The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 44

“Nonsense? Shouldn't you, the head of the Larissa Clan, know best?" Elara's tone was thick with mockery. "Talina Larissa is dead, but her lifespan exceeded her natural limit." And Beryl Larissa—my mother's strike twenty years ago should have sent her to meet the Sun God Apollo."

"Huh… wait a minute." Elara pretended to uncover a great secret. "Now that I think about it, the Light Witches not only found a way to extend life using the Andros, but also learned to drain the life force of other beings to heal themselves." She clicked her tongue. “Impressive!”

Elara felt no sympathy as she watched the muscles along Silvia Larissa's jaw twitch unnaturally.

Why couldn't the woman just pay the price, take the scepter, and leave? She had chosen to bargain and humiliate herself—Elara saw no reason to be polite.

Raging fury burned in Silvia Larissa's clear yellow eyes. She pressed her lips together, gritted her teeth, and held back the urge to destroy the Dessey shop.

Standing so close, Elara could clearly feel her anger. "At Anastas City, Beryl Larissa drained the life force of two Andros converts right in front of me. Too bad the Sun God Apollo decided she no longer belonged in this world. A shame for those two strong young converts."

Truly sharp-tongued. Silvia Larissa realized she had made a terrible mistake that day. She never should have come in person to test Elara and buy the Sunfire Scepter.

"It's only natural to grow attached to this 'holy' facade after wearing it for so long." Elara looked down at the Life Ring on her thumb, her index finger brushing the lifelike black mandala."But please stop pretending in front of someone who knows the truth. Your 'holy' light is blinding me."

At those words, Silvia Larissa's suppressed fury exploded, burning through her reason. She swung her left hand, sending a Sunlight s***h toward Elara, while her right hand reached out to summon the Sunfire Scepter.

Was this a robbery? Elara had been prepared. She leaned back and flicked a finger at the incoming s***h. A single hair-fine needle appeared and met the attack, cutting through the air.

The three divine scepters outside the shop no longer stayed still. They shook and struggled under the summoning, but the price tags stuck to them held firm, suppressing them.

Silvia Larissa watched in disbelief as her Sunlight s***h was pierced by a needle thinner than hair. She could not recall the Sunfire Scepter. Her reason returned instantly. She halted her power, placed another stack of gold notes on the counter without delay.

"Silvia apologizes for her offense. Please forgive me, Lord Dessey." All her earlier arrogance was gone, and her holy light faded."This is two hundred thousand in gold notes. May I take the Sunfire Scepter now?"

Not entirely stupid. Elara retracted her Nine-Three Unity Silver Needle, counted the notes, and recalled the price tag from the scepter. "Goodbye. Hope we do business again."

Silvia Larissa summoned the Sunfire Scepter once more. This time, it came without resistance. She reclaimed the symbol of her office and left hurriedly without a word.

"Won't you take two deer?" Elara stepped out from behind the counter. Silvia Larissa stumbled at the words, then turned into sunlight and vanished down the street before regaining her balance.

Elara raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "Coming to rob someone with that little skill? Who spoiled them?" She scanned the busy street, then her own quiet shop. Even the newly earned million gold could not ease the frustration of the quiet day.

With a sigh, she turned to bring the remaining two staves inside. Business was done for the day.

Inside the central castle of Stirling Manor, Duchess Lisandra Stirling and Duchess Alexandra Stirling had been waiting for Becky Cotton since morning. He only arrived at noon, strode inside, and went straight to Alexandra in the corner. "Did you spend a fortune yesterday?"

If he had been summoned here, the young Dessey must have leaked the news.

Alexandra, holding a cup of blood, wanted to gag him. Couldn't he ask about anything else at midday? He glanced at the couple sitting grimly on the long leather chair and grimaced. He hadn't been selfish—the Umbra Soul Cord was just ridiculously expensive.

Seeing his expression, Duke Becky Cotton sighed in relief. So he had spent a fortune. Still, he pressed: "How much did you pay for it?"

At those words, Duchess Lisandra's face darkened further. She appeared beside Alexandra in an instant and grabbed the back of his neck. "What am I supposed to expect from you?" After thousands of years cleaning up his messes, did he have no shame?

