"So that's how it is."

Rayelle nodded, piecing together the situation.

Before her, the altar lay dim and lifeless. Chaos Cultists encircled it, faces tight with anxiety as they awaited her command.

Rayelle scanned the crowd below, sorting through the details.

"The Church forces will arrive soon... There’s a traitor within the Sect... Yet the Sacrifice Ritual must be completed. That’s the top priority."

Muttering to herself, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

"Eliminate the traitor. Complete the ritual... How utterly simple."

"D-D-Deacon..."

The Chaos Cultists watched, bewildered, as Rayelle descended the steps with a smile.

*What’s gotten into our Deacon?*

*The ritual was sabotaged—shouldn’t she be furious?*

*Why is she smiling?*

*Has she lost her mind from rage?*

"Don’t be angry, Deacon! We’ll gather the materials again and restart the ritual!"

"Yes! We’ve followed you this far—we’d do anything for you! Just give the order!"

Rayelle’s expression remained unchanged. She swept her gaze over them, a strange glint flickering deep in her eyes.

"*Anything*? Truly?"

Her question hung in the air. The cultists exchanged confused glances but nodded fervently.

"We’re your hands and feet! Whether it’s holding back the Church knights or slaughtering the entire city—we’ll do it!"

"I see. Good."

Rayelle nodded.

"But I won’t need you to fight the Church. Or slaughter the city."

The cultists froze, glancing at each other, utterly lost.

"Huh? Deacon... are you planning to flee?"

"...N-no! Impossible! This ritual is paramount! We *must* complete it!"

Rayelle tapped her lips thoughtfully, tilting her head.

"Paramount, you say?"

"Yes!"

"Then... would you contribute to the ritual yourselves?"

"Of course! It’s our duty!"

Watching their earnest faces, a faint smile touched Rayelle’s lips.

"Would you offer yourselves as sacrifices for it?"

"No problem!"

"Excellent. Summon every cultist here."

Her smile vanished. Face stern, she strode to the altar’s highest point.

Below, the cultists called out, gathering their scattered brethren from across the city.

Rayelle studied the ritual’s mechanics as she waited.

"Deacon! Everyone’s here!"

"Good. Ascend the altar. What I do next is crucial—it determines whether the ritual succeeds."

Her voice, soft yet honeyed, carried an uncanny pull. Unconsciously, the cultists climbed the steps, encircling her. A few hesitated, but peer pressure nudged them forward.

Once all stood assembled, Rayelle leapt to the altar’s apex and cleared her throat.

"You all know the Church is coming to destroy our ritual!"

"Now is the time to offer your flesh to the Chaos Sect! You know this sacrifice’s importance—we *will* complete it!"

She nodded sharply, activated the Sacrifice Ritual, and flipped backward off the altar.

Before most could react, the ritual’s magic engulfed them.

"AAAAAH!?"

"DEACON! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Trapped by the magic, some writhed on the ground, voices raw with betrayal. Others, swayed by Rayelle’s earlier words, surrendered quietly to the ritual’s pull. Resisters were instantly crushed by waves of arcane force.

"The traitor must be purged. The ritual must succeed. I won’t gamble on fighting the Church. So... sacrifice yourselves for me."

Rayelle watched their agonized forms fade, her smile glowing crimson under the altar’s light—chilling, unnatural. A cold dread seeped into the bones of those who saw it.

Ritual complete. Traitor eliminated.

Rayelle cleared the trial.

---

Outside, Seth stood frozen.

His mind reeled.

*How did she skip the entire process and jump straight to the ending!?*

*Where’s the struggle?*

*She just... cleared it?*

*And this Aelora—she’d sacrifice her own allies!?*

A shiver ran down Seth’s spine. He suddenly felt very reluctant to recruit Aelora. What if she decided *he* was ritual material next?

Chaos Cultists were ruthless, yes—but they valued comrades.

This Aelora? She’d burn her own team to ash for her goals.

"...There’s *this* way to clear it?"

Gwen’s amused chuckle cut through Seth’s thoughts. She shot him a teasing glance.

"Who was it that swore there was *only one* way to pass?"

"T-this... what kind of broken solution is this?!"

Gwen stifled laughter at Seth’s flustered outrage but turned serious.

"Still... her speed is insane. Cleared in under ten minutes. A speedrun legend. Others take *hours*."

(Though time flowed faster within the Domain—mere minutes passed outside.)

"Hmm..."

Seth frowned. She’d passed, but he still didn’t want her in the Sect.

"This Aelora... she’ll do."

The High Priest’s voice silenced Seth’s doubts.

"Your trial tested wisdom, strength, and ruthlessness. She has ruthlessness. Ruthlessness. And more ruthlessness. Utterly amoral. Single-minded. Though I’d have liked to see her slaughter a city or battle the Church... her cold-blooded disposal of loyal followers proves she’s perfect for us."

"Exactly! The High Priest is absolutely right!"

Gwen nodded vigorously, practically vibrating with agreement.

Seth shot her a glare, jaw tightening.

*All ruthlessness, no strength or wisdom?*

...Though her power and cunning *were* evident. It seemed memory loss had stripped away everything but her cruelty.

*Was she suppressing this darkness all along?*

*Sacrificing those who trusted her most... She’s more terrifying than I am.*

*Compared to her, I’m practically a law-abiding citizen.*

*You’re the real cultist here, Aelora!*

Seth braced for future headaches. But with the High Priest and Gwen in agreement, he had no choice.

"Fine. She passes. Next candidate."

He hastily switched Rayelle’s feed off-screen.

He couldn’t stomach watching that pink-haired "loli" any longer. In half an hour, she’d shattered his worldview twice.

"This one looks promising."

Seth pulled up Aerin’s feed, nodding.

*This black-haired girl seems sensible. Please, no more surprises.*