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Wait a second, why is the array black?

Bah, now’s not the time to mind the small details. Even if the Devil King Idol’s not with me, I should just pack my things and run. As long as I can make it back to Purgatory, I can always come retrieve later when I’m stronger.

‘If we get into danger, you’d better open up that teleportation gate, got it?’

“Yeah, yeah. Just leave it to your big sis.”

Ferti’nier figuratively slapped her chest to show her confidence. Seeing her so serious for once, I calmed down significantly. After all, this was a matter of life and death; even she wouldn’t fool around with her own life.

Well, that’s the benefits of having two souls…

Having gone through that one-way teleportation, we found ourselves in front of a giant cavern. We were still in an underground environment, but there was at least a good one hundred meters between us and the cavern’s pitch black ceiling. Even so, I couldn’t help but feel a little claustrophobic.

The cavern’s entrance wasn’t particularly packed with people: only those twelve Dark Elves who took part in the ritual before and some warrior-looking guards. However, we were welcomed by an unexpected pair. It was Reyage, Jezsere’s sister, still accompanied by one of the guards who escorted him out previously. From the looks of things, they had been waiting for our arrival.

What is he doing here? I thought he got escorted away by those three Dark Elves. So how did he end up reaching here before me? Is this area somehow connected to another one-way teleportation array? Before I could clarify these burning questions however, our two parties met eyes and I knew that I would never get the chance to have them answered.

“Esteemed mother.” Realising that Paliseth was here with me, Reyage promptly paid his respects to her.

“You’re here too I see.” Even though the pair looked more like a pair of brother and sister based on Paliseth’s youthful appearance, they were most definitely mother and son. Having found a new toy to entertain her, she lowered me down on the floor and sauntered to Reyage, long, slender fingers caressing his face even before she stopped. “Such a cute child you are, you grow more and more like your father each day.”

“Esteemed mother, are you really planning to sacrifice Sir Mo Ke to the goddess?” He continued, not at all affected by her actions. Clearly, this was a common occurrence and he was already a hardened veteran on this front.

Paliseth continued caressing her son’s face. Yet even if she might have seemed playful, her words were anything but. “That’s right. It’s a shame but this decision is final.”

“I understand.” Reyage sighed softly before steeling his resolve. “I’m sorry for my impudence then, esteemed mother.”

“Oh? You…”

Paliseth was about to tease her son a little longer but her body suddenly froze up. Not only was Paliseth affected by this sudden turn of events, even the surrounding Dark Elves seemed to have suddenly been caught in some paralyzing spell as well. Each of them crumpled to the floor, eyes still wide open but limbs clearly frozen.

I’m sorry, mother.” Reyage slowly lowered his mother to the floor then immediately walked up to me. “Sir Mo Ke, we need to leave this place now.”

“What about Jezsere?”

I still had a lot of questions on mind, like what was he even doing here? And how did he just paralyze all of them? In fact, why was he even going against his own mother to help me? Where was Jezsere? There were just too many questions right and I wasn’t sure which I should ask first. However, it was undeniable that the safety of my little white bunny was one of the top priorities right now.

“She’s safe. We need to get out of here now… Oh right, how is your body feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Whatever he had used on Paliseth had clearly not worked on me. Perhaps it was because my bloodline was too noble and could even resist such adverse effects.

“As long as you’re fine… let me help you with those bindings.” A flick of his hand later, a dagger appeared in his palms and he began walking briskly towards me. “Don’t worry, I got this all planned out.”

As long as he managed to undo my bindings, escaping was basically guaranteed. Yet just when success was within our grasp, Paliseth suddenly got up from the ground. Because of how sudden all this was, I only managed to squeeze out a quick warning.

“Behind you!”

Unfortunately, it was too late. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that her speed was too quick. The moment the first word had left my mouth, Paliseth was already behind Reyage, and with a quick flip over her shoulders, had him flung away like a ragdoll.

