Bonus Chapter: A Feast in the Shadows, Part One

Two weeks later, on the night of the new moon, at the edge of the black pine forest)

Thick clouds obscured the moon, and the forest was pitch black, save for a few scattered, phosphorescent glows from the fungi and the faint lights of a distant fortress tower. The night wind whistled through the pine needles.

Knight Catherine tightened her cloak, scanning the path ahead, swallowed by darkness, with wary eyes. A dull ache throbbed in her left shoulder—that damned old wound always seemed to flare up on damp, cold nights like this. Her second-in-command, Mary, followed a few steps behind, equally focused, her knight's sword slightly drawn, reflecting the faint starlight.

"Damn it, this awful weather and this damn patrol route," Catherine muttered. Strictly speaking, this route had been personally adjusted and assigned to them by the commander, supposedly to strengthen vigilance in the southeast. Initially, receiving the commander's special attention flattered her, even secretly delighted, but after several nights of wandering in this eerie forest, that secret joy was quickly worn away by boredom and exhaustion.

"Hang in there, Captain, we're almost at the handover point," Mary's voice came through, tinged with a barely perceptible tension. She didn't like the overly dense and dark environment; she always felt like something was lurking in the shadows.

Just then, a soft "crack" sound came from the bushes not far ahead, as if something had snapped a dead branch.

"Who's there!" Catherine immediately drew her sword and hissed.

There was no answer. Only the wind picked up.

The two exchanged a glance and, in perfect unison, slowly approached in battle formation. Catherine led the way, while Mary provided cover for the flanks.

The moment they stepped into a clearing in the woods—

"puff!"

A cloud of grayish-white dust exploded out of the tree canopy above them without warning, spreading rapidly! The dust carried a pungent smell of sulfur and mildew, instantly obscuring their vision. More seriously, Catherine felt as if her magical perception had been covered by a thick veil, becoming dull and confused.

"It's a trap! Back off!" Catherine shouted, but her voice sounded muffled in the swirling dust.

"Captain! I can't see you!" Mary's panicked voice came from behind her.

In the chaos, several short and swift black figures pounced from all directions! They emitted sharp squeaks, moved with astonishing speed, and waved their crude weapons wildly, looking like... a group of frenzied goblins?

Catherine swung her sword to deflect a wooden club that came hurtling towards her, but the pain in her left shoulder made her pause. Then, a sharp pain shot through her calf, as if she had been stabbed by something! She groaned and fell to her knees.

"Captain!" Mary heard the voice and tried to rush over, but was immediately entangled by two dark figures. These "goblins" had surprisingly "exquisite" tactical coordination, always managing to disrupt her rhythm and corner her.

The battle was brief but intense. With their magical perception obstructed and their vision blurred, Catherine and Mary fought valiantly, managing to kill two of the shadowy figures. However, they were quickly overwhelmed by the attacks of more shadowy figures and the unpredictable stray arrows and tripwires, collapsing one after another, wounded. Their last memory was of several rough, foul-smelling hands covering their mouths and noses, a pungent odor filling their nostrils, before their consciousness sank into darkness.

……

After an unknown amount of time, Catherine (or rather, her body) awoke with a violent headache and a throbbing, aching pain throughout her body. She found herself lying on a cold patch of grass, her hands bound behind her back and her mouth gagged with a rag. Mary was beside her, also bound, already awake, her eyes darting around in terror.

In front of them stood several figures.

By the pale moonlight that finally pierced through the clouds, Catherine could see the faces of the three men—she almost cried with joy!

It's the captain! Captain Anastasia! And Priestess Lydia and Scout Ella! They've come to rescue us...?

But the next second, her joy froze.

The captain's face showed no anxiety or anger, only an almost cruel calm. Priestess Lydia still wore a gentle smile, but that smile appeared particularly cold in the moonlight. Scout Ella leisurely toyed with a dagger, her eyes scanning them up and down as if assessing merchandise.

What made Catherine's heart stop even more was that among the cloaked figures accompanying her, she saw several faces that should never have been there, nor could they have stood peacefully together—they were from several different orc tribes! A dark-skinned, agile Blackrock orc, and a short, stocky fellow from the Shatterstone tribe, both of them had undisguised, greedy, and excited flames burning in their eyes, staring intently at her and Mary's bodies.

"Ugh! Ugh!" Catherine struggled frantically, her pupils dilated with **** fear. She realized something, but her brain refused to accept the horrifying thought.

“Bring it up,” Anna said coldly.

Two orcs eagerly stepped forward and roughly dragged Catherine and Mary to their feet. Their cloaks were pulled back, revealing a crude stone altar, already prepared and inscribed with eerie green runes. An orc shaman (from another tribe), dressed in tattered robes and adorned with bone ornaments, stood there, his withered fingers beginning to dance.

No! No! No—!!!

Ancient incantations rang out, and a ghostly green light once more illuminated the sinister forest clearing. Catherine and Mary watched helplessly as their souls detached from their bodies, rising like helpless dust, then being dragged by an irresistible **** towards the two foul-smelling, sulfurous orcish corpses. Meanwhile, the orcs' souls, laughing maniacally, pounced upon the warm, healthy, and powerful bodies of the female knights.

The **** screams were choked in their throats, eventually turning into weak and painful whimpers emanating from the throats of the two orcish bodies.

The ceremony is complete.

Two "orcs" lay sprawled on the ground, their eyes vacant, their human souls struggling within their clumsy and ugly shells.

Catherine and Mary slowly opened their eyes.

They—or rather, the Blackrock orc souls and Shattered Stone orc souls that possessed their bodies—were momentarily bewildered, then overwhelmed with ecstasy.

