Chapter 32: The Holy Light Plan and Bai Zhi’s Predicament

Your ‘Holy Light’ possesses the ability to suppress ‘Shadow Beasts’ to a certain degree, does it not?

Bastet stared at Rena with eager eyes.

Though Rena still didn’t quite grasp what it was trying to convey, she nodded and answered truthfully.

“That is indeed the case.”

Bastet smiled with satisfaction.

“And what are the specific manifestations of this suppression?”

“Uh… let me think…”

Rena pondered for a moment.

“From the information I’ve seen, when encountering the power of ‘Holy Light’, ‘Shadow Beasts’ exhibit emotions of evasion and fear.

Simultaneously, their movements become somewhat sluggish compared to their usual state…”

“That pretty much sums it up,” Rena remarked with a slight hesitation.

“However, I don’t believe this limited effect will be of much assistance in our current operation.”

“On the contrary, this is precisely what I need!”

Bastet’s tone was remarkably firm.

Rena, not entirely comprehending, looked at it with confusion.

“…What do you mean?”

“As I mentioned before, ‘Shadow Beasts’ possess incredibly keen senses.

The moment they perceive danger, they immediately revert to an ‘invincible’ state.

The window of vulnerability is exceedingly brief, making it difficult for ordinary attacks to seize such a fleeting opportunity.”

“But what if it’s ‘Holy Light’?”

Bastet wore a smile, uttering dreadful words in a benevolent tone.

“Imagine this: the ‘Shadow Beast’ is about to devour the young girl, briefly manifesting into a physical form, and at that precise moment, ‘Holy Light’ suddenly appears!

While it might not inflict significant damage, it would plunge the ‘Shadow Beast’ into panic and confusion, causing it to momentarily forget to revert to its ethereal state.

Simultaneously, it would divert the ‘Shadow Beast’s’ attention from the truly lethal attack approaching from another direction!”

A fervent gleam flickered in Bastet’s eyes, as if the decisive strike it envisioned had already come to pass.

“However, couldn’t it also simply scare the ‘Shadow Beast’ away?

Wouldn’t that, in turn, lead to the operation’s failure?” Rena couldn’t help but inquire.

“Therefore, what I require isn’t just one or a few streams of ‘Holy Light’.”

Bastet looked at Rena with piercing intensity.

“What I need is ‘Holy Light’ powerful enough to instantly illuminate the young girl’s surroundings as brightly as midday, strong enough to dispel any shadow.”

Bastet extended a paw, placing it on Rena’s palm.

“Only in this manner can we cut off all escape routes for the ‘Shadow Beast,’ weaken it to its utmost, and then, without any reservations, decisively slay it!”

“…I believe I understand what you mean.” Rena nodded in comprehension, then a somewhat awkward expression crossed her face.

“However… I don’t possess that level of power.

After all, I am merely an ordinary knight…”

“Ah, you needn’t worry about that; I’ve already thought everything through for you.”

As if anticipating Rena’s words, Bastet responded with confident assurance.

“My plan doesn’t require you to possess that level of power.

You merely need to inject the power of ‘Holy Light’ into specific containers.”

After speaking, Bastet pondered for a few seconds before delivering its conclusion.

“…Let me see, preparing about twelve such containers should suffice.

We’ll bury them around the young girl, and when the ‘Shadow Beast’ launches its attack, you’ll simply need to activate the ‘Holy Light’ within those containers from a distance.”

“…But where are we to find such containers?” Rena couldn’t help but ask.

“Surely, materials compatible with transcendent power don’t exist in this world.”

“That’s simple; I’ve already considered it.”

Bastet said dismissively, its gaze turning exceptionally fervent as it looked at Bai Zhi, who was listening nearby.

“Why, here we have a natural source of materials!”

“Eh!?”

Bai Zhi’s face registered shock.

“Bai Zhi, do you recall what I told you the first time we met?”

Bastet’s expression toward Bai Zhi suddenly grew serious, causing Bai Zhi to involuntarily tense up.

“…Was it about wanting to be a pet?” Bai Zhi tilted her head.

“…I must reiterate.

Bai Zhi, I have never uttered such words; that notion exists solely within your imagination.”

Bastet sighed, pressing a paw to its forehead.

“I’m referring to what I said about your constitution.”

“Bai Zhi, you are a truly unique existence.

