean this thing… is an Angel!?”
“I can’t be sure, but it does resemble the descriptions in the legends.”
As the group discussed, the “Steel Angel” before them stirred.
It emitted a strange sigh, then, with a piercing scream, raised its heavy steel blade.
“Danger.”
The word flashed in her mind.
Karansa spat out frost at the edge of her lips and swung her sword to block the attack.
However, the Steel Angel’s expression remained unchanged, and it let out another sharp cry.
The heavy sword crashed down, and the sheer force sent Karansa flying.
“Miss Karansa!”
Vellandelle quickly used Gravitational Art to steady her.
Just as the God of Wind and Snow had said, using magic here was like a fish thrown onto land—the effect was extremely limited.
She glanced at Veronie again.
Although Veronie didn’t appear wary, Vellandelle still didn’t dare expose her Authority.
It would make her feel unsafe.
After some thought, she realized she had no choice but to use the Authority the God of Wind and Snow had just bestowed upon her.
“Wind and Snow.”
In an instant, a fierce cold wind rose.
Unlike the Moon Authority she had inherited, the Wind and Snow Authority within her was a true power granted directly by a deity.
“This power… is Wind and Snow? No—why is it on Vellandelle…”
Seeing this power, Veronie’s face filled with disbelief.
Her heart grew heavy with worry, believing Vellandelle was a follower of Wind and Snow, wielding a cursed power.
No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine this was actually the Authority of Wind and Snow.
“What! Miss Vellandelle is also a follower of the Mother Goddess…”
Karansa, on the other hand, was filled with excitement.
Her heart pounded wildly as she looked at Vellandelle, her gaze more affectionate than ever.
The Wind and Snow instantly enveloped the Steel Angel.
However, countless twisted, razor-sharp ice crystals could not harm it in the slightest.
Its tattered wings spread wide as it calmly passed through the storm.
At that moment, the same thought rose in all three minds.
“Divine Messengers do not fear winter.”
A cold voice echoed in each of their hearts.
Vellandelle’s eyes narrowed.
The Wind and Snow in her hand transformed into an icy pillar, freezing everything in its path.
Karansa swung her Knight Sword, exuding terror amid the intense cold.
Her entire being became a ghostly figure in the storm.
With a single step, she advanced alongside Vellandelle’s attack.
To people of the Northern Territories, anything encased in ice could be cut down.
Veronie wasn’t idle either.
She had already noticed that magic was greatly weakened in this dungeon, so she resorted to another method—channeling the power of Life Canon.
When the Life Canon shattered, a fragment was claimed by Veronie.
Unexpectedly, as her obsession with the Canon deepened, it eventually fused into her body.
This granted Veronie the power of life from the Canon, making her believe she was chosen by it and strengthening her resolve to restore the Elves.
“Prelude of Life.”
Brilliant green light flowed from all directions into the Steel Angel, instantly rendering its body limp and uncontrollable.
The ice pillar, like a long dragon, engulfed the Steel Angel.
Karansa’s form flickered, and with one sword stroke, she sliced the Steel Angel’s head clean off.
“Whew…”
Karansa was relieved that her power had behaved normally this time.
The Steel Angel also posed no real danger.
“It’s over. Steel Judgement, really… Veronie, come on, how could an Angel be in a place like this?”
Vellandelle breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
Veronie nodded faintly, realizing she had probably overreacted.
It was just a regular steel monster—why had she thought it was an Angel at first glance?
Vellandelle tiptoed forward and poked its head curiously.
“Its head is entirely metal.
What a strange creature.
How does it move? Is it magic-powered?”
At first, Vellandelle had assumed this big monster was simply a tall woman in steel armor and a mask, but now she realized it was metal inside and out.
As Vellandelle carelessly prodded it a few more times, that icy voice sounded again.
“Divine Messengers do not fear failure.
I walk upon death to eradicate all sin.”
“Did you… hear something just now?”
Vellandelle’s hand trembled, and she quickly withdrew, scurrying to Veronie’s side to ask the other two.
“You heard it too?”
“I thought it was just my imagination earlier.”
Clearly, everyone had heard the cold voice.
None of them were fools—their eyes all fell on the Steel Angel.
In the next instant, the Steel Angel’s head reattached to its body.
As it trembled violently, the ice outside its form shattered, and a second pair of tattered wings grew from its back.
Another tear mark appeared on its steel face.
“I take back what I said—I’m not sure if this thing is an Angel or not.”
Vellandelle spoke in shock.
Veronie watched the Steel Angel’s changing form, deep in thought.
“Because the sins of the world are endless, so it is eternal.
Every step it takes is to eradicate greater sin.”
“Steel Judgement.
It’s said that unless the God of Calamity dies, it cannot truly die.
It will continually resurrect and grow stronger until it reaches the limits of its own power.”
“That’s insane!”
Hearing Veronie’s explanation, Vellandelle stared at the Steel Angel in shock.
If—no, it truly might be the so-called Steel Judgement.
It can’t be killed!
With a piercing screech, the Steel Angel split its greatsword in two, transforming them into twin blades and advancing toward them.
“Run.”