The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 57

Wilson had not missed the clearing of throats and coughs from his tribesmen. He only stared at the calm look on young Dessey's face, and his heart was filled with unease.

At this critical moment, when the West Sea Forest had taken over Anastas City and the Luohe Plains, young Dessey had proposed doing business with the Silver Wolf Tribe. Thinking about the situation of the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe and the current state of the entire Mal Continent, how could he agree recklessly?

Who were the Dessey Witches? They were the infamous Dark Witches of the Mal Continent—shrewd, domineering, arrogant… and stingy by blood. They wished to earn ten thousand gold coins a day and spend nothing at all.

If the werewolves of their Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe were stingy, it was because they were poor and could not afford to be generous. But the Dessey Witches were different. The Witch Ancestor of the West Sea had seized an entire rich forest from the eight founding ancestors of the Andros Clan, ensuring wealth for the Dessey Witches for generations.

It was not that he admired the West Sea Forest. The reputation of the Dessey Witches was indeed foul, but the heritage of the West Sea Forest was undeniably profound. Even so, the Dessey Witches still exploited everyone everywhere. Now she suddenly said she would spend money to do business with their Silver Wolf Tribe? It was more terrifying than knives falling from the sky. This must be a deadly deal.

Elara saw Wilson staring at her for a long time without speaking. She knew he must have guessed what kind of deal she was talking about. Hesitation and uncertainty were normal, and she did not push him. But the deal still had to be made clear; whether they reached an agreement would be decided later.

"The West Sea Forest plans to turn the former Anastas City—now the West Sea Mall—into a 'Pure Land Mall.' A Pure Land Mall means a mall without any unfair bullying…"

At the words "no bullying," Wilson's silver wolf eyes suddenly widened, showing no surprise at all. Even Cinderaven, perched on Elara's shoulder, froze.

"Whether you are Andros or human, no matter how powerful you are, the moment you step into the West Sea Mall, you must obey its rules. As long as you follow the rules of the West Sea Mall, you will be protected by it."

This was only the beginning. If the West Sea Mall succeeds, the Luohe Plains will also develop into a "Pure Land."

Elara's words were simple, and Wilson understood her intention. "To build such a wonderful mall, you need a very strong army of warriors to guard its rules."

The Witch Clan was torn by fierce internal strife, and the Andros were bloodthirsty and hard to control. Their werewolves had become her best choice.

"Yes," Elara said bluntly. "This is the business I want to discuss with the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe."

Just as he thought. Wilson smiled bitterly. When he first entered the lord's mansion, he wondered if the West Sea Mall would become a city without a master. Now the young lord of the West Sea Forest had set his sights on their Silver Wolf Tribe.

He lowered his eyelids and let out a soft breath. The danger was obvious, but could he refuse without hesitation?

The ninety werewolves of the Silver Wolf Tribe also fell silent, all staring at their king. This was a long-term, huge deal. As long as the West Sea Mall stood and the West Sea Forest did not fall, their Macadam Tribe would never lack food or clothing. With abundant resources, the Silver Wolf Tribe could grow stronger.

As for danger—what was without danger? Hunting, taking missions… no one could guarantee everything would go smoothly and safely.

Wilson glanced back at his tribesmen. Nam opened his mouth but said nothing in the end.

Elara was in no hurry. She would stay in the West Sea Mall for a few days. Later, she would have the dark spirits lingering in the mall keep a close eye on everything inside.

"Do you know why the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe suddenly sought a place to settle down?" He already understood his tribesmen's feelings. Since they were going to cooperate, Wilson hoped both sides would be honest. That would help build mutual trust.

Elara shook her head. "I don't know yet." If you're willing to tell me, I'd be happy to listen."

"How much do you know about the recent situation of the various clans?"

Wilson was no longer his usual carefree self. He showed the solemnity a tribe leader should have.

"Unrest," Elara let out a long breath, then chuckled coldly. "But this unrest has been brewing for a long time. Twenty years ago, Rocky Anastas, lord of Anastas City, tried to seize the Moonlight—that was only the beginning. The Mal Continent seems peaceful now, but in truth…" She shook her head.

Wilson nodded in agreement. "Ten thousand years ago, before the Andrea Kingdom was founded, the clans of the Mal Continent fought endlessly." I didn't live through it, but I can imagine how hard it was to survive."

"Later, Duke Austin Corell, the founding ancestor of the Andros, led the seven Andros ancestors and the Andros nobles to conquer. Then Selah Dessey appeared suddenly. Within a thousand years, the Andrea Kingdom was established, and the Mal Continent finally had some peace.

"Over ten thousand years, first the powerful Witch Ancestor of the West Sea Forest passed away," Elara's eyes dimmed slightly. "Then Duke Austin Corell, the founding ancestor of the Andros, disappeared. That made many with 'great ambitions' rejoice. They want to break the peace of the Mal Continent and rebuild order."

