The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 48

"Then there's no other way to help Brett?" Eliza looked at Elara, still holding onto a sliver of hope. In that moment, she missed the domineering, sharp-tongued Austin more than ever. If only he were here.

"There is." Elara quickly held up a hand to stop Eliza's hopeful expression. "But I can't do it with my current cultivation level." She wanted the gold, but she also knew her limits.

"Dark witchcraft has a Soul-Severing Technique that can separate a soul from its body. But Duke Brett's situation is unusual. Fisher's soul is powerful and extremely cunning. Like I said, we must first distinguish the souls… which brings many uncertainties."

That was hardly helpful. Alexander scratched his cheek. "Actually, I'm worried about something else right now."

"Soul fusion?" After returning from the Central Castle the night before, Alexander bombarded her with questions about the Twin Witch. She had found it strange then, but now she understood. "Don't worry. Fisher can't fuse with Duke Brett's soul."

Elara nodded and explained, "Because of the body, Duke Brett and Fisher's souls cannot both be awake at the same time. Any attempt at fusion would wake the sleeping one. It's impossible."

"Good." Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. "Now that Fisher's soul is asleep, can we predict when he might wake again?"

Thea and Elara exchanged a look, then spoke seriously. "Ever since I learned Duke Brett's body was possessed by Fisher's soul, I've had a doubt." She turned to Eliza Miller.

"A founding Andros duke who has lived for ten thousand years should have a powerful soul. Fisher was also a witch ancestor from ten thousand years ago, but he suffered heavy injuries. His soul can't be at its peak. So… how did Duke Brett get possessed so easily?"

Eliza Miller frowned tightly. "I recall Elara saying souls are easiest to seal in two states: completely relaxed and defenseless, or extremely weak. Brett hasn't been injured in years, so he can't be weak."

"An Andros ancestor who has survived countless struggles would not lower his guard under normal circumstances." Elara chuckled. The situation was awkward. "Forgive me for asking, but while Fisher can't coexist with the Andros ancestor's soul… he could coexist with—"

She suddenly understood something. Her mind raced as she sorted out the cause and effect. She turned to the others in the room. "Could Roxane have merged with Fisher's blood precisely because Fisher's soul once resided inside her?"

With Fisher's soul guiding it, the blood merging with Roxane was entirely possible. That explained everything.

"Because Fisher needed a body." Eliza Miller also understood Elara's meaning. "So Roxane came to Andrea Capital. From the very beginning, they targeted the bodies of the Andros founding dukes. Brett, Becky, April… even Alexandra were all their targets."

"So Duke Brett's attraction to that Rozin woman was also influenced by Fisher." Alexander knew his Andros nobles had better taste than that."Roxane's soul influence, combined with Fisher's Soul Projection suggestions… made Duke Brett think he loved her. So he took her back to Redney Manor."

Perfect. A complete story with no logical flaws.

"Becky said Brett only changed after bringing that b***h to Redney Manor." Eliza was furious, but it made her calmer."That b***h can't stay at Redney Manor any longer." Not until Fisher's soul left Brett's body." Her presence could wake Fisher."

“Mm. And it might make Duke Brett lower his guard again." Elara agreed. "Don't worry. She'll probably leave Redney Manor on her own soon."

Cinderaven, curled on the counter, blinked sleepily. He cursed Brett a thousand times in his head. No wonder Eliza had left him back then. If a Rozin woman could make him lose his mind so completely, what worth did he have?

Eliza did not understand. Why would that b***h leave Brett voluntarily?

Alexander waited for Elara to continue, but she said nothing. He smiled bitterly. "Please, don't stop halfway through your sentences."

Elara blinked innocently. "I'm done."

Because Eliza Miller had interfered, Roxane Mullin had been transformed by an Andros noble of impure blood. Then Brett Hall had woken and no longer loved her passionately. The indulgence was gone. And with Eliza's domineering personality, Roxane must have suffered humiliation last night—something she could not bear.

Although Roxane was just a weak Rozin woman who had grown up cautious and humble, five years of living in luxury and power beside Brett Hall had changed her completely.

It was easy to go from poverty to wealth, but nearly impossible to go back. She would not give up her riches, status, and power. Without Brett Hall, there were other Andros ancestors. And with Roxane Mullin's ambition, only the missing one could satisfy her desires.

Alexander did not believe her. He stared at her, reminding her, "You haven't explained why she'll leave Redney Manor."