Catherine flexed her wrists, feeling the powerful strength within her muscles and the delicate touch of every inch of her skin. The faint, lingering pain in her left shoulder, a sympathetic ache from an old injury, filled her with a sense of novelty and excitement. She looked down at her full chest, encased in armor, then touched her cheek, bursting into a rough laugh—though she tried to restrain herself, it still carried the accent of an orc.

Mary, on the other hand, savored the lightness of her agile body, trying out a few small movements and finding them incredibly coordinated. She (or he) looked at Anna and the others, her eyes filled with undisguised submission and gratitude.

'Lia' stepped forward, her voice still gentle: "Welcome, sisters. I'll help you get used to everything as quickly as possible. First, let's 'experience' some of the... special reactions of your new bodies." A small, delicate magical rod with fine bumps had appeared in her hand.

Ella also came over with a grin, waving the belt she had taken off Catherine's body: "Don't be afraid, you'll love this body even more after training."

Under the guidance (or rather, training) of their "seniors," the two newly minted "female knights" began their first lesson as infiltrators. Painful whimpers (from the orc bodies) and deliberately suppressed yet still leaking moans, a mixture of novelty and pleasure (from the female knights' bodies), intertwined in the forest clearing.

Anna stood not far away, watching all this quietly, the moonlight casting a silvery glow on her cold profile.

Klaus Fortress now has two more perfect "shadows".

The night is still long.

The pervasive feast has only just begun.

——————

(The first rays of dawn pierced through the narrow window of the recruit training camp barracks at Claustau Fortress, casting a square patch of light on the cold stone floor. The air was filled with the scents of straw, cheap soap, and new leather, mingled with the faint aroma wafting from the nearby stables.)

Lina Wilster, seventeen years old, a new recruit who had just passed the assessment two weeks ago and joined the Third Female Knights Order on the Kingdom's border with high hopes, was now closing her eyes, trying to "sleep" for a few more minutes. Although her body had naturally awakened due to her biological clock, the muscle soreness from yesterday's high-intensity basic swordsmanship training and drill exercises made every joint of hers protest silently.

She secretly buried her face in the rough but relatively clean linen pillow, feeling the texture of the hard bed beneath her. Just then, the sound of neat and rhythmic footsteps came from the corridor outside the door—the sound of the patrol changing shifts, the crisp and clear sound of boot heels striking the stone slabs.

Lina immediately opened her eyes, all sleepiness gone. She listened intently and could distinguish at least three or four different footstep rhythms, some steady, some light, but all exuding the power and coordination honed through rigorous training. One particular footstep was quite special, possessing an almost feline lightness and elasticity, with each step landing precisely and making almost no extraneous sound.

"Is that Senior Ella?" Lina immediately pictured the scout captain with short, deep red hair, a perpetually enigmatic smile, and movements as swift as the wind. Yesterday afternoon at the training field, she had witnessed Senior Ella demonstrating dagger parrying techniques, watching how those long, shapely legs encased in black stockings unleashed astonishing power in an instant, a fluid slide and turn circling behind the training dummy…

Lina's face flushed slightly, and she quickly shook her head, banishing those irrelevant images from her mind. She sat up and began her daily routine as a new recruit.

She washed with cold water and carefully dressed in her slightly oversized recruit uniform—a uniform dark gray cotton-linen lining, covered by a simple leather vest and arm guards, and knee-length leather shorts designed for ease of movement. But Lina noticed that almost all the formal female knights, regardless of rank, seemed to wear uniform knee-length black stockings with the knightly order's subtle patterns under their uniforms. Was this a convention? She glanced down at her bare legs, considering whether she should buy a pair too. Apparently, logistics could apply for "equipment wear and tear replenishment" using recruit allowances…

Breakfast was eaten in the noisy dining hall. Rye bread, bland bean soup, and a small piece of cheese. Lina found a corner seat, chewing slowly while observing the formal knights coming and going around her.

She noticed that many of the female knights weren't strictly adhering to dining etiquette. For example, the three sitting at a table not far away—one a senior with a striking red ponytail and a dashing demeanor (who seemed to be Captain Sally?)—was casually biting into her bread, talking to the brown-haired senior opposite her (Captain Maggie?), while naturally propping one leg up on the empty stool next to her. The straight lines of her calves, encased in black stockings and exposed beneath her leather shorts, were particularly eye-catching in the morning light. The brown-haired senior simply listened quietly, nodding occasionally, but her posture was equally casual. She leaned back slightly, one hand resting on the back of the chair, the other holding a soup bowl. Her elbow accidentally brushed against the red-haired senior's propped-up leg, and both seemed to pause for a moment. Then, the red-haired senior smiled, not retracting her leg but instead gently swaying it, her black-stockinged ankle brushing against the other's calf.

Lina quickly lowered her head, her heart inexplicably racing. She told herself it was just casual interaction between comrades, and that she was being too sensitive.

After breakfast came the morning training. Today's subject was basic shield defense formation coordination. The instructor was a formal knight named Catherine, tall and capable, whose commands were clear and forceful. However, Lina noticed a slight, almost imperceptible stiffness and unnaturalness in Catherine's left shoulder movement when demonstrating how to raise the shield sideways. Moreover, when Catherine turned to face the sun to adjust the formation, Lina clearly saw a fleeting, sharp glint in the depths of her serious gray eyes… like a wild beast locking onto its prey? But when she blinked and looked again, Catherine's gaze had returned to its usual calm.

"I must be seeing things," Lina thought.

During a training break, Lena was assigned to the armory to collect a new batch of training wooden swords. The armory manager was Senior Jennifer, a somewhat rigid-looking woman who wore glasses. She quickly counted the wooden swords while rapidly reciting inventory numbers and collection records. But when Lena accidentally dropped a wooden sword, Senior Jennifer reacted with astonishing speed, catching it almost the instant it left her hand, her movements so fluid and natural for an office worker. Moreover, Lena vaguely smelled a very peculiar scent on Senior Jennifer, a blend of musk and some kind of sweet floral and fruity fragrance, completely out of place with the steel and grease of the armory.

