"You see that thing?" The levitating being asked, "That thing has appeared because he was tempted by your beloved's blood."

Hearing the creature's voice, William demanded, "Let me go." The creature…it looked ominous.

Hearing it talk made it clear why the Devil suddenly decided to show up. It was here for Emma…her blood.

He couldn't leave her alone like that. There were no council members arriving to help her, which meant that they simply couldn't.

William might be a little irritated at them for how far they go with their challenges, but he knew they weren't heartless bastards who would remain silent even when a General-ranked demon had appeared.

They surely must be trying to reach the island, but until then, Emma needed to be protected. That Devil was here for her.

"What can you do against that Devil?"

William's eyes narrowed at the levitating figure. "What do you mean by that?"

The being responded, calm as ever, "You would be powerless against that Devil. Even if you use Nyx, it would prove useless against a Devil of that level. It is beyond your capabilities to stop."

William gritted his teeth. "So you want me to just stay right here and watch that disgusting piece of shit harm my Emma?!"

His voice carried his emotions. He was agitated at the moment.

Somehow, a part of William knew that he wouldn't be able to inflict a single scratch on that creature.

He was exhausted—more than ever—and even at his full strength, he was nowhere strong enough to withstand that creature.

How was he supposed to defend Emma? He didn't know. But he didn't care. He just wanted to be there…to do something. To at least distract that creature so Emma could escape.

William had been through these kinds of situations many times, so he would somehow overcome this threat too. But Emma…no, nothing should happen to her.

He wouldn't let anyone harm her. Not as long as he was alive.

"I see your compassion and strong love for that girl." The levitating figure remarked.

William was about to shout at it, asking to be liberated but then the creature suddenly leaned forward and extended its hand.

William blinked in surprise. "W-What are you…"

Those bony fingers rested on William's head before the teenager heard the inhumane creature muttering, "I will take care of things."

….

*CLANG* *CLANG*

Emma grunted as her barriers snapped like glass while the creature continued to move forward with slow strides, clearly enjoying her struggle.

Emma bit her lip, her gaze wavering before her lips moved in a chant.

A spell that had gotten her punished when she used it against a student.

Several spell circles spiraled around, covering the ground under her and the Devil's feet, a greenish hue washing over the lands.

The Devil hummed, pausing in its steps to study the spell.

Emma's vision was darkening from exhaustion, but there was someone she had to protect—even if it meant draining every drop of Aether with this spell.

"Sixth Circle…Titan's Grip." Through her rasped breathing, a few syllables were carried forth and instantly, the pressure on the Devil intensified by a significant margin.

The ground began to fracture, a cobweb of crack formed under the creature as the gravity elevated significantly.

Emma didn't hold back. She wasn't fighting a student but a Devil.

She used every bit of strength in that spell, which could have easily crushed a building under the pressure.

However, the spell didn't work against the being it was intended to.

"Hohoho~ a youngling chanting such a big spell, eh? I am impressed. No, like truly." The Devil continued to walk. The pressure breaking its body, bones snapping, muscles tearing.

But the speed of regeneration greatly exceeded the pace of destruction.

Its body was reconstructing as if time was being rewritten around it.

Emma's shoulders dropped, lips parted in shock.

This…this was not…how could this be?

She had never seen someone so nonchalantly walk through the Titan's Grip.

The spell didn't last long.

Her mana reserves were already drying up fast, given she had used two high-ranking spells—first the Mark of God and now this.

The Devil stood before Emma, its massive frame shadowing her.

Emma felt dread oozing into her soul for the first time.

All her training and preparation to face the dangers this world has to offer felt like a waste.

It was unexpected, yes, to fight a General-ranked Devil alone, but she was never unaware that a threat of this level existed in this world.

And yet…she failed when it mattered the most.

"Now, let me have a taste of that delicious blood of yours."

Emma flinched, pulling her knife from her belt and ready to charge at the Devil—when suddenly, her body began to float.

A pair of arms held her body.

It happened too fast for her to register anything.

One moment, she was shadowed by the giant Devil and in the next blink, she was…floating in the air, carried by a familiar pair of arms.

Emma, bewildered, looked up and found she was being lifted by none other than William.

But…there was something different about him.

His eyes…they appeared blank, as if he had completely lost focus.

And something more alarming than that…those two wings on his back.

One ashy black and one silvery platinum.

It kept him afloat.

In a shaky voice, Emma called out, "W-William…is that you?"

It felt like something had taken over his consciousness and yet, he was there.

The being looked down at Emma, and for a moment she thought she saw his lips curving.

But then, its eyes refocused on the Devil below.

"You impudent bastard," the Devil roared, enraged that its meal had been stolen.

But as it surged upward, William—no, the divinity wearing his skin—commanded.

"Kneel."

The Devil stopped mid-air.

Then the world answered the command.

A colossal pressure slammed down, hurling the creature into the earth like a falling star. The island convulsed. A jagged rift tore across it, almost cleaving the landmass apart.

The Devil's body didn't just break—it imploded. Flesh burst. Bones powdered. Boiling blood spread across the crater in steaming pools, the creature reduced to nothing but a mangled, twitching ruin pinned under divine weight.

Emma could only stare in horror at what a single word had caused.

William slowly lowered to the surface and gently rested Emma on the ground.

Just as he was about to step forward, Emma asked, "William…is he safe?"

The winged being turned to look at her, his eyes finally gaining an emotion.

Warmth.

With a nod, he said, "Yes, he is. You will soon reunite with him."

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