Divine Embrace in the Colosseum
Michael! Left alone in the colosseum with the demon, I glanced around for a moment. There were tiered seats like spectator stands, but not a single audience member in sight. Strangely, the night sky stretched overhead, a blood-red moon illuminating this bizarre arena.
Hoo... So one of us has to die to get out?
Instinctively checking my remaining health, I saw it had dropped by about 100,000. Eek? Is it because I used that authority!? Maybe because it's such an insane power that creates a dedicated map...
The demon, a few steps away, kept shifting forms while glaring at me. Its body had stabilized more than before, but it still wasn't fully human. The space distortion seemed weaker here too.
I'll end this quick! Just as I moved into a combat stance, one section of the arena wall began to grind open with a creaking sound. It was like those secret doors hidden in rich folks' walls.
Eek? There's an exit here? My domain detection radar didn't pick up a thing?
As the wall fully opened, golden radiance poured from the gap.
"Solaris? Why'd you come to the duel arena instead of the temple? I'm busy right now—I gotta find my precious apostle who suddenly vanished!"
Huh!? That voice!
ᛚᛃᛟᛋ᛫ᛟᚲ᛫ᚠᚱᛁᚦᚱ 【Michael】 ᛒᛚᛟᚦ᛫ᛟᚲ᛫ᛞᚱᛖᛃᚱᚨ
Whoa! Michael! I could see her status window, but it was totally different from a normal one. Weird demon-script letters around her name, no level or stars—makes sense for a goddess!
Michael's beauty was absolutely dazzling. Her golden hair fell to mid-length, fading into delicate pink gradients at the tips, and her golden eyes pulsed with the energy of every star in the universe. Her perfectly balanced features overflowed with sacred vitality. And... that amazing body in such a scandalously revealing outfit! It was straight out of Greek-Roman myths—the kind of divine garb where thin, see-through fabric strategically covered just enough, leaving most of her silhouette exposed. Her aura blended warm allure with sharp divinity, leaving me dizzy.
You... too sexy...!
Spotting me, Michael's eyes went wide as saucers.
"Eek! Ricoris!? What the—how'd you get here!?"
Huh? What do you mean...? I just used my apostle authority and ended up here...
Polymorph! I shifted back to human form right away.
"Hehe... The authority you gave me, Michael..."
Before I could finish, Michael beamed and rushed over.
"Kyaa! So cute!"
Eek. She suddenly scooped me up in a hug, stroking my hair. So close I could smell her—sweet and fresh, like a flower blooming in the sun.
Hehe... Hugged by Michael...
But then a gross noise interrupted.
"Kuh kuh kuh..."
The demon let out a confused growl, staring at us. Its form shook even more unstably.
Finally noticing it, Michael yelped in surprise and turned.
"Eek! What's that!? Gross!"
Her expression twisted to disgust in an instant. A golden orb formed at her fingertip—like a mini sun—and she hurled it with force.
Boom!
With a massive bang, the demon exploded. I squeezed my eyes shut at the unexpected blast. In that moment, my vision spun wildly again.
Huh? Coming to, I was back in the ruined plaza below.
The demon died, so I returned? No fair! It was so good, even for that instant... I wanna see her again!
Nearby, a groaning Abraksas cultist lay collapsed. Death Mark on this guy to go back?
Death Mark!
But nothing happened. Instead, my status flickered.
Authority - Death Mark
Cooldown: (23 hours 59 minutes 32 seconds)
Eek? Cooldown? Well, yeah—for kidnapping someone and dragging them before Michael, no cooldown would be broken. But 24 hours is too short, right? Total trash skill! Hehe!
The absurd power made me grin. Smiling, I looked around—Cecilia, Glessia, Lote, and Miel were all flying toward me. They seemed panicked by my sudden vanish and return.
Miel buzzed around me frantically, antennae twitching. Her tiny legs patted my face, checking if I was okay.
Cecilia perched on my shoulder, wings trembling gently as she shared warm reassurance.
Glessia acted indifferent but hovered closer than usual, scanning for threats.
