Before you lie a scorched wasteland. The remains of the Mysterious Tavern scatter like chewed bones across the dust, barely hinting at the outline of what once stood there.
Huff... huff... You okay there, Bloodsworn?
Having deployed his lantern's defense, Wanshi stands before you, his knuckles white from the strain.
That's good to hear.
...Don't worry about me. It's my duty to keep you safe.
How are you two holding up, Death, Famine?
Doing just fine.
I'm alright... Never thought we'd get ambushed by an angel.
After Watanabe's call, the other two Horsemen drop their defenses and move to Wanshi's side.
Following "War's" sharp gaze, they finally see the attackers in full—a host of angels blanketing the sky above, led by the Archangel who should have been their target.
I was keeping watch outside when the sky suddenly went pitch black, then those bastards just tore right through mid-air outta nowhere!
Even those who've never seen battle can smell the blood and gunpowder hanging in the air. Together, they smell like an approaching storm.
On the ground stand the Four Horsemen and the Bloodsworn. Above, thousands of angels fill the sky, with the Archangel suspended in flowing streams of light.
The Revelation of Supreme Heaven is here!
The Archangel's scepter points toward earth, voice cutting through like shattering ice. You know exactly what you need to do the moment you meet the Archangel in the eye.
Meanwhile, you draw a small blade and slice it across your palm in one swift motion.
Angels, strike down the enemies of God!
The sound of light spreading and dying, and the sound of blood flowing into the abyss and then cutting short—the two sounds, despite having become one, are crystal clear.
Perish!
Destroy!
Thunder follows in its wake as the angels launch into a frenzied charge.
Kill! Blood and flesh! AAAAGGHHH!
So reckless, yet you dare call this a "war"?!
The gun battery behind Watanabe suddenly unfolds—barrels whirring as they spin to life, the thunderous blast of igniting gunpowder forming an impenetrable wall of sound.
Open fire!
AAAAGGHHH! Flesh! Blood!
This land holds no blood for you—not now, not ever!
Overheated barrels swap out in rapid succession, and shell casings ring against the ground as bullets streak skyward like silver hail. Torn apart at the waist by the shots, the leading angels' bodily fluids rain down in broken droplets, striking the scorched earth and spreading dark stains across the battlefield.
Stay the hell away from us, you damn garbage!
Gaahhhhh!
Meanwhile, "Death" lives up to its name, unleashing indiscriminate violence—the lance strikes like a viper from its den, first piercing through an angel's chest, then wrenching free to slash horizontally through another's arm.
Demon... Kill!
An agile angel contorts its body mid-air, radiating an ominous red glow—the telltale sign of imminent self-destruction.
You shall die...
Hearing the human's warning, Vera instantly sidesteps and hurls her cleaving sword straight up, piercing the angel's chest.
Gahk!?
The angel instantly becomes a living bomb that blasts its airborne companions to smithereens.
Now that's some messy fireworks.
Die... Die...!
What do you think?
—Rargh!
"Famine" strolls leisurely through the swarm of angels, where the angels' heads come off their bodies like ripe fruit falling off trees.
Supreme Heaven... Flesh and blood!
The angels snap to attention and surround "Famine," their limbs twitching as they charge forward with outstretched palms in an attempt to overwhelm her through sheer force.
Dear Angels, I don't suppose you've ever witnessed such crude mortal trickery as magic, have you?
In the blink of an eye, Lilith leaps into the air, leaving the angels to grasp nothing but scattered playing cards raining down around them.
And here it goes...
With a finger snap from Lilith, the playing cards detonate in a chain reaction like falling dominoes, sending deadly shockwaves through the tightly packed angels.
BOOM!
Gotta grab yourself a seat to see the show up close, don't you think?
Hey, Gray Raven, time to roll out the cannon now!
As everyone else fights, Morigan starts shouting in your ear again.
The Halo Cannon is no ordinary weapon—even the attack that just leveled the inn to rubble couldn't so much as scratch it.
For now, the Horsemen seem to have the upper hand against the angels, but enemy reinforcements keep pouring in endlessly. You know that it's only a matter of time before all of you get swamped if you do something soon.
While the situation differs somewhat from Watanabe's original plan, both the target and the means are right here—so it's obvious what to do next.
Blood Covenant! Fresh blood!
Blood-reeking claws seize your leg and wrench you downward with a vicious force into an abyss you can't see.
Leave it to me.
Shattered by the shots from the revolver, the angel's hand crumbles to dust in an instant.
From behind you, Wanshi gives you a gentle push to help you find your balance.
Y'all are dead meat now.
Without exchanging a single word or a glance with you, "Plague" naturally guards you from behind.
Gunfire and shrieks coming from behind you turn into a bloody symphony.
Perish!
More angels close in, but this time—
—!
Morigan dives down from above and rakes an angel's eyes. A split second after, Plague's bullets strike the angel right where they're meant to strike it.
Gray Raven, now!
The moment you touch the cannon, searing heat courses through your fingertips as the weapon drains away your energy like a hungry beast. Intricate engravings along the barrel ignite in sequence from base to muzzle, reminiscent of a gigantic dragon stirring to life.
