Reyn barely hesitated. Truth be told, he was indeed somewhat aroused and wouldn't mind getting down to it tonight. But that would be an unwise decision. Though Viola was willing, she was still taking some risk. If she didn't get the divine gift during the prayer ritual, it wouldn't be worth the trouble. Thinking rationally—even purely for Viola's sake—he shouldn't act so selfishly. What was fated for him would come in the end, and no one else would take it.
Reyn made up his mind immediately and said firmly:
"The prayer ritual is so important to you, and of course I'll support you. If you can get the divine gift and become a high-level mage, that'll be great."
A high-level mage wielding divine gifts—Viola's power would multiply, and few superhumans below legendary level could stand against her. Reyn hoped for her success too.
"You're agreeing to do the ritual with me?" Viola was thrilled. After spilling everything, she'd been very anxious. She knew her own allure and the temptation she posed to men, and was prepared for anything. She hadn't expected Reyn to decide so quickly.
Viola cried out joyfully, threw herself at Reyn, and hugged him tightly.
"I really don't know how to thank you!"
Reyn felt the astonishing firmness of her body and, hastily pulling her away, said with a wry smirk:
"If you get this excited, I might change my mind."
"Alright," Viola stopped moving, just pressing against him, inhaling his scent.
They cuddled a bit, and suddenly Reyn asked:
"At this prayer ritual, will there be anyone else besides us?"
"Of course not," Viola hurriedly explained. "This is the Long-Haired Lady's prayer ritual—do you think it's some Queen of Pleasures party? The ritual must be held in strict secrecy. Aside from the Long-Haired Lady, everyone else must leave so no one interferes."
Reyn's face took on a somewhat strange expression again. He had indeed thought of the Queen of Pleasures earlier. She was an evil—and very powerful—goddess; her true name was Mekanvita. Many followers also called her the Queen of Pain. Most of the Queen of Pleasures' followers were women who used their beauty and threats to recruit new adepts. Her doctrine was quite unique: while enjoying carnal pleasures, one mustn't forget the agonies brought by suffering. Believers often gathered for certain parties where they also whipped each other with scourges and subjected themselves to various tortures and torments to please the goddess. Of course, they treated their enemies even more mercilessly, subjecting them to mad tortures, endless agonies that made life worse than death.
Reyn had heard about this evil goddess from classmates at the academy before, so she left a deep impression on him.
The Long-Haired Lady Freya, though not that perverted, had her own peculiar fondness for watching followers "present" love to her during prayer rituals, didn't she? It was quite abnormal too, wasn't it? Reyn felt a bit uneasy at the thought of performing for a god. Fortunately, Freya was a female deity. If she were male, he definitely couldn't go through with it. Though gods apparently had no gender; for missionary convenience and better perception by believers, they took forms matching their divine domains...
Lost in jumbled thoughts, Reyn asked:
"When is the prayer ritual?"
"I'm planning it for next month." Viola seemed to have thought it all through long ago.
"I'm going to give that composition you gifted me to the church. Let them perform it in taverns, theaters, concerts across the country, so as many people hear it as possible. That'll count as my contribution to the church. And if the Long-Haired Lady hears it herself, even better."
"Will one composition be enough?" Reyn thought that if not, he'd just write a few more.
"Far from it," Viola slowly shook her head. "Music is just one art form, and its effect won't show quickly. Even the most beautiful music won't make someone a follower of the Long-Haired Lady overnight. It takes time for the influence to build and change faith."
The idea of writing lots of compositions seemed unfeasible.
Reyn asked again:
"Do I need to prepare somehow?"
Viola eyed him and smirked:
"You don't need to do anything. Just show up on time."
"I definitely won't be late," Reyn teased with a smirk.
Viola blushed slightly; she looked very endearing.
Dawn soon broke.
Reyn woke as usual and, seeing the half-elf beside him, smiled. He got up, stretched, and did some light exercises. Though he'd slept only two or three hours last night—and alone—he felt energetic and refreshed.
Viola stirred at the noise, wished Reyn good morning hastily, and fled to her room.
Reyn smirked and sat to meditate.
After meditation, a maid came and invited Reyn down for breakfast.
Viola, seated at the head of the table, had changed and greeted Reyn without a hint of embarrassment. With the housekeeper and maids present, they had a relaxed, hearty breakfast.
After breakfast, Viola and Reyn strolled the estate together. She showed him everything, and he saw firsthand how real aristocrats lived.
