Chương 29: A Deal with Heaven

He understood why Gabriel had followed him here. Still… Hadn't she considered the possibility that he might kill her? Especially after what he had just done to the descendants of the original Maou. Yet Gabriel didn't look intimidated in the slightest. She simply continued smiling softly, as if the thought had never troubled her.

"I did," Gabriel replied gently.

"But after seeing your soul, I knew you wouldn't." I froze. …My soul? I frowned slightly.

"My soul?"

"Yes," Gabriel said, a faint pink tint coloring her cheeks.

"Your pure soul." As an Angel, Gabriel possessed the ability to perceive souls directly. And what she had felt from Gilgamesh had surprised even her. A soul like his was rare. Even among Angels. Having a pure soul didn't mean one had never committed violence. During the Great War, Angels had slaughtered countless enemies. Gabriel herself had once felt hatred when her Father died—only Michael's guidance had prevented her from losing herself to it. Purity wasn't about actions. It was about the heart.

A pure soul was one that carried no regret, no inner corruption, no self-condemnation. A soul that never doubted its own path. Gilgamesh, on the other hand— He was stunned. Pure soul?! That was the last thing he had expected. Was that something the system had altered? Is my soul system-purified? [Yes, Host. Compared to most beings, your soul is exceptionally pure—purer even than many Angels. This is due to the Host having committed no evil acts in his previous life, nor in this one, combined with your innate divinity.] … So that's how it was. That also explained why his divinity leaned so heavily toward Light. Gilgamesh exhaled slowly.

"I see. Then you came here to recruit me into Heaven?" he asked calmly. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Gabriel blinked.

"What? No!" Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Of course you did," Gilgamesh replied flatly.

"If a great war breaks out, Heaven will be the first to fall." Gabriel stiffened.

"Think about it," he continued, his tone becoming analytical.

"The Devils possess the largest population among all factions. Not to mention their bloodlines—and especially the Evil Pieces. They can reincarnate talented humans, Sacred Gear users, even skilled fighters, turning them into servants." He leaned forward slightly.

"And then there are their Maou. Sirzechs Lucifer and Ajuka Beelzebub alone are Super Devils who rank among the Top Ten Strongest Existences." Gabriel listened in silence.

"The Fallen Angels already have their leadership structure," Gilgamesh went on.

"Plus Azazel's collection of Sacred Gear users and stray powerhouses. They have Hakuryuukou with Divine Dividing. SlashDog with Canis Lykaon. The Ice Princess wielding Absolute Demise. And then there's Azazel himself, constantly pulling dangerous experiments." He shook his head.

"And Heaven?" He looked directly at Gabriel.

"You have Light, yes. Four Seraphim. Vasco Strada. Griselda Quarta." He paused.

"But you're outnumbered. Out-resourced. And some of your own could betray you." Gabriel lowered her head slowly. She couldn't deny it. Of all the factions, Heaven truly was the weakest—both in numbers and raw military power. Then she looked back up.

"Do you hate supernatural beings?" Gabriel asked quietly. She could feel it in his words. The bitterness. Gilgamesh snorted.

"Most supernatural beings treat humans like livestock." His voice hardened.

"Let's be honest. You're an Angel, so you care about humans."

"Vampires see them as food."

"The Greek gods ruined countless lives. Aphrodite cursed the Princess of Colchis over a lover's quarrel. Poseidon raped Medusa and turned her into a monster." His fists clenched.

"And Sacred Gears—tools meant to protect humanity—became another excuse to hunt them." Gabriel closed her eyes. She couldn't argue. Humans had always paid the highest price. Then Gilgamesh spoke again.

"So let me help you." Her eyes snapped open.

"System. Purchase Brave Saint set." [Confirmed, Host.] [Shopping…] [Purchase successful.] [-250, 000 Gold.] …Expensive. [Name: Brave Saint][Rarity: Mega Rare] A set of thirteen holy cards materialized in Gilgamesh's hand. He raised them and passed them to Gabriel. She stared in confusion.

"These are based on Evil Pieces," Gilgamesh explained.

"They allow Angels to reincarnate other beings into Angels." Gabriel's eyes widened.

"Y-you created this?" Bad system. But it sounded better that way.

"Yes." She hesitated, then let her power brush against the cards. Instantly, a familiar aura responded. The same divine resonance she had felt when Father first created Angels. Her breath caught. They were real.

"These… they truly convert beings into Angels…" Her hands trembled.

"You're giving these to us?"

"Yes," Gilgamesh said calmly.

"And I'm betting Heaven can reproduce them."

"But why?" Gabriel whispered.

"Because I don't have hostile intentions toward Heaven," Gilgamesh replied.

"And among the Three Factions, Angels are the ones I trust the most." He smiled faintly.

"Consider this proof." Gabriel froze. Then tears streamed down her cheeks. She rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," she whispered. Some time later. Gilgamesh stood outside the mansion, watching Gabriel depart into the sky, carrying the Brave Saint cards and several Holy Swords he had also gifted her. Most of those swords came from Angelic dungeons—or exorcists who had once tried to kill him. He wouldn't miss them. Sebas appeared beside him.

"Do you think it's wise to give her something that could change the balance of the world?" the butler asked quietly. Gilgamesh didn't hesitate.

"The Devils won't like it," he admitted.

"But that's not my problem." A few holy cards and swords… In exchange for Heaven's goodwill. A fair trade. Still, as Gabriel vanished beyond the clouds, Gilgamesh found himself thinking about something else entirely.

"I wonder what kind of world we'll see this time around," he murmured. And with that, he turned back toward the mansion.