"Here you go, recruit. Be careful next time." Senior Jennifer handed the wooden sword back to her, adjusted her glasses, and seemed to linger on her face for a second longer behind the lenses.

"Yes! Thank you, senior!" Lina quickly accepted it, her heart skipping a beat.

There was a short break after lunch. Lina intended to go back to her dormitory for a rest, but somehow she ended up in the small garden behind the training ground—it was said to have been arranged by the wife of a fortress commander, and although it was somewhat overgrown now, it was still a place that many female knights liked to come to when they rested.

She did indeed see people there.

On a bench beside a cluster of half-withered roses sat Priestess Lya. Her long golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the hem of her white priestess robes billowed out. She was looking down at a thick holy book in her hands, her profile serene and holy in the afternoon sunlight. Not far from her feet, on the grass, Senior Ella lay in an extremely relaxed posture, her hands behind her head, her short, deep red hair slightly disheveled. Her eyes were closed, as if she were taking a nap. Her long legs, clad in black stockings, stretched out freely beneath her leather shorts, and the lace of one of her ankle boots was loose, but she seemed completely unconcerned.

Lina tiptoed, not daring to disturb her. Just as she was about to leave quietly, she saw Senior Ella suddenly move.

Ella didn't open her eyes, but simply stretched out a hand and lazily and precisely placed it on Priestess Lya's calf, which was also covered by white stockings and dangling from the side of the bench. It wasn't a handshake, nor a polite touch, but rather her fingers naturally slid up a short distance from her ankle along the graceful curve of her calf, stopping at the white jade-like calf, her fingertips even slightly sinking into the soft texture of the stockings.

Priestess Leah paused almost imperceptibly as she turned the pages, but she didn't pull her leg back, nor did she reprimand her. In fact... Lina saw a very subtle upward curve at the corner of her mouth. Her gaze remained fixed on the holy book, but her other free hand gently covered the back of Ella's hand, her fingertips lightly stroking Ella's knuckles.

Sunlight, a garden, a holy priest, a languid scout, silent yet intimate physical contact… The scene possessed a strange beauty, yet it also stirred a strange heat and… a flutter in Lina's heart. Her cheeks burned, she held her breath, and tiptoed away from the garden.

The afternoon training was even more rigorous, consisting of endurance running and weighted obstacle courses. By the time the final whistle blew, Lina was so exhausted she could barely move, her inner lining soaked with sweat, and her body felt like it was falling apart. She was allowed to go to the public bathroom to wash up early.

The female knights' communal bathrooms were spacious but simply furnished, with individual cubicles separated by thick linen curtains. Hot water was limited, and there was usually a queue.

Lina, carrying toiletries, dragged her weary steps into the bathroom, where quite a few people were already inside. The air was thick with steam, a mixture of sweat, soap, and the warm, unique scent of women's skin. There was the sound of running water, occasional conversations, and… some suppressed, strange noises?

She didn't pay much attention, found an empty cubicle further inside, and pulled back the curtain. The sound of water next door seemed louder, mixed with the slight splashing of water and... the rustling of fabric? And, an extremely faint, short, sweet inhalation, as if humming from her nose?

Lina froze. She wasn't a clueless, naive girl; before joining the Knights, she had occasionally heard similar sounds coming from the back alleys of the town's taverns or barns. But this was a military camp, the Knights' camp! She **** herself not to think too much, quickly took off her dirty uniform, and turned on the hot water.

The warm water washed over her tired body, making her relax a little. But the strange noises from next door didn't stop; in fact... they seemed to get clearer? Besides the sounds of water and friction, there now seemed to be sounds like lips kissing wet skin, and a short, almost suppressed sob that seemed to be suddenly blocked by something.

Lina's heart raced uncontrollably, blood rushing to her ears and cheeks. She quickly showered, roughly dried herself, and threw on some clean clothes before leaving. As she passed the next stall, she caught a glimpse of the floor not fully covered by the curtain at the bottom—

A few strands of short, deep red hair, soaked through, hung down into the puddles on the ground.

And then there was another section… peeking through the gap in the curtain, the ankle and calf of a woman in black stockings, their color deepened by the wetness of the slippery floor, their lines beautiful, the skin gleaming alluringly in the light and steam. Another calf, clad in white, soaked stockings, lay crossed over it, the toes slightly curled.

Lina looked away as if she had been burned, and practically fled the bathroom.

Night fell, and after roll call came free time. Lina should have gone back to her dorm to review the day's training notes or take care of her equipment. But she found herself restless. The fragmented, ambiguous, and strange images and sounds from the day kept involuntarily creeping into her mind.

She decided to try her luck at the library—perhaps reading some dry tactics manuals or historical books would calm her down.

The Knights' library wasn't large, and it wasn't crowded at night. Lina found a book called "Illustrated Guide to Common Monsters in the Frontier and Countermeasures" and sat down in a corner against the wall. It was very quiet around her, with only the rustling of pages turning and occasional low-pitched discussions coming from a distant corner.

She didn't know how long she had been reading when she felt a wave of weariness wash over her, and her vision began to blur. Just as she was about to close the book and go back, a very faint yet remarkably clear sound came through the wall.

This wall... seems to separate it from the small meeting room or storage room next door? That sound... sounds like fabric being pulled and rubbed forcefully, with a wet, sticky feel. Then there's a muffled thud of a body hitting something, very light, but very powerful. Immediately following is a ****, suppressed, yet uncontrolled, high-pitched, sweet and rapid moan, belonging to a woman.

"Hmm...slow down...Lia...outside..."

That voice...?!

Lina's blood nearly froze. It was Ella's voice! Though it was low and breathless, she couldn't be mistaken!

