Volume 3, Chapter 34 – Advance and Retreat, and Proof

The moment her voice fell, the black mist representing Lianne clearly paused for a moment. Although the black mist had no facial features, Fia could vaguely feel that Lianne had averted her gaze.

“The First Princess of Silvar, who has already reached the Seventh Rank before even coming of age. For such a person to come to the Witch Hall alone, should I say you are bold, or that you think too little of us?”

Lianne was not intimidated by Fia’s self-introduction. Just as Anastasia had said long ago, rank did not decide everything. Combat experience, proficiency in magic, the environment, and even weapons and magic items were all factors that determined the outcome of a battle. Just because the opponent was one rank higher did not mean one was bound to lose.

For example, between a Seventh Rank magic caster and a Fifth Rank warrior, if the distance between them was less than two meters and the magic caster was not good at high-speed chanting, even if the magic caster was at the Seventh Rank, they would be no match for the Fifth Rank warrior.

Another example: between a Seventh Rank magic caster and a Sixth Rank one, if the former was skilled in elemental magic and the latter in mental magic, then the former would also find it difficult to defeat the latter without creating distance.

Real combat was not a game; the factors that determined victory were extremely complex. Moreover, this was the Witch Hall, Lianne’s home ground. A Seventh Rank elf princess was indeed a threat, but Lianne did not think she would lose—it would just be a very strenuous fight.

She slowly floated up from her chair.

“Forget it. I don’t want to bring up the companions who have died at the hands of elves in the past and settle the score. I also know that those people brought it upon themselves. Witches should go where witches belong. To run out on their own and be executed is their own doing.

If you want to help Friede, then help her. I have nothing more to say. If those witches who slaughter commoners fall into your hands, it is their fate. I will consider the issue of the apprentice witches’ treatment, but as the administrator of the Witch Hall, I will not hand over the Heart Core under any circumstances. I cannot put everyone at risk just because you and Friede want to stand in the sun.”

At this, the black mist gradually formed a human shape. Lianne made a clear turning motion, looking at the astonished Friede—who was still in shock over the fact that Fia was the elf princess.

“Can you understand my thoughts? Friede, I saw from the crystal that you came in through the church’s passage, which means you have already met the Blind Woman. Then you should know that witches like her just want to live a peaceful life. If I hand the Heart Core over to you, it is equivalent to putting them in danger.”

The “Blind Woman” must be the owner of the grand church on the surface that they had passed through. Friede had said that the church was the private property of a witch who had lost her evil thoughts and had then established her own church to provide nearly free medical care and education to the surrounding residents.

Lianne’s words brought Friede back to her senses. She had a contemplative look on her face.

“I will protect the Heart Core. I will value it more than my own life.”

“But accidents won’t stay away just because you value it,” Lianne said calmly. “I don’t care if you go to deal with the Darkborn or help humans fight powerful monsters. As your reach extends, you will become more conspicuous.

Everyone understands the principle that a tall tree attracts the wind. Just like how Thanatos eliminated the Flame King, causing the merchants selling Blue Element Stones and most of the adventurers in the city to go bankrupt, you will always be targeted and hated by someone.

If you are targeted by the Darkborn or other organizations, and they sneak in and destroy the Heart Core, then we’re all finished. As the administrator of the Witch Hall, I cannot disregard the rest for the wishes of a part.”

As her voice fell, the entire conference hall fell silent, with only the sound of light breathing. Both Fia’s and Lianne’s gazes fell on Friede.

Lianne had made herself very clear. If Friede wanted to deal with the fallen witches who slaughtered commoners, she would not stand in her way. She would see it as a private grudge between witches; whoever won or lost would be based on their own abilities.

But if Friede wanted to take away the Witch’s Heart Core, that would be forcibly dragging in the witches who had no connection to this matter and just wanted to live a peaceful life, putting everyone in danger. In that case, Lianne, as the administrator of the Witch Hall, would stand on the opposite side of Friede.

This was probably the biggest concession Lianne could make. With her emotional and rational explanation, Friede should take a step back.

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Watching Friede’s complicated expression across the table, Fia couldn’t help but think. In fact, after hearing about the situation of the Witch Hall, Fia herself also felt that Friede’s idea of taking away the Heart Core was a bit extreme. The witches were not black and white; there were those like Friede who wanted to use their power to do good and be recognized by people, and there were also those who wanted to live a peaceful life and felt that the current situation was fine.

According to what Friede had said in the inn, she no longer wanted to bear the stigma of being a witch. With the precedent of the Witch of Hope, as long as what they did could be recognized by people, they could wash away the inherent impression people had of witches. Therefore, she wanted to use the power of the witches to deal with the Darkborn.

The only reason she didn’t directly cut ties with the Witch Hall and establish a new organization was purely because the Heart Core was in their hands. She was unwilling to entrust her life to someone who could become an enemy at any moment, which was why she had first sought to cooperate with the Flame King, and after that failed, had come to ask for her help.

