Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

A gentle breeze enveloped the couple as Shaai conveyed her unwavering commitment.

"I shall be the keeper of your secrets, the supporter of your dreams, and the companion in your journey as a fellow Practitioner of the Path. As the Grand Elder of the Darkmoon Fellowship, I extend my powers to nurture and protect our union, binding our fates forever."

With measured grace, her vow reached its eventual crescendo.

"With this pledge, I intertwine my life essence with yours. Jolly Jalen, may our connection be as unyielding as the roots of this ancient tree and as enduring as the moonlight that bathes us now."

The enchanted assembly bore witness to the weight of Shaai Sena's words.

Upon the conclusion of her vows, various branches of the ancient tree gracefully surrounded Shaai. They climbed over her body like sentient serpents, lifting her gently from the ground. Shaai acquiesced to the tree's ethereal embrace.

In the center of the sacred space, a parchment resembling the skin-like outer layer of some arboreal woodland entity materialized, hovering motionlessly.

A vine extended from the ancient tree, its pointy wooden tip acting as a pen that delicately inscribed Shaai's vows onto the parchment in intricate runic patterns. This, as Shaai had mentioned, was the covenant of marriage.

In the presence of the ancient tree and the benevolent gaze of the Goddess Two Lips, the covenant of marriage became a binding force, mutually linking Shaai and Jolly.

Shaai, with calculated wisdom, had chosen to intertwine her life essence with Jolly, ensuring that any action on his part against her would be met with consequences.

Initially resistant to the idea of marriage, Shaai recognized the safety the covenant offered. Through her vow, she made it clear that her commitment was genuine, and she had no intentions of betraying Jolly or divulging his secrets.

The covenant of marriage, as long as he remained faithful to her and the coven, would serve as a mutually beneficial agreement, securing their alliance. Shaai hoped that this assurance would make it easier for Jolly to embrace the covenant.

In response to Shaai Sena's solemn vows, Jolly Jalen stepped forward beneath the banyan tree. The assembled witches and warlocks observed, their whispers hushed in anticipation, as Jolly began to articulate his promises to Shaai.

"Shaai Sena," he began, his tone serious, "This Jolly Jalen, under the watchful gaze of the Goddess Two Lips, has received your vows."

Although the audience found it odd that Jolly Jalen referred to himself in the third person, they didn't dwell on it. After all, Labh Salem housed Practitioners of various kinds, each with their peculiarities. Who were they to judge?

After briefly examining the covenant of marriage, Jolly continued.

"This Jolly Jalen promises to be your companion for now and forever, standing by your side in moonlit dances and the shadows that may come our way. Together, you and Jolly shall navigate the currents of both wonder and challenge."

Jolly's eyes met Shaai's, a spark of determination lighting within them. "This Jolly vows to cherish the witch within you, to celebrate the strength of your spirit, and to honor the wisdom you carry as the Grand Elder of our coven. He pledges to be your equal partner."

A soft breeze rustled the leaves overhead as Jolly continued, "This Jolly shall be your sanctuary, offering solace in times of uncertainty and a harbor for your heart."

With conviction, Jolly concluded his vows.

"Shaai Sena, This Jolly Jalen gives you his heart and life essence. May the love between the two parties of this covenant be as enduring as the ancient banyan, its roots anchored deep in the earth, and its branches reaching for the boundless sky."

Eren had chosen his words for the vow carefully. He didn't want the covenant to bind him to Shaai or the coven behind her. As interested as he was in questioning the captured spies, he didn't want this soul-binding contract to affect his actions.

Of course, Eren had no plans to betray Shaai or her coven while acting as Jolly. By this point, he understood the intricacies behind intent-based magic and soul-binding contracts well.

He knew that as long as his actions were not against Shaai or her coven, the covenant would not harm him. Since he had chosen his words carefully, possessing Jolly's body during the covenant's authentication by the divine powers of the Goddess Two Lips would not be an issue.

Eren's predictions came true. He observed his version of the vows getting inscribed onto the parchment without setbacks. The vines and branches of the ancient tree surrounded him, lifting him into the air.

In the next moment, a peculiar mana pulse enveloped the area as the branches of the tree interacted with Shaai and Jolly's souls. They inscribed the rules of the covenant onto their souls, enforcing the pact before gently bringing them closer to each other in the air.

Shaai was relieved that her mana-core-based restrictions wouldn't be used against her, looking at Jolly as if he were her savior.

On the other hand, Eren was pleased that he had saved years of his time by orchestrating this marriage with Shaai. He was also eager to gain access to the wealth and knowledge of her coven, making him view Shaai as the shortcut in life he needed.

As they embraced in the air, Shaai and Jolly affectionately hugged each other. They gazed into each other's eyes before sealing the covenant with a final kiss.

As they kissed, the runic forms of the two lips representing the Goddess Two Lips on the trunk of the ancient tree shifted slightly. A spectral tongue extended out, licking the lips as if they were dry.

'True inheritor of the elder Ichor, I see you. Hehehe,' a soft chuckle of a mature woman resonated in Eren's mind. He scrutinized the ancient tree, expecting something to happen.

'Don't worry. Just like a certain goddess you know, I am also not your enemy. We will talk when there's an opportune time,' the voice conveyed to Eren before falling silent.

Eren would have withdrawn his consciousness from Jolly's body if he sensed a threat approaching. However, the two lips went dormant once again, not uttering anything.

'Haah! I guess I saw this coming. But at this point, some risks need to be taken to move forward.'

In the end, he sighed and shook his head, choosing not to delve any deeper into the matter than necessary.