The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 41

"The Twin Spirit Curse," Elara Dessey was almost certain that Austin Corell was the other "twin" who had been cursed alongside the West Sea Witch Ancestor. But why him?

Cinderaven's pair of small black eyes grew wet. He looked at Elara as if he had suffered some great injustice, staying silent, grieving once more for his bitter fate.

At the same time, he repeated inwardly that she had figured everything out on her own—it had nothing to do with him. So he wasn't breaking his promise to Lord Vazhena.

Just how had the Twin Spirit Curse come into being? Elara lowered her gaze and placed Austin Corell into the whole picture. "Did Austin Corell take part in the Witch Ancestor War ten thousand years ago?"

"No," he sounded truly innocent. Cinderaven's tears were almost falling. He raised his wings and covered his face. "The Witch Ancestor War took place in Merai City, right next to the Alsace Mountains. Back then, Austin Corell was at Corell Manor, southwest of Andrea Capital.

If he had known this disaster would fall from the sky for no reason, he would have agreed to go with West Sea to the Alsace Mountains to find the Twin Witches. At least then he wouldn't be innocent. Maybe together they could have killed the Twin Witches in one strike. Even if they had still been hit with the Twin Spirit Curse, it wouldn't have been a loss. But now, he had lost everything!

Merai City was nearly ten thousand miles from Andrea Capital—quite far. Austin Corell hadn't participated in the Witch Ancestor War, so what connection could he possibly have to it?

Elara had investigated the origin of the curse, but the Witch Clan's understanding of it was vague. The notes left by the West Sea Witch Ancestor about the Twin Spirit Curse were not very detailed either, and much of it she still could not fully comprehend.

"Y–you… What are you thinking?" Cinderaven lowered his wings slightly, revealing his small black eyes that looked as if they had been washed with water. It wasn't the right time to ask, but he was too curious.

Elara lifted her eyes to him. "I'm wondering why Austin Corell didn't die." Both had been struck by the Twin Spirit Curse. One had been gone for ten thousand years, yet the latter still lingered—though he didn't seem to be living well.

"Is that a hard question?" Cinderaven stated plainly. "Austin Corell is the purest-blooded Andros on the Mal Continent. You saw Amy Miller's healing power today. Austin Corell's is more than ten times stronger."

"Right," Elara rested her head against the carriage. "But even so, Austin Corell's soul eventually had to temporarily flee his body. It seems that before we figure out the Twin Spirit Curse, Fisher Larissa cannot die."

The West Sea Witch Ancestor and Austin Corell were absolute powerhouses on the Mal Continent. Even they had been helpless against the Twin Spirit Curse, letting it erode them. Her intuition told her the curse was far trickier than she had imagined.

Cinderaven perked up in surprise. "You've decided to help Austin Corell?"

"Didn't you swear loyalty to me, Cinderaven?" Elara saw his eyes light up and smiled, her tone shifting. "But since Austin Corell is only a friend, I think I should charge a proper reward."

"Of course, of course!" Cinderaven fell quiet, holding his breath and waiting for her to continue.

Elara frowned slightly, looking utterly conflicted. "From the west of Anastas City to the Alsace Mountains held by the Larissa Family—how many cities are there?"

At those words, Cinderaven's eyes rolled back and he nearly fainted. His claws went limp, but he still answered honestly. "Including Anastas City, twelve cities total."

"Mm," Elara nodded solemnly. "Anastas City and Luohe Plains already belong to West Sea Forest. Surely Duke Austin Corell won't begrudge us the remaining ten?"

Please let him die quietly. Cinderaven curled into a ball in the corner. The world was far too realistic.

Elara paid him no mind. None of this was set in stone anyway. But she had to get to the bottom of the Twin Spirit Curse—it was the resolve of every Dessey witch of West Sea Forest through the ages. The West Sea Witch Ancestor could not die without justice.

It had only been half an hour since the carriage left the royal palace when it arrived at the Dessey Clan's shop at 66 East Main Street. Stepping down, Elara dismissed the weak witchcraft barrier outside. She looked up; in the upper right corner of the stone door was a striking black mandala emblem.

Shop 66 was unlike other stores in the city. Though its style was dark and simple, it occupied an enormous area—more than ten times the size of other shops in the capital.

According to clan records, when the eight great ancestors of the Andros established the Andrea Kingdom, after the West Sea Witch Ancestor confirmed the location of the royal palace, she bought this small plot of land with eight gold coins.

