Forced to Sell Myself to the Female Lead After Killing the Male Lead

Western Anqieka Continent — Within the Mountain Forest Principality,

At this moment, deep inside a hidden underground base,

A gigantic, hideous statue resembling a demon stood towering in the center.

Upon one of the demon statue's claws lay a man with dark emerald-green hair, quietly resting there. He possessed a handsome and refined face, sharp eyebrows slanting toward his temples, phoenix-like eyes filled with imposing majesty, a tall, well-defined nose bridge, and tightly closed thin lips.

Combined with his height of nearly six feet one, he could certainly be considered an exceptionally handsome man.

After the man awakened from his dream,

The woman standing beneath the statue, dressed in a black robe, hurriedly knelt respectfully on one knee before speaking.

"Lord Cult Leader, this subordinate has something to report."

"Hm? What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Glancing at the loyal and powerful Archbishop standing beneath the statue, Welt, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church, revealed a gentle smile.

"There is no need to be so formal between us, Jiela."

As he spoke,

Welt slowly raised his hand.

A dense emerald-green aura gradually emerged beside Jiela, gently lifting the half-kneeling woman back to her feet.

"Tell me, what brought you here so suddenly?"

Hearing this,

The woman named Jiela slowly removed her hood, revealing a rather delicate and attractive face.

"Benjamin of Wind Facing City has sent word. He hopes we can eliminate the granddaughter Marquis Xiumu-Duke has just found, allowing him to obtain the inheritance. In return, he will completely permit our Church's operations throughout the northern region of the Snow Night Empire."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that, Welt raised an eyebrow before letting out a disdainful sneer.

"We've already helped that fool so many times, yet he still hasn't managed to seize control of the Duke Family. What a useless waste."

A trace of displeasure surfaced within Welt's heart.

The doctrine of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church was to assist the Abyss Demons in purifying the entire world. Strictly speaking, every force across the Anqieka Continent that sought to resist the Abyss Demons was an enemy of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church.

Compared to all the resistance forces across the continent, the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church was undoubtedly weaker in direct strength.

However,

They possessed one enormous advantage.

The Heavenly Punishment Holy Church operated from the shadows, allowing them to secretly manipulate countless events without anyone noticing.

For years, under the orders of the Child of Destiny, they had continuously created conflicts among the continent's major powers, sabotaged their relationships, and assassinated heirs.

In short,

As long as an action could weaken the forces resisting the Abyss Demons, the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church had done plenty of it.

Naturally,

They had never intended to spare the Duke Family in the northern Snow Night Empire.

Their original plan had been to support the foolish Benjamin, allowing him to become the heir and take control of the Duke Family. Once that happened, the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church would be free to operate throughout the northern frontier without restraint. An incompetent lord, combined with the Church's sacrificial rituals, would inevitably lead to the Duke Family's decline sooner or later.

That had originally been Welt's plan.

However,

Benjamin's subsequent performance had thoroughly disappointed him.

Benjamin simply lacked the ability. Even with the Church's assistance, he likely couldn't stabilize the Duke Family. Worse still, the fool had no patience whatsoever. Sooner or later, he would expose his relationship with the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church.

Perhaps... it's time to support someone else instead.

What about Karlotluo of the Duke Family?

That fellow seemed fairly capable and rather greedy.

Easy enough to control...

Resting his chin against his hand, Welt began considering how best to weaken the Duke Family even further, leaving the northern defenses increasingly hollow. Once the Abyss Demon hordes marched south, they would sweep through like a raging tide.

However...

"Jiela."

As though remembering something, Welt looked curiously toward the brown-haired woman.

"Didn't I already say we didn't need to concern ourselves with Benjamin anymore? Why did you specifically come to see me over his affairs?"

Hearing that,

Jiela respectfully lowered her head once more.

"Lord Cult Leader, Benjamin also provided several other important pieces of intelligence."

"What are they?"

