Chapter 51: The Power Angel
Night was deepening. By now, the dwarves would have been put to work on the locomotive, and tomorrow Sharel would harvest the crops and sell them across the entire empire. They'd use the proceeds from the grain to import iron bars and building materials, allowing the territory to develop rapidly.
Once rails were laid across the entire eastern region of the empire and locomotives began operating, the domestic economy would explode to life. Increased population mobility would naturally circulate money and activate internal trade. The lords of this world didn't fully grasp how much advanced transportation and logistics could impact the economy.
Of course, to truly stimulate the domestic economy, he'd need to conquer the entire eastern empire, securing territory rivaling a kingdom—but that wouldn't be difficult. He would grow even stronger. Right now, he could devour the surrounding territories if he wanted, but he was holding off due to a lack of troops to occupy them.
His plan was to launch a war a few months after the Giant God Clan arrived. That meant he needed to start thinking about how to sour relations with the other territories.
He pulled out the Body Modification Scroll. An S-grade item—what would it do?
Riiip!
Light burst from the torn scroll, enveloping him. His strength was forcibly drained, and he floated into the air.
Crack! Crunch-crunch!
"Nngh!"
His bones shattered throughout his body. This time, the pain was even more horrific than his first bone purge and marrow cleansing—as if every single cell was being peeled away. His bones broke, shifted, and reformed without anesthesia.
Damn it! If he'd known, he would've gotten blackout drunk or eaten some numbing herbs!
With his bones fractured, his ligaments snapped, and his tendons tore completely before reconnecting. His muscles underwent the same process. On top of that, his skin itched as it hardened, shedding several layers like a snake's molt. Impurities were fully purged, and the mana holes near his dantian and heart were destroyed, expanding to 1.5 times their original size.
Snap! Griiiind!
Fortunately, the modification finished in an instant. If that agony had lasted hours, he might not have endured it.
After the body modification ended, he absorbed the lingering light around him.
Thud!
He lightly punched his chest with his left hand. His skin bounced the impact away effortlessly. He clenched his fist and swung.
Whoosh!
A tremendous sonic boom echoed as his fist left a mark in the wall. A slight miscontrol of his strength could collapse the carefully built lord's castle. He'd have to be careful.
He opened the terrace door and leaped lightly upward. His mana control had become far more precise. Before, he would've shattered the terrace, but now he ascended gracefully.
Opening his eyes, he could see mana flows. The modification allowed him to visually perceive mana and wind. They stretched like lines, and riding them enabled near-flight mobility.
This put him at monster level. It felt like a test of how strong he could ultimately become.
He flew to the Forbidden Zone, tracing a long parabolic arc from the terrace. True free flight still seemed impossible—unless he used magic, perhaps.
Aiming at a towering peak in the heart of the Forbidden Zone, he unleashed Thunder God's Fist.
Rumble!
As if the heavens themselves were splitting, lightning and aura surged from his fist toward the peak.
BOOM!
"Gasp!"
Half the peak had vanished in the exact shape of his fist—as if he'd pulverized it personally. The ground connecting to it was completely upturned, with no life remaining inside. Orcs, ogres, wild beasts—all reduced to bloody pulp.
"At least 1.5 times stronger."
His skin had toughened too; spears and swords probably wouldn't pierce it. He hadn't tested it, but he knew by feel.
On a whim, he tore the summon scroll as well.
Fwoosh! Bang!
Intense light rose into the air, drawing a hexagram. Something descended from within—like a scene from a childhood cartoon. A beautiful face, snow-white wings, a tiara crowning her head, and pristine white robes. Unmistakably an angel.
The gods began paying attention.
Power Angel? Had the body mod sharpened his mind too? Novel details flooded back.
Power Angels ranked fifth in the angelic hierarchy. Though he didn't recall the source material, in heavenly wars, these combat-specialized angels led the vanguard. Developed by gods as war machines, their massive swords were iconic.
The angel flew to him and knelt on one knee.
"I greet my master."
"A Power Angel summoned? Will the gods even allow it?"
"I am bound to you by the gods' will alone. Thus, you are my master."
"Your name?"
"I am the Power Angel Raena."
"Good, Raena. You'll do anything I command?"
"I am your tool, after all."
"A tool, huh... Yes, angels are their master's tools."
Utterly obedient, incapable of betrayal. High-ranking angels might challenge gods in scriptures, but his novel had no such setup. Demons served the Demon God, not fallen angels.
A summoned angel. Hide her or flaunt her? No need to hide. Commanding a god-sent angel could legitimize his actions. Her presence was a cheat key—even rampages would seem justified. No one would believe he attacked without reason with an angel at his side. Same for unifying the east or facing the emperor—bringing her would crush their spirits, as defying her would seem like defying the gods.
He grinned at her.
"Let's get along."
The next morning, the custom clock's alarm rang.
"Master, time to wake up. Your meeting is soon."
"Mm... Already that time?"
"Yes! It's the time you set."
Angels didn't sleep. She'd stood guard all night, now waking him. No smartphone was a bummer, but the clock sufficed. Plus, Raena used holy magic to cleanse him instantly—refreshed like after a shower, clothes and all. Unbeatable convenience.
Today, they'd outline the territory's overall development plan. Until yesterday, uncooperative dwarves meant no full briefing. Now fully subjugated, it was time to push forward.
Bang!
"Bro, get up— Kyaaah!"
Sharel burst in, screamed at Raena attending him. No cosplay could mimic her; a faint halo glowed behind her wings.
Sharel freaked out, then yelled.
"An angel! Why is a holy angel here?! To take bro away?! Don't! He has so much left to do!"
She assumed angels appeared for the dying. Human logic's limit.
Raena knelt to Sharel too.
"Hello, Lady Sharel. I am Raena, Aron's guardian angel."
"G-Guardian angel?"
"Think of me as his faithful servant."
"Whaaat?"
Sharel tilted her head in disbelief. A psycho murderer like him with an angel? Absurd. But Raena stood firm.
"Lord Aron has the gods' favor. It's my honor to serve him."
"Ha... Did the gods all go on strike? How can a psycho like bro get an angel escort?"
Whoosh!
He opened the terrace doors. Muggy wind rushed in. Summer already?
He sent Raena to the territory.
"Go announce your presence!"
"Yes, master!"
Flap!
Raena spread her wings and flew low over the territory, scattering holy power. People recognized her instantly.
"An angel! It's an angel!"
"Woooah!"
Cheering residents. Watching the flying angel, a great idea struck him.
"Unifying the continent's east? Rebellions were my biggest worry. Not anymore."
"You're planning to conquer sloppily, then claim it's divine will?"
"Heh, obviously. Gotta use this hard-earned angel when it counts."
"Somehow, I feel bad for Raena."
In the meeting hall gathered his few retainers, dwarf chieftain Kelt, and elders. He had Raena fetch the territory map.
All eyes locked on her. Even dwarves couldn't deny his divine favor now—Vulcanus had spoken, and now an angel served him. Claiming otherwise would be weirder.
Whoosh!
Secondary Territory Development Plan
The map bore the bold title [Secondary Territory Development Plan]. Zones were divided, but with 1.5 million Giant God Clan incoming, population explosion demanded new cities everywhere—expanding into the Forbidden Zone.
"We'll push steadily into the Forbidden Zone, building cities. Population will exceed two million soon."
"Kingdom-scale, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
Even Kelt was awed. Sweeping the east would push past three million. Mobilizing 200,000 troops? Feasible here. Especially with every Giant God Clan member a warrior.
Tap.
He pointed to a spot on the map.
"We'll build a mercenary city here."