My Serpent King is a captivating short drama blending fantasy romance, ancient prophecies, forbidden love, and supernatural destiny. When an ordinary young woman becomes bound to the mysterious Serpent King, she is drawn into a dangerous world of powerful clans, hidden curses, and impossible choices. As fate intertwines their lives, love and sacrifice become the only path to saving both their kingdom and their future. Watch the full episode packed with emotional twists, magical adventures, and unforgettable romance.
#MySerpentKing #SerpentKing #FantasyRomance #FatedMates #SupernaturalLove #DramaSeries #ShortDrama #FullEP #ENGSUB #FantasyDrama
#MySerpentKing #SerpentKing #FantasyRomance #FatedMates #SupernaturalLove #DramaSeries #ShortDrama #FullEP #ENGSUB #FantasyDrama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Lilith committed a grave crime, angering the ruler of the Underrealm.
00:04My beloved Cassius shoved me onto the war chariot, forcing me to take the blame for her.
00:08I leaned against the side of the chariot and looked at him.
00:10High Priest Cassius, before you send me into Tartarus, you better think through the consequences.
00:15He avoided my gaze.
00:17Lilith only accidentally burned the Obsidian Hall's pomegranate grove, yet the Underlord demands blood in return.
00:24Lyra, you carry the golden essence of the Primorial God.
00:27Even the Underlord would not dare harm you lightly.
00:31When this is all over, even if it defies the decree of the Pantheon Council, I will go to the
00:35Underrealm and bring you back.
00:37My powers were shackled, the divine binding cords cutting into my flesh, a few drops of golden blood seeping out.
00:44Two acopites shoved me into the chariot. I smiled.
00:47The world only knew the Underlord as a fearsome ruler.
00:50But no one remembered that three centuries ago, he had been nothing more than a dying black serpent.
00:55I raised in the divine spring, the first night he took human form.
00:59He knelt before me and lowered his head.
01:02Goddess Salerna, he said, I vow to guide your reigns for all eternity.
01:05That year, I grew weary of the chaos of Olympus and descended alone to the mortal realm, later bringing him
01:12along to wander by my side.
01:13And now, Callius personally delivered me back to that little creature.
01:17He dared make me bear the punishment for Lilith.
01:20Tomorrow, I would make sure he and his entire temple rested forever beneath this land.
01:31In the next moment, the chariot curtain was lifted.
01:36Sister, it's all my fault for making you bear this for me.
01:41Lilith stood by Cassius, her eyes red.
01:45Lyra, I had no choice.
01:46A hint of reluctance showed on Cassius' face as if he was the one cornered by fate.
01:51The Underlord has decreed that the culprit who deserated the holy relic must be handed over.
01:57If not, he will lead the dead to flatten the entire temple.
02:01Two centuries ago, I saved Cassius when the gods abandoned him in the wilderness, near death.
02:09I concealed my true name and secretly supported him, personally guiding him to become the High Priest.
02:16At that time, he knelt and swore by the name of Strix.
02:20Goddess Salona, I will guard your heart with mine, to death, without regret.
02:26Later, beside the sacrificial grounds, I found the frail little beggar girl Lilith,
02:31and took her under my wing, treating her like a younger sister.
02:35To protect her, I entrusted her to Cassius, allowing her to enter the temple as the youngest priestess.
02:41But human hearts are unpredictable, and divine hearts even more so.
02:47To protect Lilith, Cassius had personally pushed me onto the altar.
02:54Lyra, do not blame me. How can we resist the Underlord's might?
02:59Lilith is fragile. She cannot endure the tortures of the Underrealm.
03:05Your bloodline is strong. You will survive.
03:11I almost laughed at him. Cassius had forgotten that last night, while I slept,
03:15he sealed the golden blood within me with an oath by the name of Sloughed at him.
03:20At this moment, I was powerless. Less than immortal.
03:23Sister, do not hate Cassius. It is all my fault.
03:27Lilith stepped closer.
03:29Sister, don't worry. When you come back, I will take good care of you.
03:34I looked at her without a word. Thankfully, not everyone forgets old vows.
03:40The golden wheels of the chariot rolled over the brass gate. In the distance, the outline of the bronze gate
03:46appeared.
