Netori: Reborn as the Human Aphrodisiac

Chapter 49: No Healing Factor?

"This doesn't make sense. If our queen is the leader of the Red Cloud Theocracy? Why did we go to war with them 12 years ago then?" Crossing the sky on Nagini's back, Mithras' group recalled the previous events. Honoria was especially confused, unable to comprehend how Elektra had obtained such powers and authority over the Red Cloud Theocracy.

"After Lyssandra's death, Elektra and I have been on awful terms so I'm not privy to the details, but from what I've gathered, she temporarily lost control of Gaiseric," while holding Mithras' wrists and checking the state of his arms, Cassandra ventured a guess.

Cassandra wasn't the only one to be in the dark. Even Vel'Asha, who had many dealings and arrangements with Elektra. had no idea the queen controlled the Red Cloud Theocracy, seeing her as an ascetic more than a politician.

Elektra would have liked to keep that fact secret for a bit longer, but due to Mithras' recent successes, she had to reveal herself.

"Your sister controls the king, and you knew it?" Taken aback by Cassandra's words, Honoria asked in a slow and suspicious voice.

"Again, I suspected it.

While she was studying Sid Manipulation in the Red Cloud Theocracy, Elektra awoke a strange mutation that enabled her to borrow the powers of legendary monsters. But she couldn't control it, casually shifting between dragoness, vixen, siren, and the like. Her Inner Flame would also change accordingly.

You know the drill. These are the types of powers that get you killed, enslaved or worse. Thankfully for Elektra, Headmistress Achai was the one who discovered her new abilities, referring her to Vel'Asha, who taught her Sid Manipulation. She became Vel'Asha's best student and learned from her the Maiden's Harness.

Back then, Gaiseric tried his best to get Elektra's attention, but was rejected with one word: 'never.' So, when she suddenly agreed to become his queen—the day following our sister's death no less—I felt something amiss," Cassandra explained in a somewhat absentminded tone.

An ancient and forbidden mantra made popular by the Apsaras, captivating enchantresses who danced and sang for the great gods of the higher planes, the Maiden's Harness enabled virgin females to castrate and mind control the men they targeted.

But there were two conditions:

One, the caster couldn't be lusting after the victim. Two, the victim had to be lusting after the caster. When those two conditions met, the Maiden's Harness could kick in at any time, binding the victim to the caster's will.

Elektra first used that mantra against her father, the Duke of Elektra, who overwhelmed by her charms, attempted to abuse her. From that moment on, the duke became his daughter's puppet. But she only forced him to live in seclusion and stop fighting for power—indirectly helping Cassandra take control of both the Elektra and Astalon houses years later.

"After Lyssandra's death, Elektra cursed me for neglecting our big sister, claimed I was more interested in power and profit than the wellbeing of my kin, accused me of being involved in the incident, then stormed off.

Before today, that was the last time I'd seen her."

"Have you ever wondered if Elektra was the one behind the Red Cloud Python assault on the Astalon women nine years ago?"

"I've considered it, but that isn't her style. Elektra really isn't the type of person to get dragged down by conflict and politics. She can't stand either one and wouldn't kill someone just because she didn't like them. And truth be told, she doesn't need assassins to depopulate House Astalon." Cassandra revealed the Elektra sisters' disturbing past.

At that time, Mithras' eyes opened, purple veins filling his sclera as his muscles tore and his bones cracked from the Primal Strength backlash.

"Which begs the question. Why did the Maiden's Harness not work on you? I refuse to believe you were not lusting after the queen." Honoria asked, her eyes narrowing at Mithras with a suspicious look.

"With Cassandra standing next to me, how could I get distracted by Elektra…or anyone else for that matter? See, for example, you're standing right in front of me, but all I see is my godmother," Mithras said with an impish smile, instantly making Cassandra feel proud and complacent while Honoria's face twisted uncontrollably.

"But for real, a world of billions truly has no shortage of extraordinary folks and skills. Moving on, I must keep that in mind." Mithras scratched his head, sighing at the stabbing pain running through his chest.

The moment Elijah perished, the Double Immolation Curse kicked in, attempting to reduce Mithras' heart into ashes. But thanks to the system, Mithras was already aware of Elijah's talent and used his divine flames to suppress it before it could cause trouble.

However, it still left lasting damages, transcending the defenses of Mithras' adamantine body.

'Mantras, Immolation, Chainlocking, Barriers, Curses, Cracking, Sealing and more. Sid Manipulation has so many applications—one more fascinating than the other. There is so much to learn, so much to discover. But where, where can I learn it all?' Mithras asked himself. But as his thoughts reached this point, the pain in his chest skyrocketed, and the world around him spun.

"M-Mithras?" Sensing something amiss, Cassandra reached for her godson, but barely had she brushed his skin that Mithras reeled forth, puking a downpour of blood on Nagini's back.

"Oh hell no." Alarmed, Cassandra pulled Mithras towards her, lowering him on her lap, and checking his condition with the Ritual Stone Mirror.

The list of Mithras' injuries flashed through the mirror, followed by the price of healing them all: about 500 million ener crystals.

"It's just physical injuries. Why is it so expensive?" Dumbstruck by the mind-boggling price, Cassandra asked out loud.

Mithras had already dealt with the Double Immolation Curse. His current injuries were just the result of abusing Primal Strength and the backlash from dealing with the curse. Though severe, they were not even as bad as the injuries the mirror healed for Honoria and Nagini, so why was the price this excessive?

"Nonsense. With a body like his, his healing factor should be off the charts. If it was just physical injuries, why isn't he healing?" Watching Mithras go pale on Cassandra's lap, Honoria panicked, pouring her Sid into Mithras' body to verify the matriarch's diagnosis.

"This is going to be difficult. Although my body is more durable than the average Golden Palace templar, I don't have a healing factor and can only regenerate by drinking breast milk or love juice," Mithras said with a wry smile, his body going numb as his vision blurred.

"Your life is at stake here, can you get serious for a second?!" Unable to believe such words, both Cassandra and Honoria snapped, making Mithras shrug with a helpless look.

"I am…dead serious," Mithras choked on the words, passing out the moment next.