"Hey, hey, you're actually going to do it." The man with the sickle stared at his trembling hands. That power from earlier hadn't just deflected his weapon—it had cracked his palm, drawing thin threads of crimson blood.

Turning abruptly, he glared through the church doorway like a caged beast.

"Facing an elderly woman defenseless on her knees... I think you've forfeited any right to complain." Standing in the archway, Lin Luo's voice was calm as he retracted his still crackling right hand—*crackled*.

Lin Luo hated killing. Anyone with basic human decency would find erasing a life repulsive. But some people made him sick enough that their existence became even more despicable.

This man was one of them.

Behind Lin Luo,'s face contorted in horror as she gaped at the fallen nun on the floor—

"Grina!"

"Rae." Grina's eyes widened with equal disbelief, shock etched into her features just like it was Rae's.

"That bastard is an Orkeinard member? Perfect timing to show up. As the seventh angel guardian... *" Hisise's face twisted into a sinister grin as she reached for her signature machinegun—only to have Lin Luo seize her wrist mid-motion.

"Cut the crap. This one's mine." He smirked coldly, advancing slowly like someone walking through his own home. "And damn, this world's been kind—I haven't killed anyone yet after arriving here. Guess it's time for my first."

Even if they resented it, others could only watch as Lin Luo prepared to act.

"Lin Luo." Rae's voice came from behind him.

He waved vaguely without turning. "Don't worry—Grina'll be fine soon enough. I'm saving her right now."

"The Seven Tree? Didn't think I'd see you so quickly." The sickle-wielder glanced at Rae then back at Lin Luo. "You the Tree's concordant one? Choosing to fight me without invoking your weapon... admirable nerve."

Though surrounded by enemies, he showed no concern—he had reasons enough. As a top-tier Orkeinard elite and among the strongest in the entire Ediol Garden, even someone like Greaz couldn't compare.

"Challenge? You've got it all wrong." Lin Luo's laughter held no warmth as he strolled forward casually. "I'm just sharing a simple truth—'Life is precious, cherish every moment.' That's it."

Helingu narrowed his eyes. "Damn annoying. But I'm busy—I don't take two missions at once. Capturing the Tree and killing its concordant hasn't been my assignment yet... and outnumbered? *Ah*, better finish this quickly. Important date to keep."

As he said that, the sickle's edge slashed down toward Grina's chest stone again—only for a black tidal wave to erupt from beneath his feet.

*Shriek.*

Helingu's face twisted in alarm as he backflipped—but too late. The wave sheared through his coat and carved a gash across his chest, blood spattering everywhere.

"Didn't I say it? Life only comes once—think twice before ending someone else's." Lin Luo lifted Grina gently from the floor then called out, "Rin."

With one flick of his wrist, the concordant followed him toward the church doors...

"...!"

A collective gasp erupted.

"Don't just fling people around like that!" Rin barked as she caught her flying companion mid-air.

"Grina!" Rae rushed forward but froze before reaching her. *What was that move?*

Meanwhile, Helingu had gone rigid. The power's speed and force exceeded all expectations—*inconceivable*.

Possibly concordant with something besides the Tree? His mind could only grasp this one possibility—it was absurd to think a normal human would have such strength. And multiple users existed in Orkeinard...

"No, he isn't in concordance now. That attack..." A woman's translucent figure emerged behind Helingu, murmuring quietly. The Holy War Angel who'd bonded with him.

Innate ability? How could that be possible?

"Looking so bewildered," Lin Luo remained still, smiling at his opponent. "Got questions?"

"That... what was your power?" Though reluctant, curiosity overpowered his pride.

Of course others were equally puzzled—Hisise and the rest had long known Lin Luo's weird strength but never something this bizarre.

"Just ordinary iron filings." He didn't hide it, extending his hand to collect the swirling black mist. With a flick of his fingers, countless metallic specks cascaded downward—"For someone with only 5 combat points? No need for secrets."

"Control... *iron* filings?" Helingu gaped like a fish out of water.

