Chapter 1203 - 193: Bayonetta and Ilya’s Training Rivalry and Legendary Ring: Radiant Sanctuary

Chapter 1203: Chapter 193: Bayonetta and Ilya’s Training Rivalry and Legendary Ring: Radiant Sanctuary

The appearance of the Witch Moon has always been an ominous sign for this world.

That moon hanging in the sky, emitting a sickly green glow, each time it rises seems like a wound oozing pus and blood has torn through the world itself, releasing horrors lurking in the deepest shadows.

Its light acts like a powerful catalyst, directly affecting the twisted blood and souls of Beastmen. Minotaurs deep in the forest let out earth-shaking war cries, and the eyes of Horned Beasts and Inferior Horned Beasts blaze with primitive, destructive red light under the green glow. Their instinctual bloodlust is infinitely magnified, leaving no room for reason.

Simultaneously, the Witch Moon is considered closely related to the abnormal fluctuations of the Wind of Death. It amplifies the power of Necromancers (especially followers of Nagash) and awakens many Undead not directly controlled by powerful Necromancers.

Under the Green Moon, cemeteries, ancient battlefields, and places of mass burial become extremely dangerous. Fingers of shallowly buried corpses might pierce the soil, headless Skeletons may claw themselves out of the earth. The forgotten souls of those who died with grievances are more easily attracted by moonlight, transforming into Ghosts or Wraiths, haunting ruins and wilderness, uttering piercing wails.

Those Chaos Wizards and secret Cultists lurking in human towns become exceedingly bold. They cloak themselves in dark capes, gathering in deserted alleyways, abandoned warehouses, or dim basements. The Witch Moon is their prime time for holding forbidden rituals—summoning low-tier Demons, concocting plague potions, making prophesies (often ones that bring calamity), or praying for power from the Chaos Gods.

More importantly, the luminosity of the Witch Moon seems to carry a faint corruptive power. Those exposed to it for prolonged periods, especially the weak-willed, are more likely to harbor dark thoughts, hear seductive whispers, or even witness terrifying hallucinations, accelerating their descent into the embrace of Chaos.

The veil between reality and the Chaos Demon Realm thins under the Witch Moon. Demons are more easily able to sense the Mortal World; their whispers infiltrate the ears of the sensitive or Casters, tempting them to corruption or offering dangerous "deals."

Not only Beastmen, common forest creatures—wolf packs, wild boars, even birds—become highly aggressive and unpredictable under the Witch Moon. They might swarm in attacks on people and animals. Certain plants corrupted by Chaos or naturally growing in the Dark Land may accelerate growth under the green glow, becoming more aggressive (like man-eating vines) or exuding toxic sap.

As the Witch Moon rises, residents of cities and villages quickly lock their doors and windows, seal gaps with planks, extinguish unnecessary lights, and tremble in fear within the depths of their sturdiest homes. Streets empty in an instant, leaving only the sound of wind and distant, inhuman howls.

In a world like this, it’s no wonder everyone develops a dark and despairing mindset.

However, there’s still three days until the Witch Moon rises, allowing Su Li to prepare relatively easily.

After ordering the troops to gather, Su Li headed to Bauhinia Manor, and as soon as he arrived, Hilude greeted him. Her stance was tall and, as always, efficient and brisk.

"My lord, Lady Bayonetta has been settled in the ’Jingyue Hall’," Hilude reported succinctly, "The environment there is tranquil, positioned relatively inward. Considering her unfamiliarity with the territory and her sensitive status, it’s not appropriate for her to move about freely, so I’ve arranged for someone to take care of her daily needs."

She paused, a barely noticeable curve appeared at the corner of her lips, "It’s your ’personal maid’, Miss Ilya Silverglow. She seems very... suited for this work."

Upon hearing this, Su Li slightly raised his eyebrows: "Ilya? The peerless beauty Philis sent? Assigning her to take care of Bayonetta?" This arrangement was quite interesting.

"Yes," Hilude nodded, "Miss Ilya volunteered to become familiar with the environment afterward, wishing to serve the lady. Her etiquette is impeccable, her demeanor steady, making her perfect to care for a distinguished former Lady of the City Lord. Moreover..."

She glanced at Su Li, "Having the ’pearl’ of Sulande and Lady Bayonetta together in the relatively secluded Jingyue Hall can also avoid unnecessary... attention and gossip in the castle."

Su Li glanced at Hilude, feeling that there was a faint smile subtly hanging on her lips.

Truth be told, by now, after so many years of close companionship and deep exchanges, Su Li understood Hilude very well. From just the curve of her lips, he could guess many of her thoughts.

Placing these two most beautiful women of the territory together was certainly not as simple as she described.

Jingyue Hall is located on the west side of Bauhinia Manor, and the environment is indeed serene and elegant. As Su Li approached the entrance of the courtyard, he happened to see Bayonetta standing by the window in the small lounge of the hall, seemingly staring out at the garden in a daze.

Meanwhile, Ilya just happened to walk in, holding a delicate silver tray with a cup of steaming floral tea and some exquisite snacks on it. Her posture was upright, her white hair like snow, even standing quietly, she resembled an exquisitely painted lady portrait.

Facing Su Li, a red blush appeared on Ilya’s stunning cheeks, thinking back to the absurd training methods Su Li taught her made it hard to keep her emotions calm. She shyly and timidly followed behind Su Li, whispering, "Good day, my lord, we all miss you greatly."

Su Li kissed her snow-white skin and then pushed open the door to enter. The movement startled Bayonetta. She turned around, her face originally carrying a hint of bewilderment and mild detachment towards the new environment.