The Demon Lord Is An Angel
Chapter 206: The Announcement

Chapter 206: The Announcement

Two months after becoming a Loyal Wing, and five months after Rainier was brought to Heaven, every single one of House Eros’ prospective Executioners was summoned to the Flight Wing.

The fact that it happened in the morning was a bit of a relief, though experience traversing the manor grounds had taught Rainier that day drinking was a common pastime for the more leisurely angels. Since they had the day off after the rally, he wondered if he should use his privilege to finally explore more of Araqlun.

As the Prime squad leader, Cassiel was tasked with rallying everyone, which she did with uncharacteristic seriousness. In fact, she’d been uncharacteristically serious ever since being raised to Prime, to the point where her efforts at flirting with Rain had been nearly halved.

He didn’t miss it, and the new, more serious Cassiel had earned Rain’s respect with every combat, both against monsters supplied by Iriel and other squads.

Now, Rain stood behind her as she introduced the guest they had gathered for, an angel who was tall and skinny, orange-haired with similarly colored wings, her feathers detailed meticulously with bleached tips.

"Thank you, young Cassiel," the woman smiled politely as she lifted her tablet, a spell for amplification magnifying her voice. "Greetings, prospects. I am Vanael Honoris, Fifth Wing of the Executioners. Today I am pleased to announce that House Eros has proven worthy of being placed Fourth amongst the Seven Choirs, for the upcoming trials."

A polite round of murmurs and applause followed, and Vanael waited for it to quiet down before continuing. "Now, I’m sure you’re all excited to learn how future Executioners will be selected from this cadre. To answer that curiosity, we have this special message from our noble leader, Vinam Victoriam himself."

Stepping back, she pressed a few buttons on her tablet, and the stadium’s projectors resolved a larger-than-life illusion of the angel himself.

To Rainier, Vinam very much seemed to resemble Kir, but mostly because of the red hair and wings. Where Kir’s face tended towards soft angles and a warm demeanor, Vinam’s was all hard edges and a smile that was more akin to a dragon about to devour its prey. His voice was a firm tenor as he spoke.

"Greetings, future Executioners. By the will of Heaven, may all of you one day have the honor of executing Heaven’s will." He smiled as if satisfied with the minimally witty turn of phrase. "This year will be a special one, with selections open to more Elevated than ever before. I am pleased to have such a loyal crop this year, and as such, a very special mission will be provided for the best of the Elevated squads; one that the Elevated are perfectly matched for."

He paused for effect, but then picked up right at the height of everyone muttering between themselves; which finally made Rain realize that the illusion was a recording, and not "live," a new application of the word he’d learned from Cassie. Everyone was forced to be silent mid-conversation to hear him.

"I’m sure you’re all curious, but for now, know that the mystery will be revealed only to those most capable squads who prove they can temper themselves against any foe, any objective, and any environment." He smiled. "From every Choir, a single squad will be chosen for this mission. And in a grand tournament, these seven shall compete for the right to lead the mission that awaits. An honor unlike any bestowed upon Elevated and Angel alike, and one upon which the future of all people shall turn."

Rainier saw some nervous glances in the crowd, but more people were excited than anxious. Malz seemed nonchalant; bored, actually, and for some reason that made Rain smile.

"Strive hard, future Executioners, and live up to the battle cry of Heaven’s staunchest defenders. Heaven over all!" He saluted.

"Heaven over all!" the gathered squads saluted back.

Before Vinam could drop his salute, the illusion ended.

That left the entire auditorium wondering the same thing that Rainier was: How would House Eros compete with the rest of the Choir of Love? What was the mystery mission that the Elevated were "suited for", and did the Son of Heaven himself imply that they were better suited than angels?

Unlike the rest of his peers, Rainier suspected right away what Victoriam had meant.

It was on the way back to their dorm Cassie revealed she had suspicions of her own.

"You know something, don’t you?" she asked Rain.

"What makes you say that?" Rain asked back.

"Well, normally you make some effort to talk to people, but the entire time after the speech you just sort of... seemed distant."

"It’s just a hunch," Rain said.

"I think it’s safe to say we can trust your hunches," Ozzy replied, patting Rain on the back. "Remember last week with the dire squirrels?"

"I didn’t do that much," Rain answered.

"You figured out it was two squirrels taking turns instead of just one really fast one... I don’t think I’ll ever look at nuts the same way though," Cassie shuddered. "I think what Ozzy is trying to say though, is that even if your hunch is wrong, we’ll just be a little extra prepared, right? We’re still the best team in House Eros."

"Kindof makes you wonder though," Ozzy scratched his chin. "What are the other teams like if House Eros is fourth on the list?"

"Let’s just worry about how we’re doing, Ozzy. I’m sure we’ll hear more about the other teams the closer we get to however the Choirs are going to sort things out." She turned her attention back to Rainier. "So, Rainstorm, what are you thinking?"

"Well... Mr. Victoriam used some very specific language. That got me thinking that we should find a place with a very high mana concentration to train in."

"Ugh, that sounds grueling," Cassie said.

"Exactly. It would be grueling for an angel or demon. But not as grueling for a half-angel like me or an Elevated. And training in mana-rich environments is something I did before my, uh..." Rain held his godflesh arm.

"You don’t have to talk about it, but why train like that?" Cassie asked.

Rain took a breath. He’d been a lot more naive then, and it had almost cost him his life, and some guilty part of him thought that it had also cost him Kir. If only he’d been there...

Rain shook his head. "It’s fine. The reason I was training like that was...

As soon as he told them, Cassie groaned anew.

"This is going to suuuck..."

"Yeah but... It actually makes sense, when you think about it," Ozzy said. "Plus, we’ve been training in the canopy. Mana density’s somewhat higher there but not bad..."

"We’d have to go to the middle canopy to get anything even close to a high mana level," Cassie’s wings fluttered a little as an idea struck her. "Or wait, mana saunas!"

"Mana... saunas?" Ranier asked. Those were two words he’d never associated before.

"They have them at the hospital. People who do work down at the roots sometimes get mana deprivation, but I can’t recall why."

"Will they let us use them?" Rainier asked.

"Couldn’t hurt to ask," Cassie shrugged.

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