Chapter 39: Accept Mom’s Love Infusion~♡

Phyllis was still lying on her side, one arm wrapped around Xing Yue's waist, her chin gently resting on her shoulder. After listening to Xing Yue's "evil declaration" that was full of holes yet feigned calm, she couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

She not only didn't call her out on it, but instead acted as if she'd heard some amusing childish babble. The arm around Xing Yue's waist loosened a little, turning into a lazy hug.

"Mm-hmm~"

She responded with a nasal hum, her fingertips still lightly tapping Xing Yue's abdomen in a random rhythm. "Using the Holy Maiden, stealing light magic, to enrich our demon race's 'weapon arsenal'... that idea, well~"

She deliberately dragged out the tone, feeling her daughter's breath catch instantly.

"—does have a tiny bit of the evil nature we demons ought to have~"

"However~"

But soon, Phyllis's voice took a turn. "Since Yue Yue has taken an interest in light-aligned powers like 'healing' and 'vitality,' and even thinks you can easily take them for your own use... then Mom might as well tell you another little truth, one that even that Miss Holy Maiden herself might not fully understand."

Her fingertips stopped. Her tone shifted from its usual manner, adding a hint of something almost ethereal that Xing Yue couldn't comprehend.

"The closer you get to the power of 'life' and 'salvation,' the more you must be wary of the 'price' it exacts."

"You think you've grasped a beam of light, able to dispel darkness and heal wounds."

"But you don't know that light and shadow have always coexisted."

"Wounds healed too easily might harbor stubborn lesions beneath the surface. A 'vital connection' that seems smooth may secretly tie an unbreakable 'thread of curse.'"

"Things in this world are often like this."

Phyllis's voice was low like a whisper, but each word was clear, as if lamenting a universal truth.

"When you feel everything is going smoothly, as if the very rules are making way for you, letting you easily stitch wounds and achieve your wishes..."

"Be careful. What slides into your hand might not be a staircase to perfection, but a smooth slope that tempts you to fall."

"So, Yue Yue, your little clever idea is still as immature as a newly sprouted demonic rosebud~"

Xing Yue was stunned. She clearly hadn't expected Phyllis to suddenly lecture her with such profound reasoning.

'From what Mom said, Wei Anna's healing magic actually has unknown secrets? Using it might bring side effects? Is it because I'm a demon?'

Xing Yue didn't dare ignore Phyllis's words. She silently noted them, deciding to check on the people she had healed tomorrow.

For now, Phyllis seemed to believe her explanation and hadn't noticed the forbidden book.

Xing Yue's tense nerves relaxed slightly. Her body went limp.

She nodded seriously and responded, "Mm! Mom's lesson is right. Yue Yue will definitely keep working hard to become an excellent and evil demon just like you! I vow to serve the Demon King Castle to the death!"

By now, Phyllis had already returned to her usual demeanor. Watching "her daughter's" unconcealed relief at having gotten away with it, a more amused glint flickered deep in her eyes.

'Indeed, watching her struggle, panic, and then her little pride at successfully hiding something—it's always a pleasure.'

Phyllis's tone was also full of relief and satisfaction, as easy as discussing the weather. "Mm~ I can feel that Yue Yue has great potential too!"

"Mom is already looking forward to it. If I hand over the Demon King's throne to you in the future, will our demon race welcome some... particularly interesting changes? Hehe~"

Xing Yue was secretly relieved at the "recognition" from the first half, but the second half left her completely baffled.

'Huh?'

'The Demon King... is a hereditary position?'

'No! That's not the point!'

"W-Wait! Mom! Forget about the Demon King!" Xing Yue waved her hands frantically, nearly bouncing off the bed. "For a small fry like me to become the Demon King, the demon race's future will definitely be plunged into darkness---!"

"Isn't that even better?"

"Huh? N-No! Mom, that's not what I meant! You got it wrong! I don't mean throwing the world into darkness or anything... What I'm trying to say is, if even a small fry like me can become the Demon King, then the demon race has no future—it'll be finished! A 'total doom' kind of darkness!"

Xing Yue's explanation was incoherent. Of course, Phyllis understood what she meant—she had said it on purpose just to tease her.

After getting the interesting reaction from the girl in her arms, Phyllis finally let out a satisfied chuckle. She nuzzled Xing Yue's snow-white neck affectionately with her chin. "Okay~ Don't keep putting yourself down and saying discouraging things~ Mom really believes in Yue Yue~"

"But for now... Mmm~ Yue Yue is still too green. You're lacking 'growth'~"

"Ngh...?!"

Just then, Xing Yue felt the mischievous little hand on her waist suddenly move upward, stopping at a certain spot as if hinting at something.

A tingling, numbing sensation like an electric shock spread through her entire body. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and her surprised voice turned soft and sticky.

"M-Mom?!"

"Yue Yue, didn't you say your strength was too small-fry? Then tonight, Mom will help you 'grow'~ Don't resist, this is a necessary 'process'~ Accept Mom's love infusion~"

"Eeek--! Mom, no--! There are other people in the room!"

"Oh my~ Just a passed-out little thing, no problem~ Come, let Mommy check if you're developing normally~"

Xing Yue's mind went completely blank. She couldn't resist even if she wanted to. For the rest of the night, she was reduced to Phyllis's plaything, eventually losing consciousness in the tender nest Phyllis had carefully crafted.

On the somewhat messy futon, Phyllis lowered her gaze, staring at Xing Yue's peaceful sleeping face in her arms. Her silver-white hair was slightly tangled on the pillow, her long lashes trembling occasionally with steady breaths like butterflies resting on petals—nothing but soft, defenseless vulnerability.

She watched quietly for a moment. The usual playfulness and depth in her eyes silently settled, transforming into an indescribable focus.

Then, she bent down ever so lightly. Silver hair cascaded like flowing water, a few strands brushing against Xing Yue's cheek.

A kiss landed softly on the tip of Xing Yue's ear.

The movement was incredibly gentle, as if afraid to disturb a fragile dream.

This scene looked just like a mother pressing a perfectly ordinary goodnight kiss on her sleeping child in the dead of night.

But in reality, the last half of Phyllis's magic power gently surged into Xing Yue's body with that kiss.

In the blink of an eye, all that magic was completely devoured. Xing Yue's cheeks visibly flushed an unusually rosy glow, like a fully ripe fruit, brimming with satiated vitality.

Looking at her "masterpiece," Phyllis nodded in satisfaction.

"Now the witch's authority is fully activated. There might be a good show tomorrow~"

With those words, Phyllis's figure began to rapidly fade and blur, dissipating like an illusion.

Before long, Phyllis was no longer in the room, leaving only a faint lingering fragrance in the air.