72 Chapter 71 (1/2)

Being awake wasn't all that different from being asleep. I replaced the sores and cuts with a throbbing headache, but my body was no more able to move now as it could while in the dream. I had no doubt in my mind that the dream was true. Jenai had been murdered, and Min was now in Denova's hands. I couldn't do anything about it, and it was all because Sylvia wanted to punish me for some idiotic reason. She had already gotten her vengeance, so I didn't understand why she felt the need to drag this out, but her behavior had gotten someone I cared about killed, and so one more name filled up my list of people to kill.

I equipped Solo Player immediately so that I could keep a clear mind. Even with that, tears ran down my cheeks, but that seemed to be the only thing that worked on my body. I was frozen in place. Damn it! Jenai, why wasn't I able to save her? I had been right there, and all I could do was watch. Now, Min was in trouble too. Damn it! Damn it! Fuck! The expletive continued through my mind as my eyes danced wildly around, trying to make sense of the situation. What had that bitch Sylvia done to me?

The door opened up with a squeak, and several people walked in. I didn't recognize most of them, but Julian in his trademark cloak was undeniable. So, he was the one who was behind this then? Gregory was always by his side, and low and behold, standing right behind him was Sylvia, staring down at my body. I would have leaped off the table and clawed her eyes out that very second.

{Mental Resistance has increased to level 17.}

With Solo Player and 17 mental resistance, I only experience the mental blow of about 15% of a normal human being. You could say that my compacity to think and deal with mental duress was superhuman. However, as my mind screamed and cursed, anger and pain racking through my body, it didn't seem very sufficient. Had it been the old me, I'd have been a blubbering mess. I didn't know if this was better.

”So, you have secured the sacrifice as you've promised,” Julian said, putting his hand down on my leg.

I only could move my head, but I was quickly realizing it seemed to be encased in some kind of strange transparent film. I could feel him touching my leg, but I couldn't move my leg at all.

”Hey! Julian, you won't get away with this, you bastard!” I shouted.

The sound seemed to vibrate in my ears, but Julian made no indication that he heard me. A second later, he walked up, examining my body until he came up to my face.

”You've already put on the Mask of Drephora?” he asked, looking up at a nearby guard, who gave a shrug.

It was Sylvia who stepped up. ”Ah, I thought, given what happened last time, it'd be better if no one saw her struggling. The less the nobles know of her identity, the better.”

Julian twisted his mouth, ”It seems unlikely that someone else like Princess Cornelia would try to free this person. I still don't know if I should be proud of her or hateful. She put on quite the show, but she proved too much for me to handle.”

”So, you admit it, brother? Our sister was a wild stallion.” Gregory almost seemed fond.

”Sister no longer, after that stunt you pulled, Sylvia, father is dead set against the wedding.” Julian sighed. ”To think, she would have been driven to do that. If only she could have remained conspicuous, she would have been one of the greats.”

”D-don't forget!” Sylvia was red-faced and looked angry, ”We have a deal!”

”Yes, yes, I haven't.” Julian waved his hand, ”You replace the sacrifice with someone who meets our requirements, and I'll recommend to father you for betrothal to third brother. She does meet the requirements, yes?”

”O-o-of course!” Sylvia straightened.

”Where did you find a tier 1 female commoner with more than eight special skills? That girl Cornelia snatched from me had taken three months to find. She was being primped by a fat, desperate noble to be his bride when she turned sixteen. He had spent half his wealth buying orbs of Raimer to spend on her. He thought he could make a ten-year-old girl fall in love with him. Of course, I compensated him accordingly, but…”

”That's my secret,” Sylvia held her finger up to her mouth. ”Simply count your blessings.”

The reality of the situation was starting to set in. Julian hadn't been involved in this situation. He was simply trying to perform his own sacrifice and had trusted in the wrong woman. I likely met the requirements of the sacrifice only, incidentally. She probably wouldn't have cared if I did or not.

”Then there is no problem,” Julian clapped his hands, ”With my recommendation, third brother is yours, and Cornelia will be ejected from the castle sooner or later, so you have no worries.”

”Good!” Sylvia nodded. ”So, what do we do next? They'll **** her, right?”

”Please, please, don't use such ugly words,” Julian gestured, and the other men who had come moved all around me. ”The sacrifice is merely put through three sexual trials.”

”A-and, she's aware of it? Like, that helmet thing doesn't keep her asleep or something, right?”

Julian laughed. ”Ah, no, she's very much awake. The thing you call a helmet is the Mask of Drephora. It was passed down in our country for a thousand years. Since it looks something like an iron brank, many people believed it was used on criminals. However, even though the mask blocks her face, she can see out of it. It prevents her from moving, blocks all sound, and locks any movement skills like teleportation.

”In the first few years, we didn't use it, but the women would put up such a fuss that we realized it was necessary to completely immobilize them. If they were screaming and crying, even some of the hardened nobles may find it difficult to complete the ceremony.”

”Is that so…” Sylvia was starting to look green in the face, but after a moment her look hardened and she gave me a glare.

Meanwhile, Julian had moved up to the mask, looking down at my face, although there was no sense of recognition there. After a few seconds, he knocked on the transparent surface, creating three metallic knocks to ring in my ears. It was clear that on the outside this thing looked like a helmet or something that engulfed my entire head.

”Hello, my sweet. I'm sorry you were brought here on such short notice, but feel blessed, for you will be the center of our party. Nobles everywhere have all come to see you. For tonight, my dear, you are the most special person. I hope the gods see it as we have seen it.”

Julian pulled away and snapped. The men started pushing the table I was on. It seemed to be a table that was a mix between a doctor's examination table and a massage bench. On top of not being able to move, I was also elevated about 30 degrees, my legs were in two stirrups, tied to two leg holders which could be used to spread me open at any moment. I was completely naked, of course, with nothing covering me from a slight chill. In another situation, it might be a bed I'd like to try to fuck on, but right now, I only felt confused and scared.

”What is it, Gregory?” Julian asked, pulling out and putting on the mask I had seen him wear at the last meeting.

”Ah… it's just, does that body seem familiar to you?” Gregory had a worried look on his face as they rolled me out.

”Yes! Recognize me! I'm not your sacrifice! Sylvia is a lying skank!” I shouted, but no one heard.

”Has my second brother been fucking more girls at the brothel?” Julian pursed his lips.

”Brother, surely you jest.” Gregory frowned.

”Ah, well, no worries, so many bodies start to look alike after a while. There are only so many shapes and sizes in this world.” Julian dismissed his claim.

Gregory dropped the issue, even while I was screaming at him not to, and then he put his mask on, following the crowd. While I was busy screaming at him, I felt two hands touch my naked shoulders, and I gave a start as I saw the familiar masked face move right up near my ear. Sylvia whispered in a voice low enough that no one but me could hear.

”You did this to yourself!” She hissed, before pulling away.

We had moved out into a giant and familiar room. If it wasn't the mansion I had been in before, it was exactly like it, with a center fountain and the statue of Qetesh. It was the statue of the Qetesh that I was stopped at. The orgy tonight was even busier than the night I came. Where there might have been 250 people then, it looked to be at least twice that from this room alone.