For the Saintess to lose her Holy Power, it wasn't simply a matter of the gods preparing for the successor and her handing over the position.

Could it be that there was some other conspiracy at play behind the scenes with this Saintess?

Perhaps the gods knew something and took away her power?

People celebrated my retirement but questioned the early exit.

However, all I could do was offer them a smile.

While I couldn't help but have such doubts, I was grateful for the opportunity to reflect on whether I had done something wrong.

And then I left.

With the loss of my Holy Power, the protection that was akin to a covering of the gods over me was also gone.

After wishing the new Saintess Lucia the best, I left to find a place that was secluded.

When I was somewhere in the Griffin Kingdom, the Demons came to find me. It was an unnamed forest.

For days, the Demons treated me as a plaything.

The staggering pain was beyond my imagination, and my body was so damaged that it defied comparison.

However, the grudges of the Demons didn't last forever.

The Demon who tore apart my left hand departed after it was satisfied.

The Demon who caused my legs to rot away lost interest in me and abandoned me.

The Demons who gouged out my eyes walked away as they gleefully chewed on them.

I thought it was all over.

However, there was still one Demon left by my side.

"Interesting."

The one who remained until the very end seemed to be quite intrigued by me.

"Are you not in pain?"

There was no way I didnt feel all that.

The pain was truly unbearable.

I screamed countless times, fainted several times, andembarrassingly even wet myself.

I still remember how I was writhing in a pool of blood, trying to forcibly twist my body.

It was the first time I regretted that I could no longer see, as I didn't even know if the sun was up or if the moon was out.

My skin felt so hot that I couldn't even feel the air surrounding me properly.

"Is it daytime now? Or is it nighttime?"

Thus, I asked the Demon.

Upon which, the Demon let out a strained laugh and clicked her tongue.

"It's nighttime. However, the moon is so bright that everything around is clearly visible."

I see.

"Too bad. I would have liked to see it as well."

Even though I realized that I would never be able to see it again, I turned my head towards the sky. A smile crept onto my lips.

"What's so funny?"

The Demon asked irritatedly, and I softly replied.

"Because I managed to buy enough time for Lucia to get used to her new role as the Saintess."

"Sigh."

Finding it absurd, the Demon clicked her tongue again and slowly drew closer, and I was certain that this would be the end.

What would she take?

My right hand that remained?

Or would she perhaps take my life altogether?

Willing to accept anything, I waited for the Demon.

However, she was more unusual than I had thought.

The pain in my body disappeared.

After healing my wounds, she placed her hand on my head.

"Saintess Stella. I've met many Saintesses, but this is the first time Ive come across one like you."

"Are you praising me?"

"Hmm. I'm not sure. Anyway, you've piqued my curiosity."

"...Pardon?"

Suddenly, I felt like something was shoved into my head. It was more painful than any torture, and I couldn't even scream, let alone think about breathing.

"My name is Velica. I'm one of the ten Demon Lords on the continent, responsible for deformities."

Demon Lord?

Upon hearing those words, strength filled my body, but I was no longer able to resist.

"As someone who is the closest to deformities among all the other Saintesses, I will relish as I consume your entire existence.

* * *

How long had it been? Losing both eyes and coexisting with Velica in my body, who was taking away my memories.

The citizens who always revered and cheered for me when I was a Saintess wouldn't even glance at me after I lost my hands, had my legs rot away, and had my eyes gouged out.

Although they did it unknowingly because they didn't recognize me as a Saintess, it definitely left me feeling deeply wounded.

However, as long as these people could smile brightly along the path I had walked, it was okay.

The people who bowed their heads in gratitude and boldly declared that they would lead a new life would forever remain in my heart.

More of since I was blind, I could live in the memories of the past.

Therefore, I could always smile while recalling their smiles.

That was how I lived such a life.

The gods stripped me of my Holy Power, instantly plunging me into despair. Yet, I believed that I had already fulfilled my purpose.

Even if I died here and couldnt be embraced by God.

Actually, even if the souls of the departed were not all gathered, I thought it would be okay.

However, that wasn't the case.

One day, Velica, who accompanied me, told me.

"If you die like this, there will be no eternal rest for you."

"Pardon?"

"The Demons hold deep grudges. Even at this very moment, numerous Demons are continuously observing you and waiting for your death."

For an instant, thanks to the senses Velica had opened up, I could feel those eerie gazes.

Countless eerie pupils were watching me from all directions.

They were watching and laughing like the audience at a theater, enjoying the spectacle as I broke down, crawled on the ground, wandered through alleys, and became filthy.

"Demons dont have much of an interest in human souls. But you are different. You have an extraordinary nobility that surpasses ordinary humans. That's what entertains Demons the most."

"......"

"After death, all that awaits you is just a life of being toyed by Demons."

In the end, on hearing that my pain would continue even after death; that my suffering and hardship would never end.

"Ah."

For the first time in my life, hot tears flowed from my eyes that were gouged out.

No, it must have been blood that flowed out instead of tears because I could no longer shed tears.

Thick blood flowing through the bandages soaked my hands, and my chest twisted in pain as if my heart was being trampled.

Even once my life ended, I would never be able to rest peacefully and forget everything. I was only destined for more despair; as a mere plaything for Demons.

Was this truly the path God had prepared for me?

If so, what exactly was the purpose behind this?

"Why did you tell me that?"

