Esdeath softly said, "Yes, dear~."
Normally, she only called Selene "dear" or says her name instead— it was her casual way of talking to her daughter. But this time, she used it for Lortell. Not out of love or playfulness, but to build a strong spiritual bond for the ritual they were about to perform.
Of course she was more than happy to call lortell, "Dear", if Lortell wanted it.
She began the process by stretching out her hand toward the dead pig-like monster beside her. With her other hand, she picked up the silver knife. Pouring her mana into the blade, she made it glow slightly as it became sharper and more durable.
Without hesitation, Esdeath brought the monster's head toward her and, with a single clean slice, cut it off. The blood began to flow, though not like a fountain—it was already dead for a while, so the blood was slightly thick and slow.
She calmly set the knife aside and held the dripping head with both hands. Then she slowly lifted it over her face. The blood poured down, covering her head, neck, shoulders, and chest, painting her skin in a deep red. Even the thin, white veil on her head became stained with red, now clinging to her body like a second skin.
After placing the monster's head back where it was, Esdeath picked up the bottle of essence oil. Without wasting a moment, she poured the entire glowing liquid over herself.
Since in essence oil, "Oil" Was just in name, Because of it's slippery and glowing characteristics. Other than that, It was same as water with high spirituality and etheral smell.
As it ran down her body, it cleaned some of the dried blood and added a soft, shining glow to her skin.
Her body now looked like it had just been massaged in a sacred spa or oild massage rather than prepared for a serious ritual.
Even though the sight was incredibly beautiful—maybe even too beautiful for such a grim task—neither Esdeath nor Lortell was thinking in a dirty way. Not at this moment.
Finally, Esdeath picked up the last item—a heavy jar of golden honey. She slowly poured it over herself. Unlike the oil, the honey was thick and sticky. It didn't slide down easily, so Esdeath used her hands to spread it across her skin.
She carefully rubbed the honey all over her body, especially over her chest and stomach, where spiritual energy was the strongest. Her fingers moved slowly and gently, her hands brushing over her skin in a sensual way, but her expression stayed calm and focused.
It was quiet. Only the soft dripping of the honey could be heard. Her body was now fully covered in three layers—blood, essence oil, and honey. Her skin shone like gold in the candlelight, her red eyes still closed.
The preparation was complete.
Esdeath's body had now become a "medium," Now it was time to begin the prayer—to offer herself.
Esdeath picked up the silver knife again and poured her mana into it, even more than before. Her body was much tougher than the monster's, so she needed the blade to be even sharper.
She stretched out her right hand, ready to cut, but suddenly, Lortell stopped her.
"Cut on your chest," Lortell said calmly, "Just above your breast."
Esdeath slowly opened her red eyes, confused. She looked at Lortell, who was still sitting in the chair.
"But why?" Esdeath asked.
Lortell's face turned a little red, and she smiled in a teasing way.
"Because I want it," she said softly, letting out a warm breath, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Esdeath didn't ask again. She gave a small nod and replied, "As you wish."
Without any hesitation, she placed the silver knife right above her breast and made a clean cut across her skin. Blood immediately started flowing out. It was thick and dark red—so dark it almost looked black, like it held madness and rage inside.
Esdeath quickly put the knife down and joined her hands together in front of her chest. She closed her eyes and started to pray, her voice steady and deep.
"Beneath the eternal moon, where blood becomes law, I call to the progenitor."
"Lortell, sovereign of crimson silence, lady of the purest night."
"Your blood commands death, the holder of Cain's legacies."
"Bless this mortal body—I offer my reverence."
She repeated the words over and over with focus, pouring her feelings into each word. As she did, Lortell felt something deep and invisible connect her to Esdeath—a bond growing between them.
Lortell stood up and slowly walked toward her.
Even while sitting, Lortell still looked very tall, She leaned forward to match Esdeath's position on the floor, their faces now very close. She looked at the cut, where blood was still flowing.
"I accept," Lortell whispered, then stuck out her tongue.
Her tongue was long—so long that if Esdeath and lortell kiss each other, it could easily reach Esdeath's neck if she wanted—but she usually kept it hidden. Now, she gently licked the blood from Esdeath's wound. The blood was mixed with honey and essence oil, and it shone in the candlelight.
"Ahh~" A soft sound escaped Esdeath's lips. She shivered slightly, feeling a strange tingling all over her body.
Lortell was wearing only a night lingerie, light and loose. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Esdeath, holding her close. Her lips brushed against Esdeath's ear as she whispered, "Your blood pressure will rise and fall strangely. But don't worry—I'm here with you."
Then it began.
A strange feeling ran through Esdeath's body. Her eyes widened, and her muscles tensed. She could feel something moving inside her blood, as if it was crawling through her veins. But it didn't hurt—it made her body heat up in waves.
Her body reacted on its own, wrapping around Lortell like a snake. Her nails dug into Lortell's back as if holding on for dear life, but they couldn't scratch her. Lortell's body was too tough.
For a moment esdeath felt like her blood was flowing in reverse. Her whole body trembled. It was like falling from a high place and floating at the same time. And the next moment she felt intense pleasure—almost like they were having passionate intercourse.
