Chapter 53
The Goddess of Plants, Isera.
Baal’s wife and the one who had been called the queen of the gods for hundreds of years.
Her gentle and calm personality contrasted with Baal’s cruel nature.
Although Baal, who valued fertility, had affairs as if it were a daily routine, and maintained a condescending attitude towards her, causing her considerable mental suffering,
Even so, Isera had quietly supported her husband until now, dedicating herself fully to what is often referred to as “the duties of a wife.”
There was a fatal flaw in that they had no children, but even so, Isera had made a significant contribution in maintaining Baal’s reign over the gods, which could have easily turned into an age of tyranny.
However, at this moment, her esteemed title as the revered queen of the gods, which had earned her so much respect, now felt meaningless.
The Goddess Isera…
No, not only her, but all the gods gathered here were filled with a deep sense of despair.
{How could this be…}
{The Pantheon…}
The Pantheon, reduced to ashes.
Although the black flames had all been extinguished and were no longer present, the aftermath of the damage remained vividly clear.
This glorious place, once called the cradle of the gods, had turned into a lifeless wasteland, and many gods who resided here had lost their lives either to the black flames or to the following onslaught by demons.
Originally, over a hundred gods resided in the Pantheon, but now, only 11 remained.
Most of those remaining were young gods who had survived under the protection of the elder gods.
It was a situation that was practically a massacre, and those left were all in chaos, unable to grasp what to do next.
And Isera was no different.
With everything gone overnight, she could only stare blankly at the tragedy before her.
It was at that moment…
{Sister.}
{…Isiris…}
The voice of her sister-in-law called out to her.
Regaining a sliver of her senses, Isera looked at her sister-in-law’s face.
But then,
{Brother is dead.}
{…What?}
Her sister-in-law’s next words,
Felt like a hammer smashing into the back of her head.
{Wha… What did you… just say? Wh-who… who died?”}
{Brother. The God Ba’al is dead.}
{Th-That’s… That can’t be… How… how could he…}
{It’s the truth. Baal is no longer of this world.}
An unbelievable truth.
Even while denying it with her lips, Isera’s mind was already accepting this as reality.
The series of events caused by the sudden explosion of the Sacred Flame in the Pantheon…
The one responsible for maintaining the Sacred Flame was none other than her husband, Baal.
Such a disaster couldn’t have occurred unless something had happened to him.
{Ah… Ah…}
Realizing the reality she didn’t want to accept, tears began to fall from Isera’s eyes.
Baal had never been a good husband.
But still, he was undeniably her husband, her family, and the only man she had ever given her body to.
She had lived for hundreds of years, solely to support him.
To hear that such a man had died was an enormous blow, filling her with anguish and despair.
However…
{…Is…Isiris…}
Her sister-in-law hugged her gently.
Feeling the warmth of someone who had also lost family, Isera felt her heavy grief lessen just a little.
But then,
{Why are you so sad? That useless man was never worth anything. Now’s your chance to find someone better.}
{What…?}
Isiris spoke in an incredibly calm voice.
Even though her own brother was dead, she showed no sign of sorrow or regret, and her reaction filled Isera with a deep sense of unease.
At the same time, a possibility she didn’t want to consider began to emerge.
A possibility that she desperately wanted to deny…
{Isiris…? You… you didn’t…?}
{Hehe…}
Her sister-in-law responded to her fearful question with a small laugh.
Then, leaning close to Isera’s ear, Isiris whispered softly.
{Hail Seraphim.}
{!…}
Isera’s heart stopped for a moment at the chilling words.
The sister-in-law she cherished more than a real sister…
Was confessing that she had betrayed her own husband and sided with the enemy.
{No… It can’t be… No… you…}
{Shhh….}
But before Isera could say anything more,
Isiris pressed her fingers to Isera’s lips, silencing her, and spoke with a cold smile.
{Don’t cause a commotion, you know who’s in control right now, don’t you? One wrong move, and Seraphim-sama could kill us all—both you, and all the remaining gods who barely survived.}
{!}
{Consider this a favour from me, not as a sister-in-law, but as an ally. From now on, just do as I say. That’s the only way everyone here can survive.}
{Hmph!…}
The chilling words of warning.
The blue blade hidden within the warmth of Isiris’s embrace struck at Isera’s mind, already overwhelmed with grief over her husband’s death.