Once the Andrea Royal Palace was finished, she spent two more gold coins buying leftover construction materials and hired craftsmen to build Shop 66.

Elara was in complete awe of her ancestor for that move. She pushed open the stone door. Dust had settled inside. Glancing at the furnishings, they were almost identical to the shop in Anastas City—only with more shelves for goods and more empty space.

Once Cinderaven had calmed his mood, he fluttered inside. Returning to this old place, he couldn't help but think of that heartless witch, West Sea.

But looking at the shop's location and size, he wanted to bash his head open and ask the gods: what had he ever done wrong to the West Sea? Was there anyone more unlucky in the world?

After inspecting the shop, Elara channeled witchcraft and waved her hand. Immediately, the settled dust seemed to grow legs and rushed out the door. With the shop clean, she turned and told the horses waiting at the door to return to the backyard. She then went to the secret chamber.

The night in Andrea Capital was lively but not noisy. Compared to Anastas City, blood-eyed Andros were everywhere here, like the Rozin People.

News of what had happened in the Andrea Royal Palace spread like wildfire. The upcoming change of ownership over Anastas City and Luohe Plains had unsurprisingly alarmed many forces, making them even more curious about the new Lord of West Sea Forest. All eyes focused on the long-abandoned shop at 66 Main Street, closed for hundreds of years.

After checking the dark weapons in the secret chamber, Elara planned to go out to buy food. But as soon as she stepped outside, she saw her aunt standing across the street holding a large wooden food box. They looked at each other from opposite sides and smiled at the same time.

Looking at Elara, Thea Dessey felt twenty years of hardship turn to sweetness. She didn't know if she would have had the courage to face everything in West Sea Forest if she hadn't successfully recondensed her witchcraft.

But now she could proudly declare to the world: I am Thea Dessey, a Dark Witch from West Sea Forest.

She stepped closer and walked into the shop with her little Elara. Placing the wooden box on the counter, they hugged tightly.

There were no tears—only the joy of reunion.

After calming down, Elara locked the shop door. She carried the food box in one hand and took her aunt's hand in the other, heading up to the second floor. "I have good news to tell you."

"Is it about Anastas City and Luohe Plains?" Thea already knew. "Duke Lisandra Stirling is in a good mood today too."

Duke Alexandra Stirling had many partners, and so did Duke Lisandra Stirling. Their long lives had long made them used to such things—but that didn't mean there was no affection between them. It was only natural that Lisandra was happy, since Hippomina Meiko, Ana Stirling's mother, was having a hard time.

"It's not about Anastas City and Luohe Plains," Elara said as they reached the second floor. She laid out the still-steaming food from the box. "West Sea Forest has two new little members."

"What?" Thea froze. What was her little Elara talking about? Did she mean what she thought she meant?

After arranging the food, Elara looked up. “Surprised?”

Beyond surprised! Thea's face fell and she demanded sharply, "Who? Who tricked my little Elara?"

"My big brother," Elara pressed her aunt down into a leather chair. "Seventeen years ago, after Grandmother passed away, I followed her orders and sent my older and second brothers away from West Sea Forest. They took the Hambury surname and lived near the forest."

At the mention of their mother's death, tears welled in Thea's eyes. Even though Mother had long told her and her big sister that her life was coming to an end, it happened during a string of setbacks for West Sea Forest. She always felt she had let Mother down.

"Sister-in-law Polina gave birth to two lovely Moon Maidens," Elara's gaze softened. "I sent their whole family back to West Sea Forest. Father named them: Diane Dessey and Dana Dessey."

Moon Maidens? Still caught in grief, Thea was stunned—but she recovered in an instant. She suddenly looked up at Elara and confirmed, "David's family gave birth to a pair… of Moon Maidens? Their meridians can store witchcraft?"

Elara nodded. "Isn't it wonderful?" She had been shocked too. After all, even if both parents could practice witchcraft, not all their children would necessarily inherit the ability.

Meridians that could store witchcraft meant the two baby girls could withstand the power. Thea was overjoyed. She stood up, took Elara's hands, and began spinning and dancing. “Wonderful! David and his wife are amazing!"

Perhaps the West Sea Witch Ancestor's bloodline was simply too strong. The Dessey witches had always had thin descendants—and twin Moon Maidens were unheard of.

Elara understood her aunt's excitement and danced along with her. Seeing the smile and relief on her face, she let out a breath.

