The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 54

Cinderaven, nested in his birdcage hanging under the treehouse eaves, saw Elara return and asked in confusion.

"Why are you back?" Did you lose favor now that there are little Diane and little Dana?" That seemed likely.

"Can you think of anything else?" Elara glanced at him and placed the black mandala on her empty grave.

She tapped her toe and climbed into the treehouse. She summoned a fanged black bat and asked about things at home while she was gone. When she learned her father was using Moonlight Dew to cleanse Diane and Dana's bodies, a faint guilt washed over her. How had she forgotten this?

"What should I think about now that I'm back in West Sea Forest?" Cinderaven actually thought about it. Austin's body had been recovered, so one worry was gone. Next, he would accompany Elara to Anastas City…

He looked up. The moon was bright tonight. Elara pushed open the treehouse door, took out a box of small glass bottles, sat cross-legged, and set the bottles beside her. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. She had been through so much on this trip; she needed to reflect and organize her thoughts.

It was Elara's first time visiting the Luohe Plains and Anastas City as Lord. Should he help arrange a grand entrance? Cinderaven shivered at the memory of their trip to the Andrea Capital. He had to think carefully this time—no more mistakes.

After midnight, when the full moon hung directly overhead, Elara sat beneath the eaves, surrounded by a thin mist. Her hands, resting on her knees, suddenly shifted into a gentle gesture. She guided the witch power in her lower dantian to circulate through her entire body.

The little elves, sitting in rows among the black mandalas and waiting eagerly, sensed the flowing moonlight and grew excited. Led by the elven queen, they lifted their heads toward the moon, closed their eyes, and absorbed the essence of the moon.

Within five minutes, thick moonlight had gathered around Elara. As her witch power flowed through her meridians, more moonlight continued to converge. Cinderaven, in his cage, was used to this sight. The dense moonlight made him drowsy.

When the darkest hour before dawn came, Elara stopped cultivating. Her hands moved as if plucking flowers, condensing the surrounding moonlight into dew and storing it in the glass bottles.

At the first light of dawn, David woke up, washed, ate the cake Polina had left him, and went to the back of the castle to load the sorted goods onto carts.

When Elara arrived, Vihani, Polina's mother, was already up preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Elara did not disturb her, slipping quietly to the back of the castle.

David had just finished loading one cart and turned to get another. He caught a glimpse of silver-white hair and froze. He slowly turned, unable to believe his eyes. When he realized it was his sister, he exclaimed in delight.

"Elara! When did you get back?"

"Last night." Elara set down the box full of glass bottles and walked over to lift a wooden box with ease. "It was late, so I stayed at the tombs. I didn't come home." She handed the box to her older brother in the cart. "I'll carry while you load. We can talk."

David did not refuse. He took the heavy crate full of fruit.

"I thought you'd be gone longer. You're not like us—you're the Lord of West Sea Forest. Like your sister-in-law says, Elara Dessey is destined for greatness."

"I came back to check on things and handle some business." Elara smiled gently. "How is Townsend's business?" Two cartloads a day was a lot; it must be going well.

When his sister asked about Townsend, David paused slightly. He frowned, hesitated, then turned.

"Elara, the black crows sent messages. Townsend says the word outside is that Anastas City and the Luohe Plains now belong to West Sea Forest. Is it true?"

She had ordered the crows to send the messages. Elara had no intention of hiding it.

"It's true. Barring accidents, I'll leave for Anastas City tomorrow to take over the city lord's mansion." Even though it had been used by Ana Stirling and her sons, she did not mind. A thorough cleaning would make it a new place to stay.

David was thrilled, his heart pounding.

"Polina was right. You will become the most powerful being on the Mal Continent." He was proud of her, yet deeply pained. His little sister was only thirty years old.

"Is that what she said?" Elara was curious about Polina's background. Why did she have such faith in Elara Dessey? Even Elara did not dare speak so boldly. "Then I must work even harder."

"You don't need to work harder. You already work too much." David stacked the wooden boxes and turned to look at her. "Save some time for yourself."

His sister had witnessed her mother and aunt being killed as a child, then lost her grandmother soon after. She had endured too much. At thirteen, she had lived for West Sea Forest and for them. Sometimes he hated his own uselessness—he could not share her burden or protect her.

