Like the abyss, her dark green eyes expressed nothing but an endless vacuum. She donned in a black, silky dress, whose fabric glowed translucent, revealing her tempting lace lingerie. Her right hand held a fan, which concealed her graceful smile, while her left hand rested near her abdomen, an elegant composition worthy of her stature.

With a mere gaze, she forced Barineer to her knees and Iris to tremble. As her delicate figure moved, her leaf-green hair fluttered. Soft winds blew around the room, carrying her alluring fragrance onward.

"After the Ascension, you are the first to admire me," the divine lady said. "Fortunate One, will you serve me?"

Iris clenched her fists, her chest tightening. Blurriness infected her vision, confusion her heart. The marvellous voice magnified endlessly inside her mind. A strange scent permeated Iris, twisting her soul, raising irresistible suggestions. For a moment, her identity and goal became null. Everything was meaningless compared to such beauty, the beauty worthy of everything.

This is love, true love. Unquestionable love. Ah, this is my purpose. All for this moment, when I see her and when I pledge my undying love to her. We shall be together, I in her embrace, she in mine.

With shyness in her eyes, Iris gradually knelt. She covered her face, but she could not conceal her blushes. Her body glowed pink, sensitive, happy. Her gaze could not help but wander to the mysterious lady, her soulmate, her mistress.

"I, Iris, have found my goal." She shuddered. Weariness flashed in her eyes, but her love suppressed it. "Mistress, you're the brightest gem of this world, the guiding light of my life. From now until the end, I swear—"

Iris raised her hand and punched the floor, her azure Corruption Power enveloping her fist. The impact shook the room, sending dust flying. Pain jolted her mind, yet she still couldn't concentrate. Her confused expression rapidly shifted until endless love overwhelmed her mind.

She grew tranquil and once more bent down, pressing her forehead on the ground. The lethargy inside her soul grew stronger, but she could not forsake her feeling. Something was yelling at her; she was doing something serious, something which required more thoughts, more deliberation.

Amused, the lady chuckled as she walked to Iris. She stopped in front of the kneeling Iris with her left leg forward.

"Iris, you shall not be my maid no more. My Blessed is where your worth shall be." Her ethereal voice dawdled. "Your potential pleases me."

"Th—thank you, Mistress." Iris lowered her head, violently fighting back her urge.

Though the lady wore black stockings and high heels, Iris still felt excited. It was a blessing for her to kiss the feet of someone so wondrous, so perfect. She had to repay it with her undying devotion, her everlasting loyalty.

She was going to make a promise. Was it worth it? Had she thought enough? She hesitated, but her body no longer followed her.

"Please let me serve you, Mistress." Her head spun as she slowly leaned her lips towards the back of the foot. Its perfume enveloped her mind, compelling her to abandon her resistance. "In this life, I shall only lov—"

Above Iris, an invisible red thread manifested and tucked lightly. It pulled her up from her knees, creating a symbol of love, a pink heart, above her head. From it, Nupian's faint silhouette emerged. She embraced Iris from behind, preventing her from kneeling again.

"O, Divine One, please grant her forgiveness," Nupian said. "I do not wish to go against your grand arrangement, but she is my precious, my only hope. May your mercy grace me."

Nupian's voice rang in Iris's head, clashing with the lady's voice. They infested her body, heating her chest, messing with her mind. Her love blossomed, but its target kept changing. Her memory of the sensual nights flashed before her, each building up more intense feelings than before.

"In the end, a mortal is still a mortal. My heart has touched her, and she shall be mine." The lady tightened her grip on the fan and waved it gently.

There was no sign of power or commotion, but Nupian's symbol of love, as well as her silhouette, dispersed with the wind. Nupian could not do anything except sigh.

Despite commanding endless terror and pleasures of the Northern Continent, she stood powerless against those who viewed the world as a board, a vast landscape as a mere tool.

Before she disappeared, she kissed Iris. Her dissipating figure merged with Iris, gifting her the last trace of power.

"No, Nupian, don't go," Iris whispered. The voices in her heart intensified. "No, the love of my life is Mistress, not Nupian!"

What am I thinking? I must not fall for their charms! I only love Lenmia, and Tardi, and Varda, and—why are there so many of them!

"Interesting. Iris, your existence is fascinating." The lady held Iris's chin and moved her face closer. "Your mortality limits your worth. Become my Angel, and in exchange for your love, I shall grant you Divinity and a spark of the Divine Flame."

"Mis, Mistress, what are you trying to do?" Iris blushed, but her tone was not of someone in love. "Please don't force me; I hate it when someone plays with my feeling. I hate it the most!"

“I have yet to force you. Is my appearance considered a manipulation?" The lady smiled and withdrew her fan. Her perky lips invited Iris’s tender caress. "Be mine, and I shall gift you the greatest pleasure and beauty. The Order will follow your command. Even my daughter will be your equal."

It was an invitation, a requestion. A promise. Iris gritted her teeth. She never gave out promise lightly.

What am I doing? Who is Mistress? Why do I want to promise my loyalty to her? Is she . . . worthy?

"Mistress, no, I’m not yours!" Iris screamed. Her azure Corruption Power turned purple, then exploded out of her body. Her human appearance shattered, revealing her Slime Girl appearance. "Both you and Nupian can never have my heart!"

The sugary room shook as Iris swung her hands forward. Her electrifying palms went through the lady as if she were mere mist. As Iris retreated, godly pressure pushed down her shoulders. Her purple Corruption Power stagnated, her movement ceased.

Before the transcendent, all became insignificant.