Since these lesser angels are proving inadequate...
The Archangel notices what you're doing and points its scepter at the cannon.
Radiant light from across the sky slowly gathers at the scepter's tip.
Filthy humans and their most blasphemous creation. Ready yourself for what's coming...
Hey, baldy! Eyes over here!
—?
Vera's lance cuts through the air and disrupts the Archangel.
She cuts down the other angels with lightning speed and uses their falling bodies as stepping stones to launch herself directly at the Archangel.
Abominable demon!
The Archangel's roar echoes as its arms extend. Iron spikes coil around Vera's right leg with a crushing force before twisting tight—
Go back to hell already!
The devastating impact kicks up massive clouds of dust as the Archangel folds its wings and dives into the billowing smoke.
The impact triggers a second, even larger cloud of smoke, but fierce winds gushing from the epicenter prevent it from shrouding the battlefield for long.
The fierce winds sweep away the ash and dust, revealing the Archangel standing at the center. Arms crossed, it catches both Vera and Lilith's weapons without breaking a sweat.
Bastard!
You're really something, Archangel!
The Archangel offers no response, maintaining its stance with eyes locked on where you are—on the massive cannon whose intricate engravings slowly pulse with energy—and begins to murmur.
Through me, straight to the city of sorrow
Through me, straight to endless suffering
A familiar prayer rolls off the Archangel's lips, blanketing the entire battlefield and sending tremors through the very fabric of space.
Gray Raven, you ready to rock?!
Almost there! The cannon's charging up!
With his weapon array activated, Watanabe blasts through the angels and charges toward the Archangel.
All who enter this gate, relinquish all hope
Stop it! Death, Famine, Plague!
Hearing Watanabe, everyone charges at the Archangel once more. The three Horsemen unleash a synchronized assault. Powerful and merciless, their strikes send a ringing of steel through the air.
CLANK—!
Dozens of angels suddenly materialize around the Archangel, wrapping around it like burial shrouds over a sacred effigy, their flesh and blood absorbing the Horsemen's assault.
Fate severed, salvation denied—!
The Archangel's thunderous roar heralds the end. As before, golden lightning crashing down hurtles straight this way.
Having taken on the form of heavenly thunder, the divine wrath is meant to wipe you all out with a single strike.
Keep charging! Gray Raven!
Watanabe positions himself in front of you as he summons his weapon array once more.
The countless firearms don't open fire, but instead stack together, forming layers of protective barriers.
Divine thunder crashes down, shattering the weapon array. Watanabe strains to rebuild it again and again, blood streaming from his wounds as he quickly loses his strength.
Sensing the energy building within the cannon, the Archangel uses brute force to sweep all three Horsemen aside and soars straight into the sky.
Inside the barrel, the Halo Bullet undergoes relentless compression as it spins. The cannon roars like a legendary dragon as its engravings go from blue to orange, eventually turning into a blazing crimson.
Charging complete!
The instant divine lightning pierces Watanabe's defenses, a brilliant torrent of light erupts forth and rips through the ashen sky.
The Halo Cannon thunders as it fires. Like a streak of lightning, the Bullet strikes the divine thunder head-on.
Two forces collide in midair, causing an eruption so bright that it threatens to melt through the very heavens.
Shockwaves send debris flying as smoke spreads like spilled ink. When the blinding light fades and the haze clears, only devastation remains. The energy that remains trembles through the air like a nightmare that refuses to end.
Cough... Gray Raven... Up there!
Looking up, you catch the other three Horsemen all looking stunned out of the corner of your eye.
And it becomes apparent soon why that is.
Around the Archangel is a wall of countless angels that have sacrificed themselves to form a wall to shield the Archangel from the deadly attack.
Flames from the blast lick at the putrid shells of the sacrificed angels. At the center, the Archangel's body deteriorates at a visible rate, fluids seeping down its tattered wings.
And it's... still alive?!
So that... was the strike that brought down the Cardinal Deity...
The Archangel stares down at its dissolving palm, fear flickering in his eyes for the first time. Those lesser angels he used as shields had only bought him a few more moments.
The Supreme Heaven's will is righteous... Now...
The Archangel spreads its tattered wings and turns to flee, chunks of its body sloughing off as it flies.
It's... too high up. Don't think we can get him now.
Wanshi raises his gun, takes aim for a moment, then reluctantly lowers it.
Use the Hell Train! We can't let that bastard escape!
How's that Archangel still alive when the blast burned this place so thoroughly?!
The Halo Bullet did its job... He only managed to escape death because he had all those angels protecting him.
As he speaks, Watanabe struggles to his feet, the bloodstains on his clothes darkening and spreading with every movement.
Thanks... I agree with Death's call. Let's take the Hell Train to go after it. We have to deliver the killing blow to that Archangel no matter what, so we can end this war once and for all.
I don't think you're in any shape to do that, Watanabe.
...We've lost the Bullet. You have to keep going.