Now that they were back in West Sea Forest, taking care of their father and sleeping mother was all he could do. He wanted her to walk the world without worry, to care more about herself.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Elara smiled and hugged her brother.

"I'm fine." She let go and changed the subject. "What about Townsend? Does he have any plans?"

"He's waiting for news." David approved of his brother's idea. "If Anastas City and the Luohe Plains really belong to West Sea Forest, he plans to sell his shop in Udara City and move to Anastas City with Morrigan. It will be safer."

Anastas City was closer to West Sea Forest than Udara City. Polina had said that once it belonged to West Sea Forest, it might one day become the safest home for the Rozin people. Safety was what worried them and their father most about Townsend being outside.

"That's good." It would ease her worries too. "But I can't give him the Dessey family shops."

"No need." David had long been influenced by class thinking. He believed ordinary Rozin, like himself, and Townsend, who could not practice witchcraft, had no right to inherit anything valuable from West Sea Forest. His sister and father had already given them so much when they left the forest seventeen years ago. They should not be greedy.

"Townsend and I have saved some money over the years. We'll buy our own shops."

Elara nodded.

"Alright." She could help them find shops in good locations, but would not interfere further. As her grandmother had said, she and her brothers lived on the same continent, but in different worlds.

Once all the goods were loaded, she watched the two carts enter the forest before walking home with David.

Polina had just finished feeding her two daughters and was boiling goat milk in the kitchen. When she saw Elara, she froze and hurried over.

"Why are you back at this hour?" Her mind raced. Did they have anything good to eat? Should she bake cakes? Would Elara like them?

"I came back last night. It was late, so I went straight to the tombs." Elara smelled the sweet, mild milk in the air. Her sister-in-law did not have enough breast milk, so the goat milk was sent back by Townsend when he picked up goods.

Mond inside the castle also heard her. He walked out holding the thick Book of Witchcraft Initiation, his face lighting up when he saw his daughter.

"You're back." David had not hidden the outside news from him. His little Elara would be an outstanding lord.

"Father." Elara went to his side and flipped through the book. "Are you reading this to Diane and Dana already?"

This Book of Witchcraft Initiation was the introductory journal written by the Witch Ancestor Selah for her daughter, Lord Fiona. It was precious. All Dessey Witches began their training with it. Elara had still occasionally read it at the age of ten.

"You were raised the same way." In the blink of an eye, his chubby little Elara had grown up. Merlyn would have regretted not seeing it, but Mond had recorded everything for him. "Go see your mother."

Elara had planned to do just that. She nodded to her brother and sister-in-law, then linked her arm through her father's and entered the castle. She handed him the box.

"This has Moonlight Dew. Don't stop using yours for Diane and Dana."

Mond set down the book.

"I haven't stopped. I'm still waiting for your mother to wake up." He took the box and walked to the cabinet. "Are you leaving again soon? Townsend says Thea is going to marry Count Alexander Stirling?"

What he really wanted to ask was: was Thea doing well?

"Aunt and Alexander love each other truly." Elara sat by her mother's bed and took her hand. She spoke to her father and her mother alike.

"Her transformation went wrong. She can't grow fangs. Fortunately, she hasn't completely lost her ability to communicate with nature."

"All these years, she never gave up. She kept strengthening her connection with nature, and now she can wield the Silver Frost Moon Cane again. After she marries Alexander, she'll return to West Sea Forest."

"Thank goodness." Mond let out a long breath. Thea had been raised by Merlyn. If something had happened to her, Merlyn would have been heartbroken even in his sleep.

In the kitchen, Polina kneaded dough. She would show off her skills today and make authentic Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup to welcome her idol home.

Vihani returned from the forest with a handful of wild vegetables. She heard pounding from far away and rushed in.

"What are you doing so early? Diane and Dana just fell asleep. Don't wake them!"

"Lord Elara is back. I'm making beef noodles." Polina gestured for her mother to move. "You picked wild vegetables—wash them, and we'll add them for extra flavor."

"Lord Elara is back?" Vihani stopped complaining when her daughter nodded. She hurried to wash the vegetables. "When the babies wake up, ask Lord Elara to hold them so they know who she is."

Anyone who could stand up to Andros nobles was a true powerhouse.

Polina thought the same.