"Exactly." Wilson's gaze toward Elara changed. He began to truly respect this thirty-year-old lord. The Dessey Witches were shrewd for good reason.

"When the Andrea Kingdom was founded, your ancestor, the Witch Ancestor of the West Sea, also contributed. Coupled with her power, the West Sea Forest was granted to her."

Elara chuckled lightly. "Jealous?"

"It's not that I'm jealous," Wilson raked a hand through his hair. "Honestly, werewolves have immense strength, tough bodies, and speed like lightning. But none of that makes up for our lack of wit."

Elara did not judge. She just turned to look at the ninety werewolves sitting scattered in the corner. Seeing that none of them objected, she couldn't help but be amused. Did they have self-awareness?

"When the Andrea Kingdom was founded, the Dessey Witches got the West Sea Forest. Now it's even more so. Thanks to Selah Dessey's identity as a Dark Witch, the Anir Clan seized a large ice field in the Northern Plains. Charlotte's clan claimed the southeast part of the Glass Fireless Forest. And then there are the Light Witches…" Wilson grew dejected. "What about us werewolves? We don't have a single piece of land to call our own."

"That's not very wolf-like," Elara did not sympathize. Everyone wanted good things; if you couldn't get them, you could only blame your own weakness.

Wilson shrugged helplessly and returned to the topic. "Before Selah Dessey died, the Dessey Witches occupied and enclosed the West Sea Forest. Neither the Andros nor the humans dared to voice any dissatisfaction."

"After the Witch Ancestor died, some arrogant fools thought the Dessey Witches without Selah Dessey no longer deserved to own the rich and vast West Sea Forest," Elara scorned. "If the Dessey Witches don't deserve it, who does? The West Sea Forest is right there. It can't move or run away. If anyone wants it, come take it."

"You're right," Wilson licked his lips and steered the conversation to what he had been investigating. "Two thousand years ago, Andros ancestor Austin Corell suddenly disappeared. Less than twenty years after he vanished, one of my tribes—over a hundred werewolves—somehow got lost and strayed into the West Sea Forest."

Elara also found this strange. "Believe it or not, those werewolves never entered the West Sea Forest. The Queen of the Inkwing Elves confirmed this. As for why they disappeared near the forest, the West Sea Forest doesn't know either."

"They didn't enter?" Wilson pressed his lips together and shook his head firmly. “Impossible. I personally led my men to track them by scent back then."

Elara sneered. "When you tracked them, did you actually see them enter my West Sea Forest?"

Wilson had no rebuttal. "Rumors also say that a pack of werewolves was coveting my West Sea Forest. How do you explain that?"

"That… that's impossible," Wilson knew his simple-minded tribesmen well.

"You know it's impossible," Elara sighed and shook her head. "Did you ever wonder why they lost their way to the West Sea Forest?"

Of course he had, but he could not figure it out. Werewolves should never lose their way when following a scent. Yet that pack had… Wait. He seemed to have missed something. He sniffed the air. Why was there no blood scent?

Seeing his reaction, Elara blinked twice and spoke before he could ask. "This entire castle has been cleansed by Sun Radiance. No traces remain."

No traces? Wilson frowned and imagined, "Do you think my tribesmen lost their way two thousand years ago because some force set them up? They used a scent to lure my men off course… then erased that scent, leaving only my tribesmen's smell, making me chase them to the West Sea Forest."

The more he thought, the more certain he became.

"I don't know. This involves more than a hundred lives of your Silver Wolf Tribe. I can't speak recklessly." Elara actually had the same suspicion. And the timing of the pack's disappearance was too coincidental—right after Austin's accident.

"Sigh, won't you think before answering? The West Sea Forest hasn't cleared its name yet." He thought she was smart, so he gave her a chance to speak.

Name? Elara glanced at him. "The crimes of the West Sea Forest are only what you believe. Except for that fake scent, show me real evidence." For two thousand years, the West Sea Forest has been wronged by your Silver Wolf Tribe, yet we have never admitted any connection to that pack's disappearance."

Wilson fell completely silent. He really had no solid proof."Fine. I will keep investigating. And please… if you get any reliable news, don't forget to share a little with me."

"Hmph," Elara snorted coldly. "Not bad." I'll give you a tip. Windis Larissa of the Larissa Clan found a way to strip the life force from other living beings from the Andros. Talina, Boyle, and Windis Larissa have lived so long because of this method."

"I guessed as much." Twenty years ago, Talina Larissa had been killed by a Dessey Witch, and the world learned she was still alive. Wilson had suspected it then and was not surprised now. "Don't worry. We'll be careful around the Light Witches from now on."