"How can such an ordinary human have that strength and... metal manipulation ability?" Longwei exclaimed at the church entrance.

Hisise frowned. "Indeed strange. But I've heard Crus once mention some people in this world have peculiar powers—like producing flames from fingertips or softening iron into cloth..."

"How come I never heard of these?" Qiya asked blankly.

"Of course you wouldn't," Hisise said seriously, then pointed at the church door where Lin Luo stood. "But his ability is completely different... and that electric crackling that deflected the sickle earlier? Also incredible."

"Speaking of which..." She turned her questioning gaze to Rin beside her.

"Just watch." Rin shrugged helplessly but smiled mischievously next second. "Want to know about fingertips producing flames? I can do it too." With a snap, a small flame flared on her finger tip.

"...!" Hisise and others collectively gaped.

"Transforming metal into soft cloth or hardening fabric like steel... even reassembling broken objects..." Rin produced a piece of cloth and an iron sheet from somewhere. One second they were hard and soft respectively—the next, crushed into dust before reforming as if time reversed...

The spectacle left Hisise's group nearly popping their eyes.

"Like this?" The self-proclaimed twirled. "Pretty neat? Basically all those abilities you mentioned are mine. And of course he can do them too—though not as skillfully as me, right? After all, they're just copied from me." Her tone carried obvious resentment—it was understandable, after spending decades mastering magic only to have it stolen effortlessly.

"...Senior," Longwei tugged Hisise's sleeve with a dazed expression. "Those abilities... aren't useful for anything besides performances?"

"She repaired broken things!" Qiya gaped stupidly.

"..."

Hisise remained silent—what words could express her feelings? This wasn't just fixing broken mirrors—it was restoring shattered glass and recovering spilled water! *Unbelievable, this is so...*

Meanwhile, only showed no reaction to Rin's performance, nor did C.C. or Grina. CC's gaze lingered on the fighting figure in the church, her eyes gleaming with intrigue.

Lin Luo beckoned to his enemy with a hand. "Well? Not going to attack?"

"...Damned if you ruined my favorite outfit," Helingu muttered, though the wonder faded quickly. As long as he stayed alert against rising iron filings, nothing seemed dangerous—his confidence in his strength never wavered.

"If I go out like this, everything's over... must cancel all appointments today and kill *all* of you." His expression devoid of emotion, Helingu raised his massive sickle, body coiled. At that instant, the originally white weapon exhaled mist-like vapor, sending chills through those at the church entrance.

"Senior," Longwei paled instantly. "This man..."

"He's strong," Hisise murmured gravely. Even without direct combat, the killing intent alone could match few within the Protection Association.

"Precisely." Lin Luo ignored it completely, smirking as he beckoned with a finger. "Come on then—I don't have all day."

*Haa!*

The sickle left an afterimage in midair—so fast he became invisible for a moment. When Hisise and others finally recovered, the blade was already within ten centimeters of Lin Luo's neck.

*Ka*

Their shock deepened when the blade halted mere five centimeters away from his throat—the tip caught between two fingers that prevented it from advancing further.

"...!" If Helingu's strength showed what a real master looked like, then this moment revealed Lin Luo for what he truly was...

"A bit weak," Lin Luo scoffed. "Didn't you eat today? Let me show you *real* power."

With lightning reflexes, he lunged forward and drove his fist straight into Helingu's face.

*Pang!*

A deafening crack—teeth flew out in one direction, blood in another—as Helingu was sent hurtling before crashing into the back wall with a resounding thud.

"Ah!" Before hitting ground, he coughed up another mouthful of blood. That single punch nearly shattered his consciousness.

"Sorry," Lin

"Too much strength? Well, you seemed quite resilient when killing others." Lin Luo shrugged apologetically.

Helingu staggered to his feet, consciousness slowly returning. The woman's translucent figure behind him suddenly cried out in panic—

"No! Helingu, he's too strong—we can't beat this man!"

Of course I know that...

