Volume 4, Chapter 40 – The Liquidation

“Th-this… this is our new home from now on?”

“It’s so big…”

“We can each have our own room, right? That must be it, right?”

“Are we really allowed to live here…?”

After Fia had explained to Friede and her group that this entire area was their new home, Friede and the apprentice witches were utterly dumbfounded. A few of the apprentices even thought Fia was joking with them.

Fia gave a wry smile and led the witches towards the mansion at the entrance of the farm.

“I’m not tricking you. This is the future Witch Sanctuary. We still have some time, let’s go check out that half-collapsed house first. I don’t know if there’s any salvageable furniture inside. As for living arrangements, those who stay can live in an inn in the capital for now. I’ll arrange for someone to help choose a suitable one.”

“So this is what it’s like to be a princess. You can arrange a place to live with just a single sentence. How wonderful.”

“A princess has her own troubles. You can’t only look at the good side.”

With the apprentice witches’ exclamations as a backdrop, Friede, walking beside Fia, looked somewhat troubled.

“Lady Fia, the territory you’ve chosen for us is too big. Although it is a kind gesture, it’s better not to be wasteful. A place this large must be very expensive…”

“Since it’s going to be a base of operations, it naturally has to be in a good location. The ley lines here are rich, making it very suitable for living. See, even the weeds are growing so lushly.”

As Friede still looked troubled even after she had said this, Fia couldn’t help but think that she was probably worried about money. From past experience, Friede was a rather independent person. She was likely planning for the witches to buy the farm with their own money, and five thousand gold coins was a very large sum. With the witches’ financial situation, it would likely be difficult to afford. Fia added casually.

“This farm is a gift to you, Friede, as a present for the newborn witches. After being called ‘Lady’ and ‘The Guided One’ by you all for so long, it would be too embarrassing not to show some appreciation.”

“But you have already helped us so much. This gift is too precious. We—”

Before Friede could finish, Fia held up a palm towards her, signaling her to stop.

“I am the Eldest Princess of the Elf Kingdom. Let alone one farm, it would be no problem to buy up this entire area. You can accept it with peace of mind, Friede. If you really feel bad about it, just save a place for me and Liti and the others when you build your new home. That way, we can come and stay with you for a long time in the future.”

“We would do that even without your request! How could the Witch Sanctuary not have a place for you!”

“That’s good, then. Don’t say any more refusals. That would be questioning my financial ability.”

Although there was still a look of embarrassment on Friede’s gentle face, now that things had been said to this extent, she could no longer refuse.

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Of course, Friede’s troubled expression did reveal some things. Fia felt that with her personality, she would probably find another way to pay back the money in the future, either by helping her out, or by building the house reserved for her to be exceptionally luxurious. But that was a matter for later. A single house couldn’t possibly cost five thousand gold coins, and even if it did, she could find other ways to pay her back.

It felt a bit like the mutual exchange of favors in the Human Alliance.

“Hah… the fragrant air. It’s been a long time since I’ve smelled the scent of grass. It brings back memories. Far from people and spacious enough, it’s a good place. I never thought I’d be able to stand in the sun again one day.”

Lianne’s self-talk made Fia look over. Although Lianne was a cloud of black mist, the sunlight could still pass through her body and shine on the ground. The lack of a shadow indicated that she had no physical body, yet she could still smell the scent of freshly cut grass, which was puzzling.

“Is it alright for you to smell the scent of grass, Lianne?”

“Ah, yes, I can still control myself at this level. The mana essence here is abundant, very suitable for a base. Thank you for your trouble, Lady Fia.”

“I’m glad you like it. I had originally chosen a few alternatives, but it seems they are no longer needed. This is the half-collapsed mansion. The mansion and the farm were originally the property the Baronet had prepared for his eldest son. But that son died in a shipwreck, and the house was left vacant. Now that the farm will be bought, the mansion has become an add-on. Although I think any valuable and personal items have probably been taken away long ago, if you feel it’s necessary, you can go in and search, but be careful.”

