"Do you think that even if you're not friends, you're not enemies either?" Grayfia asked.
"Well, so far, the God of the Holy Bible hasn't done anything harmful to me," Tenraku replied.
To some extent, the God of the Holy Bible, who had taken over Sirzechs' body, had even helped Tenraku in many ways.
"That's just because he hasn't done anything yet. It doesn't mean he won't in the future. You possess the Sacred Gear to take any Sacred Gear, just based on this, you can't be friends, only enemies!" Grayfia's expression was mocking as she asserted coldly.
"Why?" Tenraku's brow furrowed even more.
"Kamiya Tenraku, I've checked all the records. Your Sacred Gear wasn't created by the God of the Holy Bible, was it? It doesn't appear in any records of any other god system either."
"So, where did your Sacred Gear come from?"
Instead of answering Tenraku's question, Grayfia asked. Beside her, Venelana also showed a curious expression on her face. Not only them but probably many others would also want to know where Tenraku's Sacred Gear came from.
It was unheard of, and even the God of the Holy Bible couldn't have created such a rule-breaking Sacred Gear!
Remaining silent and unresponsive, Tenraku naturally wouldn't answer this question, because it involved his biggest secret.
"This is your secret, and we won't press for more answers. But let me ask you, Kamiya Tenraku, why do you think the gods choose to bestow their Sacred Gears on humans?"
The general belief is that the gods grant them the power to combat evil by bestowing Sacred Gears upon humans. However, these are just human speculations without any basis. Now, being asked by Grayfia, Tenraku began to contemplate.
If the gods truly cared for humanity, why go through such a convoluted process? They could simply bless and protect them directly, just like they do with their believers!
As Tenraku pondered, a sudden realization struck him, and his face showed an expression of disbelief.
"Could it be..."
Seeing Tenraku's reaction, a cold smirk curled on Grayfia's lips.
"Yes, exactly!"
"Do you think that guy wouldn't have thought of it when you did?"
Grayfia's words sent a shiver down Tenraku's spine. Indeed, even the things Tenraku could think of, the God of the Holy Bible, with his intelligence, would naturally have thought of!
Back when Tenraku acquired more and more Sacred Gears, he no longer had the energy to individually train and develop them. So, he thought about whether he could share the Sacred Gears and have others develop them for their own use, allowing him to reap the benefits.
Thus, Tenraku developed the ability of "Sacred Gear Sharing" and shared many Sacred Gears, such as the "Gauntlet of the Red Dragon Emperor - Boosted Gear" and the "Light Wings of the White Dragon Sovereign - Divine Dividing," with Rias and the other girls of the group.
The results were just as Tenraku had expected. He saved a lot of time and energy, and he received all the abilities the girls developed in return!
If Tenraku's guess was correct, then the God of the Holy Bible was likely doing the same thing!
When he bestowed the Sacred Gears upon humans, it wasn't for the reasons that humans assumed. Instead, he treated them as tools and labor, simply having them develop the Sacred Gears for him!
"Now you understand, Kamiya Tenraku. Those Sacred Gears hosted in humans, even some half-breeds, their true owner is still the God of the Holy Bible."
"And your ability completely takes them away, robbing those Sacred Gears that originally belonged to the God of the Holy Bible. Do you think you can still be friends? You can only be enemies!"
Grayfia's voice echoed in Tenraku's ears, resonating with a thundering impact. Tenraku couldn't awaken the Phoenix's Bloodline, nor did he possess the talent and ability to learn magic. Even his achievements in Swordsmanship and Spirit Qi were obtained through efforts far surpassing those of ordinary people.
The Core of Everything in his power was the Sacred Gear Plunder
It was the Sacred Gear Plunder that lay at the heart of everything for him. This extraordinary ability allowed him to seize and continuously enhance his power, granting him new capabilities. It could be said that without the Sacred Gear Plunder, Tenraku wouldn't be the formidable figure he is today.
He had already seized numerous Sacred Gears, and in the future, he would undoubtedly acquire even more. This destined him to be an enemy of the original owners of those Sacred Gears— the Gods of the Holy Bible.
"Grayfia San, congratulations. You've successfully convinced me," Tenraku spoke with a grim expression on his face.
Though he hadn't initially wanted to be embroiled in this trouble, it seemed he had no choice now.
"Kamiya Tenraku, don't think for a moment that we're using you. Everything I've said is the truth," Grayfia stated coldly. "Furthermore, as long as you promise to seek revenge for us, we will naturally provide you with corresponding rewards."
Grayfia's cool gaze remained fixed on Tenraku as she spoke in a calm tone.
"Rewards?" Tenraku couldn't help but chuckle. Both these women were now in dire straits, struggling to protect themselves. What rewards could they possibly offer him?
"Ara Ara, little Tenraku, do you think we can't afford to give you a satisfactory reward?" Venelana chimed in, seemingly aware of what Tenraku was thinking.
Just moments ago, this mother-in-law figure had been in tears, radiating pain and hatred. Now, she exuded a radiant charm, leaving Tenraku marveling at the mysterious nature of women.
"That's exactly what I think, Aunt Venelana. Given your current circumstances, what kind of reward could you possibly provide me?" Tenraku responded, making no effort to conceal his thoughts.
"Hehehe... The reward we offer, little Tenraku, is sure to pique your interest. Because—"
"Our reward is ourselves, our very beings," Venelana whispered lightly into Tenraku's ear, sending a shiver down his spine. He was momentarily frozen.
What did he just hear?!
"Aunt Venelana, you... you..."
Feeling incredulous, even Tenraku was taken aback by this so-called reward.
"Little Tenraku, you've been harboring desires for both Grayfia and me, haven't you? Every time you visit, you secretly steal glances at us," Venelana said while her body nearly pressed against Tenraku's, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Caught in his misdeeds, Tenraku was thoroughly embarrassed, his face flushing.
"Aunt Venelana and Grayfia San are both exceptional women. My admiration is purely a normal appreciation of beauty. There's nothing more to it," Tenraku stammered, swallowing hard.
"An appreciation of beauty, is that all it is?"
"Hehehe... Little Tenraku, you're not being entirely honest!" Venelana's voice was teasing.
"Say, little Tenraku, as long as you promise to seek revenge for us, both Grayfia and I are yours. We can both be your lovers. Don't you want that?" With a jade-like hand caressing Tenraku's cheek, Venelana continued to tempt.
"No... no, you're Rias... Rias..."
On one side was the domain of reason, on the other, the abyss of desire. Tenraku's heart was now in a tumultuous struggle.
"As long as Rias doesn't find out, wouldn't that be fine? And even if she did, I would help little Tenraku handle it," Grayfia interjected.
"Since little Tenraku seems to be having trouble deciding, let me make the decision for him!" Venelana spoke before she sealed Tenraku's lips directly, and in an instant, she had him pinned to the ground!
A thunderous explosion echoed in Tenraku's mind, rendering him incapable of rational thought.
"No... no, we..."
Wu Wu Wu...
Watching the two figures now entangled on the ground, Grayfia, standing to the side, wore a cold expression. Slowly, she began to undo her own clothing.
"Kamiya Tenraku, if you dare to break this agreement, I will curse you for the rest of your life!"
To be continued...