03:46It was the entrance to the Underrealm. It was the throne of that little creature I had personally raised.
03:53The chariot came to a halt before the bronze gates. A guard of the Underrealm yanked me off the vehicle.
03:58I staggered, my knee striking the steps, golden blood seeping out.
04:04So this is the one. The lead commander glared at me.
04:08The one who destroyed the Obsidian Hall's pomegranate grove that the Underlord tended for a century?
04:14It's her. Cassius' voice came from behind.
04:17The person has been delivered. From today onward, you will hold Lilith blameless.
04:22The commander smeared, his gaze settling on me.
04:25The Underlord commands that such a criminal has no right to walk through the temple gates upright.
04:31Kneel.
04:32A shock ran through me. For a thousand years, no being in this land had ever dared order me to
04:39kneel.
04:40Before I could react, his boot struck the back of my knee, forcing me heavily to the ground.
04:46The guards beside me cracked their whips across my back.
04:49What are you waiting for? Move!
04:52Exhausted, I could only inch forward, step by step, toward the hall.
04:57In a daze, the molten gold eyes from three centuries ago suddenly appeared before me.
05:03Back then, he had stood by the Divine Spring, looking up at me with pure devotion and trust.
05:09Goddess Celona, he had said, I will grow strong.
05:12I never imagined that our reunion would be under such humiliation.
05:16Dragging my knees across the stone steps, each inch of movement burned like fire.
05:22Cassius followed a few paces behind, frowning slightly, yet never stepping forward.
05:27Lilith bent close to my ear.
05:29Lyra, you actually think you deserve Cassius' favor?
05:32What are you?
05:33In his eyes, you're nothing more than a lamb sent to die for me.
05:36A surge of rage rose from my chest.
05:39I lifted my hand and struck Lilith across the face.
05:44She screamed, falling to the ground, tears flooding her eyes.
05:48Mentor! Mentor, save me!
05:50Cassius rushed forward and pulled Lilith into his arms.
05:54Lyra, have you lost your mind? Lilith's bloodline is too weak. How could you harm her?
05:59My heart shattered completely. I straightened my spine, bracing on knees and faced everyone.
06:06She dares offend me? Even if I crush her soul and cast it into the river lettuce, it would be
06:12nothing but a flick of my hand.
06:14Everyone froze. After a moment, a god sneered.
06:19Ha ha ha! This mortal body must have been driven mad by the mist of the under river? A flick
06:24of your hand?
06:25In this land, only one goddess could say such words. That would be Lyra Selina, who resides beyond Olympus, mistress
06:33of the stars, saint of the cosmos.
06:35Another god chimed in.
06:37The saint of the cosmos is so mysterious. No one has ever seen her true face.
06:41How could she look so disraveled?
06:44Lilith lifted her head from Cassius' arms, mocking.
06:47Sister, how dare you? In this state, you still claim to be the saint? That is blasphemy!
06:55The guard cracked his whip again, the tip striking my back.
07:00Impudence! How dare you impersonate the saint!
07:03I leaned forward, letting out a low groan from the pain. Cassius stood nearby, silently watching. I shouted to everyone.
07:09I am Lyra Selina herself! I possess the holy relic!
07:13Trembling, I reached into my clothes and pulled out a golden necklace. The chain bore the mark of the tear
07:18of the cosmos, forged only for the saint herself. In the next instant, Cassius snatched it from me.
07:24He personally placed the relic around Lilith's neck.
07:27Lyra! He said coldly.
07:29You dare steal my relic? This tear, it was given to me by a reclusive deity when I was gravely
07:35wounded. Since when did it become yours?
07:37I froze. Three centuries ago, I had used the tear of the cosmos to protect Cassius' divine essence, saving him
07:45from the brink of death. When he awoke, he knelt before me.
07:48Goddess Selina, I will find the rarest star stone and set it upon this chain myself. From this day forward,
07:54I will guard you with my heart, to death, without regret.
07:57Back then, I had laughed at his solemnity. And now, he says I stole it?
08:03I lunged forward to reclaim the chain. Lilith lifted her foot and stepped on my hand. The sound of bones
08:09shattering was drowned out by her laughter. I looked at my batted body, broken finger bones, golden blood seeping, and
08:16then… I laughed.
