- 20 minutes ago
My Serpent King
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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.
00:11High Priest Cassius, before you send me into Tartarus, you better think through the consequences.
00:16He avoided my gaze.
00:18Lilith 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
00:36Underrealm and bring you back.
00:38My 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, he knelt before me and lowered his
01:01head.
01:02Goddess Salerno, he said, I vow to guide your reigns for all eternity.
01:06That 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.
01:14And now, Callius personally delivered me back to that little creature. He dared make me bear the punishment for Lilith.
01:20Tomorrow, I would make sure he and his entire temple rested forever beneath this land.
01:32In 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 read.
01:45Pyra, I had no choice.
01:46A hint of reluctance showed on Cassius' face, as if he was the one cornered by fate.
01:52The 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, I concealed my true
02:10name 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, and took her under my wing, treating
02:34her like a younger sister.
02:35To protect her, I entrusted her to Cassius, allowing her to enter the temple as the youngest priestess.
02:42But human hearts are unpredictable, and divine hearts even more so.
02:47To protect Lilith, Cassius had personally pushed me onto the altar.
02:55Lyra, do not blame me. How can we resist the Underlord's might?
03:00Lilith 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, he sealed the golden blood within
03:17me with an oath by the name of Slaft at him.
03:20At this moment, I was powerless, less than a mortal.
03:24Sister, do not hate Cassius. It is all my fault.
03:28Lilith 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.
03:47It 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.
03:59I staggered, my knees striking the steps, golden blood seeping out.
04:04So this is the one.
04:06The 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.
04:15Cassius' voice came from behind.
04:17The person has been delivered. From today onward, you will hold Lilith blameless.
04:22The commander sneered, his gaze settling on me.
04:26The Underlord commands that such a criminal has no right to walk through the temple gates upright.
04:32Kneel.
04:33A 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.
04:50What are you waiting for? Move!
04:52Exhausted, I could only inch forward, step by step, toward the hall.
04:58In 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 Salona.
05:10He had said.
05:11I will grow strong.
05:13I 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?
05:34In his eyes, you're nothing more than a lamb sent to die for me.
05:37A surge of rage rose from my chest.
05:39I lifted my hand and struck Lilith across the face.
05:45She screamed, falling to the ground, tears flooding her eyes.
05:48Mentor! Mentor, save me!
05:51Cassius 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?
06:26In this land, only one goddess could say such words. That would be Lyra Selina, who resides beyond Olympus.
06:33Mistress of the stars, saint of the cosmos.
06:36Another 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 disravelled?
06:45Lilith lifted her head from Cassius' arms, mocking.
06:48Sister, 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.
07:08I shouted to everyone. I am Lyra Selina herself! I possess the holy relic!
07:14Trembling, I reached into my clothes and pulled out a golden necklace.
07:17The chain bore the mark of the tear of the cosmos, forged only for the saint herself.
07:21In the next instant, Cassius snatched it from me.
07:25He personally placed the relic around Lilith's neck.
07:28Lyra.
07:28He said coldly.
07:30You dare steal my relic?
07:32This tear, it was given to me by a reclusive deity when I was gravely wounded.
07:36Since when did it become yours?
07:38I froze.
07:39Three centuries ago, I had used the tear of the cosmos to protect Cassius' divine essence,
07:44saving him from the brink of death.
07:46When he awoke, he knelt before me.
07:48Goddess Alita, I will find the rarest star stone and set it upon this chain myself.
07:53From this day forward, I will guard you with my heart, to death without regret.
07:57Back then, I had laughed at his solemnity.
08:00And now, he says I stole it?
08:03I lunged forward to reclaim the chain.
08:06Lilith lifted her foot and stepped on my hand.
08:08The sound of bones shattering was drowned out by her laughter.
08:12I looked at my batted body, broken finger bones, golden blood seeping.
08:16And then, I laughed.
08:18Three centuries ago, while preparing a divine potion, I had accidentally burned myself with holy fire.
08:23Sonata's eyes had reddened on the spot, and he had raged, threatening to destroy all the sacred flimes on this
08:30land, declare that no one could harm me.
08:33Cassius and his entire temple would no longer be able to protect him.
08:37In an instant, we entered the Underrealm's Grand Hall.
08:40Lilith froze mid-step.
08:43Cassius' 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.
08:53Sonatas had devoted me as his only faith.
08:55This hall was filled with traces of my presence.
08:59Lilith's gaze fell on the center of the hall.
09:01There stood a white jade statue of a woman, her head lowered in profile, a white lotus in her hand.
