Without a word, Marneras lifted his hand again, the dark unstable beam cutting through the air and hitting the Hero's chest piece nearly instantaneously. However, contrary to what Marneras had expected of the attack, the Hero did not immediately evaporate. He was not even moved back the slightest bit, despite the impact alone having enough force to bend metal. He stood firmly and without fear, as a true hero facing a demon should. As the flames continued flowing against his chest, he exploded into an genuine laughter, one feeling more warm than mocking, though it was clearly both.
"Ha ha ha, you frail little man. How could you fall under the ludicrous assumption that flames of the unrighteous could harm the just?"
"You are mistaken… I am the one that is just. And as such, I am destined to end up as the victor of this interaction. It has already been determined."
The sky above them turned pitch black, as Marneras used the 12th tier spell "Absolute Battlefield", and countless weapons such as spears, swords, arrows and so on fell from the sky like raindrops. The area covered the entirety of the ground covered in elven soldiers equally, making it impossible for any ordinary person to block each of the incoming weapons individually. However, a hero was anything but ordinary, and so he chose to protect everyone, as a true hero should. Throwing his sword into the air, it duplicated rapidly, soon forming a carpet above the elves. Each sword rotated, shielding all beneath it from any attack from above. Even the Absolute Inferno Marneras fired into the masses in response simply could not penetrate the sword's defenses. As the falling weapons one by one bounced off the swords, disappearing after their first collision, Marneras stopped the spell.
In response, all the swords merged into one again, which returned into the Hero's hand.
"Feel no shame, little man. For I have fought monsters much more formidable than anything you could ever imagine… Losing is but a chance to accept your own flaws, only meant to use as a stepping stone for true greatness."
"I have already found the truest of greatness in his Lordship, and his victory over me proved I could serve as stepping stone for his glorious ascend… No matter how this encounter may turn out, know that you are the only one who has things left to learn from this interaction."
"Arrogant and foolish words, spoken by a blinded and fragile man… It seems you to require a helping hand. Allow me to lend you my hand, and help you see."
"…Sure, why not."
"You accept?"
"Yes, of course… Please, take my hand…"
Marneras teleported in front of the Hero, now seeing how tall he truly was. Well over two meters (6,6+ ft ), nearly three (9,8 ft). Extending his hand, it was met with a much larger one, the armor cold and sturdy. The Hero, as any true Hero should, shook his hand without a second thought. Why would he not try to help a creature he pitied so much? After a moment of standing still, the Hero fell onto his knees. His heavy weight shaking the ground as he was lowered to meet eye to eye with Marneras.
"What is wrong, oh just Hero? Found something to save down there on the ground? No that can't be right… Because it seems the only one in the need of saving down there… Is you."
Meanwhile, the inside of the city was in chaos. As Amael arrived, he was first not even noticed by the guards, who were confused by the sudden appearance of a barrier apparently shielding them from the attack. But a hovering angel is ought to be noticed eventually, especially when bystanders yell into the panicking crowds about him, and he is actively extinguishing burning buildings.
"Look, it's another angel, sent to save us!"
"He must have created the barrier!"
"Finally, this nightmare is over!"
The irony of a demon having created the barrier for which they praised him was not lost on Amael, but telling them that would harm his own divine authorit. So although he would love to, he decided not to.
"Yes, it is I, sent from God himself, Amael the Diligence. I have come to take you in, into the Absolute Empire. The most holy realm of them all, promising you equality and prosperity for its ever lasting reign! It is saddening to hear that all this time, you have been deceived… Living under the impression that your lifes were devoted to some false goddess… But now, through our arrival that mistake can be corrected! You can finally live up to the promises you made every time you prayed, confessed and believed! God welcomes you with open arms, you need only accept his gift!"
"Don't listen to him, he is an imposter!"
"Huh…?"
Amael's gaze darted around the crowd that had formed in front of him. Searching for the owner of the male voice that had so rudely accused him of being a fake. Finding him to be a man at the edge of the crowd, appearing to be a knight of sorts, he pointed directly at him.
"You, explain yourself. What did you mean when you just falsely accused me of being an imposter?"
