The Red Hand

"I suppose these will prove adequate..." Rehael said as she inspected a group of 'Angel' automatons provided to her by Gale. While her undead puppets were useful their lack of intelligence left them unable to do much more than attack a designated target while the Angels could act independently to a degree. "I much prefer my servants bound to me by magic, but I'll make an exception and use these since Father so generously provided them."

Gale had delivered approximately three hundred automatons for her to use during the invasion of Earth, each having been upgraded from the originals used during the probing attack on the Dumetor base after having learned some valuable lessons. He would've given her more for her mission, but the remainder were needed elsewhere as part of a grander pincer to bog down Earth's defenses and he calculated that Rehael would be able to handle any Earth based defences with the forces she had on hand.

"Are these creatures actually going to be of any use?" Meldor asked as he lazily inspected them from afar. “They seem kinda... Boring?”

"Father instructed them to be brought here, so of course they will." Rehael snapped back, disliking his criticism of the Order God as she shooed him away.

"I heard the first time they were used they got wiped out by a single magic caster in an instant." Meldor said smugly, which only served to further annoy the Angel. "If they lost to a regular mortal, then I question their usefulness against Spirits."

"Lady Esquire told us that the mortal who destroyed them was mightier than any who reside on Enoris." Lira said as she kicked over the scorched corpse of what looked like a large dog that she'd just beheaded. The three Demi-Gods had been busy hunting for more creatures in the frigid northern reaches of the Empire, and based on how red the snow had been dyed, one could imagine the number of corpses they'd added to their collection. "A mortal they may be, but we would be wise not to underestimate them, especially if they are lackeys of the Demon Lord."

"Lira has more sense than you." Rehael said as she lazily threw her Scythe like a boomerang, cutting down a fleeing frost troll and splattering its blood across the ice before catching her weapon upon its return. "We cannot afford failure. Our mission is too important and I will not tolerate any of your usual bumbling."

"And here I the great Angel of Death was putting up with our presence because she'd started to warm up to us!" Meldor smirked, knowing well that Rehael absolutely hated working with other Demi-Gods on joint operations.

"Cease your chattering, lest I rip that overly active tongue from your mouth." Rehael growled which only incentivized Meldor to tease her further.

"He doesn't need that annoying thing to fight, so nothing of value would be lost if it were torn out." Lira said flatly as she spun her overly large sword in her hand before placing it in a clip on her back. "In fact, we may actually become more efficient if we weren't subject to his constant comments."

"Agreed. So hold him down. I'll make the operation quick and painful." Rehael said with a terrible smile as she held her Scythe toward Meldor.

"Uhh... Don't you mean quick andpainless?" Meldor backed up as he laughed nervously.

"No." Rehael said curtly as she slowly approached her Demi-God compatriot, only stopping when Gale contacted her via a 'video call'.

{Oh, thank the Gods. She might've actually done it... And Lira! Don't encourage her!} (Meldor)

"Rehael, have you had time to inspect the delivery?" Gale asked, cutting straight to the point. He seemed to be quite busy as there was a lot of noise in the background.

"I've given the automatons a cursory inspection, but have yet to actually test them in combat. Though given as they were refined by Lord Hilare, I do not doubt their capabilities." Rehael answered as she shot Meldor a glare that said, Count yourself lucky that he called.

"We're nearly out of time, so have them spar with those two to get a sense of their capabilities. Gale continued. "Once you've done that, return to the Gate Point and await further instructions. Final preparations for transfer are being completed, and I need you to be ready to act as soon as we're ready. All the pieces are finally coming together, and we can't afford anything to go awry at this critical stage of the operation."

"So, the clash with the Demon Lord is finally here?" Rehael smirked, her eyes briefly transforming before reverting to normal. "Good, I was starting to get impatient, and I've been looking forward to a good fight."

"Do not allow yourself to forget the core of your mission. Destroy the Spirits and use the sigil to power the beacon. Once enough life essence has been harvested, I can take it from there." Gale warned her not to get overconfident and that she was not to engage in any adventures until the transfer was complete. "We have no idea how many more powerful subordinates the Demon Lord has, and based on the brief conversation I had with her, she is likely expecting your arrival." He assumed that Akagi was preparing for an invasion, though he had no idea what kind of forces awaited the Demi-Gods upon arrival. His best guess was that the Demon Lord would have several fighters at least as powerful as Zephiria, though how many there would actually be was unknown.

"Let her pawns come if they want. I'll knock every single last one down with easy." Rehael smiled coldly. "And perhaps I'll add a few of them to my collection. Won't it be fun if she's forced to fight them?"

{She is absolutely crazy.} (Meldor)

"Lord Gale." Lira interjected. " If you could forgive my rudeness, would it not be possible for more of us to accompany Rehael on this mission? Surely Itzla or Klemdal would be of use. I would imagine that the more of our numbers that join this operation, the easier things become."

