"Lord Tenraku, do you want to become a god?"
Feeling utterly shocked, Semiria, leading the group of Saintesses, looked at Tenraku with disbelief. Although they had only read a few pages, how could they not understand what this meant?!
"Well, is there something wrong with that?"
"I want to become a God, a supreme God surpassing everything!"
"If you want to follow me, you must offer your bodies, souls, loyalty, and love, as well as your belief to me!"
Tenraku spoke with such a domineering arrogance that his figure seemed to expand infinitely at this moment, causing the Saintesses to retreat a few steps in awe.
Did a human, a Devil, really possess such ambition to become a supreme God, surpassing everything?!
"Lord Tenraku, if we can't agree, how will you deal with us?"
It took a while for Semiria, who led the group, to regain her composure and bite her lip as she asked this question.
Since the moment they opened the "Gods and Demons Scripture," they had learned things they shouldn't have known. The other Saintesses quickly realized this as well, and their faces turned pale.
If they couldn't agree, would they be…
"Don't worry, since I saved you, I won't be a villain. I welcome those who are willing to follow me and believe in me. But if you can't accept it, I will erase your memories and let you leave."
"Of course, if you choose to leave, whether you're pursued by the Church or wanted by the Underworld, it has nothing to do with me. After all, I'm not a philanthropist who specializes in doing good deeds."
Tenraku smiled in response, taking in the Saintesses' reactions.
He didn't deceive them; everything Tenraku said was the truth. He would be pleased if these Saintesses chose to follow him and believe in him, but if they chose to leave, Tenraku wouldn't mind.
For Tenraku, who already had tens of thousands of believers, it would be a simple task to cultivate a few outstanding and devout Saintesses. Just like that girl named Susan, Tenraku occasionally manifested himself to train her in this regard…
The Saintesses, who received Tenraku's answer, sighed in relief, and their gratitude towards Tenraku grew even stronger. Regardless of the choices in their hearts, no one liked being forced.
"Now, tell me your choices."
Clapping his hands, Tenraku spoke again.
This was a difficult choice for the Saintesses, and Tenraku didn't rush them. After a long silence, Semiria finally gave her answer:
"Lord Tenraku, I'm willing to follow you!" Taking a slight breath, Semiria spoke with a firm expression on her face.
"Oh… and the reason? Tell me, I'm curious. Is it because I saved you twice that you're willing to abandon your belief in your own God?"
A mischievous smile curved on Tenraku's lips, and the other Saintesses looked at Semiria with astonishment in their eyes.
These Saintesses probably still don't know that God is dead. Semiria's choice indicates that she has already abandoned her belief in her own God. Even Tenraku was slightly surprised by her.
Being chosen as a Saintess means being brainwashed and nurtured by the Church from a young age, with unwavering willpower and devout belief. Just like Asia in the past, it was after learning about the death of God that her belief collapsed, and Tenraku took advantage of the opportunity to introduce her to his "cult."
Under normal circumstances, these Saintesses would never abandon their beliefs, even if it cost them their lives.
For them, loyalty and love for the deity are far more important than their own lives. However, Semiria's response brought joy to Tenraku.
"It is because Lord Tenraku saved me multiple times, a debt I can never repay."
"As for the God… I have long abandoned my belief in him!"
Semiria continued with a series of mocking remarks:
"The God I believed in, in my moments of helplessness, in my moments of despair, when I prayed to him time and time again, he never responded to me, nor did he save me!"
"I have been told that all the pain we suffered is a trial from the deity, what a bunch of liars, all of them!"
Thinking about everything she had experienced, the beautiful face of the girl was filled with intense hatred. In those countless moments of despair, she had seen through the lies of God!
Empathizing with her, the other Saintesses also showed signs of indignation on their faces. They had all believed in the deity so firmly, believing that he could save the world and everything in it. But in their most painful and desperate moments, the deity failed to save them!
"If the deity has already forsaken me, why can't I forsake him?"
"Lord Tenraku, I am willing to follow you and believe in you!"
With her hands pressed against her chest, Semiria knelt before Tenraku.
Due to her disappointment and resentment towards the deity, this beautiful Saintess had fallen and willingly embraced the embrace of the "Evil God"…
"Now, what about your choices?"
Feeling pleased, Tenraku looked at the other Saintesses as he spoke.
"We are also willing to follow you, believe in you, Lord Tenraku."
Following Semiria's lead, the other Saintesses made their choices and knelt down with their hands pressed against their chests.
If anyone from the Church were to see them, they would surely be furious and denounce them as wicked heretics, fallen demonesses, and the like. But the girls no longer cared. This was revenge, revenge against the God who couldn't meet their expectations!
Alas, the God of the Holy Bible, because he died and couldn't respond to the expectations of his believers, was resented and abandoned.
Tenraku naturally wouldn't foolishly explain for the deceased God of the Holy Bible. On the contrary, he loved seeing this development.
Feeling the surge of belief in his spiritual sea, Tenraku couldn't help but laugh heartily. Indeed, these former Saintesses provided a belief power that far surpassed that of ordinary Devotees, both in quality and quantity!
Lifting Semiria's chin, Tenraku revealed a tender smile, resembling that of a benevolent father.
"Welcome home, my suffering children…"
Radiating a holy radiance, the Saintesses stared blankly at Tenraku, tears uncontrollably streaming down their faces.
They had endured so much pain and hardship, but they had finally found…
Their true Lord!
To be continued…
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