Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 100

‘Yes, of course…’
The request for blood came so naturally that I found myself pricking my fingertips repeatedly with the Needle, squeezing out blood in a steady stream. I was too startled to feel pain. As the blood dripped, the Sacred Artifact and the pattern absorbed it hungrily, blazing forth with renewed brilliance.

‘…So what am I supposed to do with this full strength? Is defeating Chernobog’s Contractor enough?’

‘But the Master’s Dedication Ceremony is too difficult. Even if Lisianthus has awakened the power of fire, I can’t find anyone who’s awakened the remaining powers…’

‘…So they’re all out there? In this age?’

The clear voice gradually faded, like a machine slowly grinding to a halt as power drained away.

-What?!?!? That’s like the core body of the Southern Barrier itself!? (´๑・⌓・｀) If you transfer that to the Contractor, what happens to the South?
The Emoticon Sword, which had been listening quietly, let out a voice of alarm.

‘Then what about the Dedication Ceremonies going forward?!’

Before I could even process the words, a strange force flooded through my entire body. My limbs felt impossibly light, and my vision brightened.

‘…A fraudulent contract?’

Blinding light erupted from the pattern carved into the floor. The priests murmured in agitation.
“The light is far brighter than in a typical Dedication Ceremony…!”
“Could something have gone wrong?”
“Something wrong?”
“Well, it’s better than last year at least…!”
In the next instant, the light was drawn into my body.
And the pattern carved into the floor lost its radiance in an instant. The rough characters engraved there faded as if worn down by countless years.
The Sacred Artifact in the center—a massive Mana Stone infused with special properties—had turned a dull gray, as if I’d drained every ounce of power contained within it. And on my left wrist, I discovered a faint wing-like pattern had appeared. The mark was so close to my skin tone that one had to look carefully to notice it.
“…”
I felt cold sweat forming on my back. Something felt like it had gotten stronger. But the Dedication Ceremony…had I broken it? I knew instinctively. It seemed as though the very core of the Southern Barrier had been absorbed into me.
“What is the meaning of this!”
As the priests exchanged uncertain glances and murmured among themselves, Cronen rushed forward and shouted.
“The Barrier’s pattern has dimmed, and the Sacred Artifact has lost its radiance. Clearly something has gone wrong!”
I tilted my head as if innocent and asked, “But the ceremony completed successfully, didn’t it? The light that shone was proof—and what brilliant, magnificent light it was?”
“But the ceremony completed successfully, didn’t it? The light that shone was proof—and what brilliant, magnificent light it was?”
“No matter how many records of Dedication Ceremonies conducted over decades we search! Since the time of the first Emperor, this Barrier’s pattern has never dimmed or lost its power like this!”
Cronen’s voice rose to a shout, his face flushed. He wasn’t wrong. But it bothered me that this very man had remained silent when Brian conducted the ceremony hastily last year and chaos ensued, yet now he stood before me shouting over this minor deviation from custom. What was he after?
“Unlike usual, the Princess failed to properly purify herself, and therefore she must be tainted with Defilement! That is why the sacred Dedication Ceremony has encountered difficulties!”
Cronen’s eyes gleamed. I sensed something was amiss.
True, only those meant to perform the ceremony were in this chamber, but just outside the Temple, there were many people stationed from our side.
Even if I just screamed for help, they would come running. How did he have the audacity to speak to me like that?
I’d thought that even if Cronen was planning something, he wouldn’t be so brazenly obvious about it during the ceremony. Cronen was power-oriented above all else; he wouldn’t create an incident that would jeopardize his own safety after everything was finished. That’s how I’d analyzed it.
But now he seemed strange. As if he were being driven toward something. There was a desperate urgency in his manner—as if he would do anything to escape this moment of crisis.
Then, the priests who had been murmuring and chanting blessings exchanged furtive glances and slowly began approaching me. I slowly brought my hand toward the hilt of the Emoticon Sword hidden at my waist.
Whether this blade could burn humans as well as Magic Beasts was questionable, but honestly, I didn’t think I’d lose. Since receiving the Barrier’s fragment, I felt an extraordinary surge of vitality. Right now, I could probably go a week without sleep and still be fine.
-Contractor, I can sense the Mark of Chernobog in those priests! Wicked ones! Wicked ones!(╯•﹏•╰)
‘What else can you use?!’
-Yes, yes! Let me check!⚆_⚆
Then it came.
[Contractor ‘Titania’ confirmed.]
This time, I felt it clearly.
It was the same voice I’d heard before, back at the Imperial Palace when I was beating down Magic Beasts while performing for the Emperor.
[Gloriana’s Banner—direct contact confirmed. Podaga’s fragment transfer confirmed. Storiborg’s power can now be unlocked.]
“Purify the Princess!”
With Cronen’s manic shriek, the priests produced small vials from their robes and hurled them toward me. A blood-red liquid filled the vessels and splashed toward me.
And suddenly, I recalled the Sword’s warning: “If your opponent is stronger and you absorb it through wounds, you’ll be in trouble.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————