Chapter 45: Complete Ritual Preparations
It’s a good sign that Ravenna accepted the deal, meaning we have another ally on our side. Currently, the people I’d trust most as killing machines are Leonhardt, Victorian, and Moriah, because I at least have a sense of each of their strengths.
Since Ravenna’s pact was affected and she lost some of her magical powers, I hope the Silver Scar ritual will reverse this weakness and perhaps help her recuperate a certain level. The specifics about it and why it’s so important for witches it’s a mystery to me, I just noticed that after a person performs this thing, for some reason, they gain a huge strength buff.
Leonhardt’s most problematic enemies in Sword of The Iron Maiden were classified as witches, and there’s a clear reason for that. Because they gain powers through pacts with entities from other planes, dimensions and so on, these people’s magic is somewhat "mysterious".
It’s not like a mage, who diligently studies an area of magic and then wildly waves their hands to conjure a fireball, or a cleric, who, through fervent prayer, brings the power of a god to smite others’ heads. It’s much more mystical, which ends up being a big problem for both sides.
No wonder the Church and the Magistracy of Sages hate witches, they need to hope people like that don’t summon Lovecraftian creatures from the portals of hell. However, I don’t think Ravenna fits that description, especially since her patron is that shadowy spirit.
Most spirits associate with elves, some even interact with humans and form contracts. They aren’t as powerful as otherworldly entities and also aren’t an type of enigma. If someone makes a pact with a fire spirit, they’ll obviously use fire spells, the same goes for other elements.
That’s why I’m so puzzled about what the hell will happen when the ritual ends...
"Darius, dear, are you sure you need this?"
I snap back to reality as Moriah speak. She’s on the other side of the room, fiddling with some alchemical instruments and changing the temperature of bubbling glass flasks filled with a gray liquid.
"Yes, why?"
"This material is famous in witchcraft activities. Do you, by chance, want to help my niece?"
"The situation called for it. I need as many hands as possible."