Yamato an Yuki laid in bed, after Yuki thoroughly introduced him to all the Sphere in particular had to offer. As Yamato read a book, Yuki laid on his chest and glanced into the pages every now and then.
"Boo, that guy is stupid…"
"Yeah? Why do you think that."
"It's obviously the guy with the glasses. But the book is stupid too…"
"The whole book now, really?"
"Yup. Cuz there's way too little detail in the facial expressions described to accurately read anyone… It's unfair, really. I had way less information at hand then the detective. Yet in the end, I bet it's gonna try and make me seem stupid for not noticing some detail that the detective did, even though if I were actually present, I would have noticed even more details and solved the case way faster! Like I did now anyway~"
"Well, that's true, I suppose. But you can also see it this way… Because you solved the case faster and with less information, you've proven your superiority over the detective in the story."
"Hmph, I don't need to prove my superiority over some dumbass detective from the 18th century."
"Of course, boo. But isn't it fun anyway?"
"Maybe… Now quick, keep reading so there is no question about my superiority over detective Frank!"
"Go best your nemesis, boo…"
"Mhm~ I'm gonna crush him!"
Now starting to pet her head, though it made it more difficult to hold the boom and turn pages, they continued reading. Even though Amael had taken his free time to create literature for the two, Yuki would later give him her constructive criticism in form of calling him a dumbass author with exactly one day to create something better or else. Though she sadly could not kill and revive him as easily as Petrisha, her disapproval would surely have a similar effect on him.
Meanwhile, in that exact moment, Amael had read about Love Wonderland, and began understanding the severity of the situation to its fullest. Killing this woman had become a number one priority, as she would possibly pose a threat to Yamato and Yuki even. He would not take the chance.
"That's a neat little book you got there~ I wonder what else is written in it~? Nothing too personal, I hope…"
She wiggled around in a flustered manner, though Amael was unable to see this woman as someone who could even describe what feeling flustered meant, let alone feel it herself.
"It's contents are solely regarding combat abilities, if that's what you were worried about."
"Hm… Really now… You wouldn't lie to me, would you~? You better not… Though, I suppose I can believe you since your little book did not even mention how my ability is best used~ Did you know that each of my copies heart beat actually adds up to my own~? It is because I am all of them at once! So even if you kill everyone but one, that one is as much me as the one it came from and the other way around! At no point will there be a moment where I am not present and filed with love, isn't it wonderful!? And because of that… Each heart beating, no— racing right now is actually fueling my ability, which has nearly enveloped the entirety of the city! At which point I will be able to change the property of everyone inside it being able to breathe to not to being able to breathe! Or maybe I will just remove the concept of being alive altogether~? Or, even better, I will remove all emotions but love, and watch as they dote on me with affection! And then, when my ability nears its end, I will kill everyone, and eternalize their purest feelings which they experienced in their last moments, in their happiest moments! An act of true kindness and compassion, one of true love!"
"Coming ino this city today was a big mistake, Cinderella Paula…"
"Hm~? What was that?"
"…For all the power you hold, and all the disturbing behavior you have displayed to me today… Is not even the worst thing I have seen yet. There are people you truly don't want to mess with, or even have know about your existence… And Milady has already been informed… It is only a matter of time before my message reaches her."
"Milady…? Another woman? Now that's not very lovable…"
"Ha… hahahahahahah… don't you understand!? I couldn't care less about your love, or your goal or whatever it is I could learn about you!"
"…Your eyes are devoid of love… It is repulsive. Luckily, that can be changed~…!"
"…Absolute Diligence..."
Just as Cinderella had erased the causality of wanting to move, and actually moving for Amael, she was about to erase his emotions as well. However, Amael's ability to move, appeared to not be compromised at all. It seemed enhanced, if anything, as he disappeared, and searched through the entire city, gathering every stray Cinderella in front of him. For his title as diligence did not only come with a strong sense of responsibility, but also with the ability titled Diligence, and the natural stronger version Absolute Diligence. The base version of Diligence enables the user to accomplishing a task of their choosing, as long as physically doable for the user, by showing them an intuitive understanding of the problem and a solution to it.
