"This is Asia. She's family now, so I want you all to treat her as one of your own."
Tenra's voice carried easily across the main hall as he introduced Asia to the assembled girls. He shot her a gentle, encouraging smile.
"Asia, why don't you say hello?"
Asia clasped her hands nervously, cheeks tinged pink. But under Tenra's reassuring gaze, she managed a polite bow.
"I'm Asia Argento. Please just call me Asia. I hope we can all get along."
"Is Asia-nee a real saint? That's amazing!"
"Miss Asia, let's be good friends from now on."
"Birento, let's go all out and make a feast to welcome Asia!"
"Ooh, ooh! Extra food, nya, extra food, nya! Ni and Li want some too!"
Ile and Nel immediately swarmed Asia with questions, their curiosity boundless, while gentle Minami took her hands to help ease her shyness. Maru and Birento headed for the kitchen, determined to prepare a lavish dinner, with the ever-hungry Ni and Li trailing after them, chanting about extra servings.
Asia was someone Tenra had accepted, so the rest of the girls welcomed her without reservation. Their voices overlapped in a chorus of warmth and excitement.
"Everyone, I… I…"
Asia pressed her hands together, eyes shimmering with emotion. Back at the Church, she'd been chosen as a saint for her Sacred Gear and unwavering faith, but there she'd only been revered—never truly cherished. She'd never known family, never had real friends.
But now, surrounded by Tenra's encouragement and the girls' genuine enthusiasm, for the first time, Asia felt… home.
It was overwhelming. It was wonderful.
That night, Maru and Birento outdid themselves, filling the table with delicious dishes. Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate Asia's arrival.
Asia wasn't the type to command the room, but her gentle kindness and Madonna-like warmth drew people in. Even the mischievous Ile and Nel sisters declared, with tiny fists raised, that if anyone ever bullied Asia-nee, they'd tear them to pieces.
Asia, still unaware of the "chainsaw loli" duo's true nature, waved her hands frantically, insisting that wouldn't be necessary—only to set off another round of laughter.
Bashful and moved, Asia didn't even realize how quickly she'd become part of this strange, loving household. Tenra watched it all unfold, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. This was exactly the outcome he'd hoped for.
After dinner, as everyone lingered over desserts, Tenra decided the time was right.
"Yubelluna."
"Yes, Lord Tenra."
Yubelluna stood, immediately understanding. She distributed a copy of the Codex of Divinitas et Diabolus to each girl.
"A scripture? Lord Tenra, what's this nya, what's this nya?" Ni and Li tilted their heads, peering at the book in Yubelluna's hands.
Tenra wasn't surprised that even the innocent catgirls could perceive the scripture. He motioned for them to be patient, then stood, his expression turning solemn.
"I have something important to announce."
The room quieted as all eyes turned to him. Under the girls' puzzled gazes, Tenra revealed the truth: God was dead, and he intended to establish a new faith and become the world's new deity. Aside from Yubelluna and Asia, who already knew, every girl stared at him in stunned disbelief.
Had they heard him right?
God was dead—and their Lord Tenra wanted to take His place?
The shock rippled through them, so profound it rendered them speechless.
"This path will be filled with hardship and danger," Tenra continued, voice steady. "Maybe it's selfish of me to draw you all in. Maybe I'm presumptuous. But—"
"I refuse to live a mediocre life. I want to see the world from its highest peak!"
He looked each of them in the eye, naming them one by one—Kalamaina, Siris, Isabella, Xuelan, Tosca, Minami, Maru, Birento, Shuria, Ni, Li, Ile, Nel, Mira.
"Will you walk this road with me? Will you believe in me? Support me? Help me?"
For the first time, Tenra laid his ambition bare.
He meant what he said: this was a path lined with thorns, and if any girl shrank back, he wouldn't blame her.
But—
"Lord Tenra, we're willing!"
In perfect unison, the girls dropped to one knee, voices ringing with conviction.
A fierce light burned in their eyes. From the moment they'd contracted with him, their fates had been tied to Tenra's. His dreams were theirs. His ambition, their ambition.
If their master sought the world's summit, if he wanted to become the supreme ruler and god, then they would give everything to help him. If they failed, so be it—hell awaited. But if they succeeded…
Seeing their unwavering loyalty—no hesitation, no fear—Tenra felt a surge of pride and gratitude.
These were his companions.
Even if his ambition was mad, even if he stood against the world, they would follow him without regret.
He turned to the trio of fallen angel girls.
"And you three?"
Raynare grinned, wicked and wild, and dropped to one knee.
"Is that even a question, my lord? I'm your tool—use me however you see fit!"
This domineering, twisted master of hers—she was falling hopelessly, madly in love.
Tenra's gaze shifted to Mittelt and Kalawarner, who were still frozen in shock.
"Mittelt, Kalawarner. What about you?"
The two snapped out of it, only to find Raynare and the others staring at them with glacial eyes. Cold sweat broke out across their skin.
They'd heard something they never should have. If they didn't choose correctly now, they'd be torn apart before they could blink.
"We're willing to serve Lord Tenra!" they blurted, dropping to one knee.
Insane. They were all insane.
But Mittelt and Kalawarner had no choice. Following these lunatics gave them a sliver of hope. Refusing meant instant death.
Tenra knew full well that their loyalty was born of fear, not devotion. They were tools, nothing more. As long as they dared not betray him, that was enough.
"Lord Tenra, shall we begin recruiting believers now?" Yubelluna asked, sensing he was ready to act.
"No rush. Before we bring in outsiders, you should all become my believers first."
He lifted Yubelluna's chin, smiling. The girls' faces flushed crimson.
"Um, uh… I want to believe in Lord Tenra too…"
A small, timid voice piped up. Gasper peeked out from a crack in his cardboard box, eyes pleading.
Everyone else was joining—he didn't want to be left behind.
Tenra's mouth twitched. He'd nearly forgotten about the shut-in. With a wave, he conjured a copy of the Codex and tossed it toward Gasper's box.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/GoldenLong