Chapter 25: Fighting Demons by Becoming One
“The temporal flow around the Golden Holy Tree is different from the outside; time here moves much slower than out there,” Bilodis said gently, as if reading Tillysha’s thoughts.
Hearing these words, Tillysha speculated that maybe she intended to let her go. But she dismissed this idea almost immediately. This overly voluptuous older woman was unfathomable, full of false truths and real falsehoods; no one could tell what was going through her mind.
In the courtyard, an unnamed wind blew as two gorgeously radiant golden-haired girls sat on slightly damp藤 chairs. Their onyx gemstone cups of tea steamed with white fumes. The fresh morning air carried a hint of dew, making the mist rising from the tea more inviting and cozy.
Sipping tea alongside such a voluptuous beauty with curvaceous charms should indeed be a blessed experience, but Tillysha had a face that looked as if someone owed her five thousand gold coins and hadn’t paid up yet.
Who knew if this wasn’t the result of living too long and becoming too crafty? The elegant and graceful golden-haired beauty offering her tea was no doubt a “white-on-the-outside-black-on-the-inside” person, except for her skin.
“…This tea is so bitter,” Tillysha said as she put down her tea cup, licking her lustrous lips with a somewhat disdainful expression. “You guys don’t use the sap of the Holy Tree to brew tea, do you?”
“Savoring tea is an art; it’s not about the tea itself but the surrounding environment, the views, and nostalgic emotions,” Bilodis said while taking a delicate sip of tea with a smile on her lips. “Once you do, you’ll discover that this bitter tea leaves a refreshing and heartwarming aftertaste.”
“Does it?” Tillysha glanced around the garden; drinking tea here, watching the rare magical creatures darting through the woods, was indeed an enjoyment worth having. But right now, she had no leisure time for such appreciation. She played with her hair, a shadow of worry crossing her eyes.
Looking at this unfamiliar garden and palace, she was constantly struck by a sense of déjà vu. She felt as though, at some other time, she might have been just as carefree, sitting on the central garden chair, drinking tea, appreciating the scenery, enjoying the calm without any disturbance.
Seeing the puzzlement flicker in Tillysha’s eyes, Bilodis smiled. Leaning forward, she propped her chin.
She’d never thought she’d have this opportunity again—to sit in the garden with her beloved sister to chat idly while having tea, just like the distant past.
“Hmm?” Thinking deeply, Tillysha suddenly felt someone gently playing with her hair. She turned her head with a mix of surprise and awkwardness, meeting Bilodis’ affectionate gaze—her eyes calm as a serene green lake.
“Big sis… Miss Bilodis, are you not a hair enthusiast? Why do you always seem to love playing with others’ hair?” Tillysha stopped herself mid-sentence. Her chin slightly tilted, she teased with a somewhat sarcastic tone. Seriously, this morning, thanks to that magical纹stone incident, she’d been forced to call Bilodis “sister,” not once but twice, making it quite a habit.
“Hmm~ That’s correct, isn’t it? Being a hair enthusiast, isn’t that quite normal?” responded Bilodis with a barely-perceptible hint of pleasure at Tillysha’s slippage in calling her “sister.”
“Why don’t you play with your own hair then?” Tillysha glanced at her own hair, then at Bilodis’, which looked pretty similar.
“Not the same,” Bilodis said with a smile, “I like hair because of little Sha. In fact, my love of hair is because of you, implying if it’s you, I could be into anything related to you.” Her winks were teasing yet flirtatious.
Pfff. Despite being an older woman, how could she still be so into acting cute and youthful?
“Ara, Miss Bilodis, do you think this is appropriate to say to your own dear sister?” With a good night’s sleep and recovered spirit, Tillysha grinned teasingly. “Calling you a yandere sister isn’t wrong, is it?”
“Ah, I see.” The next moment, Tillysha felt a waft of fragrance as Bilodis was suddenly close, her breathtaking beauty right before her eyes.
