"You needn't worry about that. I'll find a way to get you what you need."

"Good. Then, Your Highness, I'll take my leave. Once I have what you're looking for, I'll contact you."

With that, the female cultist's form melted into the shadows and vanished. Having overheard their exchange, Morningstar was now nearly certain—the girl was the very princess who had been executed.

She must have tried to strike a deal with the cult, only to be discovered by the Queen's agents and sentenced to death… yet somehow, the princess had been saved.

"Looks like we're getting a new travel companion," Morningstar murmured.

"Hmm? What was that, Freya?" Leticia had caught the whisper.

"Nothing~" Morningstar smiled faintly, gaze lingering on Leticia's retreating back. A decision had quietly settled in her heart.

Night was falling. Morningstar and the others decided to rest in the city and resume their journey at dawn.

Later that evening, as Leticia prepared for bed, her room door swung open.

"Freya? Is something wrong?" Seeing it was Morningstar, Leticia showed no alarm. She warmly poured a glass of water from the table and offered it. "Don't stand there—sit down if you need to talk."

Assuming Freya had urgent business, Leticia met her kindness with openness. Morningstar said nothing. Instead, she raised her palm and extended three slender fingers.

"Huh? What's this? A new manicure?" Leticia leaned in curiously, thinking Freya was showing off her nails.

"Leticia, this is a blessing. You'll understand soon."

Thick black ooze seeped slowly across Morningstar's pale fingertips. Leticia frowned, still unaware of what was coming.

In an instant, the viscous tendrils engulfed her fingers—then shot forward, lashing toward Leticia.

"Ah!? Wha—?!"

Caught completely off guard, Leticia had no time to dodge. Mid-scream, her mouth was sealed shut.

One tendril forced its way into her mouth; the other two slithered deep into her ears.

Her body snapped rigid. The teacup slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor, tea splashing across the tiles.

"Leticia, you're fortunate. I favor you. You won't become my Guardian, but a dark servant suits you well. I saved your life—without me, you and your knights would've fallen to dark mages. So… no regrets in serving me, right?"

"Mmmph! Mmm!"

Trapped and voiceless, Leticia's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

Shock flooded her mind. Sensing the chilling darkness radiating from the tendrils, she realized with horror—the person she trusted… was part of the cult!!

But there was no time to process it. The tendrils wormed deeper into her skull, reaching her brain in seconds.

"Oooohhhhh!"

A choked groan escaped her throat. Her eyes rolled back, whites showing. Her body convulsed violently, as if electrified.

"Relax, Leticia. You're not Freya—I won't toy with you. This ends quickly. The pain fades. Eternal life. Boundless power. Joy beyond mortal limits… This is my gift. My compensation."

Morningstar hadn't consumed Freya's body directly—doing so would leave a new form saturated with dark corruption. For someone like Selina, born of shadow, it wouldn't matter. But Leticia? The kingdom neighboring the Second-generation Witch had countless ways to detect evil. Even Selina couldn't walk freely into the capital.

So Morningstar chose subtlety: corrupt the mind, twist the soul, keep the body human. From Selina's memories, she knew the Ice Queen's strength. To ensure victory, she needed loyal pawns. Leticia was perfect. Tonight was the night.

"Mmm!"

Leticia's trembling ceased. Her twisted features softened. Pain melted into bliss. Ecstasy painted her face.

"Feels good, doesn't it? Your soul is mine now. A flick of my finger… and I can flood you with spiritual rapture beyond flesh."

Morningstar twitched her fingers.

Leticia jolted—body writhing again, face contorted not in agony, but in euphoric spasms.

"See? Serving me… is pure joy."

No words came, but the bloodshot, frenzied gleam in Leticia's eyes spoke volumes.

It was swift. For a Dark Witch, corrupting an ordinary knight was effortless.

Only a being like the Ice Queen could resist such direct soul-binding.

(And Morningstar would never use such a crude method on *her*.)

Withdrawing the tendrils, Morningstar watched as Leticia knelt weakly.

"Thank you, Master… for granting me purpose. This feeling… is divine." Her voice trembled with devotion.

No resentment remained. Only gratitude. Liberation from hollow humanity. A true calling: to serve.

"Good. Stay close. Keep playing 'Leticia.' When all is done… I'll consume you. Make you a true child of darkness."

"Yes, Master. Endless thanks."

"Still 'Master'? Remember—you *are* Leticia now. Not my servant."

"Mm. Understood… Freya."

Leticia rose. Reverence vanished. Her expression shifted seamlessly back to cheerful familiarity.

"Freya, you're here~ Come on, sit down!"

Her memories remained intact. Her performance flawless.

"No need. I have other matters."

Morningstar waved lightly. She had another appointment—the kingdom's princess.

She needed the princess's memories. Without today's encounter… Leticia's corruption would've waited.