Elara shrugged and spread her hands. "Say she's off to find… her next love." Was that poetic enough?

"Wilson Macadam?" Alexander suspected his little friend was hiding something. "I also seem to remember you plan to leave Andrea Capital soon?"

Thea rolled her eyes. "She's leaving Andrea Capital to return to Anastas City. It has nothing to do with Roxane." Her family had no connection to that scheming woman. She pulled a small roll of gold notes from her skirt pocket and handed them to Elara. "This is from Wilson Macadam, repaying you."

Elara was surprised. "He actually paid it back voluntarily." So that lecherous wolf wasn't completely useless.

"He couldn't have left Stirling Manor last night if he hadn't." Lately, Alexander had been somewhat jealous of his little friend—she earned mountains of gold without effort."You're definitely the wealthiest lord West Sea Forest has ever had. If you lived in Andrea Capital permanently, I'd hate to imagine the consequences."

“Wealthy? Hardly." Elara put away the gold notes, glad to have one less debt to chase. "Just making enough to get by." After all, the Dessey witch clan was growing rapidly. As Lord of West Sea Forest, she had to plan ahead.

Did Dessey witches live on gold notes? Alexander noticed the staff outside the shop was gone and smiled.

"The new Light Priestess came by?"

"She did." No point denying it. She had openly advertised the scepters to the Light Witches."Problem?"

Alexander shook his head."No problem. I was just wondering when you'd go to Marsal City."He had no idea what Molyneux was thinking, letting the Light Witches infiltrate his territory.

"No plans to go anytime soon." The Jones Clan had lain low for so long—why stop now? She had no desire to investigate. Now that they had shown themselves, she would watch and wait.

Having found no way to save Brett, Eliza Miller did not plan to stay longer. After their conversation, she was certain the Dessey witches of West Sea Forest were as reliable as ever—so long as you paid their fee.

After seeing Eliza Miller off, Elara also sent Alexander and Thea away. Her time was precious; she had no time to entertain the loving couple. She went to her secret chamber to store Eliza's hair and took Alexander's before heading upstairs.

Cinderaven sat blankly on the bed. Elara sat cross-legged in the center and opened the small Nether Box. "Aren't you going to order your raven soldiers to keep a close eye on Roxane?"

"I already did." Cinderaven was truly worried about his own body. "I remember Austin was wearing loose white home clothes the day he happened. I wonder if they're still there?"It had just occurred to him that although Fisher was male, the Larissa Clan had plenty of witches.

Only now did she think of that? Elara smiled and asked teasingly, "What are you trying to say?"

"A body without a soul is just a corpse." Cinderaven was mostly talking to himself to feel better. "The witches of the Larissa Clan are arrogant. They wouldn't touch a corpse."

"Don't be so sure." Elara tapped Cinderaven's back. "I've heard Austin Corell was not only powerful but also incredibly handsome. I didn't believe it before… but after seeing Roxane Mullin, I do. One glance and a lifetime lost. Just how beautiful must he be?"

Hearing her tone, Cinderaven's feathers stood on end. Panic surged through him. "As handsome as he is, he's still a soulless corpse."

"Austin Corell's body won't rot even without a soul," Elara sighed. Especially with a Soul-Locking Rope binding it. She was certain he was a sleeping beauty. "Too bad you couldn't have him when he was alive… you can only admire him while he sleeps…"

"You can stop now." She had successfully dug up his deepest despair and disgust. Cinderaven closed his eyes, curled tighter, and flopped over."From this moment on, I'm not breathing anymore. I'll just suffocate."

Elara laughed at his dramatic display and gently poked his chest. "Aren't you going to fight it?" Cinderaven's worries were completely unfounded. "Fisher was the witch ancestor of the Larissa Clan." How dare the Larissa witches touch his hidden soul vessel?"

That made sense. Cinderaven immediately opened his eyes again and resumed breathing. "Stop teasing me." Hurry and finish forging the rest of the Soul-Locking Ropes."Then they could go find his body. Otherwise, he would die on her any minute.

At Redney Manor's Central Castle, after a night of struggling, Roxane had mostly accepted that she had been transformed by an Andros of inferior blood. As much as she hated to admit it, this was not the time to dwell on it.

Her jade-like fingers brushed the empty space beside her—cold. Roxane, with faint bloodstains at the corner of her mouth, looked heartbroken. Brett had not returned to the Central Castle the night before, nor had he come to see her. Was he angry with her… or had he truly stopped loving her?

