The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 47

None of the seven founding ancestors of the Andros clan inside the room paid him any attention. Alexander sighed and gestured for him to leave. "Don't wander in here again." You're not exactly wealthy, either."

Although the Macadam Silver Wolf Tribe was the strongest among the werewolf tribes, they preferred to migrate and lived a nomadic life. They also kept their distance from the Rozin People. Over time, they could not naturally compare in wealth to the Leeds Tribe and Arabella Tribe, who had settled down and used the Rozin People to expand their trade routes.

Naturally, Wilson Macadam would not stay a moment longer than necessary if he could leave. He glanced at the newly transformed Rozin woman, who wore a look of utter sorrow, then lifted his eyes to Eliza Miller and blew her a kiss. "Goodbye, Miss Beautiful Thorn."

He stepped backward toward the door with a smile, then turned into a wolf shadow and leaped upward. "Good night, everyone."

Eliza Miller was in the worst mood she had ever been in that night. She no longer wanted to waste time or energy dwelling on Brett and Roxane Mullin. Her gaze passed over Brett and landed on Alexandra and Lisandra. "I need to speak with you both privately."

Duchess Alexandra exchanged a look with her wife, then moved toward the second floor. "Come to my study."

What a mess. Duchess Lisandra glanced at the cups and plates scattered around the hall, then turned her eyes to Thea and Alexander, guilt written all over her face. She forced a weak smile. "I'm sorry." I think I messed everything up."

"It's all right," Thea stepped forward and hugged her. "You should go up."

Truth be told, she had found tonight's dinner rather fascinating. The twist of events had left her wanting to applaud. From the corner of her eye, she saw Roxane Mullin still collapsed on the floor, overcome with grief, and thought her nothing more than a fool.

Of the eight founding ancestors of the Andros clan, aside from Brett Hall—blinded by love—and the missing Austin Corell, the remaining six stood there alive and well. She was just a weak Rozin woman who had just been successfully transformed, yet she put on such a show. Who was she trying to fool?

"Very well." Seeing that Eliza had already gone up to the second floor, Duchess Lisandra did not delay any longer. She instructed Alexander,"If you're tired, you two can head back and rest early. No need to wait for us."

"Mm." Alexander watched his mother ascend the stairs, then walked to Thea's side. "Let's go back."

Thea did not object and linked her arm through his. Alexander led her toward the door, but as they passed the still-standing Brett Hall, he paused suddenly. "Duke Brett, Miss Mullin seems quite upset. You should comfort her."

The silent Brett Hall lowered his head at the words to look at the silently weeping Roxane and frowned, a wave of irritation rising in his chest. "Why are you crying?"

Roxane stiffened. Even his tone when speaking to her had changed. Memories of the past flooded her mind, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.

"Are you truly unwilling to be transformed… or only unwilling to be transformed by an Andros noble of impure blood?" Brett Hall narrowed his blood-thickened eyes at the woman hanging her head and weeping. After a few seconds, he let out a soft, mocking laugh. "What am I saying? After all, you don't even think much of me."

"No… I don't…" Roxane shook her head repeatedly. She already regretted everything.

For some reason, hearing her hoarse voice stirred an inexplicable ache in his heart. Brett Hall raised a hand and pressed his throbbing temples. This wasn't like him. Yet the intimate scenes flashing through his mind left him unable to deny what he felt.

He had been the one to bring this woman back to Redney Manor, and their time together had indeed been passionate. But that did not mean she was special.

"Stop crying. This is not a place where you can behave so recklessly. Get up and return to Redney Manor."

Roxane stared at him in astonishment, slowly lifting her head to look at the noble man. He still wanted her?

Alexander, standing nearby, had been watching Brett Hall closely—analyzing his expression and his shifting attitude toward Roxane. His confusion deepened. Seeing Brett roughly rubbing his forehead and temples, he asked with concern, "Are you all right, Your Grace?"

Brett Hall shook his head. "I'm fine. You two may leave."

"Very well." This time, Alexander did not linger and left the Central Castle with Thea.

