I Am The Villainess Who Will Tame Every Yandere Heroine!-Chapter 38: Bad Blood Between The Women

After their very intimate moment, Clara lay there, practically glowing, not just metaphorically, but literally.

A soft light clung to her skin, a radiant afterglow that made it look like she had just been blessed by some divine entity. And then, poof!

The glow dissipated into nothing, leaving an air of mystery in its wake.

'What the hell just happened?'

It was like Clara had received enlightenment from the heavens, like some kind of sacred monk who had just unlocked the secrets of the universe through… well, not prayer, that's for sure.

They cleaned each other up, Serafine sneaking in a few teasing nudges here and there, much to Clara's flustered protests.

"How are you feeling?" Serafine asked, watching Clara closely.

"I have to admit..." Clara took a slow breath, her body still tingling with something she couldn't quite explain. "I feel... connected..."

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[Mission Completed: Ruination System - Tenth Mission]

Objective Status: Achieved

Reward: +100 Ruination Points (RN)

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But there was a sinking feeling nestled into Serafine's gut.

'So what exactly happened?'

[Warning: There's a shift inside Clara's body.]

'Oh. Well, that sounds ominous.'

At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, besides Clara looking like she had just experienced a spiritual awakening.

But if there was something changing inside her, they needed to test it. And what better way than to see if this had any effect on her Ethos?

"Clara," Serafine said, crossing her arms. "Try summoning your Ethos."

"H-Huh?" Clara blinked, still looking slightly dazed, like she hadn't fully returned to reality yet.

"C'mon, let's see if that connection did anything."

"A-Alright!"

Clara took a deep breath, steadying herself as she extended her hand. Faint bright particles pulsed at her fingertips, sparkling like candlelight before spreading outward in a slow, elegant cascade.

There was only quiet energy, no longer erratic or volatile, but smooth, controlled.

As the glow enveloped her body, the pieces of her light-forged armor began to form, manifesting not in abrupt, jagged bursts like before, but in a steady, effortless flow.

Thin, luminous strands wove together, layering themselves over her arms, shoulders, and chest with practiced ease. The soft gleam of the hardened light settled into place, no longer cracking or acting out.

She moved her fingers, testing the weight. It didn't feel heavy, nor did it restrain her movements like before. It fit, molding to her form as if it had always belonged to her.

For the first time, her Ethos didn't feel like a battle against herself. It was calm, quiet, and stable.

Serafine snapped her fingers, eyes twinkling with newfound realization. "Ohhh, I get it now!"

"Get what?"

"An Ethos is a reflection of the soul, our essence made manifest. Yours? It's stubborn, unyielding, and burns with vengeance, just like you. But beneath all that steel, there's a softness, a girl who aches to be loved. Your rigid exterior resists it, refuses to admit it, but love - true, deep, maddening love - forces you to lower your guard. It synchronizes you with your emotions, melts the walls you've built, makes you vulnerable in ways that your pride refuses to allow."

Serafine leaned in, voice turning almost reverent. "Protection isn't just about shielding yourself. It's about connection. The more you resist, the more you sever yourself from the very power you seek. Because to protect something, you first have to admit you care… and caring means accepting that you can be hurt."

It all clicked into place. Ethos wasn't just some arbitrary power. It was connected to the soul. To wield it fully meant to understand it, to embrace it. Purpose, identity, desire, it was all woven together, inescapable, undeniable.

But was intimacy truly necessary? Of course not. The real necessity was deception. Clara only needed to believe she was loved, and that belief would make her dependent. And dependency? Oh, that was where the real fun began.

Serafine cupped Clara's face, thumb brushing over her cheek, voice dripping with honey. "You just need to be cherished."

She pressed a soft kiss against her lips before pulling away with a satisfied smirk.

"So if we continue to cherish each other, then I'll get stronger?"

"Well, there are more other people than me."

"But I just..." Clara coughed, lowering her eyes nervously. "I just want you."

"Then that's not so bad."

From the bushes, a rustling sound announced the return of Calix and Mariella, fresh from their own mysterious training escapades. Clara barely had a second to register their presence before her body moved on instinct—grabbing Serafine and smashing her lips against hers in a bold, dramatic display.

"?!?!"

Calix and Mariella froze mid-step, their eyes practically popping out of their skulls.

Serafine pulled away, dazed, her lips tingling. "W-What was that for?!"

Then she saw her.

Mariella.

Standing there, unblinking.

Gulp.

The air turned thick with tension, like an invisible battlefield had just formed. The last thing Serafine needed was for these two to start throwing hands (or worse, swords) over her. And yet… oh dear, was that actual bloodlust in the air?

Mariella's voice was sickly sweet, but her eyes gleamed with something far less friendly. "Sounds like you're getting real comfortable with Lady Savior."

The stubborn girl didn't flinch. Instead, she crossed her arms, chin tilted up in a perfect picture of defiance. "Am I not allowed to?"

Zzzt! If tension could be seen, there'd be literal lightning crackling between them.

Mariella took a slow step forward, voice dipping into something dark and promising. "If you touch her like that again… I'll kill you."

Clara smiled. A dangerous, sharp, oh-so-ready-to-fight smile.

"Not if I do it first."

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Mariella actually had one glinting in her pocket. Clara, meanwhile, looked like she was about to throw hands, teeth, and possibly her entire soul into this fight.

"Alright, alright, time-out, ladies!" Calix clapped his hands together and unleashed his Ethos, flooding the air with a soothing, almost too relaxing aura.

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Within seconds, both girls blinked sluggishly, their rage melting into drowsy confusion.

"Mmh... why do I suddenly feel like taking a nap..." Clara mumbled, swaying on her feet.

"You... sneaky little..." Mariella tried to resist, but her words slurred as if she'd been hit with a sleep spell.

Serafine groaned, rubbing her temple. "How am I even supposed to form a proper cult like this?"

"You did this. To yourself," Calix pointed.

"I know."

With a dramatic sigh, he hoisted Mariella up by the back of her collar like a misbehaving kitten. "And yet, I'm always the one cleaning up your messes..." He turned, smirking over his shoulder. "Ah well, at least you're finally serving your purpose properly, my lady savior."

Serafine narrowed her eyes. "Was that sarcasm?"

"Oh no, of course not," The smirk deepened. "Just divine enlightenment."