08:17Three centuries ago, while preparing a divine potion, I had accidentally burned myself with holy fire. Sonata's eyes had reddened
08:25on the spot, and he had raged, threatening to destroy all the sacred flimes on this land, declare that no
08:32one could harm me. Cassius and his entire temple would no longer be able to protect him.
08:36In an instant, we entered the Underrealm's grand hall. Lilith froze mid-step. Cassius' heart thumbed violently.
08:44He had never imagined that this fearsome Underlord, who even gods dreaded, would possess such a magnificent palace.
08:51A bitter pan rose in me. Sonatas had devoted me as his only faith. This hall was filled with traces
08:57of my presence.
08:58Lilith's gaze fell on the center of the hall. There stood a white jade statue of a woman, her head
09:03lowered in profile, a white lotus in her hand.
09:06Lilith stepped forward to touch it, hesitating.
09:08Mentor, don't you think… this statue… looks a bit like sister?
09:14Before she could finish, a female voice rang from deep within the hall.
09:18Take your filthy hands off!
09:21Everyone turned toward the sound. A woman walked slowly from the depths of the hall.
09:26She was Irene, the sword-bearing goddess who stands at the Underlord's side.
09:31For three centuries, countless goddesses and demhords had tried to climb to the Underlord's throne. Only she, under the title
09:38of Servant of the Divine, had remained by his side for so long.
09:42Irene surveyed our group, her eyes full of disdain.
09:45So this is it? The ones who dared destroy the Underlord's sacred pomegranate grove?
09:49You must be really tired of living, she added with a sneer. Cassius' face drained of color, instinctively bowing.
09:55This offense stems from ignorance daring to provoke the Underlord. Please, goddess Irene, forgive…
10:01Irene didn't even listen. Her eyes were locked firmly on me. Before I could react, her hand struck my cheek.
10:08My face swelled instantly, golden blood spilling from the corner of my mouth.
10:13Who gave you permission to look at me directly? Her voice was full of venom. What lowly base deer did
10:19Dares claim to be the saint of the cosmos? Without even glancing at the river, let it to see your
10:24own worthless bones, I wiped the blood from my lips and met her gaze.
10:28Sonatos, is this how you torture women? Irene's expression changed instantly.
10:37Impudus! You dare speak the Underlord's true name?
10:43Yes. In this land of coexisting deities, true names are the foundation of power.
10:49Mortals may not speak them. Gods may not lightly call them. Only the closest and most permitted may utter a
10:56deity's true name.
10:58Irene had accompanied Sanatus in the Underrealm for 300 years, yet she had never been allowed to speak that name
11:04herself.
11:06And before her stood this dishamveled woman, who had said it aloud on her first word. In that instant, jealousy
11:14surge in Irene's heart. She would rather believe it was blasphemy, that this criminal had intentionally used it to humiliate
11:22her.
11:22Only by thinking so could she maintain her position in this palace. Seeing Irene's true fury, Cassius turned to me
11:29with a harsh command.
11:31Lyra, kneel and beg Goddess Irene for forgiveness.
11:35Lilith immediately rushed forward, pressing my head down, slamming my forehead into the stone again and again.
11:44Sister! Are you mad? How dare you speak to Goddess Irene like that? Do you want to destroy the entire
11:50temple?
11:52My forehead throbbed under her pressure, golden blood streaking through my hair, blurring my vision.
11:58I looked at these two faces, twisted by fear. One had once swore eternal vows to me. The other had
12:04been salvaged from the sacrificial embers of the wilderness.
12:08My heart grew icy. These were the ones I had protected for three centuries.
12:14A pack of wolves cloaked in priestly robes. Irene looked at me and sneered. She raised her right hand, summoning
12:23a cluster of netherfire.
12:25It was the flame from the deepest abyss of the Underrealm, capable of burning the soul with no cure.
12:34A prisoner dares to be this arrogant. I want to see if you can still smile, when your divine bones
12:42are scorched inch by inch.
12:46With that, she lunged forward, her fingers clamping onto my shoulder blades. The cold fire touched my back. The sound
12:52of my clothes burning echoed.
