Tiyi followed the two witches into the grand cathedral. From the ground floor, the sheer scale of the hall felt even more overwhelming.

Witches who had completed their rituals dispersed—some leaving, others attending to their own affairs within the cathedral. Many had already begun practicing magic or honing combat skills in the distance.

"Who is she?"

"So beautiful..." In the dimly lit cathedral, small clusters of witches lingered by stone pillars, their gazes fixed on Tiyi.

Though most witches here were young and lovely, Tiyi’s presence still drew waves of admiring stares.

"..." Unaccustomed to being scrutinized by women—and now, as a woman herself—Tiyi grew uneasy. She lowered her head, arms instinctively crossing over her chest like a self-conscious girl newly aware of her budding figure, treating her own curves as something shameful.

But girls develop gradually. For Tiyi, suddenly possessing such pronounced curves—and exposed to these stares—the humiliation was almost unbearable. Even a born woman might struggle to endure it.

Tiyi trailed after them, stiff and reluctant, until they reached the foot of the cathedral’s altar.

"Dilovei-sama, this is Alandiye—the one you sent us to rescue," reported the golden-haired witch to the silver-haired figure standing by the altar.

Dilovei’s gaze settled on Tiyi. Her porcelain face was exquisitely beautiful yet utterly expressionless, like a doll frozen in time. But those unnaturally still, crystalline blue eyes held a quiet depth that stirred something in the onlooker.

"Are you injured? What happened to the demon that attacked you?" The question might dredge up painful memories, yet Dilovei’s voice remained calm, almost detached.

"No…" Tiyi’s fingers tightened around her own arms. "I don’t know."

*How could she admit it was the Succubus Queen—the so-called handmaiden of the Goddess of Night?*

"Miss Tiyi, did the creature inflict deep harm? Do you require healing… or other special assistance?" Dilovei stepped closer, studying Tiyi intently. Her breath hitched slightly, as if Tiyi’s very aura radiated the sorrow of a victim—though undeniably, she remained breathtakingly beautiful.

"Dilovei-sama…" The golden-haired witch winced. Probing a traumatized girl publicly was cruel. The brown-haired witch turned away, empathetic.

"N-no… I’m fine." Tiyi flushed, averting her eyes. Her arms locked tighter across her chest. She could almost feel Dilovei’s gaze tracing an hourglass figure down her body.

Her knees pressed together inwardly—a reflexive, feminine gesture meant to hide her form, yet only emphasizing it.

*She couldn’t speak of the Succubus. Not if her plan was to succeed.*

After a long pause, Dilovei spoke. "If you’re unharmed, consider yourself fortunate. Lately, demons have been attacking girls nearby. Though we’ve mostly purged the Deep Dungeons."

"And remember," the golden-haired witch added quickly, "the Deep Dungeons are forbidden now. Absolutely off-limits."

Tiyi gave a noncommittal nod.

"Well then, Miss Alandiye," Dilovei extended a small hand clad in white silk gloves. "Welcome to the Witches’ Sanctuary."

"Thank you." Tiyi reached out, then hesitated. Dilovei had offered her *hand back* upward.

*Was this… the gallant custom between gentlemen and ladies?*

A flicker of old pride stirred in Tiyi’s chest.

Like a knight of old, she dropped to one knee. Gently cradling Dilovei’s gloved hand, she brushed a symbolic kiss above the knuckles—careful not to touch the silk. *Ascetic Holy Temple Knights never made skin contact.*

Yet her lips tingled anyway. *Surely just nerves.*

As Tiyi rose, Dilovei caught her left hand. At barely chest-height to Tiyi, the petite witch bent gracefully and pressed a soft kiss to Tiyi’s bare knuckles.

"Ah!?" Tiyi snatched her hand back. A cool, damp imprint lingered on her skin. For a knight sworn to celibacy, the shock was visceral.

*So this… is a girl’s lips? Especially one like her—porcelain and perfect…*

Technically, no vow was broken. But the thought of her *own* lips—soft female lips touching—felt like a betrayal of her male soul. Her expression dimmed; fingers twisted the fabric of her sleeve into tight creases.

"Oh…" Dilovei’s lips parted slightly, surprised by the raw emotion flashing across Tiyi’s face.

"Dilovei-sama!" The golden-haired witch intervened smoothly. "What arrangements shall we make for Miss Tiyi? She’s likely sensitive to touch after the attack."

Dilovei studied Tiyi’s flushed cheeks again, inhaling the subtle, captivating fragrance that seemed to drown out all others in the room. *Some women simply radiate allure.*

*This scent… is the Succubus’s deeper vengeance.*

"Miss Tiyi," Dilovei began, reining in her breathing. "What are your skills? Magic? Swordsmanship?" Her tone turned practical. "All able-bodied witches under our protection train to defend this sanctuary. Shelter comes with duty."

"If you’d rather not speak of your past," she added gently, "simply tell me your strengths. Or interests. Here, we do not pry."

*Too many witches carried scars they refused to name.*

"Um… skilled?" Tiyi’s eyes flickered. *So trainees here are groomed for selection… perfect. I need only prove myself worthy of that list.*

*What can this body still do?*

"Swordsmanship. A little," she admitted, lacking confidence. She’d never tested it as a woman.

"Hmm." Dilovei nodded slowly, her tone betraying silent doubt. *Could someone with such curves truly wield a blade?* "We’ll test your foundation. Now, if you’re ready?"

"Yes." Tiyi nodded. She needed to know her limits too.

"Yoleya, Chenna—escort her to the training grounds. Her safety comes first." Dilovei’s slender finger gestured toward a distant corner of the cathedral.

"Understood, Dilovei-sama." Golden-haired Yoleya and brown-haired Chenna bowed in unison.