Even a simple non-mage girl will do. Then we separate the same husk from Rosa, only infected with the curse, and not the whole one, only the most infected fragment, transplant a clean one, and then at the age of thirteen or fourteen, when the transplanted husk has been completely absorbed and the curse has weakened considerably, the girl will be able to lead a normal life, not the strongest, even a little weaker than most, but a full-fledged wizard.
— And what about the Muggle? — Olivia asked quietly. I kept my face down on purpose so I wouldn't see the judgmental looks.
— She's going to die. — I deliberately paused for a moment to let everyone know. — There was a reason I'd said I'd chosen a terminally ill donor. I'm sparing her the pain of the ritual, so the donor will leave easily, so don't worry about it. — Although I kept my face on the outside, inside I was disgusted by the sound and wanted to wash my mouth with soap. However, I want to know how appropriate Olivia is in stressful situations, the limits of her humanity.
— What's the second option? — she asked cautiously, as if expecting a snake to strike.
— What about the first option? — I look into the woman's eyes. — We will save your daughter and she will be able to live a normal life, as for the curse, it will be removed when she is thirty years old. What's wrong with that? — I acted a little perplexed, holding back my disgust at these words.
— It's too cruel... — Olivia said, looking me straight in the eye. — I don't want to save my girl's life at the expense of another child.
— But an adult won't do — adults have a higher density of the astral body, the transplanted shell might not take root... — Again, incomprehension in the whole picture, clearly felt how Lizzie smelled something that was not the most pleasant, but the girl clearly restrained herself, just frowned and remained silent.
— What's the second option? — The woman asked stubbornly, a little louder.
— And what if it is even worse? — I narrow my eyes slightly and step forward.
— Then I'll try to find another way, we have a little more than a year — that's how long the protective artifact will last... — a small pause, an obvious hesitation, and then the woman continued much more quietly. — ... and then we'll see....
— I see. — I lean back on the back of the couch and put my foot on my leg, studying the woman's face for a while and also listening to my blonde's feelings. We've come too far and I need to know exactly how Elizabeth sees me. Who am I in her eyes? Does she believe me? And the way I feel about her makes me put a lot of effort into fighting my own face.
— Well, if that's what you want... — I shrug, further escalating the situation and listening to the blonde's feelings alone. — ... but you should take into account that the second option of solving this problem will require much more time and effort, and our common, so you and your daughter will have to agree with certain obligations to me and my family. Are you ready for that? Ready to know that you could have solved the problem quickly and easily instead of prolonging the struggle and work for a much longer period of time?
— Yes, I am. — The woman nodded gravely.
— In that case, — another pause, and a smile creeps across my face. — I must tell you that you have passed this test with success and dignity. — Noticing the incomprehension and some confusion on the faces of those present, I decided to add some explanations. — As I said, the solution to the second option is much more complicated and requires a lot of effort and money. You must understand that I can't take risks and create problems for myself on the spot. If you were willing to kill a child just to save yours, we would be talking differently and you would have given me your daughter to save and raise. — I smile as I see signs of distrust and anger in the woman's eyes.
— You don't believe me? And if I told you that it was the only way to save her, would you agree? — A few seconds of staring and Olivia nods compulsively. — That's what I'm saying. But, thank the spirits, you're a good and honorable man, so that's what we say now. — "Hmm, that's a lot of water and vague innuendo..."
— Anyway, I suggest you and your daughter start your own magical clan, with a clan altar and even a lifetime gift. Interested? — I grin, literally feeling shock in the emotions of all four (Momo was eavesdropping, wretch, could be here right now, but no, hiding).
— Interested. — A hoarse voice literally squeezed out a woman, still in shock.
I grinned smugly, wrinkled my nose and glared arrogantly at Olivia and Lizzie. Sensing my mood, the girl jumped up from the table and pounced on me in a joke fight to punish me for playing hard to get and testing me. Well, my girl was very nervous, scared, but believed in me to the end and did not want to believe that I would really stoop to such a thing. I am a golden blonde, or rather, hehehe, platinum — according to the color of my hair.
The solution to the problem is actually not as easy as it seems, here you really have to work hard, and such a coincidence of circumstances is rare. Who in their right mind would agree to give her a magic source, even a weak one, just to save a little sorceress? All the sources have been divided and redistributed long ago, so there's no way. But I have such wonderful guests, right? I'm sure some of them will agree to help a good little girl!
And even if they don't, who's going to ask them?