The sky, the ground, and everything around them were pure white. However, someone still sketched a beautiful picture.
A man in a floral shirt rested his head on the lap of a girl who looked only about ten years old. This scene formed colors in the pristine white space.
The girl stroked the boy's hair, waiting for him to wake up.
This boy was Abel.
Abel's eyes twitched, then slowly opened. What greeted his eyes was a childlike girl with purple hair in twin tails.
Seeing Abel wake up, she was very happy. "You're awake, my dear child."
Abel was pulled back to reality by her words. "This is..."
Facing Abel's confusion, the girl answered, "The Netherworld, my child."
The Netherworld, a purple-haired girl?
Abel sat up, looking at the somewhat familiar girl in front of him. He remembered who she was.
Just as he was about to speak, the girl in front of him feigned shyness and said, "Child, don't look at mother like that, okay? It makes me a little shy."
Bang!
Abel chopped her head with a hand.
"Who's your child, Pandora?" Abel said, annoyed.
Pandora covered her head and said, aggrieved, "Oh, why are you so fierce? Can't you be a little gentler with mother?"
But then she became happy again. "But you know my name, so I am very happy."
That's right, the girl was Pandora. Unlike Heretic Gods, she was a true god.
She was also the Mother of Godslayers. Whenever someone slays a god, whether injured or not, their soul would enter the Netherworld to see her. She would help them consolidate the authorities they gained, heal their injuries, and thus become a Godslayer.
Abel glanced at her, and also curiously surveyed his surroundings. This Netherworld was pristine white.
Right now, he wanted to know why he, as a devil, was here.
"May I ask why I, as a devil, have come here?"
Pandora blinked, then said playfully, "It's a secret. After all, in my eyes, you are a special child."
Alright... she said nothing.
Abel looked at Pandora and asked, "May I ask how I can leave?"
Pandora was a bit angry and mumbled to herself, "Honestly, this is the first time you've seen me, and you don't want to chat with me, you just want to leave. You've really hurt my feelings, and even now, you're not willing to call me mother."
Abel looked at Pandora in front of him. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
You should at least have some maternal glow, right?
"Alright, may I ask how I can leave?"
"What a bad child." Pandora was a little displeased, but still said seriously, "You have to wait for me to stabilize your authority."
"Alright, thank you for your trouble."
"Mmm. I'm your mother after all."
Listening to Pandora's words, Abel resisted the urge to give her another hand chop.
So, the two of them sat facing each other.
"Congratulations to my most special child for killing Verethragna and Melqart in battle..."
Abel listened to Pandora going through the process.
After a while, Pandora looked at Abel and said, "You will return as a Campione, a Godslayer, the King of Kings."
Saying that, Pandora kissed Abel's forehead.
...
The area was a mess.
Abel stood under the sunlight with his eyes closed, his wounds rapidly healing.
Not far away, Erica was walking towards him. She looked at Abel with excited, fervent eyes.
This newly born Godslayer, the seventh Godslayer.
And this Godslayer was special, and unique, he had accomplished the feat of slaying a God as a devil, and had also obtained the authority of Heretic Gods. This had never happened since ancient times.
When he defeated the Heretic Gods as a devil, Abel had already surpassed all devils. Similarly, he could also enter the ranks of the world's top powerhouses.
Erica had already arrived behind Abel, her fervent gaze not weakening in the slightest.
Everyone worships the strong, and she was no exception.
As long as Abel agreed, she was willing to become his subject, or rather, honored to become his subject.
Now...
Looking at Abel's back, Erica knelt on one knee and performed the highest knightly salute to him.
"Respected Campione, Knight Erica Brandelli offers you her utmost respect and courtesy. If you are willing to accept, I wish to become your loyal subject, to follow in your footsteps, and to fight for you." Erica's voice was firm, and her eyes were filled with fervor and anticipation.
For a long time, Abel remained still. Erica did not get up, remaining on one knee behind him. She raised her head and looked at Abel.
This was the Campione's test for her.
At this moment, Abel slowly opened his eyes, feeling the power of the authority within him, this feeling was amazing.
Lightning in his left hand, storm in his right. Plus the ten incarnations of the God of War, it was amazing.
However, feeling the fervent gaze behind him, Abel turned around, only to see Erica kneeling on one knee before him.
Seeing Abel turn around, Erica lowered her head and said once more, "Respected Campione, Knight Erica Brandelli offers you her utmost respect and courtesy. If you are willing to accept, I wish to become your loyal subject, I wish to follow in your footsteps."
Looking at the fervent Erica, Abel smiled. "Even if I am a devil, does it not matter? I am different from other Godslayers, they were human before, but I am a devil."
Erica raised her head without hesitation, her gaze firm as she looked directly at Abel. "From my birth until now, this moment is what I have lived for. In my eyes, strength is everything. Your feat of slaying a god as a devil has transcended the boundaries of race. I follow a powerful King, and you are the King I have chosen. Whether you are a devil or something else, it cannot change my determination to follow you."
Abel looked at Erica and said nothing, while Erica waited for his answer.
After a long time, Abel spoke, "Human, state your name and swear your allegiance again."
At this moment, Erica's previously desolate eyes brightened.
She raised her head, looked at Abel, and solemnly said again, "Respected King, your subject Erica Brandelli, here once again offers you her utmost respect and courtesy. I am willing to become the King's subject, to follow in the King's footsteps."
Abel nodded. "Erica, I accept your request. Rise."
"Yes, thank you, King."
After Erica finished speaking, she got up and stood. However, due to kneeling for too long, her legs suddenly lost strength, and she swayed, falling towards the ground. Abel was quick, and immediately helped her up.
As their eyes met, Erica's face turned red. She had not expected such close contact with the King.
"Tha... thank you, King."