09:06Lilith stepped forward to touch it, hesitating.
09:09Mentor, 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.
09:23A 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.
09:37Only she, under the title of 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?
09:46The ones who dared destroy the Underlord's sacred pomegranate grove?
09:49You must be really tired of living, she added with a sneer.
09:53Cassius' face drained of color, instinctively bowing.
09:56This offense stems from ignorance daring to provoke the Underlord.
10:00Please, goddess Irene, forgive-
10:02Irene didn't even listen.
10:03Her eyes were locked firmly on me.
10:06Before I could react, her hand struck my cheek.
10:09My face swelled instantly, golden blood spilling from the corner of my mouth.
10:13Who gave you permission to look at me directly?
10:16Her voice was full of venom.
10:18What lowly base deer did Dares claim to be the saint of the cosmos?
10:21Without even glancing at the river, let it to see your own worthless bones?
10:26I wiped the blood from my lips and met her gaze.
10:28Senatos, is this how you torture women?
10:31Irene's expression changed instantly.
10:36Impudus!
10:38You dare speak the Underlord's true name?
10:42Yes.
10:43In this land of coexisting deities, true names are the foundation of power.
10:49Mortals may not speak them.
10:51Gods may not lightly call them.
10:53Only the closest and most permitted may utter a deity's true name.
10:58Irene had accompanied Sanatus in the Underrealm for 300 years.
11:01Yet she had never been allowed to speak that name herself.
11:06And before her stood this dishamveled woman, who had said it aloud on her first word.
11:12In that instant, jealousy surge in Irene's heart.
11:16She would rather believe it was blasphemy.
11:18That this criminal had intentionally used it to humiliate her.
11:22Only by thinking so could she maintain her position in this palace.
11:27Seeing Irene's true fury, Cassius turned to me with a harsh command.
11:30Lyra, kneel and beg Goddess Irene for forgiveness.
11:35Lilith immediately rushed forward.
11:38Pressing my head down, slamming my forehead into the stone again and again.
11:44Sister! Are you mad?
11:46How dare you speak to Goddess Irene like that?
11:49Do you want to destroy the entire temple?
11:52My forehead throbbed under her pressure.
11:55Golden blood streaking through my hair, blurring my vision.
11:58I looked at these two faces twisted by fear.
12:02One had once swore eternal vows to me.
12:04The other had been salvaged from the sacrificial embers of the wilderness.
12:08My heart grew icy.
12:10These were the ones I had protected for three centuries.
12:14A pack of wolves cloaked in priestly robes.
12:18Irene looked at me and sneered.
12:20She raised her right hand, summoning a cluster of nether fire.
12:25It was the flame from the deepest abyss of the Underrealm.
12:29Capable of burning the soul with no cure.
12:34A prisoner dares to be this arrogant.
12:37I want to see if you can still smile.
12:40When your divine bones are scorched inch by inch.
12:46With that, she lunged forward.
12:48Her fingers clamping onto my shoulder blades.
12:50The cold fire touched my back.
12:52The sound of my clothes burning echoed.
12:55Immediately, a scorching heat seeped into my blood.
12:58Coursing through my golden blood.
13:02I groaned, my body trembling.
13:05Irene fed her divine power into the fire.
13:07Flames surging higher.
13:10Already can't bear it?
13:11Don't worry, this is just the beginning.
13:13When cracks appear in your divine bones,
13:15the Underlord himself will return to see you in this wretched state.
13:20She pressed her other hand against my cheek.
13:22I grinted my teeth, refusing to cry out a second time.
13:28Cassius stood three steps away.
13:30Fists clenched tightly.
13:32Yet he dared not advance.
13:34Irene's smile twisted into near madness.
13:37As she turned to shout at Cassius.
13:40Come!
13:41Hold 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,
13:56pressing my shoulders firmly to the ground.
13:58Pinned, I looked up at the face that once smiled gently only for me.
14:02Once he had called me Lyra, had sworn to me.
14:04Now, he held me down, delivering me to death.
14:07Irene, seeing my silence, grew even more franzier.
14:10Intensifying the nether fire.
14:12The skin on my face nearly melted.
14:15Golden blood streaming down.
14:17Lyra!
14:18You are a sinner!
14:19You destroyed a relic!
14:22Shamed the temple!
14:24Deserve every bit of this!
14:26Lilith's face shone with excitement.
14:28Goddess Irene is burning her well.
14:30This is how sinners should be treated.
14:32Let's see if she dares defy anyone again.
14:34Pain wracked my body.
