Becoming the Demon Lord: Taming the Demon Queen Begins

"Huh? That's strange. Isn't this a Heavenly-level artifact?"

Indeed, the piccolo was a Heavenly-level artifact.

But after sniffing it from the left and then from the right, Selene caught a faint, unusual scent.

It was a strange smell, something she had never encountered before.

And it was incredibly faint, almost completely dissipated.

Even so, Selene could still sense that something was off.

Heavenly-level artifacts were the most precious treasures on the continent of Elant.

Even a Holy Emperor-level warrior might go mad over one.

The quality of a Heavenly-level artifact was so high that it could naturally connect with the world's spiritual energy without any need for manipulation.

Because of this, these artifacts could purify themselves, never absorbing any worldly impurities.

Your journey continues at empire

But this smell... what was it?

Her curiosity was piqued.

After all, she was relying on this piccolo to defeat Timothy and finally rid herself of the Mindfiend that had plagued her for so long.

Selene took this very seriously and decided to investigate further.

It just so happened that before she arrived at the Desolate Wastes, the Holy Maiden had taught her a rather mysterious spell.

While not particularly powerful, it could trace the origins of things and reveal their true nature.

Perfect. She could use it on the piccolo.

'My sister really is amazing, almost like she can see the future!'

Selene felt a surge of excitement, her admiration for her sister growing even deeper.

"Just a little further, Selene! You can do it!"

"Go, Selene! You can definitely beat Timothy!"

Below her, two disciples from the Blooming Sanctuary were cheering her on, their eyes filled with endless hope and encouragement.

"Don't worry. With this piccolo, I will defeat Timothy."

Selene smiled confidently, merging her thoughts with the piccolo.

The moment of her long-awaited revenge, the moment to defeat Timothy and banish the Mindfiend, was finally here!

She had never felt so sure of herself. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Using the secret technique passed down by Holy Maiden Aeliana, the piccolo's hidden essence began to flow into her mind like a river, slowly revealing its origins.

But the moment she sensed the aura within, Selene's expression changed.

Her body trembled uncontrollably.

Clatter.

In mid-air, the piccolo slipped from Selene's hand and fell onto the golden steps below with a sharp sound.

Even a Heavenly-level artifact couldn't calm the shock in her heart.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Selene's eyes widened, filled with utter disbelief.

Her face quickly turned pale.

"How... how is this possible?"

In just an instant, her entire demeanor shifted.

Her lips turned white, trembling slightly, and her eyes became hollow, filled with boundless shock.

"It... it can't be."

She staggered back a step, her body shaking, looking so small and helpless.

Because on that piccolo, Selene had sensed something she could never have imagined, something she could never bring herself to believe.

On the piccolo, Selene could clearly sense the intertwined auras of Timothy, Goddess Sylvia, and her sister, Holy Maiden Aeliana.

Holy Maiden Aeliana's aura was faint, but Timothy's and Goddess Sylvia's were overwhelmingly strong on the piccolo.

It was obvious—Timothy and Sylvia had been intimately involved. And even more shocking, it seemed that Aeliana might have been with them as well.

What could Timothy, Goddess Sylvia, and Holy Maiden Aeliana have been doing together?

In the past, Selene might not have thought much of it. But now, memories of Aeliana's heartbroken murmurs about Timothy came rushing back to her. And then there were the recent rumors—rumors that Timothy had carried the goddess back to his chambers.

A terrifying thought suddenly struck Selene.

She didn't want to believe it. She couldn't believe it.

But the things she had overheard, combined with those seemingly absurd rumors, were starting to make sense.

If the rumors were false, then what was this scent on the piccolo? And if the rumors were just gossip, then what about that day when she had accidentally overheard her sister, Holy Maiden Aeliana, whispering in her chambers about how Timothy didn't know how to be gentle?

All these clues were coming together, and Selene had no choice but to believe them.

And if all of it was true…

Selene took another step back, her mind swirling with emptiness, her eyes filled with fear and helplessness.

That would mean…

Not only her sister, but even Goddess Sylvia had fallen victim to Timothy.

And worse, the three of them might have been together…

Selene didn't want to imagine such a blasphemous, absurd scene, but the evidence was right in front of her, and she couldn't escape the horrifying thoughts flooding her mind.

Timothy—this terrifying figure—had not only laid his hands on her sister, Holy Maiden Aeliana, but even the goddess herself couldn't escape his grasp.

"Two Holy Emperor-level beings!" she thought.

And yet, they couldn't resist him. They had no choice but to submit to Timothy's overwhelming power.

If even Holy Maiden Aeliana and Goddess Sylvia couldn't resist, then who on the entire continent of Elant could stop Timothy?

It wouldn't be long before Timothy extended his reach, targeting every woman on the continent.

Even she might not be able to escape his clutches!

The continent of Elant seemed peaceful on the surface, but no one knew the true monster lurking in the shadows—Timothy.

Selene's heart screamed in silent agony, but she felt so small, so powerless.

Against Timothy's terrifying grasp, there was nowhere for her to hide.

What was the point of defeating the Mindfiend? What was the point of strengthening her resolve?

Timothy had been the true demon all along, hiding in the deepest shadows. No woman could escape him.

Plop.

A single tear fell, landing on the piccolo that had dropped onto the golden steps.

At that moment, Selene, overwhelmed by fear, began to cry helplessly.

"What… what's wrong with Selene?"

"Why is she crying?"

Everyone could see it. Selene, who had been so close to reaching the peak, had suddenly stopped.

Not only had she dropped the piccolo, but tears were now streaming down her face.

Crack.

In the air, it was as if something had shattered.

"I… I didn't mean to!"

The two disciples from the Blooming Sanctuary exchanged panicked glances, on the verge of tears themselves.

They never expected their well-meaning cheers to have such a disastrous effect.

"Hm?"

Even Timothy turned around.

He had been waiting for this fragile-hearted girl to take a few more steps before finishing her off. But to his surprise, when he turned, Selene had not only stopped but had taken several steps back.

And… were those tears in her eyes?

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have once again successfully shattered Selene's spirit.]

[Reward: Soulborn Eye upgrade—Perception of Weakness.]

[Reward: Poison Tongue.]

Timothy couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. "Uh… why does it say… again?"