Chapter 92: What If I Said I Was 'Sadhana'?

What If I Said I Was 'Sadhana'?

Avena felt somewhat numb.

She didn’t even want to ask if this was real anymore. Based on multiple experiences, Ciel wouldn’t make claims without evidence.

Beside them, Adele was mixing a new potion, occasionally nodding in response, though no one paid attention. It was unclear if she hadn’t processed the situation or was just too focused on the materials before her.

“That ‘Radiance Bishop’... what’s his purpose for coming?” Avena took a deep breath and continued asking. “Is it just a routine visit? Do you know his true identity?”

Even if it was just a routine visit, once the “Radiance Bishop” discovered the problem at the stronghold, he would definitely investigate further and might go into hiding, never showing himself again.

This was like a ticking time bomb, unsure when it would explode. A single moment of carelessness could lead to being brainwashed into a cultist by the “Radiance Bishop.”

Once any one of them was captured and brainwashed by the “Radiance Bishop,” the others would absolutely be implicated.

“Yes, just a routine visit.” Ciel nodded. “‘Radiance Bishop’ doesn’t know the plan failed yet. Kitty had no way to report upwards, but she definitely left sufficient information before dying.”

“As for his real identity or disguise, that’s currently unclear.”

What to do...

Avena lowered her head in thought.

Originally, she just planned to report the matter to the Church of the Savior Goddess and watch the two factions tear each other apart.

But now, she herself was dragged into it. Even if she fled back to her family for safety, how long could she stay hidden within the family estate?

Once she was identified, no one around her would be safe.

Who knew when a brainwashed maid or subordinate might assassinate her when her guard was completely down.

Impossible to defend against.

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“Sigh...” Avena sighed.

This was why she hated these church people so much.

Most of them couldn’t be bought with money and would commit extreme acts due to fanatical beliefs.

Provoking an orthodox church was one thing; at least there was room for reason within their doctrines. But provoking cultists left no room for negotiation. Those mad dogs would just stalk you from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to pounce and tear you apart.

If only she knew his disguise. Such a high-ranking cultist must have a prominent public identity. She could potentially work with that.

“Have you thought of any solutions?” Ciel asked, seeing Avena sighing.

“I can only think of one way.” Avena organized her thoughts before speaking. “Muddle the waters.”

“Muddle the waters?” Ciel’s eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed she and Avena had arrived at the same conclusion.

“That’s what I was thinking too.” Avena looked at Ciel, nodding in understanding. They then spoke almost simultaneously, outlining the plan.

Avena: “Drag the Deton Group into this, get them involved. Before they arrive, burn down Deton Manor, leaving only the cultists’ underground sanctuary.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

Ciel: “Bring back everyone who escaped from Deton Manor, kill them, sacrifice them, then burn away the traces.”

Avena: “...”

Ciel: “...”

Avena looked at Ciel somewhat strangely.

Was Ciel serious?

At this moment, Ciel also realized the shift in her own thinking.

She was now almost entirely thinking like a “Judicator.”

Her thought was: just do it again, intercept and kill everyone, sacrifice Kitty to summon that giant maw, let it eat all the bodies, then burn away the evidence...

There was one more thing Ciel hadn’t said aloud: leave behind an “Other Side Page.”

No matter how they investigated, the ultimate culprit would point towards the “Other Side,” making it impossible for them to trace it back.

Avena’s idea, however, was more aligned with normal thinking.

She thought of dragging the group behind Deton Manor—the Deton Group headquarters, the entire leadership—into the mess.

Currently, the Deton Group headquarters was also unaware of the incident at the Berren City Deton Manor. If Avena could contact the Deton Group’s upper management, they would also thoroughly investigate the incident to restore Deton Manor’s reputation.

Avena’s ultimate goal was to have the Deton Group and the Church of the Savior Goddess occupy the Divine Advent Church’s attention, ideally even killing the “Radiance Bishop,” leaving the Divine Advent Church too busy dealing with the combined pressure to continue investigating.

As time passed, all evidence would erode. They just needed to hide for a while to be safe.

“I was joking.” Ciel averted her gaze from Avena, looking towards Adele instead.

Adele, just finished with the potion, looked up and met Ciel’s gaze, instinctively smiling, wondering why Ciel was staring at her.

Just then, a white shadow phased through the window and walked directly towards the bedside.

The white shadow flickered, and Uris’s figure appeared within the room. She looked directly at Ciel and asked with a smile, “You’re awake? Miss Ciel.”

