Jim, wanting to understand why Carl was acting strangely, agreed to Elrianthe's proposal and went upstairs to get him. After a few minutes, they returned together and stood before the elf's cell.

“So? I'm going to find out what's going on? I brought Carl, as you wanted.” Said Jim, not realizing that Elrianthe had already planned everything.

She got up from the cold floor and approached the bars, facing Jim.

“Taygeer!” She called out, and a moment later a giant cat-man with the physique of a strongman was heading in their direction.

Jim, in quite a confusion, watched the approaching tiger.

'How did he manage to get out of his cell? He was bound with chains and was wearing a belt with a weakness spell on it. It's impossible for him to free himself.' He thought.

“What are you doing? Go back to your cell! Immediately!” He ordered, but Taygeer ignored his commands.

Jim didn't have a weapon on him, and threatening faces and a raised voice wouldn't do much.

“Did you call, boss?” Taygeer asked.

“'Boss? What the fuck is this all about?” Mumbled Jim under his breath.

Carl stood next to him as if nothing had happened. He showed no fear of the huge cat-man who stood next to him. What was different about Jim, who, not knowing what was going on, began to get nervous. He was cut off from the exit, and Carl seemed to be cut off from his sanity.

“Hey, explain to me what this is all about!” Shouted Jim in Elrianthe's direction.

“With pleasure, my friend.” She replied with a mocking smile, seeing the panicking thug.

“Trash...“ She pointed at Carl. “Open the cell.”

“Yes, my lady.” Carl replied, pulling out the key.

“What are you doing?!” Shouted Jim.

“Now throw him inside.” Said Elrianthe, pointing her finger at Jim.

They immediately proceeded to follow her order.

“Oi, wait! What are you guys doing!” Yelled Jim as the cat-man and his former colleague grabbed him by the arms.

The elven subordinates were not at all cautious of Jim, who tried to break free. It would have ended up breaking a few bones sooner than freeing himself from Taygeer's grasp. Pushing him into the cell, the cat-man accidentally used too much force, and Jim hit the wall opposite, breaking his nose, from which blood began to ooze.

“Fuck!” Yelled Jim, grabbing his face.

“Do you like it?” Asked Elrianthe with a smile.

“You fucking witch! You'll pay for that!”

Jim tensed all his muscles and, tearing himself off the ground, dashed toward the elf who was leaning with her back against the side wall. He knew that she had some degree of control over Carl, who was certainly behaving strangely for the same reason. Freeing the cat-man also had to be her doing.

He was convinced of one thing: the elf woman had spent the last six months here, and he was well aware that she posed no threat on her own. If he can press her against the wall and threaten her life, he will gain the upper hand in negotiations.

He counted on a stroke of luck. A risky move on his part could have brought him multiple benefits if everything went his way. The moment he ran toward the woman, he expected her to panic and make his task easier, helping him take control of his hopeless situation. To his surprise, he saw only a smile on her face.

< Daze >

Immediately, his mind switched off and his body dropped to the ground, stopping under the elven woman's feet. Elrianthe, unfazed by the situation, walked over Jim's numb body, heading toward the cell exit.

“Taygeer. When I return, he is meant to beg for mercy. Don't hold back.” She demanded, stepping out into the corridor.

She knew that Jim liked to take it out on him. Now the roles would be reversed. She then turned to Carl.

“Trash, you're coming with me.”

Elrianthe stopped in front of the cell of a woman wearing white priestly robes with gold stitching. The outfit was already badly soiled and damaged from her prolonged confinement. Carl opened the door, and she stepped inside.

Kneeling against the wall was a woman with long black hair that fell freely to her shoulders, some of which were pinned back in a braid at shoulder height. Her bangs fell loosely over her forehead, reaching up to her grayish-green eyes.

The priestess was praying, and frustration was painted on her face. It was not, however, due to the elf interrupting her prayers. When she spotted her in her cell, she paused her prayer and bowed respectfully.

She felt abandoned by her gods and left helpless in this burrow. She didn't count on ever seeing the light of the sun again, much less the Chapel of the Five Supreme, where she had spent a lifetime serving and healing the sick.

She got betrayed and sold like cattle to the invaders by the head priest, who ransomed the chapel from being robbed and destroyed by this. She could consider herself a hero and a martyr for a higher cause, but she was not naive; she knew that the priest had sold her out of cowardice and had not the slightest resistance to save his life at her expense.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Her savior may have been Elrianthe. She was neither deaf nor blind; she was well aware of what was going on in the dungeons and had seen Elrianthe go to Taygeer yesterday. She was ready to put herself at her service if there was even the slightest chance that she wouldn't end up dead in a cell or as someone's plaything. She also had knowledge that was not obvious to others.

Elves were not from this world. When they arrived here two thousand years ago, they were extremely powerful. They could easily overthrow the gods she worshipped. Their magical knowledge surpassed all understanding at the time.

The priestess suspected that Elrianthe was a direct descendant of those elves. The description in the old books perfectly matched the woman who stood in her cell. Now all that remained was for her to buy into her favor as best she could.

“Hello, Fairest Lady. The pinnacle of perfection that you represent should not be revealed to such a hideous race as we humans, who do not deserve to admire your ideality. What, then, did I deserve to be blessed with your divine majesty?” She began.

Elrianthe was struck by the flowery greeting, which shocked her enough that she froze in place motionless for a long moment. The priestess noticed it and freaked out, fearing she had said something inappropriate.

