System's POV

Chapter 1455: Gathering Of Angels And Demons [Part 2]

"Zion, Apollyon is glaring at you," Dantanian said softly.

"Let him glare," Thirteen replied with an ’I don’t give a damn’ tone in his voice. "Glaring costs no one anything after all."

Given their extraordinary senses, the other Fiends and Celestials overheard Zion’s casual remarks towards Apollyon, whom many of them didn’t dare to offend.

Even the Sea Kings under Forneus’ command had unanimously decided to dive deeper into the sea, unbearably pressured by the presence of Celestials and Fiends.

"I like this kid," Dumah, the Celestial of Silence, said in an amused tone.

His fellow Celestial showed shock upon hearing his voice, for it was rare for him to speak and even rarer for him to praise someone—a mortal at that.

"I like this kid as well," Eae commented. "He reminds me of a younger version of me."

The other Celestials and the Fiends ignored the bastard who was trying to join the bandwagon.

Eae felt a little awkward after his statement was met with cold shoulders.

Suddenly, Dantanian looked in the direction where Zion was looking.

Black specks had appeared over the horizon, and their numbers were steadily increasing.

Tiona and Stella subconsciously moved in front of Thirteen, shielding him from the incoming Army that had come to take the divine key away from them.

The booming of war drums spread across the sea as the Celestial Army announced their arrival.

Zaphiel stood on the flagship with his arms crossed over his chest, looking at the island where the key was located.

A frown appeared on his face when he saw that the other Celestials and the rest of the Fiends had also come to the scene. But seeing them away from the island, he calmed down a bit.

This meant that they had no intention of joining Forneus’, Dantanian’s, and Wormwood’s last stand against them.

"Wow, who knew we’d have a grand reunion today, far out into the sea." Pharzuph chuckled. "This brings back old memories."

"Even Apollyon is here." Belial narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure he’s not joining Forneus in this battle, Zaphiel?"

"I have an agreement with Apollyon," Zaphiel replied. "He will not interfere. I’m sure he just came to watch."

"Mammon is also here," Rahab commented from the side. "You suspect that he has the Key of Greed, right?"

"Yes," Zaphiel admitted. "But let’s focus on the Key of Pride for now. It’s somewhere on that island."

The Celestial Fleet moved across the sea unhindered. Only when they were three miles away from the island were they forced to pause their advance.

Forneus’ Army had also risen from the waters, gearing to fight against the enemy and simply waiting for a single order from the Immortal Fiend.

Zaphiel took a step forward and flew over the water. Pharzuph, Belial, and Rahab followed behind him.

The Celestial who founded the Army of Heaven decided to try to talk civilly at first, so that no one would say that he didn’t at least try to resolve this matter peacefully.

"You already know why we are here," Zaphiel said to Forneus.

"Yes, you came here to ask for a beating," Forneus replied. "Since you want it so badly, I’ll happily give you what you want."

"Forneus, you’re still the stupid lizard from centuries ago," Zaphiel scoffed. "A blind lizard who can’t see the bigger picture. A fish trapped in a small pond. Don’t you want to see new scenery? Don’t you wish to know what’s outside of Solterra? Are you not bored with spending your life in a cage?

"How about you, Dantanian? You’ve traveled this world three times over, maybe more. Don’t you want to travel to other places? See things you haven’t seen before?"

Dantanian didn’t reply. He liked to travel, and just as Zaphiel had stated, he had already seen everything Solterra had to offer.

However, his desire to see new thing didn’t outweigh his dislike of Zaphiel putting the world in danger. While he may not remember the reason why Pandora’s Treasury was sealed, the fact it needed seven keys to be opened was enough sign.

This meant that whatever sealed inside it must never see the light of day, yet Zaphiel wished to do the opposite.

"As for you, Wormwood, I know how stubborn you are," Zaphiel said. "Since you chose to oppose me, see it through to the end."

The Fiend of Plague and Pestilence nodded because this was indeed the case.

"Very well, now tell me... where is the key?" Zaphiel asked. "Do you have it, Forneus?"

"I don’t," Forneus replied.

"Then, do you have it, Dantanian?" Zaphiel asked. "Let me tell you something—don’t even try to run away with it. I swear I can and I will find you, then make you suffer the moment I catch you."

Dantanian’s face paled a bit because he had already experienced what Zaphiel meant with what he said. After experiencing it once, he didn’t want to try it again.

"I don’t have the key," Dantanian replied. "He does."

"He?" Zaphiel arched an eyebrow before shifting his gaze to the two young ladies standing together.

It was then that the Celestial heard a voice that made him frown because it sounded familiar.

"Don’t worry. I’ll take it from here."

Tiona and Stella reluctantly stepped aside as the teenage boy took a step forward.

When Zaphiel, Belial, Pharzuph, and Rahab saw Zion, all of them flinched at the same time.

Since the Celestials and the Fiends had their attention on Zaphiel’s group, their reaction didn’t miss their sharp gazes.

"... Did the four of them just flinch after seeing that kid?" Eae’s asked in disbelief.

"I saw it," Barman replied. "Just who is this kid? Even Zaphiel and Belial looked shocked when they saw him."

How could the four who challenged the Temple of Courage not be shocked after seeing Zion?

They had challenged him over and over again using different strategies. And yet, they still failed in the end.

Rahab was only able to claim the keys due to luck from a toss coin!

"A-Are you Zion Leventis?!" Belial asked, doing his best to stop his voice from shaking.

When he fought Zion’s clone, the latter didn’t hold back and stabbed his butt many times with his daggers.

The pain and humiliation back then were something he would not forget so easily. So, seeing him now reminded him of some unwanted memories.

"Yes," Thirteen replied. "The one and only."

Zaphiel narrowed his eyes as he did his best to stop his hands from shaking. Just like Belial, Zion’s clone had taken liberties by stabbing him in places that should have been left alone.

"Do you have the Key of Pride?" Zaphiel asked.

"Are you talking about this?" Thirteen took ‌the key out of his pocket and showed it to the Celestial. "Yes. I have it. Do you want it?"

"I do," Zaphiel replied.

"Then fight for it," Thirteen said calmly before returning the key to his pocket.

Apollyon looked very amused. Who would’ve expected that a mortal teenager could make two Celestials and two Fiends look at him as if they were staring at their mortal enemy?

While everyone was sizing up each other, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky.

A moment later, that same lightning bolt struck the ground a few meters away from Zion.

Everyone, with the exception of Zion’s allies, looked at the newcomer in shock.

"I am here," Cranky said with confidence.

"Glad to have you here," Thirteen replied.

The arrival of a Celestial they didn’t know existed until now made everyone gathered at the scene look at Cranky in surprise.

"This battle will be legendary," Dantanian muttered. "And I’ll be here to see it."

The Fiend of Many Faces wasn’t aware that high above the Celestial Realm, the Gods had also gathered to watch this battle, holding popcorns and drinks in their hands.