"----We beseech the Crimson Tide."
"Ruler of the Blood Sea of the River Styx, lord of the endless tides, god of agony and desire----"
At some point, Siana's eyes had opened.
Her ruby-red eyes were fixed firmly on Malinkov.
As she murmured, the air around them took on the stench of blood.
Lude raised his hand to cover Siana's mouth, and Malinkov raised his hand once more.
But they were both too late.
"----With blood as nourishment, flesh as the price, and organs as the offering, awaken the Thorns of Agony!"
The next instant, beneath the radiance of the Blood Moon, countless blood-red thorns erupted from beneath Malinkov's flesh!
The thorns tore through his muscles and drank his blood, swallowing him up in an instant.
"No, no, no!!!"
From within the thorns, Malinkov let out a furious roar.
But saying no accomplished nothing. Within moments, the thorns engulfed him completely.
Yet Lude had no attention to spare for Malinkov's suffering.
Because in that very instant, he had felt Siana, on his back, suddenly----
----Grow lighter.
He grabbed the falling White Flame Holy Sword and hurled it, driving it into Malinkov's skull.
Then, in a panic, he gently lowered the red-haired girl from his back onto the ground.
"Siana, what----was that?"
Lude's brows knotted as he stared into Siana's eyes and asked.
Siana smiled smugly and said in a thread of a voice, "That was a divine spell of the [Crimson Tide]. Offer her flesh and organs in exchange for her thorns of agony."
She coughed twice as she spoke, and blood immediately began trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"----Why?"
Lude asked quietly, frowning.
"That look is terrifying. Don't look at me like that----Offering blood to cast spells is my usual approach anyway. As for my muscles
and organs,