Becoming The Strongest Angel With A Saintess System-Chapter 26: Little Warrior, Part Five

Grace staggered down the hallway, her legs still wobbly from the fight. Her armor was dented, covered in demonic... whatever-the-heck, and there was a lot of it in her hair too which sent shivers down her spine just thinking about.

But she was alive! And she'd actually killed a demon!

[Permanently killed it! Like, it's GONE gone!]

She couldn't believe it. She, Grace Lightsinger, former turnip farmer, chicken wrangler, and professional nobody, had erased a demon from existence. With a tiny light sword that looked like a glowing toothpick!

"FASTER, ROOKIE!" Seraph boomed from behind her, slapping her on the back hard enough to make her stumble forward. "Everyone's waiting to see the demon slayer!"

"Everyone?" Grace squeaked. "What the heck do you mean everyone?"

Seraph just grinned and picked her up like a sack of potatoes. Grace didn't bother fighting back this time. She was so exhausted she welcomed not having to move her own body.

"Oh, I have a feeling."

Seraph flew from that little cliff to a set of massive golden doors. Light blinded Grace for a moment. When her vision cleared, her jaw dropped.

Angels. Hundreds of them. All staring at her.

The room fell silent.

Then:

"There she is!"

"Look at that! She's covered in demon blood!"

"So tiny! Are we sure she's the one?"

"Did you see her sword? It's adorable!"

Grace's face burned hotter than a blacksmith's forge. She tried to make herself even smaller, which was saying something considering her height.

"I didn't—I mean, Seraph helped—I just—"

"NONSENSE!" Seraph's voice boomed through the hall as she strutted in behind Grace. "The rookie stabbed it right in the heart! Boom! Disintegrated! Just like that!"

More whispers. More stares. Grace wanted to crawl under someone's wing and hide forever.

Then the crowd parted, and a familiar rainbow-winged figure glided forward.

Celestia.

"Well, well," she said, her lips curving into an amused smile. "The triumphant demon hunters return."

Seraph suddenly stood ramrod straight, all her boisterous energy vanishing.

"Archangel Celestia! We, uh—that is to say—I was just—"

"Taking our newest angel on an unauthorized demon hunt?" Celestia finished, one perfect eyebrow arched.

Seraph swallowed hard.

"... Yes, ma'am."

"Without approval from the council?"

"... Yes, ma'am."

"Against direct orders to keep her within the Dominion until her training was complete?"

"... Yes, ma'am."

"After I specifically instructed Mara to tell you not to do exactly that because I knew you'd try?"

"... Yes, ma'am."

"And you did it anyway because...?"

Seraph cleared her throat.

"Because... because I thought it was really important to see if she could actually, you know, kill demons. Permanently. Like everyone was saying."

Celestia's stern expression held for another moment, then cracked into a smile.

"And could she?"

"YES!" Seraph's excitement returned full force. "You should have seen it! This tiny little demon stabber!" She grabbed Grace's arm and held it up like she was announcing the winner of a bar fight. "Poked that demon right in its nasty heart and POOF! Nothing but dust!"

The hall erupted in cheers and gasps.

Celestia's eyes found Grace's. There was something in that look. Pride. Curiosity.

"In that case," Celestia said, turning to address the gathered angels, "I believe a proper recognition is in order. Grace Lightsinger, please follow me to the Hall of Light."

The crowd gasped again.

"The Hall of Light?"

"But she's just a rookie!"

"No one has ever—"

"Silence," Celestia said quietly, and every voice in the room instantly died.

Grace looked at Seraph, who seemed equally shocked.

"The Hall of Light?" Grace whispered. "What's that?"

"Only the most sacred chamber in the entire Dominion," Seraph whispered back, suddenly looking impressed. "Only the highest-ranking angels are allowed inside. And now... you. A rookie!"

[Great. One more way to stick out like a sore thumb.]

"Come, Grace," Celestia beckoned, already floating toward a shimmering doorway at the far end of the hall.

Grace took a deep breath and followed, feeling hundreds of eyes poking at her back.

The Hall of Light made Grace dizzy. It wasn't a hall in the traditional sense. It was... more like standing inside a star. The walls, floor, and ceiling were made of light that somehow felt solid under her feet. Grace couldn't tell how big the room was; it seemed to go on forever in all directions.

In the center stood a raised dais with three smaller platforms arranged in a triangle around it. On each platform stood a figure.

Seraph flew over and stood on one, her red hair ablaze in the room's glow.

