The ritual the Doctor had provided did indeed seem very safe. Without affecting the ritual's function, he had modified its framework and added restrictions on the target being summoned.
But that still could not change the fact that Shade was going to use a ritual to summon a demon projection. To his former self, that would have been an unimaginably foolish act. Even now, it still was.
Yet after reading the ritual's contents and considering his trust in the Doctor, Shade decided to give it a try. He quickly discovered the most difficult part, however. It was not that the ritual required precious materials, but rather—
"You've been hemming and hawing for quite a while, Shade. What exactly do you need me to prepare?"
At nine that evening, in a corner of the Radiance Messenger's cabin, the Diviner with Purple Eyes asked Shade with some displeasure:
"Illegal materials, or immoral ones? Since it's Summoning Demons, both the Witches and I understand. Did you think I would care about that?"
"No, no, it's not that serious. I need some assistants who meet certain requirements to help me complete the ritual. They aren't sacrifices. They just need to hold candlesticks."
"What requirements?"
Only then did Shade awkwardly lean close to Luvia's ear and lower his voice:
"Four pure maidens under twenty-five."
Luvia asked in surprise:
"What is so difficult about that? Are those requirements strict?"
Most Witches had long passed their "expiration date." Although the Witch Followers looked young, those young ladies, who were at least mid-circle, only appeared youthful because of the Witches' power. In reality, they had all exceeded the age limit.
Even so, Luvia felt there were still plenty of young women under twenty-five aboard the ship. If she had to name four off the top of her head,