"-----!!!"
An invisible shockwave erupted in an instant, sending the Magi at the forefront flying.
"Master!!"
Rei grabbed Lord El-Melloi II, who had nearly been blown over, then looked around. Luviagelita, Vulgar, and the other Magi had already collapsed to the ground. Though they had not lost consciousness, their expressions made it clear they were in no better shape.
"What's going on?"
"I can't move... Ugh... the Magic Crest..."
"HAHAHAHA!!!"
At that moment, the frivolous monk—or rather, the child of Ashurbanipal, who had once been a monk—rose to his feet and raised both hands.
"Stripped City Adra, open your gates!!"
With his roar, the doors opened.
It was a nightmare-like sight. One spirit after another flew from every Angel statue throughout the ancient castle, shrieking and roaring.
"What... is that?"
Senka was utterly stunned by the sight.
"Souls, probably. That guy whose name ends in 'win' must have murdered plenty of people, then sealed their souls inside these Angel statues... Thinking about it, that's really disgusting."
Hearing Red Ponytail's casual remark beside her, Senka shuddered. If what Little Red said was true—she could not help recalling the Angel statues she had seen upon arriving at the castle. On the walls, windows, pillars, doors, chairs, tables... If every Angel statue represented a dead soul, then just how many people were there?
Just how many people had that man named Ashurbanipal killed?
"Rei..."
Watching the Vengeful Spirits surge forth and pounce toward them, Lord El-Melloi II sucked in a breath.
"M-Master..."
Yet the girl standing before him was deathly pale, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. Seeing this, the monk controlling the undead burst into laughter.
"How interesting, Miss Rei. You came from a cemetery, yet you're actually afraid of the undead!"
"..."
Without saying a word, Rei silently extended her right hand. But