It was unclear whether it was Bilodis’ body or hair fragrance, but the scent of lavender enveloped her, making her feel as if she were standing in a sea of purple lavender flowers, petals swirling and dancing before her eyes.
Leaning forward, her large and white bosom slightly swayed, the fragrances carried by the wind were like honey, hard to discern whether from the nearby shrubs or elsewhere.
Before Tillysha could act, Bilodis’ delicate hand lifted her chin, aligning her gaze with Bilodis’ emerald-green heart lake.
“Little Sha, does this mean you’re waiting and hinting for me to become the kind of yandere sister you think of?” Bilodis smiled seductively, even a blush forming on her face. It was hard to imagine such a smile on the face of the pure and saintly Elf Empress. However, this unexpected charm created a visual appeal of ‘unexpected cuteness’, adding an unusual charm to her.
“If Little Sha is willing, then I can be anytime. In fact, that would be just wonderful~”
“Uh, you…” Tillysha was completely caught off-guard. She had only meant to tease Bilodis a bit and regain her lost ground, but didn’t expect Bilodis to turn the trick around and attack directly, leaving Tillysha somewhat stuck.
Since she’s the one who started it, surely she couldn’t back out halfway, right?
“Then in that case, I can ‘devour’ little Sha now~”
“Miss Bilodis, be serious.”
“I’m completely serious and clear-minded, and isn’t this something Little Sha desires?”
Watching Bilodis’ figure getting closer and closer, Tillysha began to feel that things were getting out of control.
Why doesn’t she play by the script? She should have snapped back, not directly gotten physical!
“Then big sister, I won’t hold back either.”
“What won’t you hold back, hmm?” Tillysha attempted to shake off Bilodis’ hand, but her strength felt inadequate to achieve it.
After all, this was the territory of the Golden Holy Tree, Bilodis’ domain. Tillysha was a visitor whose power was nearly stripped bare.
Tillysha hadn’t expected such an outcome, but reflecting for a moment, seemed to realize now Bilodis could do whatever she wanted to her.
Not only was she unable to resist, it seemed she’d even be forced to put on a smile and pretend to enjoy it.
“Alright, I didn’t say that—let go!” Tillysha quickly said. When Bilodis loosened her grip, Tillysha pulled her hand back.
Glancing at Bilodis, now casually seated and sipping tea again, Tillysha felt she had been outmaneuvered.
Of course, Bilodis would have anticipated her pulling back!
Tch…
Tillysha felt irked, and even though she couldn’t express it directly, she kept giving Bilodis sulky side-eye glances.
“What’s wrong, Little Sha? Is your tea finished? Would you like some more?” Bilodis tilted her head, pretending not to notice.
“Oh, and if you take more tea, you must finish it.”
“No thank you.” Tillysha shook her head.
“Alright.”
A while passed. Tillysha kept glaring at Bilodis with faint resentment, while Bilodis seemed completely oblivious to her sister’s glares. She continued savoring her tea quietly.
“Little Sha, please wait here for a bit.” With that, Bilodis stood up. The click of her open-toed heels echoed lightly against the stone floor as the elegant golden-haired woman left with graceful tall steps.
Tillysha glanced at Bilodis’ direction and, looking down, noticed her own reflection in the tea water. “What a wicked person,” she whispered petulantly.
“My hair is all messed up.” Tillysha complained, beginning to comb her hair with her fingers. She usually disliked others touching her hair—not because of anything, just her preference.
And yet, within three days, Bilodis had played with her hair no less than five times, which Tillysha found utterly excessive.
Tillysha drank some tea, her lips slightly puckering from the bitterness of the spring water mixed with tea leaves.
Even during normal meals, she might have accepted that, but having to sip such bitter tea during this leisurely afternoon tea time—how could she call that living?!
But she couldn’t help it. Not eating or drinking was too god-like for her. She wasn’t ready for asceticism—she still needed to drink something to appear human at least.
With hands holding her bitter tea cup, her big eyes peered over the rim of the cup, catching sight of the tea cup Bilodis had left on the table.
