The Warden of The Witches-Chapter 233:

Chapter 233: Sacrifice

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

"..." Aiden fell silent.

Sitting in a woman's bathroom while she bathed and discussing some matters with her... the situation felt rather awkward.

Abigail, however, appeared perfectly composed, even nonchalantly opening a bottle and pouring essential oils into the bathwater. This was likely the legendary state of 'if I'm not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to others.'

After a while, Aiden couldn't maintain his composure any longer. "It seems this isn't a convenient time for you. Perhaps I should trouble you later."

But Abigail declined. "No need. I've only just started soaking, and it will take at least an hour. I would feel terrible making a guest wait that long. Your Excellency needn't worry; please speak freely here."

"Alright."

Aiden let out a long breath, reminding himself mentally to remain calm. It was just a normal conversation; no need for any strange thoughts... Hmm, thinking that the witch soaking in this tub is at least seventy or eighty years old, old enough to be his grandmother... that seemed to cool his thoughts considerably.

"Your Excellency isn't perhaps thinking something impolite, are you?" Abigail suddenly interjected.

"No!" Aiden denied reflexively. Though unsure if she could see through the mist, he immediately plastered a gentlemanly smile on his face.

How was this witch so perceptive?

"Very well. Then, what brings Your Excellency here this time? Is the business we previously agreed upon not proceeding smoothly?" Abigail asked.

"No, that matter is progressing very well. I wished to see you this time to inquire about the Blood Moon Cult formed by blood-kin that you mentioned previously."

"What about that cult?"

"That cult has appeared in Silver City, and... they seem to have investigated Sister Nawei's body before her succession," Aiden said slowly. "You mentioned before that they worship the God of Death, correct?"

"That is correct." Abigail grasped the situation. "I see. Now that the Black Goat has fallen, they will come for us."

The Nameless Witch's diary indicated the God of Death's possible intention to manipulate her to seize the "Proliferation" authority from the old Reyst royal family—a fact only the two of them knew. The God of Death desired the "Proliferation" authority. With the Fertile Mother Cult gone, the next target would likely be the one who took the sole authority and Sister Nawei's remains. The current Blood Moon Cult served as his pawns.

"They're coming for you," Aiden corrected.

"The remains were once in Your Excellency's possession. You cannot escape involvement either," Abigail replied.

"Regardless, this group emerging is ultimately a latent threat to both of us." Aiden gestured back and forth between Abigail and himself.

"Your Excellency hopes I will intervene as well?" Abigail discerned Aiden's purpose.

"The enemy is already at the gates. Surely you feel some sense of urgency?"

Aiden had come specifically to find Abigail primarily because he wanted her to become involved in this matter, at least somewhat. If the Blood Moon Cult was pursuing leads from the bountiful Mother Cult, it was only a matter of time before they arrived at her doorstep. Even if Aiden told them Sister Nawei remains and the Hatching Egg were with Abigail, whether they would believe him was another question entirely.

Furthermore, members of the Blood Moon Cult seemed to be killing people around the city. No sane person would tolerate such dangerous individuals roaming freely where they lived.

"Since Your Excellency has asked, how could I refuse to help?" Abigail shifted in the tub, resting an elbow on the rim and propping her cheek on her hand. "However, what is the current state of intelligence?"

Aiden recounted everything they had discovered: the existence of a Blood Moon Cult "supervisor" manipulating other blood-kin to divert the Inquisition's attention, and the series of blood-kin-related serial murders occurring in the city.

"Serial killing..." Abigail mused after listening. "This is likely 'sacrifice,' wouldn't you say?"

"Sacrifice?"

"Using sacrificial rituals as a medium to obtain partial powers distributed by the Dominator. This is a common method for many priests or agents serving Dominators to receive divine 'grace'," Abigail explained. "The authority of 'Death'—its ritual involves offering 'Death' to the Dominator. Hence, killing is necessary."

Aiden immediately thought of an inmate in his prison—Mad Hailo. She had received grace from a Dominator, gaining a special ability to reflect damage, but couldn't withstand the influence of the divine words and went insane.

"Shouldn't this kind of act cause mental coruption?" Aiden asked.

"It's manageable if one has methods to adapt to the divine words. Sufficiently powerful mental magic or techniques of expression would work," Abigail stated. "Killing three people... the perpetrator may have temporarily obtained three incomplete powers related to the 'Death' authority. And to retain these powers, the rituals must be performed regularly."

Hearing this, Aiden felt a cold dread—the enemy might be a monster empowered by a Dominator, one who needed to continue murdering innocent people in this city...

Yet, at the same time, a question formed in his mind.

"This God of Death seems to operate rather subtly, doesn't he? A god needing to use proxies to accomplish his goals," he commented. Two hundred years ago, targeting the old Kingdom, the God of Death's method was summoning someone from another world to incite rebellion. Now, he was using a group of blood-kin to run his errands.

"That's not surprising. Dominators are careful not to leave traces. Every Saint nearing their level of power constantly schemes to usurp them, and even other Dominators eye their positions covetously. Many Dominators have long lost their original bodies and identities through such struggles," Abigail said matter-of-factly. "Besides, regarding the God of Death, who fought to mutual detriment with another Dominator two hundred years ago... we don't even know his current condition."

Aiden nodded, thinking of Mephilia—she currently occupied a mortal body. Had her original form also been lost long ago? It seemed that in this world, becoming a Dominator didn't guarantee peace of mind. Sitting on the throne meant not only being supreme but also being coveted by countless others, inevitably drawn into fiercer struggles for power.

If his own life hadn't been targeted, Aiden's personality was such that he genuinely wouldn't want to meddle in such troublesome affairs.

"From what Your Excellency has described, that 'supervisor' dispatched by the Blood Moon Cult is likely the God of Death's agent," Abigail brought the conversation back on track. "What does Your Excellency intend to do now? Actively seek him out, or wait for him to make his move and deal with him then?"