Chapter 403: A cult family
As the two spoke, Cassian stood silently, motionless, listening in without showing the slightest interest. Just from this one conversation, he had already learned more about the cult than he ever had before. He could have asked Brigid herself, of course—she seemed to know a great deal—but at the time, he had no idea she was actually cult royalty.
He had assumed she was merely a bit higher-ranking, thanks to being a student of a higher-up who had studied under someone even higher. He hadn’t realized she came from the proverbial golden spoon.
And Naset? Surely he didn’t know either—otherwise, he would never have sent her back here. Now that Cassian realized the truth, he knew he needed to ask her some questions... unless, of course, she asked her grandmother to kill him or enforce some harsh slave magic. Naset had reassured him it wouldn’t be easy unless a Ninth Circle warrior was present—which was impossible for the cult. An Archmage, like the Artistic Butcher, might still be able to sever it.
The real question now: was this Superior Mother an Archmage—or not?
But since Brigid hadn’t asked her to sever it, she didn’t seem concerned. As they spoke about family matters—who was marrying, who was divorcing—they appeared like any normal family, not cult royalty. And by cult royalty, Cassian meant Brigid’s family was one of the founding families of the cult.
’The commander is going to be furious when he realizes what he let slip,’ Cassian thought, a hint of amusement in his mind. Naset Lawk hadn’t considered interrogating Brigid—well, what could he have done? Cultists never revealed anything, no matter the torture. That’s why few dared to try and kill them—unless they were higher-ups willing to put in the effort. But then again... if it wasn’t for information, why had he kept her captive in the first place?
Cassian turned over the information he had already gathered, considering what else he might uncover—and what it might reveal about the traitor in Karmen Earldom. Suddenly, he felt the Superior Mother’s gaze settle on him. That same kind, grandmotherly woman—the one who had almost made him soil himself when he first entered the room—was now regarding him with curiosity.
"And who is that boy?" she asked.
"Just a toy I picked up on my way back," Brigid said with a mischievous smile, then added, "Come closer." Cassian hesitated but reluctantly stepped forward.
He kept his gaze low, avoiding direct eye contact. He had no intention of revealing any sign of interest, especially with the Superior Mother—whose only surname he knew was Morgnster—watching. He didn’t know much about her family, other than that they were one of the five founding families of the cult.
Her purple eyes—so like Brigid’s—traced over his body, sending shivers down his spine. "Quite the premium specimen," she remarked. "Seeing how his domain reacted the moment he entered..."
Brigid, smiling widely, rose from her grandmother’s lap and stepped toward him. "Yeah, it made it hard for me to play with him at first, but now... it’s much easier. Want to try? It’s quite fun."
Brigid grabbed his crotch, presenting the obvious bulge to the Superior Mother. Cassian froze, utterly dumbfounded. He had assumed they were like family despite being cultists, but no two normal family members would act like this. Sharing a man, touching him in front of each other, openly offering his penis to other... what the hell?
One would think it would spook Cassian—but it didn’t. Quite the opposite. The idea of being with two family members, granddaughter and grandmother nonetheless... well, that was exciting. Whether they were family members or cultists didn’t matter to him. The Superior Mother—though he kept thinking "old lady"—didn’t actually look that old. Her face was striking, almost beautiful, and her figure... even hidden beneath loose nun robes, the curves of her chest were undeniable. Enough to make Cassian not mind being used as their little plaything.
It would have been better if Brigid had discussed this with him beforehand. He might have tried to look more appealing, instead of the resigned, ready-to-die expression he carried.
The Superior Mother’s reaction, however, was not what anyone might expect from someone of her title. Instead, a bright, eager smile spread across her face as she asked, "You don’t mind?"
"Not at all. Have a go at him," Brigid said, nudging Cassian toward her friend’s chair. He now stood just above her, and she looked up at his face with a wide smile—the kind that had disappeared long ago. Brigid added, "hell, take him as a gift, grandma... if you get to like playing with him."
"I think I might take you up on that offer, Brigid," the Cardinal said, eyes fixed on Cassian. He tried to keep his expression lifeless, but the shock betrayed him—Brigid was really leaving him alone with her. Not that he minded; he could appreciate her striking features, the subtle shine of her pinkish lips despite her age. Still, he had no intention of being her plaything forever.
She continued, her smile teasing, "He’s got quite the handsome face, and from what I see, you haven’t really broken him. Looks like there’s some enjoyment left for me too..."
Brigid, excitement flickering in her eyes, nodded. "Well, help yourself..."
"I will," the Superior Mother said, waving her hand. In an instant, Cassian found himself standing behind her, barely aware of how it had happened. Clearing her throat, she continued, "That said, tell me about the forces at Karmen Earldom—and the reinforcements that arrived to aid them."
Brigid looked down briefly, mentioning the reinforcements. "Sorry about that... it was our job to stop them from getting there."
"What happened, happened. You can’t dwell on one thing forever. It’s war, my darling—these things happen. It wasn’t your fault; it was the fault of that wretched old man’s students. He should be the one apologizing," the Cardinal said, her voice rising slightly, filling the hall with weight once more. Then, with a broad smile, she added, "Though that won’t help Karmen save themselves—we still have a few trump cards hidden there..."
As she spoke, Cassian couldn’t help but let the faintest spark of interest appear in his otherwise lifeless eyes—but he quickly suppressed it. Brigid, however, didn’t hide her curiosity. "Did you mean we have a spy in their forces?" she asked.
"Not just a spy," the Superior Mother said, smiling widely. "An insider, my darling daughter—and a rather high-ranking one. Otherwise, how do you think we were able to cost them so many troops and force them to call for reinforcements? For those egotistical fools, it’s as good as death."
Cassian finally had confirmation: there really was a traitor.