“I apologize to you, ma'am, I did not mean to offend you with my disrespect or conditions that are unacceptable to your dignity.” She said shyly, bowing even lower.

“Didn't you overreact a little?” Elrianthe asked.

“Absolutely not. Every word I say is honest and comes from the depths of my heart.” She assured.

The priestess was bent so low that her forehead was already denting the floor. This perplexed Elrianthe, as she had never been treated with more respect than the trashcan in the corner of the room.

“Raise your head. Shouldn't you worship your gods instead of me?” Elrianthe asked.

“My gods abandoned me when the chief priest sold me to invaders who wanted to rob our temple. Prayers no longer bring relief, and my life depends solely on the decision I made when I saw the angelic figure pass by my cell. I want to place myself in your absolute power and be a support in every situation.” The priestess vowed.

'I didn't think it would be so easy. The priests from my former life were completely brainwashed.' Elrianthe wondered.

She expected more resistance, and she practically gave in without hesitation.

'To my eye, she's about my age. She's even my type. It's a pity I have a woman's body myself...' She remarked, looking at the priestess.

“What's your name?”

“My name is Alison Roseberg.”

“What was your role in the temple?”

“In addition to my priestly service, I was a healer.”

“Are you willing to give up your previous life to come under my rule?”

“I desire it with my whole body.”

Alison kept her eyes closed for most of the conversation, and when she opened them, she looked no higher than her feet. Her willingness to surrender herself to the elven woman was downright fanatical. Elrianthe had quite a problem understanding this.

'I think she's completely crazy, but I could use a healer.'

< Domination >

[ Using < Domination > successfully ]

[ Successfully acquiring a new puppet ]

[ +25xp ]

[ Alison Roseberg Level 5 ]

[ Control: 60% ]

[ Task: Enlarge your puppet group: 4 / 5 ]

“Welcome on board.”

“Thank you, my lady.” The priestess replied, full of gratitude.

“Let's go back to our guest. Alison, come with us.”

Elrianthe, approaching her cell, heard louder and louder screams, cries, and begging requests. Not even twenty minutes had passed. As she got closer, she saw Jim hanging on a chain. He was hooked up by his legs in such a way that his head was not floating in the air, but slightly bent, resting on the ground. This way, rubbing against the rough floor caused him additional pain.

Jim hung there completely naked. His clothes lay on their side so as not to dirty them. His fingers were broken, his teeth were knocked out, and he was bruised from hard blows and ragged from sharp claws. Blood was running down his face, making it even more difficult for him to breathe as the liquid flowed into his mouth and nose.

'Taygeer isn't fucking around.' She thought.

“Are you having fun with your 'friend'?” She asked Jim, particularly emphasizing the last word.

“Please... stop... “ He mouthed back.

“Oh, do you really want to stop already? You still have so much time to develop your friendship.” She mocked him with a smile.

“I'm begging... I'll give everything.”

“Then why don't you give me your life, huh?”

“Please don't kill me. I'll do anything for you. Spare me.” Jim begged.

Elrianthe felt a slight satisfaction watching Jim ask her for mercy. Not long ago, he was convinced that he had everything under control and that he couldn't do anything to her. And now, less than an hour later, he is hanging bloodied, with his head hanging toward the ground, begging to be spared his life.

'Frankly, I'd rather see Carl like this. Maybe later.' She thought.

“Unfortunately, I can't kill you at the moment. You are all necessary to me.” Elrianthe said.

< Domination >

[ Using < Domination > successfully completed ]

[ Successful acquisition of a new puppet ]

[ +15xp ]

[ Jim Utter Level 3 ]

[ Control: 100% ]

'As many as a hundred? I need to check something.'

[ Task completed: ]

[ Enlarge your group of puppets: 5 / 5 ]

[ Received 200 xp and 2 development points ]

[ Promoted to level 3 ] [ 190/400 xp ]

[ Received +10 HP and +20 MP ]

'I didn't receive any more development points? Hmm, maybe the level bonus is different each time?'

Jim was freed from his chains and healed by Alison. Once he was dressed, there were no signs of the torture Taygeer had inflicted on him.

“You did pretty well. Where did you learn that?” Elrianthe asked, turning to Taygeer.

“Thank you, boss. I've dealt with all sorts of things in my clan.” He replied.

“Okay, I want to check something. Jim...” She turned to the newest puppet. “When I give you the order to take your own life, will you carry it out?”

“As soon as I am able, my lady.” Jim replied while confirming Elrianthe's suspicions.

With full control over the target, you can demand anything, and the puppet will not object. The less control, the more independent they become. Control affects the willingness to follow orders.

Elrianthe, realizing that puppets are not completely mindless machines, concluded that < Domination > encodes in the minds of targets loyalty to her, but does not deprive them of their minds. Still, watching Carl, she had some doubts.

Elrianthe was not yet sure to what extent her ability affected the behavior of the puppets. Carl's attitude has changed 180 degrees - from a ruthless sadist to an apologetic servant. Perhaps he is guilty of remorse and wants to redeem himself for the harm he has done? Taygeer seems to be the same, and the priestess was willing to serve from the beginning, so it's hard to judge. Not to mention the rat - how could she see the changes in the puppets by watching the rat?

'I'll learn more with time.' She thought.

“Good. Time to plan the big event.”