Elise's blood soaked into the Sacred Sword, and that pure white light gradually began to take on a crimson hue.
The Blood Contract, just as its name suggested, was a covenant bound by blood itself. Once formed, its binding force would be unimaginably strong.
Elise had already resolved to use this method to form a contract with Est.
Failure was not an option—only success!
The blood flowing from her chest wound now streamed like threads, winding tightly around the Sacred Sword. If successful, this sword would become Elise's possession!
The radiant blade seemed startled by this scene. It trembled violently, struggling to free itself from Elise's body.
But just as it was about to pull free, Elise tightened her grip on its hilt, hugging it close and refusing to let it move even an inch.
"Being pierced by a foreign object doesn't feel very pleasant… but if it's you, then I don't mind."
Her lips stained with blood, Elise let the droplets fall onto the blade as she gently stroked it.
"I know you mean well, but as I said before, your side effects have no effect on me. And besides, I have my own reasons why I must obtain you."
Her eyes shone with resolve. Every world had its own power system. Elise might be strong with the power of faith, but without it, she was nothing.
She needed another power—just like that Urm Manadyte crystal she once seized.
She needed it, so she would act.
"Choose me. We will never be apart!"
At that moment, the Sacred Sword lodged in her chest ceased trembling. It seemed truly to consider the possibility.
Could Elise's words be true?
Surely no one would risk their life just to prove such a claim.
Elise might not mind her own injuries, but in others' eyes, being impaled through the chest was nearly equal to death. Which meant that, in the Sacred Sword's perception, Elise was already on the verge of dying.
Finally, at the very last moment, the Sacred Sword yielded. It willingly chose to form a contract with Elise!
White radiance surged from its blade, a power Elise immediately recognized…
It was this world's unique force—Divine Power!
It resembled Asterisk's Prana, yet the difference was that only those born with the aptitude could wield Divine Power and contract with spirits in this world.
Elise could simulate Divine Power with faith, but she couldn't rely on borrowed faith forever.
Faith itself was already a power on loan—was she supposed to borrow strength with borrowed strength?
What was this, Ultraman Orb?
As the contract neared completion, Elise could feel a connection forming between herself and Est.
Not only through her own "Blood Contract," but also through Est's "Spirit Contract."
Two different types of contracts, bound by entirely separate laws—their effects would only multiply together.
But honestly, the spirit's contract seemed inferior to Elise's.
The Blood Contract, as its name implied, treated both parties as equals—lives bound together, like kin.
The spirit's contract, however, was essentially one of master and servant, with the spirit obeying the elementaler's commands.
Even the wording of the spirit contract made it obvious: "Thou shalt take me as thy master." Who held the advantage was clear.
Thinking of this, Elise felt a wave of relief. Fortunately, in this world, aside from the male protagonist and rare exceptions, only pure maidens could contract with spirits!
Imagine if every man could do so—what would this world become?
High-ranking spirits could often assume human form!
In that scenario, one needn't think hard to know what criminals with the power of contracts would do. At the very least, spirits would certainly lose their high standing. Worse yet, they might be reduced to mere slaves or tools by their so-called masters.
Fortunately, Elise was a saintess. How could she possibly treat her contracted partner the way villains would?
Besides, she truly liked Est's situation in the anime—such a cute and lovable airheaded girl!
If it had been a little boy or something else, Elise would never have chosen them.
The light between them slowly faded. At the final step of the contract, the Sacred Sword gradually vanished, transforming into a cluster of light that merged into Elise's body.
Even the sword wound between her two peaks disappeared completely, leaving not the faintest scar.
Truly miraculous.
Elise had intended to heal herself afterward. The injury wasn't minor, but with faith power she could have mended it perfectly in just a few minutes.
Unexpectedly, Est had spared her the trouble.
Now that the contract was complete…
Elise touched her right hand. Just like the original protagonist, Kamito Kazehaya, after contracting with Est, a spirit seal should appear on the back of her hand—proof of the contract, granting her the ability to wield the spirit's power.
But… she felt nothing on her right hand? No trace of a seal?
Could it be on her left?
Elise checked the back of her left hand, but again, nothing.
Unconvinced, Elise pulled off her blindfold, determined to find the spirit seal's location.
Her arms?
From fingers to shoulders, both arms remained snow-white, not a single mark of a spirit seal.
Her legs, perhaps?
Lifting her skirt, Elise bent down to check her thighs and feet. Her shapely legs in white stockings were flawless, the smooth lines unbroken by any mark, not a trace of a spirit seal to be found.
"Impossible!" Elise muttered in disbelief. "Something as sacred as a spirit seal couldn't possibly appear in a strange place, could it?"
From her back down to her waist, she found no sign of the spirit seal either.
"Heh…" Elise's expression twisted, a baffled smile spreading across her face.
Suddenly, she recalled certain creatures in anime that absorbed men's vitality. On their lower abdomens would appear intricate honeysuckle-shaped markings—sometimes even with heart symbols.
If her seal was in that place… that place…
Her hand trembled as she pressed down on the swell of her chest, trying to check. But no matter how she pushed, she couldn't see. Reluctantly, she conjured a mirror to inspect her abdomen.
While she admired those creatures and would gladly purify them if given the chance, if she herself had truly become like them…
Glrk!
She might as well kill herself!