"You didn't even buy one for your father—he has plenty of heirs. But I only have you. I gave you all my motherly love, and this is how you repay—"

"Lisandra." Duke Alexandra could not listen anymore. So that was how she felt? What was he, then?"Alexandra is our son. You and I are one." He did not let his wife reply, turning sharply to the seated boy. "I have loved you all these years too."

Alexandra seemed used to this treatment and shrugged indifferently. "I wanted to buy you one, but I'm broke."

He turned to Becky Cotton. "Blame him." He showed off his wealth in front of the Dessey witch. Otherwise, it would never have cost five hundred thousand gold per cord."

Hearing the price, Becky Cotton relaxed completely. If they were all being scammed, not just him, then he wasn't the fool.

Duke Alexandra glanced at the relieved Becky Cotton. "Why are you smiling?" Smiling because his beloved son only cared about himself when it mattered?

Who said he was smiling? Duke Becky Cotton's expression sobered. He looked between Lisandra and Alexandra, then fixed his gaze on the relaxed Alexandra. "Don't you think you should give this boy a combined beating?"

Lisandra Stirling pressed a hand to her throbbing forehead, the other on her hip. "How did you realize something was wrong with Brett?"

Getting to business, Duke Becky Cotton snatched the cup of blood from Alexandra's hand, tilted his head back, and drank it all. His blood-curdling eyes narrowed as he held the cup high. "Starting in April five years ago, forty-eight Rozin slaves escaped from Corell Manor over two months—all between twenty and thirty years old."

Austin had been missing for two thousand years. Slaves escaping Corell Manor was normal. Even with the high number, he hadn't cared at first.

Until he visited Redney Manor and accidentally saw Brett Hall drinking the blood of a Rozin slave. Then he became suspicious.

"We've been oppressed by Austin for thousands of years. We don't drink human blood directly unless we're injured and need to replenish it urgently." Becky Cotton exhaled.

"Brett has always been a gentleman." He would never roughly hold a Rozin's head and drink like that. And during that time, he never left the capital. We never heard or felt that he was injured."

Twenty years ago, Fysher Larissa, the Twin Witch Ancestor, awakened. He clashed with West Sea Forest, aided by Anastas City and the Larissa Clan. The battle had left all sides devastated and shaken the realm. He could not ignore such a being.

Lisandra Stirling sighed. "It's true." We all know why Fysher angered the West Sea Forest ten thousand years ago. When he awakened again, he drained an entire Rozin village and forced Merlyn to seal herself. It's entirely possible Brett fell into his hands."

Becky Cotton kicked Alexandra's foot. "When you bought the Umbra Soul Cord yesterday, did the young Dessey say anything else?" They were powerful thanks to their bloodlines, but they understood little of witchcraft.

"She said Brett Hall is indeed not himself." Alexandra quickly recounted what he'd learned about Roxane Mullin. "The young Dessey says not to alert Fysher, but we must still be on guard. She should be coming to Stirling Manor soon."

"So she's set on scamming us?" Becky Cotton reached for the crystal wine bottle of blood. He needed another drink to soothe his bitterness.

Alexandra spread his hands."You don't have to buy. She won't force you."

Duke Alexandra flicked him on the head—he had wanted to do that for a long time, especially with Thea gone. "Not buy? Do you think we have a choice?" He turned to the drinking Becky Cotton. "Have you investigated that Rozin woman, Roxane Mullin?"

"I have." Becky Cotton burped. "Besides what Alexandra said, she hasn't mentioned the incident once in twenty years. I had people bring it up deliberately several times. She stayed silent every time—except once, when she was provoked. She said it was just a nightmare."

"A nightmare?" Alexandra scoffed. "She won't admit her connection to what happened back then?"

Becky Cotton set down her empty cup. "Brett brought her to Redney Manor, not Fysher. About half a month after she arrived, the slaves started escaping Corell Manor."

"And she's lived there ever since without any official status." Lisandra Stirling's face was contemptuous. "Because of her, Brett Hall had several of his followers transform Rozins from Mullin Manor—including her mother, Hana Mullin."

"Uh…" Alexandra started to speak, then suddenly smiled. "The one you're waiting for is here." He vanished from the castle.

An old, black carriage entered Stirling Manor and headed straight for the central castle. Inside, Elara was planning to raise the prices of the Brightfire and Lightfire Scepters.

"One point one million gold." Thea frowned. "Isn't that too cheap? Even a tiny Umbra Soul Cord sells for five hundred thousand."

