Chapter 206: The Announcement
Two months after becoming a Loyal Wing, and five months after Rainier was brought to Heaven, every single one of House Eros’ prospective Executioners was summoned to the Flight Wing.
The fact that it happened in the morning was a bit of a relief, though experience traversing the manor grounds had taught Rainier that day drinking was a common pastime for the more leisurely angels. Since they had the day off after the rally, he wondered if he should use his privilege to finally explore more of Araqlun.
As the Prime squad leader, Cassiel was tasked with rallying everyone, which she did with uncharacteristic seriousness. In fact, she’d been uncharacteristically serious ever since being raised to Prime, to the point where her efforts at flirting with Rain had been nearly halved.
He didn’t miss it, and the new, more serious Cassiel had earned Rain’s respect with every combat, both against monsters supplied by Iriel and other squads.
Now, Rain stood behind her as she introduced the guest they had gathered for, an angel who was tall and skinny, orange-haired with similarly colored wings, her feathers detailed meticulously with bleached tips.
"Thank you, young Cassiel," the woman smiled politely as she lifted her tablet, a spell for amplification magnifying her voice. "Greetings, prospects. I am Vanael Honoris, Fifth Wing of the Executioners. Today I am pleased to announce that House Eros has proven worthy of being placed Fourth amongst the Seven Choirs, for the upcoming trials."
A polite round of murmurs and applause followed, and Vanael waited for it to quiet down before continuing. "Now, I’m sure you’re all excited to learn how future Executioners will be selected from this cadre. To answer that curiosity, we have this special message from our noble leader, Vinam Victoriam himself."
Stepping back, she pressed a few buttons on her tablet, and the stadium’s projectors resolved a larger-than-life illusion of the angel himself.
To Rainier, Vinam very much seemed to resemble Kir, but mostly because of the red hair and wings. Where Kir’s face tended towards soft angles and a warm demeanor, Vinam’s was all hard edges and a smile that was more akin to a dragon about to devour its prey. His voice was a firm tenor as he spoke.