Ah! My Goddess Manga/Oh My Goddess! Manga
ああっ女神さまっ Chapter 274

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Belldandy, Keiichi, and Glühendes Herz make their way to the giant doors were Hagal awaits. Glühendes Herz can’t go any further since Hagal’s magic will affect him but he cautions them not to look into Hagal’s eyes. Keiichi is confident because of the pendant Hild gave him and he and Belldandy enter, though through a normal-sized door within the giant doors. As they move through, Belldandy tells Keiichi that when they return, they will continue his birthday party, which he agrees with.

Walking down the bridge pathway to Hagal’s throne, Keiichi keeps his head down, which amuses Hagal. Keiichi keeps his head down and holds the pendant as Hagal teases him about his slow approach speed and the fact that he’s staring at her feet. He takes another step and holds out the pendant, only to find Hagal isn’t there even though her boots are. In fact, she’s floating on her side behind them.

Keiichi whips around and flings up the pendant but in the process, he looks at her and Hagal grabs his arm and greets him. Belldandy goes for Hagal, but finds Hagal has another draining device and absorbs more of Belldandy’s energy. Belldandy collapses and Keiichi demands Hagal let go of his hand. It is then that he notices that he notices that both of his hands have been removed, just above the wrists and the pendant drops to the ground.

Thoughts/Review:

While I’ve no doubt that Hagal can have removed Keiichi’s hands as shown in the manga, I tend to suspect that this is an illusion, but one powerful enough that Keiichi’s shock causes the pendant to fall.  I don’t remember much about the pendant (I guess I should reread things), so I don’t know what it is supposed to do, but if it is on the ground, it is fair game for Hagal to destroy.  Then again, Hild may have been counting on this very thing happening and when Hagal goes to destroy the pendant, it actually goes as part of Hild’s plan.  We’ll see what happens.

This chapter seems to make it clear that Glühendes Herz is not working with Hagal. I guess I was still suspicious after all was said and done but not any more.

As to Belldandy, the fact that the mazoku keep draining her power suggests to me that they were prepared for her, Urd, and Skull.  While Urd and Skuld’s powers were used to power the device that drains Belldandy, I can’t help but think that maybe Belldandy’s energy is going to be used as some kind of weapon.

Otherwise, not a lot to speak of here.  I’m looking forward to seeing how this turns out and hoping that Fujishima-sensei hasn’t completely forgotten about Urd and Skuld. *lol*