The End of Despair

"That completes the process."

Angela chuckled softly, plucked a small grape from the fruit bowl beside her, and offered it to Catherine immediately raised her head excitedly, sticking out her pink tongue to accept Angela's reward. Her eyes slightly narrowed, she was now naked, curled up at Li Lin and Angela's feet, as docile as a large cat. Since that day, Catherine had completely fallen. Her strength was largely due to being the reincarnation of Catherine, one of the Five Heroes; the original soul's personality had more or less influenced her. But when Li Lin "captured" that "Catherine's" soul, the last vestiges of her courage and strength naturally crumbled. The girl before her was no longer the holy, noble princess, but merely a lowly slave.

"Twenty-one days? It seems to be much shorter than I expected."

A flash of red light crossed Angela's eyes as she gazed at the docile princess. Li Lin, however, was clearly unconcerned; he had already satisfied his cravings, and all that remained was to wrap things up.

"It's almost time, and our guests... should be arriving soon."

As Li Lin spoke, he reached out, and amidst a flurry of magical symbols, a clear illusion appeared before him. In it, a man clad in paladin armor was wielding a longsword, hacking at the vines in the forest as he walked deeper into the woods. His destination was, of course, self-evident.

"Catherine, what do you think about this? Such a devoted man is rare indeed."

Li Lin watched Herbert, who was struggling forward, with a mocking smile, and asked a question.

"My lord, please don't mention that man again..."

Catherine glanced back at the paladin in the illusion, her expression darkening slightly. But she quickly regained her radiant smile, leaning her naked body against Li Lin, embracing his thigh and gently stroking it.

"I was just a little girl back then, how could I understand love? I was just playing around with that man... Master, please kill him. Even if a man like that came, I wouldn't be moved by him in the slightest."

"How dare a slave demand that his master do things for him?"

Angela snorted coldly, and then Xiali, who had been following behind Catherine, showed an excited expression and lashed out with her whip, striking Catherine's body.

"Your Highness!! How can you speak to the sorcerer like that!"

"Smack!!"

"Ah... I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it!! Master, please spare me, spare me, I'm sorry, as a slave, I shouldn't have spoken like that, I'm sorry. I was so rude..." Although Catherine was pleading, her body trembled with excitement under the whip, occasionally shaking her snow-white, round buttocks. At the same time, Catherine secretly turned her head and gave her friend a pleading look.

"Smack!!"

"That's enough for now. If you want to continue playing, you can go down and continue."

Li Lin had no intention of letting them continue; moreover, he had something he needed these two slaves to do.

"Catherine, I won't kill him... and I'm going to order you to serve that man. After all, he was once your lover. Don't you think it's your duty?"

"Other men..."

Upon hearing this, Catherine's expression changed drastically. She hurriedly grabbed Li Lin's robe tightly and screamed with fear and panic.

"My lord, have you grown tired of Catherine? Are you planning to give Catherine to another man? No, absolutely not! If you don't want Catherine, I'd rather kill myself! I'd rather die than let another man enjoy my body. Every part of my body belongs to you, my lord, please, if you don't want me, let me die. Please don't give such a cruel order..."

You've misunderstood.

Li Lin shook his head with a wry smile. Although Catherine had fallen completely, it was perhaps too utterly depraved... Losing half of her soul was clearly a significant blow to her spirit. However, he would never consider Catherine his woman. To Li Lin, this saintess was merely a tool in his plan. If she became too persistent, she would only cause him trouble.

"I need you very much, Catherine, but I would be very happy if you were willing to use your body to do something for me."

"... You really, really won't hate me?"

After hearing Li Lin's words, Catherine stared wide-eyed at Li Lin, her clear, transparent eyes unblinking.

"Of course, you belong to me... how could I possibly dislike my own things? Of course... provided it makes me happy."

"I... I understand..."

Li Lin's hints were clear enough, and for Catherine, who had already devoted herself entirely to Li Lin, Catherine would do whatever he said without hesitation.

"Since this is your request, I will comply. But, my lord, no matter how many men defile or enjoy my body, my heart and soul will always belong to you..."

"I know, now... you can go get dressed and prepare to welcome our guests."

"Yes... Master."

As soon as Catherine finished speaking, Xiali pulled hard on the rope beside her, pulling Catherine away from Li Lin.

"Hurry up! My lovely princess! If you dawdle any longer, I might punish you!"

Watching the two figures disappear, Li Lin shook his head incredulously, then turned his gaze to Angela.

"Once humans shed their outer skin, they really are capable of anything... I heard you say that 'that' is Her Highness the Saintess's best friend?"

That's how people in positions of power are.

Angela scoffed and laughed.

"No one likes to be constantly superior to others. Don't be fooled by her usual docile role as a friend; given the right conditions, she wouldn't hesitate to transform herself from a friend into someone of higher status. Master, please forgive my bluntness, but in the future, many lowly people will try to trample you underfoot to satisfy their pointless and hypocritical sense of satisfaction and honor. To prevent their worthless desires from being fulfilled, please don't let your guard down."

"You don't need to tell me that... I won't fail a second time."

As Li Lin spoke, he took another grape from the fruit plate and then stood up.

