With the end of Azazel and Edmonds new status, it was finally time for the crew to search for the final flame up in the Angelic Realm.
"It's hard to say how much I've grown after absorbing the demonic essence of the Devil," Edmond was still basking in the abundance of Azazel's remaining benefits.
"One thing's for certain. You won't be needing my help any time soon," Null was still curious as to the nature of the Devil's entrapment, but since he was taken care of, he focused on other things.
Now that Edmond absorbed the entirety of Azazel's demonic essence while he was only a Transcendent, he was entitled to an insane boost that brought him up to the Devil's level.
'This is the benefit of the Flames of Retribution,' Null concluded that the Universal Rules were a boon if one mastered them fully, 'It seems like he has even surpassed Barter's Ruler in terms of mastery.'
'I've got a theory based on the Universal Rule of the gold-trimmed ruler, but maybe we should leave such thoughts for the future,' Ego suddenly revealed.
'Let's. I've got my own takes on our motley crew, but for now it's time to see the last member.'
"Are you ready to make your way to Ms. Florie now?"
Edmond took a second, eyes flashing from dim to bright yellow, "It's about time I reunite with my beloved."
After saying so, he and Null left the forgotten area where a mighty ruler once remained trapped for eons and returned to the rest of the crew.
"You guys are out already? I didn't even feel a slight tremble from this distance," Theef was clearly utilizing his Perception ability to sense any rumblings in the ground.
Edmond eagerly responded, "It was an easy feat thanks to these," he lifted the chains to show off his new equipment.
"What do you mean? Are they some sort of weapon?"
As Klein attempted to touch the holy chain, Edmond smiled as he knew what was about to happen.
Just like he predicted, as soon as Klein touched the white chain his strength was sapped.
The very mofei in his reinforced core was sucked straight from inside him like a magnet meeting metal.
Immediately, he jerked his hand back in surprise and shouted, "What the heck was that!"
"Who told you to touch? These happened to be the very chains that sapped the Devil's strength while keeping him in place, so you would be wise to avoid contact with them."
"What do you mean they sapped his strength while keeping him in place? Are you saying that the one behind the whole Demonic Realm was stuck here to rot?"
Z'oelo had expected them to call for reinforcements after a round of scuffling with the Devil, but this news made him feel obsolete.
"Like he said," Null reiterated for Edmond, "The Devil— also known as Azazel— was sealed to a throne to spend the rest of his days biding his time until he gained enough strength to free himself."
He continued, "While he wasn't Enlightened quite yet, he was extremely close to reaching it. Perhaps that was the reason behind his imprisonment."
"And don't act like I didn't notice his wings. What we dealt with was some sort of fallen angel not a natural born demon," Edmond seemed to have his own worries about the Angelic Realm.
"You're saying that the Flames of Retribution work on other beings too?! Isn't that way too overpowered," Klein was flabbergasted as the potential of Edmond had grown immensely after comprehending the Universal Rule of Harmony.
Klein had to have the specialty made core to filter the ambient spirit energy into mofei for him to manipulate, so he was jealous that Edmond could gain strength from anything he burned.
Knowing the studious nature of his former student, Edmond comforted him, "How about you touch the other chain then. You'll be surprised," he said while holding up the purgatory chain.
Hesitant at first, Klein wondered whether it was just a trick, but he put his trust in Edmond and touched the dark red chain.
As if it was minutes before, Klein felt his reinforced core fill up to the brim!
"So, the white one takes energy while the black one gives energy? I wonder who made such incredible artifacts."
Edmond sighed, "I'm betting on the ruler of the Angelic Realm," just the thought of a true powerhouse dimmed his hope.
'I was warned by the Devil in a cryptic manner, but for some reason I can't help but believe him. The words of a dying man could not be taken lightly.'
Azazel told him that he would weep and those words struck him deeply.
However, if his faith wavered, then what would his Evangeline think of him?
If he let a traitorous bastard dictate how he would approach the matter of reuniting with his lover, then he might as well not go to her.
If he let fear prevent him from being at his peak it would only make the effort more arduous in the end.
'My faith cannot waver. My strength cannot falter. My love cannot fade,' almost as if reciting a mantra, Edmond steeled his heart.
After being silent throughout the whole time, Barter's Ruler finally spoke up, "How did you manage to become this strong after only just comprehending a Universal Rule? I feel ashamed to say it, but you seem to have already surpassed me in terms of comprehension."
It was hard for him to act as a proper mentor when his third "student" had already shown immense progress not long after being introduced to the concept.
Edmond felt the awkward tension coming from Barter's Ruler and after having been an adult dealing with children of differing talents and skill levels, he knew exactly how he was feeling.
"If it weren't for you, I would have never been confident enough to embrace my truth," he went over and grabbed Barter's Ruler by the shoulders, "You cannot compare yourself to others lest you become blinded to your own progress."
Staring directly into Barter's Ruler's eyes, Edmond felt his resolve becoming firmer shown by the intensity of the brightness in his eyes.
Flickers of flames danced briefly before fading into the atmosphere as he attempted to do what Barter's Ruler had done for him after briefly meeting with him.
"Is your Royal Greed so paltry as to bow before other's rules? The way I see it, you brought me to such heights and by that standard are capable of more. Just because you tread a different path does not mean yours won't lead to the same greatness."
Barter's Ruler felt the intensity of heat radiating from Edmond although no flames were burning.
It seemed to melt his gold facade and reach for the core of his being which was tied to the Royal Greed he felt so strongly towards.
"I became so sidetracked by others that I was slowly losing sight of my own greed.'
"My Royal Greed means standing above others even when it shouldn't seem feasible. I crave the strength to stand amongst the greats and seek to rule over my own portion of the universe."
Edmond concurred, "Then are you not the strongest no matter how far you've treaded down your path? After all, only you can tread down the path of your own carving."
"Indeed. We may walk together, but the paths we take differ along the way. I almost forgot my way after seeing such a dazzling display of talent."
"Remember it was you who led me down this path. I can't imagine what it would be like on your own."
"But to think you'd almost reach the level of Enlightenment so soon after only learning about the Universal Rules I can't even muster the words."
"This environment is special. That's all there is to say."
Seeing the conversation between the two coming to an end, Z'oelo could not help but say, "Is it just me or are those two speaking another language?"
This was met with a resounding laughter among the members of the crew.
Null ended the session with a reminder of what they were here to do, "Alright guys, I think it's about time we left for the Angelic Realm, don'tcha think?"
"Yes. He's right. With the power I've been granted, I now can feel the veil between the realms as if it were a piece of paper that I can shred."
"We're finally going there. It feels like forever since we started this journey," Theef was feeling a bit sentimental.
"Not even a decade has gone by so far and some of the members are still technically children, but we've made it this far," Null was proud of his new life with friends.
The rest of the crew agreed.
They came from nothing, yet with their innate talents and abilities they grew so much the past five years.
"It's time to finally reunite with my beloved. It's time to finally breach the veil between the two realms."
With his bare hands burning with the Flames of Retribution, Edmond tore the open space before him like there was something there.
Lo and behold, a portal-like opening was made that the crew crossed to enter the Angelic Realm.