SACRIFICIAL WITCH // 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭

[CH 42] Home

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬʸᴵᴺᴳ : "Ma Meilleure Ennemie ft. Coldplay"
ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ : ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▯▯

Pearlescent whites of the halls made her eyes ache with their brightness. Each step she took towards the end of the hall echoed like a dull metronome. Once she reached the doors she held back the urge to shove them open and break them off their hinges with the strength that her annoyance fueled her with. Had she known that leaving the damn archangel behind in Hell would cause her a headache amount of trouble, she would've dragged him back by the ear.

Now, she stood before the council, with her lips pursed together to prevent a frown from forming on her usual stoic features.

Rosaria was held accountable for the failed mission to retrieve (Y/n) from the clutches of Hell, for the loss of not one—but two angels, and for failing to bring back Barbatos regardless of his state of mind. In other words, they were blaming her for letting Barbatos slip from Celestia's controlling grasp. Had she brought him back, they would've been able to salvage their crumbling link from his indoctrination. However, as she felt the gaze of the so-called 'angelic' haven, she knew that she couldn't blame him for deserting. She wouldn't have hesitated either if an opportunity to be free was dangled right before her.

She couldn't find it within herself to hate him for it. He was smart, she'll give him that. Behind that sweet smile and cryptic gaze was a soul who held countless secrets and knowledge—but hid it behind a facade of foolishness. He found a way out, and he used her as a scapegoat.

"Is it true...? That guardian angel Kuki Shinobu is no longer with us?" A face of the council questioned.

Rosaria's dull red eyes slowly raised to meet purple ones. "It is." In that moment, she wondered if it was worth the trouble doing her duties. What purpose was there to waste time going after a witch who wanted nothing to do with Celestia? How many useless missions would come from sending angels into Hell and possibly starting a war? How many angels will be sent to do deeds they wish not to? Kuki Shinobu was one of many angels who were as righteous and kind as an angel should be, who'd rather fall and lose their grace than do something distasteful—disgraceful.

"How saddening... Shinobu was a lovely angel." Baal's thoughts were cut off by another voice.

"Unfortunately, she had willingly gone against protocol. Had she not done that then Barbatos wouldn't have retaliated." Focalors' brows scrunched. "It is a shame, but we cannot turn a blind eye to those who break rules just because they are kind."

Red eyes narrowed a bit. Hypocrisy at its finest when it came to these angels. "Barbatos isn't some bringer of justice, especially when he cannot control himself due to the influence of Celestia prodding into his brain just to keep him under their control," Rosaria scoffed. "Barbatos was unstable during his time in Hell, he had turned against us. It was either I die along side Shinobu to keep him contained, or live to inform you that he is a shell of his former self. He killed Shinobu. That is plenty of reason why I thought appropriate to leave him in Hell, because as he is now, that is where he belongs. Barbatos is no longer a useful tool for the Heavenly Principles." Her words came out before she could think them through, but it was already too late.

She had chosen a side.

She covered for him by telling them that Barbatos had supposedly 'snapped' out of nowhere. It was believable, it was possible that his name's power had weakened over time due to corrosion, causing him to end up in a state that allowed him to weaken his bond with Celestia and take over his body within a split second. However, she wasn't sure what really happened. She didn't know why he'd drawn his bow during that state of control; (Y/n) had to be brought back in good condition and Shinobu didn't pose as a serious threat.