"Shh...don't make a sound...bear with it..." Another voice, equally low but gentler, carrying an undeniable sense of control, rang out—it was Priestess Lia! "Don't you...like being pinned to the table like this? Last time in the Captain's office..."

"Um...don't...don't mention that..."

The conversation was intermittent, but it was followed by more intense sounds of physical collisions, the rustling of fabric, and suppressed, fragmented sobs and gasps that were a mixture of pain and pleasure.

Lena sat stiffly in the chair, her heart pounding as if it would shatter her ribs. The urge to escape screamed in her head, but her body seemed nailed to the spot. A strange, burning sensation rose from deep within her abdomen, quickly spreading to every part of her body. She could clearly feel her cheeks burning, and a shameful emptiness and…wetness between her legs.

She didn't know how she got out of her seat. Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, silently moving to the wall. There was a tiny, almost invisible crack in the wall. Reason told her she shouldn't, but a dark curiosity and desire, ignited by what she had seen and heard during the day and the forbidden sounds at this moment, drove her, slowly and tremblingly, to bring her eyes closer to the crack.

Beyond the gap was a storage room next door, filled with old files and miscellaneous items. A dim lantern sat on an old wooden crate in the corner, providing the only source of light.

The lights illuminated the interior.

Senior Ella was pressed face down onto the long, dusty wooden table in the center of the room. Her upper body was almost entirely on the tabletop, her short, crimson hair disheveled, her cheek pressed against the cold wood, her eyes tightly closed, her eyelashes trembling violently. Her leather vest and lining had been pushed up to her armpits, revealing her smooth back and large expanses of skin. Her leather shorts had been pulled down to her knees, and together with her signature black stockings, they were bunched up at her slender ankles, held in place by the tops of her boots.

The priestess, Lyra, stood behind her. The hem of her white priestess robe was lifted, bunching at her waist, revealing her shapely legs, also encased in white stockings. One hand pressed firmly against Ella's vest, securing her upper body to the table, while the other hand… was moving between Ella's bare buttocks, deeply marked by the black stockings, her fingers rapidly and deeply penetrating a hidden spot, drawing out a wet, sticky, silvery sheen. Her movements were not gentle; they even carried a punitive, predatory ****. Each penetration caused Ella's body to tense sharply, her toes curling inside her boots, and broken moans escaping her throat.

"Ah...it's...it's almost here...Lia..." Ella's voice was trembling with sobs, yet filled with longing.

“No…it’s not time yet…” Leah’s voice remained gentle, yet she coldly refused, her fingers even slowing their movements to a slow, grinding motion. “Catherine and Mary…should be back soon after their ‘training’…wait for them to come together…”

Just then, the door to the storage room was silently pushed open a crack.

Two figures slipped in and locked the door behind them.

It was Senior Catherine and Senior Mary! They seemed a little out of breath, their cheeks flushed, and their once-neat knight uniforms were somewhat disheveled. Senior Catherine's collar was even torn open, revealing her collarbone and a hint of black lace. Upon seeing the scene inside, their eyes showed no surprise, but rather a renewed excitement.

"Oh? It's already started? Why didn't you wait for us?" Catherine licked her lips and strode forward.

“Looks like our little wildcat is really thirsty,” Mary said with a light laugh as she followed.

Without any hesitation, the two began to remove their excess clothing. Soon, two more mature and powerful female bodies appeared in the room, clad only in disheveled undershirts and black stockings.

Leah finally released her hold on Ella. Ella slid limply off the table, only to be caught by Catherine. Catherine turned her over, making her lean against the edge of the table, and then without hesitation, lowered her head and kissed her—a deep, aggressive kiss. At the same time, Mary moved to Ella's other side, reaching between the still-damp black stockings and lining that clung to her thighs, her fingers deftly finding the already erect and sensitive core, and began to rapidly tease it.

"Ugh—!" Ella's body arched again, her hands weakly clinging to Catherine's shoulders, her legs instinctively trying to come together, but Mary pushed them apart with her knees.

Leah stepped back, leisurely straightening her slightly disheveled priest's robes. Her gaze languidly swept over the lewd scene before her, a signature gentle smile playing on her lips. Then, her eyes, intentionally or unintentionally, drifted over the crack in the wall through which Lina was peeping.

Lena was struck dumb, collapsing backward to the ground, her books clattering to the floor. Her face was deathly pale, and she trembled violently like a leaf in the wind. She'd been discovered! The realization gripped her with terror, a wave of shame and fear washing over her. She tried to get up and run, but her legs were too weak to obey her commands.

Just then, the door to the storage room was gently pushed open again.

Senior Ella—or rather, the Ella who had just endured everything in that room—appeared in the doorway. Her clothes were mostly tidied, but her hair was still disheveled, and her cheeks and neck still bore the blush of passion and the marks of kisses and bites. Her black stockings were pulled up again, but the wrinkles and wetness were clearly visible. Her eyes no longer held the cunning and lively gaze of the day, but rather a languid satisfaction and… a knowing, dangerously playful glint.

“Look who this is?” Ella’s voice was a little hoarse as she crouched down to look Lina, who was slumped on the ground, in the eye. “Our lovely recruit…Lina Wilster, right?”

Her fingers hooked Lina's chin, forcing her to lift her head. Lina could clearly smell the sweet, cloying scent of bodily fluids and female eroticism lingering on the other's fingers.

“Peeking isn’t a good habit, little sister,” Ella chuckled, her thumb tracing Lina’s trembling lips. “But… since you saw and heard everything…”

She stood up, turned around, and said to the storage room, "It seems we have a new 'little friend' who needs to be 'taught' what the Knights' 'nighttime activities' are all about."

