Chapter 57: Cass (Part II)

It was Cass’s heart.

A heart as transparent as crystal—a heart of pure goodness.

Bright red blood poured from Cass’s chest, gurgling down and pooling into a small stream at my feet.

I stood amidst that piercing shade of crimson, cradling Cass’s heart as large tears fell. "How could I not recognize you? Even with the same body, how could I fail to distinguish Cass?"

I jerked my head up, my eyes cold and dark, staring directly at the "Cass" whose chest I had torn open.

That clean, warm body was now drenched in blood, looking utterly gruesome.

He was also looking at me, a flicker of bewilderment passing quickly through his eyes.

Seeing me watch him, he slowly lowered his lashes, simply closing his eyes. He hid all the sorrow and tenderness, and when he opened them again, he was a complete stranger.

Michael.

He was Michael!

the one standing before me was not Cass. He was the Emissary of God, the Commander of the Divine Race, the legendary six-winged angel, Michael!

The chest I had sliced open healed in an instant, becoming perfectly whole. If not for the crystal-clear heart in my hand, and the bloodstains at my feet, I would have thought it was all a nightmare.

Suddenly, that heart turned into fine sand, pouring through my fingers and scattering with the wind.

I was struck with terror, as if waking from a dream.

I glared at Michael. "What did you do to him!"

Why did my Cass disappear? My Cass... why did he suddenly turn into Michael? That was clearly Cass’s body! That was clearly Cass’s body!

Michael looked at me and did not speak.

"What did you do to him!" My voice was as sharp as a ghost's.

Was it truly as Samael said—that Cass’s body was merely a vessel in his eyes? Then... what about Cass’s soul?

"How dare you be so insolent toward Lord Michael!" An ancient voice filled with infinite rage rang out. A white-robed elder stood up, pointing his scepter at me. "You monster, how dare you be so disrespectful to Lord Michael!"

"What did you do to him!" With blood-red eyes, I looked like a demon crawled out from hell.

"Hmph! To be able to offer one's body to Lord Michael is a supreme honor!" the white-robed elder said, his face full of pride.

I wished I could punch his nose out of place.

"As a member of the clergy, that child could not resist temptation and repeatedly shielded a monster. Fifteen years ago, the Inquisition sensed your presence in the human realm as the reincarnation of Lilith, yet that child hid you by his side for fifteen years! When we found him five years ago, he was willing to offer his body to Lord Michael as atonement, to wash away the sins he had committed!"

The elder’s voice was somber and aged.

I let out a cackle, laughing louder and louder, more and more shrill.

Committed sins? What sins did he commit? The only "sin" he ever committed was being good to me...

Cass, my Cass...

I searched for him for so long, I waited for him for so long, and yet... the person I was waiting for already died five years ago?

I always thought I would see him again. I always thought he would come back. I always believed that even if he wasn't by my side, he was still living well somewhere.

And then... one day, we would meet.

But it turns out, on my fifteenth birthday, while I was eating that chocolate cake he left behind all by myself, my Cass had already been nailed to a cross.

What did that old man say? That Cass was willing to offer his body to Michael for atonement? Did he admit that being good to me was a sin?

I don't believe it! I don't believe it! My Cass... the Cass who was so gentle, the Cass who was so good to me! How could he ever consider being good to me a sin!

How could he ever be like that...

Every birthday since my fifteenth, I expected his return with such devout hope. Day and night, I prayed to God, praying for a miracle, praying for God’s mercy, praying for Cass to appear before me once more.

It turns out, the person I had been waiting for all along was someone who had already passed away!

And he, Michael, had actually occupied Cass’s body!

Unpardonable!

Did Michael take Cass’s body just to kill me?

The person I had been waiting for died as far back as five years ago!

"You hypocritical bastards! Always talking about benevolence and morality. You executioners—what right do you have to judge Cass’s life! Is this what you call the clergy? Is this what you call an Emissary of God?!" I laughed wildly and arrogantly, my eyes filled with an endless darkness. "Since it is like this, at this moment, I am beyond grateful that I am a monster!"

"Lilith, do you truly intend to become an enemy of the Heavens?" Michael finally spoke, his expression peaceful.