The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 56

"Blaming the world or others is useless. You can only blame yourself," Cinderaven shrank his neck, his two black bean eyes rolling upward. He stared at the hand plucking the soft feathers on his head, wanting to dodge but not daring. "Can't you leave my soft feathers alone?"

Black crows were ugly, but still better-looking than vultures.

She really could only blame herself. Elara smoothed his feathers. "If you say so, I won't feel guilty anymore."

What had he said? Cinderaven looked at Elara, confused. What was she guilty of?

Elara sighed meaningfully. "Duke Austin Corell was innocently dragged into this and cursed by the Twin Spirit Curse." It's truly fate's cruelty, not the fault of the Witch Ancestor of the West Sea."

She patted the sulking crow on the back emotionally. "After experiencing so much, Duke Austin Corell's bearing is something juniors can never match."

"That was Cinderaven talking," Cinderaven corrected. "Austin Corell believes in only one thing: strength. With strength, even a thousand mistakes are others' faults. Without it, even if you're right, you might have to kneel and smile and say you're wrong."

Elara thought about his words and chuckled. "Makes sense."

She walked out from behind the counter, had the two black horses take the carriage to the backyard, closed the door, and went upstairs. "To avoid kneeling and admitting fault in the future, I have to work hard at cultivation."

"Aren't you going to prepare for tomorrow's big event?" Cinderaven flapped after her. "All factions must know Anastas City and Luohe Plains have changed hands. They're watching the West Sea Forest closely."

"Even though we must consider the Stirling Clan when taking over the two cities, you must understand: whether tomorrow goes smoothly will decide how all factions treat the West Sea Forest."

"No matter what you say, I will never agree to black crows dropping flowers from the sky," Elara said, entering her room and sitting on the windowsill. She rested her hands on her knees and looked down at the empty street.

Cinderaven landed beside her. "No flower-dropping." But they could not stay completely low-key. "You have to let your people know you're taking over Anastas City and Luohe Plains." Sneaking into the City Lord's Mansion quietly—who will know where you came from? "

"Don't worry about it. Just don't let a huge flock of black crows appear," Elara closed her eyes. "I have everything else arranged."

He wanted to argue more, but seeing Elara relax and prepare to cultivate, Cinderaven fell silent unwillingly. He huddled beside her and closed his eyes.

No big flocks of crows… Was he supposed to summon a bunch of Andros instead? It was the only trick he had left.

Chirp… chirp…

Before dawn, birds outside chirped nonstop.

Elara moved her fingers and absorbed all the moonlight around her, which had almost condensed into liquid, into her body. The power circulated through her meridians with her witch force and entered her Middle Dantian.

Upper, Lower, and Middle Dantians: the Upper stored artifacts, the Lower provided main power, and the witch force in the Middle was her life-saving trump card. Elara never neglected it.

Her consciousness sank into the Middle Dantian. Smaller than the Lower, it was filled with glowing witch sand at the bottom. No moonlight shone at its end—it was a pure power-storing realm.

Red appeared in the east. Elara finished cultivating and stepped off the windowsill. After washing up, she looked in the glass mirror, solemnly removed her silver-stamen black mandala crown, combed her black hair, coiled it up, put on her black-gold cloak, and re-wore the crown.

She smiled at her reflection and flashed out of the Dessey Shop.

Cinderaven flapped around her twice. "You're going to the Anastas City Lord's Mansion like this? This isn't the Dessey Witch style. Let's talk again—summon a flock of black crows. They're ugly and noisy, but the effect is amazing."

Last time, when the crows entered the Andrea Capital, everyone knew Lord Elara of the West Sea Forest had arrived.

"You can stop talking."

Sunrise was near. The street was empty except for them, but the smell of cooking in the air told her people were awake. Elara pushed Cinderaven aside and walked toward West City.

"You're going the wrong way. That's not the City Lord's Mansion," Cinderaven whispered, following her. When she did not turn back, he fell silent. He glanced at her empty shoulder and gave up. Little Dessey would definitely not let him sit there today.

