"We're here, right above you."

I had been worriedly staring at the ground the whole way here. It wasn't until the chief suddenly turned around and told us that I looked up.

"Ah!"

The moment I raised my head, I came face-to-face with a pair of eyes.

"You can't be serious, it's so close?"

I was shocked by this sight and took a few steps back before realizing it was Cyra. She was hanging upside down from a tree branch just like I had been.

"Hi..."

Cyra waved at me silly, barely managing a smile. She helplessly called out:

"You're finally here, hurry and get me down!"

"Are you okay?"

How could she be so lucky? To fall right into the Light Elf village we had been to before. No matter how I thought about it, the chances seemed too low!

I looked over Cyra's body. Strangely, she was completely unharmed. Not only were there no burns, but even her clothes were undamaged without a single scorch mark...

"Wait! Those aren't the clothes you were wearing before?"

I suddenly realized something was off. Before Cyra threw the nuclear bomb, she had been wearing the standard angel dress. But now she was dressed in normal resident clothing from this Light Elf village.

Did the Light Elves help change her? But her whole body except her head was wrapped up in branches. If they could dress her, why didn't they just rescue her down first?

"This angel lady's circumstances are quite special. It's not her first time hanging in a tree..."

A young female Light Elf quickly explained:

"The first time we found her, she was in a tree on a nearby hill. Back then, she was completely naked with burns all over. But after we brought her back and treated her, she impatiently wanted to leave again, not heeding our advice. She tried to secretly escape but had barely flown up before crashing into the top of a home tree.

"Because she was stuck so high up this time, we hadn't figured out how to rescue her yet when you and Lady Elara arrived..."

"I didn't have a choice!"

Upon hearing this, Cyra also spoke up:

"How was I supposed to know the 'Heal' spell doesn't fully cure an angel's wings? It only healed my body. To find you sooner, I tried flying with injury, and... and you see the result..."

So there were some processes in between, not as simple as I imagined.

"Your wings were injured yet you still dared to scurry around? Aren't you afraid of pain?"

I recalled how it had felt when my wings were hurt. I couldn't even stand steadily. Yet Cyra looked completely fine?!

"That's because we used the light spell 'Sedation' during treatment earlier to numb the pain, but it didn't have any therapeutic effect to heal the wounds..."

The young female Light Elf cut in to explain, clearly also finding Cyra quite troublesome.

"But Lady Cyra thought she was fine as long as she didn't feel pain. She disregarded our advice and forcibly tried to fly up, worsening her injuries."

"An angel's wings don't have the same defensive power as their body due to their uniqueness. Even the 'Heal' spell developed for angels has little effect on them. To completely cure wings, water-type healing magic is needed. Otherwise, they can only slowly heal on their own."

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Elara sighed and stated the reasons. She then told us:

"Don't leave her hanging up there anymore, it's embarrassing!"

"But we tried many methods already. It's difficult to reach the ends of the branches here..."

The young Light Elf had just started explaining when Elara flew up without another word. She drew her sword and cleanly cut through all the branches wrapping Cyra's body. The whole process was neat and decisive. Even the clothes Cyra was wearing remained undamaged.

This swordsmanship... was simply amazing!

Because Michelle had been so powerful earlier, Elara was completely suppressed in their fight, unable to display anything impressive. Only now did I truly witness her superb skill with the sword.

"This may be difficult for Light Elves, but it's extremely easy for angels."

Carrying Cyra in one hand, Elara descended and handed her over to some waiting Light Elves. She then put on the clothes they had just prepared.

Come to think of it, up until now she had still been using her wings to cover herself like I did. After all, there were male Light Elves here too. But out of respect for her status, no one dared mention it. So I only just noticed now.

"You two don't need to hurry, just rest here for a bit before coming over slowly. I have to go on ahead first."

After speaking, Elara immediately flew up again. She gave the Elf Chief some instructions about treatment before hurriedly leaving in the direction of the city.

"Well..."

I watched as Elara gradually flew away, and put on some clothing as well. Looking back, I saw Cyra being reverently carried down by the Light Elves and couldn't help but swallow.

"Or, after they've treated your wings, it's better if I bring you back quickly. I'm worried about the situation in the city."

In a tree house, Cyra lay stomach-down on a bed and spoke to me with difficulty. She was surrounded by female Light Elves, two of whom were holding a wing each. The rest were busy preparing medical supplies.

"Lady Cyra, I'm afraid half of your right-wing can't be saved. We can't keep using light magic to stabilize your injury forever... And the effects of the previous 'Sedation' spell should be wearing off soon..."

After examining the wound, the Elf Chief beside the bed shook his head and said.

"To prevent secondary infections from the open wound, although infections shouldn't be too serious for your angelic physique, I still recommend amputating it first..."

"What! That can't be, argh—!"

Upon hearing this, Cyra could no longer stay lying down. She tried to prop herself up but pulled at her wound again, shuddering in pain.

"Then won't she never be able to fly again?"

I also felt extremely reluctant. Cyra only had two wings to begin with. Losing half of the right one would surely ground her.

But come to think of it, her wing injuries this time were also too severe. Unlike Elara whose feathers were just charred, more than just feathers were gone from Cyra's wings. It could be described as... that's right! "Angel wing tips - barbecue style!"

What great smelling barbecue!

Speaking of which, I once again caught a whiff of that tantalizing aroma permeating the room. Staring at those golden brown, glistening crispy wing tips, I couldn't help swallowing again.

"We haven't eaten in so long, the fire looks just right for cooking... The smell is appetizing too..."

"Feliciana! I treat you like a brother yet you want to eat me... Ow!"

Upon hearing this, Cyra nearly exploded in rage but ended up writhing in pain on the bed again.

"Too far! I can barely fly anymore yet some still have their eyes on my wings for a snack, wah..."

"There will be plenty of chances to fully heal in the future."

Seeing her miserable state sprawled on the bed, the Elf Chief gave a wry smile and explained:

"The most direct method is to go to the outside world and find Sage Council to use water-type healing magic. The wings would quickly recover."

"Are there any other ways?"

It was clear this Elf Chief, though not an angel herself, knew a lot about them. No wonder Elara trusted her with Cyra.

"Of course!"

As expected, he nodded and directly answered:

"And that is ascension! Once ascended to four wings, the new wings can let the severed ones regrow to normal."

"I see, ascension huh..."

Cyra had naturally heard our conversation too. Judging from her expression, she seemed much more at ease and no longer so strongly opposed.

Indeed, although ascension didn't seem possible for her anytime soon, compared to human amputation, it was infinitely better with ample chances to recover.

"Just accept your fate obediently! You can't fly now anyway, and leaving it could even endanger your life!"

Seeing this, I hurriedly persuaded her further. Come to think of it, I suddenly felt a bit fortunate that I had withdrawn my wings during the nuclear blast. Although hiding wings may weaken the body's defensive capabilities somewhat, it was infinitely better than lying in bed getting them amputated like this.

Moreover, from Cyra's condition, she would probably have to go around with half-severed wings for a very long time, maybe even unable to hide them.

Wait! Isn't that the legendary fallen angel...

"Pfft—"

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at!"

Cyra was in a terrible mood right now. Seeing my expression made her even more furious.

"It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something funny!"

I quickly corrected my attitude, worried she thought I was gloating. I then urged the Elf Chief:

"Hurry and begin!"

"First let the angel sleep to reduce the pain."

The Elf Chief nodded and signalled to one of her subordinates. Under the effects of a sleep spell, Cyra soon lost consciousness.

What a convenient anesthetic method! I couldn't help but marvel at it and left the room to not disturb their operation.

Only now was I free to properly observe the village.