Normally, a mage’s body cannot contain such a vast amount of magical power, as exceeding a certain limit would harm the mage themselves.

This is partly why the stereotypical mage is often depicted as frail and easily shattered.”

“But you are different!

Within you lies an immense reserve of magical power, and what’s more, you can wield it without any reservation.

I suspect this is largely due to a decisive difference between your body and that of a normal mage, for instance…”

As it spoke, Bastet’s eyes brightened.

“Hmm… your body exhibits an exceptionally high compatibility with magic, allowing it to contain and circulate magical power without any obstruction.

Viewed from another angle, this makes for an incredibly excellent magical material…”

“Wait! You don’t mean to…”

Realizing Bastet’s intentions, Bai Zhi’s face paled dramatically.

She instinctively recoiled several steps, simultaneously shielding her chest with both hands.

“You’re not planning to use my body to…”

“This, too, is for the greater good, a necessary sacrifice, Bai Zhi.

Do you not wish to save the young girl from the ‘Shadow Beast’?”

Bastet’s breathing suddenly grew heavy, its tone filled with agitation and excitement.

“Give me one of your fingers… no! A piece of skin, even a drop of blood will suffice!

I won’t waste a single bit of these precious materials!”

Bai Zhi frowned, scrutinizing the black cat as it drew closer.

“Didn’t you just say we needed at least twelve containers?

That doesn’t sound like something a mere ‘bit’ could satisfy! And I can’t shake the feeling you’ll take advantage of this to do something strange.”

Bastet’s expression turned nuanced.

“It’s not ‘strange’ at all! This is merely necessary research… Besides, aren’t you curious about your own body too?”

Bai Zhi shifted her body slightly, dodging Bastet’s ill-intentioned paw, a hint of unease still in her voice.

“Don’t say such things while wearing that adorable cat facade!

If it’s to save Ranxin, I’d naturally do anything, but if this is some scheme born of your selfish motives, I absolutely won’t agree!”

“Nonsense! This is all for the operation; there’s absolutely no selfish intent involved, probably~”

As Bastet finished speaking, it prepared to pounce forward.

Seeing the black cat drawing ever closer, Bai Zhi shrieked and recoiled further.

“Don’t come any closer! I really will fight back, you know!”

Bastet’s smile remained.

“Go ahead and fight if you wish!

You wouldn’t want to blow up the house you’re living in, would you?”

“What a despicable cat!”

The girl and the cat then began a fierce chase in the living room, instantly throwing the place into an uproar.

Witnessing this sudden turn of events, Rena shook her head helplessly and sighed.

“…If a part of Bai Zhi’s body is required, then even if fingers or blood aren’t needed, hair should suffice, right?”

Lin and Xia Ranxin, standing nearby, exchanged complex glances.

Rena looked at them, then continued to advise the two engaged in the chase.

“That way, quantity won’t be an issue either, especially since Bai Zhi’s hair grows quite well.”

At these words, both instantly froze.

Bastet’s expression became conflicted.

“Hair… hair, you say… as a container, it’s certainly viable, but for research, I really would prefer…”

“Then hair it is!”

Rena made a decisive declaration, then turned to the still-shaken Bai Zhi.

“Bai Zhi can accept this, can’t she?”

“…If it’s just hair, I don’t mind.”

Bai Zhi shrugged, her expression visibly relaxing.

“Alright, it seems this is our only option for now.”

Bastet sighed, its tone laced with palpable disappointment.

“I will swiftly create enough containers using Bai Zhi’s hair.

Then, Rena, you will simply fill those containers with ‘Holy Light’.

As for Lin, your task is to protect the young girl as usual, ensuring her safety until the day the operation officially begins.

And then…”

With that, Bastet turned its head to look at Bai Zhi.

“You’ll come with me now~”

Bastet’s current tone struck Bai Zhi as rather frivolous, and she was genuinely reluctant to continue interacting with such a magic teacher.

“You’re not still thinking about that research, are you?”

Bai Zhi’s face was etched with wariness.

“While that’s also quite appealing, this time, there’s other important business to attend to.”

Bastet wore a look of regret, initially intending to tease Bai Zhi further, but seeing her move farther away, it shed its somewhat flippant demeanor, its tone becoming serious.

“It’s about that barrier.

You must learn it within a short period.”

As it spoke, Bastet puffed out its chest.

“In other words, it’s time for class, Bai Zhi~”