Volume 5, Chapter 11 – Aid

“A… a witch?”

“When did Her Highness become a witch?”

Seeing the medallion Fia produced, the three magic casters seated below were dumbfounded. Putting aside the fact that witches were associated with evil and committed all sorts of wrongdoing, the birth of a witch was inevitably accompanied by a defect. For the princess of a nation, especially the next in line to the throne, to willingly debase herself into a witch was something that would absolutely shock the entire country.

If Fia hadn’t already demonstrated an extraordinary level of magical skill, they would have already stood up to rebuke her.

Paying no mind to the three astonished old men, Fia added with a wry smile.

“Although I’m called The Witch of Calamity Flame, it’s just a title. I helped Friede, Lianne, and the others back in Byrne City, and they registered me as a member of the Witch Sanctuary to thank me… No, that’s not quite right. It would be more accurate to say that they lost their home in Byrne City, so I gave them permission to settle in Blossom. After a series of other troublesome matters, I somehow became the nominal leader of the Witch Sanctuary.”

At the end, Fia showed them Laevateinn, the short sword left behind by the Witch of Hope. If not for this sword, she and the witches would be people from two different worlds.

“In other words, I haven’t undergone the ritual to become an official witch. It’s more appropriate to consider me an external member of the Witch Sanctuary.”

“N-no wonder I don’t remember a ‘Witch of Calamity Flame’…”

With a look of realization, Tilulu’s shoulders relaxed, and her white beast ears twitched.

Fia smiled and handed her medallion over.

“Aren’t you going to check it? What if I’m lying to you?”

“N-no, no! I’m just an apprentice witch. I can’t touch an official witch’s medallion…” Panic showed in her large purple eyes as the twelve or thirteen year old Tilulu waved her hands in refusal. Not only that, but she also shuffled backward a short distance and pressed her forehead to the ground in a deep bow to Fia. “Tilulu Lujue, apprentice witch of the Witch Sanctuary, pays her respects to the Lady Witch of Calamity Flame.”

This must be the etiquette of Lianne’s faction of witches, Fia thought, looking at Tilulu’s small head. The apprentice witches around Friede were always innocent and cheerful; only those from Lianne’s faction would be so humble and adhere to such rigid formalities.

Fia couldn’t help but feel like she was facing a junior. She raised a hand toward Tilulu, signaling for her to rise.

“There’s no need for ceremony. The Witch Sanctuary has been renamed. The old strict rules between apprentice and official witches are also gone. However, as far as I know, the apprentices of Lianne’s faction almost all serve an official witch. How come you’re out here alone, Tilulu?”

“Well…” Tilulu’s expression turned sorrowful. Just as Fia had sensed when they first met, although Tilulu was royalty of the Cold Night, she was not good with words and had an exceptionally introverted personality. She spoke with the characteristic slowness of a child. “I… I was too useless, so I was kicked out…”

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“That’s all in the past,” Radric explained on her behalf. “Tilulu became a witch before I met her. At that time, she didn’t even have First-Tier magic power and was not well-liked by the official witches, so she could only do menial errands that offered no chance for improvement.”

Radric’s tone shifted.

“As I said before, although Tilulu is weak and alone, the beastfolk loyal to the royal family have not abandoned her. It’s just that their power is too weak compared to the Royalist faction. Hiding Tilulu would only bring the disaster of clan annihilation upon them. The hunted Tilulu had no choice but to wander from place to place. In the end, to avoid bringing trouble to her own people, she sought out the witches, hoping to gain the power to take revenge.”

“If the Lionfolk hadn’t been afraid to reveal that they were still hunting the remaining Tiger-kin, Tilulu probably would have perished before I could find her.”

At this, as Tilulu lowered her head with a guilty expression, Radric had to stop his explanation and instead patted her head like a father.

Radric had already explained his reasons for protecting Tilulu to Fia on their way to the castle. He had made many mistakes in his youth, and protecting Tilulu was his way of atoning for his past sins. It should be noted that this didn’t mean Radric had killed Tilulu’s entire clan, but rather a sentiment similar to someone who had done many wicked things in the first half of his life and then devoted himself to charity after becoming successful in the second half.