Even from one punch, the gap between them had become an unbridgeable chasm. How could he possibly defeat such a being? This was pure suicide for Orkeinard to target *this* man—utter self-destruction.

At least... convey this information back... His fighting will dissipated instantly. Now he only wanted escape. Scanning his surroundings, he summoned all remaining strength toward the side window—the church's sole exit.

*Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh!*

Dozens of white beams flashed past him, halting his momentum cold. Instinctively glancing behind, the stone wall was now just dust swirling in the air like shredded paper.

"Can't run when you can't beat someone," Lin Luo retracted his hand calmly. "Don't worry—I won't use any special abilities. Just barehanded combat. Of course if you try escaping again..." He nodded at the beams, "those white electric threads will pierce you directly. No issues with range or accuracy."

"Damn it! I'll kill you!" If he couldn't run... then fight!

Helingu lunged forward.

"No way," The Holy War Angel cried in alarm but helplessly. Perhaps even now she didn't realize—their fate had been sealed the moment Lin Luo appeared.

Though he attacked with all his might, every effort was futile. No matter how desperately he fought, the chasm remained unbridgeable. His sickle moved like a snail before Lin Luo—too fast to be blocked? Too slow even to touch a single thread of his clothing?

Meanwhile each of Lin Luo's strikes left Helingu in critical condition, spewing blood with every hit.

This was pure playtime. *Absolute* playtime.

Though capable of ending this instantly, the fight dragged on like prey before a cat—torturing both body and mind until all hope vanished into despair...

Watching the battered man scream his final words, launching clumsy attacks again and again... only C.C. remained indifferent while others turned away in.

Even for enemies, this was too cruel. Yet thinking of Phile's fate or Orkeinard's mercilessness made it impossible to stop their mouths.

"Lin Luo," A voice resonated through his mind—Rin's. "Kill him. If you keep going... your personality will change."

Lin Luo paused mid-smirk, his expression flickering slightly.

Every human soul harbored a demon—some large or small, some hidden deep within the subconscious. It might stay dormant forever—or emerge at just the right moment to transform someone's thoughts and spirit...

Desire? Instinct? The root evil? Or perhaps... the heart's own demon?

*Damn it—have I lost myself to obsession?*

No no no, such demons didn't manifest this easily. To fall into one from something trivial would make me pitifully weak. Definitely overthinking—I don't have the attachments required for such a demon.

Though... how strange is the world when beauty clashes with violence?

"Then I'll end you here." Lin Luo stopped his fist mid-swing, white electric threads spreading across his palm.

"No—don't—" Helingu immediately understood these were beams capable of annihilating stone. If aimed at him... he'd be obliterated instantly. With his will already shattered, only primal survival instincts remained—he didn't want to die! He just wanted to live!

"Please don't kill me—don't kill me..."

"Now you understand life's value? Then why did you ignore the pleas when killing others?" Lin Luo spoke coldly before firing a dense volley of electric threads.

*Shriek-shriek-shriek!*

White light flashed—the man was obliterated in an instant. Simultaneously, his sickle transformed into a woman's figure escaping independently. Though spared from death, her expression remained vacant and soulless as if she'd lost her very essence.

Turning around, Lin Luo addressed the stunned group calmly—

"Take care of her. If you let her return directly, they'll discard her for sure. But since it's an enhanced Holy War Angel, there's still some danger involved. Be careful watching over her."

"Y-yes..." Hisise stammered blankly.

"Lin Luo..." whispered softly, worry flickering across her eyes.

"I'm fine," he smiled gently. "Don't worry. You and Grina haven't seen each other in so long—talk for a while. I'll go outside to clear my head."

With that, Lin Luo left the church alone.

Silence fell heavily over those remaining. After a moment, Rin clapped her hands lightly—

"Alright then. Let's move on with our tasks., you're just standing there? You have plenty of things to say to Grina after five hundred years. And Hisise's team—the captured angel is now yours. It's your duty to protect her."

