Chapter 195 - 5: Master of Greedy Banquet
A semi-transparent black veil covered Miss Witch’s exquisitely beautiful, aloof face, shrouding it in a hazy allure. Beneath the light black gauze, her vibrant red lips, faintly visible, were pressed together.
A light, form-fitting black gauze gown, as ethereal as a thin haze, enveloped Hecate’s scandalously sexy figure. The skintight dress outlined her proud, full, and enticing curves.
Her slender arms, sheathed in long, sheer black gloves, were wrapped around her supple, narrow waist, supporting the terrifying weight of her heavy bosom. Even with most of it concealed by lace, the sliver of her bust visible from the side was astonishing.
Her voluptuous yet firm, jade-like legs were pressed tightly together, encased in black stockings of just the right sheerness. Her long, vibrant red hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, resting against the wall.
The Witch’s aura was complex and profound.
Elegant, mysterious, bewitching, beautiful... and obscene.
Westheid’s gaze was burning as he said to the Half-Elf Maid:
"That’s all for now. I need to think about this alone for a bit."
"Yes, I understand."
Rozana glanced at Miss Witch, the corners of her lips turning up slightly. Whatever she was thinking, she lowered her head and departed with small, quick steps.
Westheid could guess what Rozana was thinking, but there was no need to explain.
The reason he was so interested in Hecate wasn’t just lust at first sight... or at least, not *entirely* because of it. Rather, it was Miss Witch’s peculiar state that had piqued his curiosity.
A dense, somber Magic Flow circulated around the Witch’s body as her eyes were closed, running through Hecate from head to toe and perceiving her surroundings in all directions.
In the past, Westheid would have assumed Miss Witch was merely resting. But because they now shared the [Evil Magic Vein], he could sense that this abnormal Magic Flow was related to a Demon.
’Speaking of which, this [Evil Magic Vein] Talent... it’s the foundation of the Witch’s ability to borrow the power of a Celestial God’s Shadow. It’s incredibly useful, even if I don’t pursue the Demon Series path.’
’Not to mention, the [Shadow-Born] are considered Demon creations, and I’ve already felt a significant increase in the power of my sword swings.’
The moment he thought about how Hecate had given him such a useful Talent, Westheid suddenly found Miss Witch all the more pleasing to the eye.
"Miss Hecate, what are you doing here? How is the banquet?"
As he approached Hecate, her bewitching, dark violet eyes opened from beneath her veil, and she nodded slightly.
"Duke Qinghui... Thank you for your invitation. This banquet holds a rare, pure joy. I am very satisfied."
"I heard that Witches are fond of banquets, but from the looks of it... you don’t seem to be enjoying yourself very much?"
Westheid asked, feigning ignorance.
Hecate said calmly, "This is merely the price we pay. We let the Demon Soul residing in our magic veins experience the revelry, as payment to the [Master of Greedy Banquet] for the power he grants."
’Wait, is this something she can just tell me? She’s not treating me like an outsider at all.’
Westheid blinked, surprised by Hecate’s frankness.
"Please don’t look so surprised. You know a great deal about Demons. Aren’t you a Demon Practitioner yourself, Duke Qinghui?"
Hecate’s alluring, dark violet eyes arched slightly as she said indifferently:
"Besides, if we are to be allies, we must be honest with each other. It’s fine to share secrets of this level."
"The [Master of Greedy Banquet]. I do know a bit about him. Among Demons, he is considered one of the gentler ones."
Westheid nodded.
The Witches of the Ring of Clear Skies often held banquets, throwing grand feasts at regular intervals. However, this wasn’t because the Witches themselves enjoyed revelry and feasting.
It was because the Demon did.
To be precise, it was the preference of the [Master of Greedy Banquet], a Celestial God’s Shadow who had a long-standing pact with the Ring of Clear Skies Witches.
As Demon Practitioners, the Witches inevitably had to deal with Demons. Whether it was signing pacts or stealing power, they needed a connection to one or even several Demons.
This was a considerably risky business.
Although Demons weren’t the incarnations of pure evil that the Realm of Order’s official propaganda made them out to be, one had to remember that they were ultimately the impurities cast off during a Celestial God’s Ascension.
’What good can you expect from something a Celestial God would abandon?’
Every last one of them had a bizarre personality. Some were bloodthirsty, others debauched, some gloomy, others greedy... In any case, they always had a side that would "surprise" you.
Choosing a stable pact partner from among these Celestial God’s Shadows was undoubtedly difficult. No one knew if a Demon could be trusted, or what price would have to be paid.
However, after a long period of exploration, the Witches had managed to find one or two Demons that they could reliably exploit.
The [Master of Greedy Banquet] was one of them. This Celestial God’s Shadow’s needs were very simple. He generously granted power to mortals, and his only demand was to enjoy the atmosphere of a party. He could even be called one of the easiest Celestial God’s Shadows to satisfy.
Hecate said, "Most of my sisters in the Ring of Clear Skies have a pact with the [Master of Greedy Banquet] because it is indeed convenient."
Westheid stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and finally offered a word of caution:
"Is that so... Still, I would advise you not to rely too much on the [Master of Greedy Banquet]. Demons are always unreliable."
It wasn’t that the [Master of Greedy Banquet] was a schemer full of malicious intent, but because this particular Celestial God’s Shadow would break free from his cage in the future.
Without the seal placed by Emperor Qianlu, the Demons cast out by the Emperor would run rampant throughout the entire lake region, the Land of Rhythm. The [Master of Greedy Banquet] would be no different. He would even abandon his Demon body, leaving all the Demon Practitioners who had pacts with him completely dumbfounded.
The Ring of Clear Skies would undoubtedly be the most affected, with nearly half of its Witches suffering a major blow in a short period.
"Thank you for the warning. I will be careful."
Hecate said faintly, "But finding a suitable pact partner is not easy, especially one with such a light price."
’Maybe I should recommend the [Master of Extinction]?’
The thought suddenly occurred to Westheid, but he immediately dismissed it.
He still only had a partial understanding of the [Master of Extinction]. Although this Celestial God’s Shadow was most likely friendly towards mortals, he couldn’t be so irresponsible as to recommend him.
’I’ll wait until I understand the [Master of Extinction] better.’
Fortunately, Hecate didn’t ask Westheid to introduce her to the Demon he had a pact with, instead changing the subject.
The red-haired Miss Witch pressed her lips together and said:
"Duke Qinghui, after reclaiming your homeland, what will you do next? Will you continue to fight against Chaos?"
"Of course. Expanding into the Chaos Domain is our established national policy. It is unshakeable."
Westheid said without hesitation, "No matter what, the Qinghui Territory will not abandon this."
Hearing a reply that satisfied her, the peachy-pink hue in Hecate’s bewitching eyes deepened. Miss Witch even took a step forward and wrapped her hands around Westheid’s arm. The sensation of her extremely full and ample bosom was nothing short of breathtaking.
"Ah, Duke Qinghui... You truly are..."
’What is she doing? Why is she getting so handsy?’