The stone corridors spiral downwards, leading us ever deeper into the castle's bowels. The air grows cold and dank as we descend. Sconces with flickering torches line the walls, revealing dark patches of mold that grow between the bricks. Drops of water drip from the ceiling, and the sound echoes eerily in the narrow passages.
The knights insist that reverse summoning requires different magic circles and rituals, hence the need of another different room.
Despite the grim surroundings, Yumi and Hana seem surprisingly unperturbed. I, however, cannot shake the feeling of unease. Every step I take, every shadow I pass, I’m always on high alert, ready to react at the slightest hint of danger.
At the end, we come to a halt before a colossal iron door. After two resounding knocks from a knight, the door groans open.
A woman comes out and greets us. Her hooded mage robe conceals much, but her beauty is undeniable. The tendrils of her raven-black hair peek out from beneath the hood, cascading down like a waterfall of night. Piercing blue eyes lock onto each of us, and for a fleeting moment, I felt as if she’s peering straight into my soul. As she walks, the air is imbued with a heavy perfume, so rich and sweet it’s almost cloying.
"Wow, you are beautiful! And your perfume is amazing!" Yumi exclaims.
"Thank you, dear.” Sophia's lips curve into a gracious smile. “Come, everything is ready for your return."
However, as we cross the threshold into her chamber, another, much subtler scent tickles my senses. It’s almost lost beneath the overpowering aroma of her perfume, but its metallic tang is unmistakable. Is it... blood?
Suddenly, Yumi and Hana cease all movement. It’s as if time has snatched away their animation, leaving them as mere statues. Their eyes are now glassy.
And me, for a moment, my body freezes too.
However…
I instantly realize what’s going on. This woman, she was trying to take control of us! Yumi and Hana are now all under her influence!
Lucky that my divine blessing saved me, but it’s still my fault for not noticing her trap in the first place. This woman’s beauty and her friendliness to us made me lower my guard.
Anyways, what does she want from us? What should I do?
There are two very strong knights standing next to us, and Sophia here doesn't seem to be that weak either. Since this world has the element of magic, I can’t really judge anyone's combat potential just from their physical appearance alone.
But the good thing is, she still thinks that I’m under the effect of mind control magic or whatever the trick she’s pulling. Thus, I decide to stand still and play along, waiting to see what she will do.
Sophia then opens an ornate wooden cabinet, takes out three hefty iron collars. The next moments are a blur of motion, her finger pricked, blood drawn, and the collars illuminating with a ghostly white glow.
“Poor things,” she turns to us and says, “You should have told the king that you wanted to stay instead. Now, your only choice is to become our slaves.”
The stone corridors spiral downwards, leading us ever deeper into the castle's bowels. The air grows cold and dank as we descend. Sconces with flickering torches line the walls, revealing dark patches of mold that grow between the bricks. Drops of water drip from the ceiling, and the sound echoes eerily in the narrow passages.
The knights insist that reverse summoning requires different magic circles and rituals, hence the need of another different room.
Despite the grim surroundings, Yumi and Hana seem surprisingly unperturbed. I, however, cannot shake the feeling of unease. Every step I take, every shadow I pass, I’m always on high alert, ready to react at the slightest hint of danger.
At the end, we come to a halt before a colossal iron door. After two resounding knocks from a knight, the door groans open.
A woman comes out and greets us. Her hooded mage robe conceals much, but her beauty is undeniable. The tendrils of her raven-black hair peek out from beneath the hood, cascading down like a waterfall of night. Piercing blue eyes lock onto each of us, and for a fleeting moment, I felt as if she’s peering straight into my soul. As she walks, the air is imbued with a heavy perfume, so rich and sweet it’s almost cloying.
"Wow, you are beautiful! And your perfume is amazing!" Yumi exclaims.
"Thank you, dear.” Sophia's lips curve into a gracious smile. “Come, everything is ready for your return."
However, as we cross the threshold into her chamber, another, much subtler scent tickles my senses. It’s almost lost beneath the overpowering aroma of her perfume, but its metallic tang is unmistakable. Is it... blood?
Suddenly, Yumi and Hana cease all movement. It’s as if time has snatched away their animation, leaving them as mere statues. Their eyes are now glassy.
And me, for a moment, my body freezes too.
However…
I instantly realize what’s going on. This woman, she was trying to take control of us! Yumi and Hana are now all under her influence!
Lucky that my divine blessing saved me, but it’s still my fault for not noticing her trap in the first place. This woman’s beauty and her friendliness to us made me lower my guard.
Anyways, what does she want from us? What should I do?
There are two very strong knights standing next to us, and Sophia here doesn't seem to be that weak either. Since this world has the element of magic, I can’t really judge anyone's combat potential just from their physical appearance alone.
But the good thing is, she still thinks that I’m under the effect of mind control magic or whatever the trick she’s pulling. Thus, I decide to stand still and play along, waiting to see what she will do.
Sophia then opens an ornate wooden cabinet, takes out three hefty iron collars. The next moments are a blur of motion, her finger pricked, blood drawn, and the collars illuminating with a ghostly white glow.
“Poor things,” she turns to us and says, “You should have told the king that you wanted to stay instead. Now, your only choice is to become our slaves.”
