The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch-Chapter 82 - Whispers of "Instigator" Ciel (3/3)

Influencing a third-tier transcendent like this might make them listen to what she said, but when it came to taking action, if the action violated their own principles, they would likely snap out of the “instigated” state.

To successfully instigate a third-tier to act on her behalf, she needed to be extremely careful, “instigating” them over years, gradually instilling ideas they resisted, until their bottom line was compressed enough to allow them to act for her.

But obviously, Ciel’s encounter with the “Radiance Bishop” would be a sudden confrontation, offering no such opportunity for prolonged verbal sparring.

It seemed extreme measures were necessary... like the sacrifice she had envisioned earlier.

Previously, Ciel had some reservations.

Such a large-scale sacrifice would surely consume a significant amount of Ciel’s blood, possibly even requiring the sacrifice of her flesh if blood wasn’t enough.

The former Ciel definitely couldn’t withstand that.

But the current Ciel possessed the exclusive sealed artifact, 【Echo of the Silver-White Timebinder】.

She could simply activate the watch at the start of the sacrifice. When her blood was drained and her flesh nearly sacrificed to the point of death, her individual time would rewind, returning her to her peak state.

In that case... even sacrificing her entire self wouldn’t matter at all.

However, Ciel needed to test this idea in the simulation. Even if Nia refused, Ciel could find Uris and have her accompany her to Deton Manor.

She just didn’t know if, having become an “Instigator,” she could still gain Uris’s trust.

It was conceivable that even if trusted, Uris wouldn’t treat her as a Saintess and help her as wholeheartedly as in previous simulations.

Nia held Ciel before her, her mind in turmoil.

Honestly, she wouldn’t believe a single word from an “Instigator,” even Ciel.

But this Ciel held a special place in Lady Avena’s heart.

If she said something misleading to Lady Avena... it might change the Lady’s mind.

If Nia wanted anything right now.

She most wanted to snap the neck of the beautiful girl before her, who constantly wore that leisurely smile, find some deserted mountain, bury her, and ensure the Lady would never be influenced by her again.

But... she couldn’t hide it from the Lady.

Even if the Lady wasn’t on the “Detective” path, she possessed keen insight and deductive reasoning, practically a natural-born “Detective.”

Even if she couldn’t deduce that Ciel was killed by her, if she brought in senior “Detectives” from the family, they would eventually trace it back to Nia.

At that point, she would lose the Lady’s trust.

So, even though Nia loathed the Ciel before her intensely, she was powerless against her.

All she could do was, after the Lady woke up, remind her that Ciel had drunk the “Instigator” potion, advise the Lady to periodically activate the “Sacrificial Saint’s Relic” to clear any negative mental states.

Did she approach the Lady just to drink the “Instigator” potion when the Lady trusted her most?

Thinking back, the Lady had indeed been instigated by her into doing quite a few things... Even Nia hadn’t noticed that Ciel had actually been completing her Reconstitution Ritual all along.

What an insidious person!

What! Does she truly want!

“I can feel your anger, Nia. You shouldn’t be angry.” Ciel shook her head. “I just want to eliminate the cultists here and return to the peaceful life I desire.”

“As long as you help me eliminate them, I can promise you, I will never set foot in this estate again.”

Ciel’s tone shifted, becoming lower, tinged with a hint of melancholy. “I was originally just an outstanding student at Berren Private High School, a poor student living dependently with my sister... Just as I was about to graduate and life was looking up, I was targeted by an ‘Instigator,’ becoming the target of his Reconstitution Ritual... you know all this.”

“Fortunately, an intelligence organization saved me. They gave me information, helped me overcome the difficulties... Now, just get past this final hurdle, and my sister and I can return to our peaceful life... I should never have been involved in any of this.”

“We share a common interest, don’t we?”

“If you help me... this will all be over before Avena wakes up.”

“My intelligence network and I can guarantee that before the 22nd, Avena and Adele will face no danger.”

“Are you... willing to help me?”

Within the depths of Ciel’s pupils, an eerie pink light swirled.

Reflected in Ciel’s black irises, several pink tentacles burst forth, writhing wildly within her pupils.

“I...” Nia slowly released her grip, taking a deep breath.

“I will return to the Lady’s room to set up a ritual.” Nia turned to leave. Reaching the kitchen doorway, she looked back towards Ciel, the metallic buzzing sounding from within her armor.

“If your purpose is to eliminate the cultists, then I will help you.”

“But the moment I discover things aren’t proceeding as I expect, I will kill you immediately... Those cultist marks cannot affect me.”

“You had better honor your promise, Miss Ciel.”

With that, Nia turned and left.

Ciel, remaining where she stood, curved her lips into a faint smile and murmured softly:

“Of course...”

“Every word I speak is true.”

The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on freёnovelkiss.com.