12:55Immediately, a scorching heat seeped into my blood, coursing through my golden blood.
13:02I groaned, my body trembling. Irene fed her divine power into the fire, flames surging higher.
13:09Already can't bear it? Don't worry, this is just the beginning.
13:13When cracks appear in your divine bones, the Underlord himself will return to see you in this wretched state.
13:19She pressed her other hand against my cheek. I grinted my teeth, refusing to cry out a second time.
13:28Cassius stood three steps away, fists clenched tightly, yet he dared not advance.
13:33Iron smile twisted into near madness, as she turned to shout at Cassius.
13:40Come! Hold her down!
13:42Lilith panicked, grabbing Cassiel's sleeve and screaming.
13:46Mentor, do you want the entire temple to die with sister?!
13:54Cassius drew a deep breath and stepped forward, pressing my shoulders firmly to the ground.
13:58Pinned, I looked up at the face that once smiled gently only for me.
14:01Once, he had called me Lyra, had sworn to me. Now, he held me down, delivering me to death.
14:07Irene, seeing my silence, grew even more frenzied, intensifying the nether fire.
14:12The skin on my face nearly melted, golden blood streaming down.
14:16Lyra! You are a sinner! You destroyed a relic! Shamed the temple!
14:24Deserve every bit of this!
14:26Lilith's face shone with excitement.
14:28Goddess Irene is burning her well! This is how sinners should be treated!
14:31Let's see if she dares defy anyone again!
14:34Pain wracked my body, my consciousness slowly devoured by the flames.
14:38Just as my eyelids were about to close, the entire hall shook violently, without warning.
14:45A wave of pressure swept in from outside the hall, and the nether fire vanished in an instant.
14:50Irene's triumphant expression froze, her pupils widening in shock.
14:54A figure appeared, backlit by the hall's entrance.
14:57It was Sonatos. He had returned.
15:00Instinctively, Irene withdrawn all her divine power and pressed herself forward in submission.
15:06Underlord, you've returned.
15:09The... the sinner who desolated the relic has already been dealt with.
15:13Cassius said, vowing almost simultaneously.
15:18Underlord, the offense stems from ignorance. Destroying the relic, the judgment is yours to make.
15:26Lilith hastily knelt as well.
15:28Please, calm your anger! It was all sisters' fault! It has nothing to do with us!
15:33But Sonatos didn't even glance at them.
15:35I lay in the distance, my face scorched beyond recognition by the nether fire.
15:39Golden blood seeping from every wound. Summoning my last ounce of strength.
15:44I let out a faint, rasped laugh from deep in my throat.
15:48That laugh caught Sanatos' attention.
15:51He slowly turned his head, and the moment his eyes landed on the figure on the ground, an overwhelming presence
15:58filled the hall.
15:59Everyone present nearly collapsed to their knees at the same instant.
16:03Only I remained lying there, tilting my head to look at him.
16:07Sanatos, is this how you greet your master?
16:11The hall fell silent, stunned.
16:12Sonatos froze, staring at me, mouth opening, yet no sound emerged.
16:18Irene trembled with fear, raising her hand to strike my face again, screaming,
16:23Lyra! You're courting death! A mere prisoner dares call herself the Underlord's master!
16:31Before she could finish, an invisible giant hand slammed her into the ground.
16:36The floor shattered beneath her, collapsing into a deep pit.
16:40She lay at the bottom, blood dripping from her mouth, disbelief etched across her face.
16:45I underlord you for this sinner.
16:50Sanatos ignored her entirely, striding with urgency towards me.
16:54When he reached my side, he did not hesitate. He knelt.
16:57The ruler of the Underrealm prostrated before me, his forehead nearly touching the ground.
17:01Goddess Salona, I am late. Please punish me.
17:05Hearing this, everyone froze. Lilith went pale, whispering,
17:08Impossible. This cannot be.
17:11She could not believe that the sister she had mocked and allowed Irene to torment
17:14was truly Lyra Salona, the legendary saint of the cosmos.
17:18Cassius froze in shock.
17:20The two guards who had mocked me earlier lost control and collapsed on the spot.
17:26I lowered my gaze, staring at Sanatos, prated before me.
