Chapter 209
The Mutilation Ritual Begins
Isabel was lying in a position rather close to the edge. Rather than lying on Eivass’s lap, it was more like the corner of the back of her head was resting on the side of Eivass’s thigh. It was akin to resting the back of one’s head against a headboard; it was just a little shy of slipping off, and her neck would be uncomfortable.
It wasn’t out of shyness or awareness of the gender difference—it was simply because she was worried about digging into Eivass, or that her head was too heavy and pressing down on his leg. After all, in her perception, Eivass usually needed to use a wheelchair, so she was too embarrassed to lie down too comfortably. Instead, she was straining her own neck, trying to maintain a somewhat awkward yet balanced posture.
“Doesn’t your neck hurt like this?” Eivass asked softly, his voice like a whisper next to her ear. He reached out, supporting the back of Isabel’s head with one hand and her shoulder with the other, and gently commanded, “Lean up a bit more. Yes, a bit higher…” Only when Isabel was fully able to lie on his lap did he release his hands. Yet Isabel subconsciously tightened her efforts. Her neck and shoulders tensed, making her head feel as light as possible.
“Sigh…” Eivass sighed helplessly. “Relax.” He reached out and gently held Isabel’s chin, pressing the other hand against her skull. At this point, if he were to twist with both hands, Princess Isabel would likely be… finished. This intimate physical contact made Isabel instinctively want to cry out, but she immediately suppressed her reaction, causing her face to flush red. However, Eivass merely moved her head slightly, saying softly, “Relax, relax more… just like when you’re sleeping, relax your body, don’t strain your hands… don’t tremble… If you resist my light like this, I can’t treat you properly…”
Eivass comforted her for quite a while, but Isabel still hadn’t fully relaxed. However, at least she was now genuinely lying on Eivass’s lap. She didn’t dare to open her eyes, as she could feel Eivass’s gentle and slightly warm breath on her face. Just maintaining deep breaths and staying calm was taking all her effort.
“Good, very good…” Eivass said softly. For some reason, Isabel felt Eivass’s voice… was like that of someone taming a pet. Just having this thought caused her heart to pound intensely. She could even hear her own heartbeat and feel the thumping in her veins just by lying on Eivass’s lap. Then, she felt a warm palm placed on her forehead. A stream of warmth flowed from his palm, entering her brain. It felt like a head massage, or like soaking her head in hot water while washing her hair… but it was warmer and more comfortable than either combined. There was a sensation of invisible heat penetrating her flesh and skull, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft moan, her body instantly relaxing. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and dry eyes, like fresh stains being washed away by hot water, disappeared at a visible pace.
Concurrently, Isabel could clearly feel another stream of warmth emanating from her neck and flexibly traveling downwards. This made her subconsciously tighten her legs and gasp. The warm current first flowed into her heart, then her lungs, stomach… every organ in her body was visited. Normally, Isabel might have immediately and shyly stopped it, but the continuous warmth from her forehead made her feel drowsy, and she wished for the treatment to continue. Next, she felt the small warm current in her heart grow larger. A stronger, warmer current flowed through her limbs with each pump of her heart. But soon, she felt a coolness on her forehead. — It wasn’t a chill, but Eivass had removed his hand.
She opened her eyes, only to find her vision completely clear and her consciousness remarkably sharp. The headache and dry eyes were completely gone, feeling even more comfortable than a full night’s sleep. Her brain, previously infused with warmth, now felt cool. It was like taking a hot shower and then feeling refreshed.
“Don’t you usually seek treatment from a Bishop for such ailments?” Looking down at Isabel, who had opened her eyes with a look of surprise, Eivass asked with some doubt. Isabel had a multitude of minor ailments, which was unusual for royalty. — By rights, shouldn’t royalty summon a Bishop for even the slightest ailment or discomfort? Many knightly families were like that… For instance, the Moriarty Family. Whenever Yulia felt unwell, her foster father or elder brother would find someone for her. Back then, Eivass was young and didn’t know what to do, so he could only watch anxiously from the side. But things were different now. He truly had the ability to help others and heal their pain—he didn’t need to find anyone; he could do better himself.
But Isabel merely offered a simple, innocent smile without answering directly. Eivass didn’t press for an answer; he was just asking casually. “You have a bit of a cold, your heart isn’t great, and your stomach isn’t great either… Have you lost your appetite recently? You’re even somewhat malnourished. Your menstrual cycle was also a bit irregular, which I’ve tidied up for you. But these are all minor issues that have only recently appeared. Remember to eat more.” As a temporary doctor, Eivass earnestly advised, “Also, your neck might be problematic, but I’ve healed it with the Illuminate Spell. This is a problem from looking down too much. Remember to look up more often. Using the Illuminate Spell too much can deplete your health, so you still need to replenish your nutrition yourself.”
