Chapter 101: A Piece of Her Mind (+5 Pearls)

The supporting actors' stellar performances had completely captivated the audience, causing them to overlook Isabella, who observed from the sidelines with a detached expression. It wasn't until she appeared, her sword piercing the celestial lord mid-heartfelt exchange with the goddess, that the audience was jolted back to reality.

Isabella's entrance, following her ascension to immortality after emerging from the mortal realm's purgatory, was electrifying. Her line, "I am the myriad of vengeful spirits who perished because of you!", sent shivers down spines and stirred intense emotions. The studio audience and online viewers were equally stunned.

Netizen: This plot twist is so unexpected!

Netizen: I've long wanted to knock some sense into those two love-struck fools.

Netizen: If Isabella hadn't acted, I would have reached into the screen myself!

Netizen: The world's on the brink of destruction, and they're holding each other and crying about love! Absurd! Good kill!

Netizen: Did anyone see the waiting area's livestream? I couldn't help laughing at Maverick's face.

Despite his efforts, Maverick couldn't control his reaction. His ashen face contorted as if their heartfelt scene had been reduced to a joke by Isabella's betrayal. The humiliation was palpable, even though he knew it was acting. His remarkable restraint in not storming off was a testament to his immense patience.

This display broke the hearts of some fans.

Fan: That's too much! What did Maverick do to deserve this? Isabella and Christopher are evil!

Fan: Why can't deities fall in love? Why sacrifice the celestial lord for the world? Why the goddess? Enough moral coercion! You wouldn't understand unless it happened to you.

Fan: Exactly! If you're so capable, why don't you sacrifice your lovers?

The show continued. The celestial lord didn't perish from a single blow, but his severe injuries caused him to collapse into the goddess's arms. She desperately used her divine power to save him, looking at Isabella with sorrow and confusion. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "What vengeful spirits?"

Isabella slapped her. "Still playing dumb?"

The goddess, maintaining an innocent expression, looked at Isabella in disbelief. Isabella then grabbed her throat, forcing her to witness the tragedies they'd caused through a celestial technique. The horrors flashed across the screen, leaving the goddess ashen-faced, her pupils quivering, tears streaming. She vehemently shook her head in denial.

"I didn't know! I really didn't know!" she cried.

Isabella slapped her again. "Claiming ignorance? You were mortal once! Or have you forgotten them?"

The goddess denied this. "I'm a goddess who loves all mankind! I—"

"So you're playing dumb? Why didn't you appear when the celestial lord killed to lure you out?"

"I was preparing to sacrifice myself! He couldn't stop me!"

"Then why not hide and sacrifice yourself secretly? Why appear when he was killing the demon lord? Why leave things unfinished?"

The goddess was speechless.

The scene mirrored Team Duo Alpha's performance. Isabella's question struck everyone like lightning.

Netizen: I can't believe I didn't see this!

Netizen: You claim to love all beings equally, yet you were absent when commoners died, but present when the demon lord was killed?

Netizen: If you'd finished your mission, I'd have respected your integrity.

Netizen: Right, didn't it make those mortals killed by the celestial lord a joke?

Netizen: More than a joke! We're pawns in their love game! It's like a spat—she storms off, he plays with pawns, and she's caught in the crossfire.

Netizen: I was moved a moment ago! It makes me sick!

Netizen: She's a hypocrite! Isabella needs to give them a piece of her mind.

The dissenting fans were speechless, offering only weak defenses.

Netizen: The goddess didn't know the celestial lord would be so ruthless By the time she found out, all she could do was protect him.

Netizen: He was already bewitched; shouldn't she have realized? Those sacrifices seemed insignificant to her!

The performance continued. The goddess, remorseful, watched the celestial lord cough up blood, desperately trying to save him. Isabella held her sword to the goddess's neck. "Still using your divine power to save him?"

The goddess looked at her lover sorrowfully. "He's a noble celestial lord. It's because of me he was bewitched. He's not to blame."

"Not to blame? Have you asked the innocent lives he slaughtered?" Isabella's tone was icy. "What right does this monster have to be saved? He neglected his duties, followed his desires, and left a trail of bloodshed."

The goddess trembled but continued healing him. "His obsession was born from his love for me."

Isabella scoffed. "Measuring love by the cost of human lives? That's sick!"

Weary, Isabella lifted the celestial lord and left. The goddess panicked. "What are you doing?"

"Evil must be vanquished! A sacrifice to save the world!" Isabella declared, kicking the goddess aside and tossing the celestial lord into the stage smoke.

The goddess was filled with panic. "No! Please don't hurt him! It's my duty to offer sacrifices!"

Isabella sneered. "So you remember your duty now? The heavens gave you one job, and you can't even do that right! What a piece of sh*t!"

The goddess watched the celestial lord vanish, tranquility restored. She broke down, questioning her purpose. "Was I born to be sacrificed? Why should the celestial lord take my place? How am I supposed to live alone?"

Christopher reappeared in fresh white clothes, a common trope in medieval fantasy dramas. The goddess was overjoyed, but before she could embrace their happy ending, Isabella threw a chain around the celestial lord's neck. "It's not over yet!"