"It's good for them to meet her. They won't get too big-headed later." Elara Dessey was a mountain Diane and Dana Dessey would never surpass.

Vihani had no idea what her daughter was thinking. She washed the vegetables seriously with a solemn expression.

After visiting her mother, Elara went deep into the forest to pick a small bouquet of black mandalas. When she returned, breakfast was ready. She never expected to eat Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup from her homeland again after thirty years. Holding chopsticks, her heart was overwhelmed with complicated feelings.

"How is it?" Polina asked calmly, though she was nervous. "Does it taste okay?"

She had practiced making it twice. It lacked curry, but the ingredients were excellent. Her father, Mond, had said Elara would like it, but she was still worried.

She had felt better a few days earlier and had gone into the forest with David. The harvest had been good. With the wild ginger and garlic she had collected over the years, she spared no effort today.

"It's delicious." Elara looked calmly at her sister-in-law across the table. "Thank you." She turned to the quiet Vihani. "Are you comfortable living in West Sea Forest?"

Vihani froze, then stood up flustered.

"Very comfortable." She used to sleep lightly at night, but since coming to West Sea Forest, she slept through until morning, full of energy every day.

“Good. Please sit down." Vihani was Polina's mother, and Elara respected her.

Polina was filled with gratitude to see Elara treat her mother so kindly. She wanted to say thank you, but felt it was not quite right.

Elara now understood Polina's background. She thought she could ask for her help with upcoming matters—if she was interested.

"I heard from my brother that you suggested he open a shop in Udara City?"

"Y… yes." The topic change caught Polina off guard, making her even more nervous.

Elara put down her chopsticks.

"You've heard that Anastas City and the Luohe Plains belong to West Sea Forest now." She watched Polina nod robotically and almost reached up to touch her own face. Was she being too cold?

"I want to rebuild Anastas City and the Luohe Plains. Do you have any ideas?"

Yes—far too many! Polina could not believe Elara was asking for her opinion. She really was her idol. Even though reality had strayed far from the novel plot, Elara Dessey's excellence remained unchanged.

She quickly calmed down and pulled a chair beside her idol.

"When David and the others wanted to buy a shop, I first set my eyes on Anastas City. But back then, Lord Rocky Anastas, the former city lord, had died. Even though Viscountess Ana Stirling was in charge, the city felt unstable and precarious."

She would not admit the real reason she had not bought a shop there was because Ana Stirling and her sons were enemies of West Sea Forest. And her decision had proven wise.

Ana Stirling and her sons were each more insane and foolish than the last. Life for the Rozin in Anastas City had been miserable for twenty years—they lived in constant fear.

In that moment, Elara could truly feel Polina's confidence. She would have a much easier time.

"Tell me your thoughts."

Polina took a deep breath and spoke with the professionalism of a former independent investor.

"Anastas City is not large, but its location is excellent. It's not far from the Andrea Capital and backs onto the resource-rich Luohe Plains and West Sea Forest."

She paused, looked at Elara, then continued.

"Do you know which group is the largest on the Mal Continent?"

Elara answered directly.

"The Rozin people."

"Exactly." Polina had a bold idea.

"The Rozin are weak, but not stupid. In fact, because we've been oppressed for so long, we're very perceptive. Some werewolf tribes have great strength but no idea how to manage. For their tribes to survive, they marry Rozin."

"I know." Elara saw where Polina was going. "You want to build Anastas City as a Rozin-led city?"

"No." That was too limited. She could not ask for that. "I mean building a Pure Land Market City."

She only dared to imagine this because of Elara Dessey's power.

Elara's eyes lit up.

"Pure Land Market City?" Her sister-in-law was truly insightful. Her ideas matched Elara's own surprisingly well.

"Yes—a market city without bullying." Polina knew she was an ordinary person with a short lifespan. She did not want to become a bloodthirsty Andros.

When she first arrived in this world, she wanted to die. But now she had people she loved. She wanted to leave something meaningful behind.

"In the Pure Land Market City, there will be no class bullying, no racial bullying. No matter how lowly a Rozin or how noble a powerhouse, once they enter the city, they must follow its rules. And anyone who follows the rules will be protected by the city."

Mond, holding Diane, frowned.

"But a city has so many people. We can't expect Elara to protect everyone alone."