Elara rolled her eyes. She had just witnessed how slow werewolves could be. "I tell you this, and you have no other thoughts?" Not expecting him to catch on, she spelled it out. "Aside from everything else, a werewolf's life force rivals that of an Andros noble."

It was so straightforward. If Wilson still did not understand, he would truly be stupid. He was shocked. Not only him—the ninety seated werewolves all stood up. What had they just heard?

"No need to look so shocked," Elara smiled, disdain clear in her eyes. "I even saw Boyle and Windis Larissa drain the life force of Andros nobles." Seeing he still froze, she understood. "I told you this because I want you to see things less narrowly. Just because a place once glowed doesn't mean it has gold."

Wilson connected the news with his earlier theory and became even more certain. But one thing confused him. "How did you see Windis Larissa?"

She had just called him stupid, and now he turned it back on her. Elara chuckled lightly. "You know Windis Larissa?"

"Of course." Wilson did not wait for her to ask. "Windis Larissa rarely appears in public, so the outside world knows little about her. But from what I know, over two thousand years ago, she was supposed to compete for the position of Light Priestess of the Light Witches. Then it suddenly went to Talina Larissa. Do you know why?"

Cinderaven on Elara's shoulder suddenly had a bad feeling. Did this lecherous wolf know too much?

Elara shook her head and answered honestly. "I don't know."

"I do," Wilson said proudly. "Because the Larissa Clan had something more important for her to do."

Cinderaven closed his eyes and played dead. Elara recalled Cinderaven's earlier reaction when he learned Windis Larissa was guarding Austin's body and made a guess.

"The Larissa Clan sent Windis Larissa to the Corell Manor in the Andrea Capital." That was a polite way of putting it. Afraid young Dessey would not understand, Wilson added, "She served Austin Corell without status or title—not even a lover."

Elara raised an eyebrow and glanced at Cinderaven, who was shrinking his neck and pretending to be dead. It seemed Wilson was telling the truth. No wonder Austin Corell had fallen into the Larissa Clan's trap.

"There's a secret rumor that human women can bear children for Austin Corell without being turned." But so far, it hasn't been proven."

"Bear children for Austin Corell without being turned?" This time, Elara was shocked. "The Larissa Clan sent witches to Corell Manor for his children?" Creating a Twin Witch was not enough—they wanted to merge the blood of witches and Andros. "Were the witches sent to Corell Manor all extremely talented?"

"Not only talented, but each more beautiful than the last," Wilson sighed. "Sadly, their beauty surpassed thousands of women, yet they lost to Austin Corell."

He almost wanted to shed tears for them. "Austin Corell has been gone for two thousand years. To this day, not a single woman has dared to come forward and claim to be Austin's woman, seeking protection from the Andros ancestors."

If any woman dared to do that, Cinderaven would throw a fit and ask young Dessey to drag Austin's body to the Andrea Capital. He would skin that woman alive. Cinderaven really wanted to remind them it was time to talk business, not this nonsense.

Elara seemed to hear Cinderaven's thoughts. After a few seconds of silence, she directly laid out her terms. "Excluding the first year, the commission for guarding the West Sea Mall's rules will be calculated every ten years. As for the amount, I will release the rules of the West Sea Mall in one month, and we will negotiate then."

"Wait," Wilson said, impressed by her confidence. "What makes you so sure I'll take this deal?"

Elara asked directly, "Do you have a better choice?" Judging from the current situation of the Mal Continent, even though he did not say it, she was certain the werewolf tribe was in trouble.

"Fine," Wilson said openly. "Recently, several members of the Arabella Snow Wolf Tribe have gone missing—all high-bloodline female werewolves, vanished without a trace."

"The Arabella Tribe has long occupied Munster City in the far north. Munster City was not enfeoffed to any Andros noble." That left plenty of room for manipulation. But Elara thought there was a direction to investigate. "Targeting only high-bloodline female werewolves…" This fit "eugenics" perfectly.

Wilson ran his tongue over his wolf fangs. "I'll take the deal. But I have conditions." Meeting Elara's cold gaze, he forced himself to state his tribe's need. "You must pay part of the money upfront." My tribe needs to settle down."

That was acceptable. Elara took out the blood-red rose crystal card that Benelli had given her the day before. "This contains two hundred thousand gold coins."

Before she could finish, sharp intakes of breath sounded. But she did not mock them—after all, the Dessey Witches had also been poor for a long time. "This is your commission for the first year."

"So much?" Wilson was surprised but took the crystal card without delay.

"Think it's too much?" Elara smiled and reminded him. "Anastas City was just renamed the West Sea Mall today. Many forces outside want it to descend into chaos—or become a city without a master." Naturally, she did not need them to guard her.

