Atoners, Public Execution

Angela sat high on the roof, a smug and pleased look on her face as she watched the execution ground below. This place, originally where the Temple executed heretics and demons, had now become the execution ground for demons. Two small, emaciated corpses swayed in the wind atop the high gallows. Judging from their freshness, they had only been dead for a few tens of minutes, but this was not what pleased Angela. To her, hanging two old men who were already close to death was utterly unpleasant—but some things were quite interesting.

In the center of the execution ground, two naked women lay sprawled, their bodies covered in filth and whitish fluid. They cried out in agony, begging for mercy, but the farmers around them showed no sign of stopping. They faithfully followed their instincts, wantonly venting their desires on the bodies of the mother and daughter before them.

"Help, save me... Please, stop..."

"No one will stop, female."

Hearing the woman's pitiful cries for help, Angela chuckled and coldly interrupted her.

"I already said. If I don't take action against you, these men's families will become my toys to pass the time... just like those tin cans over there." As she spoke, Angela slightly turned her eyes, glancing at the paladins lying tragically at the edge of the execution ground. Just as she invaded this once peaceful and tranquil village, these paladins responsible for protecting it naturally appeared to stop her, only to be torn to pieces by the enraged Angela in front of everyone—they didn't possess the knights' chieftain's ability to rise from the dead.

"Besides, as a female, shouldn't you be proud? There are plenty of males in this village who want to mate with you and your daughter, but they only refrain from doing so because of your husband. And now, I'm giving them a great opportunity, aren't I? To be able to rightfully obtain the woman they've always wanted, for me, is a small act of charity. 'If you don't want to embrace me, then die,' what a perfectly reasonable excuse. After all, humans will do anything to survive, won't they?"

"May God grant my wish... Ahhhhh!!!"

Before the woman could finish speaking, her words turned into a painful scream. At that moment, the man on top of her took a heavy breath and stopped moving.

Angela narrowed her eyes as she watched this scene.

"What? You can't take it anymore after only a dozen or so times?"

"Please, please let me go..."

The man, pale-faced and trembling, pleaded with Angela. It was unclear whether this was due to exhaustion or fear.

"Useless males have no value in surviving."

As Angela spoke, she lightly snapped her fingers. Instantly, the hunting dogs that had been lurking nearby roared and charged forward, biting the man's body and limbs and forcibly dragging him away from the woman. Those sharp teeth and claws, which were meant to be used against enemies and animals, were now turned against their keeper.

"No, no!! No!!! Let me go, let me go... Waaah... gulp..."

With his ruptured trachea, he managed to utter a few slurred words. Exhausted, the man became food for the hunting dogs.

"Next."

Angela smiled and fanned herself with her folding fan, looking at the men on the execution ground.

"Don't forget what I said. If you don't do as I say, I will kill everyone in this village. The same goes for these two women if they commit suicide, and the same goes for them if they refuse... Now, I think you should have made your choice by now."

Under Angela's eyes, filled with murderous intent and pleasure, the men subconsciously swallowed. They forced themselves not to look at their companion being torn apart and devoured by the hounds. Soon, another strong man walked up to the woman and spread her legs. "Mommy... Mommy..." Beside the woman, the young girl cried out in anguish, watching her mother being violated. She wanted to resist, but she was completely powerless to break free. Although she was also a novice knight, she was far too weak compared to these men. She gritted her teeth, resisting the assault on her body, while glaring angrily at the small figure sitting on the roof.

"Why, why did you do this! We and you..."

That's a good question.

Angela opened her eyes and snapped the fan shut.

"That's because the person most important to you, your father, or perhaps your husband, dared to insult me, even dared to harm my body... How dare a mere human commit such an audacious act of rebellion! This is the punishment he has received! As his family, you must naturally bear my anger and punishment. Do you understand what I mean? Humans, the sins of ignorant insults are very heavy to repay."

"Dad... is that so? You witch! You can't beat Dad, so you come to take it out on us weaklings! Humph, you despicable, shameless, and cowardly woman!"

Unexpectedly, after listening to Angela's story, the girl did not cry; on the contrary, she shouted with pride.

"You may humiliate our bodies as you please, but witch, we will never lose to you! My father was a true paladin, we are proud of him, we are honored by him. If our suffering proves your cowardice and weakness, then bring it on! Even if we die, you will not succeed!!"

"Very good, I like those words very much."

Upon hearing this, Angela smiled sweetly.

"Throughout the eternal years I have lived, many others have said the same thing to me as you. But alas... I am well aware that humans have so-called weaknesses, and sometimes they are not even aware of their weaknesses... This is a very interesting thing, and I never mind... helping them discover their weaknesses."

At this point, Angela paused for a moment, then let out another cold laugh.

"Speaking of which, it seems you've gotten used to humans... Well then, what was originally planned as the grand finale can be brought forward now, no problem. How about I give you some more interesting toys instead?"

As she spoke, Angela softly whistled.

The hunting dogs that had been tearing apart and eating human remains raised their heads, turned, and slowly walked towards the girl. The human who had been enjoying himself on top of her, sensing danger, immediately backed away. He didn't want to end up like some unlucky creature, becoming prey for the dogs. Facing the approaching dogs, the girl's face showed a resolute expression.

"What, you want to devour me? Then come on! Even if I die, my soul will be forever blessed by God! No matter how you defile my body, you can never win my heart!"

"How could that be? I would never do such a boring thing."

Angela's laughter was so malicious that even the earth could feel the chill within it.

"It seems you're still a child in this regard. Well then, let me show you with my actions that humans can mate with other humans, you know?"