On another stood a certain someone with light brown hair and the biggest ch—well, Grace tried not to stare at her chest, which was hard considering it was practically at eye level. That was Mara, of course, leader of the Compassion Sisters. And Venus was on the last, smirking down at Grace.

Celestia guided Grace to the center dais, placing her hands on Grace's shoulders from behind.

"Angels of the Dominion," Celestia's voice rang out, somehow magnified by the room itself. "We bear witness today to something not seen since the time of Eternia herself. A being capable of permanently destroying demons."

The three sect leaders nodded solemnly (though Seraph was clearly just trying to look serious, and failing).

"Grace Lightsinger," Celestia continued, "though you are new to our ranks, you have already demonstrated gifts beyond measure. You walk the path of Balance, showing aptitude for Bravery, Compassion, and Love alike. For this reason, and in recognition of your victory today, we bestow upon you your first piece of divine equipment."

Grace's eyes widened.

[What?]

Seraph stepped forward, holding something wrapped in shimmering cloth. She placed it in Grace's hands gently.

"T-Thank you," Grace said, her voice embarrassingly small in the vast chamber.

"Well, open it!" Seraph whispered excitedly.

Grace carefully unwrapped the cloth.

Inside was a sword hilt. No blade, just a beautifully crafted golden hilt with strange symbols etched into the metal. It was small, perfectly sized for her hand.

"Um... where's the rest of it?" she asked, turning the hilt over in her palm.

Seraph chuckled.

"Have you forgotten already? Channel your divine energy into it, rookie."

[OH! Right.]

Grace concentrated, willing her energy into the hilt like she'd done with her tiny light blade. The hilt grew warm, then hot. Suddenly, a blade of pure golden light erupted from it—much longer and more impressive than her previous creation. It hummed with power, sending pleasant vibrations up her arm.

It was still thin and slender, and definitely looked like if it wasn't made of light, Seraph would be able to snap it in half easily, but it clearly resembled an actual sword.

「Divine Equipment Acquired: Blade of Dawn」

「Equipment Synergy: Power grows with Bravery attribute (15/100)」

"Whoa," Grace breathed.

"Wow, it's a rapier," Seraph explained, clearly also surprised while Grace kept her eyes fixed on the weapon. "Not my style, but fits a tiny thing like you."

At that moment, Grace also saw:

Note: Your Skill - 「Blade of Eternia (Lvl. 2)」- has adapted this weapon and can now recreate it at will. 

Mara left her dais and glided toward Grace. She placed a gentle hand on Grace's forehead.

"Do not get too caught up in learning to fight, dear," she said softly, her green eyes warm. "We still need to continue with our Compassion training."

Venus sauntered forward next, moving like water. She tilted Grace's chin up with one slender finger, studying her face.

"Your potential is bright," she purred, her golden eyes dancing with mischief. "As for us, we will continue to be most thorough in teaching you our ways~"

Grace's face heated up instantly. Venus chuckled, trailing a finger along Grace's jawline before stepping back.

"And finally," Celestia said, producing a small medallion from thin air, "a symbol of your unique place among us."

The medallion was simple. A circle of silver with a golden sunburst in the center. It didn't look particularly special, but Grace could feel power emanating from it.

"This belonged to Eternia herself," Celestia said quietly, so only Grace could hear. "I've kept it safe all these eons."

She lowered the medallion over Grace's head. But, the moment the metal touched Grace's skin—

The Hall of Light vanished.

Grace was somewhere else. No, somewhen else. She was looking through someone else's eyes. Someone taller, more powerful.

She was standing in a room made of crystal and light, arguing with someone. A woman with steel-gray hair, very pale skin that was almost grey, and piercing blue eyes stood before her, arms crossed.

"... Truly?" The woman whose eyes Grace was seeing this through said.

Instantly, Grace recognized the voice. 

[Eternia? So, right now, I'm seeing through Eternia's eyes?] 

Eternia continued. 

"I did not think you would follow through this." 

The woman standing opposite Eternia, with the blue eyes, stepped forward. She seemed determined, but nervous. 

"I-I did not mean to-" 

"Enough," Eternia cut her off coldly. "I've grown tired of your excuses. Begone. This is not a conversation worth having." 

Grace wanted to get a better look at this lady, since she seemed oddly familiar, but Eternia turned away from her. 

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"... Fine," the woman spat out before turning and walking away, but not before slamming a fist into the wall that left a web of cracks. 

[Wow... An ex-girlfriend or something?] Grace thought. 

Eternia turned around. 

Grace could feel it. A desire to ask that woman to stay, to correct what she just said.