Whereas, Absolute Diligence enables the user to accomplish a task of their choosing, by upping their physical and attributes as well as granting immunity to all forces preventing them from accomplishing their chosen task, with the intuitive bonuses of the non-absolute version.
Since Love Wonderland can have contradicting effects to Absolute Diligence, one might think they would cancel each other out. However, the only difference lies in the classification of Amael's ability being Absolute, and therefore simply out scaling Cinderella. If she were able to use Absolute Love Wonderland, there is no telling who would come out on top. Though he assumed she would win since her ability would allow her to change properties of his own, while his could mererly try and negate that effect. But it was all irrelevant now, as Amael saw his path to victory now, and was excluded from the effects of Love Wonderland all together, since his chosen task was to kill Cinderella Paula. As he cut down a Cinderella, she did not duplicate, or even regrow at all, as any form of healing would work against his chosen task to end her life. After confirming that as fact, he prepared to cut them all down at once. Since she had been constantly multiplying until now, there were at least 100 Cinderella's in front of him right now, all looking at the dead one.
"Mhm~… Yup, that is scary, no doubt about it… Luckily, I have one last trick up my sleeve~!"
Changing the property of the air around them, to become like a thick fog, though Amael immediately swept it away with a flap of his wings. To his surprise, Cinderella had not used the opportunity to run away. If he counted correctly, there were still just as many Cinderella's as before. Or at least he would sense one running away right now. Instead, one of them held a child in her arms, around Pheobe's age. Her dirty clothes suggesting she either got trapped in a collapsed building, or was out of poverty and had no one to guide her to saftey.
"What will you do now, Amael!? Will your love for me overcome your love for the people of this city!? Will it!? I am dying to find out~!"
Similarly to the knight from before, she caressed the childs cheek, though it did not seem to understand what was going on.
"…That is a pathetic last attempt… As expected from someone like you."
With a single slash of his sword, he decapitated all Cinderella's at once, grabbing the child and teleporting out of the city, before she could even glance at the bloody scenery. Here, many people had gathered and she could be dropped off safely.
"You're safe here. Go find your parents."
"B-but… What if they aren't here…? I'm scared…"
"In that case…"
Just then, two people came running out of the crowd.
"Honey, look, there's Cindy!"
"Mom!"
The child ran from Amael into the woman's arms, and the family was reunited at last.
"Oh, thank god, we were so worried… Thank you so much…!"
"I'm just glad I was of help. The city will soon be safe again, you have my word.", Amael said, the last part more directed at the entire crowd. After making sure the girl was safe, he returned into the city. However, as he left, the attitude of the parents suddenly changed, as they became stiff and their happiness turned into something closer to emptiness, and the girl was put down again. They them exploded, and the girl smiled, walking away as the crowd was focused on the sudden death amidst their supposed safety.
Marneras fight was however, just reaching its peak, as the Hero, despite only having his left hand to swing his heavy sword which most could not even hope to move with both hands. Each swing was blocked by Marneras, though the force behind the attacks was tiring even for him. And despite his armor now having a weak point where his right arm was attached, he was still unable to effectively harm the Hero now that he was actively resisting again. It appeared as though they were evenly matched. It was then, when the Hero suddenly paused.
"You, little man, do you feel that as well?"
"Feel what?"
"It's… Time for my departure!"
"…What?"
"Farewell, little man! We may cross paths again under different circumstances, and I will remember your face for when that time comes!"
He said as he suddenly sprinted off with big and heavy steps, without looking back, which confused all the elves that remained to witness their encounter. Suddenly, in the air above the city, a bright light appeared, and slow, elegant steps could be heard echoing from all around. A massive, transparent staircase appearing in the air originating from the light, as if the heavens had been connected to the earth by a single pathway, one a woman of extraordinary beauty descended on. Some elves retreated after the Hero, some remained. Those that did, were all individually pierced by golden swords shooting from the glowing cloud the staircase originated from. The innocent smile the woman carried only enhanced her confident elegance, with which she slowly entered the city. Her white hair fluttering in the wind alongside the end of her white robe, making it difficult to tell which was which. However, though a near perfect dramatic entrance, it was short lived as she was pushed off the stairs by a woman in similar appearance, kicking her in the face just as she would have set foot on solid ground.