LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 128
Chapter 128. Those Reborn (2)
“Love always falls short of expectations.”
Manipulating hundreds of avatars, Beatrice whispered into Ethnos’s ear.
The avatars echoed the same whisper into the ears of the companions he had brought along.
“Even the most passionate love eventually cools.”
Beatrice was a priest of the “Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young”.
Following a Great Outer God, she possessed powerful blessings and miracles related to ‘reproduction’.
Every action and even the smallest breath from her mouth could enchant a person.
“The more you get to know someone you love, the more you see their flaws. You find yourself disappointed by the differences from your expectations. Sometimes, the person doesn’t reciprocate love, or doesn’t give back as much as you desire.”
Everyone was desperately resisting Beatrice’s whispers.
“You all… must resist…”
Even Eldritch, with his different race, found it challenging.
Despite having strong mind, Beatrice knew well that those could gradually crumble in the face of love.
“But I’m different. I can fulfill any desire.”
Beatrice’s avatars caressed both Ender and Delion’s cheeks simultaneously.
“Don’t you want a relationship that’s even happier than an ideal one?”
Ender trembled with his sword clenched, resisting the temptation.
In contrast, Delion, with his eyes closed, seemed so passive he showed no will to resist.
“You can confide in me. I will keep your secret. I will affirm any desire.”
Arian bit her lip until it bled.
“Everyone, please get a grip!!”
Startled by the raised voice, Ender swung his fist, yet Beatrice’s avatar remained undamaged.
“Doesn’t it drive you crazy remembering your disappointed wife? You want to love and be loved by her again.”
“Shut up! How do you even know about my family matters…?”
It wasn’t just Ender. Beatrice whispered secrets known only to the individuals involved.
“No matter what you do, you’re always alone. But I won’t discriminate against you as a mutant.”
“Ugh… I already serve someone else!”
Beatrice sneered at those struggling with her temptations.
‘The Great Star’s Descendant Mutant will be easy to conquer. The tall woman, though contrary to appearances, seems deeply affectionate, shouldn’t be too difficult…’
It was as though Ethnos’s companions were exceptional in skill, yet she knew they would soon belong to her.
‘For this famous mercenary, shaking his unmet family affection will work. As for the seemingly weakest bard… he’s already out of his mind.’
There were only two Beatrice needed to remain vigilant and cautious of: Arian and Ethnos.
The latter resisted much stronger than she anticipated, but with the former, she saw potential for breaking.
‘Strong, but inevitably going to crumble. Rather, I’ll break her now and make her mine.’
Beatrice approached Arian from behind, whispering in her ear as she blew a gentle breath.
“Righteousness and duty are good. It’s admirable to dedicate yourself to a religion. But… you’re longing for someone to comfort your weary self, aren’t you?”
Arian swung her sword, trying to calm her racing heart, as her face flushed and her heart pounded wildly.
“I’ll be that someone for you. No matter your preference, I’ll…”
“Stop it!”
Boom!
With her sword, she struck the ground, causing a tremor and an echoing roar. The shock momentarily cleared her mind.
‘Why am I not inclined to use a miracle…?’
Resisting as much as she could, none of her battle techniques or desire for a miracle arose.
Most troubling was the growing urge to succumb to Beatrice’s taunts and seduction.
‘I must overcome this. I am a Luminaries. I must protect the people…!’
While Arian continued her struggle, Ansandy, who had finally reached the others, fought back tears as she resisted the seduction.
“I… cannot betray Grandfather’s wishes…!”
Beatrice licked the tears from Ansandy’s cheeks, whispering seductively.
“You need not try so hard. You-”
Ting!
A clear note sliced through the enthralling whispers. It was Delion’s instrument resounding faintly.
“My lady! How could you be swayed by such nonsense when I’ve always played you far superior melodies!”
“Delion…?”
Beatrice’s avatars frowned.
“A priest of the Ancient God? How could someone so insignificant as you…?”
Delion laughed, though it was a struggle even to stand against Beatrice’s appeal.
“I am a bard, singing the tales of heroes!”
Delion staggered, managing to rise.
“No charm is sweeter than spreading our new legend across the continent!”
He cleared his throat.
“The instrument is my breath, the performance my prayer. Please lend your ears to my refrain. 〈Hymn of Silence〉!”
The notes of Delion’s music sliced through the enrapturing aura, allowing everyone to regain their senses.
“You… vermin!”
Ender cut and kicked at the avatars in fury.
“…… Thank you, Delion.”
Ansandy stabbed and burned the avatar that tormented her with a sword.
“Aren’t you going to say my music is annoying, as usual?”
“Stop the nonsense and play louder.”
Delion chuckled.
“Anyone connected with Ethnos here?”
