"Humans aren't necessarily that weak. What if they defeat the demons?"

I was a little unhappy to hear her speak so poorly of humans, so I couldn't help but speak up for them.

"It's very difficult! Even with the angel legions now joining them, it is still hard for them to gain an advantage," Elara shook her head, denying my viewpoint.

"Even if, as you say, humans eventually become strong enough to face demons alone without our help, that would mean their overall strength has surpassed that of angels. But by then, we'll be hiding in here, cut off from them. How is that situation any different from the demons occupying the entire Eldoria Continent?"

I had to admit, that Elara considered things very far ahead. Just think about it a little, and you can foresee this kind of outcome.

No matter which world I'm in, I firmly believe that human greed remains the same. When the time comes, humans will set their sights on Edenmere.

"So you suspect the traitor is someone from the conservative faction? They even let the nightmares in?"

Nicola was silent for a while, then suddenly spoke up, seemingly still unable to believe that there would be traitors.

"Could it be a mistake? Aren't angels and demons mortal enemies? Even if you want to isolate yourselves, there's no need to collude with the enemy, right?"

"The power in Edenmere is still in the hands of us reformist faction. The conservative faction has always been looking for opportunities to seize my title of Elara."

As the clan leader, Elara naturally understood the ins and outs very clearly, and it was unlikely she would get it wrong.

"And the occurrence of such a tragedy is just right to provoke feelings of fear towards the outside world among the public. Besides, the conservative faction has always been opposed to the use of the Angel Descent Formation..."

"Why? Isn't the Angel Descent Formation said to be the main way the angel population grows?"

Nicola simply could not understand. At the same time, I was also confused. They were complaining about the lack of population, yet they did not want to find ways to increase the population. Instead, they sabotaged population growth. What's wrong with these conservatives?

Could it be... A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

"Is it to control the population?"

I tentatively asked.

"That's right. After all, angels have a very long lifespan."

Elara nodded and admitted my guess.

"If the conservatives' plan can be implemented, the number of angels will hardly decrease again for thousands of years. Edenmere's total area is so small. The fewer the population, the more average resources each person can occupy. It's evident that the conservatives have been carefully preparing for this for a long time."

"Fuc...."

Nicola almost burst out swearing, but even if she did, Elara probably wouldn't understand anyway.

"If it was them, I definitely wouldn't let those traitors off!"

"Why are you always so impulsive..."

I rolled my eyes. We didn't even really know who the conservative angels were yet. Things weren't even clear and she was already threatening revenge. Isn't that just making Elara use her?

When I think back to Nicola's future calmness towards enemies, skilled scheming in combat, and logical thinking, the contrast is just so huge!

Could her future self be Liana possessing her? Maybe the twelve-winged Nicola we met isn't the original Nicola at all. Or as I guessed before, we're already long dead and Nicola is someone else entirely, only retaining Reilly's memories?

A sudden chill went through me at this thought. I couldn't help but glance again at the one in front of me who would just charge forward swinging her Condensation Sword wildly. I suddenly felt a little creeped out...

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"Why do you keep staring at me? Don't you want revenge anymore?"

Nicola looked completely confused.

"No...let's find out more clearly first!"

I shook my head. I didn't oppose revenge itself, but getting embroiled in the angels' factional struggle wasn't what I desired.

"In short, you two must be careful of Councilor Yvonne. Avoid her if you can. She is an important figure among the conservatives who has never looked kindly on newborn angels. Even I am wary of her. If you truly offend her, it will be hard for even me to save you."

This was Elara's final reminder to us. Hearing it made me feel even more wary.

Damn, yet another big shot that even Elara doesn't dare provoke! And we're supposed to oppose her? Why do we have such bad luck...

"Who's that Yvonne?"

Just after leaving the room, Nicola asked me in puzzlement, clearly not recognizing the name.

"That's what you get for not attending the welcome banquet!"

I glared at her resentfully, recalling having to face several legion commanders alone that night. What a headache that was!

"Anyway, she's a troublesome ten-winged angel with quite some influence. In short, stay away from her if you see her!"

"But I don't even know what she looks like..."

Nicola anxiously explained. Just then, she suddenly saw Cyra actually waiting in the hallway outside.

"What are you doing here?"

