--Hidden Fortress, Continent of Tenola--

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The hidden fortress stood tall and ancient, as it completely integrated with its surroundings, becoming one with nature.

Moss, vines and all sorts of plants had fully covered the fortress walls in a tight grip, almost strangling the building structures.

And within the high walled fortress, we're several black-cloaked people walking around the central courtyard in circles while raising their hands high up in the sky from time to time.

And in the centre of these people were naked, badly beaten up men who were gagged and left lying on the ground.

"Halimama... Halimama...~~

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Halimama... Halimama...~~

Stab, pluck, kill!"

As the cloaked people danced, they continued chanting some weird words, creating a very spooky scene for anyone who came across such a scene.

Suddenly, the dancing stopped, and the cloaked people bent down to pick up the sharpest butcher knives ever!

It was at this moment, that a deep wave of panic filled those who were already tied up and gagged.

Even though the injuries on their bodies already hurt like hell, they still managed to wiggle and protest, trying to get as far as they could from these sickos as possible.

But how could it be that easy?

Even if they did manage to wiggle themselves away from the circle, the fortress itself was heavily guarded.

So what chance did they have?

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"Little puppets, where are you all going?"

"Yes. Yes. Don't try running away... Just stay right there and be grateful that you were chosen for today's ritual."

"Hahahahaha! Are you scared? Are you all scared now? Don't worry... We aren't crazy people. So what's there to fear?"

The cloaked people suddenly took off their masks, revealing the crazed faces of several young girls about 14~17 in age.

A cold light flashed through their eyes, and they raised their butcher blades high up in the sky.

"Halimama... Halimama~~

You are my sacrifice!!"

With a fierce wave, they wasted no time, slamming their sharpened knives into their victims.

~Wham! Wham! Wham!~~

"Hmmmm~Hmmmmm~"

The gagged victims mumbled in despair as the blades continuously met with their flesh.

But these young girls didn't care at all.

The more the men screamed for mercy, the more violent they became.

~Pfff~~

Blood strayed on these girls, dying their entire faces red.

And just then, the girls all closed their eyes and spread their hands apart while chanting again.

Opening their mouths and tasting the blood, their entire bodies shuddered in ecstasy.

"~Uahhh~~"

How divine...

The girls licked their lips and caressed the blood on their faces tenderly.

Was this heaven?

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They bit their lips wishing for more sacrificial blood to splatter on them.

Yes. This was the ritual that they had to perform once a month to give themselves heavenly powers.

They were Witches of Avodart, one of the strongest and hidden societies in Tenola.

They believed that the world doesn't need men.

They were a society that loathed men to the bone.

If they had their way, all men in the world would be locked up like pets, only taking them out once in a while for reproduction.

That was it!

The world they were fighting for was such a place.

A place where only women reigned and men were kept behind cages like the dogs that they were.

They also believed that eating a man's flesh would keep them young and beautiful, with much vitality.

Only when the man's flesh has a hidden disease would they age.

That was their own explanation for ageing.

One of the girls was about to cleanly cut off her victim's legs when the victim suddenly sat up with all his strength, accidentally touching her.

"Ahhh~~ Sisters! This smelly man has defiled my body by touching me."

"Oh no! You need to hurry up and wash up with the sacred Pond water, or else you will age 10 months faster after this."

The girl's face grew grim.

No! She didn't want to grow old. She was still going and beautiful.

What if her lover, sister Magaret, didn't like her anymore?

No way!

He gritted her teeth and quickly dashed towards the sacred pond a little distance from them while cursing that bloody victim for putting her through all this.

The sad part was that even with her gone, the ceremony would still continue, meaning that all the good body parts would be eaten by the others, leaving her with the least favourable parts that won't add much to her beauty after consumption.

What she wanted were the heart, eyes, tongue and a few other vital parts.

So by the time she got back, wouldn't they have been snatched away?

Dammit!

Why was life so unfair?

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~Wham! Wham! Wham Wham!~

The sounds of the victims getting butchered echoed across the courtyard, tracing up towards one of the tall towering buildings nearby.

Looking outside the window were the 13 head witches of the place.

Like beautiful music to their ears, the witches couldn't help smiling in satisfaction at the gruesome sounds below.

"Sisters, isn't it truly marvellous when the young learn the ways of our sisterhood?"

Another woman with a poisonous potted plant in her hands nodded in agreement: "Yes. It appears that they do enjoy this pretty much. But rules are rules. They can only do this once a month to maintain their beauty."

"Hmmm... That's the tragic part. Now, why don't we go back to the matter of Princess Lucy?"

"Yes... Let's..."

With that, the ladies retook their seats around a shrine that seemed to have a single portrait of Lucy on it.

What an exquisite Portrait!

Head witch Jimila took off her hat, revealing her thick, vibrant red hair that could make many die in envy.

She was just 39 years of age.

And as law here, a Head Witch can only be between the ages of 30~45.

After 45, they were to be elders, forming a council that would aid the current Head Witch in decision making.

Today, Head Witch Jimila had found their new sacrifice for the upcoming Full Moon Festival, a year and 7 months from now.

That's right.

They had to leave and sail out fast, capturing her and bringing her back before the Sacrifice Date.

No matter what, Princess Lucy had to be sacrificed!