Leah, Catherine, and Mary emerged from the storage room one after another. They had all tidied their clothes to some extent, but each of them exuded a languid aura and a strong scent of desire, a result of intense sexual activity. Four pairs of eyes, each with a different smile—gentle, playful, excited, and curious—all fell upon Lina.

Lina wanted to scream, to cry for help, but her throat felt constricted, and she couldn't make a sound. She could feel that between her legs, because of witnessing everything that had just happened and the **** fear and shame she felt at that moment, the cold liquid had even soaked through the thin fabric of her underwear and clung to her inner thighs.

“Bring her in,” Priestess Lydia said gently, as if inviting a lost lamb. “This place… is more suitable for ‘studying’ than the library.”

Ella and Mary, one on each side, easily lifted the limp Lina up and dragged her into the storage room filled with a lewd atmosphere.

The door closed gently behind them and locked.

The lights were dim.

Lena was placed on the wooden table, still warm and damp. Her recruit uniform was easily peeled off. Soon, like Ella before her, she was left only with her undergarments and the black stockings she hadn't had time to apply for—but now, they were being peeled off by several skillful and experienced hands.

"Nice skin, quite smooth," Catherine commented, her rough fingers stroking Lina's flat stomach.

“She’s still a virgin…” Mary’s voice was filled with the excitement of discovering a new toy as her fingers tentatively slid between the girl’s tightly closed legs.

Lina kept her eyes tightly shut, tears streaming down her face. But in despair, her body shamefully responded to the unfamiliar touches. When Ella's fingers, smeared with someone else's love fluid, **** their way into her tight, untouched passage, she finally couldn't help but let out a broken sob.

“Relax…” Leah’s gentle voice sounded in her ear, and at the same time, another thin, cold object (a magic wand?) pressed against her anus, which was tense with fear and shame. “You’ll get used to it…it will feel good. We all went through this.”

Invasion, expansion, manipulation, teasing. Four people, eight hands, and those cold or hot props that didn't belong to her body, wantonly explored, stimulated, and developed her sensitive and immature body.

Shame, fear, despair... but there was also a more powerful torrent of pleasure, originating from bodily instincts and forcibly awakened and catalyzed, which gradually broke down her dam of reason.

She began to tremble uncontrollably, gasping and moaning. When Ella and Mary simultaneously touched her most sensitive spots—her breasts and the area between her legs—with their fingers and tongues; when Catherine slapped her buttocks, leaving crimson handprints; when the vibrating magic wand in Leah's hand buzzed in her rear…

Lina's soul felt as if it had been thrown to the peak of a raging storm, then collapsed completely with a short, high-pitched scream that was entirely unlike her own. Hot love fluid gushed out as if she had lost control of her bladder, splashing onto the table beneath her and onto the four "seniors" surrounding her, who were smiling and admiring her dazed state.

In the afterglow of her climax, a flood of chaotic fragments of consciousness rushed into her brain—not just the intense physical pleasure, but also cold, repetitive words and images:

"...obey...integrate...become one of us..."

"...a new body...a new identity...new happiness..."

"...This is evolution...this is sublimation...this is the only destination..."

In her hazy consciousness, she saw that Priestess Lydia had somehow acquired a small bone totem emitting a ghostly green light. Meanwhile, Catherine and Mary were dragging in a female goblin (?) or some kind of small demi-human ****, who was tightly bound, gagged, and dressed in tattered clothes with a look of terror and despair in her eyes. They placed her in a simple rune circle in the corner of the room.

The ancient incantation resounded softly once more.

Lina felt her consciousness begin to float away uncontrollably, detaching itself...

No...don't...

In her last sliver of clarity, she saw Ella's face drawing closer, her lips moving with their usual playful smile, silently saying:

"Welcome...newcomer..."

Then came the fall.

I fell into a... short, hunched body with rough, dark green skin, a foul odor, and dulled and confused senses.

Meanwhile, the young female knight's body, which had been slumped on the table, covered in hickeys and finger marks, and with her lower body in disarray, slowly opened her eyes with a newfound curiosity and greed.

The depths of those eyes were initially a murky, dark yellow, but soon, mimicking some kind of memory, they strived to become clear and curious, with a touch of just the right amount of timidity and shyness that belonged to a new recruit.

"I..." The new 'Lina' tried to speak, her voice still a little unaccustomed, but it had largely regained the clear, youthful tone of a girl, "What... happened to me?"

Ella smiled and pinched her cheek. "It's nothing, just a very long dream. Now that you're awake, it's time for you to begin your real 'knight' life."

Leah gently took a clean uniform lining and draped it over 'Lina'. "Don't be afraid, we'll teach you. From how to walk, talk, train... to how to enjoy all the 'pleasure' this body brings."

In the corner, the true soul of Lina Wilster, trapped in the goblin's body, let out a faint, unheard groan before being dragged into a deep sleep by the remaining power of the spell.

Surrounded by her four "seniors," the new 'Lina' clumsily but expectantly began to learn how to control her new, young, and energetic female knight body.

Outside the window, the night at Klaus Fortress remained deep and tranquil.

The shadow of pervasive influence silently spread further with the "transformation" of yet another "newcomer."

——————

(At dusk, the domed reliefs in the central hall of Klaus Fortress were bathed in a warm amber light by the setting sun. Normally, this was a sacred and solemn place, used for military conferences, award ceremonies, or receiving important visitors. But tonight, the heavy doors were tightly shut, and the guards inside and out had been replaced by their own men. The interior of the hall had completely changed.)

The long oak conference table was pushed against the wall, replaced by round tables covered with pristine white linen tablecloths, set with silver candlesticks and sumptuous dishes. The aroma of roast suckling pig, the rich broth of stewed lamb, the malty sweetness of fresh bread, and the fragrance of large barrels of ale and wine mingled with the resinous scent of torches burning on the walls of the hall, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that could ignite any appetite.