On the nightstand sat two empty crystal wine bottles, neatly arranged. In front of them were two wine glasses: one half-filled with blood, the other with dried blood at the bottom.

Roxane deeply inhaled the scent on the pillow and slowly closed her eyes. She was so tired. She hoped when she woke up, everything would have been a dream.

Brett Hall had stood under the moon all night, thinking all night. He still could not understand what had happened to him. Bright sunlight grew stronger, stinging his eyes. Yet he did not move to enter the castle. Instead, he lifted his face to the scorching sun.

Memories of the past few years with Roxane Mullin played in his mind—happy times that felt unreal. He watched as if from a distance, yet the gentle, affectionate man in the scenes was clearly him. It left him confused.

He twisted the Moonlight Ring on his right little finger, then smiled and slowly took it off. Perhaps he was not sober enough yet.

He released it between his fingers. The ring clattered to the ground. Without the Moonlight Ring, Brett Hall immediately felt the burning pain of sunlight on his skin. Yes… that was the feeling. Painful, but it grounded him.

"Your Grace!" The steward of Redney Manor had been watching his master. He rushed over as soon as he saw something was wrong, picked up the ring, and held it out. "Even if Miss Mullin has upset you, you shouldn't treat yourself this way."

Brett Hall showed no interest in taking the ring. He gasped, savoring the pain. "Who allowed Roxane Mullin to live in the Central Castle?" She was not his wife. How dare she reside there?

"Y… you did, Your Grace."

Did I? Brett Hall smiled faintly."Go and expel her from the Central Castle at once. Then have the slaves scrub the castle from top to bottom."Doing so would also erase Eliza's traces. It pained him.

"Yes, Your Grace." The steward held the ring, unsure whether to leave or stay. Brett Hall waved him away. "Do as I said. This sunlight won't harm me." It seemed he needed to visit Stirling Manor again.

Practice makes perfect. Elara forged the second Soul-Locking Rope much faster than the first—finished in only twenty hours. Cinderaven was delighted. "The third one will take even less than twenty hours." He could see the light at the end of the tunnel. "Roxane Mullin has been kicked out of Redney Central Castle by Brett Hall."

"Already?" So quickly. Had Brett Hall noticed something was wrong? Elara sealed the Nether Box. "Soul Projection can fill memory gaps, but Brett Hall is no ordinary Andros. His soul is strong. Memories he didn't personally experience lack authenticity."

"Brett Hall is cold and meticulous." Cinderaven was surprised Fisher had chosen him. "It's only natural he'd check his memories and find something wrong."

Elara stood and jumped off the bed. "What now? Is Roxane still at Redney Manor?"

"She's staying in another castle on the grounds." Cinderaven fluttered onto her shoulder. "I don't think she'll leave anytime soon." He thought of the reports from his spying ravens, his black eyes darkening. "In less than two days, Roxane has drunk forty-six bottles of blood."

Elara froze mid-step down the stairs. "That many?" She had thought Roxane was different. "Is she desperate to awaken her Andros power?"

"Most likely." Cinderaven could already foresee what would happen when Redney Manor cut off her supply."That's why I say she won't leave Redney Manor soon."

"Is it because the Andros who transformed her had impure blood? Does she need that much blood to awaken her power?"Downstairs, Elara loosened her grip on the Nether Box, and it vanished with a flick of her wrist.

Cinderaven sighed. "If she keeps this up, she'll never suppress her bloodlust again." That was why he had always opposed Andros nobles transforming humans.

"Afraid of nightmares… only to become a nightmare yourself." Elara took a piece of dry bread and headed to the kitchen."After I eat, I'll keep forging Soul-Locking Ropes. Keep a close eye on Roxane. As soon as she moves, we'll go find Austin Corell's body."

“Okay.”

Blood… she needed blood. Roxane abandoned the elegant wine glass, grabbed an unopened bottle of blood, and twisted off the neck with her delicate hand. She tilted her head back and drank deeply, the sweet blood flowing down her throat. She felt a powerful power slowly awakening inside her.

A trace of red seeped into the center of her amber pupils. Tears pooled in her eyes and slid into her hair. She had been kicked out of the Central Castle by that noble man.

It was as if he was telling her she was too lowly, a mere Rozin woman who did not belong in Redney Manor's Central Castle. But he had been the one who let her in. Even if he had never publicly declared her his mistress, he should not have cast her aside like this.

Now she was a joke among the entire Andros clan.