Polina's eyes remained fixed on Elara.

"The lord doesn't have to act personally. For a city to thrive, it needs income—taxes."

"Taxes?" Elara began to admire Polina even more. Despite being weak, her thinking was sharp. After hearing only a rough outline, she already had a full blueprint for the Pure Land Market City.

"Yes." Polina grew more excited. "A market city is a gathering of merchants. The merchants are protected by Anastas City, so they must give something in return.

They pay a portion of their earnings to the city lord's mansion. With that money, the city can plan development, hire mercenaries to protect it, and so on."

David worried again.

"Will that work?"

"It will." Polina answered firmly, because she believed in Elara Dessey—the most powerful witch on the Mal Continent.

If the Pure Land Market City was successfully built, Elara Dessey would be its soul. Who would dare attack a city with such a powerful soul?

"The initial cost will be high." Mond yearned for such a city, but he knew West Sea Forest's resources.

Elara smiled.

"Money is not a problem. I have plenty." If she didn't, she could borrow from Cinderaven. Now that Austin Corell's body had been recovered, she could have him sign a promissory note. They would have no problem getting money from the Moslin Bank.

Polina sighed in relief. Her intuition told her Elara agreed.

"Sister-in-law." Elara thought they needed a detailed plan. "Can you write this out in detail? I need specific…"

Polina stood up abruptly.

"Give me one month. I'll make a detailed business plan with a complete budget."

“Alright. Thank you." This was a pleasant surprise. Elara reached out and teased the two little girls staring at her.

"Don't you recognize your aunt?" It had only been half a month, but they had changed. Nourished by moonlight, they were white and tender—hardly newborns.

"They haven't met you," Mond said, holding Diane's small hand. "But they know your name very well."

Polina blushed at this and quietly moved her chair back to David's side. Her idol was perfect. It was only normal to promote her to the next generation.

David held Dana in one arm and smiled.

"Elara."

Elara watched the two babies blink as if they recognized the name. She laughed aloud.

She stayed in the castle until sunset, said goodbye to her family, and returned to the ancient tombs with food Polina and her mother had prepared.

"You're finally back." Cinderaven flew out of his cage to greet her. "A black crow reported that Wendy Larissa is dead. She died horribly. Guess who killed her?"

Wendy Larissa dead? That made things easier. Elara set the wooden food box in the treehouse, then leaned on the fence under the eaves.

"It wasn't Roxane Mullin."

I knew you wouldn't guess. Cinderaven cawed.

"It was Benny Larissa." Wendy that old witch probably never dreamed she would be killed by someone younger.

"Benny?" Elara was not surprised by the answer, but she wondered why he had done it.

"Do you know who came up with the Larissa family's method for healing and extending life?" Cinderaven sneered. "It was Wendy Larissa."

She had dared to set her sights on him with a heart like that. He had been kind not to crush her and feed her to the crows.

Elara understood.

"Then Benny was right to kill her."

The Twin Witches existed because some in the Larissa family were greedy. That had directly led to Poppy's tragedy. Benny loved his mother deeply and hated people like Wendy Larissa, who had started it all. Given the chance, he would never let her live.

"It's more than that." Cinderaven's eyes darkened. "Benny is looking for the seeds of the Sapharaya Mother Tree."

Elara's eyes narrowed.

"Is that so? He must be doing it for his mother." That meant Poppy was not going to last much longer. She had a deal to make with him. She turned to Cinderaven.

"Sending black crows to gather intelligence—you're not completely wasting your life, after all."

Cinderaven, who had been scowling, suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"Uh… besides black mandalas, what other flowers do you like?"

"Why are you asking that?" Elara looked at him, a bad feeling rising. "What are you planning now? Can't you just be a quiet black crow?"

"N… nothing." Cinderaven shifted away. "You're leaving for Anastas City tomorrow. I think we should properly…"

Elara's mind instantly filled with the sound of cawing. She did not like this feeling at all.

"How many black crows are you planning to summon this time? Anastas City is close to West Sea Forest—if you call, there will be just as many as there were in the Andrea Capital."

"I'm not summoning them to swarm," Cinderaven quickly explained. "I want to have the crows drop flowers on you from above."

Black mandalas were too precious. He was afraid Elara would really stew him alive if he let the crows pick them randomly.