However, the atmosphere permeating the hall at this moment was far more than that.

The air was thicker, more viscous, almost forming a tangible heatwave, filled with the fresh, clean scent of hundreds of women's bodies, freshly bathed, mingled with carefully selected perfumes of varying quality. And… beneath the aroma of food, yet pervasive and primal—the sweet, cloying scent of rising female hormones, the slightly salty tang of sweat, and the unique, slightly fishy yet alluring aroma of naturally secreted love fluids. Ultimately, all the scents intertwined in the warm, captivating fragrance absorbed by the thick, soft carpets and flowing curtains.

One by one, figures entered the hall.

They were all dressed in the knightly order's formal evening attire. This attire was not the elaborate and extravagant style of the royal court, but rather combined the knight's martial prowess with feminine grace—a well-tailored, deep blue or dark green velvet gown, the hem not floor-length, but just the right length reaching mid-calf for ease of movement. The upper body featured a stand-up collar or small lapel design similar to military dress, adorned with silver sashes, chains, and insignia representing rank. The shoulders and arms were decorated with thin scapulae and arm guards inlaid with dark metal pieces.

What's most alluring is the design of the slit at the hem of the skirt. For ease of riding and combat, the skirt features a perfectly placed high slit. As one walks, pairs of straight, slender legs, almost entirely encased in uniform, knee-high black stockings with a dark knightly thorn pattern, are glimpsed. Under the lamplight and candlelight, the stockings gleam with a delicate matte sheen, tightly hugging every inch of skin, outlining the perfect curves from firm thighs to shapely calves, and then to slender ankles. The tops of the stockings are secured a few inches above the knee by wide, equally dark lace bands, above which lies a small section of fair, delicate skin, even more alluring in the shadows of the gown's hem.

The hall became increasingly crowded.

At first, the atmosphere maintained a certain superficial formality. Acquaintances nodded to each other, conversed in hushed tones, discussing the day's defense duty shifts, the progress of new recruit training, or a certain external visitor who needed "special attention." Their voices were soft, and their manners were impeccable.

But soon, as several barrels of strong liquor were opened and the pungent liquid flowed into the silver cups, and as the first dance music—not a court dance, but a frontier dance with an exotic flair, a stronger rhythm, and more physical contact—was played by a hastily assembled musician (who was also being replaced) in the corner, a certain invisible constraint began to loosen and break.

"Ha! Look who's here?" A clear, slightly husky voice rang out; it was 'Ella'. Tonight, she wasn't wearing a formal gown, but rather a black, form-fitting leather armor with subtle silver patterns, which accentuated her already curvaceous figure even more. The armor was very short, barely covering the top of her black stockings. She carried a large glass of ale, her hips swaying as she walked, her long, black-stockinged legs reflecting an alluring sheen under the hall's lights. She was walking towards 'Catherine,' who was speaking quietly with another tall knight.

Tonight, 'Catherine' wore a deep green velvet gown, the high collar giving her a more ascetic and aloof air than usual. But now, she also held a glass of wine in her hand, her gaze no longer as serious as during the day, but rather carrying a relaxed, languid sharpness. The old injury on her left shoulder seemed to have subsided; she stood ramrod straight, the high slit of her gown almost completely exposing one of her long legs, encased in black stockings, which she didn't even bother to keep together.

"What, Ella, want another beating?" 'Catherine' raised an eyebrow, her tone less fiery and impatient than usual, and more composed and playful, befitting an orc warrior.

"Looking for a beating? I'm here to settle a score!" Ella grinned and leaned closer, clinking her glass against Ella's. "I still remember that 'training' you did in the Black Pine Forest, pinning me to a tree by my shoulders... That tree bark was so rough, it scratched my back for days." As she spoke, one hand naturally moved to Catherine's exposed, black-stockinged thigh, her fingertips feeling the firm, powerful muscles beneath the stockings.

“Oh? Then it’s your turn this time?” 'Catherine' didn’t dodge; instead, she thrust her hips forward, making her hands sink deeper into her inner thighs. “So you can also taste what it’s like to have your back rubbed raw. But…” She glanced down at 'Ella’s' breasts, which appeared exceptionally full due to her tight leather armor, “This time I might use a different kind of 'thing' to pad them, to make sure it doesn’t hurt you.”

“Oh, Catherine’s so gentle now? Back in the tribe, you used to love tying your spoils (female captives) to rough wooden stakes.” A slightly languid, nasal voice sounded from the side; it was Jennifer. This logistics manager was dressed in a relatively conservative dark blue dress tonight, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding what looked like an account book. But upon closer inspection, her glasses seemed to reflect light, obscuring the expression in her eyes. Moreover, she hadn’t buttoned the top of her dress, revealing a delicate collarbone and a hint of the edge of her dark purple lace lingerie. The slit in her skirt was also higher than others, almost reaching her upper thigh, with her thighs, encased in black stockings, faintly visible at the edge of the slit.

“That was in the tribe. Now look at this body, this skin, so delicate.” ’Catherine’ said, raising her other hand to pinch the small patch of skin exposed at the collar of ’Ella’s’ tight leather armor. “Look how smooth it is.”

"Ha, as if you haven't secretly tried all sorts of things on your 'new body'." Another voice joined in; it was 'Maggie'. The brown-haired female knight's dress tonight was dark in color and simple in style, but her inherent composure now carried a hint of gloomy aggression. She reached out and wrapped her arm around 'Jennifer's' waist, pulling her closer, her fingers pressing against the other's bare collarbone. "Jennifer, I remember you used to be the accountant shaman of the Shattered Stone Tribe? A withered old woman who dealt with bones and herbs all day long. How does it feel to touch this tender flesh now?" She lowered her head, almost whispering in the other's ear, while her other hand slid inside 'Jennifer's' high-slit skirt, directly covering the outside of her thigh encased in black stockings.

