Academy City Eden, Southeast District.
The Twin Bell Towers soared into the clouds like two silver giant swords piercing the sky. They were one of the landmarks of Eden City and the designated meeting point for the Goddess Angels.
When Luna arrived in her form as the Annihilation Angel Artemis, a young girl’s figure was already standing silently on the spire platform of one of the towers, her back turned as she gazed at the city’s distant skyline.
The girl had long, dazzling golden hair that fluttered gently in the breeze. Two playful strands of hair poked up from the top of her head, swaying slightly with the air currents, making her look exceptionally spirited. Part of her long hair was tied back with an exquisite black butterfly bow, blending elegance with a touch of liveliness.
Most striking of all were her crimson eyes, which resembled burning flames, while her black pupils remained as calm as the deep sea. Atop her head, she wore a silver circlet decorated with star patterns, adding a sense of mystery and noble mage-like aura to her appearance.
She wore a gorgeously designed mage-style dress. Her upper body featured a sharply tailored black short top that accentuated her slender waist, with the collar and cuffs decorated with intricate gold patterns. Her lower body consisted of a fluffy, flowing pure white pleated skirt with gold piping along the hem, swaying gently in the high-altitude winds. Black over-the-knee socks wrapped around her long, well-proportioned legs, and she wore a pair of delicately designed black-and-white heeled magic boots.
Luna controlled her power of flight and quickly flew toward the spire platform, her pink ponytail trailing a streak of light behind her. She landed lightly on the metal mesh platform, her heeled boots making a soft clicking sound.
As soon as she landed, she hurriedly walked toward the golden-haired girl, her face filled with obvious apology and a slight flush from the rush. She pressed her hands together, lowered her head slightly, and apologized sincerely in a clear voice.
“Hestia! Sorry, sorry! I’m late! I kept you waiting!”
Hearing her voice, the golden-haired girl named Hestia slowly turned around.
What met Luna’s eyes was an extremely gentle and beautiful profile, followed by her complete, stunning features. Her skin was fair and delicate, and her crimson eyes were like the finest gemstones, now filled with a warm smile. Her red lips parted slightly, curving into a soft, reassuring arc.
The star ornaments on Hestia’s head shimmered under the sunlight, her golden hair and black bow swaying softly in the wind. She looked at the slightly breathless and apologetic Luna and chuckled softly. That smile was like the warm spring sun, possessing the magic of tolerance and comfort. She then shook her head and spoke in a gentle, pleasant voice.
“It’s all right, Artemis. There’s no need to apologize. I… only arrived a short while ago myself.”
Luna let out a long sigh of relief, as if temporarily suppressing the tension from the journey and the strange unease brought by the note. She composed herself, her pale gold eyes refocusing as she looked at Hestia, her tone returning to its usual crispness.
“Where did the Crystal Husks appear?”
Hearing this, Hestia raised her slender arm and pointed toward a block southeast of the Twin Bell Towers. Even from a distance, several thick columns of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky, with orange-red flames flickering faintly beneath the smoke.
Faint sirens could be heard in the distance, indicating that flashing red emergency lights were converging on that area. In that direction, the city skyline was shrouded in an ominous gloom caused by the sudden disaster.
“Right over there. The energy reaction is significant, and… it seems to be spreading quickly.”
Hestia’s voice remained gentle, yet it carried a trace of solemnity.
“Then there’s no time to lose. Let’s head out! We have to clear them out before they cause more damage!”
Luna looked in the direction Hestia pointed, her brow furrowing slightly. She nodded, her gaze becoming sharp. As she spoke, the Floating Turrets surrounding her body adjusted their angles slightly, emitting a low hum as they prepared for combat.
However, just as Luna was about to take the lead and fly toward the target area, Hestia reached out a hand and stopped her. Her crimson eyes were filled with concern as she carefully scrutinized Luna’s face.
“Artemis, your complexion… seems a bit poor.”
She paused, recalling Luna’s “disappearance” from the previous day, and her tone became even more worried.
“Is it because yesterday’s battle took too much out of you, and you haven’t fully recovered? Or… did something else happen?”
Hestia then leaned forward slightly, looking earnestly into Luna’s eyes.
“Don’t push yourself. If you aren’t in top form, you can provide support from the side and leave the main assault to me. Safety first.”
Being observed and cared for so closely by Hestia made Luna’s heart warm, but it also caused a surge of panic at having her state seen through. She quickly shook her head and waved her hands, trying to make her smile look more natural and convincing.
“I-I’m fine! Really! My Mana has mostly recovered, and I’m in great shape! Look!”
As she spoke, she intentionally made one of the Floating Turrets circle her rapidly, its muzzle glowing with a bright, deep blue light to demonstrate she was “full of energy.”
“That’s good then… but you still need to be extra careful.”
Hestia watched Luna’s slightly desperate attempt to prove herself. The worry in her eyes didn’t fully dissipate, but she didn’t press further, simply nodding her head.
“Mhm! I will!”
Luna secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in response.
However, she knew deep down that her Mana had indeed recovered and there were no issues with her combat status. The reason her complexion was off—a detail Hestia had keenly captured in an instant—was entirely due to that note that had drifted down like a ghost in the empty space behind the school building.
