As a human, Morrigan believed that she could never come to hate any gathering where lots of food was involved. Especially if the food was good. And the one made by Demon Castle chefs was most certainly top quality both in terms of presentation and in terms of taste. Even something with an unappetizing name, like Salamander liver patée on volcano-baked bread turned out to be a delicious treat. However, the Nachtstern Festival feast was most certainly now on the list of gatherings Morrigan res...
2024-10-30 05:13:00 +0000 UTC
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"More and more humans came to the Underworld, killing one Underworld creature after another in hopes that one of them would bring them the same riches the first human warrior got from the landwyrm. When they got only one or maybe two stones per monster, their greed only grew and they began slaughtering any beast they found," the narrator said, as the actors on the stage recreated the scene, magical monster constructs littering the stage.
Morrigan noticed that the black and white figures...
2024-10-29 05:13:01 +0000 UTC
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After the break, everyone eagerly returned to watch the conclusion of the competition. Some people never bothered to leave, worrying that they would miss something. Morrigan was on pins and needles the whole time, doing math in her head and wondering if there was any chance for her or Deziara to win. Part of her just wanted to win, another part wanted Deziara to succeed and there was a little bit of her that hoped that Galandir would win as his performance had truly touched her heart.
"...
2024-10-27 05:13:00 +0000 UTC
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The moment Galandir began singing, the crowd went completely quiet, surprised by what they heard. A voice so pure, melodious and beautiful that it contrasted with everything that the Underworld was. Light warm sunshine after a long winter. Morrigan couldn't understand the words he was singing as they were in the elven language. However, the emotion and the meaning behind them were clear.
Galandir was singing about freedom and his yearning for it. His voice was filled with the deepest sa...
2024-10-25 05:45:34 +0000 UTC
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The fifth day of the Festival came with a new wave of excitement as it was the last and most important day. Morrigan donned a new beautiful kimono-style dress. Its black color made a stark contrast to Morrigan's ashen skin while the lava flower motif complemented her red hair.
She sat on a special podium made specifically for the last remaining contestants, Deziara sitting on her right while Viana sat on her right. The podium was positioned on the right front side of the stage that had ...
2024-10-24 05:53:41 +0000 UTC
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It turned out that Annabell was not the shy girl Morrigan initially thought her to be. Once she became entranced in conversation, she kept going. And going. And going. Initially, the fallen girl was raining praise at Morrigan, then the topic switched to the competition in general, and later Annabell was explaining the difference between her pet arachnoids – a sort of spider monster.
"They have the cutest little, black eyes and they look at you so intelligently. Truly arachnoids ...
2024-10-23 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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"Is that the gem?" Morrigan said, looking at the gem sitting on the pedestal. But she didn't dare to rush towards it as the surrounding empty space around it looked like a prime place to put out traps.
"Without a doubt. We should approach it cautiously," Galandir said and conjured a small ball of ice in his palm, rolling it across towards the pedestal. Much to their relief, nothing happened, but their steps were slow and measured, looking around carefully each time to make sure that no ...
2024-10-22 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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The riddles of the sphinx left a lot of participants stumped, as they muttered among themselves trying to figure out the answer.
"What could be a tree with no roots?" Larissa mused.
"Most likely it isn't a tree at all," Morrigan said.
"Something plant-like perhaps? Or maybe something made from a tree," Galandir added.
"Alright, so let's assume that is something made out of wood. But how could it also be a bread with no taste?"
"It's probably edible then but...
2024-10-20 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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"Are you insane? I don't want your demon father to come and murder me!" Galandir protested.
"I am going to agree with the boy. It is not the best move a princess could make, not to mention that it could leave you exhausted for the trials still hidden in the maze," Larissa objected.
"Oh, hush. It's a little bit of mana to help him recover. Just create that mist for us real quick," Morrigan dismissed their complaints.
Father might not like the idea of me giving my mana to ...
2024-10-18 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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Or to be honest, I've remade the Beta Reader tier into a new tier which is now called Admirer. This tier will be slightly different from others. Instead of offering a certain amount of chapters ahead of public release like the other tier, this tier will have an increased upload schedule. Instead of normal 4 chapters a week, Admirer tier will offer 5 chapters a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
This is only possible because ...
2024-10-17 14:36:38 +0000 UTC
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"Well, that's not… ideal," Larissa muttered, having clearly heard the threatening growl.
