Devil Slave (Satan system)

Chapter 1186: It Works Again

The ship finally broke free of the Non-Zone, emerging from the swirling chaos into the familiar vastness of open space. The crew erupted in cheers, as sweet relief washed over everyone.

After everything they had endured, from the relentless demons of the Abaddon royal family to the harrowing battles within the Non-Zone, it felt as though they had escaped the impossible. Even Perseus allowed himself a small smile, grateful for a moment of peace.

But then, a strange silence fell over them. A presence, heavy and foreboding, seemed to settle in the space ahead. In the distance, two figures appeared, floating with an effortless grace that made them seem almost unreal. Their feathers were as white as snow, gleaming like polished silver against the darkness of space. Yet, on their chests, a dark mark burned—a twisted sigil that marked them as fallen. The mark of Lucifer.

Perseus clenched his fists, his brow furrowing. This was clearly a trap.

Tomato’s gaze was equally grim, and she crossed her arms, watching the angels with wary eyes. "Fallen angels…." She muttered under her breath, her voice low with disdain. "Seems like someone really doesn’t want us leaving."

Branch and the rest of the crew, who had only just begun to relax, froze in terror. There was no turning back, no safe retreat into the Non-Zone—only forward, directly past the fallen angels. Perseus knew there was no avoiding them if they truly wanted to escape.

One of the angels lifted his gaze, his piercing eyes locking onto Perseus with an expression that was both cold and knowing. "Perseus," he called, his voice resonating like a distant thunder. "You thought you could simply leave with what does not belong to you?"

The other angel smirked, his white wings flaring slightly as he folded his arms across his chest. "We are here as... collectors," he said. "And by the will of Lucifer, no one leaves here unscathed."

Perseus took a deep breath, gripping his side knife, though he knew it would be of little use against celestial beings. "Looks like this isn’t over," he muttered to Tomato.

She nodded, her expression hardening. "It never is. But if they think we’ll back down, they’re mistaken."

The two fallen angels hovered ominously before them, an unyielding wall in their path. Perseus exchanged a determined glance with Tomato, both understanding that this was yet another battle they could not avoid.

"We come for the essence you... stole from the none zone. Hand it over, and we might yet let you and the remaining trash live."

Perseus stood in silence, the weight of the orb in his hand as heavy as the gaze of the fallen angels before him.

The essence within it pulsed subtly.

Apparently, even the fallen angels, known for their fearlessness, would not tread into the Non-Zone’s core lightly, and that knowledge gave Perseus a sliver of control.

"No!" Perseus responded. "I will not give up the Essence."

One of the angels leaned forward, his expression dark. "You are a fool, Perseus. Do you realize that because of your arrogance, every soul aboard this ship will perish? You’ve doomed them all."

As he spoke a light blade reached from his arm in threat.

Perseus let out a long sigh, feeling the crew’s eyes on him, heavy with a mixture of hope and fear. Just as he was weighing his options, Tomato whispered fiercely, "Don’t hand it over, Perseus. Don’t let them bully you."

But Perseus stepped forward, his stance calm yet resolved. "Fine," he called out, lifting the orb. "I’ll give it to you. But first, I have one condition." The angel’s piercing gaze narrowed slightly, listening.

"Swear a soul oath," Perseus continued, "that if I hand over the orb, you’ll let every person aboard this ship go free, including myself and Tomato, and that you’ll lead us to safety out of the Non-Zone."

The angels looked at each other, calculating. They recognized the stalemate: if they refused, Perseus would likely destroy the orb, wasting the precious essence of the Non-Zone. It was an outcome neither party wanted, and Perseus knew it. Reluctantly, the lead angel raised his hand, casting a flickering light over the sigil of Lucifer that marked his chest.

"We accept," the angel intoned, his voice carrying the solemn weight of the oath. "We swear, upon our very souls, to let all aboard go free once the orb is in our possession." His words formed a binding promise, an oath that no celestial or infernal being could break without dire consequences.

A cold energy filled the air, sealing the pact as both angels fixed their gaze on Perseus, a glint of anticipation in their eyes. Perseus held the orb tightly for a final moment before taking a steady breath and stepping forward, prepared to honor his part of the bargain.

After handing over the orb, the angels finally allowed Perseus, Tomato, Branch, and the crew to leave the Non-Zone. As they sailed away, a palpable sense of relief filled the air. Branch and his men let out deep sighs, the tension in their shoulders visibly melting away.

Branch approached Perseus, casting a look of apology. "I’m sorry, Perseus," he muttered, his voice heavy. "We failed the mission in the end."

But to his surprise, Perseus chuckled. Tomato shot him a puzzled look, her eyebrow arching at his unexpected amusement. "What’s so funny?"

Without a word, Perseus reached into his coat and pulled out another wine bottle. This one bore an identical castling device, carefully wrapped around its neck. He placed it on the table with a knowing grin. With a few swift hand signs, the wine bottle vanished, replaced by the orb, its radiant essence pulsing faintly in his hands.

He turned to Branch, his smile sharp. "Make sure you get us out of here as fast as possible."

A split second later, an unearthly scream echoed from the void behind them.

The angels had realized they’d been outwitted, and their fury could be felt even at a distance. Perseus chuckled again, feeling a swell of satisfaction. The mission hadn’t failed after all; they had the essence of the Non-Zone, and they had managed to deceive demons and even the fallen angels.