Becoming The Strongest Angel With A Saintess System-Chapter 31: The Celestial Banquet, Part Five

Grace stared at her reflection, hardly recognizing herself. The silver dress shimmered as she moved, catching the light in a way that made the subtle gold, blue, and pink accents dance across the fabric.

"I can't believe this is happening," she muttered.

Less than a month ago, she'd been harvesting turnips and worrying about the price of grain. Now she was dressed like some kind of princess, about to attend the most exclusive party in heaven.

[This is ridiculous. I'm still just a farmer.]

Someone knocked on her door. Before she could answer, Alia burst in with Zephyr close behind.

"OH MY GOSH!" Alia squealed, bouncing up and down. "You look AMAZING!"

"The twins outdid themselves," Zephyr agreed, circling Grace with an approving nod.

Grace tugged awkwardly at the bodice.

"It feels weird. I've never worn anything this fancy."

"Well, get used to it," Alia said, fluffing Grace's wings. "Tonight, you're the star of the show!"

"Please don't say that," Grace groaned. "I'm nervous enough already."

"But it's true! Everyone's going to want to meet the angel who can kill demons!"

Zephyr handed her a small crystal vial.

"Little bit of ~divine perfume~."

"What does that even mean?"

"You'll see. Just a drop behind each ear."

"And don't forget the greeting rituals!" Alia added. "Wings half-raised for Bravery Sisters, fully lowered for—"

"I know, I know," Grace cut her off. "Venus drilled me for hours."

"Did she?" Zephyr asked with a smirk.

"NOT LIKE THAT!"

After a few more minutes of fussing and last-minute advice, there was another knock at the door.

This one was different—three sharp taps that somehow felt more commanding than Alia's excited pounding.

The door swung open without waiting for an answer. Celestia stood in the doorway, and Grace's breath caught in her throat.

The Archangel was dressed in a gown that seemed woven from rainbows themselves. It shifted colors with every movement, never settling on any single hue. Somehow her wings even seemed a little bigger.

She looked beautiful.

Alia and Zephyr immediately dropped into deep bows, wings extended on the floor.

Grace quickly followed suit, remembering the formal greeting Venus had taught her. Kneel, wings fully extended, head bowed, no eye contact.

"Hehe, rise, little ones," Celestia said, her voice warm. "Tonight is a celebration, not a ceremony."

Grace stood up, still keeping her eyes lowered.

"Look at me, Grace," Celestia said gently.

Grace raised her gaze. Celestia was smiling.

"I would like it if you walked with me," she said.

"What?"

Alia and Zephyr both looked at each other, equally surprised.

"I haven't had a personal guest to one of these in a while," Celestia chuckled. "I figured perhaps it would be good to spice things up. What do you say?"

"I..." Grace blinked. "Uhm, yes, y-yeah! I would love to."

"Very well then. Are you ready?"

[Absolutely not.]

"Yes," Grace lied.

Celestia's eyes sparkled, suggesting she wasn't fooled.

"Then let us go. The Celestial Banquet awaits."

She held out her hand. Grace took it, feeling the warmth of divine power humming beneath Celestia's skin.

---

The Grand Pavilion took Grace's breath away. It was a massive structure of white stone and crystals. Columns rose hundreds of feet into the air, supporting a dome that seemed made of solid light. Angels of every faction flew or walked through the enormous entrance arch.

"This wasn't here yesterday," Grace whispered.

"It's created anew for each banquet," Celestia explained.

"What kind of construction work does heaven have!?"

"After a few millennia, people get efficient," Celestia shrugged. "It will dissolve back into divine light when the celebration ends. Quite thrilling."

[A building that exists for one night. Talk about excessive.]

As they approached the entrance, a hush fell over the crowd. Angels parted, creating a path for Celestia and, by extension, Grace. Every eye turned to them. Grace felt her face heating up.

"Stand tall," Celestia murmured, placing a reassuring hand on Grace's back. "You're here as my personal guest."

... It was even harder to walk hearing Celestia talk like that.

Grace tried to look confident as they walked through the entrance. Inside, the Pavilion was even more impressive. The ceiling soared so high Grace couldn't see where it ended. Tables laden with food and drink stretched in every direction. Angels clustered in groups, their attire clearly marking their factions.

"First introductions," Celestia said, guiding Grace with a gentle hand on her elbow. "Remember what you've learned."

The next hour was a blur of faces and names as Celestia led Grace through the crowd. Each introduction required a different greeting, making Grace's head spin as she tried to remember them all.

First came the Ascended Choir, a group of scholarly angels dressed in flowing blue robes. Their wings were painted white with blue tips, and they wore identical expressions of barely concealed skepticism.

Grace offered a simple nod, just as Venus had instructed for this faction. The leader of the group, that angel named Meridian with ice-blue hair, returned the gesture.

"Sister Grace," Meridian acknowledged. "Greetings. My name is Meridian. Your arrival has sparked much discussion in our archives."

