Snowflakes drifted over the mid-slope of Orkoreth, blood splattering everywhere.

The furious assault ceased. Sharkai Bai half-knelt on the ground, steel blades embedded all over his body.

He panted heavily, yanking the blades out one by one.

As his wounds healed, Sharkai Bai rose again.

The moment he stood, Migast reappeared before him, wildly thrusting his blade into Sharkai Bai’s body.

“If we don’t pull out that Holy Nail, this’ll get messy.”

From a distant high ground, Kami Miraishi watched Sharkai Bai gradually lose ground.

Even the most absurd regeneration needed time—and Migast never gave enemies an inch.

BOOM!!!

A deafening explosion erupted from Orkoreth’s peak.

“What’s happening?!”

Beyond the area guarded by the Six Archbishops, the entire cathedral lay in ruins.

The Pontiff sat frozen on his throne, utterly bewildered. Even the Six Archbishops’ eyes flickered with shock.

No one could’ve imagined this. The cathedral was warded with unique magic—even a Grand Magus couldn’t destroy it.

Gazing at the figure in the sky, the Pontiff’s expression turned blank.

Amidst the gloomy clouds, radiance pierced through. At its center stood a six-winged armored girl, gripping a massive sword.

“Just took a little nap… and you’re already causing trouble again, perverted Bai-kun.”

Xia Feina.

A being who had surpassed Grand Magus level. A Godfiend-transformed Xia Feina.

Though unclear on the details, Dishi had told her Sharkai Bai had charged alone into deadly territory to rescue Cecilia Xuelian and Cecilia Ozbell.

Xia Feina had begged Dishi to lift her magical restraints, racing here at full speed.

“Hah! Another formidable one shows up.”

Kami Miraishi found the situation increasingly amusing. If someone else wanted to destroy that troublesome cathedral, he wouldn’t complain.

But what truly delighted him was the Pontiff’s expression.

That ever-proud leader now looked utterly lost.

Mid-bloodthirsty frenzy, Migast sensed another immense power. He lifted his head toward the sky.

Abandoning Sharkai Bai—a blood-soaked, temporarily crippled wreck—he sprouted vine-wings and soared toward Xia Feina.

Seizing the reprieve, Sharkai Bai struggled to pull the blades from his body. A low growl escaped him, like a defeated dog.

It wasn’t failure. This human shell simply couldn’t contain the monster within.

Most of God Slaughter’s power remained sealed inside Sharkai Bai.

After removing every blade, his wounds slowly closed. His tail retracted; his grotesque arms reverted to human form.

God Slaughter’s fading violet pupils burned with bitter reluctance as it prepared to retreat back into dormancy.

Sharkai Bai collapsed.

Kami Miraishi approached, lifting him up.

“This time, I owe you. I couldn’t have handled that monster alone.”

His gaze shifted to Migast clashing with Xia Feina in the sky.

He’d heard legends of the Holy Nail’s power—but this was his first witness.

He was gambling. Betting whether the monster inside Sharkai Bai could rival the Holy Nail.

Even in defeat, reaching this level was no small feat.

“You won’t win unless you pull that Holy Nail out!”

The shout from below reached Xia Feina’s ears.

Indeed—a conical object pierced Migast’s temple.

Xia Feina focused on dislodging it.

“Tch. What a nuisance.”

His defenses were flimsy, yet his offense and regeneration were monstrous.

Like a stone dropped in water: splashes erupted, only for the water to instantly rush back and fill the gap.

Xia Feina frowned. This thing was clearly no human.

“Hurry! Faster!”

Elucia led the charge ahead, blasting away swarming enemies.

Behind her, Wilkor and Aisha supported the weakened Cecilia siblings.

“Cough… thank you.”

Cecilia Xuelian had regained consciousness. She never expected to be taken hostage alongside Ozbel.

But now, they were safe—for the moment.

Racing down from the prison peak, they noticed fewer enemies as they descended.

“I hope Xia Feina’s alright…”

Elucia’s eyes tracked Xia Feina battling the vine-wreathed monster in the sky.

They finally reached the mid-slope.

There, they found Kami Miraishi watching the fight—and Sharkai Bai, unconscious.

Cecilia Xuelian rushed to Bai’s side.

Though his wounds had healed, his torn clothes and dried blood spoke of unimaginable pain.

“Perfect. Take him back to the academy. I’m staying.”

Kami Miraishi entrusted Sharkai Bai to them. He intended to witness Migast’s end.

The mad fanatic’s final moments.

He wasn’t worried about escape.

Even twelve-winged angels meant nothing to him.

As the academy group descended, Cecilia Xuelian paused beneath a tree.

There lay the girl who’d kidnapped her and Ozbel.

The girl who claimed Sharkai Bai had abandoned her.

Qian Nami Shizuru.

Wrapped in Sharkai Bai’s coat, she lay motionless beneath the branches.

“Come on, Xuelian! We have to go!”

