It was a different space covered in white brilliance.

　Thousands of targets were floating in the air.
　They are all small targets used in bow training.

"Let's go, 'Rafael'. Penetrate all the targets...

　Ludmilla held her X-shaped bow - the cutthroat (seraph) level miracle armament, Raphael.
　When she squeezed the string, arrows of light appeared in response to her rising spirit.

''Maximum Loaded Precision Firing (Thousand Arrow)!

　The arrows I released split into a total of 777 arrows and hit their targets one after another.

''No........''

　Ludmila gave a small sigh.
　There aren't enough arrows that can be fired at once to shoot through all the targets at the same time.

''My mental strength itself has improved from a week ago.......but it still doesn't seem to be enough~''

　Ludmilla turned at the sound of a voice from behind her.

　Standing there was one girl who was as lovely as a flower.

　Silver hair in a two-sided updo and crimson eyes.
　Clad in her petite body was a red outfit of the same color as her eyes.
　A shining halo floats above her head, and white wings extend from her back.

''........Rouge-sama.
Let's keep up the good work.

　She - Rouge smiles.

''If you draw all the power of that Miracle Armor, you should be able to produce three times as many arrows as you have now.
Triple...?

　Ludmilla groaned.

　She wielded her mental energy to the limit and her consciousness was blurred.

　Producing arrows of light would drain his mental energy.
　The maximum number of arrows that could be released at one time was 777 arrows.

　Just thinking about creating three times as many arrows of light as that number makes one's mind dizzy.

''Ludmira-san, you won't even be able to break through the first stage of the divine Tribulation if you're tired like this~''

　Rouge smiled at me.



　It was about a week ago that I met her.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

　She entered the Oracle Room to hear how to do this.
　It was the only room on earth where one could communicate with the gods of the heavenly realm.

　When he entered the room, a girl appeared.

''Welcome~. I've heard from the people of the Brave Guild. It's you guys who want to train, right?
Do you...?
I'm the messenger of God, the red rouge. I'll be your coach.

　She greets him with an oddly light flirtation.

'God's, messenger...'
Is that what you mean, my angel?

　Fiore asked.

　She is a noblewoman with blonde hair and elegant beauty.
　She is a noblewoman and a brave woman who controls the miracle armor Michael, the miracle armor of the cutthroat (seraph) class.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. It's a good idea to call me Rouge.

　Rouge smirked.

In an age of mythology, the gods and the demon king, Velpher, fought a fierce battle.

　Suddenly he began to speak.

''The gods gave the mortals the Miracle Armor, and after their battle, they defeated the Velfer. The demons under their command were weakened, and they retreated to the demon world.

　It was the history of the battle between the gods and the demon king.
　Ludmira knew that.

''The gods were also badly wounded and needed a long dormant period. But the wounds are beginning to heal. They have gone from having only fragmentary communication with humans to being able to send angels - I mean me - to them. Congratulations to you~

　Rouge smiles happily.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's interested. It's a bit risky, but please do your best to follow me to become strong and follow me~
Nice to meet you, Master Rouge.

　Ludmila was puzzled in front of a girl who didn't have an ounce of dignity to be called an angel.

Then let's get on with the lecture. First, let's talk about the Miracle Armor.

　And rouge.

'As I'm sure you're aware, operating the Miracle Armor consumes a great deal of mental energy. So it's not suited for very long battles, is it?

　Indeed, that's right.
　Hence, when fighting demons, the basic tactic is to calculate the attrition and hit them with multiple brave men.

''There's also the issue of spiritual energy conversion loss. For example, if you use ten spiritual energy, the Miracle Armor can only convert about thirty to forty percent of it into offensive power. Let's try to get this closer to 100 percent. That way, we can create a more powerful and accurate attack.

　With a twitch, Rouge explained, holding up her index finger.

''So, the first step is to strengthen your mental powers. The second step is to improve your energy conversion efficiency. And the final step is to train in actual combat with me. If you complete all three of these steps, you will pass the test with flying colors~
So it's a three-pronged test.
I see. Well, let's get right to the first one. Strengthen your mind.

　Rouge smiled at Ludmilla as she asked.

''To be precise, you mean that you have more spiritual energy to operate the Miracle Armament.
Spiritual energy, strong...
'All it takes to control the Miracle Armor is the power of the mind. Remember. Remember why you fight. And make it stronger. Stronger than ever. Harder and harder.

　The apostle of God, a young girl, speaks.

"And beyond that thought, when your mind has grown, you will have more power.
So it's all in our minds, then?

　Ludmilla slumped.

'I need to be more ... mindful ...'
'You seem to be a bit preoccupied. I'm more relaxed.

　A quick wink at the angel.

'Indeed, Ludmilla-san is far too serious, isn't she?

　Fiore smiles.

