'Fascinating…'

Mias was floating on top of the roof of a one-story house, peering down into the village square, watching a mob of villagers bow down before Ophelia, each bearing the gift of an Aether Shard.

Simultaneously, he was in the Dungeon of Lust, helping Larry and Marvel create the forge and accessories by creating dioramas from smoke.

But, currently, while his focus was split, what was happening on the girl's side was much more intriguing.

Ever since he'd followed Ophelia to the village, he'd always felt that she was fairly weak… although, as someone who appeared weak to others at a glance, he wasn't going to be hasty in his judgement.

So, he'd been spying carefully and dissecting her abilities.

The first one she appeared to have was a sensory ability, because she acted as if she knew she was being watched, and whenever Mias tried to get behind her, the girl would turn and look at him, even though Nevermore should have hidden him near perfectly.

Her second one was the one he witnessed during the fight.

The girl could create plants, roses, from her body and form them however she wanted. Also, it enhanced the durability and overall power of the fragile plants to an impressive degree.

The final one, at least that he was aware of, was her ability to heal through a touch alone. This ability seemed to act much like Salome's, just without the drawbacks and a little more potent.

While this girl and her abilities were fascinating to Mias...

The village, Liora, was perplexing in and of itself.

According to what the Queen of Ruin had told him, these people had a tradition of throwing people off a waterfall weekly to satisfy their goddess.

Such a practice wasn't all too strange from what Mias had seen in his time, but what he saw before him contrasted with what he'd been told.

In the two and a little more weeks he'd been there, nobody had been cast off to their death…

'Traditions don't change so easily…'

There had to be a reason for this, but for some reason, the villagers never brought it up a single time.

Other than that, the people were weird…

That was putting it mildly.

There were so many kids and young adults that they accounted for nearly 70% of the village's population of nearly 3000.

As for that high population number for a village…

It seemed they were encouraged to have as many kids as they could, so they had more sacrifices. At least, that had been the reason Mias discerned.

Next strange thing was how little care the people had for their health…

They'd get cut by wood or a knife, and just let it bleed until it coagulated naturally. If it weren't for Ophelia, their cuts would be getting infected, and they'd be dropping like flies!

Plus…

None of the villagers seemed like trained fighters, yet all had recently begun training with weapons. Even the kids. Furthermore, there was a forest East of Liora where mass groups went to hunt beasts. Most of the time, they didn't even collect the materials, but just the shard to give to Ophelia.

They were all zealots whose only thought was to please this woman.

Ophelia stood and addressed the crowd.

"All of you… return to your homes and don't come out."

The zealots all replied in unison

"As you wish, priestess."

Then, they slowly rose and sauntered off toward their homes, yet Ophelia stayed alone, standing in the square. For ten whole minutes, the girl was unmoving, with her eyes closed.

Finally, her eyes shot open, and then her gaze snapped to the rooftop Mias had been spectating from.

Ophelia gave a smile in his direction and spoke:

"Mias… that's your name, right?"

Something happened that even the Reaper of Knowledge didn't foresee.

'Huh…?'

Ophelia continued:

"Come, you can form before me."

Mias stayed in his smoke form while deep in thought.

This woman, before him, not only knew he was watching but also his name.

There were only two possible explanations. She was a diviner or had gotten a revelation from one. Or there was a traitor in the dungeon, which seemed highly unlikely as Salome was the only one who could—

His thoughts derailed the moment he remembered the conclusion of the invasion, which left Ximena and Ximena alone, injured and on death's doorstep.

'Maybe I shouldn't be so hasty in my conclusions…'

In any case, Mias could ponder later; he had a decision to make at the moment.

"I have some knowledge that might interest you…"

A moment later, Mias deactivated Nevermore and corporealized on the ground in front of Ophelia.

The moment he did, Ophelia paused for a moment, evidence of surprise marked on her face. Perhaps she hadn't actually expected the man to appear in front of her like so.

Mias gave a blank stare toward the girl:

"Do tell…"

Ophelia collected herself and looked down upon the short man in front of her with soulless onyx eyes.

"It comes at a cost, however…"

Mias' gaze narrowed as he asked:

"Which would be?"

Ophelia gave a warm smile to the young-looking Demon.

"Your help in killing your master."

Mias nearly laughed in the face of such a terrible offer.

"You must know that my life is tied to his… You want me to help kill him, which would kill me in turn?"

However…

"But if you know that… then that also means you think this knowledge to be something I'd forfeit my life to hear."

Ophelia grinned.

"Astute observation… as expected of a scholar."

After a brief pause, she continued:

"What if I told you there was a way to kill your master and remain in the world?"

Mias looked up at Ophelia and studied her confident expression.

"Even if such a thing were possible, he'd have me killed the moment I accept your proposition. He has an ability that measures Loyalty. So, I refuse. Besides, that is knowledge I don't care for. I don't dislike my situation."

Ophelia chuckled:

"Oh, that wasn't what I thought would interest you… How would you like to know about what happened to Despair? Or maybe, how you defied the pivotal law? Or perhaps you'd like to know what became of Hope? Oh, or I could tell you what it means to become a god, the sacrifice involved. Or maybe… would you like to know where Carver is?"

Mias's eyes widened, his curiosity piqued.

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