With those words, everyone finally snapped out of their daze. Though concerned about Lin Luo, knew this wasn't the time and joined Grina in another room.

Hisise then took the Holy War Angel with her—saying she'd contact nearby branches for safe transport back to headquarters.

"Didn't know you had it in you," Only C.C. and Rin remained now in the church hall. C.C. chuckled lightly toward Rin.

"Are you mocking me?" Rin rolled her eyes.

"No, praising." C.C. gestured outside. "What about *him*?"

"Mm," Though she understood somewhat... "It just feels awkward coming from me."

Her gaze lingered on C.C.'s face.

"I dislike foolish men," C.C. said flatly.

...

Outside the church, Lin Luo sat quietly on a patch of grass, his head bowed in deep thought.

Ling Luo wasn't a serial killer, nor was he a sadist. Even with power surpassing all others and abilities transcending the world itself, he never intended to become that kind of person. But for certain inhumane enemies, he had no qualms about using inhuman methods.

Demons? Tyrants? Devils? To be honest, these things didn't bother him at all. If becoming a demon was necessary, he would do it without hesitation. Yet...

"What are you thinking?" A soft voice interrupted his thoughts as footsteps echoed behind him, "Because of what just happened?"

Without turning around, Ling Luo knew exactly who had approached. He asked, "Don't you find this cruel?"

"Just average," CC replied indifferently, lowering herself to sit beside him. "If even small sins make you uncomfortable, it's rather disappointing."

"As expected from your answer." Ling Luo smiled and lay back on the grass, "You know... it's not about being unable to bear it. It just feels a bit..."

"You don't enjoy doing such things," CC observed with her head tilted down, "But if absolutely necessary, you won't hesitate to become cruel yourself. Yet showing this side of you makes you worry if those around you will reject you... That's what concerns you."

"...Maybe." After a long silence, Ling Luo nodded.

CC smiled. "Do you trust them?"

"Of course," he answered without hesitation.

"At any time and place, no matter how they change, do you still trust them?"

"Yes," there was no need to hesitate - the bond between a Contractor and their Contractee existed as an unbreakable life chain with mutual consciousness, practically sharing one soul. How could that not be trusted?

"Then what's wrong?" CC asked with calm indifference.

"What?"

CC smiled cryptically before countering, "Is your trust in them one-sided or reciprocal?"

"...," Ling Luo froze, then let out a self-deprecating chuckle after a moment, "I see. I was just being stubborn."

"Hmph. Such an idiot," someone muttered from the shadows of a nearby wall corner as Tohsaka Rin scoffed and turned away.

...

"Ling Luo." As he reentered the cathedral, Lay rushed over to him, "Grina wants to speak with you alone."

"With me?" Ling Luo blinked in surprise while pointing at himself - after all, he knew Grina disliked humans more than even Lay did.

"Yes," Lay nodded before adding in a hushed voice, "Um... Grina really hates humans. If she says anything rude later, please don't take it personally."

"Of course, I'll treat it as background noise." Ling Luo smiled reassuringly.

Lay: "..."

Following her instructions, Ling Luo entered the chamber on the cathedral's right side alone where an elderly nun stood facing away from him beneath a massive crucifix.

"You're Lay's Contractor?" Grina turned around at his footsteps.

"Yes," he nodded.

"I dislike humans and would prefer Lay to remain uncontracted. But your situation has already been explained by Lay, so I know you value her highly. Since it's ultimately her life choice..." Her tone suddenly hardened as she continued, "Still, are you truly determined to take Lay to Edel Garden?"

"Yes," Ling Luo answered honestly.

At his reply, Grina paled and shouted, "You cannot go there! It's not the beautiful paradise you imagine! That place..."

"I know exactly what Edel Garden is like." Ling Luo smiled before she could finish. "Taking her there is one matter - how we act once arriving is another entirely... In truth, I'm not going to sightsee. If possible, I'll storm through it just like that enemy."

"You want to wage war against the entire Edel Garden?" Grina immediately understood.

