Chapter 47: You Can’t Imagine the Joy of Taming a Beast!
Lilith’s crying in the room gradually subsided, though an occasional sob still escaped her.
Just then, Shelley suddenly spoke again.
“Were there any other children your age in that place?”
Taking the tissue Shelley offered, Lilith wiped the tears from her face and said softly, “…No. Only me.”
“Have you ever wondered why you were there?”
Lilith had actually thought about this question long ago, but she had never faced it head-on. Malar’s priests were never kind and charitable people. Why would they adopt a mixed-blood baby girl?
Perhaps, deep down, she already knew the answer.
“Have you ever looked for your parents? What happened to them?”
“They… were both killed.”
“Have you ever looked into the records from back then? Who killed your parents?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
Faced with Lilith’s question, Shelley stated with absolute confidence, “Yes. I believe it was the followers of Malar who killed your parents. You were supposed to be killed along with them, but they discovered your special talents.”
“So they brought you to the church and raised you to be an assassin.”
Staring at Shelley as he spoke with such conviction, Lilith was silent for a moment before saying, “Then my Lord… why did He stop answering my prayers?”
Lilith was still making a last stand, but Shelley wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
As he recalled, during this period, Malar was in conflict with the God of Suffering. Both of them were at war within their divine realms, so they had no time to answer their followers’ prayers. A divine realm stored the divine power a god had accumulated over countless ages. Fighting within a divine realm was like two beings with infinite energy constantly using weapons of mass destruction. It was like they were cheating. Ninth-circle spells were thrown around casually. If you got injured, a simple Greater Restoration would fix you right up.
Therefore, it was very difficult to reach a conclusion in a war between divine realms. A single war could last for hundreds of years without a clear winner. In other words, during the time they were at war, it wasn’t just Lilith who couldn’t get a response from Malar; none of his followers could. It was also for this reason that the Dark Brotherhood had interpreted this as his tacit approval of their operation.
But Shelley, obviously, was not going to tell Lilith this fact.
[Liar!]
[But I like it!]
Ignoring the text box that appeared before him, Shelley said, “What if, from the very beginning, the one who answered you was never Malar?”
What?
Staring at Shelley in disbelief, Lilith’s eyes were filled with shock.
“You’re not a priest. You never received divine magic or oracles from a god.”
“At most, you would hear a grand voice, see a brilliant light.”
“And any holy spirit priest can do that.”
(They can’t! It’s a lie!)
Looking at Lilith with pity, Shelley leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry to tell you this…”
“But your entire life up to this point may have been a lie.”
Thump, thump, thump!
Rage!
A torrent of fury consumed Lilith’s will. Shelley was so close he could even hear her heart pounding in her chest.
“Is anger the source of her power?”
“No, it’s not. It’s controllable.”
The short hair on Lilith’s head began to turn white and grow longer, but then it slowly reverted back. After changing back, Lilith seemed somewhat weak, her whole demeanor more languid as she lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
“The price is weakness. That’s fairly normal.”
She didn’t push away the hand that was stroking her head. In fact, she found it warm and gentle. After a long silence, she asked, “What should I do now?”
“Do you want revenge? Do you want revenge on the church that ruined your life?”
Silence spread through the room. The answer, naturally, was self-evident.
Shelley didn’t wait for her answer and continued, “But you’re not even legendary. How are you going to deal with them?”
“Without the church’s support, your progress will slow down. But I can give you what you need.”
Even though Malar was only a lesser deity, his church was not something a high-level assassin could easily provoke. No god could be easily provoked.
“…What’s the price?”
Years as an assassin had taught Lilith one thing: nothing in this world was free. Every gift had its price tag attached long before it was offered.
Hook, line, and sinker!
He laughed wildly in his mind, then composed himself. Shelley smiled.
“A price? No, there’s no price.”
“Didn’t I tell you? I will be your new master.”
“And I am not a stingy master.”
This time, Lilith didn’t lunge at him and pin him down. She just looked at him quietly with her purple eyes and said, “Why?”
Why?
Because beast-eared girls are a treasure of this world, of course! How could I pass up this opportunity?
Though he was thrilled, Shelley didn’t show it. He chuckled softly, then said calmly, “You need to understand one thing. I’m not negotiating with you. I’m informing you.”
“This is the manor of a legendary sorcerer. Do you think you can escape?”
“Don’t even think about taking me hostage. You won’t succeed.”
“You either choose to serve me as your master, or you die here.”