I asked Velica while gasping for breath. Her voice was unexpectedly gentle, unlike that of a Demon.

"From now on, I'm going to devour your memories."

"......"

"You can't endure this anymore. I know because I've accompanied you all this time. If we don't do this, you'll eventually fall apart."

"Why in the world...."

Why are you doing this for me?

However, I couldn't bring myself to say such words, and she probably wouldnt answer my question either.

And, just like that

I began to lose my memories.

Every day.

* * *

Why did I come here yesterday?

Like a daily ritual, my day would begin with that inquiry. I asked Velica about the place I was in, and she would tell me what I attempted to do.

And so, at the end of my long journey, I returned to the Elia Convent.

There, I simply prayed.

Fearing what would come after death, I asked God for the courage to overcome it.

I just prayed and prayed.

However

"Huh, ugh."

I couldn't overcome it.

There was a limit to enduring the eternal pain that would continue even after death, with just the mental strength of a mere human.

Amidst all the humiliation and torture they subjected me to, the prospect of not being able to lose consciousness even after experiencing death filled me with overwhelming fear.

However, thanks to Velica,

The pain from yesterday no longer carried over to today.

I kept living with the same agony, but when the next day came, I forgot the pain I had experienced and started all over again.

Then, one day.

As I thought I had fallen asleep, I realized that my hands were damp.

And when I woke up again, I was bewildered that the memories from yesterday were still intact.

And Velica said,

"I have summoned someone who can bring everything to an end for you."

I didn't understand.

I didn't know what she meant by that.

But I soon learned from Reverend Mother about the murder at the convent and the summoning of the demon.

That Velica had used my body to do something.

Was it because she had been with me for so long?

She could move my body without my knowledge.

That day, I raised my voice for the first time and fought with Velica.

"This is not okay! I do not know what nonsense you are planning to do, but you should not kill innocent children!"

"They were not innocent. Their eyes were full of greed. You can trust my words as a Demon."

"But...!"

"They have been blinded by their desire to become Saintesses from the start, even willing to summon a Demon."

"Even if they were foolish, they could repent and reform! Humans can change!"

"Stella."

That was my first time hearing Velica's voice sound so gentle.

"You have borne too much pain."

"..."

"I am your only confidante. Stella, this should not be your end. You should not end up being a plaything for Demons like me once your life ends."

"Vel... ica?"

"Even if I wish to protect you, the other Demon Lords will also target you. Since I've been with you for so long, it's natural for their desires to surface."

Velica apologized for unintentionally becoming an entity that attracted other great evils.

"I cannot give you rest."

"..."

"However, you will no longer go through pain after death."

She smiled.

Why?

Even though I couldnt see it, I felt like Velica was smiling.

"I am Velica, the Demon Lord of Deformities."

"..."

"Perhaps even my traits as a Demon may have been strangely distorted."

I tried to call out to her, but no words came out of my mouth.

However, although her hands were rough, I felt like they were gently embracing me.

"You have won, Stella."

* * *

However, the situation didnt go as planned.

It seemed like Velica planned to summon Saintess Lucia to the convent.

But the one who came was a man I had never heard of before.

The Soul Whisperer, Deus Verdi.

After the nuns died, Velica no longer took away my memories, yet I continued to feign amnesia because I couldn't explain the reason to Reverend Mother.

But strangely enough.

Because of my memory loss, I was able to have a lot of conversations with the Soul Whisperer, and he uncovered my secrets.

No, Velica and I guided him so he would figure it out.

Thanks to Velica's help, my legs were healed once again. However, it wasn't until then that I realized what Velica's true intentions were.

I decided to act according to her intentions.

It was fortunate that Deus possessed the Holy Grail. It meant that we could meet our end naturally.

And now, in this truly magnificent setting, I found myself facing my demise.

Countless souls infused with Holy Power clung to me as if seeking to grant me salvation in the guise of death.

"Stella."

As I gazed upon this breathtaking scene, Velica's voice broke through the serene atmosphere.

"Yes?"

No matter what, she was still a Demon Lord. If she emerged from my body, I would immediately die from the shock, but she would still survive.

However, Velica didn't leave me.

She simply kept me company.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to be more than just your companion. Perhaps only God knows who holds the title of the Saintess who first destroyed a Demon Lord."

"..."

"I apologize for only being able to provide you with such an ending.

I truly didn't know anything.

"No."

Many souls had been working hard for me, and I felt sorry that they had to sacrifice their peaceful rest for my sake.

Still, I, too, would be swept away by Holy Power.

So, at least, I could be with them.

"Finally, I will be able to be myself again at this end of life."

These souls, Velica, and even Deus Verdi, had shown me that everything I had done was not in vain.

"I am truly grateful."

To bring an end to the pain that would persist even after death, it was necessary for my soul to be annihilated.

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Velica.

And thank you, Kim Shinwoo.

For saving me.

My eyelids began to feel heavy due to exhaustion.

Slowly, a smile crept onto my lips.

Everyone

Farewell.

Grab!

From the brink of annihilation.

I was involuntarily awakened by the rough sensation of someone grabbing my wrist.

"If you want to avoid the worst by choosing the lesser of what you fear and calling it a happy ending"

After pulling me out from the brink of annihilation, the Soul Whisperer wore a faint smile.

"If simply avoiding the worst by choosing the lesser is considered a happy ending, I won't send you away."