"How did it go for you? I heard a demon was discovered in Nicola's room. Nothing happened, right?"

Upon seeing us, Cyra immediately began asking questions.

"Of course nothing happened! It was a small matter. I drove away the demon in a few moves!"

Nicola bragged complacently.

"Is that so? Noma was right after all. It really isn't dead!"

Hearing that, Cyra immediately waved her arms excitedly, looking raring to have a go.

"That means there's still a chance!"

"Chance? What are you trying to do?!"

I thought she came to show concern for us and was touched. But it didn't seem to be what I imagined?

"To fight monsters of course! It's rare to have a chance to battle demons without going to the outside world. I definitely won't let this opportunity slip by easily!"

Cyra's reply left me utterly speechless. Why didn't the nightmares go disturb her! Let her also experience some nightmares and see if she still dares to jump around recklessly!

"Don't get cocky. I heard nightmares are the nemesis of many angels. A two-winged angel like you definitely can't withstand it."

According to what Elara said, although angels who fall into a nightmare's dream are generally hard to wake up from, if one accumulates enough light elements to reach a certain rank, as a demon it would simply be unable to get close. So only angels below eight wings could potentially become targets.

Nicola and I happened to be at this watershed line, while Cyra...one comes and one sleeps, one pair lying down per arrival.

"Don't worry! When Norma woke me up she already said, as long as I don't sleep, the nightmare can do nothing to me!"

Cyra spoke dismissively.

"So you haven't had any nightmares these few days?"

I felt very unhappy about this. Why did the nightmares only look for me and Nicola? She was also an angel who crossed over, yet could sleep so soundly without even reacting when there was such a huge commotion.

"Of course, this is all thanks to the Lord's protection!"

Came her very religious-like reply to my doubts.

Alright, I feel "The nightmares targeted us for our memories" makes more sense...

But if it really was the work of the conservatives, with Edenmere now in a big stir, wouldn't it startle the snake in the grass?

With the traitor's cover, it's very likely the nightmares won't dare come out again for a while. This makes it impossible to sleep at ease!

But the daily lessons still had to go on. Today's class was indoors again.

"I heard Nicola encountered a nightmare? The whole city has been buzzing about it today."

As soon as Aetina walked into the classroom, she came up to ask us right away.

"It's fine. It's just a pity it got away! Looks like Nicola's sword couldn't hit that demon."

I nodded. I didn't expect news to spread so quickly. I could only explain it again. Angels asking us along the way were endless.

"Of course! Nightmares have no physical form. Physical attacks basically have no effect at all. This is when magic must be used!"

Aetina looked around at everyone present, still not seeing Nicola. She couldn't help but rubbed at her head in frustration. After all, today's class was still magic...

"It really is a headache. Even if she only knew one Light Blast spell, it shouldn't have led to this result..."

"Don't worry, just leave it to me next time! Since we can't sleep these few days anyway, as long as that nightmare dares to appear, I'll make sure it can't walk away properly!"

Cyra was boasting recklessly again.

"Have you forgotten what I taught you before? Never let down your guard!" Aetina scolded upon hearing that.

"Besides, with your current ability, you're not the nightmare's match even when awake! Although a nightmare's normal strength is very poor, it has at least a level close to rank 5. The might of your Light Bullets simply cannot completely destroy it!"

"That powerful?"

Hearing about rank 5, I immediately felt uneasy. Would even I be in danger then? And I've never seen Nicola use magic either. If she left that Condensation Sword, would she have problems too?

"Don't worry, there certainly are risks if the nightmare gets close. But we angels aren't to be trifled with either. As long as it dares to approach while we're awake, any low-level light-type spell can make it unable to walk away properly."

Aetina reassured me.

"So in the second lesson this afternoon, let's specially practice these magics!"

"What kind of dangers are there from getting close?" Cyra suddenly raised her hand to ask.

"Could it also have a sleep-inducing effect that forces sleep?"

"Where did you get that idea? Of course that's not the reason. Have you forgotten what I just reminded you of yesterday?"

Aetina sighed and shook her head in denial.

"As a demon, the nightmare is naturally composed of pure dark elements. Although it lacks physical form, and its dark elements isn't as high as vampires and other demons, its effect on an angel's body is still no less than any dark element attack. So you absolutely can't let it make contact with your body!"