Mission: 031 - Probing

"...The Gate of the Demon World collapsed?"

Credo stood with his hands behind his back at the Order Headquarters entrance. Hearing the disturbance from the Forest Depths, he looked up—and discovered a fact that left him stunned. A questioning cry slipped out of him before he could stop it.

"Perhaps it was destroyed by 'someone.'"

A Bewitching Voice came from behind Credo. He turned and saw that Gloria had arrived behind him at some point.

Knowing he had misspoken, he frowned and looked back toward the forest.

But Gloria had no intention of letting him off. "You just said the Gate of the Demon World?"

"That has nothing to do with you," Credo replied coldly, his tone telling her she was not allowed to ask any further.

Gloria did not fall for that. She laid a hand on Credo's shoulder and leaned close to his ear. "How could it have nothing to do with me?"

Credo stepped sideways, moving away from Gloria, and was just about to rebuke her when her next words froze him in place.

She said, "After all, you clearly put the Demonic Tool I provided inside."

"You..."

Credo had only uttered one word before he realized what was happening. He clenched his teeth, swallowed the words that had nearly burst out, and refused to reveal any more information. His falcon-like eyes locked firmly onto this troublesome woman.

Facing the wary Credo, Gloria revealed a meaningful smile.

"Tch." Credo turned his face away and ignored her.

"Men who are too rigid aren't popular with women, you know," Gloria teased. Seeing that he gave no response, she switched to a topic he absolutely would not stay silent on. "If your sister really becomes a demon, what will you do?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Credo said in a low voice, "Grant her peace."

"Even though you're a demon yourself?"

"Impudent!" Credo immediately shot her a glare. "We Order Knights are 'angels' chosen by God!"

Gloria laughed, as though she had heard some unbearably amusing joke. "Are you serious when you say that?"

"A faithless one truly is faithless."

Credo gave a scornful laugh and lifted his gaze toward the distant horizon. "So long as we hold faith in our hearts, we will not fall into demons."

"Then your sister—is she an angel or a demon?"

Credo did not answer that question. His hands remained behind his back as he silently looked into the distance.

"Heh." Gloria saw the man's inner struggle and gave a soft laugh. "All right, then judge with your own eyes. If, when the time comes, you can't bring yourself to do it..."

Credo interrupted Gloria and declared, "There will be no such situation.

"That's right... there will be no such situation."

Gloria said nothing more. The sound of High Heels stepping on Stone Bricks gradually faded into the distance. Before Credo, who stood ramrod straight like a pine at the Center of the Plaza, time continued to pass.

Until Footsteps sounded again on the bridge spanning the Sea Surface.

Credo's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared intently in the direction of the footsteps. A moment later, a head of brilliant blond hair appeared from behind the Circular Plaza.

"Credo!"

At the same time Credo saw Nero, Nero saw him as well. As she greeted him, she sensed the ominous air around her Sworn Brother, and her steps slowed as she approached the plaza little by little.

Nero drew closer, but Credo's expression grew darker and darker.

Only when Nero finally stepped onto the plaza and stopped at its edge did Credo, silent until now, speak his first words with a dark expression.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

"..."

Nero had no answer. According to Fortuna's traditions, this Long Dress Trish had given her was indeed a little too "shameless." Even from a transmigrator's perspective, wearing it out on the street would seem rather bold. Nero could very much understand why Credo was angry.

After they stared at each other for several seconds, Nero could only answer helplessly, "My previous clothes were ruined. This one is... Miss Gloria gave it to me."

At the mention of Gloria's name, Credo became so angry he ground his teeth. "...That Guy!"

How to put it... at this moment, Credo looked exactly like an Old Father sulking over some blond punk. It was a little funny.

Feeling that the atmosphere was still not too bad, Nero took two more steps forward. But the moment her foot landed, she heard Credo say again, "Don't move."

His brows furrowed slightly, and he pressed his lips together, his gaze complicated as it fell on Nero's chest. Then he looked away, met Nero's eyes, and asked, "How did you make it through the forest alone?"

Nero subconsciously raised a hand to cover the Vertical Eye on her chest, but gave up because Credo had instinctively moved to Grip Sword in a stress response. After another silence, she smiled and answered with deliberate ease, "By killing all the demons on the way, of course."

"Where did that strength come from?" Credo continued to press her. "Did you... undergo the Ascension Ritual?"

How was she supposed to answer?

If she said here that she had undergone the Ascension Ritual, perhaps she could dispel Credo's hostility? But Nero had no way to transform into that angel-like form. The moment he tested her even slightly, she would be exposed.

Besides, that would be the same as indirectly acknowledging that the Order was correct. Nero had to... had to make Credo recognize the Order's True Face.

So Nero took a deep breath, stared just as firmly into Credo's eyes, and said seriously, "What difference does it make?"

Credo's brows knitted completely together, and the hand gripping his Sword Hilt tightened even more.

Nero enunciated each word and asked in return, "Credo, do you really think those who have undergone the Ascension Ritual are heav—"

"Shut up!!!"

Credo roared and drove his Power Sword, venting hot air, in a slash toward Nero.

With a deafening Sound of Metal Collision, Nero, equipped with Gilgamesh, crossed her arms and blocked the blow.

"Credo!"

Seeing the Sworn Sister before him looking at him with a sorrowful expression, calling his name, Credo gritted his teeth and forced out a cruel voice.

"You are not my Sworn Sister," he said. "You are a demon."

"So don't call my name!"

The next second, the two locked together tore apart. Nero applied just a little force, and the impact released by the armor made of Impact Steel sent Credo flying back. He staggered back several steps, then steadied himself and let out a low laugh.

"Credo, you—" Nero called Credo's name, somewhat worried about his mental state.

But Credo only replied, "Don't think you can confuse me again, demon."

He straightened, brilliant Golden Light blooming around him. "I am an angel."

Within the light, a White Knight holding a Golden Longsword, draped in wings, with two horns forming a ring above his head and a long tail trailing behind him, appeared before Nero.