"No! This is perfect!" Morrigan cheered and called out again. "We are here! Where are you?"
"Your Highness, I understand that you are confident in your magical abilities but calling out to a monster like that is dangerous," the vampire woman objected. A louder growl reverberated through the area.
"Haku is not a monster!" Morrigan retorted and then closed her eyes.
I can...
2024-10-17 14:26:06 +0000 UTC
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"Welcome dear audience to the third and probably the most awaited day of the Nachtstern Festival Competition. As most of you probably know, the theme of the third day is magic. But what you don't know is the exact details of today's task. Most of you are probably curious, why are we gathered in the Demon Castle gardens today?" Azrael announced from his place in the podiums, which were erected across the Demon Castle wall.
Majority of the audience were gathered in front of the podium, cu...
2024-10-17 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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The audience watched with horror as the buildings collapsed in on the raging construct and Morrigan. Lady Lily had gone deadly pale as she watched the projection at the screen from the podium. She turned towards the King to call to him for help, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Now, dear audience, before you panic, let me assure you that our dearest Crown Princess is alright," Azrael spoke up and pointed at the screen. Everyone focused their gazes on it, watching the debris for any movem...
2024-10-15 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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Morrigan looked at the two crystalline eyes from the magical construct in horror. They were honed right on her, ready to capture her the moment she made any movement. Sweat began pooling on her forehead as she tried to think of how to escape from the beast.
The urge to just hide in the safety of shadows was unbearable. As a shadow, the monster would not be able to touch her or even see her for that matter. But if she did become a shadow, then it would be over. She would forfeit the comp...
2024-10-13 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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It was the second day of the competition and the third day of the Nachtstern Festival, however, the cheerful atmosphere didn't reach Morrigan. She was still meekly sitting in her room with her eyes downcast as Gunna did her best to get her ready for the second task.
"What is weighing you down so heavily so early in the morning?" the nanny asked as she tied Morrigan's hair into a ponytail. Apparently, that day's competition would involve a lot of moving, so it was important to style her ...
2024-10-11 04:23:40 +0000 UTC
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"You didn't know? Well, of course you wouldn't. Surely the little cockroach would guard her nasty secret as well as she could," Asdeus cackled.
"Shut up!" Morrigan snarled, trying to break free of the invisible bonds.
"No, I don't think I will. Deziara is your sister, isn't she? She should have the right to know who you truly are," Asdeus walked up to Deziara and then with a flick of her wrist forced the girl upright. "You see that little maggot on the floor over there. That is a ...
2024-10-10 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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"Look at all these foods," Deziara, disguised in simpler clothes and with a blonde wig, strode through Linberor Market Square. Delicious smells, both savory and sweet, were mixing up in the air, attracting new hungry mouths from far beyond the square borders.
"I'm still not fond of this idea," Morrigan noted, transformed into a white-skinned blonde version of Azrael. The four demon guards followed behind them through the crowd, wearing commoners' clothes and staying some distance away t...
2024-10-08 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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Speeding over the craggy track, Morrigan could see the last obstacle in front of her. She was among the fastest runners while both of her sisters only just had gotten over the giant mountain obstacle.
I wonder what is the last obstacle—hopefully, something where I can remain in my shadow form.
"And here our dear contestants are finally approaching the last hurdle! Can you guess what it is? Well, let me tell you – it is the Lake of Balance," Azrael announced, his...
2024-10-07 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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"Welcome all contestants and our wonderful audience to the Nachtstern Festival Competition!" Azrael announced in a magically amplified voice that echoed through the whole Underworld. "Each time we have an astounding number of competitors, but this year you all have beaten the record – 1387 people have decided to participate. No doubt spurred on by the chance to see our lovely princesses closer!"
He pointed towards Morrigan, Deziara and Viana who stood close together, lined up along wi...
2024-10-06 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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"Father, please! I want to go. You promised me that I would be able to go," Morrigan held onto Alphegor's sleeve while he did his best to avoid her gaze.
"Morrigan, you know that we cannot take a stroll through the Festival. Our presence alone carries a lot of weight," he objected, gently trying to free his sleeve from her grasp. But Morrigan wrapped her hands around his waist and looked up at him with large, teary eyes.
"Please, please, please! I have never been to a festiv...
