“I’ve been thinking it over. Why exactly did they summon humans from another world…?”
Before Eldora could even finish asking, Thanatos spoke up.
“As you know, I’ve been asleep for a long time, so I don’t know all the details about the angels’ affairs. But a human named Ian has been telling me quite a bit about the continent’s history.”
“Ian…?”
“Yes. Thanks to him, I was able to make a fairly plausible guess.”
“Is that guess related to the so-called Zero Code you just mentioned?”
“That’s right.”
“What exactly is it?”
Eldora asked, clearly confused.
“If I were to explain its origin story, it would take several sleepless nights,” Thanatos said in his still-beautiful but monotone voice.
“Simply put, it’s an object containing an all-powerful force… but in the current situation, it can be described like this: For the angels, it’s something they absolutely must protect. For their enemies, it’s something they desperately need.”
All-powerful, absolutely must protect, desperately needed… The detailed explanation continued, but Eldora’s doubts only deepened. It felt like trying to find a way out, only to wander deeper into an endless maze.
But if she was going to give up now, she wouldn’t have even started. She wasn’t about to just let things slide smoothly like before. Eldora sharpened her focus.
“I don’t understand. Why must the angels protect this Zero Code, and why do their enemies need it so badly?”
“It’s simple. I said the Zero Code contains an all-powerful force, right?”
Thanatos nodded calmly and continued.
“If we break down the word ‘all-powerful,’ the Zero Code also functions as a kind of key.”
“A key?”
“Yes. A key. Eldora, don’t you have a home to return to?”
“…Yes.”
Eldora responded belatedly, almost without realizing it. For some reason, the phrase ‘home to return to’ struck a chord deep in her heart.
“Every being has a home. That applies to me and the angels as well. It exists not in this whole plane, but in a much higher dimension. For angels, you could call it the Celestial Realm, in human terms.”
Thanatos’s tone remained calm and patient, like a teacher explaining to a clueless student.
“And the Zero Code acts as a key specifically for this Celestial Realm. It allows the enemy to invade, in other words, it’s the key that can unlock the lock protecting the Celestial Realm.”
At that moment, he suddenly fixed his gaze on Eldora, as if ready to deliver the conclusion.
No, the main point had already been made.
“For the angels, it’s a device that protects their home at all costs. But for the opposing forces, it’s the key they must obtain to access the Celestial Realm. This is the current status of the Zero Code—the very center of the whole plane’s power struggle. Do you understand now?”
Eldora’s expression was one of confusion—not because she didn’t understand, but because her previously foggy thoughts were starting to clear. Thanatos gave a slight, almost dismissive chuckle at her incredulous gaze.
“So…”
Her voice trembled ever so slightly.
“That incredible object actually exists here, in this whole plane.”
“…So we’re standing right in the middle of the ongoing battle between angels and their enemies? Because of this Zero Code?”
Her words faltered and resumed repeatedly. Thanatos nodded quietly, watching her reaction with a look of sympathy. Eldora didn’t realize it herself, but her eyelids twitched, and her fists clenched so tightly on her thighs that her nails dug into her skin. The puzzle pieces swirling in her mind suddenly snapped into place, and her heart began to burn.
Suddenly, memories from six years ago flashed randomly through her mind.
Waking up to find herself sprawled in a strange place.
Begging to be sent back, only to be forcibly thrown into a trial.
The horrific murder of a friend who had been summoned alongside her, still a lingering trauma.
Most of all, the cold, experimental gaze of the angel who watched her desperate cries as if she were a lab rat.
A fierce anger stirred deep within her chest.
“Why?”
The question, obvious yet deliberate, finally escaped her lips.
“I don’t understand that either.”
Thanatos took the cue and spoke as if he had been waiting.
“If it were residents of this world, I might understand. But why drag in complete strangers with no connection…?”
“Well, I’m not sure. This is just speculation, but I think the angels might be at an extreme disadvantage.”