"That Child of Destiny from the Asumos Church is currently staying within the Duke Family estate. At the moment, most of the Duke Family's military forces are stationed at the frontline fortress, preparing for a possible Abyss Demon assault. Furthermore, according to information from the Nightingale Organization, only two Earth Apostles are currently protecting the Saintess."

"Oh?"

"Now that is truly good news!!"

"Yes. Benjamin said that if we are willing to act, he will cooperate with us completely."

The instant he heard those words, a savage and terrifying smile spread across Welt's face. A bone-chilling coldness instantly appeared beneath his handsome features.

"This really is... an excellent opportunity."

After letting out a sinister laugh,

Welt slowly rose to his feet.

Pressing his palms together, he looked up at the demon statue above with devout eyes.

"Elbino's previous failure greatly disappointed the Child of Destiny. But now... we've finally been given an opportunity to atone for our mistake~"

The more he spoke,

The more excited he became.

His emerald-green eyes overflowed with fanatical devotion, while the immense magical power inside his body gradually began surging uncontrollably.

Great Demon God... Child of Destiny... this time, I will not disappoint either of you...

Still,

Since they were going to act,

They needed to prepare properly.

Thinking of this, Welt suppressed the madness within his heart, returning to his usual elegant and benevolent appearance before turning toward Jiela beneath the statue and speaking in an unquestionable tone.

"Pass down my order. Gather every Archbishop who is not currently assigned to a mission."

"As you command, Lord Cult Leader."

...

...

Meanwhile,

Inside Wind Facing City,

Within a restaurant across from the guest residence,

Several members of the Asumos Church were dining together.

Judging from the distinctive Saiyan-like crimson hair of the man seated at the head of the table, it was easy to recognize him as the Seventh Brave of the Asumos Church—

Kabanei-Vitola.

Originally, according to the Archbishop's orders, he was supposed to remain at the side of the Child of Destiny as her bodyguard.

Therefore,

When Mengxi departed for the Marquis's estate, he had intended to accompany her.

Unexpectedly,

The Child of Destiny had actually rejected his proposal!

Instead, she ordered him to remain behind and guard the guest residence!

A mighty Brave reduced to watching the house?!

Kabanei naturally refused to accept that!

Unfortunately, after receiving a single sharp glare from Mengxi, Kabanei could only helplessly obey.

Obeying was one thing.

But after sensing the unmistakable contempt in Mengxi's eyes, Kabanei felt his pride suffer a devastating blow. A nameless fury gradually surged within his heart.

Damn it...

I'm a Brave!

How dare you look down on me like that?!

If you weren't the Child of Destiny, I'd have beaten you senseless already!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Kabanei abruptly grabbed a bowl of liquor and drained it in one gulp.

Though unwilling,

Kabanei also understood the reality.

As a rough, uncultured man, not only did the Child of Destiny look down on him—even among the other Braves and ordinary members of the Church, many looked down upon him as well.

If he truly wanted to escape such an embarrassing position...

If he wanted to become a Brave whom everyone genuinely respected...

He would have to accomplish feats that earned everyone's admiration.

Thinking of that only made Kabanei feel even more depressed.

After all,

The kinds of missions capable of earning universal admiration were almost always assigned to the higher-ranked Braves or the Heavenly Apostles.

There was no chance they'd ever be given to him.

The only assignments he ever received were escort missions, investigations, or ordinary Abyss Demon extermination tasks...

I'm a Brave too... so why do I always get stuck with such humiliating work?!

Goddess... can't you just give me one chance?

As Kabanei continued drinking away his frustration, he silently prayed within his heart.

However,

At that very moment,

It seemed the Goddess had heard his prayer.

As Kabanei reached for another bottle of liquor, his Saint-Class hearing suddenly picked up fragments of a nearby conversation between several diners.

The instant he heard those words,

Kabanei froze completely.

—"I'm serious! I'm not lying to you! I really reached the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons before!"—

?!!

What?!

Did... did he just say the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons?!

Kabanei, who had nearly been overcome by alcohol, instantly sobered.

The mouthful of liquor he had just swallowed sprayed straight out of his mouth.