"Well then, we should prepare for the final act of this 'hero versus dragon' tale... The knight who tried to save the princess has arrived at the dragon's lair, so what will happen next?"

We've finally arrived.

Gazing at the dilapidated castle before him, Herbert felt his heart pounding with excitement. Although the divine mark on Catherine had suddenly ceased to emit any aura a few days prior, Herbert had still managed to locate the evil sorcerer's lair through his intuition. Even without divine magic, he could sense the malevolent energy permeating every corner of the dark castle.

Catherine, I'm coming right now.

Gripping his longsword tightly, Herbert silently recited the name of his beloved woman, feeling an immense surge of power coursing through his body. Then, he stood up and walked into the pitch-black castle.

Unexpectedly, the entire castle was eerily quiet, with nothing attempting to stop the intruding paladin. Even so, Herbert remained on high alert, vigilantly scanning his surroundings to avoid any evil, terrifying monsters lurking in the darkness. However, wherever Herbert went, he encountered no danger, which only heightened his tension. Even without encountering any monsters, Herbert could keenly sense the growing, chilling aura emanating from the castle, so intense that he could pinpoint its location without even trying.

Second floor, in the center.

Gazing at the heavy doorway before him, Herbert took a deep breath. Then, a divine light burst forth from his body, dispelling the thick, cold mist around him. The paladin then gripped his sword with both hands and brought it down with force.

"Boom!!!"

With a deafening roar, the heavy wooden door shattered completely under the attack of divine power. At that moment, the darkness and evil that had been sealed within seemed to surge out like a materialized flood, even momentarily weakening the divine light emanating from Herbert.

"What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket?"

Then, a voice that was not unfamiliar to paladins rang out.

The hall wasn't completely dark; it seemed the darkness had been completely dispelled by the paladin's earlier attack. Now, in the cold, spacious hall, the light of magical flames flickered, filling the entire space. On the stone throne in the center, the man was watching her with a smile, and beside him was a young girl. Her bright red eyes were exceptionally striking, even in the not-so-dim hall, almost blinding.

"You bastard!!"

Looking at the man before him, Herbert felt only rage. He wanted nothing more than to rush forward and cleave this evil mage in two! But for now, he could only barely suppress his anger, constantly telling himself that there were more important things he needed to accomplish.

"What have you done to Her Highness?! Hand her over to me immediately!!"

"I thought you were making a fuss about something else."

Li Lin revealed a disdainful expression.

"So that's all? Perfect, it's about time... Well then, here you go."

As he spoke, Li Lin clapped his hands, and soon a small door next to him slowly opened, revealing a young girl standing before Herbert.

"Catherine!!!"

Looking at the girl before him, Herbert couldn't help but cry out. That familiar face, that beautiful long hair—it was his beloved lover!

"... Herbert..."

The girl gazed at the paladin before her, a fleeting hesitation crossing her eyes, and softly called his name.

This should have been a touching farewell—but Herbert quickly noticed the lewd, wanton, almost naked attire Catherine was wearing. However, what surprised Herbert even more was that, even under his gaze, Catherine remained unchanged; her face was still slightly flushed, and she wore a gentle, kind smile. Moreover, there seemed to be something in that expression that Herbert had never seen before.

"Then, Your Highness."

Li Lin watched the scene unfold with amusement and continued speaking.

"Now, please perform for your lover, just like you usually do in front of me."

"You bastard, what do you think you're doing to Her Highness the Holy Maiden! I won't allow it!!"

Herbert took another step forward, staring warily and angrily at Li Lin, while extending his hand to Catherine.

"Catherine, I've come to save you! Come to my side quickly!!"

"..."

However, faced with Herbert's outstretched hand, Catherine hesitated, turning her head to look at Li Lin, then turning back again, gazing at her lover's outstretched hand with confusion, seemingly not understanding his meaning. At that moment, Li Lin's voice rang out again.

"Unfortunately, Guardian Knight, Catherine already belongs entirely to me. No one can make her leave my side willingly except me... It seems you've come all this way for nothing."

"Nonsense! How could Catherine be bewitched by a demon like you?!"

The paladin roared angrily, then looked once more at his beloved.

"Catherine, cheer up! You are the princess of Dideyasi, and you are also a saint of the Temple! And you, you are still my lover!! Catherine, don't be like this, cheer up, and be yourself again!!"

"This is the real her, Sir Paladin."

Angela's voice rang out, and she was seen lying on Li Lin's lap, looking at the man in front of her with an amused gaze.

"Humans have always lived behind masks, striving to become the person others expect them to be. Isn't that painful? This is the real princess, isn't it? What, you love her? Then can't you accept everything about her? Even if her nature is incredibly promiscuous, she is still the object of your love, isn't she?"

"No, no, it can't be!! This is impossible!!"

Looking at Catherine, who remained unchanged, Herbert roared angrily. No matter what, he could not accept Angela's statement.

"This is all the influence of you evil mages! Catherine is absolutely not, absolutely not..."

"Then, let me show you."