The Blood Covenant between us will gradually heal my wounds... And no, I'm not trying to play tough here.
...I'll keep commanding the ground forces and watch your backs.
Bracing himself with his shoulder, Watanabe slowly settles against a rock.
Relax. I don't make a habit of celebrating early.
Since we've made up our minds, let's get moving. The train's parked in another valley nearby, right?
I'll lead. Everyone follow me.
...Let's go, Bloodsworn.
Mmm... I'll be waiting for you all to come back victorious.
After bidding farewell to Watanabe, the group sets off toward the distant valley.
I'll take this spot—better view.
Fortunately, the Hell Train wasn't at the same location as the Mysterious Tavern. If it had been hit by the Archangel, there's no telling whether it would even be operational now.
I'll take this side then.
Plague and Famine are dividing up positions on the train. There are bound to be angels in the way while all of you pursue Gabriel, so deciding who covers which direction ahead of time is crucial for a quick response.
Gray Raven, that Archangel flew west, and if my memory serves me correctly...
Yeah, I can vaguely sense the Sanctuary over there.
Pleasant surprise, no? When all's said and done, we're still heading for the Sanctuary to deal with the Archangel, just like we originally planned.
We have the three of us—Horsemen bound by blood, and that's plenty enough.
What's up? You've been awfully quiet since you went into the cockpit.
Just running final checks, and...
While speaking, Vera glances back toward the cockpit. She seems to have something to say.
...No, never mind. Gray Raven, train's all set—ready to rock the Sanctuary?
Hell Train, let's go!
Under Vera's command, the Hell Train's whistle pierces the air as vibrations begin coursing through the cars, slow at first, then building to a thunderous rhythm.
Wheels grind over the mountainside as billowing smoke tears past the windows. Suddenly, you find yourselves plunged into a weightless world.
And so the train races forth on miraculous power, thundering across invisible rails suspended in the air.
We got company!
Like a communications officer aboard the train, Morigan lets out piercing cries as angels come gushing out of the clouds at the train—barely minutes into the train ride.
You shall not pass!
My thoughts exactly! Easier if we just ram straight through at top speed!
Following orders, the Horsemen spring into action as the train surges forward, leaving the angels trailing in its wake. Theoretically, there should be no way for the angels to catch up to the train given how fast it's moving, except...
Let's cover one side each like we planned.
...I'm ready.
Following orders, the Horsemen spring into action as the train surges forward, leaving the angels trailing in its wake. Theoretically, there should be no way for the angels to catch up to the train given how fast it's moving, except...
THUNK—
Suddenly, the train lurches upward as if cresting a steep hill, throwing everyone off balance in an instant.
Damn bastards! Everyone, hold on tight so you don't get thrown off!
It's now clear what's happening—some of the angels have chosen to use their own bodies as roadblocks to slow the train down. The car bounces and lurches like a compressed spring, jerking violently.
Seizing this opportunity, several angels manage to latch onto the train's hull, their grotesque faces pressed against the windows as they pound relentlessly.
Break in! Break in!
Take the windows if you like them so much.
"Famine" detonates the playing cards hidden near the windows, while Wanshi fires outward and kicks off the angels clinging to the train's exterior.
Gahk!?
—Speed up!
Seconds later, blinding light streams through the shattered windows.
Gray Raven, it's the Sanctuary, Gray Raven!
Ahead of the train stretches a magnificent golden realm towering high above the clouds—a sight so spectacular it could be called the pinnacle of all earthly splendor.
Pure white steps, gleaming like mirrors, stretch up to the highest platform where dozens of massive stone pillars adorned with intricate patterns seem to hold up the very heavens.
Light drifts through the space like a living substance, weaving countless visions. As the train draws closer, a colossal divine statue slowly materializes.
A Trinity mask adorns its face, while an ornately carved sacred torso fills its chest. Both its arms stretch wide like a martyr's, pinned to the edges of cross-shaped pillars.
Below its chest cavity, nothing remains—as if torn away by some catastrophic force, leaving jagged, irregular edges. Pure gold cables dangle from within like blood vessels, and from these conduits, light pours forth like an endless spring, nourishing every being within the Sanctuary.
That... is the Cardinal Deity's remains.
Look over there!
"Archangel"!?
The Archangel climbs the Sanctuary's steps without pause, drawing the Cardinal Deity's drifting light into itself with every level ascended, each absorption mending the wounds left by the Silver Bullet.
The Cardinal Deity's remains are healing it!
The Archangel senses the presence of you all and raises its newly healed palm skyward, fingers spread wide as if to cradle the train in its grasp... Then, slowly, it clenches its fingers into a fist.
Gray Raven, more angels incoming!
Countless gateways unfurl like chains along both sides of the train, letting out innumerable angels like maggots spilling from rotten fruit that cram together as they squeeze through. Some tumble into the void below while others claw desperately at the train's hull and pound their heads against the metal plating with hollow, rhythmic thuds.
Blood! Shackles!
Don't think I love sharing my ride with you repulsive lots. Do us all a favor and get off.
Sanctuary, defend!
Come on! Die!!
