Hello Sera,
How have you been?
I recently heard from the Matriarchs that you may have finally discovered a clue on how to break your artifact.
Knowing you, I’m certain you will eventually succeed.
Sera silently lowered the letter for a moment.
‘Even if you say that…I’m completely stagnant right now. I still don’t know what I should do next.’
She sighed inwardly before continuing.
That is precisely why I decided to send you these books.
Recently, the Temple convened a conference together with the Matriarchs of all Eight Hives across the continent.
These materials were compiled afterward based on what our race currently lacks the most.
Many of the insights within them come directly from the wisdom and experiences of the Matriarchs themselves.
Sera’s eyelids twitched.
‘I see.
‘So those old crones were involved in writing these books.
‘No wonder reading the titles alone made me feel ridiculed. Felt like punching the author.
‘I can practically see their sarcastic laughter writing these books.’
Lust profiles are useful. The methods recorded within it originate from ancient traditions, myths, and the accumulated experiences of our ancestors. All of them guarantee high intensity at sex.
As for the second book—It is intended primarily for mothers and husbands.
As you already know, within our race, it is a mother’s duty to discipline their children into becoming ideal wives or husbands of our race, depicted in our myths.
Unfortunately, all the mothers are now only teaching about sex.
They are ignoring the part of indoctrinating them in the old ways.
They were ignored by them, as they felt too lazy or felt they were ridiculous.
Others simply dismiss them as outdated.
Your children should have already reached the age of adults by now. It is about time you start their training.
Even though you, yourself haven't received your training, as their mother, it is now your duty to discipline them in the old ways.
I hope these books will be of some help.
I also heard from Aunt Ravenna that you have both N-Type and M-Type children.
As an S-Type mother, you need to indoctrinate your children with temple’s ideals. You need to shape them into ideal house wives for their future trinity.
Especially the N-Types.
The methods in the book were designed largely with them in mind.
Your children were already raised away from our clans. They do not even have the common sense of the children of the hive.
It would be too late if you delay any longer.
It may not be useful now. But its use will be for the time when they start their mana cultivation after breaking the artifacts and forming their trinity.
You need to discipline your children to be ideal mares. And train them such that they listen to your command and depend on you, and learn to serve you.
They have to understand that a wife exists only to serve her husband. They cannot live without their husband and their husband’s word is their law.
Sera’s brows furrowed.
For our bloodline, following the old ways improves the bonds of our trinity.
'Improve the bonds?'
Sera’s eyes narrowed slightly, her interest perked.
Moreover, N types who are trained by the temple have high demand for trinity formation in the hives as M types are in scarcity.
The old ways are not empty stories, Sera. Every ritual, role, and tradition exists for a reason.
Many of them contain meanings far deeper than they first appear.
Don't ignore them.
To be tamed by their mother or husband is not just for tradition. It is also for the good of the N types.
Knowing you, you are likely ignoring these matters entirely while focusing only on breaking the artifact.
Which is precisely why I felt these books were necessary.
I am sure this is what you need right now.
No, this is also what all the members of our race may be in need of right now.
Although I cannot reveal many secrets, I added my own insights and some hints on the secrets which I recently learned in the temple.
So my advice to you is simple:
Follow the old ways.
There are hidden truths and deeper meanings within them.
With love,
Eli
******
Copyright © [May] [2026] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
“Cerci…”
Sera slowly folded the letter before looking up again.
“What exactly are these ‘old ways’ Eli keeps referring to?”
Cerci sat quietly for a moment before answering.
“Madam, They are the ancient teachings, customs, and disciplines preserved by the Temple since antiquity.”
“In the distant past, nearly all of our people practiced them faithfully.”
“But nowadays…”
A faint helplessness appeared in her expression.
“Most consider them outdated. Thinking they are just nonsense.
“People still observe the rituals and traditions they personally find useful or convenient…”
“But many of the stricter teachings are ignored.”
“They simply dismiss them as the ‘old ways.’”
Sera tilted her head slightly.
“Why?”
Cerci hesitated briefly before explaining.
“For example…
“One of the ancient disciplines encourages long periods of abstinence from sex and restraint.”
Sera immediately looked unconvinced.
Cerci gave an awkward smile.
“As you know…”
“For our race, even enduring a single day without indulgence can already feel extremely difficult.”
Sera silently nodded.
“That alone causes most people to give up immediately.”
Cerci continued calmly.
“There are also daily devotional rites dedicated to the Goddesses.”
“Many now find them troublesome or unnecessary.”
Then she added carefully. “Even, you do not follow that right? Madam.”
Sera coughed lightly but did not deny it.
“Another issue,” Cerci continued, “is the doctrine of humility.”
“S-Types in particular struggle greatly with it.”
“The old teachings instruct us to bow when necessary, kneel when necessary, and endure humiliation when necessary.”
"We are sometimes asked to bow or kneel, and the S types are too proud to do that. They do not even kneel in front of their parents. Much less in front of a goddess.”
"Also, one of the most talked about issues is the practice of being low key.
“You know, our race is weak. Not completely, but compared to the other demonic races of the world.