“I feel like we could probably just move in directly… it’s a beautiful house that could become like a noble’s mansion with just a little renovation.”

To think that a Sixth-Rank practitioner would say something so frugal, Fia felt a mix of emotions.

“It’s better to tear it down and rebuild. After all, it hasn’t been lived in for over ten years. Even if it looks fine on the surface, the wooden beams inside are surely rotten. Alright, I should be heading back. The capital has been unstable recently; I can’t be away for too long. I will send a maid from the palace over later. If you need anything, you can tell her at any time, and she will notify me.”

At this, Fia glanced at the apprentice witches who had run to the mansion and were looking at it with excitement. Their expressions, like children seeing a castle, stirred a sense of pity in her heart. She took out a gem coin from her storage pack and gave it to Friede.

“This is for your living expenses for the time being. Be good to the apprentices. Don’t live so frugally anymore. I will come again tonight to send you back, so you are free to do as you please until then. Whether you want to go to the market or visit the neighbors, it’s up to you.”

“It’s just that I haven’t yet notified the Imperial Guard and the city soldiers to lift the restrictions on witches. For now, do not reveal your identities. Witches have a bad reputation from the past. I’m afraid that if I notify them too quickly, the nearby residents will find out that witches are living here and will act against you out of disgust and fear.”

“Of course, I don’t think you would lose to ordinary people, but if you get into a conflict with them, your reputation will only get worse, and the loss will outweigh the gain. So you must first gain the goodwill and trust of the people around you, and then reveal your identities at the appropriate time. The acceptance should be higher then.”

“Yes, I will follow your teachings.”

Although Friede’s reply was only a few short words, it didn’t mean she hadn’t taken them to heart. Fia had already revealed that there was trouble to deal with in the capital, yet she was still investing considerable effort in the future of the witches. Friede no longer knew what to do or say to express the gratitude in her heart.

At the critical moment, it was the calmer Lianne who found a way for Friede to repay her. She asked softly.

“May I ask what ‘instability in the capital’ Your Highness is referring to?”

“It’s a long story. Simply put, this morning, the founding marshal of the kingdom, the head of the military, died. And as it happens, I just had a major battle with him yesterday. Now some people in the capital suspect that I killed him. In addition, there is a group of my former political enemies who are stirring up trouble. There are so many things to deal with, I wish I had the ability to clone myself.”

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Fia sighed a long, troubled sigh.

Lianne immediately volunteered.

“We may be able to help you, Lady Fia. We witches may not have much else, but we have our own unique and strange abilities. If you want to find out who killed that founding marshal, the Blind Maiden’s perception magic will surely be of use.”

“The Blind Maiden?”

Fia’s ruby-like eyes widened slightly, and her long eyelashes fluttered. If she remembered correctly, the Blind Maiden was the witch who had started her own church and only wanted to live a peaceful life. She had had almost no interaction with her.

With Lianne’s reminder, Friede quickly took over.

“The Blind Maiden lost her sight in a witch ritual, but it was a blessing in disguise. She gained a Soul Eye and is skilled in detection and perception. Even the faintest traces of magic that can’t be found with a magic lens cannot escape her eyes. If she knew she could be of help to you, she would surely be very happy. Ever since she learned that you had promised to find us a place in Blossom, she has been secretly murmuring that you must be an elf blessed by the gods.”

“Blessed by the gods is too much of an exaggeration…” Fia couldn’t help but imagine the Blind Maiden in a nun’s habit offering a prayer. After a moment of thought, she nodded. “If it won’t be a bother for her, I will go and ask for her help.”

Whether Greyan had died by his armor or by someone else’s hand, to be able to find out the reason sooner would be a relief. Especially the latter. If he had been murdered, then the Royal Castle was by no means safe. This was also why she had brought Anastasia and Milu with her when she had gone out. She was afraid that if she left them alone, someone would take advantage of the opportunity. Similarly, learning [See Through] was also to find suspicious people. If something like the Despair Demon General disguising himself as Norton were to happen again, it would be impossible to hide under [See Through].