**”I will be watching you… forever… —V”**
That cold, sinister handwriting, filled with possessiveness and an invisible sense of pressure, along with the letter “V” representing an Arbiter of the Eternal Night Gospel, was like an invisible shadow lingering in the girl’s heart.
To be “announced” like this by an unidentified antagonist with mysterious motives and immense power made Luna feel a series of chills. That feeling of having a thorn in her back, as if she were constantly being watched by others, made her blood run cold. Even now, standing beside her companion and ready to dive into a familiar battle, that sense of unease could not be entirely dispelled.
This wasn’t just a physical issue; it was a psychological bombshell. It was just that this matter was too strange and difficult to talk about, so she couldn’t… mention it to Hestia or any of her other Goddess Angel companions yet.
At that time, a terrifying thought had risen in Luna’s mind, making her hands and feet go cold.
‘This Arbiter named V might not only know my identity as Annihilation Angel Artemis, but… he might even be hiding right by my side!’
He could be a classmate, a teacher, or any staff member at the school. The enemy was in the shadows, using eyes hidden who-knows-where to calmly, and perhaps even playfully, observe her every move and know all her secrets.
This realization was like a cold venomous snake coiling around Luna’s neck. It turned out that she had been targeted by an Arbiter of the Eternal Night Gospel for a long time, possibly even before yesterday.
Although this V had “saved” her in a bizarre way yesterday, and on the surface, he seemed different from a lecherous scumbag like T—his style being more unpredictable and mysterious—he was still a villain, an executive of the Eternal Night Gospel, and an enemy the Goddess Angels had to fight.
The thought that she might have been under the scrutiny of such a dangerous person for a long time made Luna feel waves of lingering fear and heart palpitations, as if even the surrounding air had become thin and pressurized.
However, the harsh reality didn’t allow Luna to continue immersing herself in fear and speculation.
The flames and smoke rising from the nearby block and the piercing sirens all reminded her that the Crystal Husks were rampaging, threatening the safety of the city and its citizens. As a Goddess Angel, she had to deal with them immediately.
She shook her head vigorously, forcing herself to suppress those chaotic thoughts for the time being. Her pale gold eyes refocused, locking onto the scene of the disaster in the distance.
However, compared to her previous impulsive nature, Luna now had a bit more caution born from the shadow behind her. The expression on her pretty face grew more solemn, her brow furrowed slightly, and her lips pressed into a thin line. Her entire aura seemed tighter than usual.
Because right now, Arbiter V might be watching her from somewhere in the shadows.
Just then, Hestia seemed to notice the unease that Luna couldn’t entirely hide. The golden-haired girl’s crimson eyes gazed at her tenderly, and a pure, soothing smile appeared on her face.
She didn’t ask questions. She simply raised a fair, slender finger and condensed a speck of warm, non-piercing golden light at its tip. That light was like the purest sunlight, carrying a reassuring warmth.
Hestia reached out her finger and, with extreme gentleness, lightly tapped Luna’s furrowed brow.
“Ding~”
It was as if a faint chime rang out, audible only to the two of them.
As her fingertip touched Luna’s forehead, that speck of warm golden light moved like a living thing, silently sinking into Luna’s brow and instantly merging into her body.
In an instant, Luna felt a warm and powerful current spread from where she was touched, quickly flowing to every part of her body. This power was not aggressive; instead, it was filled with soothing, purifying, and strengthening properties.
It was like a gentle yet firm light, dispelling the gloom and chill that had shrouded her heart because of V’s message. It smoothed out her frayed nerves and even felt as though it had washed and activated her Magic Circuits, making them operate more smoothly and powerfully.
This was exactly the unique ability Hestia possessed as the Arc Light Angel. She was a Goddess Angel skilled in wielding pure light elements, and her light possessed not only powerful offensive and defensive capabilities but also multiple auxiliary effects such as healing, strengthening, buffing, and purifying the heart.
This infusion of holy and warm light perfectly dispelled Luna’s negative emotions, allowing her to rediscover her courage and focus for the battle.
Feeling the warmth flowing through her and her replenished strength, the solemnity on Luna’s face visibly softened. Her furrowed brow relaxed, and her pale gold eyes brightened with determination once more. The excessive worry regarding the hidden V seemed to be pushed to the depths of her heart under the comfort of this holy light.
Hestia saw Luna’s significantly improved complexion and mental state. She tilted her head playfully, a gratified and warm smile on her face as she asked softly.
“Artemis, how do you feel? Better?”
“Thank you, Hestia! I feel much better! Really!”
Luna took a deep breath, feeling the light power surging within her and her stabilized state of mind. She nodded vigorously, a confident smile blooming on her face again. She clenched her fists, feeling the fullness of her power, and turned her gaze back to the disaster-stricken block. Her voice regained its usual determination.
“Let’s head out quickly! We’ll destroy those Crystal Husks and resolve the city’s crisis!”
At the same time, she thought silently to herself that it was wonderful to have such a companion by her side…
As long as they worked together, supported each other, and fought side by side… even that Arbiter V who was watching her from the shadows… she wouldn’t feel the fear of being isolated and helpless like she did just now.
The warmth and strength of her companion gave the girl the courage to face the shadows.
This was the bond between Goddess Angels!