The black mist was silent for a long time.
So long that Flanya’s heart sank little by little.
She knelt on the ground, her hands pressing against the floor, her forehead nearly touching the carpet. Her expensive dress was wrinkled, and her bloodstained wrist was still throbbing with dull pain, but she couldn’t afford to care about any of that.
She feared only one thing—
That the black mist would turn around and vanish.
That this summoning would become the only chance of her entire life, and she would screw it up with her own hands.
“Great Existence…”
Her voice trembled, humble as if she were begging.
“No matter what sacrifice you desire… I can deliver it.”
“Gold, or various rare treasures… as long as you speak, I can find them for you.”
“Or if you need a living sacrifice…”
She gritted her teeth, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
“I can also start making arrangements for you.”
“As long as you are willing to grant me power, whatever you need, I will offer it to you.”
Her posture was lowered to the dust.
She didn’t look like a princess of the Empire at all. Instead, she seemed like a dog wagging its tail, begging any passerby to take her in.
Inside the black mist.
Xing Yue’s brow furrowed.
Huh?
Why did this lady always keep thinking about human sacrifice?
‘What a chill that gives me.’
No way, no way, no way!
She didn’t want that kind of sacrifice!
Xing Yue quickly spoke, afraid that if she delayed even a second, the other party would start preparing some bloody ritual.
“Hey… don’t rush.”
Her voice passed through the black mist—
And then twisted.
Strange, layered echoes, like whispers crawling out from the depths of the Abyss.
“Jejeje~”
“What’s the rush?”
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
Flanya’s body trembled violently.
That laugh was sinister and terrifying, carrying a predator’s delight in toying with its prey, making her very soul shudder.
Just a single laugh, and it almost made her collapse to the ground.
That was the bloodline suppression of a higher species. Hearing that voice now, Flanya felt that the other party was even more oppressive than a dragon she had once seen.
‘So this is… a true Abyss Demon?’
Her heart pounded like a war drum.
Xing Yue had no idea what Flanya was thinking. She simply continued, “I can do my best to help you, teach you to become stronger, or restore your strength… but I can’t give you that kind of ‘invincible’ power.”
“Even so, are you still willing to accept?”
Xing Yue thought she had made herself very clear.
Meaning, she could only do her best to help, but she couldn’t guarantee the final result. The other person should think it over before deciding.
But—
As these words passed through the black mist and reached Flanya’s ears, they turned into an entirely different tone.
“How regretful~”
“I only accept ready-made sacrifices.”
“And right now, all you have to offer—”
The voice paused, as if appraising a piece of goods.
“Is only yourself.”
Flanya’s body trembled again.
“So, the power I deign to grant you is only worth what you are now.”
“The final result may not be as beautiful as you imagine.”
“Perhaps—”
The voice drew out, tinged with malicious mockery.
“Even if you give it your all and sacrifice everything, in the end, you will still be a useless piece of trash.”
“Even so, are you still willing to accept?”
Flanya was stunned.
Her mind went blank for an instant.
But soon, that blank space was filled by another emotion—
Fanaticism.
The colder and more scathing this demon spoke, the more convinced she became in her heart.
‘This is the true power.’
‘This is the true terror from the Abyss.’
‘It doesn’t need to flatter me, doesn’t need to seduce me, doesn’t even need to hide its contempt for me…’
‘Because it has the right to do so.’
Flanya raised her head to look at the black mist.
In those eyes, a flame burned hotter than before.
“I am willing!”
Her voice no longer trembled; instead, it carried a strange firmness.
“I am willing to entrust everything I have to you.”
“Even if in the end I am still a waste, that is my choice.”
“I will never regret it.”
Xing Yue: “…”
Huh?
I said all that, and she’s still willing?
‘Does this lady have too much faith in me…?’
But before Xing Yue could think further, Flanya spoke again.
“Great Existence.”
Her voice carried a reverence that bordered on devout piety.
“I can feel that your power far surpasses any existence I have ever seen.”
“You must be the strongest demon in the Abyss. To receive your favor is already the highest honor for a lowly human like me!”
Xing Yue: “…”
Huh???
What did she say?
Strongest in the Abyss?
Ah… me, myself?
Xing Yue looked down at herself quietly, lost in thought.
‘Since when did I become so powerful?’
But Flanya had already fallen completely into her own imagination. As she gazed at the black mist, the more she looked, the more unfathomable it seemed.
That mist was clearly right before her eyes, yet she couldn’t sense any aura at all.
Even if it simply stood there doing nothing, it made her soul tremble.
‘An existence like this…’
‘Even just a sliver of power leaking from between its fingers would probably be enough to topple a nation, right?’
Flanya’s gaze grew even more fervent.
“Great Existence.”
She lowered her head again, her forehead almost touching the ground.
“Please accept me.”
“I am willing to become your lackey, your pawn, your *—”
She gasped for breath, her words carrying the piety of a fanatic offering themselves in sacrifice:
“Or whatever else you need!”
Inside the black mist.
Xing Yue fell completely silent.
She looked at the princess kneeling on the ground, at those eyes so fanatical they were almost insane, and suddenly didn’t know what to say.
‘This lady…’
‘Is there something… not quite right in her head?’
But since the words had already been said this far, and the other party didn’t mind, what reason did she have to refuse?
Right, her own measly Third Order strength might indeed be insufficient, and she might not be able to provide much help.
But she still had Emily on her side!
Sure, Xing Yue always teased Emily as a “pink-haired piggy,” but don’t forget—that girl was a genuine Seventh-Rank Legendary Mage!
Heheh! Didn’t see that coming, did you?
Behind a small proxy, there’s a god-tier carry!
All she had to do was act as a relay, use Xiao Fenmao’s knowledge reserves to teach and guide Flanya, and then just take the credit for herself!
Besides, investing in a potential stock that came preloaded with a protagonist template and looked like it had the bearing of a future empress… when the other finally restored her strength and was reborn in full splendor, wouldn’t she soar into the sky along with her?
With that thought, Xing Yue’s gaze shifted downward.
The kneeling posture caused Flanya’s dress to spread across the floor, outlining the smooth lines from her waist to calves. Those legs were straight and long, with perfect proportions. Even through the complex folds of the skirt, one could tell the foundation was excellent.
‘That really is a nice thigh to cling to. Bright future ahead.’
Xing Yue collected herself, cleared her throat, and continued, “Alright, I’ll help you then.”
The voice passed through the black mist again, twisted into a sinister and terrifying whisper.
“Jejeje~”
“In that case~”
“So be it~”
“I will raise you into a complete and utter monster~”