Like a God / The Mischievous Hunter

Maria was awakened, then silently raised her head and looked at FrostNova beside her.

This was the first time FrostNova and Maria had looked each other directly in the eye.

Even she, who had roamed the snowy plains for many years, couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine at those scarlet eyes.

Fortunately, Maria didn't come to FrostNova with the intention of settling scores. After a simple arrangement, FrostNova sat down properly opposite Maria.

"To be honest, I sometimes find your ignorance a bit infuriating..."

Maria spoke, her calm voice carrying a hint of reprimand.

I've already warned these people to leave as soon as possible...

FrostNova was unconvinced and wanted to argue a few more points.

But after a moment, she also shut her mouth.

What could she say?

They said they returned to save Maria?

She could have used that reason before, but after witnessing Maria's terrifying power to change her surroundings, she could no longer bring herself to say it.

It was at this moment that she suddenly understood why her adoptive father, the last Wendigo above Terra, held Maria in such awe.

Maria, possessing such power, may have already reached the level of those legendary Great Beast.

At least in FrostNova's understanding, the only ones capable of altering the surrounding environment are the Inner Guards who have borrowed the power of Daemon.

The changed environment was merely a negative realm existing solely for the purpose of killing.

Maria is far superior to those Inner Guards!

Fortunately, Maria wasn't looking for FrostNova simply to scold her; she was there to fulfill her promise.

As the Doll brought out two cups of warm black tea, Maria gently raised her hand, her fingers sliding slightly to make a small slit.

Unrefined, pure Cain's blood slowly dripped into the red tea in front of FrostNova.

Whether it was the effect of psychological suggestion or not, FrostNova always felt that the red tea in front of her appeared exceptionally vibrant red as Maria's blood dripped down.

At that moment, Maria looked at FrostNova again.

"Swear an oath to me..."

"Um?"

"Swear to me... that you revere Pale Blood."

Chapter 172 Like a God

"What's the meaning?"

FrostNova did not answer Maria's words directly, but turned her head and looked puzzled.

Why did we suddenly jump to the oath-taking part?

Did she make any promises?

"Literal meaning."

Maria didn't move, but simply rested her hands on her knees, silently watching the girl before her. Her composed and elegant posture was the complete opposite of FrostNova's carefree and uninhibited manner, who had grown up in the wilderness.

"From the moment you were consumed by the flames, you have been my servants... I don't know if that's the right way to put it, but you have indeed established a connection with me, and I can feel your heartbeats at any time."

As Maria spoke, she slightly clenched her fist.

FrostNova could clearly feel an itchy sensation coming from her chest.

It was like a caress, brushing over a place that had never been touched before.

My chest feels itchy...

This action made FrostNova realize her somewhat delicate situation.

She frowned and reached up to touch her chest.

After a moment, she raised her head and looked at Maria.

What did you do?

"... I have no idea."

How could Maria know such things? In the end, she was just an ordinary human born into an unusual race. The authority of the gods was something she couldn't possibly comprehend with her mind before she relinquished her physical body.

But one thing is certain.

"You are now my Servants... I don't know what the consequences will be, but there is no doubt that you no longer belong to normal life."

Maria slowly stood up and stared intently at the girl in front of her.

"You may have many ideas, but before that, as the representative of the group, you must give me a clear answer..."

"Submit to me, or be slaughtered by me!"

Maria looked down at FrostNova, her cold words devoid of any compassion.

She didn't know what would happen to those affected by her power, but she also didn't have the energy to observe them one by one whether they would become bloodthirsty or whether their bodies would become deformed.

Therefore, she only offered two solutions.

Either I swear to her that I will forever guard this New Yharnam, or... I will personally slaughter them all!

She has the ability!

This attitude naturally provoked FrostNova's resistance.

She frowned decisively and glared at Maria in front of her.

Are you threatening us?

"Yes."

Maria explained her meaning frankly and openly.

She was threatening him.

And there's absolutely no room for negotiation!

FrostNova was not about to be manipulated by Maria so easily.

She gritted her teeth decisively and stood up.

But after noticing that she was shorter than Maria, she subtly stood on her tiptoes and pricked up her ears!

"We absolutely will not accept such a choice!"

"... Then I will take action against you."

As Maria spoke, she slowly clenched her fist.

A strong feeling of suffocation suddenly surged through FrostNova's body.

Her eyes widened as she realized Maria was serious.

This wasn't about using threats to steer the conversation in a certain direction; it was genuine. Maria simply gave them two choices.

Surrender or die...

"You should be glad that I've changed a lot during this time... At least I'm not as extreme as before, otherwise I would have appeared before you the moment you began to be corrupted."

Maria spoke calmly, then released her grip, allowing the other person to catch their breath.

Things have indeed turned out differently than she expected... but she really didn't intend to kill these people.

She planned to keep these people in this newly born Yharnam.

Anyway, this mobile platform has a large area of land that can be used... and she clearly has no intention of building anything on it, so these people can just live here in peace.

Besides, doesn't this guy want to live in a place where he won't face discrimination?

Yharnam is clearly a suitable place for them.

FrostNova couldn't possibly be unaware of such implications.

But she simply stared silently at Maria in front of her.

Although she really didn't want to go along with Maria's ideas, given the current situation... it seemed she had no choice but to comply.

In a daze, she recalled her conversation with the Patriot earlier.

At that time, the Patriot asked her what she thought of the current Reunion Movement.

Clearly, by that time, the Patriot had already lost faith in the Reunion Movement.

But FrostNova only replied with one sentence: she was willing to believe Talulah...

At that time, the Patriot said nothing.

Just like all fathers in the world who are not good at expressing their emotions, so too is the Patriot.

He didn't know how to persuade FrostNova to leave the vortex called Reunion Movement, just as he didn't know how to save his own child...

So... you knew I would be trapped here, which is why you handed me over to her?

FrostNova pursed her lips, looking at the quiet woman in front of her with a complicated expression.

After a long silence, she finally spoke.

She decided not to resist.

Faced with Maria's immense power, any resistance she might mount would be futile.

But she still figured out what Maria wanted to do.

She needs to take responsibility for her Yeti Squad!

"What do you plan to do to us if we take the oath?"

"Not so great... You can still live according to your own habits, and I won't stop you from doing whatever you want. However, you are absolutely not allowed to leave Yharnam without my permission."

Maria spoke softly, her voice very calm.

"Just as you feel, the Originium within you is under control, isn't it?"

"I can tell you definitively that this is not an illusion; they are indeed being controlled, but that's all."

"Without further external forces, the Originium within you will not disappear... but it will not worsen either."

"I think this is something you are well worth trading your freedom for."

Maria's voice was soft, but to FrostNova's ears it sounded like a giant bell!

What is the most terrifying aspect of Oripathy?

It's not what happens after infection, nor the pervasive nature of infection beforehand, but the most crucial point: once infected, it can never be cured!

It can be said that the life of Infected is already coming to an end from the day they are infected by Originium!

What is Maria saying now?

Staying here... will that suppress the progression of Oripathy?

How is that possible?!

"I don't need to prove to you how to do this, but you can use your own time to judge the truth of my words."

Maria spoke calmly, looking at the white rabbit girl in front of her with her pupils dilated.

She'd said everything she needed to say, from threats to bribes; now it was up to FrostNova to make her decision.

"Now, let's go back to the original question."

"Are you willing to swear an oath to me?"

Maria sat in the chair, speaking calmly and softly.

Behind her, a huge white moon slowly moved behind her...

A slight flicker...

Like a god...

Chapter 173 The Mischievous Hunter