14:36My consciousness slowly devoured by the flames.
14:38Just as my eyelids were about to close,
14:40the entire hall shook violently, without warning.
14:45A wave of pressure swept in from outside the hall,
14:48and the nether fire vanished in an instant.
14:50Irene's triumphant expression froze,
14:53her pupils widening in shock.
14:55A figure appeared, backlit by the hall's entrance.
14:58It was Sonatos.
14:59He had returned.
15:01Instinctively, Irene withdrawn all her divine power
15:03and pressed herself forward in submission.
15:06Underlord.
15:07You've returned.
15:08The...
15:09The sinner who desolated the relic has already been dealt with.
15:13Cassius said,
15:15bowing almost simultaneously.
15:18Underlord.
15:19The offense stems from ignorance.
15:21Destroying the relic.
15:23The judgment is yours to make.
15:27Lilith hastily knelt as well.
15:28Please, calm your anger!
15:30It was all sisters' fault!
15:32It has nothing to do with us!
15:33But Sonatos didn't even glance at them.
15:35I lay in the distance,
15:36my face scorched beyond recognition by the nether fire.
15:39Golden blood seeping from every wound.
15:42Summoning my last ounce of strength.
15:44I let out a faint,
15:46wrast laugh from deep in my throat.
15:49That laugh caught Sonatos' attention.
15:51He slowly turned his head,
15:53and the moment his eyes landed on the figure on the ground,
15:57an overwhelming presence filled the hall.
16:00Everyone present nearly collapsed to their knees at the same instant.
16:03Only I remained lying there,
16:05tilting my head to look at him.
16:08Sonatos...
16:08Is this how you greet your master?
16:11The hall fell silent, stunned.
16:13Sonatos froze, staring at me, mouth opening,
16:16yet no sound emerged.
16:17Irene trembled with fury,
16:20raising her hand to strike my face again,
16:22screaming,
16:23Lyra!
16:24You're courting death!
16:26A mere prisoner!
16:27Dares call herself the Underlord's master!
16:31Before she could finish,
16:33an invisible giant hand slammed her into the ground.
16:37The floor shattered beneath her,
16:39collapsing into a deep pit.
16:40She lay at the bottom,
16:42blood dripping from her mouth,
16:43disbelief etched across her face.
16:48Underlord...
16:49For this sin...
16:50Sonatos ignored her entirely,
16:52striding with urgency towards me.
16:54When he reached my side,
16:55he did not hesitate.
16:56He knelt.
16:57The ruler of the Underrealm prostrated before me,
17:00his forehead nearly touching the ground.
17:01Goddess Salona, I am late.
17:04Please punish me.
17:05Hearing this, everyone froze.
17:07Lilith went pale, whispering,
17:09Impossible.
17:10This cannot be.
17:11She could not believe that the sister she had mocked
17:13and allowed Irene to torment
17:14was truly Lyra Salona,
17:16the legendary saint of the cosmos.
17:19Cassius froze in shock.
17:20The two guards who had mocked me earlier
17:23lost control and collapsed on the spot.
17:27I lowered my gaze,
17:29staring at Sonatos crated before me.
17:32He was no longer the frail boy of the past,
17:34the one I had taught ancient divine arts to,
17:37giving him the name Sonatos and telling him,
17:40Follow me from now on.
17:42Back then, he had called me Goddess Selene,
17:45his eyes full of reverence and dependence.
17:47Now, draped in black robes,
17:50he ruled the Underrealm.
17:52Yet for me alone,
17:54he retained that same unwavering devotion.
17:56I smiled suddenly.
17:59Rise.
18:03Sonatos lifted his head,
18:05eyes bloodshot and burning with anger.
18:07In his palm,
18:08a swirling orb of abysm flame formed,
18:10black and red intertwined.
18:11A colony of ants dares harm my Lyra Salene?
18:14Crush them all to dust.
18:15I lifted my hand slightly.
18:17Wait.
18:19I'll settle this score with them myself.
18:26The End
18:27Hearing my words,
18:28the fire in Sanicus's eyes softened slightly.
18:32He raised his hand,
18:34the Neth Estence swirling around his fingertips,
18:37lightly brushing over me.
18:39Not a hint of offence.
18:41A wave of power surged through me,
18:43the previously sealed golden blood flowing freely again,
18:46the stinging pain in my bones faded inch by inch.
18:49Even the wounds on my face and knees eased considerably.
18:52He had lifted the seal from within me.
18:55From then on,
18:56Sonatos stayed close without leaving my side.
