My Beast Is the 12-Winged Angel Chapter 463 - 464: A King’s Responsibility

Elsewhere.

High above the fortifications of the Angel Holy City, the golden barrier was riddled with more than a hundred fractures.

The cracks expanded relentlessly with every impact of Demonic Qi against the shield.

Upon the city walls, the angel warriors gripped their weapons so fiercely that their knuckles turned white, their wings shuddering slightly.

This was not a sign of cowardice, but rather the sheer exhaustion born of unceasing combat.

The Demon Race had launched a merciless assault this time, denying them even a moment’s respite.

They had already been locked in battle for a full day and night!

Lanny stood at the pinnacle of the primary wall, her palms resting against the frigid white stone of the balustrade.

A cold breeze tossed the golden locks at her temples, highlighting her pale features.

She could hear the heavy, labored breathing of the warriors behind her and sense the collective gaze of the million souls residing within the Holy City.

"Your Majesty."

A Totem Tier Eight angel approached Lanny.

Weariness was etched deep into this angel’s face.

This conflict was not merely a grueling ordeal for the lower-ranked soldiers; the mental and physical strain on the high-ranking angels was even more severe.

"Your Majesty, the barrier can sustain itself for five more hours at most! I propose... that we initiate the final plan."

The "final plan" represented the most heartless tactic in the long history of the Angel Race.

It involved surrendering all outer city defenses to consolidate every ounce of power within the inner city's core.

They would stake everything on the Holy City’s ultimate barrier for a desperate last stand.

To do so meant sacrificing over two-thirds of the city, leaving behind civilians who couldn't be evacuated in time, and abandoning everything else.

Lanny’s nails bit into the flesh of her palms.

The idea of discarding the lives of her people was something she found utterly intolerable.

Consequently, this path had never been a part of her strategy.

Either they would survive as one, or...

They would all perish together!

She turned her head, gazing toward the southeastern horizon.

"What is the status of Lord Liu Ye?"

In that direction, a tempest of gold and black energy had swallowed half the sky.

Even from this distance, the spatial tremors generated by the clash of those powerful beings were palpable.

"Lord Liu Ye is currently engaged in a solitary battle against three Totem Tier Nine demon elites."

"However, based on the fluctuations we sense, Lord Liu Ye’s situation is extremely dire."

"Furthermore, the circumstances of the other four Great Angels... are hardly better than Lord Liu Ye’s!"

Lanny closed her eyes in exhaustion upon hearing the report.

Thus far, there had been no positive developments.

The state of the battlefield was growing more catastrophic by the moment.

If the situation did not change,

The entire Angel Realm would fall before long.

Just then, the reporting angel spoke once more:

"Your Majesty!"

"There is further bad news!"

Lanny’s eyes snapped open at those words.

"Speak!"

"The scouts have returned with reports that the Demon Race is attempting to manifest another Void passage just outside the Holy City..."

A heavy silence immediately blanketed the area.

A Void passage.

Everyone present was well aware of the implications.

Such a passage signified the arrival of yet another Totem Tier Nine powerhouse.

The five Totem Tier Nine elites already present were nearly more than the Angel Race could endure.

If another were to emerge...

Suppressing her turmoil, Lanny forced herself to ask:

"How much time until the passage is stabilized?"

"At the current rate... forty minutes."

The angel hung his head.

"Our strike team attempted to sabotage it, but... they were completely annihilated."

Yet another disaster.

Lanny felt a familiar, sharp ache in her chest.

She took deep, deliberate breaths, her mind racing to evaluate every potential outcome.

That Void passage had to be neutralized.

With five Totem Tier Nine demons already pushing them to the brink, another would be the end.

Lanny’s gaze hardened with resolve; she had reached a conclusion.

"Gather every warrior of the four-wing rank and above who is still capable of combat."

She turned around, her posture firm and unwavering.

"Form a sacrifice squad. I will lead them myself."

"Your Majesty, you cannot!"

Almost every angel present cried out in protest.

"I am the sovereign of the Angel Race."

Lanny cut them off, her voice quiet but carrying absolute authority.

"If I remain in safety, how can I expect my warriors to march toward their deaths?"

"Your Majesty!"

The Totem Tier Eight angel’s voice shook with desperation.

Taking two steps forward, his pale face was twisted in a plea:

"I beg you to reconsider! You are the very icon and hope of the Angel Race; if you take such a gamble and fall... the morale of the Holy City will be shattered beyond repair!"

Lanny did not turn back, answering softly:

"You speak the truth; I am a symbol! But a symbol is meant for more than just being worshipped from afar!"

She turned slowly to face the commanders on the wall, her gaze seemingly meeting the eyes of every citizen watching from within the city.

"A symbol must be the first to stand tall when the darkness is at its deepest."

"But, Your Majesty!"

An injured six-winged War Angel could not help but interject:

"That passage is surely under heavy guard! The reconnaissance team was already wiped out. If we go, it will only be..."

"A suicide mission?"

Lanny finished his sentence, her tone eerily composed.

"I am aware. We all are."

"However, there are duties that must be fulfilled, even if they lead to one's end."

Lanny looked toward the distant point where the Demonic Qi was swirling into a vortex.

"If that structure is completed, it won't just mean facing one more foe."

"It will serve as a bridgehead for the Demon Race to funnel in endless reinforcements—the final weight that collapses our defense."

"At that point, we won't just lose the lives of a few brave soldiers; we will lose the Holy City itself and the final hope of the Angel Realm."

She paused, making sure her words resonated with everyone:

"Thus, this isn't merely a march to death! It is using our remaining strength to buy a glimmer of hope for the many."

The logic was sound, yet the thought of their monarch walking into such peril caused the high-tier angels great pain.

Through her actions during this crisis,

Lanny had truly become the undisputed ruler in the hearts of all her people!

To watch their sovereign walk toward her demise...

"Then... please permit me to go in Your Majesty's stead!"

An angel dropped to one knee. "I swear a blood oath that I shall not return unless that passage is destroyed!"

"And me!"

"I will go as well!"

Several high-ranking officers knelt, volunteering for the mission.

Lanny looked at them, a flicker of warmth in her eyes.

But she shook her head.

"Each of you has a vital role to play."

"You must stay on these walls, manage the defense, and protect our people while I am gone."

"Every one of you has a duty, and this specific task falls to me!"

"Furthermore, as the monarch of the Angel Race, I can harness a portion of this world’s power. Only I possess the means to truly erase that Void passage!"

"Therefore, the matter is settled! I will hear no more arguments!"

...

...