2024-10-04 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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The crowd filled with demons, drow, duergar and other Underworld races cheered as Alphephor raised his hand towards them in greeting. Morrigan stood a little bit behind him, on his right, while Viana stood on his left. All of her sisters stood on the large stage, each one dressed in similar kimono-styled attire with a dragon motif. However, each one wore a different color.
Viana's robe was dark blue with gold, while Deziara's who stood right next to Morrigan wore a purple robe wit...
2024-10-03 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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The elven boy got rid of Morrigan's forcefield so swiftly that she didn't even register what he did to destroy it. She whirled around and then seized him with her levitation ability. It was rather tough levitating a moving, resisting person, but it was enough to stop the boy from reaching any further.
"Will you stop that? I am not just going let you waltz into my room!" she grumbled, sweat forming on her forehead as she tried to keep hold of the levitation spell. But the boy redoubled h...
2024-10-01 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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In the evening, when Morrigan was finally freed from the dinner table, she turned into a shadow and sneaked through the busy castle hallways. They were brimming with demons, drow and duergar as well as other races. Not wanting to be escorted by Azrael and her two guards through the whole castle, she excused herself and went for the easy approach – sliding through the shadows.
Morrigan wasted no time and headed straight to Lady Lily's room, materializing out of the shadow as soon...
2024-09-29 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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As Alphegor descended downstairs to greet the Fallen Delegation, Morrigan couldn't help but stare at their wings.
What wouldn't I give up for the ability to fly? Why couldn't demons have wings? All we have are these scrawny, useless tails.
"Don't stare at them so much," Azrael whispered in her ear, and Morrigan blinked.
"But they have wings! Nobody told me that," she protested quietly but tried her best to look somewhere else. She decided to inspect thei...
2024-09-27 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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Morrigan rose from her bed a bit after seven, which was more than an hour earlier than usual. Her heart was beating fast and she felt nervous jitters all over her body. Like little pinpricks, they didn't allow her to remain still and forced her out of the comforts of the bed. It was the day when the foreign delegations would arrive.
The preparation time for the Festival flew by in what felt like an instant. Between her lessons with Lady Lily, Azrael and Lord Weisedun, as well as her own...
2024-09-26 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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Morrigan held her back straight and her head high, taking careful, measured steps across the ballroom. There was a heavy stack of books on her head, threatening to topple over at the smallest mistake. Her teeth were clenched and every muscle felt like a tight wire, stiff and unwilling to move the way she wanted.
"Princess Morrigan, please relax. You look like you are made out of stone," Lady Lily said, carefully observing her every step from the side.
"I feel that if I relax...
2024-09-24 05:21:18 +0000 UTC
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With heavy steps Morrigan slumbered towards her room, each next step on the staircase seeming more difficult than the last. After the whole fiasco with Viana, Deziara was doubly eager to teach Morrigan all the names of the nobles. She even tried using portraits, going from one image to the next, calling each of them and describing their houses a bit.
Deziara's efforts certainly had helped Morrigan memorize a lot of the names, but she was still far from remembering the whole list. By the...
2024-09-22 04:13:00 +0000 UTC
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"Princess, I think this might be too much," Azrael grumbled as he heaved another five portraits into the ballroom. It was one of the smaller rooms meant for minor occasions and parties hosted by concubines, but still large enough to fit about fifty people inside. Currently, the room was lined with portraits that were stacked on top of each other like some construction materials.
"I never expected that there would be so many," Morrigan paled as she looked over them, wondering where...
2024-09-20 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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Is the shadow under the bowl a bit too light? I think I need to make it a bit darker for contrast. And what about the light reflecting from the table's surface? I think I need to make it more prominent on the bottom of the vase.
Morrigan stared intently at the still-life composition in front of her, doing her best to recreate it as faithfully as possible. She took a dark blue paint and dabbed a little bit of white and then yellow in it, creating a lighter and slightly warmer to...
2024-09-19 04:13:03 +0000 UTC
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Haku's mouth opened wider and fire streamed out of it in a steady current… above his head. Morrigan watched as the fire turned into little motes of flame that gently flowed down and then dissipated in the air. Before she could realize what was going on, Haku leapt up to her and licked her face enthusiastically. His tongue was a bit rough, but not as rough as a cat's tongue. It forked a little at the tip and resembled a snake's tongue.
"Yes, I missed you too, Haku," she giggled and gav...
2024-09-17 04:13:01 +0000 UTC
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