On the same day, in the Depths of the Labyrinth on Arend Island.
“This way, Mrs. Hesh. Watch your step.” Leon gestured for Sally to follow behind him.
“Alright.” Sally walked as if treading on thin ice along the passageways between the Breeding Pools, fearful yet unable to suppress her curiosity as she glanced into the pools. Seeing the Magical Beasts crammed together inside, she could not help but shiver.
To allow Sally to safely use the medicine provided by Weiss, they had decided to make her a Witch.
The condition for becoming a Witch was to complete the ritual through the Moilai Altar in a place where one could absorb the Labyrinth’s Mana, and then drink a potion prepared with Mana.
The Labyrinth in Hamel Town, which was closer, could also have been considered. However, the Mana there was already close to depletion, and it was uncertain whether that would affect the success of the ritual.
After repeated deliberation, Leon ultimately decided to bring Sally to the Labyrinth on Arend Island. To prepare for the ritual, he had already cleared the area in advance; everyone working here had been temporarily reassigned to outside positions to stand by.
As for Sally, he had used his authority as Director to go through cross-district interrogation procedures to temporarily remove her from the prison. He personally escorted her, and the other Inquisitors accompanying them were subordinates he had arranged himself.
“Are all of these raised by you, Mr. Leon?” Sally looked at the scale of the Breeding Grounds, feeling horrified.
Raising so many Magical Beasts—just how much Mana could that produce? How many death sentences would Mr. Leon have to pass?
And there was also the stronghold outside. Although she had only glanced at it briefly from the Carriage, it did not look small in scale either.
These all seemed to belong to Leon, and those fierce-looking gang members had all bowed and scraped before him.
“There’s no need to be afraid. After the ritual, you’ll have the ability to control them,” Leon joked.
“Ha, well—” Sally forced a stiff smile.
To an ordinary person like her, Witches and Magical Beasts had once been distant and taboo existences. After contracting Saltification Disease, known as Moilai’s Curse, that taboo had deepened further. It was only after learning that the medicine which improved her condition was a Magical Potion made from Magical Beasts—and crafted by a Witch—that she began to reassess everything.
But even when she chose to pretend to be a Witch for Leon’s transaction, she had never imagined she would truly become entangled with such supernatural powers.
Yet today, in order to cure the Saltification Disease on her body, she was about to pass through the ritual and transform from a fake Witch into a real one.
“Mr. Leon, is this really alright? Coming this far from the prison—even if you are the Director now—” After hesitating until now, Sally finally voiced the question that had long lingered in her mind.
“It’s fine. I forged a cross-district interrogation document,” Leon replied.
“That doesn’t sound fine at all—” Sally’s expression was worried.
“As long as we’re not seen by Church personnel from other units, it’ll be fine. Also, we can only be away for thirty-six hours. If you haven’t returned to the prison after thirty-six hours, it’s very likely I’ll be the one entering prison instead.” Leon waved his hand. “So we’d better hurry.”
“Alright.” Hearing this, Sally forced herself to shift her attention away from the other details within the Labyrinth and stayed close behind Leon.
“Sorry. You finally get to leave the prison for a short while, but I can’t take you to see Melissa. If people from the Reformatory see us together, we’ll be in serious trouble,” Leon said apologetically.
After all, temporarily removing Sally from prison through such procedures, even using the authority of a Director, was a rather risky measure. Unless necessary, it could not be done.
“It’s alright. The next time I see Melissa, perhaps my illness will be almost cured,” Sally said softly as she looked at Leon’s back. “After all, Mr. Leon, you said so before. I’ve always believed in you.”
“Carrying expectations that high puts a lot of pressure on me,” Leon said with a helpless smile.
“No matter the outcome, I’m already mentally prepared. I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for us,” Sally said.
“Let’s not repeat old lines. We’ll handle the important matter first.”
Leon led Sally all the way into the Temple at the deepest part. Rena was already waiting near the altar.
Seeing Leon arrive safely with Sally in the Labyrinth, she let out a slight sigh of relief. Although Leon had repeatedly assured her he could use his authority as Director to bring Sally out to complete the ritual, Rena had still worried that something might go wrong with such a bold decision.
However, when she saw Sally’s face, she could not help but grow tense again.
“H-hello, Mrs. Sally—” she greeted softly.
“Bishop Leo—” Sally nearly said the wrong name and quickly corrected herself. “Miss Rena, it’s been a while.”
Sally was somewhat nervous upon seeing Rena as well. This was not their first meeting. Previously, Rena had treated Sally several times under the fabricated identity of Bishop Leona.
Since Rena had been arrested and Sally had taken the blame for her, they had not seen each other again.
Now that they met, the atmosphere felt somewhat awkward.
Leon looked back and forth between them and spread his hands. “Relax a little. Don’t let it affect the ritual later. Or should Rena dress up as a Bishop again? Mrs. Hesh is more familiar with that look.”