With that, Angela snapped her fingers lightly. Then, Catherine turned and slowly walked towards her lover. Watching Catherine walk towards him naked, Herbert involuntarily took a step back. Was this... this woman really the woman he loved? Was this still the pure, sacred Catherine? How could she... how could she have become like this?!

However, Catherine paid no attention to Herbert's thoughts. Soon, she pressed herself tightly against the paladin, then wrapped Catherine arms around his neck and gently sealed his lips with hers.

"Mmm... mmm... mmm..."

Herbert's soft tongue easily breached his defenses, invading his mouth and teasing him wantonly, responding with anticipation.

"Kay, Catherine, stop!!"

Herbert struggled free from Catherine's embrace, feeling only immense heartache.

"How could you do such a thing... Don't do this, it makes you look like a whore!!"

"Hmph, you seem quite familiar with prostitutes. Could it be that you once went out to find women behind our Holy Maiden's back, Sir Paladin?"

"This, this is just a metaphor...!! Catherine, stop it..."

While frantically trying to explain himself, Herbert continued to resist Catherine's almost blatant provocations. At this moment, the paladin didn't even have anger left; all that remained in his heart was confusion and bewilderment. Why? Why had Catherine become like this? What should he do...?

"Come quickly, Herbert..."

At that moment, Catherine had already grasped Herbert's hand and pulled it between her legs.

"Look, I can't hold back anymore, it's already so... Hurry up, satisfy me, Herbert, you love me, so come and have me, hurry..."

"Catherine..."

Looking into the yearning eyes of his beloved, Herbert was in turmoil.

Is this really the only way...?

"No!!"

Herbert roared and then pinned Catherine to the ground.

"I will definitely bring you back to your senses, Catherine! As long as you feel my love, you will definitely return to normal!!"

Feeling the strong paladin's intrusion on her, Catherine let out an alluring moan, but the next moment, her voice suddenly stopped. Herbert looked up in confusion, only to see Catherine's gaze filled with surprise, bewilderment—and even a hint of disdain!

"How could it be... so small, so small... such a thin thing... I don't want it... Master, save me, I don't want this thing, this thing is so uncomfortable!! Master, I don't want it..."

"Whoosh... whoosh... hahahaha..."

Angela into loud laughter.

"You are truly exceptional, Paladin. I've seen countless men, but it's rare to see one like you who's been dumped... I thought a Paladin, as a Paladin, would at least possess the power of a holy sword."

"Cathe..."

Staring blankly at the woman before him, Herbert was speechless, unable to utter a single word. And just then, Catherine continued to violently pound and push at him.

"Get off me, you piece of trash! How could I have fallen for a piece of trash like you! Get away from me!! Trash..."

"Shut up!!"

The paladin could no longer contain himself; he gripped Catherine's neck tightly, silencing her from speaking further.

"You're not Catherine, you're not... Die! Die!! Die!!!"

A sharp pain shot through the paladin's chest. He released his grip in surprise and looked down at his chest, where a cold blade protruded, glistening with drops of blood. Just then, Catherine, still struggling, grabbed the longsword the paladin had discarded and swung it at his neck.

"Puff!"

With a soft thud, Herbert's head was severed from his neck, splattering blood as it tumbled through the air in a beautiful arc before falling to the ground. At that moment, Xiali, standing behind Herbert, drew her short sword.

Forcefully pushing away the paladin's body that was pressing down on her, Catherine, with a wronged and sad expression, rushed to Li Lin's side and tightly grasped his robe.

"Master, I'm so scared, so scared... That man, he's such a useless piece of trash... I'm so scared... I'm sorry, I couldn't complete your request..."

"Okay, don't be afraid..."

Li Lin stroked Catherine's hair while looking at the paladin's head.

What it felt like to have your head chopped off by the woman you love is a question Herbert will likely never answer. Therefore, the expression on that severed head was exceptionally complex, and no one could truly decipher its meaning.

"That concludes the discussion."

As he spoke, Li Lin raised his head and looked towards the door.

"Now, shouldn't the other guest make their appearance?"

"Who is it?!"

Just then, Angela transformed into a streak of red light and rushed towards the door. Suddenly, a dark figure appeared before her. Angela felt a jolt in her hand and quickly dodged, but the figure clearly had no intention of stopping. Instantly, a frenzied killing intent erupted from the dark figure, dispelling the deathly aura emanating from Angela. Simultaneously, the dark figure advanced again, its sharp blade aimed straight for Angela's heart.

"Court death!!"

Faced with the opponent's blatant declaration of war, Angela's eyes blazed with fury. She roared and charged forward instead of retreating, thrusting her fan straight at the opponent's head.

"Bite!!!"

With a crisp metallic clang, both men staggered and took two steps back—just as Angela was about to strike her opponent, the dark figure swiftly returned to defend, blocking Angela's fatal blow.

At this moment, illuminated by the magical light, the shadowy figure revealed its true form.

The small, thin body wrapped beneath her long, jet-black hair was so frail that even a gentle breeze could knock it over. Her wide black robe was covered in holes and dark bloodstains. Her dark eyes were calm and cold as they stared at Angela, before slowly moving toward Li Lin.

Then, the little girl smiled happily and stretched out her arms to Li Lin.

"Father... hug me..."