Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

Chapter 173: The Soul-Drowning Cage

The dragon tooth was placed by Loren in the corner of the altar. Creating a Drowning Soul Cage required the corpse of a creature possessing a powerful soul. Clearly, the Murmuring Dragon met this condition, and the entire corpse wasn't needed—just important parts of its body, like the dragon tooth.

The Western fantasy world was essentially a giant Dragon-Lovers' TV show. Dragon scales, dragon crystals, dragon meat, dragon blood, dragon teeth—all were premium materials. Any world with dragons in its setting was like this. So, after killing the Murmuring Dragon, Loren made full use of its body. Even the runes on the ground were written by Loren using dragon blood.

Loren's own blood would have worked too, but Loren always aimed for perfection, using the best materials. That way, the capacity of the Drowning Soul Cage he made would be larger.

It wasn't just materials from the dragon;

Loren used many other things, but none were as important as the dragon parts.

As Loren chanted the incantation, the runes on the altar began to emit an eerie glow. The crystal ball in the center levitated into the air, spinning, creating an invisible vortex around it that sucked in all the materials.

Simultaneously, Loren's mana was being rapidly consumed. A ritual like this usually required many necromancers cooperating. If anyone dared to attempt it alone, having their mana and soul drained dry would be their fate.

The vortex spun faster and faster, grinding even the hard dragon tooth to dust while also attempting to suck out Loren's soul, forcing him to split his focus to resist.

Fortunately, there were protective wards in the laboratory, preventing it from affecting others.

This process was lengthy. Loren had already informed Mirrorheart and the others long ago: whenever he was in the laboratory, they were not to disturb him.

Loren hadn't specifically told the new maids about this, but he trusted Mirrorheart. Mirrorheart wouldn't forget such things.This period felt interminably long. A full hour passed. Sensing the vortex's suction gradually weakening, Loren slashed his own wrist, letting his blood be drawn in. At the same time, Loren felt his will being assaulted. He felt himself being sucked into the vortex, the world spinning.

"Ah!"

Loren roared. The Strength Card activated successfully, and Loren's consciousness instantly cleared.

This was the final step in creating the Drowning Soul Cage: using one's own will to form the cage. Surviving this step meant the Drowning Soul Cage would be successfully completed.

The moment Loren regained clarity, the suction force vanished. The Abyssal Sea Crystal had completely transformed, changing from transparent to a deep blue nearly black. Crimson patterns were carved onto it, resembling an ornate birdcage, possessing a certain aesthetic beauty.

"Finally done..."

Loren checked. He had lost a thousand mana. This thing really wasn't meant to be done by one person, but Loren had done it.

Choosing mana for the sacrifice back then was absolutely the correct decision. Otherwise, Loren wouldn't be able to accomplish many things now.

Creating a Drowning Soul Cage required a profound understanding of necromancy, something even the witches couldn't help much with.

Loren took the Drowning Soul Cage in his hand. It fit in one palm, but it was somewhat large, not convenient to carry.

This was precisely why Loren had added his own blood earlier. The Drowning Soul Cage was now bound to his soul, allowing him to control its size to a certain extent. Finally, Loren shrank the Drowning Soul Cage to a size slightly larger than a marble, perfect for making a pendant.

Tucking the Drowning Soul Cage into his pocket, Loren finally left the laboratory. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Seraphina.

Seraphina's smile was gone now, her face etched with worry. This was the first time Loren had seen any other expression on her face.

Previously, Seraphina had always maintained a smile. Coupled with her flawless face, Loren had always felt she was somewhat unreal. But now, she showed concern for Loren, and that sense of unreality dissipated considerably.

"I sensed some ominous aura inside, but Mirrorheart wouldn't let me enter. I had no choice but to wait by the door... I was so afraid something might happen to you...

"My apologies, I spoke out of turn. Dinner has been kept warm for you. Shall I go heat it up?"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Loren returned a smile to Seraphina, then walked past her toward the dining table.

"Master, wait!"

Just as Loren was about to leave, Seraphina suddenly called out to him:

"I'm still feeling a bit unsettled. Could you... pat my head?"

Seraphina placed a hand on her chest, looking nervous.

"Uh... alright..."

In the end, Loren stroked her hair. He had to admit, Seraphina's hair was absolutely the best texture Loren had ever felt. He couldn't help but stroke it a few more times. Seraphina also revealed a satisfied expression.

"Master, your dinner.

"You should eat freshly made food. Anna will eat the leftovers if she gets hungry tonight."

At that moment, Mirrorheart happened to bring out two plates of hot dishes. Once again, the timing was perfect.

"Thank you."

Loren removed his hand from Seraphina's head and took a seat at the dining table.

The instant he sat down, Mirrorheart and Seraphina exchanged a glance. An intense, almost palpable hostility solidified between them.

"Mirrorheart, if you don't like Seraphina, why did you choose her back then?"

"Because she's the most beautiful. I want you to have something good."

"..."

Loren wasn't sure what he should be feeling now, or if he should thank Mirrorheart.

He truly had little worldly desire. Everything so far had happened naturally, following its course. He had never actively sought these things out.

While Loren was talking with Mirrorheart, Seraphina had already left. She turned, picked up cleaning tools, and began tidying up, also waiting to wash the dishes after Loren finished eating.

Today, Loren was genuinely tired. After eating, he returned to his bedroom to sleep. Mirrorheart had also left long ago. The house was very quiet, with only the sound of Seraphina washing dishes remaining.

Most of the lights were off, leaving only one lamp in the kitchen and Seraphina's solitary figure.

She hummed a song softly, the tune quite cheerful, and her face regained its usual smile.

After finishing the housework, Seraphina returned to the maids' quarters. The other two weren't asleep yet. Corolla was studying with a book. Seraphina's perfection put a lot of pressure on her;

by comparison, she felt she wasn't worthy of being Loren's maid.

"I'm begging you, please stop grinding..."

As soon as Seraphina entered the dorm, she heard Flossie's pleading voice. Even she hadn't expected this, and her smile froze slightly on her face.

"Anyway, our master is so laid-back. Wouldn't it be nice if we all just slacked off together? We could just coast here, waiting to watch the fun. But you just have to grind, grinding so hard even the Head Maid has stopped working."

Flossie sat at the dressing table practicing her makeup, except her makeup was different from others—she directly painted her face white, then drew on it.

"Then I'll do your extra chores from now on..."

"Deal!"

Flossie agreed very quickly. To prevent Seraphina from changing her mind, she chose to lie on the bed and pretend to be asleep.