Chapter 2
Cecilia's POV
I turn around to face the tens of thousands of Seraphim assembled outside the cathedral.
"Sacred Legion, hear me!"
"Yes, Commander!" Tens of thousands of voices answer as one, shaking the sky.
"Effective immediately, I resign as Commander of the realm!"
"All Seraphim, withdraw from the Core Divine Territory and return to the Radiant Sanctuary!"
Arthur panics.
He never thought I'd actually go through with it.
The Seraphim are the realm's strongest fighting force. If I take them with me, the realm loses half its defenses.
"Cecilia, have you lost your mind? This is treason!"
He tries to use his God-King aura to suppress me.
I don't even turn around.
Six massive golden wings burst from my back, and blazing holy light shatters his pressure like it's nothing.
"From now on, we go our separate ways. Don't let me see your face again."
I take flight, shooting toward the sky like a streak of light.
Tens of thousands of Seraphim follow, their wings blotting out the sun as we leave this disgusting cathedral behind.
Arthur's left screaming uselessly while everyone else just stands there with their jaws on the floor.
These three months holed up in the Radiant Sanctuary have been the quietest of my life.
No endless battle reports from the Abyss. No Arthur acting like I owe him the world.
I seal the sanctuary's barrier completely, cutting off all contact with the Core Divine Territory.
In my past life, I gave everything the Seraphim had to Arthur. Every resource, every advantage.
It left my people stagnant. When the Abyss invaded, they got slaughtered.
This time, I distribute all the sacred crystals among my people.
I train them myself. The sanctuary's power skyrockets within weeks.
Meanwhile, the Core Divine Territory is falling apart.
Without the Seraphim Legion holding the line, the Abyss keeps breaking through.
Arthur's useless commanders can't handle the demon hordes for shit.
I'm meditating by the sacred spring when I feel it.
A massive energy surge outside the barrier.
I open my eyes. Arthur stands there in his gold God-King armor, a few terrified attendants cowering behind him.
"Cecilia! Open this barrier!"
He's screaming like a lunatic. So much for divine authority.
I smirk and wave my hand, dropping a section of the barrier.
"Shouldn't His Majesty be busy with his precious saint? Why drag yourself all the way out here?"
I cross my arms and look down at him.
Three months apart, and my power hasn't just held, it's grown stronger. Cutting him out of my life pushed me to half-Supreme God level.
The divine energy radiating off me makes him flinch.
But Arthur covers it up fast, switching to that entitled expression I know so well.
"Cecilia, you've had your tantrum. Three months is enough."
He talks like he's doing me a favor.
"The front lines are collapsing. I'm ordering you to bring the Seraphim Legion back immediately."
"Do that, and I'll overlook your little rebellion."
I stare at him like he's brain-dead.
"Arthur, have you lost your damn mind?"
"Wasn't I clear enough three months ago? I quit. We're done."
"The realm can burn for all I care."
Arthur's face twitches.
He takes a breath, visibly forcing himself to stay calm.
"Fine. Forget the front lines for now."
"I'm here about Lilith."
Of course.
Can't go three sentences without mentioning that bitch.
"Lilith's dying. The healers say she needs pure Seraphim blood. Your blood. You're the only one pure enough."
Arthur stares at me desperately.
"Give me three drops. That's all. Then I'll leave and never bother you again."
He says it so casually. Like he's asking for a glass of water.
Seraphim blood carries origin force. Taking even one drop damages my divine core.
He wants three.
In my past life, this was his excuse. He chained me to the Punishment Pillar and drained me dry.
"I'm not your blood bank. Forget it."
Arthur looks stunned.
He didn't expect me to refuse so fast.
"Cecilia! Lilith is dying!"
He's yelling now.
"You used to be kind! Are you really going to stand there and watch someone die?"
"When did you become so heartless and selfish?!"
His shamelessness almost makes me laugh.
"If she's dying, go beg the Abyss King for a cure. Why come to me?"
"I'm heartless? I'm selfish?"
I walk toward him, each step deliberate.
"For a thousand years, I blocked every attack meant for you. I bled for you over and over."
"You took it all for granted. Then you turned around and gave everything to that manipulative little snake."
"Now she's dying, so you show up demanding my blood to save her?"
"Arthur, you think I run a charity?"
Arthur backs up, face flushing red then draining pale.
"Cecilia! Don't push me!"
He rips his God-King sword from its sheath.
"I rule this realm! Everything here is mine, your blood included!"
"You're giving it to me today whether you like it or not!"