Trouble.

Avena frowned slightly.

She hadn’t expected Uris to arrive so quickly.

If she hadn’t been so shocked by Ciel’s intelligence, she probably would have already bundled Ciel onto a carriage and fled.

But now wasn’t the right time to run either.

Because they still had a major hidden danger unresolved.

Although Avena was very reluctant, she had to admit that with her current abilities, she couldn’t resolve this incident independently. She needed Uris’s help.

The Church of the Savior Goddess would also have a “Radiance Bishop” coming. If possible, they needed to set the stage, ambush the Divine Advent Church’s “Radiance Bishop.”

Otherwise, she and Ciel would truly have to live the rest of their lives in fear within their family estates... possibly bringing Adele along too.

Ciel and Avena exchanged glances, Ciel giving a slight nod.

Avena understood. She turned to Uris and said, “Uris, I have a deal.”

“We have made quite a few deals already, Miss Roswell.” Uris replied coolly. “Judging by the results, you are often the party who violates the rules.”

-

In Uris’s eyes, Avena was an unprincipled, faithless young lady from a noble family, operating with a merchant’s mindset, trading mysterious information obtained from unknown sources for items, then immediately selling those items for profit.

Uris could overlook the matter of her giving the potion to Ciel, but only on the condition that Ciel returned to the Holy See with her.

Whether Ciel’s actions were permissible wasn’t for Uris to decide.

Once the Holy See determined Ciel was at constant risk of losing control, Uris would baptize her. This would allow Ciel to live longer under the Goddess’s protection, preventing her from being driven mad by the whispers.

“It wouldn’t hurt to hear this news first, High Priest.” Avena ignored Uris’s blatant accusation. “I trust you will make the right judgment.”

Then, Avena relayed the information Ciel had just provided about the arrival time of the Divine Advent Church’s “Radiance Bishop.”

As expected, upon hearing this information, Uris, who had maintained a cool demeanor, frowned slightly.

“‘Radiance Bishop’?” Adele, standing nearby holding the potion for Ciel, subconsciously started counting on her fingers in shock upon hearing this.

‘Ascetic’... ‘Missionary’... ‘Radiance Bishop’?!!

At this point, Adele finally connected the dots between this news and Ciel’s earlier conversation.

Third-tier transcendent?! Divine Advent Church?! Arriving the day after tomorrow?!

Compared to the panicked Adele, Uris appeared much calmer.

After all, the Church of the Savior Goddess faced threats from the Divine Advent Church almost constantly.

“You need not worry about this, Miss Roswell.” Uris faced Avena, her voice grave.

“The reinforcements from the Church of the Savior Goddess will arrive faster than the Divine Advent Church’s inspection personnel. Once I report the situation to the supporting Bishop, I will take Miss Ciel to the Holy See for treatment. Miss Ciel will face no safety issues.”

“The Bishop remaining here will also handle this matter.”

“However, the Church has limited manpower. Your own safety, you may have to ensure yourself.”

Hearing Uris’s reply, Ciel felt a little helpless.

Alright, the first method to survive the crisis was found: follow the Church route.

But obviously, Ciel wouldn’t take the Church route unless absolutely necessary.

Unlocking the free Past Simulation required saving files for all paths.

But if she joined the Church and drank the “Ascetic” or “Avenger” potion in reality, she would lose the pure No.0 mode.

No.0 would then become a normal simulation entry point, starting as either “Ascetic” or “Avenger.”

This meant Ciel could no longer use the pure mode to enter simulations, drink other potions, and save them.

Without transcendent abilities, she couldn’t save files, nor could she save an ordinary person file to drink potions.

At least until she figured out what the Old Days and self-created paths were, Ciel wouldn’t rashly drink any potion in reality.

Ciel could die recklessly in simulations, but one wrong step in reality meant the end.

Ciel sank into deep thought.

Avena, sensing some crisis, bid farewell to Ciel and Adele and left hurriedly, seemingly off to find a solution.

Uris remained in the room, helping Adele care for Ciel. As if premeditated, Uris produced a set of black robes and helped Ciel change out of her bloodstained and dirty maid dress.

Ciel remained passive, focusing on recovery, obeying all of Adele’s arrangements, solely aiming to reduce the side effects when using this save file later.