Truly her aunt. Elara also thought it was low. "Here's my plan: starting today, the Brightfire and Lightfire Scepters increase by one hundred thousand gold per day." My time is too valuable to sit in an empty shop waiting for the Light Witches."

"True." Thea understood. She was pressuring the Light Witches to buy the two staves quickly. "Guarding the shop is boring."

Elara nodded. "I could craft more Umbra Soul Cords in that time. As long as Fysher lives, my Umbra Soul Cord business will thrive."

Cinderaven, coiled nearby, drooped his eyelids and listened to their back-and-forth. He felt a chill. Was the young Dessey planning to get rich off Fysher? At her crafting speed, the priceless Umbra Soul Cord would become common once Fysher was gone.

"Yes!" Thea grew excited at the thought of golden coins. "I'll practice harder too, so I can open my Middle Dantian and Upper Dantian soon."

“Okay.”

The shabby carriage approached the central castle, and Alexandra came to greet them. Thea stepped out and was immediately pulled into his embrace. Elara's feet touched the ground, Cinderaven perched on her shoulder, when she heard a complaint: "You shouldn't go back to the shop today and stop little Elara from making money."

What was that supposed to mean? Elara glanced at him, then turned to Duke and Duchess Alexandra Stirling at the castle gate. She ignored Becky Cotton beside them.

"Lord Dessey." Duke Alexandra stepped forward with his wife Lisandra. "We meet again. Welcome to Stirling Manor."

"I apologize for the sudden visit. I hope we haven't disturbed you." Elara gave a polite, calm smile—not distant, but not overly warm.

Lisandra stepped aside. "Don't stand outside. Come in."

Elara's gaze flicked over the silver Moonglow Ring on Lisandra's left middle finger, then stepped inside willingly.

Inside the castle, Lisandra took out tea packets from the Moslin Caravan, brewed a cup, and handed it to Elara. "I'm not sure if you like this."

The rich tea scent made Elara's eyes light up. She had no idea the Mal Continent had such fine things. "Thank you!"

In her past life, unlike many young people who loved coffee, she preferred tea—especially Dragon Well before the rain and Pu'er. She lifted the cup, took a small sip, and tasted sweet, slightly bitter notes with a hint of astringency. It was wonderful.

Seeing she enjoyed it, Lisandra offered generously: "I'll have the Moslin Caravan send more later for you to take back."

"There's no need." Elara was not being polite; it was simply unnecessary. Now that she knew the Moslin Caravan sold it, she could buy it herself.

Becky Cotton decided their pleasantries had gone on long enough. "Have you started crafting the Umbra Soul Cord?"

"I have." Elara appreciated Becky Cotton's directness. She had come to Stirling Manor mainly for her aunt's wedding to Alexandra and to sell more Umbra Soul Cords. "Just come to the shop on the day we agreed with the money."

Relieved, Becky Cotton patted Alexandra's shoulder. "Your turn."

Duke Alexandra brushed his hand away, glared at his unfilial son holding Thea's hand, then turned to Elara. "The Land Origin Seal Contract for Anastas City is already yours." Barring accidents, the contract for the Rho River Plains will reach me in three days. I'll have Alexandra deliver it to you then."

"Very good." Elara was satisfied with the speed. "Are you buying an Umbra Soul Cord? I can give you a discount."

“Why?!" Becky Cotton and Alexandra said in unison, staring at Elara gripping her crystal cup. They demanded a reasonable explanation.

Elara tapped the side of the cup lightly. "Because I'm in an excellent mood today."

Duke Alexandra was also surprised, but a discount was welcome. He squeezed his wife's hand. "I'll take two." Lisandra was pleased.

"Eight hundred thousand gold each, then." Elara liked Duke Alexandra's generosity—unlike a certain count who'd talked about buying several but only got one.

Alexandra pulled Thea over to Elara. "Our friendship means nothing to you? Don't you feel guilty?" He hadn't even finished paying, and she wouldn't cut him a break?

Elara looked at him, then turned to Duchess Lisandra. "Is he really your biological son?"

Lisandra Stirling had already plucked seven of her own rooted hairs. "I wish he wasn't, but he is."