Her aunt and Alexander had finally reached this point after so much. She hoped they would be happy. West Sea Forest no longer had immediate pressure over descendants. She only hoped Alexander could handle his own troubles.

After the dance, Thea still couldn't hide her joy. "Little Diane and little Dana can wear your old baby clothes. You had so many. Does the clan have enough supplies? Should we buy more and send them back? Now that the clan is bigger, we need more provisions."

"Little Diane and little Dana were only born a few days ago," Elara laughed. "Are you sure they can eat?" She had one more discovery to share. "Auntie, our twin Moon Maidens are really something special."

Thea immediately leaned closer. "What do you mean?"

Elara smiled. "Their minds are connected. They can sense each other very clearly."

When the West Sea Witch Ancestor studied the Twin Witches, she had noted that the Twin Witches developed dual souls precisely because their minds could not connect, leaving their souls unable to merge without external interference.

"Elara," Thea's eyes sparkled. "I can already picture them fighting together in the future." Connected as one, if they reached the highest realm, the Twin Witches that the Larissa Family had schemed so hard to create would become a joke.

"One plus one is greater than two," Elara stabbed a piece of golden-brown toasted bread. "That's why I'm so looking forward to it." And her sister-in-law, who had an unusual background, was worth looking forward to as well.

Thea clenched her hands in excitement. "I can't wait to meet them."

"You will," Elara took a small bite of crisp bread. Now it was time to talk about other matters. "Duke Alexandra Stirling has agreed to give Anastas City and Luohe Plains to West Sea Forest. You and Alexander are going to marry soon, and West Sea Forest hasn't prepared anything. I want to give you Anastas City—"

"Stop," Thea knew what Elara was going to say and refused immediately without hesitation. “No.”

"With Anastas City and Luohe Plains, West Sea Forest gains an extra barrier. Even if you marry Alexander, you're still a Dessey Witch. I don't see how giving you Anastas City would threaten West Sea Forest."

"No," Thea refused again. "Anastas City cannot be given to me, and I will not accept it." She walked to the window and looked down at the busy street. "Elara, do you know why Austin Corell agreed to give West Sea Forest to the West Sea Witch Ancestor when the Andros founded the Andrea Kingdom?"

She hadn't known before, but after ruling West Sea Forest for so long and learning so many secrets from Cinderaven, she now had a guess. "To restrain and to win over."

Thea praised her openly. "Exactly." She looked up at the bright moon hanging overhead and silently spoke to her older sister, who still slept far away. "Big sister, your little Elara has truly grown up. We all missed her growing up."

"The restraint was mutual. The wooing was aimed at another major Andros force hidden in the dark," Elara stood beside her aunt. "But no one expected both the West Sea Witch Ancestor and Austin Corell to fall." Probably none of the Andros even knew Austin Corell was also cursed with the Twin Spirit Curse.

Thea raised an eyebrow and turned to Elara. "Where did you learn that, besides the eight great ancestors, the Andros have another branch?"

Elara met her gaze and said seriously, "Would you believe me if I said I guessed?"

"Not really." But since she didn't want to say, Thea wouldn't press. "Do you know how Alexander and I met?"

"I think it was because of a wolf."

"You could say that," Thea crossed her arms. "About two hundred years ago, I was traveling and met him in the woods outside Munarta City. He was covered in blood, and his head was in a wolf's mouth."

What a classic hero-saves-the-beauty scene—except the "hero" was a beautiful witch. Elara stroked her chin. "Is Alexander that weak?" Then how had he dared to stand up to April Lake today? Courage from love… or from his parents?

"I wasn't his match at my full power. Do you still think he's weak?"

“Continue. Was it the wolf's fault?"

Thea narrowed her eyes slightly. "I was annoyed that I had no missions at the time and didn't want to interfere. But his eye color was so beautiful… so I saved him."

Elara understood. Her aunt had probably planned to use the life debt to extort hundreds of thousands of gold coins—never expecting to fall for him herself.

"That was the first time I learned that not all Andros power was held by the eight great ancestors," Thea paused solemnly before continuing. "Alexander had been ambushed by that hidden branch. He defeated the Andros who attacked him, then turned and ran into a lone wolf."

"But what does that have to do with taking Anastas City?"

Thea smiled lightly. “Everything.”

"Alexander and I are getting married. To us, it's just a union of love—but the outside world will never see it that way." That was what worried her most. "They will think our marriage is an alliance between West Sea Forest and the Stirling Clan, the ancestral Andros family."