“Wouldn’t it be more problematic if I dressed as a Bishop to conduct a Witch’s ritual?” Rena immediately retorted.
“I’m just joking. I only mean you don’t have to be so stiff,” Leon persuaded. “Back then, Rena brought out the medicine to save people, and Mrs. Hesh pretended to be a Witch to save people. Neither of you did anything wrong. If someone must be blamed, then blame me, the one who made those decisions.”
“How could that be? Mr. Leon has already done so much for us—” Sally immediately denied.
“How could I blame you?” Rena added. At the time, Leon’s decision had been made to save her.
“Good. Since you’ve both forgiven me, there’s no need to dwell on the past. Look forward, ladies. What matters most now is curing Mrs. Hesh’s illness. This is the wish of the three of us—and Melissa too. That makes four of us.”
“You’re right.” Sally relaxed upon hearing this and looked seriously at Rena. “Miss Rena, I’ve always been grateful for everything you’ve done for us. I’ll trouble you again this time.”
“No, it’s me. You suffered a great deal to save me,” Rena replied earnestly.
“On that point, you’re mistaken. I’ve been living quite well in prison. Mr. Leon has always taken care of me. Compared to that, the days when I was bedridden were truly bitter,” Sally said softly.
“Hard days will eventually come to an end,” Leon said. “This is our first step. Let’s begin the ritual.”
“For the ritual, Mrs. Sally needs to touch the rune on the altar used for Mana Extraction. Here, please lie down here.” Rena gestured for Sally to lie on the protruding stone platform of the Grand Altar. It was originally where the Mana Extraction apparatus had been placed, but Rena had temporarily cleared it in preparation for the ritual.
“Alright.” Sally lay down as instructed.
Rena then held the prepared notes at the side and said carefully, “Next, repeat the prayer after me. This is in the language of Ancient Ailanders. You may not understand it. Just imitate my pronunciation accurately.”
“Okay.” Sally took a deep breath and steadied her breathing.
Rena began to chant. Strange syllables flowed from her mouth:
“Lord of the Abyss, Mother of All Things, the umbilical cord of blood binds all living beings. Primordial Witch Moilai, Great Mother, I call upon Your sacred name with the flesh You have bestowed upon me. May I be fortunate enough to bear Your Favor with this body as sacrifice. Grant me eternal life to serve You, unceasing, returning at last to the origin—”
When she had followed her grandmother in reciting this foreign ancient prayer, she had struggled greatly. She had assumed Sally would struggle somewhat as well.
But to her surprise, after adjusting only a few times, Sally was able to follow smoothly. Having once been an actress, Sally’s foundation in articulation and line delivery was excellent.
Soon, Sally finished reciting the prayer along with Rena.
Rena then signaled for her to sit up and brought over a small cup of Magical Potion. “Please drink this.”
Sally carefully drank the potion. It had no particular taste, nor had it been heated. Yet once it reached her stomach, a warm sensation began to spread slowly from her abdomen, circulating through her entire body before gathering in her lower abdomen.
“Now close your eyes, clear your mind, and meditate. Leave the rest to me.”
After giving instructions, Rena placed her hands on the altar and tried to circulate Mana in the same manner as when performing Mana Extraction.
Leon stood to the side with his arms folded, attempting to focus his attention into the perspective of the Lord of the Labyrinth. He sensed portions of the surrounding Mana within the Labyrinth beginning to converge upon Sally, very similar to when he and Rena had completed the ritual and obtained their Demonized Humanoid Form power.
Sally also began to feel the circulation of Mana. However, at first, the Mana was not fully under her control. It rampaged wildly within her body, making her dizzy. At the same time, faint whispers brushed past her ears. It was her first time experiencing such a supernatural sensation. The nerves she had just managed to relax tightened again.
“Mrs. Hesh, are you alright?” Leon saw her breathing quicken and asked softly. “If you feel unwell, say so immediately.”
This was also Rena’s first time conducting a ritual for someone else. With Sally still afflicted by Saltification Disease, none of them could guarantee there would be no accidents.
“I don’t feel unwell—” Sally replied with trembling lips. “I’m just a little—afraid—”
Her gaze wandered anxiously. Seeing this, Rena comforted her, “Relax. Nothing will happen.”
“Could you… hold my hand?” Sally asked Rena softly.
Rena was only three years older than her daughter. Though Sally was much older than Rena, at this moment she only wanted someone to rely on—anyone.
“Sorry, I can’t remove my hands from the altar right now,” Rena said with difficulty.
“If you don’t mind—” Leon took the initiative to extend his hand toward Sally. He could not assist with anything else in the ritual, but offering some care to the patient was within his ability.
“Thank you!” Sally gratefully grasped Leon’s hand tightly.
