Facing Tenka Yatogami's accusation, Luo Shu had no intention of refuting.
Within Mio Takamiya's Almighty God Class, apart from the power of the three pillars, the most special were the Chokmah of the Second Sephira and the Malkuth of the Tenth Sephira.
The former's Authority was 'Omniscience', while the latter's was 'Matter'.
Mastering matter through omniscience formed the foundation of omnipotence, the hidden fourth pillar of the Almighty God Class.
Thus, even if Mio Takamiya was sealed and the three pillars' power suppressed by the Divine Kingdom, as long as she held onto the Tenth Sephira and waited for the Second Sephira's return, she could still wield the might of a True God.
Although Mio's plan had now failed and Luo Shu had forcibly stripped away the Tenth Sephira to manifest as a Spirit, this immense power didn't disappear; it was instead suppressed at its core by the Divine Kingdom.
After all, in terms of Authority, both the Chokmah of the Second Sephirah and the Malkuth of the Tenth Sephirah were sufficient to support the birth of two Spirits.
Had this power fully manifested as living beings, they would have been born as Seraph Rank lifeforms.
For Mio Takamiya's Almighty God Class, even if the power of the Ten Sefirot was divided, it should have normally manifested as twelve Lesser Gods of Seraph Rank.
But due to her seal and Luo Shu's interference, her power was not only split into ten parts, but nine of them were occupied by ordinary humans, leaving only Tenka Yatogami—born naturally as a Spirit—to emerge relatively complete.
Even so, Tenka Yatogami remained incomplete.
Her full manifestation should have been both Tenka and Tohka as two individuals, born with the Seraph rank.
Yet, to confront Luo Shu, under Mio's partial control, Tenka Yatogami descended as a single being, attempting to reclaim Nia Honjo's power while evading the Divine Kingdom's suppression, seeking strength to resist it.
This was Mio's final struggle.
However, this scheme was clearly on the verge of failure due to Luo Shu's manipulations.
Had Luo Shu not proposed the condition of freeing Mio in exchange for helping him ascend the Divine Throne, Tenka Yatogami—under Mio's will—would have chosen self-destruction upon defeat, preferring death over letting Luo Shu benefit.
Her current compliance was merely a reluctant compromise when no other options remained.
This was why Tenka Yatogami now acted so unwillingly.
Who could be happy about being forced down a path laid out by their enemy?
Feeling little joy, only resignation and bitterness, Tenka Yatogami turned to stare at Luo Shu's face. After a long silence, she finally spoke:
"What is your true goal?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu considered his answer when Tenka bluntly added:
"Don't say it's for Mother's power."
"You merely divided Mother's power and let those lowly humans take it."
"If you truly wanted to claim that power, you must have had better methods."
"You neither kill those humans who possess power nor release Mother from imprisonment. So what exactly is your purpose in doing this?"
Upon hearing Tenka Yatogami's question, Luo Shu momentarily saw in her the image of a pure white goddess, her face filled with resentment.
Perhaps it wasn't Tenka Yatogami asking him now, but Mio Takamiya herself.
Facing Mio Takamiya's accusation, Luo Shu pondered for a long while before smiling helplessly:
"Truthfully, I don't know the reason for your suppression in the Divine Kingdom. Or rather, from the moment I gained consciousness, you were already there."
Hearing this explanation, Mio Takamiya's will showed no reaction.
Seeing this, Luo Shu understood she clearly couldn't believe this reason. Compared to accepting that Luo Shu was an innocent inheritor of the Divine Kingdom, she'd rather believe he harboured some sinister scheme.
Facing such a Mio Takamiya, Luo Shu sighed:
"If we limit the question to just me..."
"Then the main reason I don't seize this Divine Power is probably... I lust after your bodies."
Hearing this, Tenka Yatogami showed astonishment.
Just as Luo Shu thought that she was shocked by his lecherous behaviour, he heard Tenka's voice thick with confusion:
"What does lust after my body mean? Are you going to eat me and Mother?"
"But didn't I just say your actions clearly aren't about consuming Mother's power?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu fell silent for a moment before leaning down to whisper in Tenka Yatogami's ear:
"Actually, it's this kind of eating..."
"Basically... you know about sexual intercourse? The kind that makes babies?... It's somewhat like that..."
After this explanation, Tenka Yatogami pursed her lips, looking at Luo Shu with an expression of seeing an idiot:
"This is your reason for imprisonment?"
"That's it?"
Tenka Yatogami's gaze was filled with disdain, and even the fragment of Mio Takamiya's consciousness within her was speechless.
It wasn't that Mio could tell whether Luo Shu was lying, but rather that the reason was so absurd she doubted even Luo Shu could fabricate such an excuse.
But if that were the case, then what did that make her?
A pitiful prisoner forcibly confined and pursued by a despicable villain?
Instantly, Mio Takamiya lost her composure.
Yet despite her agitation, she had no solution when facing Luo Shu.
"Foolish, ignorant human."
After uttering this curse, Tenka Yatogami closed her eyes. When she reopened them, her gaze had become utterly pure.
"Mother has departed."
Tenka Yatogami calmly looked at Luo Shu and said:
"Before leaving, she stated that entertaining the idea of communicating with you was the greatest stain upon her life."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's lips twitched. "No need to be so harsh, surely?"
Craving a goddess's body was a perfectly reasonable desire!
"Mother cannot hear you now."
Tenka Yatogami extended her hand towards Luo Shu. "Hand over the Familia contract."
"Only once I'm shackled will you honour your promise to release Mother, correct?"
Seeing Tenka Yatogami so compliant, Luo Shu immediately understood. He retrieved the Familia contract from the Mist Ring and passed it to her.
After personally witnessing Tenka Yatogami sign the contract and complete her awakening, Luo Shu finally sighed in relief.
Though Mio Takamiya's consciousness had been driven away by anger, the most dangerous bomb within him had finally seen the light of resolution.
Just for this, Luo Shu felt it was worth it.
As for Tenka Yatogami becoming the first Apostle of his Familia? That was pure profit.
And not just the first Apostle—if the world's limits were lifted, she might even become the first Angel.
Of course, this depended on compensating for the deficiencies caused by Tenka's premature birth.
But in Luo Shu's view, there was plenty of time to address those shortcomings, so there was no need to rush.
Meanwhile, Tenka Yatogami, having signed the Familia contract, instantly absorbed the influx of knowledge. Overwhelmed by the flood of information, she quickly grasped many secrets:
"The Divine Kingdom's suppression... the world's carrying capacity... I see. So that's how it is."
After murmuring to herself, Tenka couldn't help but glance at Luo Shu before sighing:
"I'm beginning to believe your words."
"It seems you truly do covet Mother's beauty."
"???"
Luo Shu was baffled. What exactly had she pieced together from that?
Yet Tenka Yatogami had no intention of explaining. She simply stated coolly:
"Take me to Raziel. It's time to reclaim her power."