"How could this be…? Why would Lord Sirzechs do something like this?!"
Tenra's mind reeled. The answer was so absurd, so impossible, he could barely force the words out.
Sirzechs wasn't just Venelana's eldest son—he was Grayfia's husband, the person closest to both women. In Tenra's eyes, Sirzechs was the model Maou: brave, gentle, fiercely protective of his family. He was easygoing, never wore the airs of a king. If the Underworld had a "Perfect Man" award, Sirzechs would have won it year after year. Tenra simply couldn't fathom him doing something so monstrous.
Grayfia's lips curled in a cold, bitter smile. "Why not him?"
Venelana's voice was gentle but unyielding. "Tenra, we know it's hard to accept. But these are the facts."
"The Sirzechs you know—the kind, wise Maou, the loving brother to Rias—isn't the real Sirzechs."
Tenra's heart skipped a beat. That was the key. Venelana hadn't said Sirzechs had changed—she said he wasn't the real Sirzechs.
"Then where is the real Lord Sirzechs?" Tenra pressed.
But pain twisted both women's faces. Venelana's eyes brimmed with tears. Grayfia's voice was barely a whisper.
"The real Sirzechs… he's already…"
She couldn't finish. She didn't have to. Tenra understood.
A cold wave crashed through his chest. He wanted to deny it, but the truth was staring him in the face.
Grayfia straightened, her silver hair catching the light. "I've unlocked my memories. If you want the truth, read them. Everything you need to know is there."
Tenra's eyes widened. Memory sharing magic—he'd heard of it, but few ever dared use it. Everyone had secrets, shadows lurking in their hearts. To open your mind and let someone see everything—to be more exposed than naked—was an act of absolute trust, or utter desperation.
Grayfia was offering him everything.
Venelana nodded. "Go ahead, Tenra. Read Grayfia's memories. Then you'll know we're telling the truth."
She hesitated, cheeks flushing. "If you want… you can read mine, too."
Tenra glanced at her. He knew how humiliating such a request was. Venelana had offered first, but Grayfia had refused—Tenra could see the anger and grief burning beneath Grayfia's icy exterior.
He nodded. "I'll read Miss Grayfia's. Forgive me."
Tenra pressed his palm to Grayfia's forehead. A torrent of memories flooded his mind—images, sensations, emotions, all laid bare. He saw Grayfia's entire life: childhood, adolescence, her rise as the silver-haired Queen of Annihilation.
There were moments of beauty—Grayfia bathing, changing into her maid uniform—private, vulnerable scenes. Tenra's mind lingered, and when he opened his eyes, Grayfia was glaring daggers at him, cheeks tinged with embarrassment.
"Not those," she snapped.
"Sorry," Tenra muttered, face burning.
Venelana couldn't help but laugh, the sound brittle but genuine.
Tenra forced himself to focus, pushing aside the distractions and diving into the memories that mattered—the ones about Sirzechs.
He found them quickly. Grayfia, daughter of the Lucifuge family, nobles who had served Lucifer for generations. After the ancient war, when the four Maou fell, Grayfia fought as part of the Old Maou Faction against the Reformists, even clashing with Serafall for the title of strongest female devil. But on the battlefield, she met Sirzechs Gremory—the Reformist hero—and fell in love.
Their romance was legendary in the Underworld: two souls from rival factions, overcoming every obstacle to be together. Tenra felt the warmth of their love, the sweetness of their courtship, the hope that filled their hearts.
And then—the day everything changed.
"Father, Mother, I want to marry Grayfia. I want her to be my wife!"
Sirzechs stood before Duke Gremory and Venelana, Grayfia by his side, excitement shining in his eyes.
"At this point, we have no reason to stop you," Duke Gremory said. "Sirzechs, Grayfia, be happy."
"Father… Mother…"
It was the happiest moment of their lives. Sirzechs was radiant, Grayfia shy and glowing. Years of struggle, finally rewarded.
And then—
A golden beam of light crashed down from the heavens, piercing Sirzechs's brow. His soul ripped free from his body, hovering as a ghostly silhouette.
"Who's there?!"
Duke Gremory, Venelana, and Grayfia were stunned. Sirzechs, furious and terrified, watched as the intruder seized his body.
"This body is perfect. This power… flawless…"
"Sirzechs" flexed his hands, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
"You can die now."
"NO!"
With a wave of his hand, "Sirzechs" unleashed a storm of destructive magic. Sirzechs's soul was torn apart, shredded and devoured.
"Sirzechs!"
Venelana and Grayfia screamed, rage and grief overwhelming them. Duke Gremory charged, but "Sirzechs" conjured a sphere of annihilation and hurled it at them.
BOOM!
The explosion was deafening. Duke Gremory was obliterated, reduced to ash. Venelana and Grayfia were thrown aside by the blast, battered and broken.
"Zeoticus!" Venelana cried. Duke Gremory's name echoed in the ruins.
Just moments ago, their world had been filled with warmth and hope. Now, it was cold and hellish.
Venelana had lost her husband and son; Grayfia, her beloved.
Both women staggered to their feet, eyes blazing, ready to fight. But chains shot from the void, wrapping around them, pinning them in place.
"Who are you?! WHO ARE YOU?!"
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you! I'll KILL YOU!"
The impostor smiled, voice echoing with madness.
"Who am I? I am God—the one and only true God in this world!"
He laughed, a sound that chilled the blood.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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