Since the key was that the Witch’s Heart Core could not be destroyed, as long as someone protected it and kept it from outside interference, then Friede’s goal would be achieved. Lianne’s words had hit her right where it hurt.

Although if Fia had to say where the safest place in the world was, she would only feel that it was safest to keep the Heart Core with her. But she knew without thinking that Lianne would never agree. She would only think that it was safest in the Witch Hall. It had not been damaged for thousands of years, and it would be so in the future.

If only it were that simple.

Fia sighed quietly in her heart. If those regressive, innocent-slaughtering witches were not dealt with, the reputation of witches would never improve. No matter what Friede chose, even if she established a brand-new organization and no longer called herself a witch, in the future, she would inevitably become an enemy of those fallen witches—as a righteous organization, she could not turn a blind eye to them. Whether she had the ability was another matter; her attitude was very important. The two sides would be hostile sooner or later.

At that time, whether Lianne could stay out of it and protect the Heart Core was a real question. On the way here, Friede had said that the crises the Witch Hall had encountered in history were all external; what was happening today had never happened before.

If, in the future, Friede pushed the fallen witches to the point where they had to fight a desperate battle, it was hard not to think that the crazed witches would not force their way into the Witch Hall, destroy the Heart Core, and die together with everyone else.

In the end, it was a matter of distrust in Lianne’s strength. If Lianne were a Ninth Rank Miracle Witch, none of this would be an issue.

Although with her own strength, she could suppress Lianne now and forcibly take the Heart Core, Friede was the one in charge. If she acted on her own whims, not only would the relationship between Friede and Lianne be completely broken, but the responsibility of leading Friede’s group into the future would also fall on her shoulders. That was not the ending she wanted. She was a helper, not a commander.

In addition, although Lianne had made her unhappy just now, she had indeed made a concession. Fia did not want to push things to an irreparable point. If it could be resolved peacefully, it was better to do so. It was clear that Lianne was different from the fallen witches; she was preserving the overall situation from the perspective of a leader.

Fia said nothing, leaving the choice to Friede.

Time passed minute by minute.

After a long while, Friede let out a long breath, and the frozen air began to flow again. She looked at Lianne with a sense of relief, a wry smile in her brows.

“This is the biggest concession you can make, isn’t it?”

“If anyone wants to touch the Heart Core, no matter who they are, they are my enemy. Losing my physical body has made me no longer human, but it has also given me a power much stronger than that of an ordinary person… I don’t mean in terms of strength, but in this neither-human-nor-ghost state of mine.”

As she spoke, the black mist pointed to the open parchment on the table, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

“I even need someone to open a book for me if I want to read.”

“Alright, I accept. You have your difficulties too,” Friede shook her head with a smile, as if to an old friend. “But I have one more question.”

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“What?”

“I was almost led astray by you earlier. It’s a good thing Miss Fia reminded me. Can’t you help us deal with those fallen witches? I’ll take my people and separate, and won’t interfere with you and those who want to live a peaceful life. But those fallen witches, you shouldn’t be protecting them, right? They do all sorts of evil. You also know who are good people and who are bad.”

“Hmm…” A thoughtful grunt came from Lianne’s non-existent throat. “I don’t want to do that. Although I know what they’re doing is wrong, my position doesn’t allow me to target my companions based on my own preferences. The witches of the Witch Hall are free. They can do whatever they want.”

“Of course, if I weren’t the administrator, I would gladly join you, Friede. An unchanging life is both dull and boring. A little change would be nice. Unfortunately, I happen to be the administrator. Turning a blind eye is the limit of what I can do. In fact, those witches have also been coming to me recently, saying they’ve heard that you want to split the Witch Hall and asking me to make a preemptive strike and deal with you. Guess what I answered then?”

“I guess you used the same excuse as just now.”

“Exactly.” The black mist made a shrugging motion. “I told them that the witches of the Witch Hall are free. If Friede wants to set up her own house, let her. We have no right to interfere.”

“That sounds like something you would say.”

After Friede’s words fell, the conference hall fell into silence again.

Until she spoke again. This time, her voice was full of seriousness, and her expression held worry and what seemed like concern.

“If you really let me do as I please, there will likely be a struggle in this underground place in the future. Is that also fine?”

“As long as you don’t touch the Heart Core, do as you please.”

“I will try my best not to bring the flames of war here, but if those witches use this place as a stronghold, I can’t guarantee it.”

“Haah, what did a certain Saint say in the past? ‘He who fights monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster.’ I just hope that in your pursuit of the fallen witches, your magic does not accidentally injure innocent people by the roadside.”

“Hehehe, I will.”

The worry on her face turned into a smile. Friede and Lianne looked at each other and smiled—although Lianne had no facial features, Fia could sense her general expression.

With the serious business concluded, Friede waved her hand, changing the subject.

