Compared with other Beyonder Pathways, the Prisoner Pathway had its own peculiarities when it came to advancement rituals.
Starting at Sequence 5, each advancement required not only the necessary auxiliary ritual, but also a lengthy period of self-imprisonment after drinking the Potion.
When Sharron became a Marionette, it had taken three months... This time, to advance to Cursed Object, she estimated it would take eight or nine months, perhaps even longer.
She would have to withstand the Potion's effects for all that time. That was why she had asked Miss Justice to create a Virtual Personality that regarded herself as an "object." Otherwise, the prolonged erosion might thoroughly "contaminate" Sharron's primary personality, turning her into a genuine Sealed Artifact.
But even with a Manipulator's support and the ritual's assistance, advancing to Cursed Object remained fraught with danger. Klein could not help showing a trace of worry.
There was nothing he could do to help. The Beyonder path had always been accompanied by madness and despair...
All he could do was ask Will, the Snake of Fate, to bless Sharron with a measure of Good Luck.
And before she "imprisoned" herself, he could spend a happy New Year with her and her family, and watch a film together.
His thoughts turning, Klein returned to reality and sighed softly. He said to Sharron, who was speaking with Miss Messenger:
"I've contacted Miss Justice. I can bring her here whenever you're ready..."
At that, he could not help asking once more, "Does it have to be today?"
Sharron had changed back into her favorite black court dress. She looked at Klein, nodded, and said:
"I want to enter the ritual while today's wonderful experiences are still fresh in my mind... That way, even while I'm 'imprisoned,' I can remember how moved I felt