The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 9

After Poppy, there were no more accidents along the way. Elara's carriage arrived safely in Anastas City. Compared to the tranquility outside the city, the inside was especially lively. Carriages and horses came and went on the main road, and the shops on both sides were brightly lit, with constant comings and goings of customers.

"This is Anastas City?" Elara leaned against the window, staring at the scene outside, her eyes filled with surprise.

Anastas City at night was nothing like she had imagined. It was certainly prosperous—after all, it wasn't far from Andrea Capital—but it was too peaceful. If she didn't know what kind of world this was, she would have thought it was just an ordinary European town.

Several well-dressed women walked out of a jewelry shop. She was certain those women were Rozin people. Extremely handsome Andros passed by them, but showed no signs of abnormality. What's more, two of the women even openly winked at passing Andros.

So crazy!!!

Elara felt her worldview crumbling. Where were the Andros' fangs? Weren't they afraid?

"What are you so surprised about?" Thea leaned close to Elara, resting her head against the little girl's as she looked at the pretty women. "They're just seeking a better life."

"But," Elara wanted to disagree with her aunt, but couldn't find the words. Her voice grew soft: "But once they're turned, they can't live in sunlight anymore. They'll also become bloodthirsty."

Her sister was right—their little Elara couldn't stay in the West Sea Forest forever. Thea pulled Elara's head into her arms: "Darling, you're only seeing one side of it."

Elara frowned, pursing her small lips, her mood complicated.

"After being turned, they can't face Apollo directly, but they're no longer weak Rozin people. They'll transform into noble, powerful Andros with long lifespans." This reminded her of that lowly slave. Thea's expression darkened. "Besides, things are different now."

In the past, when Andros fed, they often indulged their bloodlust, drinking excessively and often causing Rozin people to die from blood loss. Now, it was different. To survive long-term, Andros rarely killed Rozin people unless it was a special case.

But it wasn't easy for Rozin people to be turned. Andros were born arrogant—they saw Rozin people as food, no different from pigs and dogs. How could Andros, who considered themselves extremely noble, be willing to be grouped with pigs and dogs?

So unless they especially liked someone, Andros wouldn't be willing to use their own blood to turn a Rozin Person. Even then, turned Rozin people couldn't ascend overnight—they struggled to fit in among the Andros.

"Let's get out and walk," Merlyn felt more and more that bringing her daughter out was the right decision. The two old horses pulled over, and the three of them got out of the carriage, leaving Cinderaven inside.

As soon as they got off the carriage, they attracted many stares. Merlyn's bright red lips curved upward—this was interesting. She looked at the jewelry shop not far away, then walked toward it.

Elara and Thea quickly followed. The several Rozin women were still standing in front of the jewelry shop talking. As Merlyn, Elara, and Thea passed by them, they didn't attract attention—they were still talking about the banquet at the Lord of Anastas City's mansion.

"Have you heard? Earl Alexander Stirling is here! Father will take my sister and me to the banquet tomorrow." The woman with brown hair tied up in a bun, wearing a small silver top hat the size of her palm, looked shy. "Earl Alexander Stirling will be in attendance."

"I'm going too tomorrow," the woman with loose brown hair said proudly. "Lord Rocky specially sent an invitation to our Mullin family."

"As if only your Mullin family received an invitation," the tallest woman said disdainfully. "If the Mullins are so powerful, do you know why Earl Alexander Stirling came to Anastas City this time?" She didn't wait for a response before getting into the carriage that had stopped and leaving first.

Thea sneered, bending down to whisper to Elara, who was eavesdropping: "Now do you understand? Rozin people aren't as afraid of Andros as you think."

One man's poison is another man's meat. Elara sighed: "Not all Rozin people are this naive." She walked into the shop. There were quite a few people inside, almost all looking at jewelry. That Earl Alexander Stirling was truly charming.

"Good evening, three beautiful ladies," a tall, white-bearded clerk approached. "May I help you with anything?"

Elara looked at her mother. This place didn't seem suitable for three poor people like them, did it?

"Show me the tiaras that would fit her," Merlyn pulled Elara forward, gently brushing her loose golden curls.

"Right away, noble lady. Please wait."

After the clerk left, Elara tugged at her mother's dress. She didn't say anything, but her eyes clearly showed refusal—they had no money, so they shouldn't pretend to be rich.

Unfortunately, Merlyn ignored her completely. Thea was even worse—she was already looking at a ring chain bracelet inlaid with several gemstones. Elara's heart raced—were they planning to rob the shop?

The white-bearded clerk was efficient. Soon, he came out of the back room carrying a box. Elara looked at the smile on his face, feeling deep helplessness. As an excellent clerk, couldn't he tell that the three people standing in front of him were poor?

"Noble lady, please look at this princess tiara," the white-bearded clerk opened the box. A delicate black onyx tiara lay quietly on a black silk cloth. Elara had only planned to glance at it, but she overestimated herself—her eyes were glued to the small tiara and couldn't move.

Merlyn picked up the tiara and put it on Elara's head: "Raise your face so mother can see." Elara obeyed, looking up at her mother.

"It's nice," Merlyn's fair fingers brushed the black onyx in the center of the tiara, which was as big as a fingernail. A look of regret crossed her eyes. "It's just a pity this gem isn't red." Her Elara was born with black hair—red would suit her best.