Upstairs in the study, Duke and Duchess Alexandra watched Eliza, who had entered and stood silently by the window. They did not know what she was thinking, nor did they intend to interrupt her.

Although Eliza was domineering and sometimes biased on major issues, she was sharp-witted, perceptive, and decisive. Just like the incident at West Sea Forest a few days prior—after their Andros clan had lost, she had straightforwardly stamped the land exchange document and asked no more questions about Thea.

If she was asking to speak with them privately tonight, it must be something important. She needed time to gather her thoughts.

Two more minutes passed. Eliza Miller, standing by the window, finally seemed to have had her fill of the view outside. She turned to face Alexandra and Lisandra and spoke bluntly, "Austin appeared at the Stirling Manor tonight."

“What?!" Lisandra gasped and quickly closed her eyes to sense him.

Alexandra did not stop her. Among the eight of them, aside from Austin, Lisandra possessed the purest bloodline. But remembering what Elara Dessey had said that day, he frowned. "Did you see Austin with your own eyes?"

At the question, Eliza Miller rolled her eyes at Alexandra. "If I had seen him with my own eyes, do you think I'd be talking to you in this study?" I would've dragged him over here to help me deal with that fool Brett already."

Well, another false hope. Duke Alexandra sighed and continued to toy with his blood-red jade pipe.

Lisandra sensed for a moment, but felt nothing out of the ordinary. She finally gave up, opened her eyes, and looked at Eliza. "Tell me everything. Don't leave out a single detail." Eliza was not like her sister Amy—she never spoke without reason.

"You felt nothing?" Eliza's heart sank when Lisandra nodded, but she began to recount everything that had happened that night in detail. "You know Brett and I had some happy times together."

"We know. But they didn't last long," Duchess Lisandra lamented for them. "Brett has a gentle nature, while you are like the blood-red you love. The two of you clashed quickly… and mostly over small things."

Memories of the past left Eliza with no small amount of regret. "There are times I truly envy you two." Lisandra and Alexandra have been together since leaving Sapolaya Mother Forest. You've had your disagreements, but you understand how to cherish each other far more than Brett and I did."

"So you admit your recent unhappiness is because of Roxane." Lisandra smiled slightly at Eliza's awkward expression, then shrugged and crossed her arms."It's only natural. Why do you think I disliked Hippolina so much? Jealousy, plain and simple."

Listening to their conversation, Duke Alexandra decided he was better off not being there. "Would you like me to step out?" That way, they could insult him and Brett to their hearts' content to vent their frustration. Though they had forgotten, did they both have many partners?

"No need." Eliza let out a long breath, lifted her chin slightly, and blinked hard."Ever since Brett brought that Rozin woman back to Redney Manor, he's slowly changed… into someone I barely recognize. At first, I thought it was the power of love. But then…"

She shook her head. "I know Brett too well. On the surface, he's gentle, but deep down, he's colder than Austin." His emotions don't fluctuate so greatly for a woman… and he would never let a woman use him as a pawn."

"So you wanted to kill Roxane Mullin, who has such a strong hold over Brett?" Lisandra was relieved she hadn't actually gone through with it.

"I did. But I didn't plan to act tonight." Eliza knew full well how fond Lisandra and Alexandra were of Thea, and she did not want to ruin their dinner. "The crown ornament she wore today… it was mine." I left it at Redney Manor years ago. I couldn't bear it anymore…"

As Eliza recounted every detail, Lisandra and Alexandra finally understood why she was certain Austin had been at Stirling Manor.

"Are you sure Brett's bloodline was summoned by Austin?" This was crucial, and Duke Alexandra wanted to confirm once more.

Eliza frowned tightly, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'm sure. Not only did he summon Brett's bloodline… he suppressed it. Austin may be cold, domineering, petty, and vengeful, but he would never watch the rest of us turn on each other."

Alexandra and Lisandra both wore grave expressions and exchanged a look. The meaning was clear: at this point, they could no longer keep certain things from Eliza.

"What's wrong with you two?" Eliza was sharp-eyed and immediately noticed their unease, staring at them intently.