17:31He was no longer the frail boy of the past, the one I had taught ancient divine arts to,
17:37giving him the name Sanatos and telling him,
17:39Follow me from now on.
17:41Back then, he had called me Goddess Selene, his eyes full of reverence and dependence.
17:46Now, draped in black robes, he ruled the Underrealm.
17:52Yet for me alone, he retained that same unwavering devotion.
17:56I smiled suddenly.
17:58Rise.
18:01The name unwavering devotion, Sanatos lifted his head, eyes bloodshot and burning with anger.
18:07In his palm, a swirling orb of abysm flame formed, black and red intertwined.
18:11A colony of ants dares harm my Lyra Salene? Crush them all to dust.
18:15I lifted my hand slightly.
18:17Wait.
18:18I'll settle this score with them myself.
18:26Hearing my words, the fire in Sanatos' eyes softened slightly.
18:31He raised his hand, the neth estents swirling around his fingertips, lightly brushing over me.
18:39Not a hint of offense.
18:41A wave of power surged through me, the previously sealed golden blood flowing freely again.
18:46The stinging pain in my bones faded inch by inch.
18:48Even the wounds on my face and knees eased considerably.
18:52He had lifted the seal from within me.
18:55From then on, Sanatos stayed close without leaving my side.
18:59He settled me in the inner chamber, carrying a clay bowl of dark red ointment.
19:05He entered quietly, eyes lowered, ears flushed.
19:09Kneeling on one knee, he carefully applied the salve to my wounds with a tiny silver spoon, as if afraid
19:15to hurt me.
19:16Goddess Salene, every bit of suffering you endured I remember.
19:20Those who dared harm you, I will make repay a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
19:24I looked at him, a mixture of devotion and ferocity in his expression, and couldn't help but let out a
19:30soft laugh.
19:33My little one has grown quite capable.
19:37To serve the goddess is Sanatos' honor.
19:39He paused.
19:41All the sinners are locked in the deepest abyssal cells of the Underrealm.
19:44Irene's tendons have been severed, her divine power sealed in the phantom water prison, enduring the agony of countless vengeful
19:50souls daily.
19:51Consider this your first measure of justice.
19:53He met my glaze.
19:54I reached out lightly, brushing his cheek.
19:57Well done.
19:59His shoulders twitched.
20:01Sanatos, anxious.
20:03For the next few days, I rested in the inner chamber of the Underrealm.
20:06Every morning and evening, Sanatos came punctually.
20:09He never entered the room, standing three-stop side with utmost respect.
20:13Goddess Salene, are you well?
20:16Once he received my response, he would bow and retreat.
20:20I leaned against the window, feeling an indescribable warmth.
20:25This was not a king who made gods tremble.
20:28This was the most devoted follower, permitted to approach the goddess altar.
20:34After a few days, my wounds had mostly healed.
20:37Let's go.
20:38I spoke calmly to the empty doorway.
20:41To the abyssal prison.
20:43Let's see.
20:45The abyssal prison of the Underrealm was built deep beneath the chasm, and Cassius was locked alone in a cell.
20:51When I saw him, I almost didn't recognize him.
20:54Once he had been the High Priest, revered by the entire temple.
20:57Now his hair was disheveled, and he was bound to a stone pillar with divine chains.
21:02Seeing me, he struggled violently.
21:10Lyra!
21:11I didn't mean it!
21:13It's all amid a standing.
21:14Lilith planted this!
21:16I was foolish for a moment.
21:17Please forgive me just this once, will you?
21:20I stood silently, watching him, saying nothing.
21:25Cassius, seeing my silence, reached out to grab my clothing.
21:29Before his hand could touch my hem, a flash of light streaked past my side.
21:34No!
21:37Cassius screamed as half his arm fell to the ground, golden blood spraying everywhere.
21:42Sanatos withdrew the Neth blade from his fingertips.
21:46You are unworthy of touching goddess Selene.
21:49Cassius ground in pain, but dared not cry out again.
21:53I looked at him and began to speak.
21:55Once, I saved your life.
21:57I poured out my own divine power to help you break through the limits of divinity,
22:00elevated you to High Priest, protected your temple, kept it safe amid the struggles of gods.
