"Katerea… why… why…"
Creuserey stared at the gaping wound in his chest, face ghostly pale as he stumbled backward, disbelief etched into every feature.
He couldn't fathom it. Why would Katerea suddenly turn on him? Why would she betray him?
He'd given up everything for her.
"Let me spell it out for you, Creuserey—the Katerea you adore has long since bent the knee to me."
Tenra descended from the dais with Raynare, arm slipping possessively around Katerea's waist.
"Did I do well, Master?"
Katerea nestled obediently into Tenra's embrace, her smile coy and sweet, eyes glittering with satisfaction.
"Flawless. That was a show worth watching."
Tenra stroked her cheek, grinning.
It truly had been a spectacular performance.
"Gah!"
Creuserey's world shattered. Katerea—his Katerea—had been Tenra's all along, deceiving him from the start. Fury and heartbreak collided, and he spit blood, collapsing to his knees.
"BITCH!"
His eyes blazed red as he screamed, voice ragged.
That liar. That traitor.
Love twisted into hate, towering and absolute. Who could endure such merciless betrayal?
"Hmph. What's this, Creuserey? Weren't you just pledging to die for me? Regretting it already? So much for your sincerity."
Katerea's gaze was icy now, lips curled in disdain.
"You betrayed me first!"
Creuserey's voice broke, rage and agony twisting his face.
She betrayed him, yet spoke as if she were the victim—how could she be so ruthless?
But Katerea's eyes held nothing but scorn.
"Betrayal? Creuserey, you're so pathetically naive."
She laughed, cold and cruel. "You, me, Shalba—everyone here only came together to use each other. Love? That's just another tool."
"But my love for you… my love…"
Creuserey's voice faltered.
Her words were true, but he couldn't accept them.
His love had always been genuine.
Katerea draped herself over Tenra's arm, laughter bubbling up until tears nearly spilled. Then, just as quickly, her expression hardened into icy contempt.
"You? A cold, ruthless devil—talking about love? Don't make me laugh."
"And even if you did truly love me, so what? I never loved you. Not for a moment."
She looked down on him like a queen from her throne, her scorn freezing Creuserey to the bone.
"You… you…"
He staggered back, a bitter, broken smile twisting his lips.
All this time, blinded by love—only now did he see her for what she was: cold, heartless, and utterly unreachable.
"Then what do you love?!"
Weakness seeped through him, but he couldn't help but scream the question.
She'd trampled his heart—he had to know what drove this woman.
"Isn't it obvious? I love power. I love strength."
Katerea's voice was flat, cold as winter.
Then her eyes softened, turning adoringly toward Tenra.
"And of course, I love my great Master—the one who gives me everything."
This woman never missed a chance to please him. Tenra closed his eyes, sighing in mock exasperation.
But really, he didn't mind at all.
He cupped Katerea's cheek and kissed her, long and deep—a reward for her flawless performance.
"Gah!"
Watching Tenra and Katerea lost in each other, Creuserey felt his heart shred to pieces. Another mouthful of blood spilled from his lips as he collapsed, dead.
Fatally wounded by Katerea's attack, battered by heartbreak and humiliation—this noble son of Asmodeus was killed by rage, betrayal, and despair.
Pitiful. Tragic.
"Tch."
Raynare curled her lip, flicking a ball of fire that reduced Creuserey's corpse to ash.
She watched Katerea bask in Tenra's affection, her own expression darkening.
She'd underestimated this woman—Katerea would do anything to win Tenra's favor.
Raynare clenched her teeth, jealousy burning. She'd have to step up her game.
She was Tenra's perfect tool, and she'd never let anyone steal her place.
"Katerea, you really are a wicked woman."
After a long kiss, Tenra gazed at Katerea, amusement and admiration mingling in his eyes.
This cold, dangerous woman had put on a hell of a show.
"Hehehe… Isn't that what Master loves about me?"
Katerea giggled, voice sweet as honey.
Raynare's eye twitched. She barely restrained the urge to skewer Katerea with a Light Spear.
That damned woman—even her lines weren't safe.
"Come on. Let's check on Yubelluna and the others."
With their enemies dead and nothing left to do, Tenra stretched lazily and led his women out of the temple.
"Lord Tenra!"
Yubelluna and her squad rushed over as Tenra emerged.
The battle was over, and as expected, Tenra's peerage had triumphed.
The unsealed holy maidens had grown stronger, but Yubelluna's team held the advantage.
Minor wounds were already healed by Minami's magic.
Tenra glanced at the unconscious, magically-bound maidens. No time to decide their fate now—he waved a hand and stored them all in the Sancta Diabolus Ecclesia.
He and his group exited the temple. Outside, the sounds of battle still echoed.
But the enemy was nothing but small fry. Tenra sent Katerea, Raynare, and Yubelluna's squad to mop up. The tide turned instantly—Khaos Brigade's devils were slaughtered, fleeing in panic.
"Hah… hah…"
Finally able to breathe, Mittelt, Kalawarna, and the witches collapsed, gasping for air.
They were elite servants, but fighting enemies several times their number had taken its toll.
Mittelt and Kalawarna were mostly fine, but the witches bore wounds—some teetering on the edge of death.
A few deaths wouldn't matter, but Tenra didn't waste his tools.
He activated his Sacred Gear, [Holy Mother's Smile], sending waves of healing light over the witches.
Minor injuries vanished; even the gravely wounded returned from death's door.
"Thank you, Master."
Kneeling in gratitude, the witches' devotion grew ever more fanatical.
Tenra nodded. He always rewarded merit and punished failure.
They'd performed well—he'd see they were properly rewarded.
Before long, the battlefield was cleared. Katerea, Raynare, and Yubelluna's squad returned.
"You all head inside."
He stored the three Fallen Angels, Katerea, and the witches in the Sancta Diabolus Ecclesia. Then Tenra turned to Yubelluna.
"Yubelluna, open the teleportation circle."
"Yes, Lord Tenra."
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