If not for anything else, he understood this all too well. Cervical spondylosis at first glance. Eivass had this issue in his previous life… or rather, few urban office workers didn’t have neck problems. Fortunately, the principle of the Illuminate Spell was “dispelling pain,” restoring the body to a healthy state by abstracting the concept of illness, solidifying it, and then dispelling and illuminating it with radiance. As long as he knew where the body was not functioning correctly, he could directly infuse mana to heal it. Otherwise, Eivass wouldn’t treat such things. He hadn’t expected Isabel to have this problem in this era without mobile phones… it was probably because the practice missions given by Janis were too demanding. After all, Isabel’s profession was “all-rounder.”
“I will remember,” Isabel said seriously.
“Then you should get off my lap, Isabel,” Eivass said with a smile. Only then did Isabel realize that she had been lying on Eivass’s lap! She quickly got up, her light golden long hair scattering, with a few strands even brushing against Eivass’s face. A faint, elegant rose scent wafted from her in front of Eivass—that was the scent of her shampoo. Eivass inhaled the scent, somewhat surprised. Did Isabel use such a mature fragrance…?
“Are you coming with us? Do you want to witness Madam Meg’s ritual?” Eivass extended an invitation. Although Meg was waiting only for Eivass, he believed that Meg wouldn’t refuse if he brought Isabel along. After all, Meg seemed to have a good relationship with Isabel. Or rather, given Isabel’s personality, while it was difficult for her to find friends her own age, she seemed to get along well with her elders.
“What ritual?” Isabel asked, but she had already subconsciously followed Eivass towards the entrance.
“The Ritual of Rejuvenation.”
“…Huh?” Isabel was taken aback. She didn’t think Eivass was bragging—in her eyes, Eivass was so mysterious, knowledgeable, and powerful. It was normal for him to know rituals that even some court ritualists were unaware of. But rejuvenation… that was too preposterous! And… upon hearing this, her first thought went to her grandmother.
“Her Majesty…” Isabel hesitated, her steps behind Eivass slowing down slightly. As soon as she opened her mouth, Eivass guessed what she was thinking. Eivass directly shook his head and refused, “Her Majesty probably can’t. This ritual is very painful and requires immense willpower to endure. Moreover, even if successful, one wouldn’t be their past self anymore—appearance, bloodline, voice, and talent would all change. How would Her Majesty manage the country?” A person whose age, appearance, bloodline, profession, and path level were all different from the Queen suddenly appearing and claiming to be Queen Sophia rejuvenated… Setting aside whether anyone would believe it, it could serve as an excuse for neighboring countries to send troops or for internal rebellion. “Besides, knowing Madam Meg’s personality, she would definitely try this ritual first. If it’s successful, she would definitely share it with Her Majesty—regardless of whether Her Majesty agreed, she would definitely mention it. So it’s not for us to interfere.” Eivass analyzed earnestly. At this moment, Meg’s hearty laughter still echoed, “Well said! You understand me, little fox!”
…Why are you calling me a fox, just like Sherlock. Eivass felt somewhat helpless but was too lazy to correct her. Just as he and Sherlock had discussed in their dream, Eivass quite liked foxes. To him, “vixen” wasn’t entirely a derogatory term; it was more like praising his unparalleled charm.
Because he needed to concentrate fully for this ritual, he wasn’t in his wheelchair this time. Instead, he had sent the Shadow Demon under Lily—even though the Shadow Demon couldn’t possibly hide successfully in front of Meg. But it was becoming increasingly bold. Rather, it was precisely because of the Shadow Demon’s existence that Eivass knew such unknown ancient rituals became much more plausible. Humans might be unaware, but the Shadow Demon might very well know. — Quite a few people had taken the blame for the Shadow Demon before; this time, you’ll have to bear the burden for me.
As expected, Meg merely glanced at Lily’s shadow and didn’t say anything throughout the entire interaction. They soon arrived at the ritual chamber. This was located two floors underground in the Silver and Tin Hall, allowing for absolute quiet and atmospheric balance. “Underground” also carried a “mysterious” connotation; sufficiently deep or sufficiently high places could increase the success rate of a ritual.
“Madam Meg, are you ready?” Although he knew it was a futile question, Eivass still needed to confirm, “If the ritual fails, there is approximately a one-third chance of death… Have you written your will?” This was the first time he was presiding over a ritual of this magnitude—and one that involved Madam Meg’s life. It was impossible not to be nervous.
“Ha,” Meg laughed fearlessly, “Don’t worry about things like this, you junior. Anything you can think of, I’ve definitely already considered, and anything you can’t think of, I’ve also prepared. I even took the time to request a day off for all of you. “Let’s hurry—it’ll be dawn soon. Aren’t we supposed to wait for the moment just before the sun rises? I don’t want to wait another day.”
“Alright.” Eivass nodded, took a deep breath, and said, “Then let’s begin.”
Chapter two, update complete!
Cetirizine dihydrochloride saved my cat’s life. When you’re sick, you still have to take medicine!
