Chapter 221: Controlling the Demon, Rescuing Tia - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Tia, oh Tia. Despite everything that's happened, despite him ruthlessly exposing the entire lie, throwing your dignity and face onto the ground and trampling over them. Why, even now, are you still considering his feelings? Late at night, Tia sat in front of her dressing table, her expression blank, as she gazed into the mirror with countless thoughts in her mind. At this moment, the girl in the mirror absentmindedly combed through her loose chestnut hair, her eyes slightly red, as if she had just cried. It had been some time since Sia had stormed off in anger, and she was unsure of the current situation. She was terrified that someone might suddenly come to relay bad news to her. That the prosthetic wielder had been slain in the street by Captain Sia. For some reason, even though she outwardly maintained her composure, deep down, she feared hearing such news. Even after causing Sia so much pain, she couldn't bring herself to harden her heart toward him. Admittedly, such thoughts might seem shameless. But when Sia spoke outside the door about wanting to kill Lynn, her heart clenched. The Sia before her was the one she had once vowed to spend her life with, yet today, she could no longer recall the flutter of her heart from back then. No, don’t dwell on these things any longer. The Moonlight Ceremony is the day after tomorrow, a major event held by the church every five years, with many believers and high-ranking imperial officials coming to witness the goddess's miracle. As the saintess, this was a responsibility she could not refuse. Or rather, it was the notion instilled in her by everyone around her from the day she entered the church. She was the servant of the divine, the vessel of the lunar will, existing solely to serve the goddess. Logically, she should have accepted such a fate peacefully. Yet, an unreasonable person barged in, turning her life into chaos with an unreasonable stance. Even now, Tia's thoughts lingered on those days of fleeting escape—a terrifying yet unforgettable journey. A particular phrase, mentioned by Lynn during a casual meal chat, came to mind: "I could endure the darkness if I had never seen the light." It wasn’t that she rejected her luxurious lifestyle; it was the recent experiences that stirred a sliver of doubt about the church she once revered. The once great and radiant image shattered, revealing no difference from those petty, scheming nobles. Tia's hands trembled slightly. At this moment, she had already donned the pure white nun's robe prepared by the church. More grandiose than the standard design, this garment was meant for the Moonlight Ceremony, embroidered with gold at the collar and cuffs. Wearing this robe, along with her slightly reddened eyes, Tia resembled a compassionate goddess. She stood slowly, gazed at her reflection, and then, as she had practiced countless times in the Saintess Chapel, knelt gently on the floor, her hands clasped at her brow. "You are the great and exalted Mother of Stars, the guiding light in endless night, the goddess of purity and beauty, and—" "I pray to You—" Before completing her incantation and preparing for a rehearsal for the upcoming ceremony, Tia suddenly broke down, burying her face in her hands. Ultimately, she couldn’t deceive herself or ignore the intense impulses within her heart. In the next moment, Tia suddenly stood up. Since she had decided to act, she shouldn’t be hesitant. That too was something he had told her. She understood very well. If, at such a critical moment, she chose to follow the church’s arrangements, she would inevitably regret it in the future. It was a warning and a premonition from deep within her soul. I must save him. I'm sorry, Sister Gretel. This might be the first time I am defying your wishes. Without even changing out of the white nun's robe, Tia hastily grabbed her Moonlight Staff, opened the window, and leapt out like a sprite dancing on the tree tops. Throughout her life, she had been the obedient girl in everyone's eyes, with her one act of rebellion just a few days ago. But once you break the rules the first time, the second becomes much easier. Recalling the secret passage to the outside world that Louise had once mentioned, the girl pressed her lips. No matter how gentle she usually appeared, when faced with something she wished to protect, she would find the strength. Thinking this, she suddenly felt somewhat lighter on her feet, as if shedding a weight from her heart. As for what the future holds, who cares? With this thought emerging, in the very next second, a familiar voice suddenly and softly sounded in Tia’s ear. In an instant, a chilling sensation spread throughout her entire being. It was Sister Gretel's voice. "Where do you think you’re going?" In the immediate next moment, innumerable candles suddenly lit up, surrounding her from all directions. "Demon, I wish to make a wish." Amidst the surging black waves crashing from all sides, the boy's voice was almost drowned. He seemed like a leaf-sized boat in a storm, constantly threatened to be swallowed by a monstrous calamity and torrential rain. Even though the scene transpired within the mental realm, it was enough to instill fear and panic in anyone. Yet in the next moment, something peculiar occurred. The thunderous roar that resounded within the mental space and the tumultuous wild waves abruptly froze in place the moment Lynn uttered those words, as if time had stopped. It was as if frames had been removed, making the view glaringly abrupt. However, this illusionary space was entirely fabricated by one's mind, where anything could happen. At this moment, the elegant woman riding the waves heard his words, and her previously venomous expression momentarily froze. She then narrowed her eyes slightly, inspecting him up and down. Though she was merely a personification of a core attribute, Yuvilia seemed to retain some semblance of consciousness. Perhaps this was the uncanny nature of a level 0 sealed artifact, one that even deities could not overlook. After all, she had once been a high-dimensional demon. Even if there was a vast gap between her and the witch, she likely retained means for survival, and abandoning her demonic status to become a core attribute might have been the sacrifice and compromise she chose. In the end, even if part of her consciousness remained, she had to abide by the very rules of the sealed artifact. