The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 23

"What's wrong?" Ever since her daughter had spoken of her nightmares, Haina had been extremely vigilant at night, sleeping lightly. Hearing the noise, she immediately got up, rushed into Roxane's room without even putting on her shoes, lit the lamp, and lifted the curtain. Seeing the tiny figure huddled in the corner of the bed, she almost collapsed, tears rolling down her cheeks instantly. "Roxane, Mama's here." The little girl was clearly badly frightened. She clung tightly to the blood amber like a lifeline, her pink lips trembling as she muttered numbly: "Mama." Her empty eyes were dull. “Mama?”

"Oh my god." At this moment, Haina hated herself intensely. She climbed onto the bed and hugged her poor daughter tightly. "My Roxane, Mama's sorry. So sorry." Tears poured forth as she held her daughter's thin, cold little body. A trace of resentment arose in her heart—resentment toward the Dessey Witch for being so ruthless. Hadn't the previous Dessey Witch liked Roxane very much? Why wouldn't she even give up a rusted ring? The suppressed sobs gradually brought the little girl back to her senses. The dullness faded from her beautiful eyes, and a spark appeared in the center of her pupils. Feeling the warmth surrounding her, the little girl's tense body slowly relaxed.

"Mama. I heard that voice again. So many… so many Rozin people are dead. Their blood has soaked the ground. I'm so scared." "Oh my god." Haina hugged her daughter even tighter, her heart aching fiercely. "Great Apollo, the Sun God, please. Let me bear all the sins. Please spare my poor daughter. She's too young—only ten years old." She couldn't finish, her voice choked with sobs. "Don't be afraid… don't be afraid." The little girl wanted to comfort her mother, but she hadn't fully escaped the terrible nightmare. "Mama, I want to hear the story of Cinderella and Prince Andrea." She didn't dare to close her eyes.

Haina sobbed. "Okay, Mama will tell you." She lay down slowly with her still stiff daughter, covering them with the quilt. Her eyes fell on the object in the little girl's hand, and she couldn't help but frown. "Do you like amber very much?" "No." The little girl rested her head on her mother's arm. "I only like this one." "This color is very beautiful." But people like them, ordinary Rozin people, couldn't wear such things. Haina felt powerless, hugging her daughter and patting her back gently.

"I remember the patriarch brought this amber back. You were only five years old then, but you cried and fussed endlessly, clinging to this amber and refusing to let go. In the blink of an eye, five years have passed." Hearing this, the little girl felt a little shy. "I apologized to Grandpa Patriarch later." "You certainly should have." Haina kissed her daughter's forehead. "The patriarch even gave you the blood amber." "I apologized not because I got the blood amber, but because I knew I was wrong afterward." The little girl raised her head, her tearful eyes looking at her mother. "Grandpa Patriarch said I shouldn't have lost my lady's etiquette just because I liked something too much." Haina sighed deeply. "The patriarch is right." For Rozin people born like them, etiquette was their only dignity. "Mama will tell you the story of Cinderella and Prince Andrea." “Okay.”

As dawn broke in the east, Elara, sitting on the windowsill, had soaking wet clothes. Her chubby little face was furrowed with brows, and her thick eyelashes trembled from time to time, but she maintained a steady and rhythmic breath. When the first ray of soft sunlight shone on her, a hurried knock on the door interrupted her cultivation. She finished her practice and opened her eyes—though she had worked hard all night, that wisp of Witch Power had only moved less than four inches, but she didn't feel discouraged. Elara stuck her head out the window and looked down. "Haina Mullin." Had she given up yet?

Merlyn also didn't expect this woman to come looking for her again. She led the way upstairs, entered her own room, and stood by the window with her arms crossed, looking at the fiery red sun in the east. "If this is about the silver ring, you don't need to speak." Hearing this, Haina Mullin, who had been a little awkward, suddenly raised her head to look at Merlyn, who was wearing a purple cloak—dew drops still clung to her hair. "Lady Merlyn." Haina had thought about it all night; she felt only Merlyn could help Roxane. After lulling her daughter to sleep, she had hurried here.