"No," Ling Luo shook his head, "I don't intend to make enemies. I simply wish to destroy it."

"...," The declaration left Grina speechless for a long moment before she finally asked, "Can you guarantee Lay will be unharmed?"

"Of course," he declared firmly. "At the very least in this world, no matter which corner we are in, I can assure her safety from any harm."

"I don't know where your confidence comes from, but I do know for certain that I cannot stop either of you." Grina sighed before adopting a serious tone, "But if so... there's something you must be told. Do you know why Lay wants to go to Edel Garden?"

"To meet someone," Ling Luo mused aloud, "A girl named Sia or similar."

"Sia," Grina sighed with sorrow in her voice.

"Do you know her?" Ling Luo was startled.

Grina smiled bitterly, "How could I not? She's another child I raised - and Lay's best friend."

"...!" Ling Luo froze. If Sia was Lay's friend, that didn't match his previous knowledge at all! What was going on? Had he misremembered something? Oh right, he hadn't even finished reading this manga...

"What do you think of Lay as a child?" Grina suddenly asked.

"Hmm... clumsy, awkward, quiet - basically an airhead." Ling Luo had no idea why she was asking this.

"Ha ha," Grina laughed at his answer before revealing fond memories in her eyes. "But that's how she is now! Back then, Lay was quite different - very lively and energetic, but also rude to others. She would openly criticize people's mistakes without mercy. Once even when someone kindly made her a cake, the first words out of her mouth were 'It tastes absolutely terrible!' Sometimes fought with children her age - truly an exhausting little monster."

"...Fighting?" Ling Luo was stunned. He had expected some occasional sarcasm from Lay but actual fighting? That was too incongruous! What would that even look like?

"And she was incredibly stubborn," Grina continued, reminiscing fondly, "Lay despised carrots and onions. As a strict caregiver, I refused to let her pick and choose foods for weeks on end, feeding only those two vegetables - yet she still refused them despite starving."

No no no... They were equally stubborn. Ling Luo was speechless.

"What happened then?"

"Eventually," Grina sighed with resignation, "I became annoyed as well and now hate carrots and onions just like her."

"...," Ling Luo had nothing to say about that. Overall though, it seemed Lay's stubbornness was stronger - he should definitely try giving her some carrots and onions in the future... Onion especially went best with Evangeline.

"Would you like to hear?" Grina suddenly asked after studying him, "About Lay and Sia?"

Ling Luo eagerly nodded. Who wouldn't be curious about such gossip?

Through Grina's narration, Ling Luo finally understood everything...

Five hundred years ago, a man entered Alucwaro - the sacred land where only Holy War Angels lived. In his dying moments just before reaching there, he entrusted infant Lay to Grina.

Despite being inhabited solely by Holy War Angels, conflicts still occurred among them. And since Lay was one of the Seven Sacred Treasures, no one knew the extent of her power...

But for dangerous powers - whether human or angelic - fear always emerged.

Thus she became viewed as a child of calamity. Bullied, rejected, unaccepted... This led to hating everyone and herself so much that self-harm began occurring... Her personality grew lonely and strange.

Yet there was one exception: Sia, who with pure innocence completely accepted Lay without hesitation regarding her Seven Sacred Treasures identity and genuinely guided her - this finally brought smiles back to Lay's face. Over time she lived like any normal child as well, eventually being generally accepted by others through Sia's influence.

Without Sia, Lay might not have survived healthily at all - possibly continuing self-destruction until death... Or worse, becoming a true calamity that killed everyone.

Therefore, their bond was akin to siblings in intimacy...

This peaceful happiness continued until one day when suddenly, Jewel Hunter mercenaries invaded the sacred land of Alucwaro and began capturing Holy War Angels. When Edel Garden's people arrived just in time to kill all the Jewel Hunters and rescue them,

At that moment they were there as goodwill ambassadors negotiating with the angels about building Edel Garden into a paradise for both humans and angels.