Lote just silently resumed orbiting me, dutiful as ever.
Hehe. You were worried. Sorry!
Dzark lay sprawled on the ground, while Count Haind stood holding Crimson Bind.
Seeing me reappear, the count unleashed a storm of questions.
"Lady Ricoris! What happened? You turned into a flower, then vanished and reappeared... And the demon's gone without a trace!"
"Lady Ricoris, you're back! What was that spatial teleport just now? I've never heard of such magic!"
Liandel jumped down from the rubble, asking as he approached. Levy followed, bow at the ready.
I used apostle authority and teleported! Then Michael showed up and boom—blew the demon away in one hit!
"I met Michael through my apostle authority. She personally judged the demon."
Everyone's faces lit with shock.
"Y-you saw Michael herself?"
Levy's voice trembled.
Yeah! Super pretty... body to die for... and that outfit was so revealing!
"Ahem..."
Huh? Suddenly my throat cleared on its own, arms spread wide, and epic words poured out.
"Indeed. No being could surpass her beauty. Those golden eyes, brimming with solar essence, hold all the world's wisdom and mercy, purifying souls with a mere gaze—a divine power beyond mortal ken. Her cascading golden locks gradient to elegant pink at the tips, evoking twilight skies, symbolizing the boundary 'twixt gods' realm and humanity's. Her silhouette embodies perfect harmony! Voluptuous yet firm breasts and hips symbolize life's vitality and abundance; her slender waist bespeaks godly grace. Such flawless proportion defies mortal limits. And her garb—diaphanous silk woven from celestial threads—veils sacred secrets while hinting at perfection, the pinnacle of concealment and revelation... the art of negative space!
Agh! My tongue's cramping! Why such detail!? Noble soul, you into Michael! Ugh...! Still, I prefer my owner!
"Ahem..."
"Kh-hm..."
The count and Liandel coughed awkwardly, ears slightly red. Tsk, men.
"Michael... eliminated the demon herself."
The count bowed his head, murmuring softly.
"...So is everything over? The Abraksas cultists..."
Liandel gazed into the distance.
Bodies littered the underground floor besides Dzark—mostly pierced by my roots, some by Liandel and Levy.
With the demon and boss dead, yeah?
"Not entirely over yet. But Abraksas's messenger is gone, so no major threats for a while."
The souls thought differently. Hm. More could show up.
"B-bug... king..."
Edgar's voice echoed from afar. Bug king when!?
"Edgar! Edgar!"
The count shouted, rushing over, eyes brimming with tears. He gently cradled his son, stroking his face.
"Son... you're finally awake. I was so worried..."
"Father...? Where..."
Edgar looked confused, scanning around. Spotting me, his eyes widened.
"You...?"
I saved your life twice!
"Tch, not recognizing your benefactor after a form change? For shame."
Edgar's eyes grew huge.
"No way—that flower...? How..."
"Sir Edgar, this is Lady Ricoris herself. The flower of Sia Kalt Labyrinth, polymorphed into human form."
Liandel stepped forward, bowing.
"Without her, we'd all be in grave peril today. Demon and cultists alike..."
Edgar stared silently, then slowly bowed.
"...My deepest gratitude."
Yeah yeah! Be grateful!
"As apostle of the goddess of blood and slaughter Michael, judging the wicked and vile is my duty."
Edgar's expression shifted subtly. Phew... Needs Michael ideology training later.
Anyway, how to clean this up?
"How shall we handle this mess?"
I gestured to the corpses and rubble.
The count replied swiftly.
"No worries. I'll take care of it. Erasing all traces of the Abraksas cultists, continuing the investigation into Walter the viscount and his cronies."
He hesitated, then added,
"Rather, why not rest at our estate tonight? As thanks, we'll prepare a lavish banquet."
Hm... At the estate, noble trait activates all day... That rampaging soul'll hijack my mouth again, headache...! But I can't resist tasty meat... Silverbrook baron's was delicious. Count's should be even better...
Yes! Let's go!
"Good. I'll attend the banquet."