Tillysha sneakily put her cup down and looked around, confirming no one was nearby.
Now where did that bovine demon go? She should’ve returned by now, right?
Is she in the bathroom or something?
Even celestial beings need to relieve themselves, it seems.
Tillysha tapped her nails rhythmically on the table, her eyes occasionally darting towards Bilodis’ tea cup. A rather malicious idea began forming in her mind.
No no, that’s too immoral. She wasn’t the type to secretly sabotage others.
Tillysha shifted her gaze elsewhere, pretending to look elsewhere, though her earlier steady tapping was now slightly chaotic.
This was too underhanded, but…
How annoying.
Tillysha poked at her cup with a pout, acting uncharacteristically like a child throwing a tantrum.
It had been like this since yesterday. She’d been teased, manipulated, and had her weaknesses exposed by this wicked cow-woman, Bilodis, who knew everything about her, including her thoughts.
Tillysha didn’t like this feeling.
Through all her years, she’d only been the one teasing and luring others, then walking away clean. When had she ever endured this kind of treatment?
The more she endured, the angrier she got. The more she stepped back, the more she felt she’d lost something. Tillysha felt the demon within her awaken, and she too was becoming a demon.
Yes, it was correct. A moral person could not conquer a villain. To deal with a demon, she had to become one.
There could be no talk of morality when dealing with demons. One had to be craftier, more cunning!
Imagine this: this usually calm and graceful divine person, suddenly having her demeanor completely altered, getting so angry she acted completely out of character.
Thinking of such scenes, Tillysha got so excited she almost snapped the edge of her chair.
She looked around once more, ensuring Bilodis wasn’t back yet, and Tillysha pulled out a vial from her bosom.
“Oops~ looks like this slipped from my hands, plunk.” Tillysha deftly uncapped the vial with one hand, leaned her arm on her headrest, donning an innocent expression, and poured its contents into Bilodis’ cup.
“Oh no!” After emptying it, she even shook the vial to ensure every last drop of the liquid went in, then quickly covered her mouth in mock surprise.
“What a mishap… guess there’s nothing to be done about it.” Confirming not a drop remained on the table, Tillysha gleefully stashed away her crime tool.
It wasn’t something drastically harmful—just a simple anti-fatigue potion. However, due to the differences in races, this potion had adverse effects on elves, hence why it had been sitting unused in her stash.
Speaking of side effects, one of its primary ingredients was a herb called “Rorin Grass.” This herb not only countered fatigue but also accelerated metabolic rates, especially noticeable in elves.
Put simply—it induced frequent urination.
Tillysha carried the refined smile of Bilodis, looking every bit a poised lady, though her insides brewed with mischievous intent.
She was already planning how to make Bilodis look foolish next.
She would teach Bilodis a lesson: every action has consequences. No matter how powerful one is, sooner or later, debts must be settled.
“I’m back, Little Sha.”
“Mm hmm.” Tillysha replied with a smile, casually sipping tea.
“Hm? Why do you seem so cheerful suddenly?” This reaction took Bilodis by surprise, as her sister had been scowling at her the entire time.
“You must not have done something bad behind my back, Little Sha?” Laughing, Bilodis sat back to her seat.
“Of course not, do you think I’m like you?” Tillysha acted all miffed, rolling her eyes at Bilodis before continuing to drink her tea quietly.
“Is that so? Good.”
But Tillysha’s eyes stayed on Bilodis. When she saw Bilodis lift her tea cup and open her delicate cherry lips, her eyes lit up.
Drink it, please drink it!
It’s filled with my deepest love for you~
Tillysha lowered her head to hide her expression, but couldn’t control the curvature of her lips.
He he he…
Tillysha again took a sip of tea. Whether human or elf, one drinks more water when nervous. Unconsciously, she had nearly finished her tea.
At this moment, Bilodis’ lips touched the rim of the cup. Tillysha couldn’t wait to see the flustered scene coming her way.
She already had her recording magic rune-stone ready.