Lisandra raised her hands."All right. There are things we need to tell you. But after you hear them, you must not spread the word or do anything reckless."

"What are you hiding from me?" Eliza could barely take it. "Do you think I'll ruin everything? That's the kind of thing Amy would do!"

True, Amy was a fool. And she was still Eliza's own sister. Lisandra told her what Becky had discovered, revealing the Soul-Locking Rope and Elara's explanation. She watched Eliza's expression change throughout. "The 'Brett Hall' indulging Roxane… should be Fisher."

Eliza clutched the torn silk fabric over her chest, breathing heavily as she forced down her rage. Only after calming down slightly did she demand, "If tonight hadn't happened, when were you planning to tell me?!”

Before Alexandra or Lisandra could respond, she pressed on, "In your eyes, am I really that untrustworthy? You didn't tell Amy, and I don't blame you. But do you have any idea I almost killed that b***h tonight?!”

Lisandra exhaled deeply. "We were afraid of complicating things. Fisher's soul has already successfully taken over Brett's body… and Austin is gone."

Eliza took a deep, slow breath. After her initial outburst, she understood. After all, she had once been with Brett and had recently targeted that woman."Elara Dessey can forge a Soul-Locking Rope?"

"She was paid for it." So I assume she can," Lisandra could not guarantee it.

Eliza nodded. "I'll go to the Dessey Shop tomorrow to find her." She turned back to the window. "Don't worry." After tonight, I won't care about Brett or that b***h anymore."After all, it wasn't really him. She cared about Brett Hall, the founding ancestor of the Andros clan. "And I won't tell anyone what you've told me."

By dawn, Elara, sitting on the windowsill, had fused the final Soul-Locking Curse into the Blood Soul Essence. The tiny, finger-joint-sized essence suddenly blazed with a dim light—then the glow vanished completely, absorbed back inside.

The surface of the Blood Soul Essence was no longer smooth; it was covered in tiny witchcraft runes, and a faint black lock had appeared in the center.

Elara finished her cultivation, opened her eyes, and called out, "Cinderaven. Come look. Is this the Soul-Locking Rope Austin used back then?"

After resting through the night, Cinderaven had regained some energy. He stood on the bed, shook his feathers, then fluttered to the windowsill and peered at the finished Soul-Locking Rope resting inside a small Nether Box. "Dark black, like a piece of ordinary broken hair, rough surface… yes, that's it."

He remembered when Lord Vanzelena had forged one for him, and his cultivation level was similar to young Dessey. But since Elara was skilled with needles, her control over witch power was more precise, making this Soul-Locking Rope feel more restrained.

"Good." Elara picked up the Nether Box and examined it closely, careful not to touch the rope itself.

Cinderaven saw that she did not put it away and thought she was still worried. "It's no use worrying now. Becky Cotton will come to pick it up in a couple of days anyway." We can test its effect on him first, and then we'll know for sure."

Elara glanced at him and sealed the Nether Box. "I was paid to make this." She had already checked the runes covering the Soul-Locking Rope—they were indeed for locking souls and binding blood. She had not made a mistake.

After placing the Nether Box in her secret chamber, Elara made herself breakfast and opened her shop. She set out the re-priced Scepter of Light and Scepter of Open Flame outside. Passersby still avoided the Dessey Shop, and there was nothing she could do about it.

She looked up at the sky. Another clear, sunny day. She glanced at the two scepters glowing softly in the sunlight and hoped the Light Witches would hurry and take them. That way, she could focus entirely on forging Soul-Locking Ropes in peace.

She turned back inside. No sooner had she stepped behind the counter than Elara lowered her thick lashes and asked Cinderaven, coiled on the counter, "Do you hear that?"

"I do." Cinderaven craned his neck toward the door. "Mary… something… It sounds like the Light Witches singing their hymn to Apollo." Had the Light Witches arrived?

Indeed, this ancient ballad had been composed by the first priestess of the Light Witches. It seemed she might still sell the scepters today. Her lashes trembled slightly. They were here.