“Let’s end this topic here. As long as you don’t participate in the battle, Lianne, Latania and I can rest assured. Let’s talk about something else. I want to let Miss Fia see the Heart Core.”

“See the Heart Core?” Lianne’s spirit, which had just relaxed, immediately tensed up. She refused without a second thought. “No.”

“Why? It’s just a look from afar, not touching it.”

Although she looked to be in her mid-twenties, Friede was now like a sulking teenage girl.

However, not just Friede, but Lianne also became like a young girl.

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“What do you think the Heart Core is? You can’t just look at it whenever you want. Except for me, everyone has only seen it once during the ritual, to ensure its safety. Not to mention, if we set this precedent, what if others also say they want to see it? First of all, Lady Fia is an outsider, and you just said you wanted to snatch it away. If you two were to team up, I can’t guarantee that I can still protect it.”

Perhaps it was because the witches rarely had contact with the outside world that their mentality seemed so young.

While Fia was thinking about these things, the topic was still moving forward. Friede had already begun to explain that Milu’s description of the crystal was very similar to the Witch’s Heart Core.

Lianne’s tone changed, her voice rising slightly.

“How could that be? Only official witches have seen the Heart Core. I’ve heard about the girl you’re talking about from the other witches. She has the ability of immortality, but she is not a witch, not even an apprentice—wait, Friede, don’t tell me you deliberately staged this just to let the Guided One see the Heart Core?”

“Do I look like the kind of person who would do that?”

Friede’s eyebrow raised, and she leaned back in her chair, a look of dissatisfaction on her face.

“…No. But just based on this, I cannot take you to see the Heart Core. It is too important to us witches. I must be careful. I hope you can understand.”

The latter half of the sentence was directed at Fia. She shrugged.

“I can sense that as well. There’s no need to force it.”

She hadn’t thought Lianne would agree from the beginning and had already planned to sneak in as Thanatos.

However, Lianne changed the subject.

“But if you can prove that you are indeed the Guided One chosen by the Witch of Hope, then I will have sufficient reason to let you and Euphimilu see the Heart Core.”

“Oh?” Fia’s interest was piqued. She sat up straight. “How do you want to prove it? When I saw the remains of the Witch of Hope, I only got three things, and they’re all here.”

With that, Fia placed Laevateinn, The Secret History of Witches, and the hand-drawn map on the table. Because Lianne could not touch physical objects, Friede helped to turn the pages of the book.

“…It is indeed the Witch of Hope’s handwriting, but why is it all just basic common sense and no magic incantations?”

“I don’t know either.”

Lianne was troubled.

“This alone really doesn’t prove anything.”

“There’s also the verse, Miss Fia. Try it with the verse.”

Friede reminded her.

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The verse was the incantation to control the demon sword Laevateinn. When Friede used it, she could only make it hover in the air for two seconds, but in Fia’s hands, it could fly freely as if it were an extension of her own arm.

“I understand.”

Fia softly chanted the verse Friede had taught her. The next second, the Laevateinn on the table instantly flew out of its sheath. With a humming sound and a blue afterglow, it circled the hall.

The speed was so fast that the air whistled, like an arrow released from a bowstring.

“This… am I seeing things?” Her voice was filled with disbelief. Lianne floated into the air, staring at Laevateinn. “Is Mangya that easy to control? Wasn’t it said that apart from the Witch of Hope herself, it’s difficult for anyone else to even make it float?”

Mangya was Laevateinn’s previous name. Fia had thought it sounded bad and had changed the weapon’s name to Laevateinn.

“If you don’t believe it, try it yourself. Apart from the fact that Miss Fia is the Guided One, I can’t think of any other reason why she can command Mangya so freely.”

“Hmph, I’ll try it then. Miss Fia, may I try to control Mangya?”

“You can.”

“Thank you.”

Fia controlled Laevateinn to land on the table and no longer controlled it. Lianne descended beside it and loudly repeated the verse to command it—this verse was clearly no secret.

As a result, the Laevateinn on the table just trembled slightly and then did not move again. Lianne was even worse than Friede.

“Ugh, it is indeed the real thing… I never thought the Lady Witch of Hope would choose a noble as her successor, and an elf princess at that…”

For some reason, Fia felt that Lianne’s expression was very stiff.

Friede raised her chin, a smug look on her face, as if she were showing off.

“Now you should believe Miss Fia, right? I saw with my own eyes that after hearing the verse only once, she made Mangya fly around like a pet. When you and I first came into contact with the verse, we couldn’t even remember it, let alone make it fly.”

Lianne’s words revealed a hint of unwillingness.

“Guh… alright, besides the Guided One, I can’t think of anyone else who can control Mangya like this… It has been an eye-opener. It seems the Witch of Hope did indeed choose you.

Haaah… a noble, a noble. I became a witch because I killed a noble who plotted against me. I really have no fondness for them, but the facts are in front of me, and I can only admit it. I hope the Witch of Hope did not make a mistake.

I will take you to see the Heart Core. Follow me.”