For the next fifteen minutes, Esdeath didn't let go. She held Lortell tight as blood slowly dripped from her body instead of sweat. Her eyes were glowing faintly, her heart racing, her skin hot and cold at once.
Finally—after what felt like forever—she loosened her grip.
"Pant… pant…"
Esdeath let go and leaned back, breathing heavily.
It was finally over.
But then—
"Aurgbbb..." Esdeath felt an overwhelming urge to vomit something huge. She immediately stood up and rushed towards the toilet room, her steps hurried and unsteady. Lortell didn't move an inch, as if she had expected this.
Upon arriving at the toilet, Esdeath couldn't hold back any longer. "Blarghhhh..." She retched violently, expelling a large amount of strange liquid mixed with blood, impurities, and waste from her body. The sight was both horrifying and relieving.
After the vomiting, Esdeath felt incredibly light-headed and free, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It was a sensation she hadn't experienced in years, a profound sense of release and clarity. Her mood immediately lifted, and she felt refreshed and renewed.
She walked back to Lortell, intending to thank her, but exhaustion overtook her. Instead of speaking, she lay down beside Lortell, her body still naked from head to toe. She started panting, but it was just a small aftereffect of the intense experience.
Lortell didn't say a word. She leaned in close, her tongue tracing the cut that Esdeath had inflicted with the silver knife. She licked Esdeath's neck, her tongue swirling in sensual patterns, and then moved lower, teasing her breasts with gentle, circular motions. It was an intimate and erotic exploration, a dance of desire and devotion.
"Is this another part of the ritual?" Esdeath asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and arousal.
"No," Lortell replied softly, her breath hot against Esdeath's skin. "I just couldn't hold back any longer. I'll stop if you're not ready right now."
Lortell's eyes held a deep understanding, knowing that Esdeath was exhausted and that she wouldn't push further if Esdeath wasn't ready. But Esdeath only smiled, her eyes gleaming with lust and affection.
"You are free to use me whenever and wherever you want," Esdeath whispered in her ear, her voice filled with invitation and provoking .
"You are the best wife ever~!" Lortell replied, her voice a mix of gratitude and adoration.
--------------
Meanwhile, in Maruti's room, Kailith and Alice sat on the sofa with indifferent expressions, while Maruti sat cross-legged on a chair in front of them. Maruti's gaze was intense, not out of anger, but out of trouble. She was deeply lost in thought, trying to find a way out of the situation.
Kailith and Alice were fully prepared to live with her, but Maruti had no intention of letting that happen. An idea suddenly sparked in her mind. "I'm going to act like a blessed prophet anyway. Why not fool these two idiots first?" she thought, a mischievous glint in her eye.
She decided to give it a shot, knowing that Kailith and Alice wouldn't be easily fooled. She had to give her best performance and even convince herself that she was telling the truth.
Maruti closed her eyes, assuming a serious and solemn expression. "You remember I have an affinity with the light element? I actually went to the church and prayed to Goddess Seraphine, and I actually got a response from the goddess about our relationship!" she declared, her voice filled with conviction and authority.
"Really? What was it?" both Kailith and Alice asked at the same time, their eyes widening with curiosity and excitement. Thankfully, Maruti's serious face and calm voice made her lie seem real enough.
Maruti gave a small nod, her face full of seriousness like she had received some holy message.
"I heard that… next month, from Day 15 onwards… there's going to be a full moon. It's a very lucky and holy time. The goddess said it'll bring big changes, and it will be very good for a long and passionate relationship if you two start living with me from that day instead," Maruti explained slowly, as if remembering a message from the sky.
Alice's eyes lit up like a lantern.
"Long relationship?" she asked, her cheeks turning a little pink.
Kailith, too, got excited.
"Passionate relationship?" she repeated, her pupils shining.
Maruti slowly turned her head to the side and closed her eyes, pretending to be a shy, innocent girl who was hiding her true feelings.
"That's why I didn't wear the stockings you gave me," she added in a soft, embarrassed voice. "I want to wear them only from that day… when it's most meaningful."
Kailith was on the verge of tears. Her heart thumped hard, and she completely forgot that she had the power to read minds.
"You really thought about it that far ahead? I knew it… I knew you loved me!" she mumbled and tried her best to not cry.
Without wasting another second, she stood up and picked up her bag.
"I'll come on that special day, then. You don't have to miss me. I'm starting classes from tomorrow anyway!"
Alice also stood up and held her briefcase tightly.
"Me too! And I-I'll also… make sure to meet you every day after classes!" she stammered, her cheeks still red.
Maruti barely held back her laughter. She was enjoying every second of this victory.
"Most basic rule of a fake prophet," she thought proudly, "only say what others want to hear… or what they fear. Fufufu…"
But on the outside, her face was full of innocence and fake emotion. With watery eyes and a soft voice, she said,
"Yes… you both can leave now…"
Kailith and Alice nodded, their hearts full of joy. But the moment they turned around to leave—
They froze.
Right in front of them, standing near the doorway, was a tall woman with mature beauty. She had long, flowing blue hair and calm ocean-like eyes.
It was Brenna—Ethan's mother.
She looked at the two girls awkwardly, then looked at Maruti with a small smile.
"The door was open, so I came in,"