The first year, when the city laws would be established, was crucial. If she wanted the werewolves to fight for her, she could not skimp on money.

"Pleasure working with you." Wilson squeezed the crystal card tightly, not daring to put it in his pocket. "Tonight, I'll have Nam lead them to patrol the city. You'll stay a few more days, right? I'll return to Yaga Valley and move the entire tribe there before you leave."

The ninety werewolves stared fixedly at his clenched fist, afraid the tiny crystal card would slip through their king's fingers.

Nam, the gray-bearded werewolf, immediately nodded when he heard his name. "Rest assured, Lord Elara. Our Silver Wolf Tribe may not be sharp, but our senses are far beyond ordinary werewolves."

"Yes, yes!" the others echoed. "We've taken the West Sea Forest's money, so we'll risk our lives to protect the West Sea Mall." This was the kind of work they were good at—no thinking required.

"Good." Elara had nothing more to say. She glanced at the empty castle and made a decision. "Clean up this lord's mansion." She had originally planned to use it as a temporary residence, but now it had a better use. "From now on, this is the City Guard Mansion."

A City Guard Mansion? Wilson suddenly felt he needed to reunderstand the Dessey Witches."You're really giving such a fine castle and grounds to… to our Silver Wolf Tribe?"

"Not giving it to your Silver Wolf Tribe," Elara corrected. "This is the City Guard Mansion. Your Silver Wolf Tribe must buy land to settle."

That was still wonderful. Nam unilaterally decided the West Sea Mall would be the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe's home from now on.

Elara did not plan to stay longer. "It's still early before dark. Almost all shops in the city are having sales today. Hurry and buy what you need; you'll save a lot."

"Will do." Wilson watched Elara leave. "When we go shopping, we'll also announce that the West Sea Forest has hired the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe to guard the mall. Just wait and see."

Not too stupid, after all. Elara smiled and vanished from the lord's mansion. She returned to the Dessey Shop, stood by the second-floor window, and looked at the cloudless sky. Tonight would not be peaceful.

Cinderaven flew off Elara's shoulder and landed on the windowsill. "I don't think we should focus all our attention on the West Sea Mall. Don't forget the Luohe Plains—those are all Rozin villages."

"I haven't forgotten the Luohe Plains." Elara closed her eyes and moved her lips silently, chanting a witch spell. She sent waves of witch power outward. After about thirty seconds, she stopped and looked down at the bustling street. "Hopefully, we can catch a few big fish."

"Don't expect to kill one to warn a hundred," Cinderaven said, not trying to discourage her. "The West Sea Mall isn't the old Anastas City anymore. After your massive s*******r half a month ago, there are hardly any Andros left in the city."

Elara knew that. Rozin people make up seventy percent of the West Sea Mall. If a force wants to provoke me, they only need to drive some Turned to rampage in the streets, and panic will spread." That was one reason she was in a hurry to hire werewolves.

"Right." Cinderaven's eyes darkened. "Before Austin's accident, he was already drafting regulations for managing the Turned. Unfortunately, he couldn't hold on before finishing them."

"Really?" If he hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have pressed. Now she asked along the way. "Were there many women in Corell Manor?" Thinking about the one lying in her tomb, she truly wished he would stay there forever.

Cinderaven shuddered and huddled tighter. "Don't you want to know how Austin planned to deal with the Turned? We can talk about that in detail—it will help you govern the West Sea Mall later."

"Are the turned hard to manage?" Elara crossed her arms and looked down at the huddled black crow. "When something happens, whoever turned them takes responsibility. I don't believe Andros nobles will dare to turn humans recklessly after a while."

He agreed. Cinderaven drooped his eyelids. "Austin Corell was pitiful." After leading the Andros ancestors to found the Moslin Bank and the Andrea Kingdom, he spent almost all his time restraining the Andros. He often had to ally with the West Sea to suppress the Blood Pact and restless witches, werewolves, and others."

Elara snorted coldly. "The pressure was great." He certainly needed some release." After her fight with Windis Larissa, Austin hadn't mentioned a single word about his history with her.

"Exactly!" Cinderaven said indignantly. "Austin handled things easily at first. But after he was cursed with the Twin Spirit Curse because of Selah Dessey, he grew tired."

"To research the Twin Spirit Curse, he couldn't refuse the Light Witches sending women to Corell Manor. Those flashy women were ugly enough, but each was bolder than the last, plotting against Austin all day. Austin was already exhausted and had to guard against them constantly. Without those women, he would have held on longer…"

Listening to Cinderaven ramble, Elara's mood inexplicably improved. She decided to let his concealment slide for now. "Don't let it happen again."

"I know." Cinderaven watched Elara's mood warily. He already regretted it. He silently vowed to be a loyal bird from now on. Who knew if someone who knew the truth would appear after he hid something?