22:05And what was the result?
22:06For Lilith, for the so-called temple's honor, you did not hesitate to push me onto the altar.
22:12You let me be burned and humiliated, let my bloodline be sealed, left me to suffer unborable pain.
22:17I let out a soft, bitter laugh.
22:20Cassius, is this the oath you swore to me?
22:26From the opposite cell, Lilith's cries began.
22:29Sister! Sister, I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong!
22:33She knelt, forehead pressed to the ground, begging repeatedly,
22:37her brow striking the stone with loud thuzz.
22:39I was jealous of you! I shouldn't have stirred the mentor to hand you over, but sister!
22:43She choked back her tears.
22:45I practiced divine arts with you, patrolled the temple with you, have you forgotten all that?
22:50As she spoke, she began slapping herself, harder and harder, her cheeks quickly swelling.
22:55I am not human! My heart is venomous! Sister, please forgive me just this once!
23:00I watched her.
23:02Her cries grew more desperate, reckless.
23:05Finally, as she knelt once more, she blusted out.
23:08Cassius promised me! He said he loved me most! He swore to me!
23:11She fell silent abruptly.
23:13I looked at her swolled, tear-stroached face, then glanced at the man in the cell who dared not lift
23:17his head.
23:18I laughed softly. I see.
23:20No wonder he didn't speak a word in my defense and shoved me onto the chariot.
23:24No wonder you hate me so. I turned to Lilith. She trembled all over, unable to speak.
23:30Sanatos raised his hand, releasing a wave of nether essence that slung Lilith against the stone wall, vomiting a mouthful
23:37of blood.
23:39Noisy.
23:40You dare defy goddess Salonis?
23:44I looked at Lilith on the ground, showing no mercy.
23:47I should never have picked you up from those sacrificial embers. Starving there would have been cleaner.
23:52I turned my gaze to Cassius.
23:54Your temple always boasts of divine justice above all, doesn't it?
23:58Good.
23:59Let's see how true that is.
24:02I met Sanaris's eyes. He understood immediately, nodding slightly.
24:05It was the Underlord silently granting me the authority to pardon.
24:08From this moment, any oath I swore by the name of Stryk carried the same weight as if he had
24:14swore it himself.
24:16I looked back at Cassius.
24:18Announce this to the entire temple. Give them three days.
24:20If even one person comes to save their High Priest, no matter who, regardless of divinity, demigod or mortal, I
24:27swear by the name of Stryk that he will suffer no harm.
24:29Furthermore, both of them will be released without blame.
24:32I stared into Cassius' eyes.
24:34Cassius, you have three days.
24:37Watch carefully.
24:39Will your disciples, the ones you taught with your own hands, come to save you at all costs, or will
24:44they be as hypocritical as you?
24:46I laughed.
24:48After all, when you made me bear the blame, they were all present.
24:51Not one of them is innocent.
24:53Cassius stared at me in stunned despair.
24:56Lilith knelt at the far end of the cage, forgetting even to cry.
25:00Staring intensely at my back, her lips trembling violently.
25:05Three days later, I stood at the gates of the Underrealm.
25:08Behind me, Cassius and Lilith were kneeling on the ground, pressed forward by two armored nethguards.
25:13Half of Cassius' arm was gone, the wound wrapped in blood-soaked cloth.
25:16Lilith's forehead had scab over, her face swollen and bruised.
25:20They stared unblinkingly toward the direction of the temple, repeating over and over.
25:24They will come, they will come to save us.
25:26Time crawled by.
25:28The noontime bell tolled in the distance, yet the road to the temple remained empty.
25:32No one came.
25:33Cassius' face grew paler by the hour, from initial hope to growing anxiety, to cursing million madness.
25:38A pack of ungrateful reddins!
25:40I treated you as my own children, gave you all my knowledge, and yet not a single one came to
25:45save me!
25:45Lilith was even worse. She collapsed, sobbing controllably.
25:48I watched them and let out a cold laugh.
25:51I never expected my so-called virtuous disciples to be even better at calculating the moment than I imagined.
25:59I turned to Sonatus at my side. Since they hide, unwilling to show themselves, let's go meet them ourselves.
