The topic of the Curse Temple was entirely alien to him, a rural folklore scholar, as such ancient secrets were utterly beyond his knowledge.
"How about it, do you have any suggestions to tell her?" Grandpa could only turn his gaze towards the childhood friends who had gone to study in depth at the Capital.
"An Ancient Temple where Magic Creatures are offered..." Even the village chief grandma, well-versed in history, didn't seem to know much about it.
"I need to think more... but there might not be any gains."
[village chief grandma's History (above 48)]
Watching Hero and Princess deeply engrossed in discussion, Grandpa's expression became somewhat melancholic.
While he had long known that his granddaughter was growing up and he could no longer be of much help, actually witnessing it felt slightly—
Seeing Hero curiously shackling a Metal Ring on their wrist, Grandpa's brow twitched slightly.
"It's not... Granddaughter, what are you doing?"
"Ah, I'm just trying it on. After all, it's a present from Princess... and it really is effective." Hero was taken aback, then replied sheepishly.
Although she had gotten somewhat used to wearing a collar around her neck, as she had no choice, it didn't mean she had accepted such an attire from the bottom of her heart.
Or else, she would have already found someone to remove the collar for her.
If she were to clasp more Rings on her limbs, although these Metal Rings were not meant for slaves...
Fourteenth Princess also knew that, despite it being for aid, her self-interested request was somewhat presumptuous, and her cheeks blushingly reddened.
While Princess's suggestion had a personal motive, it was generally well thought-out and also gained the Count's approval.
Therefore, what Hero said was not out of care for Princess, but because the effects of the Demon-locking Ring were genuinely good.
When four Metal Rings were placed on wrists and ankles, and one more ring because her neck was already occupied by Wind Moon Night, so it was placed elsewhere, the equipped Demon-locking Ring took effect.
Hero could feel a thin, invisible film covering their entire body. The weak Magic Power that had always been emitting was completely blocked from reaching the outside world.
And the ambient Magic Element, which normally interacted with their internal Magic Power like breathing, was also mostly blocked, making Hero feel a suppressed yet purified state within.
It's akin to having always been on the prairie under vast, high winds, then suddenly entering a greenhouse, breathing filtered air.
The latter's air, though purer than natural winds mixed with various elements, the confined greenhouse space felt too stifling compared to nature; that was Hero's sensation after putting on the Demon-locking Ring.
But for Fourteenth Princess, those impurities that normal people breathe daily could be fatal, so Hero didn't intend to voice these subjective feelings.
Objectively speaking, with the equipment of the Demon-locking Ring, Hero's Magic aura rapidly weakened.
[Hero's Temperament shift (Honey Temptation (30-) — unchanged — Fragile)]
If she was once a warm Sun, inviting admiration and reverence, she was now— a Candle Flame flickering on the dinner table, illuminating a sweet cake.
As Hero changed, the black cat, which had left her lap but still observed from the side, suddenly froze, as if it sniffed an instinctually tempting scent, its pupils turning into thin slits, and its fur bristling.
Looking down slightly, careful not to bother Your Majesty with her gaze, Gleaming Scales instinctively lifted its head, its Snake Eyes vertical, and illusionary Scales emerging at the edges of its face.
Even not just them,ultimately the others including the Demon Hunting Master who provided the Demon-locking Ring, their expressions toward Hero also altered slightly.
[Curse: Honey Addiction activation]
[Gleaming Scale Serpent not an evil Magic Creature, as a Familiar, automatically exempted from the effect]
[Night Tiger not an evil Magic Creature, activated Skill: Twilight Vision, exempted from the effect]
Because there was already a collar on her neck, she could only place the extra Demon-locking Ring on her right leg, the Metal Ring slightly pressing into her soft thigh, the cold touch causing her to instinctively curl her toes.
But more than this cold sensation, the subtle gazes from everyone around made Hero feel awkward.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man, but the same attire, worn by different people, can evoke different feelings.
Although Fourteenth Princess also wore Demon-locking Rings regularly, because she usually also wore splendid dresses to cover them and had the temperament of the Royal Family, even if someone saw those Metal Rings, they would not harbor any disrespectful thoughts.
And if one understands her identity, they would admire this woman who balances tenderness with strength.
Yet, since the Hero often needs to transform and fight, she usually prefers wearing light clothing.
Once the Demon-locking Ring is put on, coupled with the Wind Moon Night already present around her neck,
Without the support of a dress and with her magical power suppressed, her Charm, although not gone, feels drastically altered.
Bound by several metal rings, the already petite girl seems even more delicate, as if anyone could toy with her as they please.
On the surface, strength is lost, leaving only weakness.
...Simply put, she appears very tempting, like someone you would want to bite.
"What, what's wrong? Why is everyone looking at me like that?"
Confronted with the suddenly strange looks from everyone, the Hero who was previously satisfied with the effect of the Demon-locking Ring couldn't help but shrink her head.
Now, even though she can, to some extent, intuitively see through others' thoughts, when it actually comes to seeing, she becomes even more timid, appearing even more pitiful in the eyes of others.
Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say, when the village chief grandma's excited voice broke the silence.
1. Symbols of Hidden Passages♛
2. Honorifics for the Curse God
3. Special Incense (Cleric)
4. Ancient Cursed Doll
9. Special Incense (Sacrifice)
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
While the Hero was awkwardly hesitating, the village chief grandma, who had been deep in thought, suddenly clapped her hands with a spark of realization.
"I've remembered, the ancient cult that worships curses!"
Everyone's gaze was immediately drawn to her.
"What have you thought of?"
Realizing that the village chief grandma seemed to have some knowledge of this ancient history, the grandfather promptly asked.
The village chief grandma nodded and began to narrate.
"Although their history has mostly dissipated, some documents have still been passed down. I've seen records of it in texts; this cult had a special rune system.
"Some scholars have organized the relevant symbols, which are supposed to be a cipher. Although the meaning of most is not understood, some have been deciphered.
"For instance, there is a symbol that represents secrecy, the combination of passageways, usually inscribed near hidden passages—"
The village chief grandma was searching for paper and pen to draw it for everyone when her gaze accidentally swept over the Hero.
She paused slightly, her expression showing a hint of hesitance.
[Hero activates Skill: Dirty Heart Language]
The Hero, also eagerly watching the village chief grandma, suddenly understood what she wanted to say.
'...How is this child dressed so indecently?'
Instantly, a surge of heat rushed to the Hero's crown, turning into a tumultuous steam erupting outwards.
[When does the Hero choose to go to the Curse Temple? (The closer to midnight, the more Magic Creatures wander, but the potential rewards are also greater)]