{Mmph… Hmph…}
Stifling her emotions, Isera instinctively covered her mouth.
Slowly stroking Isera’s head,
Isiris spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of gentleness.
{It’s alright. This will pass, just like everything else. Sister, just keep doing what you’ve always done. As you did for him… do the same for our new master.}
{Sob… Sniff…}
The Queen of the Gods cried silently.
But regarding her husband’s death, she could not express any emotion beyond this.
Because, just as Isiris said, she understood that it was her duty.
Just like in the past,
And now as well.
Isera knew that she was a being who had to endure the pain she carried on her shoulders.
***
In front of me stood the gods that had gathered.
At the forefront of those assembled, seemingly brought together by Isiris, was the goddess whom I had saved earlier.
The one named Isera.
{Seraphim-sama… This Isera, on behalf of all the gods present here, pledges her allegiance to you.}
Unexpectedly, Isera bowed her head before me without any resistance.
Following her lead, the other gods also began bowing their heads toward me.
‘They’re more docile than I expected.’
Although I had helped them against the demons earlier, from her perspective, I was the one who killed her husband and an enemy.
As such, I honestly anticipated some form of resistance. Seeing her submit so easily without any pushback, I couldn’t help but feel slightly surprised.
‘Did she resign herself after seeing the overwhelming difference in power before her eyes? Or is there some other scheme at play…’
It’s possible that they are bowing their heads now because they are unable to resist, but will later bide their time for an opportunity to betray me.
Of course, I had no intention of allowing such things to happen.
I didn’t even trust Isiris, who first extended her hand to me.
So, how could I possibly trust these gods, who were now practically my enemies?
As a result, I exercised my rightful authority as their ‘Master’ over the kneeling gods before me.
[Do you swear absolute obedience to me from this day forward?]
{Hrk… I… swear it… Seraphim-sama…}
[Very well. I accept your oaths.]
Isera and the lower gods were bound by the same complete subjugation collars as Isiris.
To be honest, these lower gods were at a level similar to, or perhaps even slightly weaker than, Arc Royle, who was waiting in Heaven, so they didn’t pose much of a problem. However, I needed to make sure that Isera, at least, was tightly restrained.
Although not as strong as Baal or Isiris, she was still a high-ranking goddess with considerable power.
Her practical authority was comparable to that of Moloch, so I had to prepare for any potential threats she could pose.
After placing all 11 remaining gods firmly beneath my feet,
I led them out of the ruined Pantheon.
Our destination, naturally, was my domain and the place where angels could exert the greatest power—
Heaven.
As I recalled the tasks awaiting me upon arrival,
I briefly glanced at the gods trailing behind me—
Or, to be precise, at their leader, Isera.
‘I have a lot to accomplish in the future. I’ll definitely need her power for that.’
***
‘Ugh…’
Isera and the gods moved as Seraphim led them.
Their faces were all painted with deep concern and worry.
They had sworn eternal loyalty to him as his subordinates.
It wasn’t just an ordinary vow; they were now tightly bound by a geas infused with tremendous power, placing a firm collar around their necks under Seraphim’s command.
Not only Isera, but even Baal himself would not have been able to break such a firm and indestructible geas.
Just the mere thought of betraying Seraphim triggered a chilling sensation on the back of their necks.
If they attempted to carry out any act of rebellion against him, their bodies and souls would be completely destroyed.
Seeing how the ‘angel’ tightly bound them with such overwhelming power, Isera’s heart sank in despair.
‘Now… I… am completely… under his control…’
They were, in fact, being dragged away as captives.
And they knew all too well what fate awaited captives.
Whether it was the Blackset Empire or humanity in general, such actions had long been considered a matter of course.
Especially if the captives were women…
Particularly if they were beautiful women like Isera, the wife of a dead ruler and a married woman, still possessing exceptional beauty.
‘I’m sorry, dear… But now I…’
Isera quietly murmured an apology toward her husband, who had likely fallen to ruin due to his own actions.
She then carefully adjusted her clothing and began trembling slightly.
She felt fear and terror, but there was nothing she could do.
It was only natural for the victor to claim the wife of the defeated.
In the worst-case scenario, her life could be taken simply because he found her displeasing.
Not only hers, but the lives of the young gods still following her…
‘It’s been almost a hundred years… Can I really satisfy that monster with this body…?’
—
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