[I guess it's safe to assume everyone's heard of me, huh.]

"I hope that's a good thing," Grace replied.

Meridian's mouth twitched.

"We seek knowledge, not judgment. Tell me, do you know our purpose?"

"You're... scholars," Grace said. "Keepers of celestial knowledge."

Meridian nodded slowly.

"Indeed. Is there perhaps any knowledge you seek?"

"I... think I know about as much as I want to know about stuff right now, hehe."

Not entirely true, but she didn't want to encourage this person.

"Ah, how unfortunate." Meridian replied. "Many of us find your... existence perplexing. An angel who can permanently destroy demons. An angel who walks all three paths. Unprecedented."

[That word again. I HATE that word. For once, I wish something about me was completely precedented. Extremely precedented.]

"Well, I'm just trying to figure it out as I go," Grace said honestly.

Meridian exchanged glances with her companions.

"We have many questions for you, when time permits. About the nature of your power. Its source. Its limitations."

"You'll have your chance some day, surely," Celestia interjected, her tone polite but firm. "But not tonight. This is a celebration, not an interrogation."

Celestia's rainbow wings shifted subtly, and Meridian took a small step back.

"Of course, Archangel. Another time."

"The Earth-Tenders are waiting," Celestia said, smoothly guiding Grace away from the scholars.

"Wow. They're intense," Grace whispered, still glancing at the Choir.

"Knowledge seekers often are," Celestia replied.

The Earth-Tenders were a stark contrast to the Choir. Dressed in flowing green garments adorned with actual plants, they greeted Grace with warm smiles. Their wings had a greenish tint, like sunlight through leaves.

Grace offered another simple nod, remembering Venus's instructions about the other factions.

"No, no!" The leader, a plump angel with flowers braided into her brown hair, laughed. "We Earth-Tenders don't stand on ceremony. I'm Willow."

She took Grace's hands in her own. Her skin felt warm and smelled like fresh soil.

"We have a gift for you, Earth-Daughter," Willow said.

[Earth-Daughter?] Grace looked at Celestia, who smiled encouragingly.

"Some angels were made by Eternia herself, some ascend from humanity," Celestia explained quietly. "You fall in the latter."

Willow pressed something into Grace's palm. It was a tiny flower bud, no bigger than her thumbnail, with petals of silver and gold.

"An empathy bloom," Willow explained. "It responds to your emotions. Keep it close. Sometimes, our own heart is the hardest to understand. This may help."

"Thank you," Grace said, genuinely touched.

As Celestia led her away, the tiny bud opened slightly, revealing a hint of pink inside.

"What does pink mean?" she asked.

"Curiosity. Wonder," Celestia replied. "By the way, the Earth-Tenders rarely gift their blooms to anyone. You've made quite an impression."

"I haven't even done anything!"

"Your existence has done enough, Grace."

The little bud got even more pink.

[I just... I don't know if I can live up to, uh, all this.]

Next came the Seraphim Guard, who stood in formation near one of the grand entrances. They were dressed in black armor and they made Grace nervous just by looking at them.

She offered another simple nod, which the captain - a stern-faced angel with cropped silver hair - returned with a barely perceptible one of her own.

"Honor to meet you, Sister Grace," she said formally. "I am Captain Raziel."

"Honor to meet you too," Grace replied, trying to sound confident.

"The Seraphim Guard stands ready to serve," Raziel said, glancing at Celestia before returning her attention to Grace. "Should you ever require protection during your... special missions."

The way she said "special missions" made it clear she was talking about demon hunting. Though, Grace did struggle to think of what other kinds of missions she could mean.

"Thank you," Grace said, not sure what else to add.

"Raziel is one of our finest warriors," Celestia commented, clearly trying to ease the awkward moment. "Perhaps she can offer some combat insights during your training."

Raziel bowed slightly.

"It would be my honor, Archangel."

As they moved deeper into the Pavilion, Celestia leaned closer to Grace.

"Prepare yourself," she said quietly. "The Veil representatives are next. Remember Venus's advice."

Grace's stomach tightened. After everything she'd heard about the Veil, she wasn't looking forward to this introduction.

They stood near one of the crystal pillars. Three angels with steel-gray wings. Their clothing was elegant but simple, in shades of gray and silver. Unlike the other factions, who displayed their allegiance proudly, the Veil dressed to blend in.

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They looked like what they represented too. Low sneers and disgusted faces aimed at nothing in particular. Almost like the happy vibes around them personally offended them.

[Wait, I was supposed to avoid these people, now I'm walking with Celestia toward them.]

The leader stepped forward as Celestia and Grace approached. She was strikingly beautiful, with pale, almost-grey skin, long silver hair and dark eyes.

"Archangel Celestia," she said, her voice almost musical and smooth. "Always a pleasure."

"Sariel," Celestia replied, her tone polite but cool. "May I present Sister Grace Lightsinger."

Sariel turned those dark eyes on Grace, and Grace felt like she was being examined from the inside out.