19:00He settled me in the inner chamber,
19:03carrying a clay bowl of dark red ointment.
19:06He entered quietly,
19:07eyes lowered,
19:09ears flushed.
19:10Kneeling on one knee,
19:11he carefully applied the salve to my wounds
19:13with a tiny silver spoon,
19:14as if afraid to hurt me.
19:16Goddess Selene,
19:17every bit of suffering you endured I remember.
19:20Those who dared harm you,
19:22I will make repay a hundredfold,
19:24a thousandfold.
19:25I looked at him,
19:26a mixture of devotion and ferocity in his expression,
19:29and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
19:34My little one has grown quite capable.
19:37To serve the goddess is Sanatos' honour.
19:40He paused.
19:41All the sinners are locked in the deepest abyssal cells
19:43of the Underrealm.
19:44Irene's tendons have been severed,
19:46her divine power sealed in the phantom water prison,
19:49enduring the agony of countless vengeful souls daily.
19:52Consider this your first measure of justice.
19:53He met my glaze.
19:55I reached out lightly, brushing his cheek.
19:58Well done.
19:59His shoulders twitched.
20:01Sanatos, anxious.
20:03For the next few days,
20:05I rested in the inner chamber of the Underrealm.
20:07Every morning and evening,
20:08Sanatos came punctually.
20:10He never entered the room,
20:11standing three-stout side with utmost respect.
20:14Goddess Selene,
20:15are you well?
20:17Once he received my response,
20:19he would bow and retreat.
20:20I leaned against the window,
20:23feeling an indescribable warmth.
20:26This was not a king who made gods tremble.
20:29This was the most devoted follower,
20:32permitted 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,
20:49and 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.
20:58Now his hair was disheveled,
20:59and he was bound to a stone pillar with divine chains.
21:02Seeing me, he struggled violently.
21:11Lyra!
21:12I didn't mean it!
21:13It's all amid a standing.
21:15Lilith planted this.
21:16I was foolish for a moment.
21:18Please forgive me just this once, will you?
21:21I stood silently, watching him, saying nothing.
21:25Cassius, seeing my silence,
21:28reached out to grab my clothing.
21:29Before his hand could touch my hem,
21:31a flash of light streaked past my side.
21:35No!
21:37Cassius screamed as half his arm fell to the ground,
21:40golden blood spraying everywhere.
21:42Sanatos.
21:43Withdrew the Neth blade from his fingertips.
21:46You are unworthy of touching Goddess Selene.
21:50Cassius 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,
22:02protected your temple,
22:04kept it safe amid the struggles of gods.
22:05And what was the result?
22:07For Lilith, for the so-called temple's honor,
22:09you did not hesitate to push me onto the altar.
22:12You let me be burned and humiliated,
22:14let my bloodline be sealed,
22:16left me to suffer unborable pain.
22:18I let out a soft, bitter laugh.
22:21Cassius, is this the oath you swore to me?
22:26From the opposite cell, Lilith's cries began.
22:29Sister! Sister, I was wrong!
22:32I truly know I was wrong!
22:34She knelt, forehead pressed to the ground, begging repeatedly,
22:38her brows striking the stone with loud thuzz.
22:39I was jealous of you!
22:40I shouldn't have stirred the mentor to hand you over, but sister!
22:44She choked back her tears.
22:45I practiced divine arts with you!
22:48Patrolled the temple with you!
22:49Have you forgotten all that?
22:50As she spoke, she began slapping herself,
22:53harder and harder, her cheeks quickly swelling.
22:55I am not human!
22:57My heart is venomous!
22:58Sister, please forgive me just this once!
23:01I watched her.
23:03Her cries grew more desperate, reckless.
23:06Finally, 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,
23:15then glanced at the man in the cell who dared not lift his 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.
23:25No wonder you hate me, sir.
23:26I turned to Lilith. She trembled all over, unable to speak.
23:30Sonatos raised his hand, releasing a wave of nether essence that slung Lilith against the stone wall,
23:37vomiting a mouthful of blood.
23:39Noisy.
23:41You dare defy Goddess Salonis?
23:45I looked at Lilith on the ground, showing no mercy.
23:48I should never have picked you up from those sacrificial embers.
23:51Starving 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.
24:00Let's see how true that is.
24:01I met Cenaris' eyes.
24:03He understood immediately, nodding slightly.
24:06It was the Underlord silently granting me the authority to pardon.
24:09From 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.
24:19Give them three days.
24:21If even one person comes to save their High Priest, no matter who, regardless of divinity, demigod or mortal,
24:27I swear by the name of Stryk that he will suffer no harm.