After collecting their hairs and blood, Elara brought up the other important reason for her visit. "Once I finish your Umbra Soul Cords, I'll leave Andrea Capital for a few days. I—”

"Where are you going?" Thea was worried. She thought Elara would stay until after the wedding. So much was happening recently. "Why so soon?"

Elara did not hide it. "Back to Anastas City."

"You should go first." Lisandra Stirling nodded. "Officially, you are now Lord of Anastas City. Even if it hasn't been announced publicly, many know. Going back early will calm the people and deter forces that might cause trouble."

That was exactly what she thought. Elara smiled at Lisandra. "What about their wedding, then?"

"Don't worry. I'm already making preparations." Lisandra took Thea's hand and promised Elara: "Please leave Thea in our care. As long as I live, no Andros noble will harm her."

Elara nodded. "In that case, I'll give you a promise: you no longer need to search for Duke Austin Corell." She remained calm as everyone jumped in surprise. "He will return when the time is right."

“You…”

"Don't ask." Elara stood up. "I won't answer. But I can confirm one thing: he is alive."

Cinderaven, standing like a puppet on her shoulder, sighed inwardly. He had asked Elara to say this to stop them from wasting energy searching everywhere—and getting in the way.

The castle fell silent. Becky Cotton and the Alexandra couple exchanged glances, but Elara had made her position clear. They knew pressing further was useless.

Seeing the three fall silent, Alexandra knew she could not rely on them. He asked directly: "Have you seen Duke Austin Corell?"

Does half-counting count? Elara pressed her lips together, neither nodding nor shaking her head. All eyes in the room were on her, but she stayed silent.

Just as the atmosphere was about to turn suffocating, Brett Hall arrived at Stirling Manor with Roxane Mullin. They walked unobstructed toward the central castle as if it were their own home.

Lisandra Stirling frowned deeply at Alexandra. The message was clear: Stirling Manor was not secure.

Duke Alexandra sighed helplessly and squeezed his wife's hand. "Let him be for now. Until Austin returns, we have no perfect solution. We can't act boldly—we might arouse his suspicion."

Becky Cotton agreed. He looked away from Elara. "Now that we have news of Austin, we won't spread word of Brett's situation." It was not that he mistrusted April Lake or the Miller sisters; silence was simply safer.

The Alexandra family nodded. "Very well." Elara and Thea said they were outsiders and would not interfere in Andros clan matters.

"Why didn't you call me when you came here?" Brett Hall entered the central castle holding Roxane Mullin's hand. He was not surprised to see Elara. "Lord Dessey, we meet again."

"Hello." Elara's gaze passed over Brett Hall to Roxane Mullin beside him. Twenty years had passed, and the woman was thirty, but she looked no different—fresh as a half-bloomed flower touched by morning dew.

Roxane Mullin, head slightly bowed, wearing a ruby crown, felt Elara's gaze. Her hand in Brett's grip tightened, her heart squeezing. She exhaled quietly, freed herself, lifted her wide skirt, stepped back, and curtsied. "Roxane Mullin greets Lord Dessey."

"Twenty years have passed." Have you had any nightmares?" Elara watched her pale face, her lashes lowering, a smile tugging at her lips. "Do you know there are no more Rozin villages outside Anastas City now?"

Roxane Mullin stayed in her curtsy, listening silently. Her hands on her skirt tightened unconsciously. Images flashed in her mind: a sea of red… endless red…It was a nightmare. She kept telling herself it was only a nightmare—not real.

Brett Hall, too, just noticed the tension between Roxane and Elara. He lifted the curtsying woman and pulled her into his arms, speaking to Elara with faint anger: "Lord Dessey, she is only a Rozin. You won't hold this against her, will you?"

Elara chuckled. "What of Rozins? Rozins have mouths too. They can speak your language." She still looked at Roxane. "When Fisher, who'd slept for ten thousand years, suddenly awakened and entered the village… and why my mother bound her… no one knows better than Roxane Mullin."

"It was a dream… it was only a dream." Roxane Mullin sobbed, her jade-like hands clutching Brett Hall's floral collar, her whole body trembling. "It was a nightmare. It wasn't real."

"You know the truth in your heart, don't you?" Elara scoffed, turning to Brett Hall. "Don't underestimate any being, no matter how weak." She lifted Cinderaven from her shoulder and stroked his feathers. "I don't even underestimate my own crow, let alone Roxane."

Cinderaven tensed up. Was that really true?