The image of those blood-thick, glass-like eyes flashed in her mind again. After living at Redney Manor for so long, she supposed it was time to leave.

Becky Cotton arrived at the Dessey Shop as promised, paid the remaining balance, and successfully received her Soul-Locking Rope. Too eager to wait until returning to the Cotton Manor, he summoned his bloodline in front of Elara and fused the Soul-Locking Rope into the black stamen of the seven-petaled Sapolaya Mother Tree flower.

When he felt the faint red glow connecting his soul and body, he sighed in relief. Finally, he could rest easy. "Brett went to Stirling Manor yesterday."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"To see Ad Anastas. He wants to talk to Penelope Larissa." That was the real Brett Hall. Becky Cotton leaned on the counter. "Too bad Penelope Larissa was suddenly recalled to the Alsace Mountains for some reason."

"It seems you don't have to worry about Fisher waking up anytime soon." Elara put away the empty Nether Box."Now that he realizes something's wrong, he'll be more careful." She looked up at Becky Cotton. "Do you mind if I check the condition of your Soul-Locking Rope?"

"Not at all." Becky Cotton summoned his bloodline again. Elara channeled two streams of witch power into her eyes and peered into the Sapolaya Mother Tree stamen in her pupils. After a minute, she let him retract his power. "Perfect." Her Soul-Locking Rope business could continue.

It was perfect indeed. The five hundred thousand gold coins had been worth every penny. Becky Cotton regretted not being born in West Sea Forest."Little Dessey, when will Merlyn wake up? Should she find another partner? I think I'd be perfect."

"In your dreams." His intentions were written all over his face; she could see them clearly. "Instead of wondering when my mother will wake up, ask Alexander if I've ever given him a discount. Dessey witches only care about gold."

"Right." Becky Cotton folded his hands and closed his eyes in prayer. "Beautiful Goddess Selena, for the sake of my poverty, please let me never have to trade with West Sea Forest again." He had already contributed far too much.

Elara, standing behind the counter, remained unmoved. As long as Moslin Bank stood, the Andros clan would not go bankrupt. Alexander would bring the land seal for Luohe Plains tomorrow. By then, the Soul-Locking Ropes for the three of them would be finished.

Just as predicted, after fully awakening her Andros power, Roxane bid farewell to Brett Hall. Her excuse fit her public image perfectly: since Brett no longer loved her, she would let go gracefully and not cling to him. She left Redney Manor in silent tears and walked out the west gate of Andrea Capital without looking back.

Da-da-da…

Away from the town, the night grew quiet. Elara sat by the carriage window as usual, circulating her power through her body. Cinderaven curled on the long table, his black eyes bright and alert, no longer lethargic.

The day before, as soon as that Rozin woman Roxane had left Andrea Capital, Elara had given the finished Soul-Locking Rope to Eliza and immediately set off for Anastas City with her. They had caught up to Roxane before long and were tailing her from a distance.

To his surprise, Roxane already had a Moonlight Ring. That proved she had long planned to become an Andros.

Woof… woof…

Noisy wolves again. Cinderaven glanced at Elara. Seeing her calm expression, he pushed open the carriage window and flew out to see what the wolves were howling about in the middle of the night.

After traveling day and night, even Roxane—with her newly awakened Andros power—felt exhausted. More than exhaustion, though, hunger gnawed at her. She hugged her stomach, forcing herself onward. She remembered a Rozin village nearby. She would only take a little blood, not kill anyone. Surely the Rozin People wouldn't mind.

"Shhh… shhh…"

"Who's there?"

Two whistles jolted Roxane from her thoughts. She tensed and looked toward the sound. A handsome man with a thick beard sat halfway up the mountain, smiling at her. It was him—the king of the Macadam Tribe: Wilson Macadam.

“Hey. We meet again." Wilson stared at Roxane, searching for that earlier feeling. But after staring at the beauty for a long time, he felt nothing unusual.

A black blur circled high above and returned to the carriage. Elara looked up at the sound and stopped cultivating, retracting the moonlight around her. "What did you find out?"

Cinderaven shook his feathers and said disdainfully, "We'll pull over for a while. Let's not disturb Wilson Macadam and that Rozin woman's midnight meeting."

How convenient. Elara smiled. "A meeting? Are they kissing?"

Cinderaven froze, then shook his head seriously. "Not yet. But if things keep going, they probably will." Hopefully, that lecherous wolf would bewitch Roxane completely. That way, he would have one less thing to worry about—and one less thing to feel disgusted by.