Swallowing, Lilith said bitterly, “Aren’t you a paladin? Why…”
Is this the justice you believe in?
“I am indeed a paladin, but you are also evil.”
I’m fighting fire with fire!
“And a paladin, at the very least, is more trustworthy than others, isn’t he?”
The coldness on his face melted away in an instant. Shelley said with a brilliant smile, “Since this world is full of liars, you might as well choose me.”
“At least I won’t abandon you.”
After a long silence, Lilith sat up and stared at the beautiful man. This man was weak, yet he made her feel fear. More than his killing techniques, his ability to see through people terrified her. It was like being targeted by a venomous snake. It seemed that beneath his beautiful exterior hid a cold and evil heart.
Biting her lip in frustration, Lilith said in a low voice, “I… submit.”
I have no other choice, do I?
“Very good. But it’s not enough.”
Looking at Shelley’s playful expression, Lilith frowned slightly and asked, “What do you need me to do to prove my sincerity?”
“Do I need to make a contract?”
Shaking his head, Shelley leaned in close to her face. His scent made Lilith flinch back slightly.
“I want you to offer your loyalty.”
“Do you know how animals offer their loyalty to their leader, little doggy?”
His hand gently touched Lilith’s lips. A faint purple light glowed in Shelley’s eyes.
“Charming Gaze!”
She tried to turn her head away in a panic, but Shelley held it in place. Lilith looked down and said in a low voice, “This face… are you really not afraid?”
Not afraid, exactly. A little awkward, maybe.
But for the sake of a cute beast-eared girl in the future… I can do this!
“As long as your soul is pure, you are beautiful in my eyes.”
“Besides, these scars are not impossible to remove.”
“And now, you need to show your sincerity.”
Her mind felt hazy. She looked up at the lips so close to hers and felt a strange attraction.
Kiss… kiss him…
Lilith sighed softly and whispered, “…You really are a devil.”
Hearing this, Shelley laughed out loud. “What are you talking about? I’m a pala—mmph…”
Feeling the trembling lips, the knot of anxiety in Shelley’s chest finally loosened.
“Success!”
[Her heart is filled with confusion.]
[Perhaps she will regret this in the future.]
[But right now, she just wants to find a sliver of warmth.]
[Lilith Conquest Progress: 28%]
“Alright, time to tell her the arrangements for the future…”
“I’m a little tired too… huh?”
Their lips parted. Shelley was about to start giving Lilith instructions, but before he could speak, he saw her take a deep breath, undo the new clothes she was wearing, and turn over to lie face down on the bed.
!!!!!
I shouldn’t have used an animal analogy!
…
Well… maybe this isn’t so bad?
Lilith lay trembling on the bed. Unable to see Shelley behind her, she asked nervously, “She… Shelley?”
A pair of warm hands touched her body. Lilith flinched. She heard a soft chuckle from behind her.
“It’s Master.”
“…Yes.”
“Mas… ter!”
…
[Dexterity check failed!]
[Constitution check successful!]
[Strength check successful!]
[You have barely managed to take the lead in this… huh?]
[She transformed!]
[Strength check failed!]
[Constitution check failed!]
[You have been overpowered!]
[But fortunately, you achieved victory through your astonishing technique!]
[What a fierce battle!]
[You have successfully established your dominance!]
[Reward Gained: Improved Intuitive Dodge]
[Improved Intuitive Dodge: You are difficult to ambush. An attacker’s rogue level must be at least 4 levels higher than yours.]
[Reward Gained: Trap Sense]
[Trap Sense: You have a certain awareness of hidden traps nearby.]
…
[I like dogs.]
[They are obedient.]
[They listen well.]
[The joy of taming a beast is unparalleled!]
[Will you end up with a treacherous wolf in sheep’s clothing, biding its time?]
[Or a loyal and devoted hound?]
[I’m so looking forward to it!]
[Lilith Conquest Progress: 35%]
…
Elena stood in front of Shelley’s room. Old Wyder stood nervously to the side, wanting to speak but not daring to, just anxiously wiping his sweat.
She had just turned the doorknob when the door was pulled open from the inside, and a figure threw herself into her arms.
“Master! You’re back…?”
The haggard Lydia quickly realized something was wrong. Although it was also armor, this person didn’t have Shelley’s gentle presence.
Timidly looking up, Lydia stammered, “Prin… Princess!?”
“What… what are you doing here?”
You scared me to death!