Another reason Ciel stayed put was to see when the Church of the Savior Goddess reinforcements would arrive, and whether Hugh would be among them. If so, Ciel might be able to use Hugh’s own keepsake to gain her trust and extract more information for reference.

Time passed minute by minute. Under Adele’s diligent care, Ciel’s visible wounds mostly healed, and the symptoms of blood loss disappeared.

While the “Physician’s” healing ability wasn’t as exaggerated as imagined, the body’s recovery speed under a “Physician’s” aid was extraordinarily fast.

She just didn’t know what Adele’s transcendent ability was, or if it was purely due to superior potion formulas and materials. It seemed she needed to chat with Adele when she prepared to take the “Physician” path herself.

Ciel waited until late into the night, around 3:50 AM, but the Bishop from the Church of the Savior Goddess never arrived.

Approaching the final time limit, Ciel, using the excuse of “seeing if it looks good,” successfully coaxed Adele into putting all her valuable potions into her injection kit and hanging it on Ciel’s waist.

Ciel wanted to test if she could retain all these items on the “Judicator” save file this way.

Ciel stood before the mirror, examining her reflection in the dim light of the oil lamp.

The familiar robes of a High Priest of the Church of the Savior Goddess, the bullet-belt-like injection kit hanging at her waist, brimming with various precious potions—all painstakingly crafted by Adele.

And Adele?

Exhausted from the late hour, after being woken by Ciel to hand over the items, she had groggily fallen back asleep, seemingly without a single thought that Ciel might run off with everything.

This child, sooner or later, she’ll be scammed out of her underwear.

Ciel stood still, silently counting down the last moments.

Why...

4...

3... 2... 1...

A white light enveloped Ciel. Her consciousness entered a strange space. Before her stood the “Judicator” version of herself, like looking in a mirror.

Within this space, the smoldering fire in Ciel’s heart, the extreme thoughts in her mind, and the gradually intensifying chaotic whispers all vanished instantly.

Freed from the potion’s influence, her thoughts returned to normal.

That was dangerous...

Without much hesitation, Ciel overwrote the No.2 slot with the “Judicator” save, replacing the previous “Avenger” Ciel.

Only after the system prompted a successful save did Ciel let out a long sigh of relief.

Second-tier “Judicator”...

Finally reaching the second tier gave Ciel more confidence to face future events.

When both sides were prepared and there was no element of surprise, the gap between second and first tier was immense, almost insurmountable.

-

Ciel found it hard to imagine what a third-tier entity was like—from “Crown Guard” Nia alone, Ciel hadn’t discerned much strength.

Nia felt like she had put all her points into defense. It seemed no matter the situation, she could always escape with Avena.

For Nia, combat was never the plan; her sole priority was protecting Avena.

Under such circumstances, it was difficult to gauge her true strength.

The silver light before her gradually began to fade, and Ciel slowly regained control of her body.

This advancement to the second tier... would there be any rewards?

The white light receded.

...

【Reality】

【Saint Year 741, June 20, 16:15】

【Evaluation: papapapapapapa!!!】

【Congratulations Host! Felicitations Host! Through arduous effort, you have finally completed the second-tier Reconstitution Ritual! This is one small step for Host, and... actually just one small step ^^_】

【I bet no one has ever challenged summoning so many spiritual beings at once without suffering backlash. One must praise your boldness, but it’s also thanks to Host’s inherent “Charm.”】

【I am pleased Host is so interested in the Old Days. Based on Host’s correct choice, the system has decided to return a precious gift to you... although it’s not fixed yet ^^】

【Take it, you deserve this based on your performance.】

【Reward: Fate Points × 66, 【Head Hunter Lv.1】, 【Echo of the Silver-White Timebinder (Badly Damaged)】】

【Fate Points: 136】

Ciel slowly opened her eyes, pushed herself up, and leaned back against the sofa behind her.

She was back in the guest room at Avena’s house.

She looked at the system panel before her and took a slow breath.

How much?

A direct reward of 66 Fate Points?

And a skill plus a sealed artifact?

Looking at the 136 Fate Points in her balance, a bold idea sprouted in Ciel’s mind.

Maybe for every Reconstitution Ritual advancement, she should just go farm Kitty?

Guaranteed profit.

It was a viable idea, but Ciel temporarily suppressed it and looked at the other rewards.

With so many Fate Points awarded, the other rewards might contain something game-changing.

She looked at the newly acquired skill, 【Head Hunter Lv.1】. Its details unfolded before her.

