The Warden of The Wi Chapter 233:

Chapter 233:

Chapter 233: Sacrifice

"..." Aiden fell silent.

Sitting in a woman's bathroom while she bathed and discussing so 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 embarrassnt belongs to others.'

After a while, Aiden couldn't maintain his composure any longer. "It seems this isn't a convenient ti 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 ntally 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 seed to cool his thoughts considerably.

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

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

How was this witch so perceptive?

"Very well. Then, what brings Your Excellency here this ti? 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 ti to inquire about the Blood Moon Cult ford by blood-kin that you ntioned 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 ntioned 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 co for us."

The Naless 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 involvent either," Abigail replied.

"Regardless, this group erging 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 so sense of urgency?"

Aiden had co specifically to find Abigail primarily because he wanted her to beco involved in this matter, at least sowhat. If the Blood Moon Cult was pursuing leads from the bountiful Mother Cult, it was only a matter of ti 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, mbers of the Blood Moon Cult seed 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 dium to obtain partial powers distributed by the Dominator. This is a common thod 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 imdiately 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 ntal coruption?" Aiden asked.

"It's manageable if one has thods to adapt to the divine words. Sufficiently powerful ntal 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 perford 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 sa ti, a question ford 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 comnted. Two hundred years ago, targeting the old Kingdom, the God of Death's thod was summoning soone 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 sches 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 detrint with another Dominator two hundred years ago... we don't even know his current condition."

Aiden nodded, thinking of philia—she currently occupied a mortal body. Had her original form also been lost long ago? It seed that in this world, becoming a Dominator didn't guarantee peace of mind. Sitting on the throne ant not only being supre 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 ddle in such troubleso 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?"