The redemption ritual was actually very simple—at least, it was for Zariel.
As everyone knew, fallen angels were a special species formed when flaws appeared in their character, causing them to gradually doubt and reject goodness, until they finally gave up on themselves and fell. Some had fallen because they were too proud, while others had grown tired of mortals wavering between good and evil. In short, they remained immersed in self-pity and despair. Yet these beings still retained a holy essence, which was beyond doubt. After all, they had been born from the essence of the Astral Plane of ultimate goodness. Once that essence was awakened, they would instantly regain their sanctity.
Now, with the results of Solam's research, redeeming Zariel was not difficult.
The one truly troubled by this was Bel.
What could be harder to accept than a devil helping a fallen angel return to Mount Celestia? It was like asking a wolf not to eat sheep, but instead help them fend off the attention of other beasts. One had to understand that in the multiverse, good was good and evil was evil. The two stood in opposition; there was no compromise or gray area. If Bel did this, he would essentially be doing an unquestionably great deed. For a lawful evil devil, it was an utter humiliation.
Of course, utter humiliation was still better than croaking. Bel had no choice.
And this was also the part that interested Solam the most.
After developing the redemption ritual, the first wild idea Solam had was to see whether it could redeem Asmodeus. Asmodeus was a genuine angel, after all—and one of the first generation of supreme angels created by the ancient gods of order, second only to Mirenda, the former King of Angels. If he could be redeemed,