Chapter 328: Sun Goddess Solari (1/2)

There were seven archangels in the world called Heaven.

They were not seven in the beginning.

The first being to be born was Auriel, the archangel of judgment.

She was born out of necessity.

The Heaven before her was a world where evil from chaos spread, so it was not an exaggeration to call it like hell.

The wishes of the angels gave birth to her.

The hopes of the angels who were groaning under the pressure of evil brought the archangel of judgment into this world.

Auriel judged the world.

After forging a hundred swords with her own hands, she along with the angels who followed her soon destroyed the evil that pervaded Heaven.

She purified the world.

As she stood in front of the chaos, she instinctively realized that her mission was over.

Because a second archangel was born among the angels.

Auriel’s role was to judge.

Now that the judgment of evil was over, it was the role of another archangel to rebuild the world.

One by one, new archangels were born.

Raguel, the archangel of justice.

Eros, the archangel of love.

Raphaela, the archangel of healing.

Sariel, the archangel of death.

Gabriel, the archangel of the moon.

And the last archangel, Solari, the archangel of the sun who would bring light to the entire celestial world.

Auriel loved and cherished all her siblings, the archangels, bus she especially loved Solari.

“Solari…”

At the highest place in Heaven.

Auriel stood with her sword hanging from her waist as she watched Pleiades before moving her gaze further away.

She stared at Hell that she had gone to a long time ago, just before it swallowed Heaven.

Solari no longer existed.

She already lost her life hundreds of years ago.

Eros, the archangel of love, and Gabriel, the archangel of the moon, who descended with her to Pleiades also no longer existed.

The seven archangels became four, and Auriel swore to avenge Solari.

“Auriel, are you there?”

At the cautious call, Auriel turned her head. She could tell who it was without looking.

It was Raguel, the archangel of justice.

“I want to tell you something.”

Auriel nodded. She herself had a story to share with Raguel.

“Come this way.”

Raguel had a gloomy smile at Auriel’s gentle call.

She felt bad at the changes that occurred to Auriel after Solari spread her light and died.

But they needed to talk about the movement of Hell.

The movement of the overlords who went from seven to five.

Hearing Raguel’s story, Auriel closed her eyes for a moment.

She remembered the face of Solari who always brightly smiled like the sun.

***

“Hello?”

An archangel with red hair.

She had a bright smile and a pleasant voice that made one feel better from just witnessing it.

There was a playful face under the halo of light that was like the glory of the morning.

Cordelia was momentarily speechless.

Records often mentioned Solari’s appearance.

Solari was the most beautiful and charming of the seven archangels, and even the demons of Hell could not help but love her.

It was not a lie. It was the truth.

Virtuousness.

A woman who was not just beautiful as any other expression did not suit her except for virtuous.

But at the same time, she was very friendly.

One could talk to her at any moment like an older sister or a friend.

She had eight wings and a golden halo that symbolized the glory of the morning.

Cordelia unknowingly put her hands together.

Because she wanted to pray.

However, Solari slightly narrowed her brows as if she was troubled with Cordelia’s actions, and soon said with a mischievous smile.

“I’ll say it again. Hello.”

And when she waved her hand a bit, Cordelia also came to her senses. Cordelia awkwardly raised her head and greeted the other.

“H-hello. I mean, good morning.”

When Cordelia greeted with a blushing face, Solari laughed like Kajsa.

“Cute.”

“Uh, umm… yes.”

There was no need to answer, but she still answered, so Solari burst into a brighter smile.

“Haa~ so lucky. You’re such a cute and lovely child.”

Solari muttered as if she was talking to herself before silently sitting down.

The wind blew under the blue sky, and petals flew over the white flower field.

And she gestured with her hand.

Her eyes told Cordelia to come and sit here.

Cordelia hesitated for a moment but soon gathered up her courage. She faltered a bit before walking over Solari’s side and sitting down next to her.

“Come closer. I want to hug you.”

“Excuse me? Uh… yes.”

Cordelia was someone from Solari’s lineage.

This metaphor might be a bit excessive, but Solari was like an older sister, mother, and distant ancestor to Cordelia.

“Yes, you’re cute. You’re warm. You’re nice too.”

At Solari’s words, Cordelia’s face reddened even more.

It was because she felt ecstatic from being complimented by Solari rather than because she was being hugged like a teddy bear.

“Thank goodness. I’m glad a child like you came.”

“A child… like me?”

Cordelia whose face was buried in Solari’s chest then gently raised her head and asked.

Come to think of it, what’s with this current situation?

Isn’t this the Tomb of Solari?

Then who in the world is this woman in front of me?

Is she a phantasm like Gallus outside?

“Yes, that’s right. I am a phantasm. I am.. the traces? The scars? The residue… made up of the lingering affection left behind in Solari’s tomb, the wishes left behind by the people who missed Solari, the sadness… Well, I can’t feel sadness in the first place though.”

Her last smile appeared to be very sad, so Cordelia unconsciously wrapped her arms around Solari who smiled again.

“You’re very nice. Yes, you’re good-hearted.”

After stroking Cordelia’s head a few times, Solari lightly pinched Cordelia’s cheek.

“Wow, look at this softness. It’s amazing.”

And she continued to pull it.

Cordelia was often pinched by Jude these days and had gotten used to it, but when Solari spoke like that, she could not help but feel strange.

“Oh my, you’re cute. I would like to keep playing with you… but I can’t. He’ll get angry if I continue.”

“Excuse me?”

Wait? Who is that ‘he’?

“Oh, that guy. That very jealous guy.”

At that point, Cordelia knew who Solari was talking about.

So Cordelia raised her voice again.

“Jude! Where is Jude right now?”

“He’s facing me in another flower garden. But well… he’s amazing.”

“Excuse me? What? D-don’t tell me…”

“No, wait. I don’t know what you’re thinking- no, I know, but it’s not like that. Yes, really. He’s not interested in me, I think?”

“Excuse me?”

Aside from the embarrassing things she previously said, what’s with those last words?

He’s not interested?

“Well, he hurt my pride a bit, you know? Do you know what he thought of as soon as he saw me?”

“What is it?”

“As expected, Cordelia is the most beautiful.”

Cordelia’s face became a mess.

That idiot! Idiot! Idiot!

What the hell are you talking about!

“He didn’t say that. That was what he was thinking.”

Solari giggled and could not help but pinch the cheek of the embarrassed and happy Cordelia again.

“Anyway, don’t worry about Jude. You’ll see him soon once we’re done with our business.”

“Our business?”

“Yes, business. It can’t be Jude, it can only be you… Although your mind is full of naughty thoughts, you’re someone who is undeniably nice, pure, and pretty… After all, it’s something that can only be done by you who is the perfect person to be my successor.”

Cordelia blinked her eyes again.

“Successor?”