24:30Furthermore, 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,
24:44or will they 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.
24:54Cassius 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 neth guards.
25:13Half of Cassius' arm was gone, the wound wrapped in blood-soaked cloth.
25:17Lilith'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.
25:27Time crawled by. The 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 alien madness.
25:38A pack of ungrateful reddens!
25:40I treated you as my own children, gave you all my knowledge, and yet not a single one came to
25:45save me!
25:46Lilith was even worse. She collapsed, sobbing controllably.
25:49I 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 Sonatas at my side.
26:01Since they hide, unwilling to show themselves, let's go meet them ourselves.
26:05With that, I swept toward the temple.
26:11Sonatas followed, his nether guard formation moving behind him in perfect order.
26:17Seemingly 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 itself 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.
26:55Once 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
27:20priestess?
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. At that moment, one disciple stepped forward from the
27:32center.
27:33Everyone, 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! These two before you are only phantoms
27:43created by her arts!
27:44The 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.
27:56But before his hand could reach halfway, someone beside him pressed it down forcefully.
28:00Don't check.
28:02The elder froze. He followed the evasive eyes and slowly understood.
28:09Everyone had seen. Everyone knew. But no one dared expose it.
28:13If they did not verify, the kneeling figures could be phantoms. If they were phantoms, no one needed to save
28:18them.
28:18If no one needed to save them, no one needed to die. I watched it all unfold.
28:22In 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.
28:36Senortus and I stood side by side.
28:38The hundreds of temple disciples clashed with the elite netherguard battalion. Divine weapons were sent flying.
28:43People thrown to the ground. Protective morph formations shattered. Divine powers sealed one by one.
28:48Screams, cries, and pleas mixed into a chaotic symphony.
28:51I looked down from above. Cassius, forced to watch with wide eyes, saw everything firsthand.
28:57Three centuries of toil. The temple he built and nurtured to the high priesthood crumbling before him.
29:02Despair and agony threatened to consume him entirely. Cassius went mad.
29:06Behind us, the horns of the underworld 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.
29:25A few days later, Senortus approached my side.
29:28Goddess Salerna, what shall be done with Irene and the others?
29:32I slowly surveyed their faces. An eye for an eye.
29:36Senortus 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 bism of flame.
29:58Once burned, heal. Then burn again.
30:01Once at sunrise. Once at sunset.
30:03Let her feel the pain at every moment.
30:07Dawn brings pain. Dust brings pain. Never let her die.
30:13Senortus lowered his head in acknowledgement.
30:15Irene had once burned the divine bones of someone revered by the Underlord.
30:20According 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.
30:37I 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.
30:55She was left on the temple ruins, without water or food.
30:58A thinned barrier of naryer essence surrounded the ruins.
31:02Not to imprison her, but to prevent her from leaving and anyone from entering.
31:07Left to survive or perish on her own.
31:12Cassius 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, don't call me that.
31:29You're not worthy.
31:30His body shook violently.
31:32Forehead pressed to the ground.
31:34He wept with heart-ranking anguish.
31:36Three 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, not love.
31:46I lowered my gaze at him.
31:47Cassius, I want you trapped in the depths of the Underrealm, hearing 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.
32:03All was over.
32:04From the highest terrace of the Underrealm, soft footsteps approached.
32:09Goddess Selina, it's late.
32:13Sanatos 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.
32:33Three hundred years, and he was still like this.
32:36Come.
32:40Sanatos hesitated, then stepped forward slowly.
32:46Stopping 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, his fingertips curled slightly, wanting to touch, yet 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.
33:19I adjusted my collar and said casually,
33:21You'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.
33:35Sanatos.
33:37Sanatos.
33:38At your service.
33:39Three hundred years.
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.
33:57Behind me, his footsteps followed.
33:59Not too far, not too near.
34:00I did not look back.
34:01But I knew those eyes were fixed on my back.
34:04Debts had been repaid.
34:05Those who should remain, remained.
34:07The little black snake that nearly died.
34:10From the Divine Spring to Tartarus, from 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, slow enough for the one who had
34:28always followed me to take the three steps he had never dared before, finally walking to my side.
34:33Fill her up towards her.
34:33It was called the The Night Wilds.
34:33It's a big believer.
34:33It's a good believer.
34:33You have been a servant and a good believer.
34:33And you are a leader.
34:34As you are, I learned, I'm good at the beginning because I won't let him stay.
34:34It's not so good.
34:34You have had a good intensive care.
34:34You have had a great job.
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