- 2 hours 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.
00:10High 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.
01:06That 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.
01:13And 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.
01:45Ira, 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, and took her under my wing, treating
02:33her 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.
02:54Lyra, 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, 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.
03:23Sister, 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.
03:47It was the entrance to the Underrealm.
03:49It was the throne of that little creature I had personally raised. The chariot came to a halt before the
03:55bronze gates. A guard of the Underrealm yanked me off the vehicle. I staggered, my knee striking the steps, golden
04:02blood 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.
04:25The Underlord commands that such a criminal has no right to walk through the temple gates upright. Kneel.
04:32A shock ran through me. For a thousand years, no being in this land had ever dared order me to
04:39kneel. Before I could react, his boot struck the back of my knee.
04:44Forcing me heavily to the ground. The 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.
05:08Goddess Salona, 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?
05:34In 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.
05:44She screamed, falling to the ground, tears flooding her eyes.
05:48Mentor! Mentor, save me!
05:51Cassius rushed forward and pulled Lilith into his arms.
05:53Lyra, have you lost your mind? Lilith's bloodline is too weak. How could you harm her?
05:59My heart shattered completely.
06:01I straightened my spine, bracing on knees and faced everyone.
06:06She dares offend me?
06:08Even if I crush her soul and cast it into the river lettuce, it would be nothing but a flick
06:13of my hand.
06:14Everyone froze.
06:16After a moment, a guard sneered.
06:19Ha ha ha! This mortal body must have been driven mad by the mist of the Underriver?
06:24A flick of your hand?
06:25In this land, only one goddess could say such words.
06:29That would be Lyra Selina, who resides beyond Olympus.
06:33Mistress of the stars, saint of the cosmos.
06:35Another guard 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?
06:50In this state, you still claim to be the saint?
06:53That 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.
07:06Cassius stood nearby, silently watching.
07:08I shouted to everyone,
07:09I am Lyra Selina herself!
07:12I possess the holy relic!
07:13Trembling, I reached into my clothes and pulled out a golden necklace.
07:16The chain bore the mark of the tear of the cosmos, forged only for the saint herself.
07:20In 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?
07:31This 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 Selina, I will find the rarest star stone and set it upon this chain myself.
07:52From 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.
08:05Lilith lifted her foot and stepped on my hand.
08:08The sound of bones shattering was drowned out by her laughter.
08:11I looked at my batted body, broken finger bones, golden blood seeping.
08:16And then, I laughed.
08:17Three centuries ago, while preparing a divine potion, I had accidentally burned myself with holy fire.
08:24Sonata's eyes had reddened on the spot, and he had raged, threatening to destroy all the sacred flimes on this
08:30land,
08:31declare that no one could harm me.
08:33Cassius and his entire temple would no longer be able to protect him.
08:36In an instant, we entered the Underrealm's grand hall.
08:40Lilith froze mid-step.
08:42Cassius' 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.
08:58Lilith'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 demhordes 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? The ones who dared destroy the Underlord's sacred pomegranate grove?
09:49You must be really tired of living, she added with a sneer.
09:52Cassius' face drained of color, instinctively bowing.
09:55This offense stems from ignorance daring to provoke the Underlord.
09:59Please, goddess Irene, forgive-
10:01Irene didn't even listen. Her eyes were locked firmly on me.
10:05Before 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?
10:16Her voice was full of venom.
10:17What lowly base deida dares claim to be the saint of the cosmos?
10:22Without even glancing at the river, let it to see your own worthless bones?
10:25I wiped the blood from my lips and met her gaze.
10:28Sonatos, is this how you torture women?
10:31Irene's expression changed instantly.
10:35Impudus!
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. Gods 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.
11:26Seeing Irene's true fury, Cassius turned to me with 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.
12:01One 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.
12:09These 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 netherfire.
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, her 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.
13:09Already 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.
13:19She pressed her other hand against my cheek.
13:22I grinted my teeth.
13:24Refusing to cry out a second time.
13:28Cassius stood three steps away.
13:30Fists clenched tightly.
13:32Yet he dared not advance.
13:34Iron 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, pressing 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 frenzied.
14:10Intensifying the nether fire.
14:12The skin on my face nearly melted.
14:14Golden blood streaming down.
14:17Lyra!
14:17You are a sinner!
14:19You destroyed a relic!
14:21Shamed 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, 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.
14:59He had returned.
15:00Instinctively, Irene withdrawn all her divine power and 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, bowing almost simultaneously.
15:18Underlord.
15:19The offense stems from ignorance.
15:21Destroying the relic, the judgment is yours to make.
15:26Lilith hastily knelt as well.
15:28Please, calm your anger!