But she didn't expect the other party to not even give her a chance to speak. Her heart felt twisted, but she couldn't leave. Tears filled her red eyes. "Last night… last night, my daughter had the nightmare again." As she spoke, she knelt down, but a force prevented her. She begged bitterly: "Please. She… the first person she saw when she was born was you. Please save her. I beg you… wuwu…"

A sharp light flashed in Merlyn's eyes, and she curled her lips slightly. "Why should I save her? She is Haina Mullin's daughter, not mine." She turned her head to the right and saw a little head peeking over, her expression softening a lot. "I… I can give you money. As much as you want." Haina tremblingly took out a thick stack of gold vouchers from her small bag. "Is this enough? If not, I have more… I have more."

"It's not about the money." Merlyn turned around. "The silver ring cannot be given up. But didn't you say Roxane Mullin only started having nightmares when she arrived in Anastas City? If that's the case, why didn't you leave earlier?" Haina hesitated—they couldn't leave yet, for in a month, Viscount Ana Stirling would come to Anastas City to select maids for Lord Rocky Anastas, and the Mullin Manor had daughters on the candidate list.

"I've shown you the way. It's up to you to decide what to do." Merlyn could tell what was going on from Haina's expression, feeling quite sarcastic. "You love Roxane deeply, but Elara is also my life. Don't come again. The result will be the same." The Life Spirit Ring originally belonged to the West Sea Witch Ancestor; Elara hadn't seized it from anyone else. "Is there really no way?" Haina wanted to step forward, but Merlyn stopped her. "One should know when to stop." With a wave of her right hand, she sent Haina out of the shop. Haina left dejectedly, knowing begging was useless.

Elara, who had watched the whole scene, sighed deeply and looked down at the black mandala ring on her left thumb. She tugged at her still wet clothes, jumped off the windowsill, and hummed a spell: "Lanina… Mengli." A barrier rose around her room. She took a bath, changed into clean clothes, removed the barrier, fed a piece of dry bread to Cinderaven, then opened the door and slid down the stairs along the handrail.

Thea was in a bad mood, leaning against the shop door with one hand on her hip. "Good morning, Aunt Thea." Elara decided to serve breakfast personally. She ran to the cabinet, took out the bread, beef, and butter bought yesterday—there was no vegetable oil here, so she did her best. Thea, curious, followed her to the kitchen. "La la… la la." Elara hummed, stood on a small wooden stool, washed the beef, marinated it, and cut the bread into slices.

"What are you going to make?" Thea asked, not intending to help. Elara thought for a moment: "I'm going to make crispy flatbread and pan-fried beef." It was a pity she hadn't bought milk. When Merlyn went downstairs, she heard a sizzling sound and a fragrant meaty smell. Elara squeezed black pepper into powder and sprinkled it on the seventy-percent-cooked beef, frying it a little longer—she couldn't eat raw meat, even in her previous life.

"It's ready." Thea urged. "If you fry it any longer, it'll be tough to chew." Elara pouted: "I have good teeth. I'm not afraid of tough meat." Merlyn was the happiest—she never thought Elara would cook for her. Though the beef was overcooked and the bread too crispy, she was satisfied. "Darling, thank you." "You're welcome." I'll make it more delicious in the future." Elara ate her fill, then shook her head when Thea asked about shopping again: "No. I need to continue cultivating my Witch Power." She went upstairs, determined to double her efforts.

In a small manor in western Anastas City, several Charlotte Witches argued fiercely. Ada Charlotte, familiar with Merlyn, said to her dreadlocked sister: "Although the Dessey Witches are arrogant, they disdain to tell lies." "Do you trust Merlyn that much?" Juna Charlotte disagreed. "Has she provided any solid evidence? Our witches abroad heard nothing—how could Merlyn, who hasn't left the West Sea Forest for years, know?"