As Arian tore a avatar’s neck out, she asked.
“Not yet, but I’m sure Ethnos will be okay!”
Even while turning the avatars into pincushions with a blue spear, Eldritch shouted.
As the number of avatars dwindled one by one, Ethnos faced Beatrice’s real body.
* * *
“Remarkable. How did you gather such exceptional individuals? More importantly…”
Beatrice expressed perplexity at my resistance to her temptations.
“How did you withstand it? The seduction from the real body is incomparable. I meant to entice you with enough intensity to melt your brain.”
I took a deep breath. Being in the same space with Beatrice made me want to kneel and offer everything. However,
“I’m not someone who enjoys falling for such deception.”
Recalling her filthy rituals, the vile and nauseating acts, my hatred and fury refused to subside.
‘I barely managed that. I didn’t even use a miracle…’
Her combat abilities were unknown, yet her capability to seduce alone rendered her extremely dangerous.
“Strange. Your mental state is deeply precarious, so how could you withstand without answering any questions?”
Her words stirred a headache, memories slowly resurfacing.
Beatrice attempted to seduce me while asking several questions, mostly about loved ones.
Yet, with her seduction so potent, I scarcely remembered hearing such inquiries.
“Huff… I must admit.”
Beatrice sighed, stepping back.
“My companions also resisted your charms, didn’t they? Is your fruitless pursuit over, Beatrice?”
“Yes. It’s truly impressive.”
“Less of your prattle, take responsibility for your actions.”
Beatrice scrunched her eyebrows slightly, acknowledging the unavoidable situation.
“Formally complain at the next meeting. Regardless of my initial mistake, isn’t an intrusion like this rather irregular?”
“I won’t leave empty-handed.”
“Then, what do you want?”
“In retribution, I must burn this entire place to the ground. And I’ll be taking the captured sacrificial offerings as well.”
Naturally, Beatrice was unwilling, but…
“Fine… That much should be enough to show I’m sincere about apologizing to you.”
Ultimately, she conceded.
‘To abandon so many believers and sacrifices merely as a gesture speaks volumes about the cult’s enormity.’
“Also, consider it seriously. Bearing children with me.”
I was at a loss for words.
“Why would I even contemplate that?”
“Your offspring would inherit power capable of engulfing the world. Even now, your strength makes you a daunting adversary for me…”
As her figure melted away, departing gradually.
“As our constraints weaken, don’t grow too haughty, and give it proper thought.”
With Beatrice’s avatars vanishing all at once, I could sense the worshipers’ confusion through the spider web.
‘… When did it get taken?’
I picked up a ring with 〈Mind Link〉 enchantment from the ground. It seemed during the seduction, I lost consciousness multiple times.
『Is everyone alright?』
『Ethnos! All of the priest’s avatars have vanished! Did you kill the original?』
『No, but I drove her away.』
A chorus of disappointed voices was heard.
『… It’s a shame the wretched woman isn’t dead.』
Whatever transpired left Arian vehemently cursing.
『Come inside and rescue the captives. I intend to burn this place to oblivion.』
『A fantastic idea.』
While my companions rescued those imprisoned, I felt success as the web spread completely throughout the cavern.
It was much larger than anticipated, causing the web to need time to fully extend.
‘It’d be risky to set this place on fire without checking for potentially hazardous items or noteworthy spoils first.’
I decided to conduct a thorough investigation, uncertain of what might be discovered.
‘… What is this?’
In a newly identified room were deformed humans. They were still undergoing transformation…
‘Umbilical cords and a placenta?’
They appeared connected to what seemed like that, with the room filled with suspicious liquid.
On re-evaluating the sensations, numerous new lives stirred from all directions; this was not a mere cavern.
‘It was a womb.’
That was the closest description.
This was the process of living in ecstasy, performing rituals, and finally emerging reborn through Beatrice’s body as her children.
“…”
Words failed me.
From whence Beatrice’s avatard forms would suddenly appear, where her real form could abruptly manifest—because the entire cavern acted as a womb and conduit, such feats were feasible.
『Eldritch, is the rescue completed?』
『Yes, Lord Ethnos. We evacuated everyone.』
『Move further away. This cave… it’s larger than expected.』
Why would anyone go to such lengths? What was the perceived value, compelling these worshipers to surrender their lives and those they love entirely?
‘I neither understand nor wish to understand.’
Shortly after, Eldritch informed me they’d moved a safe distance away.
“May the flames consuming all appear. 〈Scarlet Flames of the Hungry Ghost〉.”
Flames erupted, consuming the flesh-walls disguised as a cavern.
The repulsive worshipers and altered humans inside succumbed to the inferno.
Even such hellish flames paled against my seething hatred.