"The angel who kills demons," Sariel said, her lips curving into a perfect smile. "Your reputation precedes you."

She lowered her gaze slightly and gave the smallest nod possible.

Sariel extended her hand.

"We have much to discuss, Sister Grace. Your abilities... interest us greatly."

Grace hesitated, but Celestia gave her a subtle nudge. Political necessity, the gesture seemed to say. Grace reluctantly took the offered hand. Immediately, she felt a chill spread from the contact. The medallion against her chest grew uncomfortably warm, as if responding to the cold.

"Perhaps another time," Grace said, withdrawing her hand as quickly as politeness allowed.

"Of course," Sariel's smile didn't falter, but her eyes hardened slightly. "We have all eternity to become... acquainted."

"Sister Grace's schedule is quite full these days," Celestia interjected smoothly. "Her training takes priority."

"Naturally," Sariel replied, though the look she gave Grace suggested the conversation wasn't over.

As they walked away, Grace shivered.

"You handled that well," Celestia said. "The Veil can be... intense."

"Thanks. I could hardly breathe around those angels."

As they continued through the crowd, Grace spotted a familiar face. Diana stood near one of the refreshment tables, looking extremely uncomfortable in a formal golden dress.

Grace huffed almost off instinct as soon as she looked at the woman. And yet..

"Can I go talk to someone?" Grace asked, suddenly wanting to talk to someone who wouldn't try to interrogate or recruit her.

Celestia nodded.

"I need to speak with the other sect leaders. Find me for the ceremonial toast in twenty minutes."

"Alright."

Grace made her way over to Diana, who looked up with surprise. She remembered to adjust her wings to the half-raised position and placed her closed fist against her heart before extending it forward - the proper Bravery Sister greeting.

Diana blinked, then huffed out a laugh.

"You actually remembered the formal greeting. Who would've thought."

"You're here!" Grace said.

Diana rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

"You never said you were coming."

"I never said I wasn't," Diana countered. "Do I need your permission?"

"I... Ugh!" Crossing her arms, Grace looked away with a pout.

"Seraph ordered all senior Bravery Sisters to attend."

"Yeah?" Grace took in Diana's uncomfortable posture and suppressed a smile. "Nice dress."

"Shut up," Diana growled. "Not a word about this to anyone, or I'll make your next training session a living nightmare."

Grace couldn't believe it. She'd scored a win! On Diana of all people!

She had to get a bit more out of it.

"What? More than usual???"

Diana sighed.

"What do you want, rookie? Don't you have some swooning angels to take care of?"

"Just... wanted a break from all the politics," Grace admitted. "Everyone keeps asking me questions I don't have answers to. As annoying as you are, you're better than that."

"Yeah?" Diana scoffed. "Get used to it. You're the shiny new toy everyone wants to play with."

"Great."

They stood in silence for a moment. Then Diana's eyes narrowed, looking at something over Grace's shoulder.

"Heads up, newbie. Veil at three o'clock."

Before Grace could turn to look, Venus's voice rang out across the Pavilion.

"Dear friends! The ceremonial toast is about to begin! Please gather in the central hall!"

"Saved by the bell," Diana muttered. "Come on."

They joined the crowd moving toward the center of the Pavilion, where Celestia stood on a raised dais. Attendants moved through the gathering, handing out crystal glasses filled with glowing golden liquid.

"Divine nectar," Diana explained, taking two glasses and handing one to Grace. "Only served at the Celestial Banquet. Drink it slowly. It's potent."

Grace took the glass carefully. The liquid inside seemed to be moving on its own, swirling gently against the crystal.

Celestia raised her own glass, and the hall fell silent.

"Angels of the Dominion," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly to every corner of the vast space. "Once every century, we gather to renew our bonds and remember our shared purpose."

Grace's eyes wandered across the crowd as Celestia spoke. Angels of every faction stood together, their differences temporarily set aside.

Then her medallion pulsed against her skin. Hard. Like a warning.

The sensation was so sudden that Grace nearly dropped her glass. She clutched the medallion through her dress, feeling it grow hotter by the second.

Her vision blurred slightly, then sharpened in a strange way. Colors became more vivid, edges more defined.

And then she saw it—a wisp of dark blue-purple energy surrounding a figure across the room. It was subtle, like smoke curling around their form, but unmistakable to Grace's newly enhanced vision.

It was an angel she hadn't been introduced to yet. Tall, with perfect posture and features that seemed too symmetrical to be natural. Dark hair pulled back severely from a face that would have been beautiful if not for the coldness in their eyes.

Those eyes shifted, somehow sensing Grace's scrutiny, and met hers across the crowded hall.

The angel smiled. It wasn't warm like Willow's smile or smooth like Sariel's. It was predatory. Hungry.

Grace's blood ran cold.

Hidden threat found

The angel raised their glass in Grace's direction, a mock toast that no one else seemed to notice.

Grace took a deep breath and consciously activated her new ability.

「Aura Sight Active」

Time to find out what she was really dealing with.