''The angel in charge should be training your people in the next 'oracle room' as well. Let's do our best not to lose, too.

　And, Rouge.

...so we'll just get on with it.

　With a snap, he snapped his fingers.

　At the same time, the surrounding landscape switched and a white, shining space appeared.
　According to Rouge's story, it was a different space that he had created for his training.

　By now, the Four Heavenly Holy Swords Sion and Liavert are also training in the same way──.



　Therefore, the training began.

　A week later.

　Under Rouge's guidance, Ludmila continued her training as she is now.
It's training to increase the maximum number of rounds of "Raphael".

　However, the results were zero so far.
　The maximum number of bullets remains at 777, and it is not increasing at all.

As I thought........I don't have enough mental strength.......
'Hmm, you should take it easier~?
But there's a chance that we might be able to join you on your next invasion.

　The Four Heavenly Sacred Swords (Sacred Edge) were unable to participate in the previous invasion mission.

　The Miracle Armor of the Seraphic class was far more holy than other classes of Miracle Armor.
　The holiness of the Miracle Armor is much higher than that of other classes of Miracle Armor, and this holiness will be bounced off the wounds of the Demon Realm, making it impossible for them to pass through.

　In order for the girls to go to the Demon Realm, they need to make a bigger hole in the ward than before.
　The top brass is working on it, but...

I'm sure that's why I want to be part of the team. I want to win this time against the Demon King, who couldn't do anything about it, but I have to win.

　As I was about to say, I was suddenly hugged by Rouge.

''Yes, you are too preoccupied.''

　He hugs me tightly and I regain my composure a little.

'Let's be more rirakuous?'
''But, Master Rouge, you can't take it easy. If you take it easy, you'll never get the power to surpass the Demon King...!
I said "RELAX"!

　Rouge hugged me again.

''You're so serious, aren't you?

　Rouge snaps her fingers with a snap.

'Rough treatment?'

　Right after I was about to ask him.

''Kyaaaah........?''

　Fiore, who was training at a remote location, suddenly screamed.
　A number of black tentacles appeared from the void and surrounded her.

''This, this...''

　Fiore tries to cut through the tentacle group with the fine sword in his hand - the Miracle Armament Michael.

''Let me take it away for a moment~''

　The light bullets released by Rouge flicked the fine sword from Fiore's hand.

　The tentacles entwined with her limbs, which were unarmed.
　The tentacles increased in number from ten to twenty, and eventually──the whole surrounding area was covered by an uncountable group of black tentacles.

''Ha, aaahhhh........no.......!

　Fiore, bound by a group of tentacles, screamed.
　Her shapely face was twisted in anguish.

''Those tentacles have the ability to pollute your mind. If we leave them alone, they will go crazy, right?''
What...!　Please let her go!

　Ludmilla shouted in anger.

'Didn't I tell you at the beginning that this was a dangerous practice?'

　The smile disappears from Rouge's face.

　The carefree atmosphere from earlier was gone.
　The atmosphere is cold as ice.

''What were you going to get without risking your life?　The power you guys are seeking shouldn't be so light.
d*mn it...!
Now, I know my guys are in trouble but what do you want to do?
"Go through, 'Raphael'!

　777 arrows to blow the tentacles together.

''It's useless,''

　Rouge announced coldly and snapped her fingers.
　In the blink of an eye, all the tentacles regenerate.

''There are a total of 2000 of those tentacles. As long as you don't destroy all of them at the same time──as long as there is even one left, they will instantly regenerate.
"2000 rounds at once...?

　But the maximum number of bullets in 'Rafael' was 777.
　It was impossible to erase all of the tentacles in a single attack.

"There's no time to get lost. We're almost there until our friends' hearts are broken...

　Rouge looked at Ludmilla.

''You were once uprooted by the demon race from those you hold dear, weren't you?　And now - again - will you lose a loved one because of your inability to do so?　Or.
I'm going to...

　I think back to that day, when everything was destroyed.

　I don't want to be in that despair anymore.
　I don't want to lose anyone else.
　I don't want to let anyone else die.

　And that's why I became a hero.

"He who has no power has nothing to protect. And justice without power can save no one.
I am...

　At Rouge's words, Ludmira gripped 'Rafael' tightly.

''Ahhh.............!

　In front of me, there is Fiore's suffering figure.
　A group of black tentacles - overlapped with the figure of the demon tribe that attacked the village.

　I can't forgive it.
　I hate it.

　Something bubbles up in the back of my mind.

The power....

　I want it.

　The power to destroy everything.
　The power to kill everything.

　I...

　There was a stirring in the back of my mind.
　It was a black, murderous intent.

　It was a negative emotion that was inappropriate for activating the Miracle Armor, the armor of God.

　d*mn it!

　It was then that Ludmilla's 'Raphael' sounded violently.