"As a result we are always taught to keep a low key presence. Even if someone taunts or humiliates us, we are asked to smile or even boot lick them.
Sera frowned slightly.
Cerci lowered her gaze.
“To conceal our fangs and strike in the shadows.
"Being underestimated is always preferred to stand out.
“We are to shake our hips for, and lick the feet of those who insult us, calling us as low class sluts rather than to fight back directly.”
Sera instinctively tried to object.
“But—”
“Yes,” Cerci interrupted softly.
“I know. It isn’t easy.”
"To swallow humiliation in front of our people, in front of our loved ones, to show ourselves as pathetic. It is not....easy…most people cannot accept that.”
"Because of this, there is a lot of dissatisfaction among the younger generation.
"They are all attracted to being all powerful and strong.
“As people of the demonic bloodline, we too admire strength.”
“Power.”
“Freedom.”
“Pride.”
“They no longer wish to live hidden beneath others.”
Sera quietly listened.
“And then there is another doctrine,” Cerci continued more carefully.
“The Temple forbids forcing ourselves upon others.”
“We can only claim who we are able to seduce. Even abuse has to be consensual.
Her expression darkened slightly afterward.
“But…you should already know what happens whenever an M-Type is discovered.”
Sera’s eyes narrowed in understanding.
Cerci sighed softly.
Then Sera asked quietly:
“Do you know why the Temple values these traditions so much?”
Cerci slowly shook her head.
“No.”
“But according to the Temple…”
“Following old ways shows greater progress in inversion and strength in our mana cultivation.
“And they often point to the older generations as proof.”
Sera remained thoughtful.
“The older generations were far stronger than we are now.”
“And recently…
“The overall strength of our race has been steadily declining.”
"I see", Sera contemplated
After a while, she finally looked up again.
“You attended the conference alongside Elizabeth, didn’t you?”
Cerci nodded. “Yes.”
“Then what else did they discuss?”
“Well…”
Cerci hesitated slightly.
“They discussed many things during the conference.
“But honestly, I didn’t understand most of it.
“I only clearly remembered the topics related to the old teachings.”
Sera nodded lightly.
“Still,” Cerci continued, “there was one topic they discussed repeatedly.”
Sera raised a brow.
“And that was?”
Cerci looked somewhat uncertain even while saying it.
“They were trying to find ways to increase the level of lust across the continent.”
Sera blinked once.
“…What? Lust?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t fully understand it either.”
“But from what I gathered…”
“The Temple and the Matriarchs want the level of carnal desires among the population to be increased.”
“At first I assumed it was related to the pleasure districts within the Vice Cities.”
“Perhaps business was declining…Or maybe they wanted to gain more popularity.”
For several seconds, Sera remained silent.
"There is no way it is possible.” Sera chuckles, “It must be something else."
"But I can't think of anything else. One of them even suggested we should arrange for girls to dance disrobed at taverns or make some girls walk in skimpy clothes around the towns and cities.
"If possible, they would even want it if rules like women or men can go around bare all day. Or any other method.
"They seem desperate for that.”
Sera sneers, "with the temples of the 12 Gods around, aren't they afraid they will be burned at the stakes if they do that.”
"That is what they are afraid of and rejected the proposal.”
“There was also discussion regarding the other Demonkin societies,” Cerci added after some hesitation.
Sera looked up again.
“The other races?”
Cerci nodded.
“It seems many of them have sensed that something is changing.”
“I don’t understand the details myself…”
“But everyone at the conference seemed convinced that something significant has happened.”
“Or perhaps…that someone important has appeared.”
Sera quietly fell into thought.
‘A major shift among the Demonkin races…?’
After several moments, she finally asked, “Anything else?”
Cerci slowly shook her head. “That was all I understood clearly.”
Silence settled briefly between them.
Then, after hesitating for a moment, Cerci carefully spoke again.
“If I may ask something, Madam…”
Sera looked toward her.
“I once heard from my mistress…
“…that you had considered forming a trinity together with your children.”
Sera nodded.
Cerci continued cautiously.
“But…You don’t seem particularly enthusiastic about training them.”
Sera leaned back quietly.
“It’s not that.”
A faint tiredness surfaced in her eyes.
“A lot has happened recently.
“I’ve barely even had time to organize my own thoughts.”
Then after a pause, Sera said, “When I first learned more about those so-called traditional methods of training at the hive….
“…I was actually interested. But I just wanted to do it for some fun. ”
Sera gave a small helpless smile.
“But the more I thought about it…
“…the more conflicted I became.”
Her fingers lightly traced the edge of the teacup beside her.
“What if they don't like it?
“What if I end up forcing my own ideals onto them?”
Cerci quietly watched her.
Sera lowered her gaze slightly.
“A part of me does want to shape Tia and Vina according to my preferences.
"Yet, I like Tia and Vina for who they are and how they are now. I didn't feel like they needed to change.”
Her voice became quieter afterward.
“I look at them sometimes and wonder…
“If I begin trying to change them…
“…will they still remain themselves afterward?
"After all, as you said, the old ways seem a bit extreme.”
The wind gently passed through the gazebo.
