8-17: The Ritual I

Veronica had naught to do but read. It really was all she could do as she felt her strength slowly fade from her body.

"I do wish the reincarnated villainess stayed villainous... It could make for a more interesting story." Veronica muttered to herself before coughing.

Lilith floated on into the room, wanting to give Veronica a choice.

"The girls have convinced me to give you an offer." She said, sitting nearby.

"An offer? What for?"

"A form of... cure for the curse."

"I thought you said it couldn't be broken?"

"Not traditionally. You see, it only affects humans. I have a way that can turn you into a Hakano. A pure blooded Hakano."

"Huh. And what aren't you telling me?"

"The transformation process can painfully kill you, assuming it works in the first place."

"So? It's either die, or have a chance to live. There's more, isn't there?"

"Yes. You'll also outlive almost everyone."

"There's the catch. Can you give me a while to think about it?"

"Of course, my dear. It's not an easy choice."

Lilith got up and silently left the room, giving Veronica some needed space. It was a hard choice for Veronica. On one hand, she can live, stay with the girls for longer, and kill the false Goddess, but in the other hand, she'll outlive most of them.

Occasionally, the girls came in to check on Veronica, one by one. Cassidy just simply stayed, and gave comfort. Eleanora read off the massive pile of marriage offers Veronica had recieved after becoming a noble, which were all quite funny.

Aviris was cutely awkward, as she wasn't exactly able to tell what she should do, so she silently served tea. Seraph offered some kind words of encouragement and gifted a special ornament.

"There's nothing special about it, aside from sentimental value. Though, I always felt like it gave me some extra luck." She said, gently placing it Veronica's hand.

Sable told stories of her times in the east, how her training was both calm yet the most challenging thing she's faced in her life. Kazue came by with the kids, who were all worried for their mother. Though, they left with a small smile as Veronica made sure to make sure they were happy.

And finally, Sirtia, who came by with a book and the cutest stuffed animal. She was almost like a child in her tastes.

The stuffed animal was an adorable interpretation of a dragon, with big beady eyes and a soft felt. It must've been expensive.

"Where did you get this?"

"I-I got it a while ago, just something I bought on a whim." She answered, turning her face away.

Veronica giggled as she held the stuffed animal close and patted Sirtia on the head.

The book was similar to one of Veronica's stories, that being of a Knight and princess falling in love with each other. The catch was that the princess was a reincarnator and the knight was a non-human woman.

The first few chapters were quite the interesting read. Though, as time was coming close, Veronica had to make a choice. To die here, or take the plunge and live for potentially eternity.

Almost sensing that Veronica may have chosen her outcome, Lilith came by, sat down, and looked at her directly I'm the eyes.

"Kazue took Eleanora and Tisha into her domain. Quicker and safer child birth, she said." Lilith started.

"I see. Are you telling me to hurry up and make a choice."

"No. Because I belive you already made one."

Veronica nodded her head and took a deep breath.

"Yeah. I'll take your offer. Turn me into a Hakano."

"I see. Before I set everything up, I want you to know, you won't be the same. Not just physically, but also a possibility you will be an entirely different person mentally. Is that a risk you are also willing to take?"

"I don't have much choice. Die, or maybe die with a chance of an altered mental state. The way I see it... one is more preferable than the other."

"Very well. I'll alert everyone else and have everything set up. Be warned, I will have to take your virginity."

"Ha... fine. Not like I was really trying to save that." Veronica said with a weak smile as she looked out the window.

Becoming a pure blooded Hakano. Was she crazy? Perhaps. But she sincerely hoped she could spend at least a little more time woth everyone.