“Then there’s no time to lose. I will go back with you now to find the Blind Maiden, Lady Fia. Friede, you and the apprentice witches stay in the capital and prepare. Leave the matters of the Witch Hall to me.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright on your own?”

“Someone has to watch over these children. They haven’t seen the world and are easily deceived.”

Lianne’s words made Friede stop in her tracks. Then, her black-mist-like hand reached out to Fia’s arm. She said calmly.

“Please begin the teleportation, Lady Fia.”

“Mhm.”

◇

The sun quickly set. As the chilly evening wind swept through the Royal Castle’s courtyard and most of the servants had gone to sleep, two figures quietly entered the library of the Eldest Princess’s palace.

One was a mature woman with an impressive figure and a queenly aura, her green hair tied into twin tails with a black ribbon. The other was a younger maid in a maid’s uniform, her short golden hair tied in a side ponytail.

These two were, of course, Erin Slate and Colita.

Seeing Fia already seated behind the desk, they both knelt on one knee and lowered their heads.

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“Greetings, Lord Thanatos.”

“Rise. I have something to discuss with you.”

“What are your orders, Lord Thanatos?” The one who spoke was Erin Slate. In the past, even if the princess had something to say, she would only summon her alone. It was rare for her to call Colita as well. Erin Slate couldn’t help but worry that something major had happened.

Sitting behind the desk, Fia steepled her fingers, her expression calm. It didn’t need to be this complicated, but because she had agreed with Erin Slate to keep it a secret from the others—that is, not to show in private that she had really lost her memory—she put on this cold and indifferent posture that was as close to the former princess as possible.

Honestly, it was a little embarrassing, especially when Erin Slate already knew she had lost her memory.

“I imagine you already know that Greyan is dead.”

“Yes. Someone is trying to frame you, but the method is too clumsy.”

Colita did not raise her head. She kept her gaze lowered like a subordinate, but unlike usual, her tone no longer had any friendliness, but was filled with contempt and ridicule, becoming more aggressive and invasive.

“Even if they wanted to frame you, they should have chosen a few days later. As long as the nobles in the capital calm down, they will realize that it’s impossible for you to assassinate Greyan on the first day after a major battle. The only ones who would believe it are Godley and the few fools around him.”

“But for them to be disrespectful to you in the grand hall is simply idiotic. What outsiders say about the eldest son of Greyan’s wisdom all going to the second son is not wrong at all. Does Lord Thanatos need me to get rid of Godley? He is locked in a cell, a perfect opportunity for poisoning. I will make him properly understand the consequences of being disrespectful to you.”

She was like a completely different person compared to the daytime.

Although it was dark, Fia could faintly make out the smile on Colita’s young face. It was a genuine smile, but combined with her words, it only made one’s blood run cold.

Last night, Erin Slate had told her through [Remote Message] that Colita had a deep knowledge of drugs. She could both make life-saving herbs and invisible poisons that could kill.

“You must not,” Erin Slate negated Colita with a serious expression. “Poisoning can be easily detected. I have a better idea.”

Without directly stating her idea, Erin Slate looked at Fia on the seat, as if waiting for her permission.

Fia let out a light breath.

“I have called you here for two matters. One is Greyan’s death. He was indeed killed by that suit of armor, but there was a second person’s aura on it. Without our knowledge, someone stronger than Greyan has already snuck into the Royal Castle, and may be right beside us. This information was obtained by me entrusting the investigation to a witch.”

“A witch? Are they reliable?” Erin Slate frowned almost subconsciously. As the most capable assistant by Fia’s side, she was by no means willing to fall behind an outsider. Especially since Fia had entrusted the matter to a witch first, it made her feel very useless.