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have repeatedly asked him those questions. Now, realizing that Lynn had fallen into the trap, successfully entering the wish jar's judgment rules, a trace of delight appeared in Yuvilia's eyes. For this being who caused her resurrection to fail, imprisoned here for so long, she constantly wished to kill him. This was her sole obsession, more potent than the desire for resurrection. Yet, the witch's sealing strength was overwhelmingly powerful, impossible to overcome, no matter how hard she tried. That day in the mysterious hall, she experienced, for the first time, the presence named “the End,” whose strength and power were terrifyingly immense. Therefore, thoughts of revenge were nothing more than dreams. As long as the opponent never reached this hidden fold within the mental space, she could never avenge herself. She had even prepared to perish alongside this human, from old age. But, lo and behold, heaven took pity. Perhaps her luck, tainted over millennia, was so bad that even the world's will couldn’t bear to see it, delivering a once impossible opportunity right to her doorstep! Watching the calm boy in front of her, the creation demon, nearly assimilated by the core attribute, finally felt the emotion of "surprise" after so long. Such foolishness. Once the intent to make a wish is confirmed, even if he regrets midway, the "prank" of the wish jar would still befall him. Although uncertain of the outcome, it's clear that the cost is something no mere human could bear. And once he makes a wish—whatever it might be—it will manifest in the most twisted manner. The first ignorant human who acquired the wishing jar was, as stories go, an emperor of some ancient empire. In his reckless desire for eternal rule, he wished for "immortality." In the next instant, the jar fulfilled his wish—by transforming him into a mass of writhing flesh. Devoid of self-awareness, yet endowed with a lifespan long enough to last until the world's end. Utterly laughable. Even deities have a lifespan limit, though it can't be measured in human terms; perhaps tens of thousands of years, or even hundreds of thousands. But eventually, the day of demise will come. This is why the gods worshipped by the empires today are mostly newer deities that emerged within the last one or two eras. The ancient and mythic old gods, those only spoken of in folklore, are either extinct or resting in some slumbering tomb. Ultimately, for such malevolent sealed objects crafted by primordial ancient gods to harm the world, anyone who engages with them is doomed to a dire fate. That's precisely why the creation demon took delight in seeing Lynn step into the trap. As the terrifying waves of darkness slowly calmed, Yuvilia, originally suspended in the air, descended gradually. Despite having lost the ability to speak or think, she drew closer to the boy, her form—congealed from a black mire—seeming to melt, enveloping him within. What kind of wish would this cursed human make? It sparked a feeling of anticipation. At this moment, the creation demon's expression grew fierce, her voice icy and mechanical, "So, what is your first wish?" Upon hearing this, Lynn gave a nonchalant smile. "Actually, seeing you in this state, I feel a bit regretful," he said, shaking his head. "If I wasn’t knocked out back then, I might have asked for the witch to spare you—though she likely wouldn't have complied." Surprisingly, he didn’t immediately state his wish, instead engaging Yuvilia in what seemed like small talk. "Thinking about it, our only conflict was your intent to possess the princess, but in the end, you received your due consequence." "Honestly, surviving in such a pitiful state might be worse than death, so let this be your punishment." At this point, Lynn looked up at Yuvilia’s elegant form and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. What is he up to?! This confusing thought flickered through Yuvilia's muddled consciousness. Yet, driven by murderous intent, she mechanically repeated once more, "So, what is your first wish?" "My purpose today is to seek peaceful coexistence, as I need your power for the upcoming Moonlight Ceremony against the Moon Goddess." "So if you could calm down, consider your current situation, and accept the olive branch I’m offering, it would be ideal." Olive branch? The moment this word entered Yuvilia's ears, she almost lost control of her rage, nearly performing a medical miracle by regaining her speech. To think that he was daydreaming, still not awakened from his delusions. Utterly ridiculous!!! Wasn’t it this very person who had caused her such downfall? How could she possibly have any future or retreat left? In an instant, the great wave of blackness almost surged anew, yet at the very next moment, Yuvilia seemed to realize something. So that’s it. This person must have sensed his own peril, attempting to stall for time with bluffs, much like in the Soren Mountains. Or perhaps, foolishly believing that a few mere words could secure her complete submission? You, just a tier-two human insect?! By now, Yuvilia had discarded any remaining illusions; her sole aim was to kill the boy standing before her. With a cold, mechanical tone, her countenance twisted into a manic and grotesque visage as she repeated for the third time, "So, what is your first wish?" Seeing this, Lynn's smile faded, replaced by a light sigh. Negotiations having failed, there remained only one path forward. Ultimately, what he faced was merely the core attribute of the wishing jar, not the creation demon's true form. And having been immensely weakened by the witch, the jar no longer posed any threat to him. If he weren't already confident, how else could he dare such a perilous attempt? In the next moment, gazed upon by the creation demon’s venomous stare, Lynn made his wish. "My first wish is that my next wish comes true in the opposite manner." Upon hearing this, Yuvilia stood there as if hearing something beyond belief, momentarily stunned. For some reason, an unprecedented panic surged within her heart. As if... she was on the brink of witnessing her greatest regret. Yet the boy’s voice did not cease. Continuing, like a heralding warning of doom, it relentlessly approached her. "My second wish is, do not grant my third wish." After uttering this, Lynn grinned, revealing his white teeth, and proceeded to pronounce the creation demon's final judgment. "My third wish is... to forget all of the previous wishes I made."