EPHS-CHAPTER 246: ISABELA’S SIN

“Ugh…” With a groan, Isabela opened her eyes. Her consciousness still felt a bit hazy as she shook her head and sat up.

She remembered how she and Xuelan rushed into the enemy camp and defeated a Gigantis Dragon, but their strength was depleted, and she was struck by an attack. And now, she had miraculously woken up, which meant she hadn’t died yet…

“You are finally awake, Isabela.” A voice sounded and Isabela snapped back to reality.

“Ten… Tenraku-Sama.” Seeing Tenraku sitting on the side, Isabela quickly stood up and saluted him. Yubelluna and Xuelan were also present here, but they stood behind Tenraku with flushed faces and with their heads lowered. She wondered what had happened.

“Come here.” Patting his lap, Tenraku wore a gentle smile on his face as he spoke. Although Tenraku seemed no different from usual, Isabela couldn’t help but tremble inside.

She and Xuelan had acted against Tenraku-Sama’s orders and acted on their own. Now it was finally time for punishment…

Clamping her lips together and feeling anxious, Isabela obediently walked over and sat on Tenraku’s lap.

When she had made the decision to do so with Xuelan, she had already prepared herself. So no matter what punishment she would face next, she wouldn’t regret it. Even if given another chance, she would make the same choice.

While Isabela was lost in her thoughts, Tenraku had already lifted her chin.

“Do you know, Isabela, when Yubelluna and the others found you and Xuelan, you were barely clinging to life? If it weren’t for the Devil Piece buying you some time, you would already be two lifeless bodies.”

“Isabela knows she was wrong, Tenraku-Sama…” Unable to meet Tenraku’s gaze directly, Isabela whispered.

“Oh… So you know you were wrong. Then tell me, where did you go wrong?” His lips curved upward as Tenraku’s smile grew even warmer as he asked this question.

“We shouldn’t have acted against your orders and acted on our own, Tenraku-Sama…”

Biting her lip, Isabela replied. As Peerage, not obeying their master’s orders was considered a severe offense, despised by other devils. Thinking that she and Xuelan might be disliked by Tenraku-Sama because of it, Isabela couldn’t help but feel fearful.

However, upon hearing the girl’s response, Tenraku shook his head.

“No, no, no, Isabela. That’s not where you went wrong. Although I need absolute loyalty and obedience from you, I don’t dislike you having your own will. In fact, I quite like it.”

“The problem wasn’t that you disobeyed my orders and acted on your own; it was that you failed to protect yourselves and almost ended up dead.”

“You are my Peerage, and your body, soul, loyalty, and love all belong to me. It is the greatest betrayal to die without my consent.”

“Now do you understand, my lovely yet foolish Isabela…”

Caressing the girl’s cheek, Tenraku’s voice echoed in Isabela’s ears.

Unable to hold back, she covered her lips, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Tenraku-Sama, I… I…”

So Tenraku-Sama was angry about this, angry that she and Xuelan had failed to protect themselves!

A wave of profound gratitude washed over her heart. Tenraku-Sama loved them so much. Simultaneously, an overwhelming sense of guilt surged within her. How could she only understand this now?

The mix of gratitude and guilt intertwined fiercely in Isabela’s heart, fueling a strong impulse— a desire to sacrifice herself for her master right now!

“Crying won’t help, Isabela. When you do something wrong, you need to receive punishment. Have you realized that?” Wiping away the tear at the corner of her eye, Tenraku spoke.

“Yes, Tenraku-Sama.” Without the previous anxiety and unease, Isabela, at this moment, felt nothing but anticipation.

This was her sin, and she had to be punished; otherwise, she would never forgive herself.

“During your coma, Xuelan has already finished her punishment, and because of your relationship, Yubelluna has also been punished. Afterward, you two should apologize to her properly.”

“Now, turn around and lie down properly.”

Under Tenraku’s command, Isabela turned her body and obediently lay on Tenraku’s lap. Although this action made her feel extremely embarrassed, Isabela was meticulous in her obedience.

All of this was to receive punishment from Tenraku-Sama, to cleanse herself of her sins.

“Repent sincerely, Isabela. The punishment begins.” With a smile at the corner of his mouth, Tenraku lifted his hand and harshly slapped the girl’s buttocks.

“Ugh…” A whimper escaped Isabela’s lips as she felt the intense pain rush through her, leaving her mind blank.

However, everything was far from over. Her punishment had only just begun…

Spank, spank…

After a long while, Isabela weakly remained on Tenraku’s lap, her face flushed as she continued to pant.

Although she was in immense pain and embarrassment, the girl wore a smile of relief because her sins had finally been cleansed.

Tenraku flipped her over and pulled Xuelan into his embrace as well.

They exchanged a glance but immediately averted their gaze. Although Isabela hadn’t witnessed Xuelan’s punishment, she presumed it must have been similar…

“The punishment is over. Now it’s time for your reward.” Tenraku’s voice sounded, and both Isabela and Xuelan looked at him in astonishment.

They had made mistakes and received punishment from Tenraku-Sama, so why were they being rewarded now?

“I have heard from Yubelluna. It was because of your efforts that you bought time for the other comrades and successfully held on until the reinforcements from Rias and Sona arrived.”

“Well done, Xuelan, Isabela.” Though it was just a simple praise, tears filled the eyes of Xuelan and Isabela once again—

“Tenraku-Sama, we… we…” Their determination hadn’t been denied. Their efforts had truly helped everyone.

Overwhelmed with emotions, the girls felt that everything they had done was worthwhile.

Watching his two adorable Peerage members, Tenraku’s face also broke into a smile. He caressed Xuelan’s cheek and then kissed the girl’s lips.

“Muah…”

As their lips parted after a long kiss, Xuelan was already intoxicated, and Tenraku bestowed the same reward upon Isabela.

“Xuelan, Isabela, from now on, both of you will serve me together.”

It was about time to indulge in these two lovely Rooks. Tenraku leaned close to the girls’ ears and spoke.

“Yes, Tenraku-Sama…”

They weakly nestled in Tenraku’s embrace and replied with foolish expressions on their faces.

With a slight smile on his lips, Tenraku didn’t say anything more. He lifted the two girls and headed towards his bedroom.

Tonight was a night belonging to Xuelan and Isabela. Yubelluna was about to leave the room, but then she heard Tenraku’s voice again: “You come in too, Yubelluna. Demonstrate for Xuelan and Isabela.”

Yubelluna blushed but she also followed them inside…