Ascension of the Nephilim

The lonely walk of Mechiel set the tone that those who planned to attack the family were all silenced.

The eyes of everyone were glued, and many even began to have trouble breathing.

It was so breathtaking, and many even dropped whatever they held in their hand.

Branze and Diana made their march following the same somber appearance of Mechiel.

Scarlet watched inside the carriage and waited. She knew her moment could not come with Mechiel still in the lead. She had to gain support and could not help but think about what she could do.

"I'm such a child...! That Mechiel is too strong!" Scarlet cursed. She realized that Mechiel's power was stronger, and she was also overpowered and tricked by coming out second! The power of Charm could draw and make impressions. But when two Charm powers are vying for supremacy, what would happen?

What Scarlet believed was that the first power of Charm would be able to take root in the hearts of those who see it first!

Charm's power was a flower, after all. If this power takes root in the heart of someone, it would be difficult to replace or plant another rose in it.

In the garden of the heart, only one flower would blossom and grow strong. Other flowers could take root, but they would just be secondary treasures that would even be thrown away if necessary.

Even if Mechiel's strategy was superior, Scarlet believed she would still gather the hearts of most of her enemies.

Scarlet didn't leave even when Mechiel was out of view and when Diana and Branze were halfway towards the palace entrance.

"Mechiel uses pain and despair to present herself as a damsel in distress. This adds numerous layers of desire to save her! She's using the innate desire of a man to be the hero! To be the knight that rescues the princess! I can't follow in her footsteps as she has already overpowered that spot. And using lust will be useless since many Cardinals are watching... Mechiel chose a dark dress to present her doomed and sad life... Then I must do the opposite! I won't be a second option. I'll be a whole new alternative!"

Scarlet's power began to surge out as her vampiric blood spread on her gown.

"Zelah. You were jealous of the Charmed Fallen. But you can never beat her by becoming her! Do not follow the same mistake again! Right now, Mechiel is tempting me to take the same steps as she did! But we can't do that! We must not become her! We must still be ourselves! We cannot win if we try to be Mechiel! We have to be Scarlet!" Scarlet made a wish, and the power of Zelah began to tremble.

"[Skotos Eis Vos]!"

From the darkness of Scarlet's bloodline shone a bright light.

The gown transformed into a pure white.

Scarlet did not wear a sullen face or a pained expression. Instead, she chose purity. The white color that would shine and the innocence that revealed vulnerability.

"Mechiel can be the woman that everyone wants to save! I'll be the woman that everyone wants to protect!"

Scarlet took a step out, and her power radiated out.

There was a shining light that glowed as the sunlight of the land reflected itself. The light was shinier than the white walls that made up Ever Day.

"Hm?"

"What's that?"

"Someone else is in that carriage?"

Scarlet stood on the grand red carpet leading inside. She looked afraid and fearful.

"Ki-kind sir... It is my first time in this place... Was it my time to move out and walk? My two lords told me to wait and come out when they were quite a distance..." Scarlet asked the Cardinal closest to the area.

The Cardinal watched, and his breath was taken at the beauty before her.

"Gracious Princess, do not doubt your deeds. We will all welcome you and not find fault over the mere mistake of stepping out. True innocence should only be met with grace. Go. Your lords await you!" The Cardinal answered warmly.

Scarlet smiled with delight as she regained her confidence and held her head up.

"Tha-Thank you, kind sir! May I know this lord's name?" Scarlet asked.

The Cardinal took a deep breath and approached. He revealed such grace in bowing before the lady.

"Cardinal Reverend Van Gormedom. At your service, young princess."

"Ah! A cardinal reverend?! Forgive my presumption in calling your great name with such-"

"Relax, my princess. I would dare not take insult at such innocent and harmless words. Be on your way. I would have loved to ask for your name, but the laws of the land that summoned you have invoked you to present yourself inside the royal palace."

"I... thank you, Cardinal Reverend."

"Cardinal Reverend? Call me Van. Now go, dear princess. And if trouble finds you later, just call on my name, and I will be there to dispel your troubles." Van gave Scarlet a message talisman.

"Th-this?! I am but a mere handmaiden and cannot accept-"

"It is my gift to give. Please do not break my heart by rejecting this gift."

"...Then I shall gladly accept! A thousand thanks, Cardinal Rev- I, I mean, Cardinal Van! I shall make haste now! Thank you!" Scarlet accepted the message talisman and bowed. And then she dashed Branze and Diana!

She had a very happy and innocent face, and her fears earlier were removed.

Many saw that smile and could never forget it.

The desire for Charm was written deep into the hearts of many.

They all had the same thought.

"I must protect that smile!"

"Pr-Princess! Don't run! Just make a march!" Van called out again as he was shocked at the sudden sprint.

It was as if Scarlet was electrocuted, and she nearly stumbled due to her heels.

She turned around and began to bow and panic as she apologized to everyone, saying sentence after sentence explaining that she was just trying to catch up and was saying sorry to each and everyone nearby.

"Princess." A man suddenly appeared before Scarlet.

The man wore bright armor. He was a Cardinal Paladin of the Kingdom.

"It is not your fault. Error on their first attempt is often forgiven. And the innocent that falls for it again is not to be blamed. If you find our ways to difficult, then allow me to escort you." The Paladin smiled.

Many Cardinals and Commanders were all secretly murdering the Paladin in their mind.

Even Cardinal Reverend Van frowned and got annoyed at the gallant entry of the Paladin.

"Tha-thank you...!" Scarlet had a look of awe towards the Paladin.

The Paladin's heart began to beat fast as he saw Scarlet's amazed and almost attracted eyes.

The Paladin began to sing praises to himself in his head.

"Damn good! You did damn good, Reneth Paraveux! Don't mess it up! That other beauty will have all the big shots chasing after her! But don't let this one slip!" Reneth said to himself.

"My lady, allow me to escort you." The prince offered his hand, and Scarlet held on to it.

The two began to walk the red carpet and began chatting.

Many people became envious of the Paladin.

"May I know... what the name of this kind sir is?" Scarlet asked.

"My dear princess, please do not be alarmed. For I do not hold rank as important to me." The Paladin spoke firmly.

Many rolled their eyes as this Paladin would throw a tantrum if people called him by a different rank or title!

"I am Cardinal Paladin Reneth Paraveux."

"Oh! Another Cardinal! Forgive this innocent one. We don't have Cardinals where I am from. I thank Sir Para... er... Paravoh?"

"Paraveux... It's much more difficult to spell than to pronounce, my dear princess. But please, I do not take such petty things in mind. Call me Reneth." The Paladin smiled.

Other Cardinals wanted to smash Reneth Paraveux, who would often correct them and make the 'uh' sound at the end of his surname.

With Reneth in hand, Scarlet began to walk and was full of smiles as she glanced around the look and gave humble bows to any who met her eyes.

At the very front, Scarlet could sense some of her power being siphoned away.

"Impressive and smart. As expected of Scarlet, the new avatar of Zelah. She is starting to grow stronger... So this was your plan, Kyros? You even thought of a way to force us to work together..." Mechiel smiled and finally entered the throne room.