"AHHHHH! AHHHHHH!"
Raynare's screams tore through the darkness, raw and relentless. Her limbs were bound tight by [Laojun's Golden Bracelet], and a magic circle pulsed with electricity, sending jolts through her body.
Pain—unimaginable, all-consuming pain. Every nerve, every cell, seemed to shriek in agony. Raynare's mind had been stripped bare; only suffering remained.
Tenra lounged on a gilded throne, idly twining Mihae's hair around his fingers as she nestled shyly against him. He watched Raynare's body convulse, her cries growing weaker, and raised a hand.
Yubelluna tapped her staff, cutting off the electrical torture. Silence crashed down. Raynare collapsed, gasping for breath, barely conscious.
"Raynare, how much longer will you hold out?" Tenra's voice was gentle, almost amused. "Just submit, and the pain ends."
Raynare forced her head up, hatred burning in her eyes. "Lord Azazel will avenge me!"
Tenra shrugged, not even bothering to respond. He leaned down and kissed Mihae, who melted into his arms.
Yubelluna smiled coldly and resumed her spell. Lightning crackled, and Raynare's screams filled the room once more.
Soft lips, desperate wails—Tenra savored both. When he was satisfied, he released Mihae and signaled Yubelluna to stop.
He turned to Raynare, voice low but cutting. "You know, I admire you in a way. Dark, ruthless, fallen—you'll do anything for your goals. Shame you're not very smart."
"You worship Azazel, willing to give him everything. But to him, you're nothing more than a bothersome subordinate. No matter what you do, he never really sees you."
He gestured around the room. "Look at you now—helpless, broken, suffering. Azazel won't come. He's probably happier without you pestering him."
"What a pitiful woman, abandoned by the one she idolizes."
His words landed like daggers. Raynare's face went ghostly pale, her whole body shaking.
"You're lying! Lord Azazel would never abandon me! Never!"
She screamed, refusing to accept the truth.
Yubelluna's laughter was sharp and mocking. Tenra shook his head, pity in his eyes. He stood, patting Mihae's shoulder, and approached Raynare.
"Raynare, your faith in Azazel almost moves me."
He smiled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Actually, I just had a fun idea. I'll let you go—let you see for yourself how much Azazel cares."
He lifted her chin, eyes dancing with amusement. With a flick of his wrist, the golden restraints vanished.
Raynare stared at him, stunned. She'd braced herself for death, yet Tenra was simply… letting her walk free?
"What's wrong? Not going to leave? Better hurry before I change my mind."
Tenra's fingers brushed her cheek, teasing. Raynare snapped back to herself, sprang to her feet, and crashed through the window. Her wings unfurled, and she soared into the moonlit sky.
She hovered above the earth, moonlight painting her in silver. She clenched her fists, testing her freedom. When she realized it was real, her face twisted in triumph.
"Hahaha… Tenra Kamiyo, you're the dumbest devil I've ever met!"
"You just wait—I'll make you pay!"
Hatred burning, Raynare shot Tenra a final glare, then vanished into the night, a streak of black against the stars.
Tenra watched her go, lips curled in a sly smile. "Well, Yubelluna, was that entertaining enough?"
Yubelluna pressed herself against him, her eyes bright with cruel delight. "Absolutely. That foolish little fallen angel still has no idea what's coming."
"Let's go. Time to check on the others."
Tenra, Yubelluna, and Mihae left the room. Waiting outside were Maru and Birent, both in immaculate maid uniforms.
"How are they?" Tenra asked.
"All finished, Tenra-sama. Please, see for yourself."
Maru and Birent opened the door to the next room, inviting them in.
Inside, Yubelluna's eyes sparkled, Mihae blushed, and Tenra's lips curled in amusement.
A blonde cosplayer and a tall, icy beauty hung from cold chains, wrists bound above their heads.
Mittelt and Kalawarner.
Their pride and arrogance were gone. Clothes in tatters, expressions vacant, drool trailing from slack lips—they were utterly broken.
No one needed to ask what the devils had done to them.
—
Raynare landed in town, drawn by Azazel's unmistakable presence.
"Lord Azazel, it's me—Raynare."
Azazel strolled out, yawning. "You're back. Where's what I asked for?"
Raynare knelt, head bowed, shame burning in her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Lord Azazel. I failed."
Every memory of Tenra's torture made her teeth clench, hatred boiling inside. She swore she'd pay him back a thousandfold.
Azazel's eyes narrowed. "You didn't bring me what I wanted?"
Raynare's heart twisted. She'd barely survived, but Azazel cared only about the Sacred Gear. The pain of his indifference cut deeper than any wound.
But she loved him too much to resent him. Azazel was wise, magnificent—he was never wrong. If anyone was at fault, it was her.
"Please, Lord Azazel, give me another chance. I'll bring Tenra Kamiyo's Sacred Gear to you—I swear it."
Azazel's voice was ice. "No need. You've disappointed me too much."
Raynare froze, mind blank. "L-Lord Azazel… what did you say?"
She couldn't comprehend it. Azazel, always so tolerant, was… rejecting her?
She must have misheard. She had to have misheard.
But Azazel's gaze was merciless. "Didn't you hear me? I said—"
"You've disappointed me too much."
"I'll handle the Sacred Gear myself. Get lost. Don't show your face again—I don't need useless subordinates."
He looked down on her, cold and mocking.
Raynare felt as if lightning had struck her. She could endure any punishment, but abandonment—this was unbearable.
"Please, Lord Azazel! Just one more chance! Please!"
Azazel sighed. "Still as annoying as ever. If only you'd just disappear."
He conjured a spear of light, lips curled in a cruel smile. "Since you won't leave on your own, I'll send you off myself."
"Goodbye, Raynare. My incompetent, bothersome subordinate…"
He hurled the spear at her, and Raynare's world shattered.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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