Asmodeus sat in his tent, relaxing, while trying to devise a way to break the orc''s defences. His gaze flicked through some of the ancient tomes that Ciela brought from her home.

    They spoke of ancient runes and their power, something humans turned their eyes away from, likely because of racial limits and the immense fuel required to maintain them.

    A low rumble caused a faint vibration in the earth.

    "Hm?"

    His brows lifted, lowering the book from his face. He pressed his lips together and pushed them to the side with a curious expression.

    Shudder!

    Another quake in the ground caused a visible shake of the tent.

    Asmodeus placed down the tome on a small table beside him, rose to his feet, and opened the entrance to his tent. He peered outside into the night.

    The countless tents with his lovers and the demon knights who rested before preparing for another assault all peeked at the same time. Torches fluttered in the air, searching for an enemy or cause.

    However, when his eyes narrowed, Asmodeus could see the current state of the citadel wall... Orcs rushed across the battlements with torches in a rage, aggressively searching for something, as if the demon knights didn''t exist.

    "Your Majesty!" A beautiful demon knight, and the blonde captain Fredricka appeared to his side, their faces a little stunned to see him checking the sound.

    "Fredricka, Lana. What do you think is happening?"

    Boom!

    A loud bang echoed as a golden light shone in the eastern tower of the citadel. Moments later, thick smoke flowed into the sky, and a silvery thread spread across the entire tower, wrapping it in thick silk.

    It was like a spider''s web.

    Before the demon captain could answer, Asmodeus'' delighted voice echoed as he pulled an armoured robe from the air and wrapped it around his shoulders.

    ''Lumina... you''ve done something amazing this time!'' He didn''t know if this could completely wipe out her sins, but it was a tremendous step in the correct direction.

    "The enemy seems to be in disarray," Asmodeus smiled. "There may be hope for us yet. Fredricka, prepare the knights. We are going to attack!"

    The two women on either side of him also nodded their heads.

    At first, he noticed their shock, but when he saw the orcs suddenly panic and the flickering light of the blue barrier fizzling and cracking, they immediately gasped and showed a determined expression.

    ''She''s fighting hard... and Sariel, you''re with her, right?''

    Asmodeus couldn''t mistake their powers.@@@@

    His lips curled into a warm smile. He never asked them to do this, but it caused a warmth in his chest, and Lumina would seek to help him, always putting herself in danger.

    ''I can''t let them fight alone, in the dark!''

    "Let me give them some light!"

    VWOOM!

    Dozens of huge magic circles formed above his head. When he pointed to the sky, his azure eyes flickered with mana. The sudden drain made his face contort, pressing his lips together as he summoned all the divine mana he could.

    A massive beam of light shot out of his hand and burst into the heavens, exploding like fireworks in a brilliant array of colour. It illuminated the entire citadel as if it were daytime, making the orc''s movements clear as day.

    The painful tingle of using Divine magic as a demon emperor sent sharp jolts through his arm, causing blood to drip from his palm, but he held his hand up, waving toward the orcs as if they were allies.

    He did not love the green skins, but he needed to use them to keep them away from his beloved Arachne and Succubus.

    Her legs stabbed the door, sinking into the metal, a strange but comfortable feeling, as she started to thrust them like eight deadly spears. The heavy metal clanked and screeched as she tore a large hole, pulling out the shredded remains.

    After some effort, Lumina tore open a decent-sized opening, just big enough for her to squeeze through. Using her legs, she curled and bent the metal and slipped inside.

    Though a former goddess, she became a monster imbued with demon blood and mana. A fierce tingle rushed along her spine when she felt the faintest touch of divine power emanating from within the chamber.

    Her breath caught in her throat, and she stood motionless for a moment, taking in the sight before her.

    Cough!

    The Arachne''s lips tasted sweet after she coughed, blood oozing down her chest as her insides tightened and spasmed from the immense divine energy.

    "I can do it." She noticed recently that her sentience and mind began returning more and more, no longer just obsessed with Asmodeus, but able to speak and put together sentences like when she was a free woman, a hero.

    "I can do anything for him!"

    BANG!

    Her black leg pierced the golden rune, which had a massive sigil etched into its surface.

    The force of the impact created a shockwave that caused the tower to shudder and start shattering into pieces. The night sky appeared as Lumina''s eyes widened. Her spinnerets instantly created more webbing to block the vision from outside.

    ''It burns...''

    Lumina''s organs screamed at the touch of divine energy, making her feel weak and nauseated. It burned like fire coursing through her veins, making her vision blur and her body tremble with pain.

    "I won''t fail!"

    A series of dull collisions followed her legs, hitting the centre of the rune but unable to break it, causing Lumina''s confidence to shatter momentarily.

    But then she recalled the warmth in Asmodeus'' voice as he called her name, the tender kiss they shared, and the soft touch of his hand caressing her face.

    "If I cannot destroy it... I will."

    Suddenly, Sariel''s concerned voice came from the other room, peeking through the door.

    "Lumi! We need to escape soon, the orcs are banging on the door!"

    Before she could notice, Arachne opened her mouth, venom leaking from the tip of her lips. Then, in her burning hands, she grasped the rune. A sizzling of flesh echoed as the venom touched the golden plate, and she swallowed the rune.

    Tink!

    A tiny crack formed across the surface, and small fissures appeared, as if her poison had eaten away at the holy powers that kept it protected.

    The barrier fluctuated while Lumina''s body glowed, her white fur flickering with a golden light, but blood oozed from her nose and lips. Her body visibly shaking, as she began to choke and spurt out blood filled with acid from the divine power trying to purify her demonic essence.

    "Haaahh... Haaahh!"

    "Lumina?!" Sariel''s voice sounded, this time closer, as she grabbed the curled-up spider in her arms and hugged her tightly.

    "It''s okay... I''m okay."

    With trembling legs, Lumina rose to her feet, her breathing ragged and laboured. "We must go..."

    Her words complete lies, yet the relief on Sariel''s face soothed Lumina''s suffering, the first woman to accept her and forgive what she did.

    "Let''s go back to our Master, Sariel."

    "Mm!"