26:05With that, I swept toward the temple.
26:10Sonatus followed, his nether guard formation moving behind him in perfect order.
26:16Seemingly gliding above the ground, at the gates of the temple, the disciples had already formed ranks, rushing forward to
26:23surround us.
26:24They brandished divine weapons, closing in.
26:27Those who had once shown me respect now twisted their faces in anger, cursing me mercilessly.
26:32Liar! You traitor! Daring to conspire with the Underrealm! Betraying our temple!
26:37After three centuries of careful guidance, this is how you repay your mentor?
26:42Blasphemous wretch! You destroyed the relic himself at the Underlord's feet! How vile!
26:46The fiercer their curses, the more they seemed to hide something.
26:50I stood above them in the void, smiling silently.
26:54Once their shouting waned, I tilted my head slightly.
26:57The nether guards immediately dragged Cassius and Lilith forward, dropping the two battered, broken figures at the feet of the
27:03temple disciples.
27:04All eyes fell on them. Some stepped back intentively.
27:07At the very back, a younger disciple's eyes reddened, and he intinctively took a half-step forward, only to be
27:12held back by those beside them.
27:14I spoke. You stand there so righteously. Are you certain you will not save your high priest and your youngest
27:19priestess?
27:20I said before, if even one steps forward to save them, I will release them without guilt.
27:25I paused, sweeping my gaze across the crowd. That still stands.
27:29At that moment, one disciple stepped forward from the center.
27:32Everyone, do not be deceived by this evil goddess! This is all her divine trickery!
27:37The real high priest and priestess perished in the Underrealm three days ago!
27:40These two before you are only phantoms created by her arts!
27:43The crowd stirred. An elder disciple in the front frowned, gathering a strand of divine essence with his fingertip, intending
27:50to verify.
27:51A single thread of divine sense could immediately reveal the difference between a phantom and a true deity.
27:55But before his hand could reach halfway, someone beside him pressed it down forcefully.
28:00Don't check.
28:01The elder froze. He followed the evasive eyes and slowly understood.
28:09Everyone had seen. Everyone knew. But no one dared expose it. If they did not verify, the kneeling figures could
28:15be phantoms.
28:16If they were phantoms, no one needed to save them. If no one needed to save them, no one needed
28:20to die.
28:21I watched it all unfold. In that moment, I truly understood. The cruelest thing is never hatred, but cowardice.
28:27The word phantom struck Cassius in the heart. The glimmer of hope in his eyes instantly died.
28:35Xenortis and I stood side by side.
28:37The hundreds of temple disciples clashed with the elite nethergard battalion.
28:41Divine weapons were sent flying. People thrown to the ground.
28:44Protective morph formations shattered. Divine powers sealed one by one.
28:48Screams, cries, and pleas mixed into a chaotic symphony.
28:52I looked down from above. Cassius, forced to watch with wide eyes, saw everything firsthand.
28:56Three centuries of toil. The temple he built and nurtured to the High Priesthood crumbling before him.
29:01Despair and agony threatened to consume him entirely.
29:04Cassius went mad. Behind us, the horns of the Underrealm sounded.
29:08From this day forward, no temple would stand on this land.
29:13I stood on the ruins of the temple. The divine treasury ablaze behind me.
29:20In front of me, the kneeling prisoners.
29:24A few days later, Xenortis approached my side.
29:28Goddess Salerna, what shall be done with Irene and the others?
29:31I slowly surveyed their faces. An eye for an eye.
29:35Xenortis raised his hand and Neth fire descended upon Irene.
29:40She screamed and rolled, her divinity scorched almost to destruction.
29:46Until she could no longer cry. Only convulsing remained.
29:50That's enough. I spoke lightly.
29:52Throw her into the deepest part of the Underrealm. Let her live.
29:55Each day, burn her divinity once with the bismar flame.
29:58Once burned, heal. Then burn again.
30:00Once at sunrise. Once at sunset.
30:03Let her feel the pain at every moment.
30:06Dawn brings pain. Dust brings pain. Never let her die.
30:12Xenortis lowered his head in acknowledgement.
30:15Irene had once burned the divine bones of someone revered by the Underlord.