During the walk, Reyn got to know the estate better. Besides the vast lawn he'd seen before the main entrance, the villa was surrounded by an artfully planned large garden, with gravel paths leading to various buildings: a mill, wine cellar, stable, garage, and swimming pool. There was also a separate small building for the staff. Hired guards, servants, cooks, gardeners, drivers—over twenty people in all—served just Viola, tending to her daily life and needs. Under housekeeper Abigail's management, everyone was impeccably trained, and the estate ran like clockwork.
Reyn looked at it all in secret amazement. Maintaining an aristocratic lifestyle cost a fortune: the monthly payroll for this staff alone was enormous. Plus, the estate had a magical laboratory for studies and a training ground. Reyn peeked in—the ground was far better than the Basilicas tavern yard.
Viola seized the chance to invite Reyn to live at the estate—plenty of rooms, no need to rent elsewhere. Reyn didn't refuse her kindness: first, it was truly excellent here; second, he could stay close and protect her. Viola was strong herself, but the house guards left much to be desired. Housekeeper Abigail, a third-level ranger long out of combat, had rusty skills. Though Vigo Manor was very near the Tower of Mages, practically at its base, and intruders rarely dared come, unforeseen events were always possible. That Gallowaina, desperate for the earl's title, might resort to extremes.
They spent a serene morning at the estate.
After lunch, Viola left by car. She had to visit the Violet House daily, and today there was extra business: dispose of the elementalist's trophies by exchanging them all for gold shields. Plus, start preparing for the prayer ritual: meet priestesses of the Church of Beauty and Good, hand over the sheet music, request temple use. Viola had a plan: use the gold shields to secure the priestesses' consent.
Reyn didn't idle either. That same afternoon, he returned to Koshem Street and terminated his apartment lease. The landlord was displeased but agreed immediately upon hearing Reyn forfeited the deposit. Then he went to the Basilica tavern and sold the female archer's spirit rifle to Zoltan. It was enchanted too, but battle-damaged and hard to repair, so its value plummeted. Zoltan bought it for just twenty gold shields. Reyn was very annoyed: an intact spirit rifle cost at least three hundred gold—a real loss. Truth be told, he really liked that spirit rifle. If unbroken, he'd have kept it.
After a couple beers with Zoltan, Reyn said goodbye. He didn't vacate his room at the Basilica—he'd need Zoltan's mechanical workshop for studying mech tech in the future, though he couldn't visit as often. He'd wanted to see Master Rodger but couldn't find him—unknown where he'd vanished with that legendary witch.
"Have to postpone till next time," Reyn took a public bus to the Demon Soul Market.
Now a second-level mage, he could fuse a new demonic soul and didn't want to waste a day. Every power boost increased his safety and let him better protect Viola. His only concern: followers of Lohi might be at the Demon Soul Market. Reyn had no intention of avoiding them, figuring he'd spot enemies early with caution. Maybe even kill one and bolster his power.
Arriving at the Demon Soul Market, Reyn activated his Soul Eye immediately and scanned everyone approaching. With his current energy reserves, Soul Eye used little and lasted a full day. Last time, killing that second-level fighter, Reyn gauged the distance evil god followers could sense the Discord Seal—about ten meters. Watching superhumans within ten meters and checking their faith should avoid issues.
Entering the Demon Soul Market, he heard roars of various demonic beasts. As before, nothing changed: crowds of superhumans browsed stalls, picking demonic souls, trading equipment—lively as ever. Reyn avoided crowds, choosing secluded stalls, hunting a suitable demonic soul.
But after three or four hours prowling the market and eyeing hundreds of demonic souls, he found nothing worthwhile. Most low-level demonic souls had just one or two elements, and ordinary ones at that. Fine for many as auxiliary souls, but too little for Reyn. Sure, he wasn't necessarily seeking a Gold-Eating Ant-level soul—supernatural elements appeared once every few years. He needed one with one or two spells, not rare, just fitting.
Seeing evening fall and having covered less than a tenth of the market, Reyn didn't rush and returned to Vigo Manor.
Over the next few days, Reyn spent three or four hours daily after lunch at the Demon Soul Market. After careful selection, he picked three demonic soul candidates and decided to fuse one. They were: from insects—the Phantom Mantis; from demonic beasts—the Thunder Lizard; from birds—the Wind Ruh Bird.