A woman in bright yellow and white robes, wearing an Indian feather crown, appeared at the east street entrance. She walked slowly toward the Dessey Shop, her yellow pupils clear and her gaze calm. Her naturally upturned lips made her look gentle.

When she reached the shop, she glanced at the prices on the two scepters without changing expression. She stepped inside and saw the young girl behind the counter wearing a silver-stamen black mandala crown. She knew this was the new Lord of West Sea Forest, whose name had spread throughout the Mal Continent—Elara Dessey.

“Greetings. I am Gloria Joan, the new Light Priestess of the Light Witches."

Joan? Elara knew where she came from. "The Jones Clan of Marsal City." She looked up. "You've come to buy the Scepter of Light and the Scepter of Open Flame?"

"I have." Gloria Joan pulled out a large roll of gold notes without hesitation."This is two million gold coins." She then took out a small stack from her sleeve and counted out several more notes."Two million two hundred thousand gold coins. Please count them, Lord Dessey."

Elara smiled, took the gold notes, and counted them. Two million two hundred thousand exactly. Since the woman was so straightforward, she would not make things difficult. She removed the price tags from the scepters. "Please take them, Priestess Gloria."

"Thank you." Gloria Joan smiled faintly. "Lord Dessey, do you not have any questions for me?"

"About what?" She cared nothing for the internal affairs of the Light Witches. Nor did she need to ask why this generation's Light Priestess was not from the Larissa clan.

Gloria Joan raised an eyebrow, then smiled as if understanding. "You truly don't need to ask." Was this confidence? She would have haggled, but Sivelle Larissa had already lost face there the day before. The Jones Clan could not afford more embarrassment over a few gold coins.

The day had started smoothly, and Elara's mood had lifted greatly. After Gloria Joan left, she hummed a soft tune.

Seeing her happy, Cinderaven relaxed. "To pull out that much gold at once… the Jones Clan must have fully infiltrated Marsal City." He tried to remember who ruled Marsal City. Ah… Molyneux Stirling. Of course, it was the Stirling clan again.

Elara took a Dark Box, placed the gold notes inside, then walked around the counter to close the shop. But before she could reach the door, Eliza Miller—dressed in a magnificent blood-red gown—appeared before her. The beautiful founding ancestor of the Andros clan brushed past her rudely and entered the shop.

Was she here to cause trouble… or for business? Elara did not close the shop. She turned to watch Eliza seat herself. "Can I help you?"

Elara Miller showed no awkwardness or discomfort upon seeing Elara again, acting completely calm. "I want to buy a Soul-Locking Rope."

"Certainly." Making money was the Dessey way. Besides, she held no deep grudge against the Andros ancestors; their earlier fight had been restrained."Five hundred thousand gold coins."

Eliza Miller raised a hand and plucked seven hairs, root and all. "Can Brett… still use a Soul-Locking Rope?"

"About that…" Elara was about to answer when she sensed Alexander and her aunt returning.

Alexander was not surprised to see Eliza Miller at the Dessey Shop. He helped Elara close the door and said, "Duke Brett seems to have awakened."

Eliza frowned. "What do you mean?" After talking with Alexandra and Lisandra the night before, her mind had been too chaotic to stay longer.

"Duke Brett has woken up." Alexander looked at Elara."But his soul has been asleep for years. He should have some memory loss. Yet he doesn't seem to have lost any memories… except for his changed attitude toward Roxane. No other signs of abnormality."

"He's awake?!" Eliza Miller shot up from her leather chair and grabbed Alexander. What about Fisher? The memories… the memories…"She understood. Brett knew everything Fisher had done using his body. Was that even possible? She turned sharply to Elara.

"Is that really so strange?" Leaning against the counter, Elara said, "Fisher's unique Soul Projection can imprint every detail of the past few years onto Duke Brett's soul."

Elara thought the same. She nodded toward Alexander. "Are you certain this is the real Brett Hall?" Fisher was an expert at disguise. If he had hurt Eliza and feared facing the others, pretending to be Brett would make sense… or did it?