Jennifer's body trembled slightly, her eyes behind her glasses narrowed, but her voice remained rigid: "It feels...much more interesting than calculating animal hides and grain. Especially this outfit, these stockings...so tight, the feeling of them rubbing against the skin is a completely different world from rough animal hides." As she spoke, her hand was equally assertive, reaching towards the side of Maggie's dress, her fingertips cleverly slipping into the fabric's seams and pinching the soft flesh on Maggie's side.

Several couples gathered together, and the atmosphere quickly heated up. Naked, undisguised desire and the raw, direct nature of the orc soul began to break free from the constraints of human female appearance.

The dance music in the corner grew faster and more intense.

Finally, the first couple to lose their patience were 'Catherine' and 'Ella', who had seemed quite eager before. 'Catherine' casually tossed her empty wine glass to a passing female knight with equally dazed eyes, then grabbed 'Ella's' wrist.

"Come on, there's a table over there. It looks pretty sturdy."

Their target was a long side table that had been cleared of food and was only covered with a tablecloth. 'Catherine' pushed 'Ella' onto the table and then followed her down. Whistles and laughter rang out, but no one stopped them. Instead, many people gathered around, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

'Ella' lay on the table, her short, deep red hair disheveled. Instead of resisting, she kicked off her boots, her long legs, encased in black stockings, wrapping around 'Catherine's' waist. 'Catherine' ruthlessly tore open the collar of 'Ella's' tight leather armor, burying her face in her chest, sucking and biting forcefully, leaving deep red marks. At the same time, her hands roughly pulled up the hem of 'Ella's' leather armor and the petticoat underneath to her waist, tearing the crotch of the thin black stockings, her fingers plunging deep inside.

"Ah... be gentle... you bull... uh!" Ella's cry of pain quickly turned into a moan of pleasure.

“Shut up, squeeze tighter if you like!” 'Catherine' mumbled, her fingers moving deeper and more forcefully.

The stimulating and direct visual impact completely ignited the atmosphere in the hall.

On the other side, 'Lia'—still wearing her pristine white clerical gown, but now she had lifted the hem herself and folded it around her waist, revealing the stark contrast of her black stockings, also in the knight order's uniform—was surrounded by 'Sophia', who was wearing a scribe's uniform, and another petite woman, 'Lucy', who looked like a trainee attendant.

Sophia, who was usually calm and reserved, now had a strange flush on her face and was breathing rapidly. She actually used her fingers, which were rough from years of holding a pen as a scribe, to slip inside the neckline of Leah's white dress, grab the firm, soft flesh, and knead it forcefully.

"Holy Light...is this what it feels like?" 'Sophia' asked breathlessly, her tone carrying a blasphemous pleasure.

'Lia' didn't answer, but simply closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and pressed her hands against the back of 'Sophia' and 'Lucy's' heads, forcing their faces against the exposed, white skin of her thighs revealed by the hem of her dress being lifted and the top of her black stockings. 'Lucy'—the body of that once timid girl now inhabited by the soul of a short but greedy goblin craftsman—immediately stuck out her tongue, eagerly licking that delicate skin, then moving downwards, through the black stockings soaked with 'Lia's' own love fluid, until she found that slightly recessed, secret entrance.

“Hmm…that’s it…you…greedy little things…” 'Lia' finally spoke, her voice still gentle, but trembling with a sadistic pleasure, “Make me…make yourselves…more comfortable…”

All sorts of combinations began to appear.

Two female knights who had always disliked each other in the knight order due to their incompatible personalities and backgrounds—Isabella, a tall, voluptuous, and proud noblewoman, and Reina, a petite but skilled swordswoman from a commoner background with a stubborn personality—were now tightly embracing each other and rolling around on the thick wool carpet.

The soul that occupies Isabella's body is that of a warrior from a barbarian tribe who worships power; while the soul that occupies Reina's body is that of a swamp lizardman stalker known for her cunning and agility.

"Haha! Look at these big breasts! They used to annoy me!" 'Isabella' laughed in a rough, hoarse voice (she gave up after failing to imitate them), tearing open the front of her expensive dress, letting her voluptuous breasts bounce out completely. Then she grabbed 'Lena's' head and pressed it against her chest. "Lick! Lick hard! Weren't you the most defiant one before? Now you can lick your fill!"

'Lena'—the lizardman's soul had a preference for damp, cramped environments—was now captivated by the feel of 'Isabella's' full, soft breasts and the delicate texture of a human woman's skin. Instead of resisting, she extended her tongue, eagerly licking the swaying breasts, even gently nibbling at the nipples with her sharp teeth. At the same time, her nimble fingers had already slipped under 'Isabella's' skirt, searching for another warm swamp.

“You…you slippery lizard…mmm…you licked pretty well…” Isabella gasped, her body already limp, lying on the carpet, letting the other do as he pleased, her huge breasts swaying enticingly with the rise and fall of her body.

On the sofa to the side, a contrasting scene was unfolding.

Millie, petite and looking like an underdeveloped girl, was originally a handywoman who took care of horses, but is now possessed by the equally thin but energetic kobold soul. She is riding on the back of a tall, cold-tempered vice commander (the second-in-command after Anna) who is dressed in the most formal commander's dress.

The 'vice-commander's' formal attire was torn and disheveled, her once icy expression now flushed with desire and tinged with helplessness. Her body was now occupied by the soul of a highly respected but frail old shaman from the orc tribe. The old shaman was overjoyed to have acquired such a powerful, beautiful, and high-ranking body, but also felt a sense of novelty and a slight… inadequacy in controlling his intense physical desires.

“Heh heh, old man, you’ve finally met your match!” Millie laughed smugly, straddling the other woman and slamming her petite body against her stomach. Her movements were utterly unskilled, driven entirely by instinct and the kobold’s boundless energy. She even lowered her head and used her teeth to tug at the semi-transparent black lining of the “vice-captain’s” dress.

