This Ascent to Divinity is Lewder Than Expected

7.23 – Threats

7.23 – Threats

It happened so fast Zoey barely processed it, much less had a chance to react. One moment she was heading through palatial hallways, seeking out Sabina's room, and the next, something hit her. A blink later, she was staring up at the ceiling, her breath driven from her and a boot on her stomach pinning her to the floor.

Above, a spear-wielding blonde peered down, leaning forward to rest an elbow onto her knee.

It seemed Elodie was paying a visit.

"I know you're a mage, but I still expected better reactions from a fourth advancement wayfarer."

"The Estate is supposed to be safe," Zoey wheezed. "Why would I have my guard up?"

"Supposed to be safe. You think there's never been an assassin here?"

The words sent a jolt through Zoey. In retrospect, it was obvious that assassins existed and would possibly target one of the most influential families in the world, but still. It had her stomach tying in knots, the idea that there might be someone who came for Rosalie or her family.

"You should always be ready for an attack," Elodie chided her in continuation, not noticing Zoey's reaction. "What's Rosalie even been teaching you these past few weeks?" She paused, then grimaced. "Don't answer that, pervert. That's my little sister you're talking about."

"I didn't say anything," she protested.

"You were thinking it. I know the deviants when I see them." She poked Zoey with the butt of her spear. "I did see you railing my little sister after you turned her into goo, you know. Any claims toward innocence don't have a shred of supporting evidence, at this point."

"I feel like you're—being slightly unfair."

"Unfair?" She narrowed her eyes. "We haven't even gotten started with unfair. And why would I play nice? I know why you're after Rosalie."

"What?"

"Please. Innocent act might work on her, she's naive. Would swear up and down she's not, but she is. You seduced her. You want a ticket to the easy life."

Zoey stared at her. It was such an absurd accusation she couldn't help but burst out laughing—which was a slightly wheezing sound, since she was still recovering from being slammed into the ground by a sixth advancement wayfarer. But, really. How ridiculous. She hadn't even known who Rosalie was when she met her.

Elodie eyed her, then grunted. "Mm. Maybe not. She told me about you, how you met. But still. I don't trust you. Random goddess-blessed foreigner drops out of the sky? Too suspicious. And the threats have to come early, since you're shooting up the ranks. Fourth already? If I've gotta kill you, it has to happen soon, before you're too hard to put down."

"Do you threaten to murder all of your sisters' suitors?" Zoey asked. "Or is this special treatment?" She was lying on the floor, Elodie's boot on her stomach still pinning her down.

Elodie thought the question over. "Charlotte hasn't had that many. But," she pursed her lips. "Huh, yeah, I guess I'm three for three, there." She groaned. "And now I've got three more. Rosalie works fast. Wouldn't expect anything different from that girl."

"Three more?"

"You. Then the fox, and the illusionist."

"Oh? Maddy's included on that list?"

"Halfway, I suppose. Might as well get it over with. That one's gonna be the least fun, 'cause it might be considered a 'diplomatic incident'." She wrinkled her nose as she quoted the phrase. "Ugh. Why's she gotta be the daughter of a Sovereign?"

Amused, Zoey said, "These totally aren't problems you're creating for yourself. I'm sure having a normal talk wouldn't accomplish the same thing, without being a 'diplomatic incident'."

"Oh? A house call? How unbecoming of a student to her teacher."

"What?" Zoey blinked. Wait, was that something she could do, and Sabina would play along with? She shook her head clear. "No, just—I met Rosalie's older sister. She's surprisingly creative with her death threats. So I'm a bit flustered."

"Ah?" Sabina's eyebrows went up. "I see." She opened the door wider. "I'm glad to see you made it back in one piece."

Right. She supposed that a wayfarer ran the risk of a fatal incident every time they set out. Sabina had to worry about Zoey showing back up at all when she frolicked off on an expedition.

"Thanks. I brought gifts, actually."

"Gifts?"

"Reagents. Collected from a Lich's tower—that's what the shard manifested as. There was a room with ingredients organized in shelves and cupboards. Most of it looked useless, old, or spoiled, but there's gotta be a few you'll find interesting."

"A collection of novel reagents from a fourth-advancement shard." A neatly trimmed eyebrow quirked up. "No small gift to an alchemist. Is this a bribe to go easy on your next quiz?"

"I wouldn't be averse to the idea, if you're offering," Zoey said, grinning. "But no, of course not. I just thought of you."

Some girls might have blushed at the earnestness, but Sabina merely tilted her head. Her cheeks didn't tint even slightly, but Zoey wasn't discouraged; that was just Sabina.

"An appreciated gesture. Come, let's see what you found."

It turned out there were a few good reagents in the haul Zoey had dragged back, though they were of more interest to Sabina than Zoey, with Zoey being only half an alchemist. The pleased look on Sabina's face as she went about categorizing and storing the various materials made the effort well worth it, though.

"One thing, before you go," Sabina said, since Zoey wasn't here for a full lesson, just to drop off the shard's earnings. "About the ritual."

"Alright?"

Sabina brought her full attention to Zoey. Removing her gloves and setting them on the counter, she walked up to her. The woman was around the same height, but her antlers made her seem much taller—and maybe her personality did, too. That calm composure that, frankly, Zoey was extremely weak against. Gray eyes the color of steel met hers with atypical seriousness—and Sabina was already a serious woman.

"I wanted to procure permission from you, beforehand."

"Ah—what? Permission? From me? For the ritual?" Zoey would have thought it would be the other way around, seeing how she was the one who would be fucking Sabina. Since the older woman generally preferred giving than receiving. But the level-up ritual would require more direct intimacy, according to her and Aria's intuition. "What do you mean?"

"I've been speaking with Aria. She has no reason to believe that, despite the requirements of the ritual, that you need to lead. Just that our joining must be more intimate—and traditional." An eyebrow raised. "So, I will be guiding the ritual. I have ... plans. Hence, I wanted to procure permission. A blanket allowance, so to say, as I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise."

Zoey was pretty sure her eyebrows had disappeared into her hair. They hadn't had this sort of discussion before, with consent being loudly implied between both of them in any given interaction. Yet Sabina had something planned that might push those assumed allowances? To the extent she was seeking out permission beforehand?

Zoey was interested. More than interested.

"Of course, it's nothing I expect you to dislike," Sabina said. Her lips quirked up. "But perhaps more ... adventurous, than our usual engagements. As befitting the event. Best to address these things outright."

"Uh. Sure. I trust you, you already know that. So—permission granted? I'm, uh, looking forward to it. You and Aria have something planned, specifically, then?"

"You'll need to wait and find out, won't you, dear disciple?"