For the Greater Good

"Angelic Slash!"

Asmael had emerged from the rubble, and a massive amount of Force exploded from his broadsword, striking the chest of the demonic mantis directly, sending it flying away more than thirty meters!

Just as he sent the demonic mantis away, a blue orb appeared in Asmael's hand. He crushed it to pieces, generating a massive blue force field that encapsulated the area around him, keeping the abyssal mantis on the other side.

"Kill all the abyssal demons in the force field, now!"

Although the demonic mantis was away along with other monsters, there were still many abyssal demons inside the force field. Now that they did not have to worry about the overwhelmingly powerful demonic mantis, the Gifted and angels could easily take care of them.

Asmael watched as the abyssal demons inside the force field were being slaughtered, but he could not relax as he saw the demonic mantis and the rest of the monsters striking the force field, trying to break it and get in to kill them all.

There was no more refinement and grace in Asmael's face, only rage and coldness. After ensuring no monsters were inside the force field, he turned toward Vlad.

"This is your fault!"

Asmael made sure that his voice echoed, so everybody could hear him and draw their attention. Yet Vlad did not show anything and kept staring at the small yellow cat lying in a pool of blood.

Asmael saw how Vlad did not pay attention, and his rage exploded as he grabbed the young man by the neck and raised him from the ground.

"Didn't you hear me? This is all your fault!"

Vlad could not breathe due to the strength of Asmael's grip, yet his eyes showed no fear as he stared back at the angel.

Asmael was surprised by the young man's composure, but as he saw those defiant eyes, his rage only grew. He slapped Vlad, pushing him to the ground.

"Your inability to keep those monsters at bay allowed them to reach the Gifted, breaking their focus and interrupting the barrage on the demonic mantis. It was due to your negligence that we failed to kill it when we had the chance."

When the Gifted heard those words, many could not help but frown as Asmael's words did not make sense. The right flank of the vanguard failed to keep the horde at bay, as an angel pushed back due to fear, allowing the monsters to enter. Vlad was on the left flank, so he had no blame.

Yet, the moment Asmael turned toward them, and they saw the angel's maniacal and cold eyes, fear appeared in their hearts at the thought of refuting his word.

"He is to blame. It is all his fault."

The first one to shout was none other than Jessica. The woman could barely stand, yet she found the strength to accuse Vlad. Soon, all the other Gifted chimed in, not wanting to be left behind.

"Yes, you made us fail."

"It is your fault we are all in danger!"

"Why did you leave us like that?"

Asmael smiled as he saw how all ganged up against Vlad, yet he could not help but frown as he saw Vlad remained unmoving, looking back without any emotion in his eyes.

"Hmph, not only did you put us in danger, but you are also a Heretic. Your soul is tainted by the abyssal, and that is why the demonic mantis was so determined to kill you!"

Vlad's eyes only reacted to those words, yet he remained silent, simply gazing back at Asmael.

The angel frowned as he stared at Vlad and then waved his hand, making a massive parchment appear and extending it onto the ground.

The parchment had strange runes inscribed on it, all centered around two pentagrams.

"That is the only path for you to repent for your sins. It is the God Decree, and it will allow you to sacrifice your soul in the name of God, transferring its power to me and giving me the strength to kill the demonic mantis and save all of us!"

Awed appeared in the eyes of the Gifted as they heard those words and stared at the parchment on the ground. An artifact that could allow you to consume someone else's soul was beyond their realm of understanding, but it definitely did not sound like something too godly.

Asmael noticed that, but he immediately spoke again.

"Of course, I am a warrior of God, and we will never force someone onto such a path, which is why you must go willingly. This is to save us all. It is for the Greater Good!"

As Asmael uttered the words "Greater Good," his entire being seemed to glow with the light of God in the eyes of the Gifted.

"You are a Heretic, but Lord Asmael is giving you a chance to repent. Allow the power of God to save you. Do it for the Greater Good."

Immediately, Jessica spoke, shouting those words before turning toward the rest of the Gifted and pushing them to do the same. It did not take much effort as they began to shout toward Vlad.

"Do it. You must repent. For the Greater Good!"

"You can expel your sin. Do it for the Great Good!"

"Pay for your sins. Do it for the Greater Good!"

Vlad glanced at all the Gifted who shouted at him to carry on with the process. The way they said it was as if Asmael was doing him a favor by consuming his soul. He stared at them for a moment before glancing at the parchment and finally lowering his head.

Asmael saw Vlad lowering his head, and a twisted smile appeared on his face. He was sure the young man's will was breaking due to the pressure all these voices generated in him. If possible, he would have just forced Vlad to perform the process, but the Runic Formation in the parchment required both souls to willingly allow the power to invade them.

Just as Asmael was about to shout again, continuing to pressure Vlad, the young man spoke.

"I will do it."