A young angelic child walks in the middle of the darkness, a little disoriented she walks towards a small light coming out of a door’s crack.

Inside the room, there was an adult angel couple talking.

The man says

-So, any news?

The woman answers while putting her hand over her belly.

-No, she said that…

The woman suddenly turns quiet.

The man has a sudden burst of anger

-Why did it had to be a girl?!

The woman

-Calm down dear, she can still marry a nobleman.

The man

-Still, who will inherit my title as a knight of salvation? What guarantees her husband will be eligible for the title?

The woman

-We will, we will not allow her to marry just anyone.

The child accidentally moves the door a little.

The two then notice her.

The man speaks surprised

-Apis? Were you listening to the conversation?

The woman approaches Apis and speaks calmly.

-Come on, it's time for bed.

Apis

-No! Dad, you can trust me, I can do a good job and...

The man interrupts her.

-APIS! Go to bed.

The woman speaks while taking Apis from the room.

-Come on honey, this is an adult subject.

Being forcibly taken out of the room scared her, she didn’t dare to resist even more or say a word, the only thing she dared to do was take a glance back with tearful eyes.

It shows Basilius sitting on the throne, during a ceremony, surrounded by people.

Years later, an already grown-up Apis watches Basilius' coronation, as a priest places a crown on Basilius' head and soon after it hands him a gold-adorned scepter.

All the present angels yell.

-GLORY TO THE KING!

Some of them whisper.

-Now the long-awaited moment finally came...

-Yes, who will the new king name for the Knights of Salvation?

-The highest title of honor...

-Leo’s nomination is already certain, his feats as a soldier are considerable, besides, of course, being the son of the former Peace Knight, it is only logical that he inherits the title.

-He did a good job recovering the family name after all that, it’s genuinely impressive.

-Now, Luscinia has protected Basilius since childhood, so it is obvious that she will be chosen as Guardian of Life.

-Why do kings always choose women for this title?

-Would you like to have a man behind you at all times? Not to mention that the king obviously has other uses for her besides protection, more private uses of course.

-But what worries me are the Farcire’s, they had only one daughter and she remained single, so there is no one to inherit the title.

A kings spokesperson loudly announces

-King Basilius will now name the new Knights of Salvation, starting with the appointment of the Knight of Peace, the one who will protect our kingdom and our lives.

Basilius

-Leo, get up.

Leo walks to the front of the king's throne and kneels before him.

The priest reaches for an ornate sword and hands it to Basilius.

Basilius

-Due to your bloodline, nobility, and your merits in the service of the kingdom, I appoint you Knight of Peace.

Leo

- I humbly accept the title and swear on my life not to tarnish it.

Basilius proceeds with the royal rites and completes Leo’s nomination using the sword.

The ceremony is repeated with Salus and Luscinia.

Spokesperson

-Now, the choice of the Knight of Fortune, the one who will guide our king in the administration of the riches of our great kingdom.

Basilius

-Apis Farcire, get up.

This causes a clear commotion.

-Apis?!

-He chooses a woman for such an important task...

-It must be just to keep the title in the family.

Even Apis herself was surprised.

Still kinda unsure, she rises and walks to the king, Basilius then proceeds with the ceremony just like he did for the previous three.

She looks at the ornate sword as it shines under the light that enters the palace.

Back at the current time, Zarco stares at Apis' rapier shining under the son while quickly approaching him.

Zarco then leans back and barely dodges the attack.

Zarco

-Há!

But Zarco leans too far, to avoid falling on his back he supports himself on the ground with his hands, reaching a very awkward stance, completely unsuited for fighting

After the cut, Apis passes the rapier from one hand to the other, thus making a quick exchange. And then proceeds to lunge at Zarco.

Zarco stops leaning on the ground and dodges by rolling to the side.

The tip of her rapier hits the ground.

Zarco lifts his knees as far as he can and throws his whole body forward, getting up quickly.

Zarco thought

-Wait, am I winning? Can I win?! I WILL WIN!!!

All soldiers advance, surrounding him.

Zarco

-Oh, I forgot about those guys...

Zarco then runs off, this time forward, like a regular person.

Apis points her rapier towards Zarco as she spreads her wings.

Apis and the soldiers chase Zarco through the air while he desperately runs.

Zarco

-MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YOU WILL NEVER CAPTURE ME ALIVE!!!

Apis catches up, quickly gets ready, positioning her rapier for a cut against her opponent's neck, about to execute the blow she speaks.

-I'm not going to capture you, much less leave you alive.

Zarco stops running and crouches, dodging the cut, but he can't stop due to the impulse and ends up falling on his ass to the ground, even "slipping" a little.

Apis, still rocked by the movement, passes in front of Zarco.

Zarco on the ground speaks.

-Oh, I'm tired, time...

Apis quickly turns to the enemy she has left behind and says.

-Tired?! Do you think this is a joke?! A game you can leave when you want?!

Zarco on the ground raises his arms as he speaks breathlessly.

-Yes, I surrender! You won! Yeah…

Apis advances to attack Zarco

-Even you underestimate me... I won't have won until only your dead body remains on the floor and your head on my wall!

Zarco notices his crystal shining.

Zarco thought

-This crystal's charge sucks, but it recharges fast at least. Now, all I have to do is…

Two soldiers advance with weapons drawn against Zarco to cut him in the back.

Zarco puts his hand on his bracelet.

Two portals open in front of the soldiers.

Zarco

-Dimensional portal...

The two soldiers enter through the portals and exit in front of Apis in full attack. They end up attacking her, she tries to defend herself with her rapier, which proves to be ineffective, as Apis is thrown back and the blows cut her chest armor.

Zarco then grins evilly as the light in his crystal goes out.

END OF THE SEVENTH CHAPTER