"I'm sure." Alexander planted his hands on his hips and lowered his head, recalling the scene after the Andros ancestors returned to the Central Castle from East Cypress Forest."It wasn't just me who noticed something wrong with Duke Brett. Even Roxane did."

"Then he truly has woken." Elara glanced sideways at Eliza Miller. "Do you still want the Soul-Locking Rope forged?"

"I do." Without hesitation, Eliza held out the seven hairs. "If Brett has woken… can the Soul-Locking Rope still work for him? Bind his soul to his body?"

Elara wished she could lie and say yes, but she could not. "What is Duke Brett's attitude toward Roxane now?"

“Indifferent. But he still let her return to Redney Manor, even after everything that happened last night," Alexander answered bluntly.

From what Alexander described, the influence was still there. Elara thought carefully. "I suspect Fisher's soul never left Duke Brett. It simply chose to fall asleep temporarily… waiting for the right moment."

"That's possible?" Alexander was truly astonished.

Elara smiled. "Why not? Don't forget—Fisher the Twin Witch was a witch ancestor from ten thousand years ago. If ordinary bodies didn't limit his power so greatly, he would never have chosen to possess an Andros body. After all, the Andros cannot communicate with nature."

After twenty years of recovery, Fisher's soul should have regained much of its strength. Self-sealing his soul into slumber would not prevent him from surviving inside Brett Hall.

"Then, while Brett is awake, can't we lock his soul and body together tightly?" Eliza Miller stared at Elara. It seemed like the only feasible solution.

Elara shook her head. "Can any of you be certain this is truly the real Brett Hall… and not Fisher in disguise? Furthermore, Fisher's soul is still inside him. I can't be sure if the Soul-Locking Rope would bind Brett's soul… or Fisher's."

Eliza Miller dug her nails into Alexander's arm. "How can this be happening?"

"I noticed something else last night." Elara leaned against the counter and turned to her aunt. "The drop of blood that Grandmother fused into Roxane's divine palace… I fear it has completely merged with her."

Thea's eyes darkened. "You mean…"

"Wilson Macadam, the Silver Wolf King, didn't want to get involved last night," Elara explained what she had seen. "But he couldn't control himself. He intervened. After snapping that Andros man's neck, his expression was complicated. He tried to leave, but Roxane begged him… and then he changed again."

"Soul Projection." It was unbelievable. Thea turned to Alexander and Eliza Miller and said, "How do you feel around Roxane?"

"Don't ask them." Roxane avoids them too much to dare beg for their affection or anything else," Elara continued her speculation. "That drop of blood Grandmother refined from the Sunbright Stone… it was almost alive." I saw it with my own eyes."

"My intuition tells me Roxane has fully merged with that blood. Thanks to Fisher's blood, she may have gained a certain degree of soul influence." Though it won't be strong."

Alexander disagreed with her last statement. "Then what about the wolf last night? Wilson Macadam is the king of the Silver Wolf Tribe, and even he was influenced by her."

"The situation was desperate." Elara glanced meaningfully at Eliza Miller. "Faced with death or an inferior transformation she didn't want, she begged for her life. Her soul influence was amplified under those circumstances. But once you arrived, Duchess Eliza, that influence faded."

Eliza Miller understood. "So I was right to have Tomad transform her last night." If Brett had done it, the blood of an Andros ancestor would only have helped that b***h unlock more hidden power and grow stronger.

More or less. But if Fisher's blood had truly merged completely with Roxane, the soul influence weakened by the transformation would return—since cells continuously regenerated.

Alexander was still stuck on Wilson Macadam being influenced by Roxane, filled with worry. "Can Roxane use Soul Projection too?"

“No. Soul Projection requires an extremely powerful soul," Elara knew what was bothering him.

"But Wilson—"

Before Alexander could finish, Elara cut him off. "Just say he was in heat." It was rather pitiful for a Silver Wolf King to be influenced by a Rozin woman.

Still, she was certain that when Roxane begged her for help last night, a mysterious, subtle power had rippled around her. She had only sensed it thanks to her sharp senses, honed from years of handling needles.