He felt a flicker of sympathy for these girls. But in war, mercy for the enemy was a luxury Tenra couldn't afford.
"Marion, Bürent, Shuriya, Ni, Li, Ile, Neru, Mira!"
Tenra's eyes hardened as he called his Pawn girls by name.
Pawns were weaker than other pieces—until they entered enemy territory. Then, with their King's permission, they could promote to any piece but King, switching forms at will. It was a tactical advantage few could match.
"Yes, Tenra-sama!"
With his signal, the girls' auras erupted, all promoting to Queen in a flash of power.
The battle exploded. Both sides' peerage girls clashed, each picking a target, the great hall erupting into chaos.
They'd fought before—familiarity bred efficiency. The holy maidens, freed from magical restraints, fought with brutal strength. But Tenra's girls had grown too, training relentlessly since their last encounter. Now, they were equals.
Hollow-eyed, Elmenhilde—Diodora's Queen—leapt toward Tenra. Yubelluna stepped forward, defensive magic shimmering, ready to intercept.
But Elmenhilde faltered mid-attack. Her empty gaze flickered—pain and awareness struggled beneath the surface.
"Ahhh!"
Clutching her head, she collapsed, screaming.
"Tenra-sama… save us… please…"
She was fighting the mind-control. On her knees, Elmenhilde pleaded, voice raw with desperation.
Tenra and Yubelluna exchanged glances—surprised. Even under forbidden magic, this girl's will was extraordinary.
"Tenra-sama?" Yubelluna asked quietly. Sympathy glimmered in her eyes, but if Tenra commanded her to kill, she would obey without hesitation.
Tenra didn't answer. He stepped forward. The magic seized Elmenhilde again—she lunged, eyes cold, but Tenra blocked her easily and drove a fist into her abdomen.
She crumpled, gasping—a sound equal parts pain and relief—falling limp into his arms.
Tenra studied her face, brow furrowing. She'd changed, but he recognized her: the silver-haired holy maiden he'd once saved. He hadn't expected Diodora to recapture her, let alone break her so thoroughly.
She must have suffered hell under that twisted bastard.
"Yubelluna, help with the others. Try not to hurt them—but your safety comes first."
He tucked Elmenhilde away in the Sancta Diabolus Ecclesia, then strode deeper into the temple.
"Yes, Tenra-sama…"
Yubelluna bowed, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She turned to join the melee.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Tenra walked toward the main hall, unhurried. A rush of air—someone landed beside him.
"Raynare. Weren't you supposed to mop up the ones outside?"
He didn't need to look.
"Just small fry. Boring, honestly. Mittelt and Kalawarner can handle it."
Raynare stretched lazily, her tone pure boredom.
Tenra said nothing more. Together, they entered the main hall.
It was cavernous—empty, save for a single figure seated on the central dais.
Diodora.
"Tenra Kamiyo!"
Diodora ignored Raynare, eyes locked on Tenra, burning with venom and hate.
"Diodora, you really are a mess."
"Betraying the Underworld, crawling to the enemy—you've burned every bridge."
Tenra met his gaze, voice cool, mocking.
"Who did this to me?" Diodora spat. "You! It's all you!"
He leapt up, face twisted, shouting.
He knew there was no way back. He had to kill Tenra—the one who'd taken everything, driven him to ruin.
Truthfully, at first, there'd been no deep hatred. Diodora, the pure-blood Astaroth genius, looked down on Tenra—the "failure" who couldn't even awaken his bloodline. Then Tenra beat him, shattering his fragile pride.
And then, Tenra had cut out Diodora's manhood. The wound festered, twisting his soul beyond recognition.
Tenra never regretted it. If given another chance, he'd do it again.
And now, with both of them locked in mortal hatred, Tenra saw no reason to hold back.
Because of Tenra's punishment, Diodora's skin was pale and soft, his voice shrill and feminine. With his delicate features and androgynous frame, in a dress, no one would guess he'd ever been a man.
Well—he wasn't, anymore.
How many years had he suffered? Once, he'd reveled in tormenting women. Now, he could only watch, burning with rage and envy, every reminder of his loss driving him deeper into madness.
A devil's smile curled Tenra's lips. He snapped his fingers.
"Raynare."
"Hehehe…"
Raynare understood instantly. She sauntered forward, casting Diodora a look of pure contempt and provocation. Then she turned to Tenra, pressing close, offering him a kiss—hungry, shameless, unrestrained.
They lost themselves in each other. On the dais, Diodora's eyes blazed red, humiliation and fury twisting his face.
They were doing this on purpose. They wanted him to suffer.
Tenra Kamiyo—you've gone too far!
"Die! Both of you!"
Rage exploded. Diodora unleashed a massive magic circle, a torrent of dark energy surging toward Tenra and Raynare.
BOOM!
The hall shook, dust and smoke swallowing their figures.
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