"Ha... Ha..."
Breathing heavily, Tenraku took a few steps back, stopping the retrieval of Grayfia's memories. Even though he was just an observer, the overwhelming hatred and anger in Grayfia's memories made Tenraku feel stifled. He had an urge to let out a roar of destruction, reaching for the sky.
"Little Tenraku, do you now understand the whole truth?" Venelana, her eyes filled with tears, asked from the side.
"Who is he?!"
Indeed, Tenraku understood everything— the terrifying and dark truth. He asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with darkness.
"You already know, why ask again?" Grayfia responded coldly, despite having her memories read by Tenraku.
In silence, Tenraku already knew, but he was still finding it hard to believe.
The one who had taken over Sirzechs' body had claimed to be a god, the one and only true god in this world.
In other god systems, there were usually multiple revered gods. The only one who fit this criteria that Tenraku could think of was the god recorded in the Holy Bible, the one and only god in the Holy Bible system—
The God of the Holy Bible!
"But didn't he die already?"
In the ancient war, the God of the Holy Bible, along with the four Demon Kings, all fell. This was a truth known to all high-ranking Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils.
But why...
"He did die indeed, but he came back to life, using my child Sirzechs' body!" Venelana spoke with gritted teeth and her eyes seemed to emanate a world-shaking hatred.
Her husband was killed by him, and her child's body was taken over.
This hatred was beyond measure!
A god who hated Devils took over a Devil's body for reincarnation, becoming a renowned, kind, and beloved Demon King. The irony of it all was beyond words.
However, beneath that irony was a bone-chilling coldness.
What did the God of the Holy Bible want?!!!
"Little Tenraku, can you help us seek revenge?" Having regained her composure, Venelana asked with anticipation.
"Aunt, is this the reason you told me all of this truth?" Tenraku asked with a grim expression on his face.
Before, Tenraku was very curious about this so-called truth, but now he was starting to regret it. From the moment he learned this so-called truth, he was drawn into a vast conspiracy and whirlpool!
"Yes, although we are very sorry to involve you, we really have no other choice."
"We are completely powerless against him, as we have been implanted with that evil Sacred Gear. Although he is our mortal enemy, we cannot seek revenge against him. Instead, we are forced to serve him like slaves."
"Little Tenraku, do you understand our feelings of resentment and pain?" Filled with endless remorse and sorrow, tears streamed down Venelana's eyes.
After reading Grayfia's memories, Tenraku naturally understood them— the regret, the pain, the resentment.
That feeling of being better off dead!
"Why did you choose me?" Sighing, Tenraku asked.
"When we first knew that Little Tenraku possessed the ability to take any Sacred Gear, we already paid attention to you. We realized that you might be our only chance to break free from his control."
"However, back then, you were still too weak. Even Grayfia could easily defeat you. So we didn't dare to approach you. We had to wait, wait for the day when you truly became strong."
"He also noticed you, perhaps because he was interested in your ability, or maybe for some other reason. He didn't secretly make a move against you. Instead, he even facilitated your engagement with Rias. This gave Little Tenraku the time and opportunity to grow."
"But neither we nor him expected that your growth would be so astonishingly rapid!"
"Cadre Kokabiel of the Fallen Angels, White Dragon Sovereign Vali Lucifer, Evil God Loki of Northern Europe, and the leader of the Hero Faction, Cao Cao... Little Tenraku, you have defeated one powerful opponent after another, constantly growing stronger. In less than a year, you have grown from a Top-Class Devil to where you are now!"
"Little Tenraku, do you know how happy I was when Grayfia told me that you had grown strong enough to confront him? I was so happy. This time, we truly see hope to break free from him and even seek revenge..." Tears streamed down Venelana's face as she gently caressed Tenraku's cheek as if she were holding a priceless treasure. No, not a treasure, but hope!
Combining Venelana's earlier words with Grayfia's unusual behavior in previous encounters, Tenraku finally understood the cause and effect of it all.
However...
"I'm sorry, Aunt. Perhaps I'm not the hope you've been waiting for." Tenraku said while shaking his head.
"Why, Little Tenraku? You are wedded to Rias. Her older brother and father were harmed by that thing. Can't you help us seek revenge?" Venelana's face turned pale when she heard Tenraku's words as she was unable to comprehend his words.
"Indeed, Rias is my fiance, and I love her deeply. If it were an ordinary enemy, I could go to battle without hesitation to help you seek vengeance. But this time is different. You should know better than anyone how powerful the God of the Holy Bible, who has taken control of Lord Sirzechs' body, is. Even now, if I were to face him, I have no chance of winning, at best, I can only defend myself. But I not only have my own self to think about, I also have my family and the people I must protect."
"If I were to go against the God of the Holy Bible, what would happen to the Phenex family? What about my comrades by my side? Faced with such an enemy, even I'm not confident that I can ensure their safety. So I cannot put them in danger for the sake of your hatred."
"Little Tenraku, We... We..."
After hearing Tenraku's words, Venelana looked devastated, her face growing even paler. Indeed, they had been so focused on using Tenraku's power for revenge that they hadn't considered these issues. They had been blinded by hatred, they were too selfish!
Tenraku sighed as he watched Venelana's painful expression.
"Aunt Venelana, though I may not be able to help you seek revenge now, I can still provide shelter and protection for you. Uncle is no longer in this world, and Lord Sirzechs has been taken over by the God of the Holy Bible. You are Rias' last remaining family in this world. Even for her sake, I will not abandon you."
"I'm sorry, Little Tenraku, I..." Venelana continued to shed tears, and Tenraku comforted her. He thought that this matter would pass for now, but then Grayfia's voice sounded from the side.
"Kamiya Tenraku, do you think that just because you don't oppose him directly, he won't see you as an enemy? You're too naive!" Grayfia spoke with a cold expression on her face and her eyes were full of endless irony.
Furrowing his brow, Tenraku couldn't help but look at her and ask. "Grayfia San, what do you mean by this?"
To be continued...