“This is also what I wanted to say. During my time away from the capital, the witches have become my subordinates. The intelligence they provide is trustworthy. You are to get along well with them in the future, but you must not reveal your identities. At present, we do not know who is hiding in the dark. However, when I passed through the Oro territory, I saw a Darkborn display the ability to disguise itself as a vampire. You must act with caution from now on and be wary of everyone around you.”

“…Could it be Kalsey? After all, our people have never been able to tail him.”

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“It’s not him. I checked him with [See Through] during the day. He really only has the strength of a Fifth-Rank. It’s impossible for him to have killed Greyan. I will handle the search for the culprit. I will check everyone in the Royal Castle one by one. You just need to be careful not to be alone. The reason I called you here is for the second matter.”

Fia’s voice paused, and her gaze and tone instantly became much colder, so much so that even Erin Slate and Colita felt a chill.

“Since I am already being targeted by a rat hiding in the dark, then it is time to hurry up and eliminate the obstacles in the open one by one. I do not want to have to slowly clean up the mess after Claire returns. I mean, whether it’s Prince Schain or Godley, hurry up and liquidate them. Leave no one behind, to prevent future troubles.”

The events of the past few days had more or less shown Fia the true face of the nobility. Their existence would only hold her back. An organization did indeed need voices of opposition, but opposition was definitely not stabbing oneself in the back at a critical moment.

And Greyan’s death had also reminded Fia that the Royal Castle was not as safe as she had imagined. Today it was Greyan who was assassinated, tomorrow it could be someone else. And assassination and poisoning were things that Schain and Godley were also capable of. To prevent them from extending their evil claws to the people around her, she had to act first.

Fia’s decisive and merciless words made Erin Slate’s eyes glow with a fiery passion, so much so that her entire body exudes an aura of euphoria.

“In that case, the plan I have in mind should be of use. We can accelerate the liquidation of Prince Schain’s forces. Then, Loca, the third daughter of Count Reinhardt, can suggest to her father that the cornered Prince Schain should unite with Godley and the military to act against you. On the day they can no longer hold back and are about to rebel, Lord Thanatos can then righteously eliminate everyone in one fell swoop, and even the minor nobles below them will not escape death. It can be said to be uprooting them completely.”

“But Lord Thanatos has already shown her overwhelming power against Greyan. Would Prince Schain really dare to rebel? And even if he thinks he can succeed, once the Elf King returns, the power of the Eighth Rank can turn everything around. He couldn’t have not thought of that.” Colita frowned in doubt.

Because she could serve Fia, her status in the organization was not much lower than Erin Slate’s. If it had been Renee, she would certainly not have dared to contradict Erin in front of Fia.

Knowing this, Erin Slate raised her chin, a hint of smugness on her rosy lips.

“Prince Schain has coveted the throne for a long time. He must know that it is the Holy Tree that gives the Elf King his power. The blood of the royal family flows in his veins. The blessings the Elf King can obtain, he can also obtain. As long as he thinks he can reach the Holy Tree and snatch the power of the blessing from Yelido, he will want to take a gamble. This is the only chance he has left.”

“Impossible. The Elf King is still alive. How could he possibly obtain a connection with the Holy Tree? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Of course, we can’t let him establish a connection with the Holy Tree. But as long as we make him believe he can, we can achieve our goal. As for the method—”

At this, Erin Slate’s voice came to an abrupt halt. As if in a fit of pique with Colita, she walked around to Fia’s side, leaned down slightly, and her warm, fragrant breath entered Fia’s ear, telling only her the answer.

A moment later, Fia finalized the result with an expressionless face.

“Do as Erin Slate says. But you must hurry. I don’t want to drag this out for too long. I have more important things to do.”

“Yes! I will absolutely not let you have to act personally!”

Placing her right hand on her chest and bowing deeply, Erin Slate stood up, her golden eyes looking at Colita across the table with a smile.

“Alright, Colita. We’ll talk slowly after we go out.”