With how strong a Matriarch like her was, Reyage was not only thrown several dozens of meters away, he even slammed into the cavern wall nearby with a deafening boom. After the dust had settled on his collision, Reyage could be found lying in a perfect mold of himself carved out of the cave wall.

“Silly child, I was the one who taught you how to use those paralytic herbs. Did you think I would have no countermeasure against them?”

Having said that, she flung her arm across the room, covering the afflicted Dark Elves in a pink mist. A short while later, they were able to move once more.

“Our apologies, clan leader…”

Having regained control of their bodies, their first act was to immediately beg for mercy from Paliseth. Despair and fear were clearly written on all of their faces. While I might not have seen the methods of the Dark Elves firsthand, I could already imagine how terrifying their punishment must have been. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was capable of having all of them executed in a fit of anger.

“I have no time for you lot right now, get that unfortunate son of mine out of here first. We can settle this matter once the ritual is over.” Not at all bothered by the prostrating Dark Elves, she turned around and smiled sweetly at me. “My dear, it’s not good to keep the goddess waiting. Your big sister over here will happily lead you along now.”

My face immediately darkened with despair, just like those prostrating Dark Elves. Also… who the heck is a big sister? You’re old enough to be my grandmother, you old hag… Well, at least she’s not suffocating me with her chest again… not that I mind…

“Is Reyage going to be fine?”

Regardless of how his plan worked out, he got injured trying to save me. At the very least, I should ask if he was fine, else I would feel very guilty… In other words, now that I’ve asked her about him, I don’t have to feel guilty at all… Truthfully, I couldn’t even guarantee my own safety right now, let alone meddle in Reyage’s. Considering his status, Reyage should be fine… probably. Mostly.

“Hohohoho, are you worried, my dear?” Now that we were in the cavern, she continued with her usual teasing. “Don’t worry, your big sister over here knows her son well. He won’t die from something like that. Not now anyway.”

Not now anyway… you’re a really caring mother, aren’t you? And what do you mean by not now anyway? Are you planning to have him executed later?

Given my current situation, I really had no way of making demands of her, even if I got down on my knees to beg her. I still couldn’t understand why he would go to such lengths for me, but I was grateful nonetheless. Even though we were merely acquaintances, he still went against his mother’s wishes to try and save me… I’ll remember this favor. If there’s ever a chance in the future, I’ll definitely repay you. It’s just… now it’s a little difficult to do that. So, brother Reyage, I wish you all the best. Whether or not you can make it through this ordeal is all entirely up to you.

The cavern itself was a circular tunnel that extended straight ahead for nearly twenty meters. Scattered along its walls were spiders the size of a human head. At times, we would stumble upon some gooey spider eggs.

“Where are we?”

Honestly, spiders didn’t scare me, but they were disgusting. Especially when they clumped together… thank god I don’t have a phobia of such things else I would be shivering right now.

“This is our sacred ground, the Arachne Cavern.” Her sudden interjection caught me off guard and nearly made me jump in surprise. “How about your big sister bring you around for a quick tour? There’s all sorts of fascinating things here.”

“Arachne Cavern? You mean the area used to give birth to Dryders?”

“My dear, you know this place then? I bet it was Jezsere who told you; I heard you had a meeting with her just now.” Having said that, she suddenly licked my ear, causing my entire body to shiver and contort in the spider silk. Clearly aware of this anomaly, she merely chuckled.

“Hohohoho, you’re too sensitive, my dear. Your big sister just gave you a little lick, that’s all. You’re even blushing now, how cute.”

She then leaned in again for another lick.

“Let go of me!” I yelled as I withdrew my body subconsciously.

“I can let you go if you want. But if I do, I’m not sure what those spiders beside you might do.”

Having been reminded as such, I finally noticed the horde of spiders eyeing me intently. Had it not been for Paliseth, I had no doubt that I would be buried alive by spiders right now…

Shameless Self-promotion

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If you liked my work translating Devil’s Evolution Catalog, feel free to check out Song of Adolescence. Also, every comment is appreciated even though I might not reply. I do read them.