High Probability

"Come out."

Lilith wasn't interested at all in the finished product Esdeath had mentioned.

Lilith called out to her shadow, and the elongated shadow began to expand. A massive beastly silhouette leaped out from Lilith's shadow.

Lilith walked to the table, poured out all the water from the teapot on it, and then brought it to the Big Wolf.

"Saliva."

Lilith's words were concise, and the Big Wolf understood.

It spat into the teapot repeatedly.

Afterward, Lilith brought the teapot, now filled with the Big Wolf's saliva, to Esdeath.

"Here's the potion you wanted," Lilith paused. "This one isn't diluted."

Esdeath: "..."

Esdeath silently stared at the teapot Lilith held out to her, clearly seeing the steam rising from within.

Esdeath looked up at the Big Wolf, which was still tall even while crouching.

She never dreamed that the potion would be made this way.

She had thought Lilith might have concocted it using rare herbs, or perhaps through some secret technique. For example, the Imperial Arms, [Kirito Ichimonji], had the ability to prevent wounds from healing.

But she never imagined that the true nature of the potion would be the saliva of the wolf before her!

Also, she wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the more she looked at the wolf, the more it resembled a dog.

"Hahaha~"

Seeing Esdeath looking over, the Big Wolf stuck out its tongue and panted.

Esdeath: "..."

It looked even more like a dog now.

However, she had achieved her goal, even if it was different from her expectations.

Esdeath wasn't one to be squeamish, so she readily accepted the "teapot" Lilith offered.

As Esdeath took the Big Wolf's saliva, Lilith couldn't resist emphasizing one last thing.

"Um, I really am not interested in your finished product."

If this were before she saw the Big Wolf, Esdeath would have definitely said a few words about her own creation.

But now...

Knowing the raw ingredient for the potion, Esdeath felt that Lilith truly wasn't interested in the things she made.

"Alright."

Although she had obtained what she wanted, Esdeath still showed no signs of leaving.

She fixed her gaze on the Big Wolf, her eyes full of curiosity.

Honestly, in all her life, she had never seen a creature that could hide within a person's shadow.

"Is this a Dangerous Species you raised?"

Lilith nodded in affirmation.

"Where did you catch it? I want one too."

"...There aren't any others elsewhere."

Esdeath looked full of regret upon hearing this.

Lilith decided that Esdeath would likely regret not having a creature that could provide "potion" anytime, anywhere.

She wasn't particularly interested in the Big Wolf's combat prowess or its ability to hide in shadows.

Esdeath left with what she wanted, but still with a look of regret.

If she had that wolf, she wouldn't have to go through all this trouble to ask Lilith every time.

When Esdeath finished preparing her own mixed "Potion · Modified" and was about to head to the prison to test its effects on criminals.

But upon arriving at the prison, she became enraged.

She was furious at the jailers' incompetent torture methods.

They were incapable of making criminals feel extreme and prolonged pain.

None of the criminals under their care had survived for more than a week.

A week?

Such a short time, how many torture methods could even be applied?

So, Esdeath gave them a live demonstration.

The torturers were utterly astonished and immediately knelt down!

While the torturers were contemplating the torture methods Esdeath had left behind, Esdeath also selected a few criminals to experiment with her "Potion · Modified."

For the next few days, the screams of the prisoners in the jail were more intense than ever before.

Outside the prison, occasional passersby were terrified by the howling sounds emanating from within.

Dr. Stylish, who often visited the prison to replenish his "stock," also heard about Esdeath's actions there.

Instead of being frightened, he became even more excited.

As if going on a pilgrimage to his idol, he eagerly headed to the prison.

His experiments were put aside.

The results were very satisfying.

His inspiration erupted non-stop.

Lilith was unaware of all this; she remained at home, developing the power of her Imperial Arms.

As she used Water Dragon Possession: Black Marlin for longer periods, Lilith could clearly feel that Black Marlin, or rather the Dangerous Species' water-controlling organ, was beginning to erode her.

For an ordinary person, this might have been a good thing, as it would increase their compatibility with Black Marlin and make them stronger.

As for being eroded by Black Marlin to the point of becoming inhuman.

Lilith stated that it was highly unlikely during this period.

Unless someone could possess Black Marlin for decades, or even longer, or if Black Marlin underwent some kind of change.

Otherwise, that person would remain a normal individual with slightly peculiar physique until death.

And the erosion of Black Marlin on Lilith had become even more laughable.

Now, Lilith could control water flow without the need for Black Marlin.

This wasn't because Lilith had developed a water-controlling organ within her body, but rather her blood seemed to have undergone some changes.

This was the same change that occurred when she gained the ability to control ice. Lilith's own blood had analyzed the ice and water-controlling abilities of Essence of the Demon and Black Marlin, and she had naturally acquired these powers.

Although Lilith didn't fully understand the mechanism behind it.

It was undoubtedly a good thing.

This meant that as long as Lilith acquired other Imperial Arms that granted elemental control abilities, and possessed them for a long time, her blood would naturally gain the corresponding abilities through the erosion caused by the Imperial Arms.

The prerequisite was that they also possessed the ability to erode their users.

Considering the materials of Super Dangerous Species used in Imperial Arms, which retained their vitality even after a thousand years, and the fact that the secret arts imbued in Imperial Arms were also a thousand years old, who could guarantee that no problems had arisen?

Lilith speculated that she would most likely be able to achieve her goal.

Well, provided she could acquire those Imperial Arms.

As she always said, Lilith could wait; there would always be an opportunity.

On this particular day, Esdeath sought out Lilith.

"Someone has died."

Despite someone's death, Esdeath's face held a look of excitement.

"The deceased was a high-ranking official under Ozneth. His body was discovered at his home."

"Lilith, this time, Night Raid has finally revealed their hand!"