Salomon had thought Bayonetta would use humanoid horse-shaped angels like Accolade angels, or low-ranking archangels like Enrapture angels, to feed her demon. He had not expected such a big one to show up this time.
The Celestial Hierarchy divided angels into three lower ranks, three middle ranks, and three upper ranks. The Affinity angels Bayonetta and Salomon encountered most often belonged to the lower three ranks. Each rank contained many kinds of angels, including bizarre swarm angels like Dear and Decorations. The two ranks above the lower three were archangels and Thrones.
The enormous Beloved Angel was no low-grade creature like an Affinity angel. It was a Power of the first middle rank, a genuine killing machine. The halo above its head proved its identity. The broadest part of the golden battle-axe in its hand was three men tall, and even the corridor built from thick stone slabs was split into fragments beneath the Beloved Angel's axe.
Suddenly, a figure crashed through the circular stained-glass window at the front of the church and landed gracefully on the stone-brick floor. Immediately afterward, deep violet magical radiance bloomed across the Beloved Angel's body. Naturally, Bayonetta was not foolish enough to remain inside the church and fight. This was not the first time she had faced such an enemy. With her wealth of experience, she had smashed through the glass and leaped into the plaza to find an opportunity to strike at the Beloved Angel's weakness.
She had also considered that the Elven Knight might not be very effective, but its repeated attacks could still draw the Beloved Angel's attention.
"I must become the cornerstone for reclaiming the 'Left Eye.'" The angel raised its enormous axe. It possessed enough intelligence to speak, though its voice was utterly emotionless, lacking even proper pauses or