[Witch of Envy (Demigod)]
[Advancement Ritual: When a Hero Rank individual succeeds in advancing to Demigod Rank, interrupt their ritual to permanently demote them from Demigod status.]
Luo Shu opened the Divine Pantheon, gazing at the feedback automatically received after Emilia signed the contract, his expression turning rather peculiar:
"After becoming a Familia member, the feedback is actually an advancement ritual?"
Seeing this phenomenon for the first time, Luo Shu couldn't help but feel startled.
"It seems there's more to it than that."
Puck, floating mid-air, watched Emilia clutching her forehead in pain with a complicated expression:
"I can sense a new power within Emilia – something that seems to be supporting her spirit."
Having said this, Puck added with evident complexity in his tone:
"It almost feels like Emilia has become complete only after signing the contract. Is this also the contract's effect?"
"A power supporting the spirit... completeness... advancement materials?"
Through Puck's explanation, Luo Shu quickly connected the dots to advancement materials:
"Could it be that besides the ritual, the materials required for Demigod advancement have also been supplemented?"
If so, the boost Emilia received upon becoming a Familia member would be second only to Spirits like Kurumi, who directly attained Demigod status.
After all, in the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System, a single set of Demigod materials starts at 100,000 points minimum. For Top Tier Classes, it's never below 300,000 points.
If materials were indeed supplemented with only the ritual remaining, this would align perfectly with the Familia contract's previous enhancement tendencies.
Those without abilities awaken their desired capabilities; those with deficiencies have them filled. The Familia's "awakening" truly seems to follow this logic.
As Luo Shu summarised the Familia awakening phenomenon, Lacus turned to Puck and asked:
"Mr Puck, can you sense Emilia's physical condition?"
"Of course."
The floating Puck swayed slightly as he looked at Lacus:
"The Guardian Contract between me and Lia not only lets me share her power but also allows Lia to share a Great Spirit's lifespan and resistances. Checking her physical state is just a minor aspect of it."
Here, Puck glanced at Luo Shu and said in an astonished tone:
"From what I can see now, that Familia contract has also been partially shared."
"Of course, the main body remains Lia. I've just passively become a subordinate who can't act against you, young man. Though I'm aware of the Divine Pantheon System interface, I can't log in – only receiving some basic information."
"In a sense, it's all responsibility with no benefits whatsoever."
Puck sounded slightly troubled as he said this, but quickly adjusted his attitude:
"Still, I can confirm Lia's current condition is excellent. Moreover, Satella's consciousness seems to be growing more active, while the Witch of Envy personality has weakened."
"At this rate, if Lia advances to Demigod status, we might genuinely resolve the Witch of Envy personality."
Hearing this, Lacus realised:
"So the solution has truly been provided?"
Puck nodded, observing Emilia, who was now recovering, then remarked with feeling:
"Yes. It feels like the only thing separating Lia from advancement now is the ritual itself."
"But the ritual happens to be the most troublesome part."
Luo Shu kindly reminded Puck:
"Disrupting a Demigod's ascension is no easy task."
"The most troublesome part is finding a Demigod in the midst of their ascension."
When preparing for their ceremony, what Demigod wouldn't take every precaution, accounting for all possible contingencies before beginning their advancement?
Under such conditions, locating the target and sabotaging their ritual to prevent their successful ascension is practically a matter of chance rather than design.
Though the method exists, Luo Shu considered its execution extremely difficult.
Hearing this, Puck nodded in agreement, sinking into contemplation:
"That's true indeed. The Witch of Envy's ritual does seem particularly troublesome."
Just then, a gentle voice reached both man and cat:
"Don't we actually know someone who might be ascending soon?"
Turning in surprise, Luo Shu looked at Lacus:
"Does the SDS have intel on a Hero Rank preparing for ascension?"
"Not exactly intel."
Lacus shook her head before explaining:
"You've just returned, so you may not know, but during the recent garrison attack, Echidna raided Kyoto's Onmyou Agency and stole a pureblood demon."
"According to Aya's intelligence, pureblood demons appear to be a crucial component of Echidna's Demigod ascension."
"Really now?" Luo Shu blinked before bursting into laughter: "Hao's face must be absolutely livid right now!"
"Most likely, yes."
Lacus maintained her composure. After all, Hao Asakura was technically her elder - while Luo Shu could laugh freely, she couldn't openly join in.
After his amusement subsided, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes with a playful expression:
"So Nak mobilised the entire Desire Faction to attack us, only for Echidna to walk away with the grand prize?"
"How... irritating."
While Luo Shu didn't mind others profiting at his expense, those others had to be Familia members first.
There was a world of difference between keeping losses within the family and having outsiders snatch gains.
Being used as someone else's stepping stone naturally displeased him.
And if he was displeased, Echidna shouldn't expect smooth sailing either.
"Shall we target Echidna's ceremony then?"
Hearing this, Lacus offered no opinion - or rather, Luo Shu's opinion was her opinion.
Puck, however, grinned mischievously:
"No objections here~ In fact, please go all out."
He then glanced at Emilia, who'd recovered, and asked:
"Lia feels the same, right?"
"Lady Echidna?"
Emilia murmured the name before falling silent, clearly holding grievances against the witch who'd deceived her multiple times.
From nearly being killed by Kurumi Tokisaki during the Spirit Liquid incident, to facing Kotori Itsuka alone at the Hidden Management Department garrison, barely surviving while buying time.
Because of this operation to rescue Aya Tokoyogi, Emilia had already come dangerously close to death twice.
Looking back, Aya Tokoyogi didn't actually need rescuing. It was Echidna who deliberately cut off her communication with her teacher, triggering this chain of events.
Thinking about it this way, while Emilia wouldn't outright kill Echidna, the desire for revenge was definitely there—and in no small measure!
Seeing Emilia's expression, Luo Shu could clearly sense the thick resentment radiating from her.
'In a way, Echidna was truly something—even Emilia couldn't let go of her hatred...'
'Has that woman ever done a single good deed in her life?'
Harbouring these unspoken criticisms of Echidna, Luo Shu raised a crucial question:
"Since everyone agrees, our target is set: Echidna."
"But here's the problem."
Luo Shu turned to Lacus and Puck with curiosity:
"How do we find Echidna now?"
"Do you have any leads?"