The next morning, Shuo barely set foot on campus before Natsuki summoned him to her office.
"Shuo Nangong, you've gotten bold. I still haven't dealt with your last stunt, and now you're skipping class?" She fixed him with a deceptively sweet smile, but her eyes glittered with danger. "Well? Care to explain yourself?"
If she could actually overpower him, she'd have chained him up and tossed him into the sea by now—just to cool that arrogant head.
Shuo stretched with a lazy yawn. "Old news, Natsuki-chan. I already told you—I like you. As for skipping class, it's just… boring."
He grinned, unfazed. "Besides, don't you ever get lonely, Natsuki-chan? All by yourself in that prison barrier?"
Natsuki's face darkened. Her voice dropped, suddenly serious. "What are you planning? I'm warning you—don't do anything reckless."
Everyone knew Natsuki's true identity: a witch who'd traded her soul for power, her body forever frozen in childhood. Her curse? To guard the Prison Barrier—alone—until the day she died.
She was the legendary warden of Itogami Island's mystical prison, the barrier's living key. When she appeared in public, it was always as a magical projection, wielding spatial magic and conjuring chains at will. Her real body slept, sealed deep within the barrier.
Shuo just flashed his most innocent smile. "Who, me? When have I ever been reckless? Everything I do is perfectly… orderly."
With that, he sauntered out, leaving Natsuki with a pounding headache. She knew him too well—he was definitely planning something, and with his power, no one could stop him. She could only pray he didn't go too far this time.
—
Elsewhere, three of the Lion King Organization's most formidable Attack Mages—collectively known as the Three Saints—were deep in a war room discussion. Their topic: Shuo Nangong.
The Three Saints:
Yuuma Hiiragi: The bespectacled, iron-willed leader, a high school prodigy and one of Japan's strongest mages. Two years Shuo's senior, she'd just graduated from Saikai Academy and was now at university in Itogami City.Shio Hikawa: A petite girl with a disarmingly innocent face and an equally disarming bust, harboring two souls—one, the ancient Will of Darkness; the other, simply herself, vessel of that power.Aya Tokoyogi: A green-haired elf with a mischievous streak and a penchant for black cats. Her true age was anyone's guess.
"According to our intel," Yuuma began, voice clipped, "that boy, Shuo Nangong, is the real mastermind behind the world's current chaos."
"He's even helped the Fourth Primogenitor subjugate all her familiars. We'll need a total overhaul of our plans regarding her," she added.
Silence fell.
After a long moment, Shio sighed, rubbing her temples. "He's already stronger than the True Ancestors. Now he's got the Fourth Primogenitor on his side. How are we supposed to counter that?"
Yuuma's glasses glinted. "Not impossible. Our scouts say he's surrounded by beautiful women. I propose we use… a honey trap."
Aya bristled. "A honey trap? And just who do you plan on sending? The Lion King Organization has plenty of shrine maidens, but only a handful are truly exceptional."
Aya's disciples were like family. She had no intention of sending them into a wolf's den.
Yuuma didn't blink. "Got a better idea?"
Aya fell silent, lips pressed tight.
In the end, they settled on dispatching their best: War Dancers Sayaka Kirasaka and Shio Hikawa herself, plus the Sword Shamans Yuri Haba and Fuyuka Fujisaka—excluding Yukina. All were sent to Itogami Island.
Nor were they the only ones moving. Even the First Primogenitor dispatched Dimitrie Vatler to Itogami. In hindsight, it would become his greatest regret.
—
At that moment, Shuo felt a surge of alarm—his detection spell on Kanon Kanase had been triggered.
Without hesitation, he teleported to her location.
He arrived to find Kensei Kanase, Kanon's own uncle, looming over her. He'd discovered the angelic reincarnation energy within Kanon and was ruthlessly interrogating her.
Kanon, refusing to betray Shuo, stood her ground.
Infuriated, Kensei ordered the artificial angels to rip out her power and spiritual core. If they succeeded, Kanon would die. To ensure she couldn't resist, he activated the control device inside her body, leaving her helpless as the other artificial angels closed in.
Fortunately, Shuo's defensive wards held. Kanon was unharmed.
Watching Kensei treat his niece like a lab rat, Shuo's rage boiled over. He'd planned to merely rough Kensei up for Kanon's sake. Now, he wasn't sure even death was punishment enough.
He appeared in front of Kanon in a flash, sending the attacking angels flying with a mere gesture.
Kensei reeled back, eyes wide. Then he barked, "Who are you? Why are you interfering with my experiment?!"
Shuo ignored him, gently gathering Kanon into his arms. "It's okay, Kanon. I'm here. No one will ever hurt you again."
He activated the angelic reincarnation ceremony within Kanon. Instantly, golden light enveloped her, radiating outward in a wave of pure, holy power.
"Kanon, where are you?! I've come to save you!" A frantic voice echoed through the lab as two more figures burst in.
A girl with the same silver-white hair and blue eyes as Kanon—though older—rushed forward. La Folia Rihavein, first princess of the Ardeal Kingdom, and Kanon's niece.
Trailing her was Natsuki, still in her gothic lolita dress. At the sight of Shuo, a sense of foreboding prickled down her spine.
"Why are you here?" she demanded.
Before Shuo could answer, the golden light faded, and Kanon's form emerged—her aura now impossibly pure, almost divine.
La Folia, Natsuki, and Kensei all stared, speechless, as twelve majestic wings unfurled behind Kanon's back.
"A… twelve-winged seraph…" someone whispered.
Even Shuo couldn't help but gasp. He'd always known Kanon was gentle, kind—her nickname, "little angel," wasn't just for show. But this? He'd never imagined she could reincarnate as an actual twelve-winged seraph.
When it came to angelic affinity, maybe only Aisha, the little nun, could compare.
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]