Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 186: Indenture Agreement_1
That day, at the warden’s office in Rose Iron Prison.
"Wait, wait a minute, this is still my first time, let me think it over." Presia was visibly nervous.
"It’s okay, it only hurts a bit in the beginning." Daili gently persuaded from behind, holding Presia’s shoulders, "I’m here with you."
"Don’t waste time, hurry over. You’ve already nodded and agreed, what are you still afraid of?" Aiden was getting a bit impatient and urged her on.
"I am not afraid..." Presia hesitated, her hands still retracted.
Aiden couldn’t help but roll his eyes, "It’s just taking an oath, tying a contract, that’s all. Do you even qualify as a black magic researcher?"
"This is about handing over one’s life to someone else, could you do it so casually?" Presia retorted irritably.
"If you don’t want to participate, you can refuse and continue serving your sentence in the cell; that would actually give me some peace of mind." Aiden spoke indifferently.
Presia, thinking of the fact that she was the only Great Witch being left out, suddenly steeled herself, walked to the table, and slowly stretched out her hand.
"That’s more like it." Aiden too smiled and extended his hand, beginning to chant the incantation, "’O you bound, swear loyalty to these thorned shackles, betrayal shall mean death.’" freewebnσvel.cøm
No sooner had the words fallen than a ring of black thorns faintly emerged around his index finger, as if a ring were placed upon it. Black mist began to emanate from this "ring," coiling in the palm of his hand, and slowly, the mist took shape, eventually forming a black scorpion on his palm. The scorpion’s tail was linked not to a stinger, but to a black cobra that was hissing at Presia.
"Eek! Aaaaah!!!" Presia suddenly screamed and withdrew her hand.
Aiden sighed. In order to use Presia as a pawn under controllable circumstances, he had to have her sign a demonic contract that effectively handed over her life to him – in simple terms, a bond of servitude.
However, the biggest obstacle in signing the contract was not Presia’s unwillingness, but the fact that... this witch was actually afraid of insects — she feared almost all poisonous insects, including spiders, centipedes, and scorpions, and unfortunately, the demon that appeared during the contract ritual took the form of a scorpion.
In most people’s minds, witches were those who could throw rats, venomous creatures, bats, snakes... even more bizarre creatures into a pot to brew magic potions without a second thought. But Aiden, who had dealt with such criminals extensively, knew very well that not all witches excelled in that regard. Some witches were even less immune to rats and spiders than ordinary village women, and in Rose Iron Prison, it was common for witches to be frightened by the sudden appearance of rats and spiders in their cells, knocking on the cell doors to beg the guards for help.
"You, you give me the magic authority first, let me hypnotize myself." Presia bargained with Aiden.
"No, you only get the magic authority after the demon pact is settled." Aiden didn’t relent.
"The way you fear insects, it’s still exactly the same as before." Daili laughed from behind Presia.
"Don’t just stand there and watch, cover her eyes," Aiden instructed.
"As you wish." Daili reached out and covered Presia’s eyes.
Only then did Presia timidly reach out her hand again. Aiden, holding the scorpion in his hand, brought it close to Presia and asked, "Your answer?"
"I...I am willing," Presia’s voice trembled a little.
As soon as the words were spoken, the scorpion’s tail connected to the cobra bit down on her hand.
Presia only felt a piercing pain shooting from her palm up her arm, and the thought that this was the same sting that had appeared on Aiden’s hand just a moment ago made her shiver, causing goosebumps to rise all over her body.
Seeing the contract completed, Aiden withdrew the spell, nodding in satisfaction, "Done."
Only then did Daili move her hand away from in front of Presia’s eyes.
"That’s too crude!" Presia immediately began angrily slapping the desk and shouting, "The techniques of you heresy inquisition officers are too rough!!"
"Move your hand from my desk, I’ll let you go this time, but showing signs of aggression towards the guards can earn you a baton beating," Aiden replied calmly.
"Using pain and cardiac harm to restrict a contractor, what kind of outdated contract magic is this?" Presia continued to grumble resentfully, "If it were Abigail’s magic..."
"I am also aware that the black magic of the heresy inquisition is outdated, make do with it," Aiden interrupted her with a wave of his hand.
In fact, heretical inquisition institutions of various countries do have the right to study black magic, but because they themselves are violent bodies strictly controlling black magic, constantly battling with black magicians. This responsibility leads to a suppressed overall intent to develop black magic within the institutions, and the research into black magic is also subject to many limitations.
Therefore, many times, the official black magic technology is actually inferior to the "wild" methods researched by black magicians who fearlessly touch on taboos.
This backward demon contract could, in fact, be lifted by witches proficient in it, Meiruki could do it, and certainly her teacher Lamia as well. The current operation must take care not to let them have direct contact with other members of the witch assembly.
"There is a limit to this kind of demon contract," Daili interjected, "Warden, have you lifted the contracts on the others?"
"I temporarily lifted Avansa’s contract," Aiden said slowly, "Her treatment progress is very good, she might have a chance to apply for a definite sentence next year, and for her now, a confirmed release date is far more important than improving her living conditions in prison."
Meiruki’s treatment plan has already reduced the toxicity in Avansa’s blood quite a bit. After some more time of societal reintegration and corrective education, Avansa could have a chance to be released within ten years.
Moreover, now with Camila helping Aiden manage the internal discipline of the prisoners, Avansa no longer needed to serve as Aiden’s ace enforcer.
"So for the prison side, is it just us two, plus you, Warden," Daili asked.
"There’s also Veronica," Aiden answered.
"I thought so," Daili smiled.
"When do we act?" Presia asked, "Where is ’Black Goat’ now?"
"Still investigating, for now we can only wait," Aiden replied calmly.
"Wait?" Presia paused.
"Gathering intelligence isn’t our duty, the heresy inquisition will provide us with intelligence support. Abigail said they are preparing to use animals to search the cult’s backup bases. Barring any accidents, the intelligence will also be shared with us," Aiden spoke slowly, "Before an opportunity arises, all we need to do is wait patiently."