Because of this prior help, even the most senior priestess Grina found it difficult to refuse, so she agreed - allowing any Holy War Angel who wished to go...

Including Sia.

After all, it was Sir Kurst Flieru's rescue during that Jewel Hunter incident which made Sia infatuated with him... Naive girls could never resist the classic hero-saving-beauty trope.

On the day Sia went to Edel Garden, Lay also promised her - when she turned fifteen she would go there herself to meet her.

"Now I understand why Lay is so determined." Ling Luo finally realized. Because of that important person waiting for her in Edel Garden.

"Then why did you try to stop her?" Ling Luo asked, though he had some guesses already. After all, the depth of Sia and Lay's bond was unknown until Grina explained it.

The moment this question left his mouth, Grina's expression darkened.

"Because later I discovered the truth about what happened to those who went to Edel Garden..." A bitter scowl appeared on her face, "At that time our sanctuary was isolated from the world. Very few knew its location and even fewer humans could reach there - ordinary Jewel Hunters definitely couldn't have entered."

"Edel Garden?" Ling Luo's brow furrowed as he realized.

Grina nodded solemnly. "Yes, it was all Kurst Flieru's plot with diabolical intent. Those Jewel Hunters were intentionally placed there by him! Then when we were in peril, his 'rescue' appeared like a hero - not only erasing our suspicions but making us grateful... All part of his carefully planned strategy."

Objectively speaking without prejudice, Ling Luo had to admit Kurst's tactics were brilliant from a military perspective.

"So what happened to those Holy War Angels who went to Edel Garden?" This question was more important for him. If Kurst was so malicious, these angels obviously didn't have good outcomes.

And indeed as he suspected, Grina's eyes burned with hatred as she said coldly, "They all became living experiment specimens."

"Living experimental subjects?" Ling Luo's expression darkened instantly - just the words themselves were already horrifying enough. The word 'experiment' even reminded him of the Railgun experiments in A Certain Magical Index.

Grina nodded grimly. "Yes, they extracted Holy War Angels' blood cells for various research purposes. More disturbingly, first they brainwashed them using special methods so that even when treated like lab rats they would show no resentment or resistance at all. Usually humans merely regard Holy War Angels as weapons and tools - but to Edel Garden... Holy War Angels were only experimental subjects."

"This is how Edel Garden truly operates."

"Now I understand," Ling Luo nodded, "That's why you tried to prevent Lay from going." It was even more tragic than the Railgun experiments. Everything had become clear except one final question: "Then why didn't you tell Lay about this?"

"Tell her? Hah..." Grina laughed bitterly.

"Goto Edel Garden and meet Sia - that has always been her dream. Could I have told her that her favorite Sia was undergoing inhumane treatment as a living specimen being dissected at will? Could I have told her that even if you went to Edel Garden, the Sia she saw would no longer be the original one? And could I have told her that her dreams had already been completely destroyed?"

Grina practically shouted at Ling Luo: "Lay! That child... ever since Sia left her, what kept her healthy was this dream of going to Edel Garden and seeing Sia again. Could I have crushed her only remaining hope? Even though the reality is heart-wrenching, allowing her to sleep with beautiful dreams is all I can manage."

"I understand now, thank you for telling me these things. Now my resolve will be even firmer."

While a nation's prosperity often rests upon countless rotting corpses - humans building their glory through other races' flesh and blood was common in every world. From the human perspective, this wasn't particularly remarkable.

Unfortunately, as the strongest at this world's peak who didn't stand with humanity...

It was time to pay the price, Edel Garden.

P.S.: The Weapon Race arc won't be lengthy - no more than 150,000 words (around mid-April). This plot indeed lacks excitement, so I added various comedic elements and Evangeline to balance it out. Otherwise it could have been finished in around 70-80k words (is that considered padding?), but Lay still needs proper development as the protagonist... After finishing her backstory introduction, it will be a straight path of battles ahead.

By the way, I'll spoil this: The next volume is "The Misadventures of a Magi", featuring an important character from the East. Guess who it might be!