But, Eternia remained silent. 

And suddenly Grace was back in the Hall of Light, gasping.

"Grace?" Celestia was holding her shoulders, looking concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I—yes," Grace managed, her heart racing. "Just... overwhelmed."

Celestia studied her face for a moment, then nodded, though she didn't look entirely convinced.

"The ceremony is complete," she announced to the gathered leaders. "And now, I have one final announcement."

The three sect leaders looked at her expectantly.

"As you know, the Celestial Banquet approaches. Once every century, all factions across heaven gather to renew our bonds and discuss the war effort. This year, Grace Lightsinger will attend as my personal guest."

Seraph's jaw dropped. Mara's eyes widened. Venus smiled in a very cattish way.

"The banquet is in three days," Celestia continued.

"Uhm, but, ma'am, the Veil... A-And, the Choir," Seraph began to say but Celestia held a hand up.

"I will make it clear that I expect all factions to be on their best behavior." Celestia lowered her hand. "I've chosen to stay out of their affairs for the last couple hundred years or so. But, at the end of the day, I am still Stewardess of Heaven. I am still archangel. I will not have anyone starting a ruckus at the banquet."

Seraph seemed relieved. Grace had no idea what they were talking about, though.

With that, the ceremony ended. The sect leaders departed with final nods to Grace and Celestia. Seraph hung back, looking like she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it and left.

Grace was still reeling from the vision, the weight of the medallion heavy against her chest.

"Celestia," she began, "the medallion—"

"Will help protect you," Celestia cut in smoothly. "The banquet can be... politically charged. Many different kinds of people will be curious about you. Some may not have your best interests at heart. But, know that I will be there, by your side."

Grace sensed Celestia wasn't telling her everything, but she nodded anyway.

"Thank you."

Celestia touched Grace's cheek lightly.

"Rest now. Your friends are probably waiting to hear all about your adventure."

---

"YOU'RE GOING TO THE CELESTIAL BANQUET?!" Alia shrieked, bouncing on Grace's bed with enough force to launch herself to the ceiling. "That's like—that's like—"

"The most exclusive event in the entire Dominion," Zephyr finished, rifling through Grace's pathetically small wardrobe. "Some angels literally wait centuries for an invitation."

"And you got one after being here for, what, a week?" Alia flopped backward, spreading her arms. "That's SO unfair!"

Grace sat on the edge of her bed, turning the medallion over in her hands. The vision still fresh in her mind.

"Who exactly goes to this banquet?" she asked.

"EVERYONE," Alia emphasize dramatically. "All the sect leaders, the Seraphim Guard, the Ascended Choir. Even some of the, you know, shadier factions."

"Shadier factions? Like the Veil?"

Zephyr and Alia exchanged glances.

"Yep. Not all angels agree on how to handle the demon war. Remember the fallen angel we saw?" Zephyr explained, her voice lower. "Some have... different ideas about Eternia's teachings."

"Different bad, or different good?"

"Just different," Zephyr said carefully. "The banquet is one of the few times all factions agree to set aside differences. Which means it's also..."

"A perfect time for secret plotting," Alia finished excitedly. "Backstabbing, hidden alliances, forbidden romances—it's SO exciting!"

"Great," Grace muttered. "And I'm supposed to just walk into this snake pit and... what? Not get eaten alive?"

"You'll be with Celestia," Zephyr pointed out. "No one would dare try anything with her watching."

"Besides," Alia grinned, "we're going to make you look so amazing everyone will be too busy staring to plot against you."

As her friends debated what Grace should wear, something flashed in the corner of her eye.

「New Quest Activated: The Gathering Storm」

Category: Bravery

Objective: Attend the Celestial Banquet and identify the hidden threat

Reward: +10 Bravery, Special Equipment

[Hidden threat? WHAT hidden threat? H-Hey!? Eternia, you wanna be a bit more specific about that!?!?]

Grace sighed.

Of course there was a hidden threat. Because being paraded around as the angel world's newest freak show wasn't stressful enough.

She moved to her small mirror while Alia and Zephyr argued over fabrics and colors. The medallion caught the light, glinting against her chest. Her reflection looked different somehow. More serious, less like the farm girl she'd been.

But all she could think about was that woman with the steel-gray hair and angry blue eyes. The woman who'd argued with Eternia. Who was she? And why did Grace feel like she'd seen her somewhere before?

The medallion warmed slightly against her skin, as if responding to her thoughts.

Whatever was coming at that banquet, Grace had a feeling it was just the beginning.