The star’s surface fractured under the sheer force of the Guardian attempting to break past the Angel’s shield, to no avail.

Michael stood slightly behind her graceful figure, feeling the same connection he did with Devil.

Heaven’s Judgment... his soul weapon. The one that had been with him through countless battles, saving his life on more than one occasion.

Positioned before him, she lessened the load on his shoulders, preventing the serpent from dealing lethal damage.

Once a shotgun and shield, now an ally that fought by his side.

His lips parted, searching for confirmation.

"Angel?"

A rhetorical question, but he had to make sure. It could be the effect of a mental haze or just his mind playing tricks on him.

At his question, Angel’s shoulders trembled ever so slightly.

She heard him.

Not by using telepathy, nor by relying on their connection.

But genuinely perceived the tone of his voice and every slight deviation in it, sensing his unease.

Slowly, she moved her head to the side, glancing backward.

Her hair shimmered like molten gold, swept aside to reveal the piercing brilliance of her silvery eyes, which widened in admiration as they fixed on Michael.

The corners of her mouth curved upward into a smile so radiant that it gleamed brighter than the Sun itself.

"Yes."

Her voice carried a sweetness far deeper and more intimate than any telepathic connection could ever hope to convey. Palpable delight, pride, tenderness... but above all else, relief.

She was no longer a mere tool, dependent on her master to accomplish even the simplest tasks.

No longer a passive bystander who could only watch and, at best, offer a few empty words of reassurance when Michael found himself in a tough spot.

She was Heaven’s Judgment no more...

But an Angel.

One that stood shoulder to shoulder with Michael.

ROAR!

Sadly, the moment did not last. Enraged that it was unable to break past the titanic shield, the Guardian opted to change its approach.

Climbing upward, its aim was to position its colossal body above them and crush them like bugs.

However, Angel had other plans in store.

Moving like a blur, she appeared right behind Michael.

"Excuse me..." She whispered timidly.

Her two arms wrapped tightly across his waist. With her grip secure, she spread her wings wide before lifting them off the ground.

Possessing genuine wings, which allowed her to soar into the skies, her ascent was effortless compared to the Lords, who were limited by the output of spiritual energy they could maintain.

Angel’s towering stature of 220 centimeters amplified the grace and majesty of the holy presence she radiated. Her wingspan exceeded four meters, more than capable of carrying people with her without impacting her speed.

In a flash, they climbed high into the sky, distancing themselves from the Guardian, granting them breathing room.

Though with the sudden danger out of the way, Angel became aware of her blunder far too late.

Having only recently gained a physical form, she hadn’t realized how tall she was by human standards, leaving her feeling a little self-conscious...

Particularly because she clung to Michael tightly, hugging him close enough not to let go accidentally, which meant her chest was pressed against his neck.

Even worse, she could not just let go. Otherwise he would plummet downward, right back at their foe.

’Fantastic, Angel. The first impression is completely ruined.’ She felt like crying, the edges of her cheeks blushing.

At the very least, she was relieved she hadn’t embraced Michael face-first... or she might have died of sheer embarrassment.

Luckily, since Michael wasn’t looking directly at her and was still in mild shock, he didn’t catch Angel’s flustered expression.

She chose to act as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Swooping down, she gently descended to the ground, letting go.

Blinking slowly, Michael glanced toward her.

"Thank you for everything up until now." He flashed her a warm smile, not shying away as he expressed his gratitude for all the time she had spent by his side.

Angel smiled faintly. This was the first time his smile was truly directed at her... It felt oddly comforting. Who knew her master was so endearing?

Their gaze fixed back on the Guardian.

The serpent had not expected Michael to simply fly away. The light-born creature found itself pinned to the ground, lacking the strength to rise.

Nobody lingered.

The Lords ganged up on it, unleashing every technique they possessed.

Devil, still agitated that his master, and by extension he, had almost died, never halted his rampage, his claws tearing off chunks of the serpent’s body faster than it could regenerate.

Other than the shield Angel was able to conjure, she was also capable of calling forth a sword of blinding light, both to hurl it toward the Guardian and wield it with masterful skill, much like the fox was capable of doing.

As for the fox, she was at the very front of the battle, taking the majority of the serpent’s attacks.

Each time the Guardian threatened to rise, the fox slammed her body against it, forcing it back down.

Had it not been for her suppressing the serpent with such efficiency, it would have been outright impossible for the Lords to defeat the creature with so few losses.

Finally, the Guardian gave in, its colossal head split open. The regenerative abilities that should have mended the sustained damage were slowed down too much.

Without an ounce of hesitation, the fox plunged deep, like a fox diving into snow in pursuit of a rabbit.

Her snout came into contact with the giant core of the serpent.

She absorbed its essence in a flash.

Power like never before surged deep within her graceful figure.

Her fangs grew sharper, her eyes fiercer.

The three tails on her back shuddered, growing in number.

Fourth, fifth, and sixth tails emerged within seconds, enhancing her striking image.

Once the transformation was complete, the surroundings cooled off.

Without a shadow of a doubt, her improved physique surpassed every other golden illusion in the outer district of the Light Kingdom.

With the demise of the Guardian and her energy completely restored, nobody in their right mind would ever dare challenge her.

A deafening howl erupted from her mouth, announcing her superiority over every being in the vicinity.

Then her eyes, burning like unyielding flames, deliberately lowered.

Focusing on the exhausted Lords.