After saying goodbye to the caretaker at the exit of Shamain and walking for about 30 minutes, they arrived at the high walls of the 7th Heaven, Arabot.
Peope had said that the 6th Heaven, Zebul, would have women there. Virgin conception was achieved through the Elixir of Life, and the one who managed it was the Archangel Kariel.
Shirone: "How do we get into Zebul? There’s no way to pass through the gates."
Peope: "Right. That’s why we’re going to Arabot."
Shirone: "If we can’t even enter Zebul, how are we supposed to enter the place where God resides?"
Peope: "That’s why we’re asking for Ikael’s help. She’s served as an Archangel, so she might grant us passage if we plead with her."
Shirone: "That’s even stranger. Even if she’s an Archangel, she’s a being of the 6th Heaven. How can she open the gates of the 7th Heaven?"
Peope: "That’s because Ikael is currently residing in the 7th Heaven."
Shirone tilted his head in confusion. It was unexpected that an Archangel would leave her domain in Zebul to stay in Arabot.
Shirone: "Is there something we don’t know about?"
Peope: "Yes. Ikael committed a sin and was stripped of her position as Archangel. But Ra loved her so much that instead of casting her out as a fallen angel, she was exiled to Arabot."
It was a rather shocking story. Based on their experiences so far, they had imagined God as a strict judge who enforced the law.
The fact that God had made an exception was strange, but it was also peculiar that Ikael had been exiled to Arabot instead of the 2nd Heaven.
Shirone: "What kind of angel is she? What sin did she commit?"
Peope: "I don’t know."
Shirone: "What? How can you not know? If she rose to the rank of Archangel, it must have been a huge issue."
Peope: "It probably was. But we’ve all forgotten. All we know is that Ikael committed a grave sin and is now exiled in Arabot."
Shirone felt a chill from Peope’s words. Forgetting something meant that they had once known but had their memories erased.
Even if someone’s memory is erased, someone else would pass it on. Given the speed of information propagation, it was impossible unless everyone’s memories were wiped simultaneously.
Rian: "First lifespan, now memories? Literally omnipotent. How old is this God? A hundred million years old?"
Peope: "Age is meaningless to God. God is the beginning of everything. We don’t know the beginning, so we don’t know God’s age."
Canis: "It doesn’t matter. We’re not here to fight God. We’ll rescue the women and leave immediately."
Shirone noted that Canis had referred to them as "women" instead of "Arin." Despite their usual bickering, it seemed Canis had grown fond of her.
When they arrived at Arabot, the group looked up at the walls. Though it was the inner sanctum of Heaven, the walls were higher than the outer walls. Moreover, there was no visible device to summon Ikael.
Canis: "Don’t tell me we have to wait until that woman decides to take her dog for a walk?"
Peope: "Hmph! Your arrogance won’t last long! Without Ikael’s help, we can’t even enter Zebul."
Though Peope was helping Shirone, she was still an internal affairs officer of Heaven. She couldn’t tolerate the belittlement of an Archangel whom Ra respected enough to erase the memory of her sin.
Shirone: "I’ll apologize on his behalf. He’s just on edge. So, what do we do now?"
Peope, knowing their situation was urgent, didn’t press further.
Peope: "Alright! Let’s try to communicate with Ikael now."
Shirone’s eyes lit up as he asked.
Shirone: "Oh? Can you do that?"
Peope: "No, I can’t."
Shirone: "...Are you joking right now?"
Peope: "That’s just how it is. But it’s not entirely impossible. Ikael might be watching us right now."