"This is about the entire Charlotte Tribe's future, not your status." Ada was sad. "Merlyn Dessey suggested we leave before Alexander Stirling departs. It doesn't matter if you leave or not—I'm leaving now." A tear fell; she wiped it away, smiled, and said "Goodbye" before turning and leaving resolutely. Juna called out "Ada," but the figure didn't look back. After leaving, Ada planned to disguise herself and leave with the Menghai Caravan, which was transporting grain to the West Sea Forest.

Meanwhile, Rocky Anastas, who had just finished a night of carnival, listened to a report from his turned Andros. Leaning on the railing, he asked: "So the Annel Clan is leaving tomorrow?" "Yes." The lake-green-eyed man bowed. "The Dessey Witch sold two Blood Rose Glazed Cards yesterday—one to Miss Sherlyn from the Saha Clan. They bought a large amount of grain."

Rocky sneered: "Their granaries are empty, exploiting my Anastas City." The cards were made by Alexander, so he couldn't take them back, but he could cause trouble. "Go to Hank's Gem Shop and let the owner know what can be bought and sold." The man hesitated but nodded: "Yes, Corey will go right away."

The white-bearded Gem Shop owner rushed back to find Andros causing trouble—two slaves lay dead with bite marks on their necks. He begged: "My lords, take whatever you like." If you want blood, drink mine—my grandchildren are only three years old." He silently put away the Blood Rose Glazed Card and squatted in the corner.

Knock knock… Elara finished her practice, opened the door, and looked confused at Thea. "Someone is making trouble at the Gem Shop." "Not humans—acquired turned Andros." Thea said. "Your Blood Rose Glazed Card is useless." Elara realized instantly: "How is that possible? Wait for me, let's go check." She had sold the card and couldn't ignore it. Merlyn waited at the counter: "It's not your fault—someone is unhappy we made money. Let's go."

When they arrived, the Andros stared at the shop owner's grandchildren like hungry wolves. "Your blood? It disgusts me," the leading lake-green-eyed Andros spat. Elara was shocked—these Andros were no longer human. She stepped in, hugged the frightened children, her eyes wet. The shop owner turned, saw Elara, and collapsed: "Noble ladies, please save them."

"Who are you…?" A blonde Andros shouted, but was stopped by the lake-green-eyed man. "Shut up." "You know who we are?" Elara pinched the children's cheeks, then asked the shop owner: "Grandpa, where's the Blood Rose Glazed Card I sold you yesterday?" "It's useless… it's useless," he sobbed, fumbling the card out of his pocket.

Elara took the card, checked it, and asked the Andros: "Is this useful?" They stepped back, silent. "So it's useless." She turned to Thea: "Let's go to the City Lord's Mansion and ask Alexander if this card is fake." "Why not just tear out their hearts?" Thea asked. "No—it's my first business, integrity matters," Elara said firmly. Merlyn agreed: "We'll listen to you."

Merlyn chanted a spell, throwing six strands of hair at the Andros—they turned into threads, tying the Andros up in seconds. Elara asked the shop owner to send his grandchildren home, then said, "Get in the carriage." He hesitated: "I can run along." Merlyn frowned: "Hurry up—we don't have time." The sun was setting.

At the City Lord's Mansion, Rocky paced anxiously, not daring to disturb Alexander, who was resting. Alexander had woken up but lay on his arm, smiling—only Thea could make the room snow-covered. "How long are you going to lie there?" Thea kicked open the door, then smiled: "Darling, our little Elara has been wronged and is waiting downstairs."

"A… are you okay?" Alexander asked. "What could be wrong with me?" Thea rolled her eyes and left. Alexander jumped out of bed, put on clothes, drank two glasses of blood, and walked barefoot downstairs. The hall was silent: Elara and Merlyn sat on cowhide armchairs, Rocky stood at the door with a glass of blood, Thea leaned against Merlyn's chair.

"What's going on?" Alexander walked to the kneeling Andros. The shop owner knelt, sobbing. "I heard you've been wronged," Alexander poked Elara's hand. "I wasn't wronged, but you lost my face," Elara tilted her head. "Tell me how," Alexander laughed, pinching her cheek. Elara held up the card: "Check if this is real?"