"Mistr—no, I won't ever call you Mistress. Who are you!" Iris gnashed her teeth.

"You're worthy of knowing my identity, but not my name. I am Bewitch, the true faith of Two-Fold Wind Order."

Iris winced. It's like what Nupian said. She's a Divine One, an Evil Deity! "But I thought the Order is a Secret Organisation, not an Evil Cult."

"Only a few members of the Order know about our true nature." Bewitch licked her lips. "Now, there is one Slime Girl on the list, but my previous statement will stand correct."

"Your bewitchment won't work on me. I will never betray the Court!"

What can I do? This crisis is even more dangerous than when I meet Nupian. I'm in Barineer's mind palace, so I can't use any of the items I have on me. Even if I enter the Shadow Plane, she must have a way to chase after me. What do I do now?

"Indeed, my scent and manner alone can't sway you, but will you change your mind after you've tasted the flavour of my lips?"

Iris turned her head away. She wanted to retort, but she knew she could not deny it. A mere Transformation Phase Monster Girl could not go against the power of an Evil Goddess. Again and again, she was too weak.

"You're expressive, Iris. You should become an Evil Goddess of Sentiment." Bewitch smiled. "With my help, you will accomplish what others cannot hope to reach."

"I . . . why me? What do you see in me? Am I that worthy?"

"You can withstand my temptation. You have a talent, one compatible with my power. Your Monster Girl origin, though troublesome, is also beneficial to me." Bewitch stood in front of Iris and pressed her nose against Iris's. "Don't worry. I won't alter your personality or memory. I'll only bind you to me, and gradually, you will treasure our connection."

Iris shut her eyes. Tears welled in them. Discontentment pervaded her motionless body. "Someone, please save me."

Once Iris uttered her prayer, the Faith inside her soul ruptured with endless radiance. In her translucent body, the Shadow Heart Core materialised. It released dark purple glares, which enveloped Iris and pushed away Bewitch.

For a moment, the absolute suppression vanished.

Iris snapped her eyes open. Though astonished, she still clasped her hands and separated them. A complex, everchanging spell formation carved itself into the mind palace.

"This . . . Iris, you're much more valuable than I've imagined." Bewitch touched her lips and licked her fingers. "You have not only the mark of a Solidification Phase Monster Girl but also an inheritance from Lilith, as well as the holy energy of the Divine. I want you more than ever now. This news must reach my main body."

"I won't allow it!" a hushed voice resounded. "Lady Iris, please escape!"

Frowning, Bewitch turned around. Barineer, gasping, reached her hand towards Bewitch. The sugary room shifted its appearance, extending the distance between Bewitch and Iris, creating obstacles between them.

"Iris, are you really not Lilith Incarnate?" Bewitch sighed. "In such a short amount of time, you've charmed a member of my Order. Your talent is indeed overflowing. Unfortunately, my complacence has betrayed me."

Bewitch's body gradually disintegrated. The mind palace grew unstable, collapsing. The current Bewitch was only a hint of her power, not even an avatar. It would not have mattered if her opponent were mortal, but inside Iris were two powers of the transcendent, one from the Divine, other the Foreign Existence.

"I'm sorry, Divine One, but I cannot leave my last friend in your hand," Barineer said. "Your Order had given me a second chance, and I've repaid it with gratitude. Now, Iris has given me a third chance; I must repay her!"

"My scent permeated your body and mind. You're the host of this avatar; by going against me, you're harming yourself." Bewitch stepped forward. The extending space twisted, shortening the distance between Bewitch and Iris. "Don't you want her to be with you? Once she joins us, you two will be together. I can make you my Blessed, and if you wish, you can be her Blessed or even her beloved."

"I . . . do not deserve her. Moreover, that promise, I remembered it now." Barineer got up, her body glowing. "I might have failed it once, but I won't fail it again. So long as I'm here, Lady Iris will not join you. She will not come to this side; she will not have to feel this pain!"

The sugary room shattered along with Barineer's body. Countless mirror fragments flew to the sky, reflecting the endless sea of fogs. From Barineer's crumbling heart, a ray of light blasted towards Bewitch. Its radiance occupied the mind palace, replicating itself in the mirror surfaces.

Though blinding, their intensity did not harm Iris, giving her only the gentle, welcoming warmth. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists. The spell formation in front of her shapeshifted into a bell, which rhythmically rang throughout the mind palace.

Everything was rapidly crumbling, yet nothing could stop Bewitch's advance. She took one step, which encompassed the distance, the ocean of light, the mental distortion, and arrived in front of Iris. Her endearing, curvaceous body pressed against Iris, her fingers grazing Iris's chest, her cheeks rubbing Iris's.

She opened her mouth and blew affectionately. Her soft, burning breath caressed Iris's right ear.

"This will be our parting gift." Bewitch sealed Iris's lips with hers.

As she evaporated, her tongue playfully tangled with Iris's, leaving a strange, unforgettable aftertaste in Iris's mouth. This savoury sensation imprinted itself inside Iris, supplying her with a lingering heat in her chest.

Indeed an Evil Goddess of Bewitchment. Just a kiss is enough for me to fall for her. If it were another Monster Girl, she wouldn't be able to resist her. Even with the gift of the Lord, I still can't get rid of her influence.

Iris tapped the corner of her lips, where Bewitch licked. A faint green insignia manifested. Though nearly invisible, Iris could only conceal it and not remove it. Its power wasn't enough to turn her into Bewitch's follower, but it was enough to control her once.

"At least I gain valuable information. Two-Fold Wind Order is an Evil Cult!" Iris closed her eyes as her spell formation completed itself.

Her vision went white.