Elara walked slowly along the main east-west street toward the west gate of Anastas City. When the first ray of sunlight touched her face, she blinked lightly. Her dark pupils saw an endless road. She stepped forward, moving ahead while staying clear-minded.

Hank's Gem Shop opened early. To celebrate the West Sea Forest taking over, the whole family cleaned inside and out. They placed a sign advertising a 10% discount by the door and waited for the celebration.

"Grandpa, it's still early. Go rest inside," Siro said with a polite smile, but his eyes were helpless. His grandpa had warned him many times to be happy, but his face was stiff from smiling.

"No need. I'll stand a little longer." The old man narrowed his cloudy eyes toward East Street, as if waiting for something.

Under the golden sun, Elara seemed to come with boundless light behind her. Shops along the street opened one after another. People stepped outside, stood by the road, took off their hats, and bowed in respect.

They knew the young woman wearing the silver-stamen black mandala was their new lord. Uncertainty filled their hearts—they did not know if the future would be good or bad.

At that moment, Wilson Macadam, King of the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe, arrived at the west gate with nearly a hundred tribesmen.

At exactly eight o'clock in the morning, Elara stepped out of the west gate of Anastas City. In a rare good mood, she nodded to Wilson Macadam waiting outside, then turned to look at the stone gate.

Anastas City was surrounded by walls, with four gates: east, south, west, and north. Above the stone gates, besides the city name, was the Stirling Clan emblem—the blood-red rose.

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Elara leaped into the air, spread her consciousness to locate the four gates, and unleashed her witch power. A beam of glowing witch power split into four and shot like lightning into each gate.

In an instant, the city name and blood-red rose emblem were erased without a trace.

A dragon's roar rang out. A Silver-Winged Eastern Dragon flew out of her Upper Dantian. With a thought, Elara's staff transformed from a dragon into a brush. She grabbed the shaft, leaped higher, and wrote in the air:

WEST SEA MERCHANT CITY

She shouted, and the glowing characters stamped onto the west gate like steel. At the same moment, the same name appeared on the east, south, and north gates.

Elara released her hand. The brush turned back into a dragon and rushed into her forehead. She lifted her left hand, and four black mandala seeds rested on her palm. She whispered a witch spell and threw the seeds high. They flew to each of the four gates.

Wilson Macadam watched as the seeds nailed themselves to the stone, quickly took root, sprouted, spread branches and leaves, and bloomed into lifelike silver-stamen black mandalas. For some reason, he suddenly felt that being a werewolf was terribly boring.

After changing the city name and emblem, Elara appeared above the West Sea Merchant City. Her calm voice echoed:

"From today on, there is no more Anastas City on the Mal Continent—only the West Sea Merchant City, belonging to the West Sea Forest. The city rules will be posted soon and announced to all tribes. I hope everyone in the city will obey them."

The former Rozin citizens of Anastas City knelt on one knee, placed their right hands on their chests, and bowed in respect. Some looked disdainful—either wandering witches or resentful Andros.

Elara would not trouble them at this moment. After her announcement, she scattered handfuls of black mandala seeds while chanting a spell.

Countless blooming silver-stamen black mandalas fell from the sky, turning the entire West Sea Merchant City into a beautiful painting.

Cinderaven stood on the west gate, wings drooping, complaining silently: "This is Little Dessey's 'low-key'? Look at those glowing black mandalas—none are lower-key than black crows!"

A black mandala landed before the white-bearded shopkeeper. He caught it, and it turned into moonlight and melted into his palm. He cheered loudly:

"To celebrate the West Sea Forest taking over Anastas City, Hank's Gem Shop offers all ornaments at a 10% discount for one month!"

Wow…

The crowd, captivated by the beautiful mandalas, cheered loudly, especially the women.

Following his lead, smart merchants did not want to fall behind."Nahid Trading Company: buy two, get one free! Celebrate the birth of West Sea Merchant City! "Food shops: 10% off!"

Hearing the continuous cheers, Elara smiled brightly, vanished from the sky, and appeared outside the west gate.

Wilson Macadam wore a tattered leather vest, his muscular bare arms glistening. He put one hand on his hip, rubbed his stubbled chin, and walked to Elara. "When will Lady Merlyn wake up? And… do you need a father?"