Naturally, there were far more than just three Demi-Gods that could fight, and most that could were under the direct purview of the Gods. Having a larger force of those who carried divine blood would make things easier, since not only would they have more power, but they'd have the numbers to back it up. However, things were not that easy.

"Your suggestion is the very reason that the two of you are accompanying Rehael on this mission." Gale answered. "Esquire asked me to delay the departure a few days to gather the additional energy to send two more bodies in addition to Rehael. While I would love to send an army consisting of every last competent warrior we have to increase the chances of our success, we lack the time to do so. The longer we wait, the higher the chance of the Demon Lord finding a way to entirely undermine our plans, and we cannot take such a risk.” He explained. “Thus, the three of you will have to bear the responsibility of such an important task. We will be entirely focused on delaying the Demon Lord by keeping her on Enoris, so understand that there will be no reinforcements and no retreat. Once you depart, that will be the last time you set foot on Enoris." The sigil that Rehael carried did not have a return function like the ones the Heroes used, the small hourglass shaped item existing only to send the life energy absorbed back to Enoris where it would be used to bridge the gap between worlds and bring the Gods to Earth. By giving them no way to retreat Gale and the other Gods ensured that the three Demi-Gods would have no choice but to carry out their plan or die trying.

"The last time..." Lira repeated, her words coming across not as sad but still melancholic nonetheless. She'd lived a long time and while never truly growing fond of Enoris found the idea of leaving it behind forever strangely sad.

"Not like it matters anyway." Rehael shrugged. "This world means nothing to me. All that matters is serving you, Father, and I look forward to showing those mortals of Earth how important it is to listen to your wisdom."

"Keep your thoughts on the present and focus on the task at hand, Rehael. Our hopes rest on your shoulders, so do not disappoint me." Gale said before ending the 'call.'

"Of course, Father. I'd never dream of such a thing." Rehael smiled before turning to her companions. "You heard what he said. Meldor, in lieu of ripping your tongue out, you shall spar with these golems first."

"Of course..." Meldor sighed as half a dozen of the formerly stationary 'Angels' coalesced around him, each drawing a different weapon that ranged from large cannons to huge mechanical blades that buzzed like chainsaws. "Just don't get mad if I break em."

"I'll pray that you come out with only major injuries." Lira said as she clasped her hands together. "Perhaps they can fix that irritating face you have, too."

"Some Sister you are." Meldor sighed as he summoned his Spear and twirled it around before firmly planting its flat end on the ground. "Though I suppose this is par for the course!" He said as he leaped backwards, quickly chased by the 'Angels' who swarmed him.

"Such an irritating man." Rehael sighed as Lira walked up beside her. "I can scarcely understand how you put up with him. To have been forced to work together with him for centuries must be taxing."

"Occasionally..." Lira answered flatly, her expressionless face leaving the Angel unable to fully discern her true thoughts. "Meldor's childishness can be quite irritating at times."

"I count myself lucky that I've never had to put up with such a thing." Rehael huffed. "Mortals like that get on my nerves.”

"Are you not wed to a mortal and birthed a child with one?" Lira asked, side eyeing the Angel. "From what I've been told, does he not bear many of those same flaws?" She asked, her question catching Rehael off guard since Lira was not one to make such conversations.

"Kanato is indeed boyish, but his charm is..." Rehael shook her head. "I do not need to explain myself to you."

"No, you don't." Lira said as her gaze shifted back to the sparring match between Meldor and the 'Angels', who he easily dodged and dispersed with magic. "Though perhaps a word of warning..."

"What insight could you possibly have for me?" Rehael asked with a raised brow. "Do not forget that I bear no mortal blood, half-breed." She spat. Most Demi-Gods were true born children of Gods and mortals which meant that they were half mortal at best, something the Angel found disgraceful despite the fact that the nature of divine blood meant they were really more divine than mortal.

"While I may be half-human, that merely enables me to have greater insights into mortals than you." Lira answered without looking at her, though the sharpness in her words did not escape Rehael. "Mortals are naturally weaker than us, and the divine blood that runs through my brother and I makes us undoubtedly superior to them...” She paused as Meldor blew away an Angel with a powerful strike. “But one must never underestimate the abilities of those below us. For in the past, those very mortals that you disparage proved enough of a threat to give even the Gods concern."

"The Eridals were fools who tried to go beyond their station. Mortals who dreamed of divinity." Rehael retorted. "And in the end, those mortal fools were annihilated for their hubris. As is how it should be. Gods and the divine are the true rulers of this world. Mortals should simply know their place. Daring to usurp them is an action that perverts the very laws of nature."

"Indeed, but do not forget, Rehael..." Lira paused as she slowly turned and locked eyes with the Angel. "That none are immune to the folly of hubris, be they mortal or divine in origin. One's own fall can come swiftly and from a place you least expect it. So do not take for granted that all those with mortal blood running through their veins are beneath you. For one day, you may face an opponent that shows you just how flawed an assumption that is."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!