"No need to check—I gave this to you," Alexander said. "Then why is it useless?" Elara pouted. The lake-green-eyed Andros panicked: "No, we never said it was useless." Alexander looked at Rocky: "Are you going to stand there forever?" Rocky drank his blood, turned around: "The Blood Rose is the Stirling Clan's emblem—it cannot be bought or sold."

"I didn't buy or sell it—I exchanged it," Elara jumped off the armchair. "What identity defines its value, Lord Anastas?" Alexander put a hand on her head: "He wants the Stirling surname." Rocky, suppressing anger, bowed: "Count, I was wrong."

"Don't move yet—settle this one by one," Elara stopped Alexander. "According to Andros rules, how should they be punished for disrespecting the Blood Rose?" Alexander looked at Rocky: "You do it, or I will?" "Don't meddle—they're your subordinates," Elara said. "Summon all Andros to witness, so they remember the price."

Rocky looked at Elara seriously for the first time. Alexander smiled: "Excellent suggestion." He summoned all Andros in Anastas City with his bloodline. "Over a thousand years, you've added many members," he sneered. "Hard work, isn't it?" His blood was purer than any turned Andros.

When Elara and her party left the City Lord's Mansion, it was dark. They sent the shop owner back; he knelt: "Thank you—Count Alexander reaffirmed the card's validity." "It's good the matter is resolved," Elara said. The shop owner cried, then laughed as he watched their carriage leave.

Back at their shop, Elara sighed. Merlyn pulled her close: "Were you not scared earlier? Rocky tore out the Andros' hearts alive." "No—I did clinical surgery in my previous life. I'm only afraid of innocent people getting hurt." "Mother, did the West Sea Witch Ancestor never print the black mandala on glazed cards?" "No," Merlyn shook her head.

"Today was a learning experience," Elara turned to Thea. "You said you'd draw my portrait if I became famous before a hundred—I changed my mind. The black mandala is perfect." "I agree," Thea said. Anastas City was peaceful for days, but Elara sensed a storm.

Early one morning, a black-fanged bat landed on Merlyn's windowsill. Elara went to her mother's room—Thea was there, both serious. "Did something happen?" "All grain is stored," Merlyn said. "Seven Annel Clan witches disappeared on the Kao Continental Shelf two days ago. Your grandmother isn't sure if it was Andros or the Larissa Clan."

"Seven witches disappeared—no noise?" Elara hugged her knees. "Alexander leaves in seven days; the Charlotte Witches won't leave," Thea sighed. Merlyn scratched the bat's head: "Send a message to my mother—we're well." Elara smiled: "It wants you to scratch its fangs. I can understand dark spirits now, except Cinderaven." Merlyn smiled, scratching its fangs: "Why long fangs for berries?" The bat looked pitiful.

Three days later, Juna and the remaining Charlotte Witches learned of the Annel Clan's fate. "Merlyn was right," one short-haired witch said. "Should we leave now?" "I wonder if Ada is okay," Juna clutched her bracelet. "The Annel Clan had left—why disappear?" Another witch suggested: "Cooperate with Merlyn." Juna refused: "I don't trust them. We must leave."

As night fell, Rocky, eager to strengthen himself, looked at the cloud-covered moon. "Priest Sophia, you're here?" Sophia Larissa, dressed as an Indian Witch with a Light Scepter, said: "Aren't you waiting for me? Let's go." "Okay." They led Andros out of the mansion—Alexander watched from the third floor, smiling coldly.

The Charlotte Witches tried to flee separately at night, but were ambushed by Sophia and the Andros. "Sophia Larissa?" Juna shouted angrily. "I never thought Light Witches, descendants of Apollo, would collude with Andros—it's shameful!" "Collaborating?" Sophia stood on a snow stag's antlers. "Since you've seen it, you might as well stay." Her eyes swept over the Andros hiding in the darkness. "What are you waiting for?"