A faint uneasiness lingered within her expression.
“Is that so…” Cerci quietly fell into thought after hearing Sera’s concerns.
The gazebo gradually became calm again.
After a brief silence, Sera finally asked, “So? Did Sister Eli leave any other message for me?”
Cerci gently shook her head. “No, Madam.
“That was everything.
“I have already completed the task entrusted to me.”
She slowly stood from her seat.
“So I should take my leave now.”
Sera immediately smiled.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
Cerci looked slightly embarrassed. “My mistress will be waiting for me.” A faint blush appeared across her face.
Sera burst into soft laughter.
“Your mistress can survive one extra night without you.
“You traveled all the way here. At least remain as my guest for today and rest properly.
“And besides…”
Sera’s gaze drifted briefly toward Cerci’s stomach.
“If you truly are pregnant, then you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
Cerci hesitated for a moment before finally nodding reluctantly.
“…Then I shall accept your kindness.”
Afterward, the two continued chatting casually for some time until Elara eventually returned carrying refreshments.
Sera then instructed the head maid to prepare one of the best guest rooms for Cerci and ensure she was treated properly during her stay.
As Cerci prepared to leave the gazebo alongside Elara, she suddenly paused.
Then she turned back toward Sera once more.
“Madam…You should seriously consider training your mares according to the old ways.”
Sera looked at her quietly.
“You don’t have to worry so much about how they may feel.
“Like myself, a true N or M -Type quietly long to be shaped by their husband’s will. This is something they truly crave for deeply.”
Sera remained silent.
“You don't need to think too much about what is written in the books either,” Cerci continued softly.
“Those raised directly within the Temple often practice the traditions far more strictly.
“But for ordinary trinities like ours…what matters most is to mold your mares into what you think your ideal mares should be like.
"The books are just for reference.”
Cerci’s expression became unexpectedly gentle afterward.
“As long as you make it such that your mares can't live without you, it is sufficient.”
Her gaze softened slightly as though recalling her own experiences.
"This is not just about following a custom or tradition. The process itself will be an unforgettable experience for you and them."
Silence lingered briefly afterward.
Then Cerci bowed politely once more.
“Now then…I shall take my leave.”
Afterward, she departed together with Elara.
‘Mares? Are they talking about horses?’
The head maid didn’t fully understand what the two women had been discussing. But chose not to ask unnecessary questions.
Meanwhile, Sera remained seated alone inside the gazebo.
Quietly contemplating Cerci’s words.
Gradually, she began losing herself within her thoughts once more.
‘My ideal mare… huh…’
Sera quietly leaned back in her chair.
Her gaze lingered on the books resting atop the table.
‘Honestly…I don’t think there is anything wrong with Tia or Vina the way they already are.
‘Ever since their birth, aside from the short period when Vina left for the capital,
we three almost never got separated for a long time in all these years.
‘We lived together. Ate together. Slept together. Spent nearly every day by one another’s side.
‘Because of that—I want to believe that no one in this world understands them better than I do.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
‘I like the way they look at me.
‘I rarely saw male children of our clan.
‘At first, when Tia stared at me as a child, I thought it was normal as the children of our bloodline often became deeply fascinated by their mothers.
‘The hive’s children, whether they are male or female, all of them are like that.
‘Although there are always exceptions like me.
‘The hive mothers also discuss how their children's gazes turn from fascination to lust slowly as time passes by. To which they all really look forward to it.
‘But Tia…’
Sera’s eyes slowly softened.
‘Tia was different.
‘Her gaze towards me is always filled with fascination, lust and love.
‘And her eyes show expressions and emotions far deeper than what a child should show.
‘Others may not have noticed.
‘But how could I possibly fail?
‘As a child he had lustful intentions.’
Sera quietly chuckled to herself.
‘I thought it was normal for a child born in our bloodline.
‘But vina was not like that.
‘She was like any normal child of our clan.
‘First fascination.
‘Slowly her gaze started to turn lustful and passionate, just like how the hive mothers described.
‘So Tia is an anomaly.
‘We three have our own thoughts and things we are not ready to share with each other.
‘We don't speak, and we don't ask.
‘But we no longer try to hide it either.
‘Tia somehow seems to have been born with unknown knowledge, or maybe she is self aware since her birth or maybe has some kind of memories.
‘Still, I like them as they are and who they are.’
A conflicted look slowly surfaced within Sera’s expression.
‘But. If I have to name my ideal type more specifically, I still want my bed to be warmed by a gentle feminine touch.
‘Vina is still to my liking . After all she is a girl to begin with.
‘But Tia....I thought I had trained and treated Tia to be a girl from birth.
‘But at her core. She is still a male.
‘Even if I dress him up, he is still a boy at heart.
‘If possible, I want to change it.
‘But how?
‘Also, why is sister Eli emphasizing that I must train them? Especially the N type?’
Sera glanced once more at the books resting atop the table.
A long, exhausted sigh escaped her lips.
“…I guess I will be reading more books now.”
Copyright © [May] [2026] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the publisher at [
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].
Author’s Note:
For readers to remember, this is the same maid, seras cousin Elizabeth teases in chapter.