Elara smiled bitterly. "You're refusing Anastas City to avoid too many ties?"

"Austin Corell has been gone for two thousand years," Thea had her own concerns. "That hidden force won't stay quiet for long. Alexander already suspected that Ana Stirling and her son were backed by them—he just had no proof.

"You mean Ana Stirling and her son are just the vanguard, and the real force testing and trying to break West Sea Forest is the other Andros branch?" Elara looked down at the street. "What do they want?"

Thea's eyes darkened, sharpness flashing within. “Elves.”

"What?" Hearing that answer, Elara almost lifted a hand to check her ears. "What did they want?"

"You heard me correctly." It was only her guess, but she had deduced it many times after putting all the pieces together.

"They want forest elves to revive the Saporoa Mother Tree, to make it bloom and bear fruit again. Then they will devour its fruit to refine their bloodlines and break free from the suppression of the eight great ancestors like Austin Corell."

"How do they know West Sea Forest has elves?" Elara didn't believe Austin Corell would have spread what he saw there.

Thea squinted slightly. "When a witch reaches a certain realm, they receive a dream revelation. You can choose to accept it or not." Every Dessey witch had chosen to accept it—and seen the end of their life.

Elara pressed her lips tight, her mind racing.

Those Andros wanted to solve their problem at the root. Their wish was nice, but the elves of the West Sea Forest didn't grow or nurture trees. It was a huge misunderstanding. But could West Sea Forest explain the truth about the elves? Obviously not. More importantly, no one would believe them even if they did.

"Now that we have Anastas City and Luohe Plains, West Sea Forest must hold them firmly," Thea put an arm around Elara's shoulders. "Duke Lisandra Stirling told me privately that she can sense the Andros blood in me. That's why I can't take Anastas City."

"I understand," Elara nodded, dropping the subject. "How much do you know about Brett Hall and Roxane Mullin?"

"Why are you asking about them?" Thea was confused.

Elara didn't hide anything. She told her aunt what Grandmother had done to Roxane Mullin years ago. Seeing Thea's face darken, she quickly grabbed her hand. "Don't act rashly. Benelli Larissa from the Larissa Family said the Twin Spirit Curse always comes in pairs. Poppy Larissa must also be cursed."

"You mean the Twin Spirit Curse has appeared again?" This time Thea was truly shocked. "Why would Poppy Larissa be cursed?"

After a moment of hesitation, Elara replied. "Benelli Larissa is Poppy Larissa's son. He's different from the Twin Witch Ancestors."

"When Poppy Larissa gave birth, she used all her witchcraft to merge his dual souls in her name. I think that's why she was struck by the Twin Spirit Curse."

"Is Poppy dead?" Thea asked. When Elara shook her head, she pressed on. "The Twin Spirit Curse comes from twins. Doesn't Benelli Larissa understand it either?"

"That's the key," Elara was also confused. "Benelli doesn't fully understand the Twin Spirit Curse." After meeting Roxane Mullin, she was tempted to tell Benelli where Fisher was hiding. Maybe they could cooperate.

Thea calmed her emotions. "This is getting interesting." She took two deep breaths to steady her racing heart.

"Earlier, while I was preparing your food, Duke Lisandra Stirling came to apologize to me. She also mentioned that Roxane Mullin looks at Brett Hall as if she's searching for someone else through him."

"Someone else?" Elara wasn't sure what to say. "Is she looking for Fisher?" And Fisher's soul had been hiding inside Austin Corell's body. "Could she be refusing to be turned by Brett Hall because it doesn't feel right?"

"Possibly," Thea nodded. "Otherwise, she's a thirty-year-old Rozin woman. Why wouldn't she want to be turned while she's still in her prime?" Seeing Elara lost in thought, she smiled and asked, "I heard from Duke Lisandra that you're planning to open a shop tomorrow and sell Light Staffs?"

Elara had been thinking about Cinderaven downstairs. She answered smoothly. “Yes. Keeping those Light Sacred Artifacts just upsets me. Selling them for gold will help us rebuild Anastas City and Luohe Plains."

"Then I'll guard the shop with you tomorrow," Thea really didn't want to leave her alone. "What about the deer? When are you going to send them to Duke Becky Cotton?"

"No rush." Elara's mind was full of the black crow perched on Roxane Mullin's shoulder. "I'll do it after I'm done here." She hadn't expected Roxane Mullin to be so perceptive. Did she love Fisher's soul… or Austin Corell's body?