Gasp…

As soon as she said this, gasps rang out in the shop. A few people secretly glanced at Elara and her group, trying to guess their identities.

The white-bearded clerk was also stunned. In the Andrea Kingdom, red symbolized nobility—usually only natural-born Andros were allowed to wear it. But judging from their eye colors, these three were not natural-born Andros.

Although Elara didn't know what her mother was up to, she was almost certain she didn't plan to pay. She reached up to take off the tiara and return it to the white-bearded clerk, but her mother stopped her. "Keep it on. Go wait for us outside the shop first."

Was she trying to send her away? Elara's heart turned cold. She glanced at her aunt, who was still examining the ring chain bracelet, then looked up at her mother's expression. She gritted her teeth, took out the two gold coins her father had given her, and stuffed them into her mother's hand: "I'll wait outside. Hurry up."

Merlyn laughed as she held the small pouch: "Go on."

Elara walked out of the shop, looking back every few steps, hoping there wouldn't be a fight. She stood outside, craning her neck to look inside. She saw her mother talking to the white-bearded clerk, who looked clearly stunned. Elara stared at him, trying to read his expression, but suddenly, a strange scent hit her nose.

Ugh… She really had the worst luck. A cold claw grabbed the back of her neck, and the scenery blurred as she was lifted. In just a few seconds, she was carried out of Anastas City.

Even so, Elara instinctively hugged her head with both hands, afraid of losing the valuable tiara on her head. Weeds scratched her face, causing sharp pain.

After nearly two minutes, Elara finally couldn't help but speak: "Good sir, can you stop and rest for a bit? If you keep running, I won't be able to find my way back."

As soon as she finished speaking, the creature suddenly stopped. Two cold laughs echoed in the desolate mountains: "Hehe, you little thing still want to go back?" She lifted the bundle of flesh in her hand, her scarlet lips approaching slowly as she deeply inhaled the fresh scent. She said softly: "Don't be afraid. How about sister turns you into a noble Andros?"

"It's the middle of the night—are you sleepwalking?" Elara felt a little nervous. "You, a turned Andros, want to turn me? Dream on!" She felt the scent getting closer and held her breath.

Veins popped on her pale face, and her blue eyes were dyed red. The woman grinned, her fangs piercing her lips. Her terrifying eyes fixed on the tender white neck of the little girl in her hand. She opened her mouth and leaned down to bite.

Just as the sharp fangs touched her skin, Elara's silver-gray eyes suddenly lit up. She drove two silver needles into the woman's body. With a shrill scream, she waved her right hand, sending the woman flying.

Free at last, Elara quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her neck. The sound of screams echoed in her ears as the Andros rolled on the ground. She sniffed—something was burning. A thought crossed her mind. She quickly put away the handkerchief and approached the vampire.

She was shocked by what she saw. Wow—who said all vampires were beautiful? Look at this one—she looked like a ghost! Smoke was rising from her chest, and her body was rapidly withering. In just a moment, her facial features were almost skeletal. Could silver really be lethal to vampires?

"Ah… Spare me!" The vampire scratched at herself frantically, her body decaying. Her legs curled and kicked wildly as she let out painful roars: "Ah… Roar…"

As Elara hesitated whether to pull out the silver needles, white mist suddenly appeared around her. Her heart tensed—silver needles glinted coldly in her hands as her eyes darted around. Suddenly, they stopped. She slowly turned her head to the right front. A man who looked just like a prince from a fairy tale was walking toward her, his bright red eyes shining brightly in the night.

"Earl Alexander Stirling?" Elara wasn't sure, but the color of his eyes didn't lie.

"I'm glad you know me," the man walked over to the Andros, who was barely recognizable, and squatted down to look at Elara. "Can you take the things out of her body?"

He was quite polite. Elara sniffed and put away the needles in her hand: "Did you turn her?" She didn't need to guess—otherwise, he wouldn't be here. "I didn't provoke her. She wanted to drink my blood. I warned her, but she didn't listen."

The man smiled at the little girl three steps away and asked: "What did you warn her?" He had indeed turned this woman, but he hadn't expected her to be so greedy—running out to hunt so soon after being turned. Unfortunately, her luck was terrible.

"I told her not to wander around aimlessly," Elara put her hands on her hips and puffed out her stomach. "I also said I needed to find my way back—wasn't that telling her I'm not an ordinary child?" She glanced at the struggling woman, feeling a little troubled.

"She is indeed very stupid," the man stared at Elara. "What's your name?" He added: "I don't hold grudges. Besides, she's not worth it."

Elara hesitated for a moment, then told him: "Elara Dessey."

The man looked obviously surprised when he heard the surname, but he quickly smiled. He took out a red glazed card: "Take the things out of her body, and you can take this card to Moslin Bank. They will pay you for your trouble."

What did this mean? Elara was confused: "You're going to give me money?"

"Aren't all Dessey Dark Witches in the business of getting paid for their work?" The man suddenly understood—the needles the little girl had been holding between her fingers must have been some kind of dark weapon. He looked down at the dying woman, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. This dark weapon was surprisingly powerful.

Elara was dumbfounded. She had just made money? The Dessey Clan really had a reputation!