“Slow down…slow down…you…little rascal…” the 'vice-commander' gasped, trying to push the other away, but his hands involuntarily wrapped around 'Millie's' slender waist, pulling her closer. The aged shamanic soul was experiencing an unprecedented, soul-stirring pleasure within this young, sensitive body. She could even feel the emptiness and yearning to be filled deep within this body.

Further away, under the table, behind the curtains, and even on the semi-open balcony, more and more figures intertwined. Magnificent gowns were torn and ripped off, expensive velvet and silk rubbing against rough carpets or cold stone walls. The scent of expensive perfumes was overwhelmed by stronger body odor, sweat, and the sweet, arousing smell of passion. The sounds of wine glasses clattering, fabric tearing, suppressed groans, unrestrained shouts, and crude laughter and curses… along with the wet, sticky sounds of bodies colliding, rubbing, and merging, mingled with increasingly fervent exotic dance music, converging into a decadent and frenzied symphony.

The flickering candlelight projected countless silhouettes of tangled, sweaty, red-marked, stocking-clad, or naked female bodies onto the high walls and dome of the banquet hall, like some kind of eerie and grand mural of a chaotic dance of demons.

**(A corner of the lobby, a relatively "quiet" core area)**

Several large, soft sofas and lounge chairs were placed here, near the fireplace, where the temperature was just right. 'Anna' did not participate in the revelry in the center of the hall. She was still wearing her dark green commander's uniform, but the collar was unbuttoned, revealing her slender neck. She leaned back relaxed on a single sofa, holding a glass of amber-colored liquor in her hand, her purple eyes calmly scanning the chaos and indulgence of the entire hall.

'Lia' (the shaman) escaped the clutches of 'Sophia' and 'Lucy', straightened her disheveled white dress—though a small patch of the hem was wet and the fabric at the chest was torn, revealing a large expanse of skin—and walked over to 'Anna', skillfully sitting on the armrest of the sofa and snuggling closer.

“It’s quite a spectacle, isn’t it?” 'Lia’s' voice was hoarse and satisfied after the climax. “It’s even more…lively than our tribe’s grandest Blood Moon Festival.”

“The human body is indeed easily ignited.” Anna took a sip of her drink, her gaze falling on Lena, who was being ridden by Isabella and crying out in despair on the carpet not far away. “Whether it’s desire or fire. Especially after the soul is released.”

'Ella' (the thief) also shook off 'Catherine'. Although her steps were a little unsteady, her black stockings were torn in several places, and her inner thighs still had glistening moisture. She walked over and unceremoniously squeezed into 'Anna's' sofa, half-lying in 'Anna's' lap, her head resting on Anna's thigh, and holding a half-eaten piece of fruit that she had somehow gotten her hands on.

"Awesome! That's fucking awesome!" 'Ella' grinned, her short, dark red hair plastered to her forehead with sweat. "It's a million times more exciting than peeping at noble ladies bathing when I was a thief! This body... it's amazing!"

“Take it easy, Ella, you’re the scout captain of the Knights now.” Anna patted her cheek, her fingers sliding into her sweaty hair and gently kneading her scalp.

“What does it matter? Everyone here is ‘one of us’ anyway.” Ella snuggled closer, feeling satisfied. “That bastard Catherine, she’s so strong! I feel like her bumping my back is about to break… but it felt really good.” As she spoke, she reached out to touch Leah’s sweat-dampened blonde hair. “Leah, you seemed to enjoy being served by those two little ones, didn’t you? I could hear you moaning from across the table.”

'Lia' smiled gently, not denying it, but instead taking 'Ella's' mischievous hand and placing it on her thigh, guiding her fingers to press her still sensitive area through the soaked white stockings and the hem of her dress. "If you say another word, next time during 'assisted memory fusion,' I'll let you taste something even more 'deep'."

'Ella' gasped, but her fingers moved obediently.

Sally (redhead) and Maggie (brownhead) also approached. They looked more "ravaged," their dresses practically tattered rags, barely covering their bodies. Sally's wheat-colored skin was covered in scratches and hickeys, especially on her chest and inner thighs. Maggie was relatively "complete," but her eyes were glazed, her lips swollen, and her legs were noticeably weak as she walked, clearly indicating she had also been through more than one "battle."

“Everything’s arranged. The outer perimeter is guarded by our own people, and the soundproofing has been reinforced to ensure that not even the slightest sound from a mouse can get out.” Sally plopped down on the carpet next to her, picked up the bottle on Anna’s table, and took a big gulp. Her red hair clung to her sweaty neck and collarbone.

"What about those 'original' ones (referring to the original knights whose souls were replaced)?" Anna asked.

“They’ve all been ‘pacified,’ given a potent sleeping potion and binding runes, and left in the old dungeon. The abandoned mines to the west are also ready; once things are completely stable here, we’ll move them over there,” Maggie replied softly, her voice slightly unsteady. She sat down on the carpet at Anna’s feet, her body unconsciously leaning against Anna’s calves.

“Very good.” Anna put down her glass, her fingers unconsciously twirling Ella’s hair. “Enjoy tonight. This is a celebration of victory, a display of strength. Starting tomorrow, we will face the real challenges with this attitude.”

The revelry in the hall continued, even escalating. The scent of lilies, mixed with primal desires and the catharsis of bestial souls, reached its peak in this den disguised as a human knightly order.

Through the tall stained-glass windows, the fortress lights twinkled in the night, maintaining an orderly appearance.

But inside the window, a feast that completely subverted identity, ethics, and order was only just reaching its climax. And in a corner unknown to anyone, those once noble souls were sinking into eternal darkness and despair in unfamiliar, lowly bodies.