“Wait… bring her too. She’s Bai’s friend.”

Hesitation flickered in Xuelian’s eyes. After a brief mental struggle, she lifted Qian Nami.

Only for Sharkai Bai’s sake.

Meanwhile, the surviving Third, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Wings of the twelve-winged angels had returned to Orkoreth’s peak.

“Is that… Migast?”

The Third Wing stared upward at the monstrous figure.

The other five angels surged skyward to join the battle.

“None shall interfere!”

Kami Miraishi blocked their path, a dragon of azure flames coiling behind him.

This fight was untouchable.

That was why he’d stayed.

“Damn you, Kami Miraishi!”

“Long time no see. I’ve done you all quite a few favors before,” he said casually.

Holding Divine Grace, the six angels knew: defeating him was impossible.

“Just watch.”

Hands back in his pockets, Kami Miraishi’s attention returned to the battlefield.

Xia Feina’s massive sword inched toward Migast’s head.

Even when blocked, the shockwaves and sword aura rattled him.

The Holy Nail in his temple now protruded halfway out.

“This ends now.”

The Godfiend’s final strike.

Xia Feina’s blade slashed toward Migast’s skull.

“…”

Vines erupted across Migast’s body. His dull eyes locked onto Xia Feina.

He was concentrating his vines for defense.

BOOM!

A colossal explosion ripped through Orkoreth’s sky.

The Holy Nail in Migast’s temple shattered under Xia Feina’s blade.

*(Children’s laughter…)*

*(Birdsong and blooming flowers…)*

*(The Church’s left hand…)*

*(Grateful for today’s blessings…)*

*(At dawn’s light… never forget to pray…)*

Freed from the Holy Nail, Migast plummeted.

Visions flickered before his eyes.

Inside a grand cathedral, he sat on a pew, telling stories to children. Their laughter filled the air as he gazed through stained-glass windows at the world outside.

Thud.

Migast hit the ground. His body slowly turned to ash.

Flames consumed him.

Those bound by the Holy Nail became eternal monsters—only regaining clarity at death’s door.

Reaching toward the sky, Migast smiled. In his final breath, he whispered:

“…Heretics… must be purged…”

His ashes scattered on the wind, drifting into the distance.

“Well then. Shall we continue?”

After defeating Migast, Xia Feina landed, her gaze fixed on the Pontiff of the Winged Deity Punishment Church.

Kami Miraishi appeared beside her.

Half the twelve-winged angels were dead. All sacred relics lost.

The Church’s remaining strength: six angels and the Six Archbishops.

While Migast fought, the Pontiff had hoped.

If Migast won, the Church might still counterattack.

But Migast lost.

And died.

“I… the Winged Deity Punishment Church… surrenders.”

The staff symbolizing the Church’s eternal glory clattered to the floor. The Pontiff forced out the words with his last ounce of strength.

The war ended here.

The surrender terms were harsh:

Full reparations across the continent.

No Church presence on the mainland for a century.

All conflicts to cease immediately.

This war had bled the Church dry.

Their only option now: retreat to Orkoreth’s peak.

News spread. Leaders across the continent breathed sighs of relief.

“Alright! Time to clean up these pests!”

In the Southern Desert, Yamamoto Takedazou received the surrender notice. He finally mobilized his full forces against the rampaging Sandy Dragon Clan.

Inside a grimy, dim laboratory:

“Tch. Surrendered? Expected as much.”

Xia Yuan scoffed at the news. But he quickly turned to an experimental tube, grinning.

“Still… this war gave me some excellent materials.”

Beneath Holy Carthus’s foundations:

Aikua Hebrai Eburna, the academy’s founder, smiled.

This war had crippled the Winged Deity Punishment Church.

Trapped here, he’d always feared their threat.

Now, he was pleased.

“In a good mood, Aikua Hebrai Eburna?”

Dishi’s voice echoed down the corridor.

“I said no visitors without my summons.”

“Then I won’t fix this kicked-in door.”

“…This once only.”

Dishi smirked in victory.

Cecilia Xuelian walked down the academy path.

The trees’ leaves had flushed crimson.

Currently, Sharkai Bai and Ozbel have been lying in the infirmary for nearly a week.

The academy had resumed its normal class schedule.

Apprentices walked along the paths, chatting about the recent events.

After her father Ozbel rushed to the academy to fuss over her with endless nagging, Cecilia Xuelian finally managed to see him off.

"Hey! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!!"

"You! How dare you hide this from me? I won’t let you off easy!"

Sounds came from the dorm room.

Cecilia Xuelian, who had just inserted the key into the lock, suddenly froze.

Her hand visibly trembled for an instant.

"I know, I know... Just let me open the door first."

Apparently, he’d heard the lock click.

The one who opened the door was Sharkai Bai, covered head to toe in bandages.

The moment their eyes met.

The two stood frozen in place, facing each other.

"Welcome back."