【Head Hunter Lv.1: Host’s hands are itching, craving headshots—Slightly increases your precision and causes any form of attack targeting an enemy’s head to deal additional damage.】

Ciel: “...”

I just stomped on one head. It’s not like I’m actually a psychopath who enjoys blowing people’s heads off. System, are you misunderstanding something?

But regardless, it was still a skill that slightly increased damage. She just didn’t know if the stated increase in “precision” would actually make her firearm shots more accurate.

Increased Dexterity not only improved physical flexibility and athletic ability but also slightly boosted strength. What increased precision would bring, Ciel would have to discover herself.

Next, Ciel focused her attention on the final reward.

It was a damaged sealed artifact. As she looked at it, a silver light flashed, and a familiar silver pocket watch appeared in her hand.

This...

Isn’t this the antique silver pocket watch that gave me the system?

Ciel habitually opened the watch. On the black and silver face, the bright silver hands ticked faintly, accurately keeping time.

This thing... is a sealed artifact?

As Ciel wondered, the detailed information about the pocket watch appeared before her.

【【Echo of the Silver-White Timebinder (Badly Damaged)】: Exclusive Sealed Artifact, Bound, More abilities can be obtained as the artifact is repaired.】

【Current Ability: 【Echo of Time Lv.1】】

【Echo of Time Lv.1: Records the Host’s individual time at the current moment. After 10 seconds, or when life is threatened, returns the Host individually to the recorded time and removes all negative statuses.】

【Side Effect: For 1 hour after use, the Host’s individual space-time will become chaotic, causing the Host’s state to jump between different save files.】

How much?

Ciel reread the ability description, finding it hard to believe.

This... isn’t this a bit too strong?

But after seeing the side effect, Ciel felt somewhat relieved.

Recording time, returning the body to the past—Ciel was familiar with such abilities from various manga and games in her previous life.

But this was a sealed artifact, and it came with side effects.

This side effect would prevent Ciel from maintaining her original form, causing her state to jump between different save files.

She could be fighting an opponent as “Judicator,” use the watch to save herself once, and then “Judicator” Ciel might instantly turn into “Gambler” Ciel or even “Pure” Ciel, only to be instantly killed.

The ability was powerful, but it had to be used in situations where she could finish the enemy. Otherwise, after one use, there would be little chance of turning the tables.

But regardless, it was a powerful life-saving sealed artifact, and it could even be upgraded.

She just didn’t know the upgrade conditions or what new abilities it might gain.

Would they also be related to time?

Time stop? Rewind? Time acceleration? Time severance?

Possible, but Ciel believed the side effects wouldn’t be pleasant either.

Having obtained a new sealed artifact and skill, plus a large sum of Fate Points, Ciel’s mind started buzzing with possibilities.

An idea had formed during the simulation.

Previously, Avena had asked about the “Radiance Bishop’s” real or disguised identity, which Ciel didn’t know.

But Avena seemed capable of doing more if she possessed that information.

If she could obtain his public identity, then massacre everyone at Deton Manor and drag the Deton Group into it, maybe the Deton Group would directly confront that “Radiance Bishop.”

If only she knew his disguise...

There was indeed one method that might work.

But before that, Ciel needed to test the extent of her verbal influence after drinking the “Instigator” potion, augmented by the “Instigator” ability and the “Art of Conversation” skill.

If the effect was good...

Then simulate one more time, make preparations...

No one from Deton Manor must escape...

Kill them all, pile them in the underground sanctuary, and sacrifice them all the moment the “Radiance Bishop” arrives.

With the corpse of the second-tier “Missionary” Kitty present, these offerings would surely attract an Other Side entity inclined towards mental influence.

Previously, even “Radiance Bishop” Hugh hadn’t dared to look at her spiritual page. Ciel didn’t believe that “Radiance Bishop” would remain unaffected when facing a spiritual being of that caliber.

Remember, when she sacrificed Kitty to summon that monster earlier, Ciel hadn’t even let it use any mental attacks.

At that time, with the cooperation of the spiritual being, plus “Instigator” and “Art of Conversation”...

If the enemy was Kitty, even if I claimed I was “Sadhana” then, she would have had to believe me.

Knock, knock, knock—

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Avena’s voice from outside interrupted Ciel’s thoughts.

“Ciel... I need to discuss something with you...” Avena’s voice came from outside the door.

Ciel recalled for a moment and roughly understood what it was about.

She came to ask me to sleep together.