"You, you mean...?"

Only then did the girl finally understand Angela's meaning. Her face turned ashen as she stared at the approaching hounds, their tongues lolling out and panting heavily. For the first time, she felt fear.

"No, no, don't come any closer!! Don't come any closer!!"

At this moment, the girl had completely lost the resolve and awareness she had just displayed; she had now become just an ordinary girl.

"As I said, I really enjoy helping humanity discover weaknesses that even they haven't discovered..."

At this point, Angela laughed even more heartily.

"Then, I look forward to seeing your transformation."

"Don't want!!"

This was the girl's final lament, which was then replaced by violent gasps and screams filled with pain and sorrow.

For Angela, this was a joyous feast. But for those caught in the midst of it, it was undoubtedly the cruelest torture. No matter how much they pleaded, they were only met with cold laughter. No matter how much they cursed and swore, they only received a victorious response. Even if they gritted their teeth and persevered, nothing would change. The paladins had no power to protect them, so what about the god they worshipped?

The sky began to change slowly, white clouds gradually gathered, and then a beam of light shone down, enveloping the mother and daughter.

"Ah... the great God of Justice!"

Feeling that sacred and compassionate aura, the mother and daughter were moved to tears. At this moment, no matter what inhumane treatment they might have suffered, they would no longer care. Because the great God was already protecting them and acknowledging their sacrifice!

All of this only earned Angela a cold snort.

"Hmph, you lowly creature, how dare you disturb my pleasure!"

A cold, strong wind suddenly arose.

The white clouds were replaced by thick, inky black clouds, which began to cover the entire sky. The originally sacred and peaceful radiance gradually became weaker and weaker under the cover of the clouds. Naturally, the radiance surrounding the mother and daughter also diminished considerably.

"No, God of Justice, great God of Justice! Please, please don't leave us!!"

Ignoring this pitiful plea, the sacred radiance was ultimately obscured by thick, dark clouds, unable to pierce through the darkness.

"It seems that the religion you all believe in is nothing but utter worthlessness."

Angela's cold words, laced with mockery, resounded once more, but this time, everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.

Even the radiance of the holy God of Justice could not defeat this demon.

Despair began to slowly erode their once-strong hearts. Not long after, things changed again at the execution ground. The two women no longer resisted the violence inflicted upon them; instead, they began to subtly unite. The despair of their shattered faith had plunged their minds into eternal darkness. Their painful sobs transformed into alluring gasps; having lost all hope, they no longer possessed any semblance of dignity.

"Ah... ah... again, my husband is away from home all year round, I'm so lonely... there's no one to comfort me..."

"Mom... Mom..."

"How are you? Are you satisfied with the gift I prepared?"

Angela jumped down from the roof and walked up to the girl with a light laugh. The girl's eyes had become glazed over, and she couldn't even utter a complete sentence, only repeating a few basic words. The terrifying beasts that charged at her body could no longer elicit any response from her. But after hearing Angela's words, a glimmer of red starlight gradually appeared in the girl's lifeless eyes.

"It's... very comfortable..."

"Then shouldn't you express your gratitude to me?"

"... What should I... do...?"

"Lower your head and call out my name... then sincerely lick my leather boots clean."

As she spoke, Angela stretched out her right leg, while the girl gazed dreamily at the small leather boot. Then, with utmost respect, as if holding the most beautiful diamond, she held the boot in her hands.

"Ah... the great Angela, the esteemed Angela..."

The girl murmured softly, as if in a dream, and stuck out her tongue to lick the blood and dirt that stained her boots.

"Hoo hoo hoo... What an obedient bitch! She was so stubborn just now, why is she so docile now?"

Angela chuckled softly, gazing at the sky before her.

"Humans are such difficult things to understand, aren't they, Henderson?"

A paladin bearing divine wings descended from the sky and landed on the execution ground.

"It seems you've recovered even faster than I expected." m•hetushu•com. com

Angela glanced at the paladin's still-healing wounds with a cold smile.

"As you can see, your parents are hanging over there like little insects, and will likely become Raven's dinner tonight... Your wife is over there enjoying the service of several men, and seems quite pleased with herself... As for your daughter, she has completely become my loyal servant, hasn't she?"

As she spoke, Angela a step forward. The girl immediately and fearfully grabbed the other boot from the book and began to carefully and earnestly stick out her tongue to clean it.

You monster!!!!!!

Henderson roared furiously, the divine light emanating from his body growing ever brighter.

"Ignorant human, this is the punishment you deserve for daring to offend me as a lower race. You mere human, how dare you speak so recklessly to me! This is the punishment you deserve!"

Angela a cold shout, narrowed her eyes, and looked at the paladin in front of her.

"Ah, I can see the burning anger and fighting spirit in your eyes. Do you wish to settle things with me here? It is a great pity that I have been summoned by my master and must leave this place soon. My punishment is almost over... Well then, I look forward to seeing you on the battlefield again, Paladin."

"Stop right there, you damned demon!! I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you!!!"

Henderson's eyes turned bloodshot as he charged at Angela, brandishing his longsword that shimmered with holy light. But Angela was instantly surrounded by countless bats and vanished. Henderson's sword swung down, but he didn't even manage to cut down a single flying bat.

"Well then, farewell, you fanatic. As a toy, I still have high hopes for you, don't I? Perhaps what you should be worried about now is whose child your wife will give birth to and whether your daughter will give birth to a monster. Hoo hoo hoo... hoo hoo hoo..."

This is the last message left by the vanished Angela.