Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Aria''s 50th Sacrifice (II)
[Warning: Upsetting content.]
"I-Is that so?" Queen Anastasia couldn''t hide her nervousness this time. She was THE serial killer.
She ordered her secret service to kidnap as many peasants'' kids as possible without causing too much ruckus because Aria needed them to strengthen her witchcraft.
At first, she only asked for prisoners, but then she told her mother that her power stagnated, and she was craving a human-specifically a child sacrifice in exchange for more power.
Thus, Anastasia had to kidnap those children.
Fortunately, the children''s sacrifices were proven to be effective, as Anastasia kept observing Aria''s growth in dark magic. Thest time she observed her daughter, Aria was able to mind-control two soldiers to start killing each other until one of them died.
Anastasia''s body was shaking seeing how those soldiers were screaming in pain, begging to be spared before they stopped begging and started stabbing each other like a puppet controlled by Aria.
''I guess, those peasant children do have uses,'' Anastasia thought.
The advisor thought that the Queen''s worried expression was because of concern, so he suggested, "Your Majesty, I think we should start a manhunt over this serial killer. We cannot let so many children keep dying like this!"
"D-don''t act without my order, you hear me?" Queen Anastasia ordered. "I will be the one to investigate this case. I will send my secret service around the city. They are far more effective than the regr guards."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The advisor was relieved because he knew that the Queen''s secret service would be able to find that serial killer soon. "One more thing, Your Majesty, we get an invitation."
"Invitation? From the Rianel Kingdom? If they wanted to invite me, Queen Ramiere or Princess Lily would''ve just sent me a personal letter. Our kingdoms are closely connected after all," Anastasia said.
"N-No, Rianel Kingdom hasn''t been in contact with us since the trade ban," the advisor replied. "It''s from the Kingdom of Beastmen, Your Majesty. The Beast King invites you and Princess Aria toe to the year-end celebration, to celebrate the Beast King''s sessful rut."
"Sessful rut? What is that?"
"I-I don''t know either, but I think this is the perfect time to beg for forgiveness from the Beast King. If things continue like this, the riot will escte, and there could be a bloody revolution!" The advisor made sure to emphasize his point so the Queen would understand the severity of the situation. "Besides, the church has been gaining more powertely. They are very popr right now, as people start to turn to religion when they are on the brink of death. I''m afraid the church will start a revolution and execute you and Princess Aria in the process."
Queen Anastasia gulped in fear.
She went through so much just to be the Queen of Holy Achate, and she would do anything to keep herself in power.
She wanted Aria to advance her power as soon as possible, and now seemed to be the perfect opportunity. They would go to Kingdom of Beastman, and if her dark magic was strong enough, Aria should be able to beat Swan''s dark magic and seduce the Beast King.
If she failed to do so... then they had no choice but to beg Swan to lift the trade ban.
"Alright, make sure to prepare our carriage when it is time for us to go. Princess Aria and I will attend the celebration in the Kingdom of Beastman," Queen Anastasia dered before getting up. "I will tell my daughter about this." "Yes, Your Majesty!"
**
Queen Anastasia stood in front of Aria''s room. There was no guard outside of the door because Aria could''ve just opened the door with telekinesis.
Anastasia took a deep breath as she prepared herself to face her daughter.
Honestly, she had grown scared of her own daughter, because Aria was too cruel even for Anastasia''s standard.
Anastasia might''ve kidnapped those children, but whenever she had to be present and witness the sacrifice, she would close her eyes and cover her ears, as she couldn''t handle the cries of the children.
But Aria was different.
Sheughed maniacally and even went as far as torturing those children for her entertainment. She had grown twisted, and Anastasia med the witchcraft that Aria practiced for her twisted nature.
''It''s okay, Anastasia. Her being evil was caused by witchcraft and the Necronomicon book she holds. You have nothing to do with it. All you did is try your best to preserve the kingdom and save everyone from the Beast King''s wrath,'' Anastasia told herself as she threw the me to someone else. ''Actually, that crippled Swan is the one to me, as she is the one who used her dark magic on the Beast King.''
After encouraging herself and feeling morally better, Anastasia knocked on Aria''s door. Soon, the door was opened by Aria''s telekinesis.
Anastasia immediately frowned and held her breath, because the moment the door was opened, the scent of a rotten corpse immediately assaulted her nose.
"Come in, Mom: What do you want?" Aria asked as she was levitating in the middle of the room. "Oh, before that, I should thank you for the 50th sacrifice. I finally fulfilled the requirement to meet my mentor! The book said she woulde to my dream tonight. Oh, I can''t wait to
finally meet the Great Witch!"
Anastasia shivered thinking about what kind of nightmare the Great Witch would bring.
After all, no sane person would demand fifty sacrifices just to be appeased, right? Nevertheless, Anastasia had toply with Aria''s demand if she wanted to keep her position as the Queen.
"Y-You''re wee, dear. I''m d that the Great Witch is appeased," Anastasia said with a fake smile. "By the way I''m here to tell you that our time tomeet that crippled witch has arrived. We were invited to acfestival that will be held in the Kingdom of Beastman. They said it''s about the Beast King''s sessful rut celebration. I don''t know what that is, though."