Game World: I Can Share Talents

"Hecate has likely showered me with praise."

Westheid looked at Ailu’er, a Witch with an elegant and spirited air, and smiled.

"But I must correct you. Nothing she said is accurate, because I am even better than she described."

"Hm?"

Ailu’er had expected Westheid to offer some pleasantries, but she didn’t think the bearer of the Branch of Prosperity would be so arrogant, not showing a hint of modesty.

The Witch with the side ponytail’s eyes lit up. Covering her mouth, she chuckled.

"Duke Qinghui... Our sister Hecate did mention your confidence. And now, seeing you in person, it’s clear you truly are incredibly self-assured."

"Shall I prove it?"

Westheid spread his arms and took a step forward. In the sunlight, the man’s perfect muscle definition seemed gilded, exuding the beauty of a master’s sculpture.

Ailu’er was struck by his overwhelming masculine aura, and her pretty face flushed slightly as she glanced away.

But then, all her bashfulness and stray thoughts were shattered by Westheid’s next words:

"I have a path to Demon Power that is completely mastered, controllable, and stable."

"!!!"

It wasn’t just Ailu’er and the other Witches; even Hecate’s bewitching, dark violet eyes widened as she stared at the confident Duke Qinghui.

"When did this happen? Before I left, didn’t you say it would still be some time before you had results?"

"That was then, this is now. A lot has happened in the meantime..."

Westheid looked at the astonished Witches and chuckled.

"My words alone might seem like an empty boast. Would you like to try it?"

Ailu’er: "Oh? A new Demon Power? Do we need to perform some ritual to link to it, or..."

"Neither is necessary. I am the sole nexus. You don’t have to bear the risks of dealing with a Demon."

Westheid shook his head, interrupting her, and held out his hand.

"Just take my hand. That will complete the ritual."

’The Master of Extinction’s ritual was just that simple and direct. I have to say, Wan Qi really has a thing for holding hands, even when it comes to forming a pact.’

"That simple?"

Ailu’er’s lips curved slightly, clearly skeptical. The Witches had recorded nearly every Demon ritual, and which one of them wasn’t absurdly complicated?

Even the simplest one, for the [Master of Greedy Banquet], required a grand feast lasting several days and nights.

However, she glanced sideways at Hecate, and in the end, chose to trust her sister. She extended a slender, delicate hand and pressed it against Westheid’s warm, broad palm.

"Nghh!!"

In an instant, the Witch’s eyes flew wide open. What was being transmitted from Westheid’s palm was, to her astonishment, a completely unfamiliar Demon Power.

Ailu’er instinctively resisted at first, but then she recognized the situation and relaxed her defenses. Closing her eyes, she focused on using the [Evil Magic Vein] within her to slowly accept the power of the Master of Extinction.

[Establishing sub-link...]

[Link established.]

The link’s creation and transmission lasted only a moment before Westheid let go of her hand.

Ailu’er’s long eyelashes trembled. Crimson markings faintly appeared and disappeared on her fair, smooth skin. After a long moment, she opened her eyes, which were filled with shock.

"This is Sub-Deity Power of the utmost purity... Compared to the [Master of Greedy Banquet], this Demon’s power is a bit too pure and... ancient."

Westheid: "[Master of Extinction]. That is the venerable name of the Demon I’m contracted with."

Ailu’er: "I’ve never heard of such a Demon."

"That’s because I am the only one contracted with Her. Before this, Her name was unknown to all."

Westheid chuckled. ’If I were to reveal that she’s the shadow of the [Venerable Master of the Azure Heaven], the Witches’ expressions would surely be interesting. But I’d better not. I don’t want to scare them off right then and there.’

Demon Practitioners have a bottom line: they do not investigate which Celestial God a Demon is an impurity of. Otherwise, the Realm of Order, which normally turns a blind eye, would not tolerate it. They would have to strike with full force and annihilate them at all costs.

"The only one contracted... For Duke Qinghui to be able to form a pact with such a mysterious Great Demon, it seems your expertise in Demon studies is no less than that of the Ring of Clear Skies."

Ailu’er rubbed her fingertips together and said slowly:

"So this [Master of Extinction] is the Demon you mentioned, the one with great goodwill toward mortals?"

Westheid nodded. "Correct. And this power is something I can share with all of you—every Witch of the Ring of Clear Skies, and even the apprentice Witches. As long as the total number doesn’t exceed fifty, it won’t be a problem. I can bear the cost entirely on my own."

"Bear it alone? All of it?"

’There’s a limit to bragging!’

Even the most harmless of Demons demanded a troublesome price. To pay for the consumption of multiple Witches all by himself was simply too unbelievable. ’He’d have to do nothing all day but think of ways to please the Celestial God’s Shadow.’

Hearing this, the Witches looked silently toward Hecate.

The implication was for Westheid’s "pillow companion" to quickly talk some sense into him.

Under her sisters’ gazes, Hecate had no choice but to speak up.

"Duke Qinghui, if this path is indeed reliable, my sisters and I would be more than happy to use it. We will also help you bear the cost of the pact and accept this favor from you."

"I’m afraid this is a cost you cannot share."

Westheid smiled faintly and said, "Because the Master of Extinction is my wife!"

"The pact I signed with the Master of Extinction is one of eternal, loving companionship."

"Hm?"

"Ah?"

"Eek!"

It wasn’t just the Witches whose brains were overloaded by Westheid’s declaration; even Yolanda was staring, dumbfounded, at Westheid’s handsome profile.

His expression didn’t look like he was joking.

’Brother, since when did you get a Demon wife! Does that mean any beautiful creature can be your wife?!’

"You might find this unbelievable, but the Master of Extinction really is my wife."

Westheid said earnestly, "Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the confidence to pay the cost indefinitely, let alone establish a direct transmission link. As fellow Demon Practitioners, you should know how difficult that is."

"...Indeed."

If Westheid could truly establish a link for all the Witches, that would be very persuasive.

Ailu’er kept smoothing her side ponytail over her shoulder, her pearly white teeth biting the knuckle of her finger.

Besides being partners, there were actually many other kinds of relationships that could exist between a Demon and their contractor: friends, master and student, master and servant, family... Once such an extraordinary relationship was established, it meant one could be almost completely exempt from the cost, essentially getting it for free.

’The holy grail for Demon Scholars!’

The elegant and beautiful Miss Witch’s pretty face was flushed as she repeatedly sized up Westheid’s face, which could only be described as magnificent.

’With that kind of Charm... it’s not hard to understand the Demon’s choice.’

’And Duke Qinghui... he can even seduce non-human beings... How powerful! How bewitching!’