Thanatos’s explanation was straightforward. The whole plane contains the Zero Code, an object coveted by the enemy. The angels summoned humans to protect the Zero Code—and by extension, their home, the Celestial Realm. In other words, the summoned humans are acting as proxies, fighting indirectly on the angels’ behalf.
Having grasped this much, Eldora suddenly took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Repeating this several times, the lava-like turmoil inside her gradually cooled.
‘The only ones we can trust are us humans.’
Melinus’s advice, just before she exploded, brought a thread of reason back to her.
‘Right. Nothing is certain yet.’
She had gotten the information she wanted. Now it was time to hear the angels’ side. The judgment would come afterward—and that judgment would be made by humans.
With that thought, Eldora suddenly wore a reluctant expression. Thanatos, who had turned his head, was staring blankly at the door. Just then, a soft knock sounded, and the door opened.
“Sorry to interrupt your conversation. A messenger for the Clan Lord.”
The man outside bowed politely before getting straight to the point.
“The angels are calling.”
The brilliant blue palace was bathed in the twilight glow, then darkness fully settled. The nearby lights flickered out like candles being snuffed, and blue moonlight spilled onto the windowsill. Was he admiring the night view? Thanatos lay alone on the bed, glancing at the moon outside.
How much time had passed? After staring like a corpse for a while, Thanatos suddenly curled the corner of his mouth.
“Why…?”
It was a clear sneer.
But the mocking smile quickly faded.
Today’s meeting with Eldora had been fruitful. He had firmly planted the seeds of distrust toward the angels. He had spoken the plain truth, so there was nothing to hide.
But it was not over yet. The plan was progressing better than expected, but they had only taken the first step. Planting the seeds was far from enough. Water and nutrients were no problem. The real challenge was waiting for the seeds to sprout, grow, and bear fruit.
The situation was still a dilemma. Just Eldora’s summons made him uneasy, and trying to patiently carry out the plan while waiting for results was nearly impossible.
Of course, it could be done if necessary. But the risk was too great. Unlike the Western Continent, where they could completely infiltrate and control things as they wished, that was no longer an option. Even if imperfect, they had to strike fast and hard. The inevitable chaos had to be accepted.
“If we slip up even slightly…”
Everything would be lost.
In the end, time was the greatest obstacle.
With a deep sigh, Thanatos suddenly spoke quietly.
“Melinus.”
“Thanatos.”
A low voice answered from the dark corner of the room.
“Sorry. I hesitated to speak because you seemed deep in thought.”
“What about Eldora?”
“Oh, nothing serious. It seems to be just a routine check-in and summons. …However.”
“However?”
“She mentioned Ian and me.”
“What?”
Thanatos’s eyes narrowed sharply. Sensing the change in tone, Melinus hurried to explain.
“It’s nothing major. Several other humans were mentioned besides us. I think they’re trying to communicate through Eldora because others haven’t responded to summons lately.”
“…I see.”
Thanatos said slowly, turning to face Melinus.
“Anyway, good timing. I was just thinking of changing the schedule.”
“Excuse me?”
“We need to bring the third plan forward.”
“The third plan? You mean the Eastern Continent’s…?”
Melinus stopped mid-sentence as Satan suddenly sent a signal. Despite the late hour, footsteps quietly approached down the corridor. Someone was coming.
The footsteps stopped right outside the door. After lingering nearby for a while, they quietly retreated the way they came.
About ten minutes after the footsteps vanished completely,
“Melinus. Tell Ian and Olivia.”
Thanatos’s voice dropped even lower from the shadows.
“We’re starting… on D-Day.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
After careful consideration, I’ve decided to conclude Episode 6 with this chapter.
Originally, there were two more scenes planned.
But after organizing my notes over the past day, I realized one could be trimmed and included in Episode 5, and the other could be inserted into a later episode.
So, Episode 6 ends here.
Starting next time, we’ll return to the Southern Continent and the demons’ perspective for the final part of Episode 5.
The story will return to the protagonist’s perspective starting from Episode 4.
Wishing all the readers a wonderful day!