The instant the bracelet locked around her neck, a cyan-blue light burst from the altar.
Then the stone began to crack, shattering into countless shimmering fragments.
A silver magic array slowly formed on the floor of the alchemy chamber, as though an invisible force was unleashing immense magical power in the pitch-black room.
The array was intricately complex—even the small portion beneath her feet contained runes more precise and elaborate than several ordinary magic circles combined.
“Lady Gabriella?”
The Saintess Loli’s brows furrowed slightly.
Her silver hair fluttered gently in the breeze.
“Be careful. This power is very strong.”
She could sense that this energy belonged to none of the magics still existing in the world.
It was mysterious and grand, closer to the very origin of magic itself.
The glowing array was a shackle containing ancient power, spinning as if ready at any moment to unleash its vast strength.
Yet Gabriella showed no sign of panic.
This scene had unfolded the moment she put on the bracelet—was it all within her calculations?
Soon, when a humanoid figure appeared within the array, a faint, imperceptible wicked smile crossed Gabriella’s face.
A girl materialized, enveloped in scarlet light.
As the magic dispersed, her form fully revealed itself.
Long red hair nearly dragged along the ground.
A white robe made her petite body appear even softer and more delicate.
At roughly 150 centimeters tall, she looked small beside Gabriella—yet she was undeniably a stunning beauty.
Only her rather flat chest was a slight disappointment.
She gazed at Gabriella with crimson eyes filled with delight.
“Lady Divine Maiden~ I am Philina, your [Heavenly Herald].”
Philina was in an excellent mood.
When she had first received Simona’s message, she had been furious—nearly enraged enough to descend upon the Demon King’s castle herself and start a war.
She knew the Evil God was not to be trifled with, but as long as she had Gabriella by her side, there would be no problem.
Yet something felt off the moment she sensed the restraining bracelet activate.
She had teleported to the castle immediately—only to find Gabriella alone.
Where was that damned Evil God?
But since it was the Divine Maiden herself who had summoned her, it didn’t matter~
Seeing Gabriella filled Philina with overwhelming joy.
Memories flooded back: Gabriella’s past gentleness toward her companions, the sense of justice she held, her determination to protect humanity—and the satisfied feeling when Gabriella patted her head.
Ten thousand years ago, she and Gabriella, along with several other [Heavenly Heralds], had joined forces against the Evil God’s assault… Though most of the Heralds had perished in that battle, they had promised to meet again in their reincarnations ten thousand years later.
She had slumbered for so long, finally awakening in an unfamiliar era, only to reunite with the Divine Maiden she admired.
It felt so blissful~ Finally reunited with Lady Gabriella.
But in the next second, Gabriella casually removed the metal ring from her own neck—the very artifact Philina had crafted to restrain the Evil God’s power—and, while Philina stood dumbfounded, walked forward and fastened it around Philina’s neck.
Click—
“Eh? L-Lady Divine Maiden…?”
Philina couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.
She touched the metal ring around her neck. For a moment, she understood nothing—yet somehow everything.
Her power had vanished in an instant! The ring had sealed it!
Strength left her body, and she collapsed to her knees.
The cold floor reminded her once more that she had lost.
“Why… Lady Gabriella? You…”
But Gabriella acted as if she had no memory of her former companion.
She tilted her head slightly and regarded her with the demeanor of a victor.
“Why resist Lady Evil God?”
The black cross in Gabriella’s eyes was strikingly prominent, sending a shiver through Philina’s delicate frame.
She knew what it meant.
Shadow—the Evil God’s power, the power of an apostle.
Ten thousand years ago, to gather more followers to destroy the world, the Evil God had corrupted some with shadow, choosing them as [Apostles].
Apostles inherited the Evil God’s terrifying strength, but they were also dominated by her malicious will, becoming puppets under her control.
“I am Philina… the same name as now. Don’t you remember, Lady Gabriella?”
Fear crept onto Philina’s face.
Simple demonification would have been manageable, but the situation was far more complicated than she had imagined.
The Evil God’s power had already recovered to a certain degree—even she alone might not be able to handle it.
What despair: Lady Gabriella had truly been corrupted by the Evil God!
The demonic horns and tail were one thing, but the shadow power emanating from her was identical to that of an apostle.
If her strength could be returned, perhaps a sliver of reason might return—but tragically, Gabriella had captured her personally.
Philina tried once more to break free, but the shadow-corrupted ring refused to yield, as if it had slipped entirely from her control.
“I don’t remember.” Gabriella said honestly. “I don’t know anything about a [Divine Maiden].”
“Lady Gabriella, every [Heavenly Herald] guards a fragment of your power. If you regain your former glory, you will surely remember…”
Gabriella smiled and tilted her head. “Not interested.”
“Besides, you can’t escape now. Just stay here obediently. I’ll take good care of you~”
“Wha…”
“This is what happens when you resist Lady Evil God.”
Gabriella’s tail swayed back and forth.
Suddenly, she realized her words sounded exactly like something a brainwashed heroine turned villain would say.
Though it was terribly embarrassing, this was her only option now.
She was different from other humans. Philina knew the past—her threat to Isabella was far too great.
If that idiot Isabella found out, who knew what uncontrollable chaos would ensue.
The current Demon King was gradually fusing with the Evil God.
These fools only needed to wait—because the Evil God had no intention of destroying the world at all!
So, truly sorry, Miss Philina~
The Saintess quietly opened the alchemy chamber door, ushering in the arriving Isabella.
The familiar aura of the Evil God put Philina on high alert.
She glared venomously at the wicked being who had dominated the Divine Maiden.
In the end, she had miscalculated.
That despicable Evil God had corrupted Gabriella with darkness before she could recover her power and memories.
Utterly dishonorable victory!
Isabella stepped in front of Gabriella, eyeing the Heavenly Herald Philina warily.
“Wife, are you hurt?”