"People, please remember, it was their violent takeover of the town Grym'valen that led to all of this! Not to mention their emperor personally murdered our state symbol and close adviser to out emperor Nakahara Hana, in cold blood! And our true angel, Natsumi has yet to return from this horrible massacre… I ask of you, how can we trust anyone who claims to support that nation, and in the same breath slanders our beloved Goddess!?"
But the crowd was not as convinced as either of them would have liked, doubt and fear clouding their minds and preventing them to pick a side.
"If I am truly but an imposter, and my victory is not predetermined by my God's absolute vision, surely you would be able to best me in combat, would you not?"
"W-what?"
"You heard right. Is it not obvious that whoever God favors will eventually come out on top? As a man of faith, although a misdirected one, you must know of this principle?"
"I suppose…"
"Splendid. I am willing to have our duel play out according to local traditions, so feel free to explain the terms to me."
"T-then… I demand a champion!"
"A champion? I assume they work as representative for the challenged, yes?"
"That's right!"
"Very well. And who do you wish to name as your champion?"
After a moment of silence amongst the crowd, a cheering, playful voice spoke from a near by rooftop.
"I volunteer~"
The woman jumped off the rooftop, which was at least 10 meters high, and gracefully landed amidst the crowd which backed off around her. Her silvery pinkish hair fluttering as twin tails behind her before finally resting as she touched the ground. Her alluring figure covered by a black tight fit top, with short sleeves and exposed stomach, as well as a black loose fit shorts.
"W-who are you…?"
"Cinderella Paula… And today is your lucky day~…"
She walked towards the knight, in an innocent yet somehow threatening manner, her hand brushing along his in chain armor cover arm.
"S-stay away, woman…! I don't even know you…!"
"Huh~? So you do not want me to represent you?"
"No! Get back into the crowd!"
"But why~? Do you have another one besides me~!?"
Her hand brushed to cup his face, firmly holding it. One of her nails, although not particularly long or sharp, giving him a slight scratch which bled a little.
"I-I'm sure someone else will be found…"
"Really…? Too bad..."
She backed off, turned around and looking up at Amael. Right then, the knight exploded behind her. Blood spilling over the crowd like rain, without any indication of what could have caused it. The woman simply extended her arms, looking up at the sky as droplets of blood hit her face with a wide smile.
"Ahh~, there you go… You're welcome~!"
As the crowd began to panic and flee, Amael landed in front of the woman, who had just ruined the progress he had made with that crowd.
"You say your name is Cinderella…"
"Why, yes, that's me~ For you to have memorized my name… Could it be…? You must be in love with me~!"
"What gave you that impression?"
"Why else would you commit someone's name to your identity? If not for your undying, eternal love for that person! Do you know how many people are in this city? How many are waiting to be loved, and love you in return? To know for sure, you must learn their names! Won't you tell me yours~?"
"I'd rather not have any relation with someone like you… So I'd prefer if we did not address each other by name."
"I see… You must be one of these pick-me people… Crave attention and see yourself as different, and act different on purpose for that very reason! You disgust me!"
Amael looked down at the ground covered in blood, glad he had a barrier around himself so none of it would stain him.
"I disgust you…?"
"Yes, of course! You're the epitome of disgusting!"
"You don't seem like a citizen of this city… What are you doing here?"
"I'm on vacation, one could say… Or is it a business trip? Who knows~!"
As she continued talking, her silvery hair turned completely pink, and Amael was certain it was not because of the red blood in it.
"Aren't you curious what happened to this man~? I'm sure he had a family. As a true angel, surely you are overwhelmed with regrets about not saving him, or sparing his family the fate of living on their own…"
"You are not wrong… I do feel pity for them… And him the most… For he will never be able to exist in this world as someone useful to a truly perfect being… I fear you too, share that fate..."
"Mhm~ What a curious thing to say…"
"I have amused myself enough with your empty comments…"
In the blink of an eye, a sword as long as a spear appeared in Amael's hand. And in the next moment, he stood behind Cinderella, and her head fell onto the ground, the rest of her body slowly folding over as well shortly after. As Amael was about to leave, the two half's slowly regenerated, both growing into two separate Cinderella's.
"Now, now… Not very holy of you… But then again, I like the direct types the most~!"
"I do too, what a coincidence, me!"
"Silly you, it's because we are literally the same!"
As the two versions talked to each other, one suddenly disappeared, appearing right behind Amael and speaking into his ear.
"What do you think, aren't we lovely~?"