"You brought nearly a hundred tribesmen all the way to my West Sea Merchant City just to ask about my mother?" Elara glanced at him, turned, and looked up at the west gate. Black mandalas were far more beautiful than blood-red roses.

"Of course not." Wilson looked back at his ninety tribesmen, frowned, and licked his lips. "Lord Elara, do you remember what you said before?"

"Which part?"

The city name change was done. Now it was Luohe Plains' turn. Elara looked southwest, where the land was lush and full of life.

Luohe Plains was not large, but long and narrow. She wanted to build walls to enclose it for safety—but that would cost a great deal.

Wilson swallowed his pride. "You said the West… Merchant City always welcomes the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe."

"I remember. It hasn't been long since I said it." Elara walked past him. "We'll talk later. I'm going to Luohe Plains first."

Before her voice faded, she had ridden the wind a hundred yards away.

"Very well." Wilson stood still and shrugged with a smile. "As long as you remember."

Beneath his silver eyes lay worry. Werewolves have a natural keen sense of danger because of their blood.

The Arabella Tribe had suffered continuous disappearances lately. He felt unsafe and urgently needed a reliable place to settle. Moving and scattering made his people easy targets.

Cinderaven accompanied Elara to Luohe Plains. When he saw her scatter black mandalas again, he muttered unhappily: "You call me flashy. I've never seen anyone more flashy than you." Why didn't Selah think to bloom black mandalas everywhere to boost her power? "

"This isn't flashy," Elara explained patiently. "I'm only letting the people of the West Sea Forest feel hopeful about us. With hope, West Sea Merchant City and Luohe Plains can recover quickly."

You always have a reason. Cinderaven landed on her shoulder. "Wilson Macadam didn't bring all his people."

“Normal. He's just scouting. No need to bring everyone."

Everything had gone smoothly today. Elara looked up at the blue sky. It seemed the forces hiding in the dark had restrained themselves after their defeats in the West Sea Forest and the Blazing Sun Pit.

Wilson Macadam waited outside the west gate, arms crossed, head down. He showed no impatience even after Elara had been gone a long time. He kicked small stones casually.

A gray-bearded man with rough hands folded over his belly noticed many Rozin people coming from the western Luohe Plains. He stepped forward and whispered: "King, did we come to the wrong place?"

West Sea Merchant City. The Silver Wolf Tribe knew "West Sea" well, but "Merchant City" was foreign.

"We'll decide after I talk to Lord Elara." Wilson had not expected Little Dessey to turn Anastas City into a Merchant City. It was a big surprise.

The gray-bearded man frowned seriously. "After seeing Lord Elara today, I think she's a true Dessey Witch. Prettier than a black mandala, but acts like a carnivorous overlord flower."

Wilson laughed. "Nam, she is a Dessey Witch." He patted the man's shoulder. "Don't worry. If it ever comes to marrying into the Rozin Tribe like the Leeds Tribe, I won't send you."

He did not look like he could charm a proper Rozin family anyway.

"Good," Nam said, glancing at his king. "You should find some Rozin women and have wolf pups."

Their king loved beauty, only pursuing Andros nobles or witches. At more than four thousand years old, he still had no heirs.

So he wanted him to marry a Rozin. Wilson glanced at Nam. "The Silver Wolf Tribe isn't that desperate—"

"To the former Anastas City Lord's Mansion," Elara appeared suddenly. She ignored Wilson and entered the city. Wilson was about to speak but signaled his tribesmen and followed immediately.

With a new name and a new atmosphere, West Sea Merchant City had far more pedestrians than the night before. As she passed Hank's Gem Shop, Elara glanced inside—it was full of people. The old man and his family were busy serving customers; the loneliness was gone.

Wherever Elara went, people stepped aside, placed their right hands on their chests, and bowed silently. The Macadam werewolves behind her, receiving the same treatment, looked awkward.

Wilson caught up to Elara. "I'll wait for you outside the mansion with my tribesmen." Two of his tribesmen were already walking stiffly. He feared they would reveal their true forms if this continued.

