Dohnaseek and Sanguinius didn't waste time starting their journey toward Kokabiel and Azazel's location, responding to their summons.
Glancing over his shoulder, Sanguinius noticed Dohnaseek hanging slightly back, along with other lower-ranking angels.
These fallen angels, of similar rank to Dohnaseek, had joined the duo along the way, after a brief exchange with Sanguinius.
This simple gesture tacitly placed him at the head of the group.
'I am their hierarchical superior... Even without Heaven, I must show exemplary behavior to my possible future subordinates.'
Unconsciously, Sanguinius began to accept this reality more as his own.
Thus, he behaved with the lower-ranking fallen angels as he did with his colleagues in his past life.
It's important to understand that angels are benevolent entities but extremely rigid in matters of hierarchy and rules.
Sanguinius's calm and nonchalant behavior created a relaxed atmosphere around him.
It was like an oasis in the desert for the fallen angels who were seeking calm and reliable support to rebuild their existence from zero or find a purpose.
But unfortunately, this is not easy to find in these troubled times for their species.
Consequently, Sanguinius's strange existence was extremely refreshing for them.
It took Sanguinius some time to reach the location designated by Dohnaseek.
'This pressure...' An enormous amount of magical and sacred energy emanated from before him.
Sanguinius couldn't help but involuntarily hold his breath feeling this for the first time himself.
'Indeed, memories and experiencing something are two different things.'
His group ended up standing in this vast assembly of individuals, all sporting black wings on their backs.
Those with two pairs of wings commanded those who had only one.
At times, Sanguinius even glimpsed fallen angels with four pairs of black wings, leading groups much larger than his own.
The number of fallen angels present was surprisingly high, especially considering the memories he had from the anime or Light Novel.
'We are at the genesis of fallen angels. It's normal that they are at their peak... but...'
Sanguinius couldn't help but wonder about his father in this life.
Or more precisely, about the decisions made as part of his 'plan' regarding Creation.
The word 'why?' began to haunt his thoughts as he observed the small crowd of fallen angels around him.
Sanguinius knew it: the Biblical God had the power to create angels.
But what he didn't understand was why He had chosen this approach for Azazel and his brothers.
'He literally threw away a force powerful enough to constitute a faction capable of keeping entire pantheons at bay...'
Despite all his efforts, he couldn't understand the Biblical God's intentions or thoughts.
For Sanguinius, the excuse of 'sin' couldn't be the only reason behind this massive fall of angels.
It must have been only part of the reasons that drove his father to banish him and his brothers.
After all, their actions were far less serious than those of Lucifer and the others before them.
"My dear brothers and sisters!!!"
A strong, familiar voice resonated above Sanguinius... or more precisely, above the crowd.
In the stormy sky, still beaten by the rain of the Flood, a man of about thirty years old, with black hair, displayed a dozen dark wings on his back.
He was the source of the immense pressure of magical and sacred energy that Sanguinius had felt while approaching with his small group.
"Our Father has abandoned us... no, he has disowned us!!!"
The man, whom Sanguinius identified as Azazel, paused in his speech, as if pondering something.
However, this moment was brief, as he immediately reopened his mouth, a mysterious gleam shining in his eyes.
"I know you're devastated, and no words can truly describe our emotions at this hour... but then what?"
Azazel's aura suddenly rose toward the sky, dispersing the dark clouds.
"Should we spend eternity repenting for having listened to our instincts? Is it really our fault??"
Faced with these words—no, this monologue—suspended in the sky, no one had the courage or intention to contradict him.
All the gathered fallen angels simply listened and observed the scene.
Up there, the sunlight illuminated Azazel, alone in a storm-free zone caused by his magical energy.
"NO!!!!"
"I refuse!!" he roared, raising his eyes to the heavens,
as if he were not only addressing the fallen present, but something or someone—beyond the clouds.
"I refuse to spend eternity repenting for having followed the desire of the flesh,
a desire granted to me by this same Father unable to accept his creation!"
With each word, Azazel's aura grew in intensity.
'I see... That's why that bitch Raynare has so much respect for this man.'
Sanguinius had to admit it: Azazel had the aptitudes of a born leader.
But he couldn't follow his path.
Unlike the broken fallen angels, who were beginning to see in Azazel a new way, a glimmer of hope in their darkness,
Sanguinius saw a mixture of perversion and cold rationality.
He wasn't saying Azazel was wrong...
But his logic was dangerous.
'If intelligent beings blindly follow their instincts or desires, then the world will go straight to perdition.'
Unconsciously, these words brought back a memory: a verse quoted by his friend Adrien, during his attempts to convert him to Catholicism:
'Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation;
the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'
Thus, according to Sanguinius, Azazel was partially wrong, whether from a rational or Christian point of view.
The fallen angels were not solely to blame for their situation.
Their Father had failed to guide them—at least, that's what he thought.
But that wasn't an excuse to give him right, and even less to wreak havoc throughout Creation.
After all, the fallen angels were the only ones who had consciously embraced 'sin,' the only ones who had defied their Father's laws.
If the Biblical God is the blacksmith, then Azazel and my brothers were the ones who chose to use the sword.
"So, my brothers and sisters..."
The anger in his voice had disappeared. He was now looking at the crowd with pleading eyes.
"Who wants to follow me to create our own paradise?"
"Take me with you..."
"I will follow you, Lord Azazel."
"You're right!! Let's bring down paradise!!!"
At Azazel's question, the crowd around Sanguinius ignited.
Obviously, he did the same.
'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'
For now, Sanguinius had decided to stay with the other Fallen.
Living alone on this primitive earth was too dangerous without support, and his lack of brute strength didn't allow him to wander alone.
Thus, he found himself stuck with people who had simply abandoned one master... for another.
'Honestly, I need to leave these fanatics as soon as possible.'
After making this resolution in his heart, a strange sound resonated directly in his mind, just before a holographic panel appeared before him.
[Ding!!!]
[Congratulations, Mr. Sanguinius.]
[You have been selected to become a member of the dimensional discussion group.]