30:19According to Underrealm law, the one who burns divine bones suffers the same fate.
30:24Eternal and inescapable.
30:26When Lilith was dragged forward, she was barely recognizable as human.
30:31Her forehead wound festered completely.
30:34Sister, have mercy.
30:36I crouched to meet her gaze.
30:39You stood beside Irene, watching her scorch my divine bones with nether fire.
30:46Did you ever imagine this day would come?
30:49Her bloodline was sealed by the name of Strix.
30:52Just as they had done to me.
30:54She was left on the temple ruins, without water or food.
30:58A thinned barrier of nerrier essence surrounded the ruins.
31:02Not to imprison her, but to prevent her from leaving and anyone from entering.
31:06Left to survive or perish on her own.
31:11Cassius was the last dragged forward.
31:14The wound on his severed arm had rotted black.
31:16He was thrown to the ground, lying there long before he slowly lifted his head.
31:20His cloudy eyes met mine, lips trembling violently.
31:23Lyra. Lyra.
31:25I stepped in front of him.
31:27Cassius.
31:27Don't call me that.
31:29You're not worthy.
31:30His body shook violently.
31:32Forehead pressed to the ground.
31:33He wept with heart-ranking anguish.
31:35Three centuries of painstaking work destroyed in an instant.
31:39Not a single disciple he taught came to save him.
31:42The only woman he ever loved pleaded for survival in her eyes.
31:45Not love.
31:46I lowered my gaze at him.
31:47Cassius.
31:48I want you trapped in the depths of the Underrealm.
31:51Hearing the wails of those fallen disciples every day.
31:54For this life and all that follow, suffer eternal remorse.
31:58The once revered hyzens from the altar finally fell among ruins and rubble.
32:02All was over.
32:03From the highest terrace of the Underrealm, soft footsteps approached.
32:09Goddess Selina.
32:11It's late.
32:12Sanatos will escort you back to the hall.
32:15I didn't turn, speaking lightly.
32:18Why stand so far away?
32:20His body stiffened slightly, Adam's juddle rolling as his voice dropped.
32:23Sanatos does not dare overstep.
32:26I slowly turned, golden-molten eyes glinting in the moonlight.
32:30Seeing his reddened eartips, I found it somewhat amusing.
32:32Three hundred years, and he was still like this.
32:36Come.
32:40Sanatos hesitated, then stepped forward slowly.
32:45Stopping two steps away, he still kept his gaze lowered, not meeting mine.
32:51The night wind lifted my hair.
32:54A silver strand fell onto his shoulder.
32:57His gaze followed it.
32:58His fingertips curled slightly, wanting to touch.
33:02Yet restraining himself.
33:04Goddess Selian.
33:06His voice was barely a whisper.
33:10The night wind is cold.
33:12Sanatos will drape a cloak over you.
33:14He removed his cloak, holding it with both hands, carefully placing it on my shoulders.
33:18I adjusted my collar and said casually,
33:21You're thoughtful.
33:22You're thoughtful.
33:23His ears reddened further.
33:24He stepped back two paces, lowering his head again.
33:27It's Sanatos' duty.
33:29I watched him, the Underlord who made gods tremble, obedient now like a small serpent.
33:34Sanatos.
33:37Sanatos.
33:37At your service.
33:39Three hundred years.
33:40Sanatos.
33:41I spoke slowly, gazing into the distance.
33:45You are still like when you were young.
33:48His breathing faltered slightly, yet he did not lift his head.
33:52Simply whispered.
33:53Yes.
33:54I turned and walked toward the hall.
33:56Behind me, his footsteps followed.
33:58Not too far, not too near.
34:00I did not look back.
34:01But I knew those eyes were fixed on my back.
34:03Debts had been repaid.
34:05Those who should remain, remained.
34:06The little black snake that nearly died.
34:10From the Divine Spring to Tartarus.
34:12From Serpent to God-King.
34:14Had traveled countless paths in three centuries, yet nevered out of the three steps behind me.
34:19This time, I would not let him kneel at my feet.
34:22The night wind swept the terrace as I walked slowly into the hall.
34:26Slow enough for the one who had always followed me to take the three steps he had never dared before.
34:31Finally walking to my side.
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