"Just don't bump into my people."

Now that she had taken the city, Elara was in no hurry. She walked slowly to observe the city and think about negotiating with Wilson Macadam.

As her sister-in-law had said, to keep the city peaceful, strong protectors were needed.

The strong were the Andros, werewolves, and witches. Given the city's past, she would not hire Andros. As for witches—after the Light Witches of the Larissa Clan and the fall of the Charlotte Tribe, she did not trust them.

Only werewolves remained. The Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe had always loved migrating and freedom. She wondered what made them want to settle down.

By the time she reached the City Lord's Mansion, it was almost noon. Elara saw a group of tall, strong men squatting against the wall. She doubted her decision for a moment—had she overestimated the Silver Wolf Tribe?

Wilson, chewing on a piece of grass, noticed Elara's look. He clapped his hands and shouted: "Stand up!"

He stepped forward and explained: "The sunlight is warm. It's normal to feel lazy."

"Don't blame the sun." Nam did not want to be labeled lazy. "We haven't eaten in two days. Of course, we have no energy on empty stomachs."

Fair enough. Elara pushed open the mansion door. Weeds had already grown in the yard after only half a month empty. "Come in."

Wilson stepped into the yard and looked around. "Twenty years later, it still looks the same." He smiled bitterly and ruffled his silver hair. "But the master has changed."

Three masters in twenty years—from Andros to Dessey Witch. A change unprecedented on the Mal Continent.

He had a feeling the West Sea Merchant City would not stay peaceful for long. He looked at the girl in the black-gold cloak and hoped she could hold on, so the city would not become masterless.

He led Wilson and his tribesmen into the castle. Elara frowned at the empty hall. She had captured Ana Stirling suddenly—why was everything gone? No trace of anyone living there. Who had cleaned so thoroughly for her?

"Sit anywhere."

Elara took Cinderaven and flashed upstairs. She checked room after room. Like the first floor, they were empty—no beds at all."Is Ana Stirling really that cheap?"

Cinderaven sniffed the air. "There's no blood scent. Normally, you can't wash away the blood of Andros completely… unless a Witch Clan interferes. "This castle was cleansed with sunlight."

Light Witches again. What were they doing?

She checked the third and fourth floors. No traces remained. Elara walked through the roof to the tower's attic. As soon as she stood still, Cinderaven left her shoulder and landed on the west-facing window.

"Who left a wine glass here?" He sniffed again and again. "Molyneux Stirling's scent."

Elara laughed at his look, crossed her arms, and teased, "When did you get a dog's nose?" His sense of smell had not been this sharp before.

"I'm not the same as before," Cinderaven sniffed seriously. "Austin's soul and body have been separated for more than two thousand years. Even connected by a Dark Soul Cord, some abilities faded over time."

"After we recovered his body, his soul returned. Even if only briefly twice, it was enough to revive those lost instincts."

He leaned forward and smelled every corner of the windowsill. "Besides Molyneux Stirling, someone else was here. The scent is faint, but I feel like I've smelled it before… I just can't remember."

"The scent is too faint. It's normal to forget." Elara stood by the window, looking west toward the forest. Her eyes narrowed slightly."This tower is perfect. It overlooks my West Sea Forest. Let's go down."

Wilson paced back and forth in the hall. His left eyelid had been twitching—usually a sign he would find money. He was restless and eager to go out. Where was Little Dessey?

"What are you looking at?" Elara appeared behind him.

Wilson turned at once. "Let's talk about the Silver Wolf Tribe settling in West Sea Merchant City."

Elara followed his gaze, saw nothing, and looked back. "Before we talk about settling down, I want to discuss a business deal with you."

A business deal? Wilson swallowed his words and stared at Elara, studying her face. Was she about to make a fortune?

The ninety werewolves watched their king with exasperation. Lord Elara wanted to talk business—why was he just staring? Speak!

Coughs echoed. Cinderaven, on Elara's shoulder, listened to the ugly sounds, worse than crow caws. He wanted to slap Wilson's ugly face with his wing. Had the lustful wolf gone poor and crazy? Stare too long and he'd peck his eyes out.