As the two Ars Goetia stood before Cranel, the demon forces surged forward, their war cries shaking the earth. Cranel's crimson eyes flicked toward the advancing horde. He raised his hand, conjuring a razor-sharp wind slash that tore through the air toward the demons on his right flank. Just before the strike could land, an energy blast intercepted it, scattering the gale into harmless wisps.
"We are your opponents now, human. Those demons are none of your concern," Sallos declared, his grin confident, his crocodile mount snapping its jaws with anticipation.
On the wall, the city's defenders realized Cranel was now locked in combat with the higher demons. The horde pressed harder, sensing opportunity.
"Priest Cranel! Focus on those monsters! The city's defenders will handle the rest!" a commanding officer shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos.
Cranel glanced back, his smile sharp, and raised a thumbs up in acknowledgment. Turning to face his foes, he lowered into a battle stance for the first time in this war.
"I find your kind truly repulsive," Cranel shouted, his voice ringing with conviction. "Yet I find your confidence admirable. Now show me where it stems from!"
Sallos charged, his beast lunging with its massive maw wide, aiming to swallow Cranel whole. Cranel leapt aside, but Purson's bear swung a colossal paw, striking him midair. The blow sent Cranel crashing into the earth, carving a crater. Demons roared in triumph.
But from the dust, Cranel rose, smiling, his body barely scratched.
The Goetia pressed again, relentless. Cranel dashed forward to meet them, whispering an incantation under his breath. A radiant light burst from his hands, so blinding it forced both humans and demons to shield their eyes. Only Lucifer watched unflinching, his gaze fixed.
As the brilliance dimmed, Cranel stood wielding a blade forged of pure light.
"Benevolent Light Blade of Michael," he declared, his voice steady, the weapon humming with divine energy.
Satan leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Lucifer, do you think that is—"
"Yes," Lucifer interrupted, his tone calm but sharp. "It is an altered version of my spell, Benevolent Praise Sword. Weaker, less concentrated, but still a remarkable feat. Such control and affinity for light magic is rare in a human. This man is truly extraordinary."
Belphegor frowned. "Your own spell… should we not intervene?"
Lucifer shook his head. "Not at all. Those two should suffice."
Abaddon scoffed. "Let's hope you're not just being prideful."
Lucifer's gaze met Abaddon's, the two locked in silent tension before Lucifer turned back to the battle.
Purson's grip tightened on his spear. "Sallos, that sword radiates insane magic. We end this in the next attack."
"I wholeheartedly agree, my accomplice," Sallos replied, his grin fading into focus.
The two charged. Sallos swung thrice, unleashing three energy slashes. Cranel sidestepped the first two, his blade countering the third with a burst of light. Purson's bear lunged, claws tearing through the air, but Cranel propelled himself aside with a gust of wind. From the blind side, Sallos' crocodile lunged, jaws snapping.
Cranel turned, his eyes piercing, and raised his hand. "Repel."
An invisible force slammed into the beast, hurling it into the ground with bone-crushing impact.
"Dodge now, human!" Purson roared, descending from above on his mount. The bear swung, but Cranel's blade flashed. A white energy slash erupted, severing the beast's head cleanly.
Cranel landed lightly as Purson crashed down, his mount lifeless beside him. Shock rippled through the demon ranks — even the princes stirred.
The humans on the wall erupted in cheers, their morale surging. Arrows rained down with renewed vigor, pushing the horde back. But the celebration was cut short by a roar — deep, guttural, filled with rage and grief. The battlefield trembled.
Purson stood, his face twisted with fury. "You dared kill my mount. I will have your head." His voice was low, trembling with wrath, the growl beneath it shaking the air.
Cranel's reply was calm, almost mocking. "Don't worry. You'll join your mount in the pits of hell soon enough."
Sallos dismounted, his sword gleaming. "Well, this has gotten interesting. Purson, are you confident alone, or shall I support you?"
Purson spun his spear, eyes blazing. "Let's rip him apart."
Cranel's aura flared, his crimson eyes burning brighter. "Demon Lords, hear me! I am Cranel Sicario, the crimson-eyed white wolf. I am the agent of divine retribution and cleansing. I will kill you all!"
He dashed forward at blinding speed, his blade slashing wildly. Purson staggered, barely blocking, his spear split in half by Cranel's strike. Sallos lunged, his sword glowing.
"Demon Sword Arts: Horizontal Slash!" Sallos roared, unleashing a devastating energy wave.
Cranel sensed it, leaping onto Purson's chest, using him as a springboard. He backflipped away, the attack cleaving Purson in half at the waist.
Landing smoothly, Cranel strode to the fallen demon. Without hesitation, he drove his blade through Purson's skull. "I have to make sure."
His crimson eyes locked onto Sallos, who trembled with rage and grief. Magic surged violently from him, his aura twisting.
"How embarrassing," one of the Goetia muttered. "A goetia resorting to his Impetus state against a human."
Barbatos sneered. "The enemy Sallos and Purson face has been acknowledged by Lord Lucifer himself. That human is something special. Sallos! Kill him and claim your glory!"
Sallos transformed, his blade fusing with his arm, his body contorting into a monstrous form. His aura burned like wildfire, shaking the battlefield.
Cranel stood unmoved, his face calm, his focus absolute.