15:30It was all sister's fault!
15:31It 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.
15:42Summoning my last ounce of strength, I let out a faint, rasped laugh from deep in my throat.
15:48That laugh caught Sanatus' 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.
16:08Sonatos...
16:08Is this how you greet your master?
16:11The hall fell silent, stunned.
16:13Sonatos froze, staring at me, mouth opening, yet no sound emerged.
16:17Irene trembled with fear, raising her hand to strike my face again, screaming.
16:23Lyra! You're courting death!
16:26A mere prisoner, dares call herself the Underlord's master!
16:31Before she could finish, an invisible giant hand slammed her into the ground.
16:37The 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 sin.
16:50Sonatos 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.
17:09Impossible! This cannot be!
17:10She could not believe that the sister she had mocked and allowed Irene to torment was truly Lyra Salona, the
17:16legendary 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 Sonatos prated before me.
17:31He was no longer the frail boy of the past, the one I had taught ancient divine arts to, giving
17:37him the name Sonatos and telling him, follow me from now on.
17:41Back then, he had called me Goddess Selene, his eyes full of reverence and dependence.
17:47Now, 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.
18:01Same unwavering devotion.
18:03Sonatos lifted his head, eyes bloodshot and burning with anger.
18:07In his palm, a swirling orb of abyssen 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.
18:19I'll settle this score with them myself.
18:26Hearing my words, the fire in Sannicus's eyes softened slightly.
18:32He 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.
18:49Even the wounds on my face and knees eased considerably.
18:52He had lifted the seal from within me.
18:55From then on, Sonatos 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 Sonatos' 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.
20:01Sonatos, anxious.
20:03For the next few days, I rested in the inner chamber of the Underrealm.
20:07Every morning and evening, Sonatos came punctually.
20:09He never entered the room, standing threest outside 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.
21:01Seeing me, he struggled violently.
21:10Lyra!
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?
21:20I 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.
21:37Cassius 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.
22:01Elevated you to High Priest.
22:02Protected your temple.
22:03Kept it safe amid the struggles of gods.
22:05And what was the result?
22:07For 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.
22:14Let 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.
22:30Sister! Sister, I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong!
22:33She knelt, forehead pressed to the ground, begging repeatedly.
22:37Her brows striking the stone with loud thuds.
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!
22:47Patrolled 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.
23:26I turned to Lilith. She trembled all over me, 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.
23:50Starving 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.
24:01I met Sanatos' 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 Stryx 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,
24:26I swear by the name of Stryx 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,
24:42come to save you at all costs, or 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.
24:53Cassius stared at me in stung 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!
25:26Time crawled by. The noontime bell tolled in the distance, yet the road to the temple remained empty.
25:32No one came. Cassius' face grew paler by the hour, from initial hope to growing anxiety, to cursing merely in
25:38madness.
25:38A pack of ungrateful reddens! I treated you as my own children, gave you all my knowledge, and yet not
25:44a single one came to save me!
25:45Lilith was even worse. She collapsed, sobbing controllably.
25:48I watched them and let out a cold laugh. I never expected my so-called virtuous disciples to be even
25:54better at calculating the moment than I imagined.
25:59I turned to Sonartos at my side. Since they hide, unwilling to show themselves, let's go meet them ourselves.
26:06With that, I swept toward the temple.
26:10Sonartos 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! After three centuries of careful guidance, this is
26:40how you repay your mentor? Blasphemous 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. I 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. At that moment, one disciple stepped forward from the
27:32center.
27:32Everyone, do not be deceived by this evil goddess! This is all her divine trickery! The real high priest and
27:38priestess perished in the Underrealm three days ago! These 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.
28:38The hundreds of temple disciples clashed with the elite nethergard battalion. Divine weapons were sent flying.
28:43People thrown to the ground. Protective more 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 first hand.
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 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.
29:24A few days later, Sanatos 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.
29:35Sanatos 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 bismuth 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.
30:13Sanatos 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.
30:33Sister, 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 narrower 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, don't call me that.
31:28You're not worthy.
31:30His body shook violently, forehead pressed to the ground.
31:33He 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.
31:45Not love.
31:46I lowered my gaze at him.
31:47Cassius, I 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.
32:04From the highest terrace of the Underrealm, soft footsteps approached.
32:09Goddess Selina, it'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.
32:33Three 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, 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.
33:22His ears reddened further.
33:24He stepped back two paces, lowering his head again.
33:27It's Sanatos' duty.
33:28I watched him, the Underlord who made gods tremble, obedient now like a small serpent.
33:35Sanatos.
33:36Sanatos.
33:37At 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.
33:56Behind 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.
34:04Debts 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.
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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