He had initially chosen to help Tilulu because she was young and being bullied. He had continued to help her up to now because they had spent so much time together that he had developed a paternal, brother-like affection for her. Of course, the latter part was Fia’s own speculation based on observation. Tilulu was indeed the type to easily inspire a desire to protect, just like Liti before she had shown her true colors.

“After we parted ways in the Milcandis Holy Kingdom, we went to ask my elder brother and sister to settle the score with the Absolute Evil. However, the Absolute Evil was long gone, so the matter was dropped. On my way back, I happened upon Tilulu’s clan being ambushed by the despicable Lionfolk. After understanding the situation, we brought the tribe that follows Tilulu and fled here.”

Pausing for a moment, Radric looked towards a group of beastfolk sitting in a circle at the other end of the dimly lit hall. These were all of Tilulu’s followers, a mix of various races from rat-folk to wolf-folk. They were clearly very hungry, wolfing down the piles of flatbread and meat stew before them as if they’d never eaten before. Some were even cheering in a beastfolk language Fia couldn’t understand and whispering amongst themselves while pointing at her, seemingly thanking her for the food.

It was because of this group that the atmosphere in the hall was so lively.

It was worth noting that most of them were young people. The elderly, children, and women had been too slow to escape and had not chosen to go with Tilulu. They remained in that village, awaiting the day of Tilulu’s restoration.

“Since you and Tilulu are from the same school, elf princess, could I ask you to lend her a hand? Whether by relying on your status or your own power, dealing with the Lionfolk would be an easy task.”

Radric stared at Fia with a burning gaze, but she pretended not to notice and picked up her water cup.

With her own power, dealing with the Lionfolk was indeed an easy task. However, it came back to the same question: what benefits would helping Tilulu bring to her and Silvar?

Furthermore, putting aside the fact that the beastfolk revered strength, in any country, if a ruler came to power not by their own strength but by relying on others, not only would their position be unstable, but their influence would only radiate to the capital and its surrounding areas. The border regions would surely be filled with rebels, throwing the entire country into chaos. At that time, these people moving back and forth across the border between Silvar and the Cold Night Kingdom would bring disaster to the people of both nations.

Considering this, Fia decided to be direct.

“Radric, there are two things I need to say. First, the bargaining chips you’ve offered do not move me. Neither the mines nor the non-aggression treaty holds much allure for Silvar. I cannot agree on Silvar’s behalf. Second, I do have the ability to help Tilulu, but what’s in it for Silvar? Once the Cold Night is completely unified, its next step will be to seek its own interests. A frail neighbor is far more welcome than a robust one.”

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“I sympathize with your plight, and if you are willing, I will provide you with a safe residence in Blossom. But if you think I will help you restore your kingdom simply because Tilulu and I are both witches, that is absolutely impossible. Radric, you must understand that I am not alone. I also have to consider my people.”

Fia actually had another, colder idea. If Radric insisted on her help, the most she could do was help them recover half their territory, leaving the other half for them to recover themselves. This would ensure that the Cold Night would never be unified and would be forever caught in internal strife. However, this method would indirectly harm many innocent civilians, so she didn’t say it out loud.

Being rejected so definitively, Radric will probably get angry. He might even flip the table and leave. But the situation is as I said. I pity Tilulu, but I will not sacrifice Silvar’s interests for her.

As expected, impatience appeared in Radric’s large dragon eyes.

“Elf princess, I didn’t expect you to be so heartless.”

Liti’s eyebrows immediately shot up as she retorted angrily.

“It is a kindness for my sister to help you, and it is her duty not to. Don’t forget that we are supposed to be enemies. My sister is already giving you face by not capturing you as bargaining chips. Not to mention the superior-subordinate relationship between an apprentice witch and an official witch, Tilulu and my sister had never even spoken before this. To demand that my sister help restore her kingdom because of such a relationship, you are the shameless ones. I have never seen anyone ask for a favor with such an arrogant attitude.”

“We are speaking with your sister. You have no right to interrupt.”

“I just can’t stand your attitude. What about it? My sister and Sister Claire are both here. Are you going to teach me a lesson?” By the end, Liti had her hands on her hips, glaring with her purplish-red eyes. “Tilulu is truly unlucky to have a protector like you. A deal that could have been made will fall through because of your baseless arrogance. If you had let Tilulu ask my sister herself, my sister might have helped you out of pity for her.”

“You—”

“Don’t you dare say bad things about Mr. Radric!”

Unexpectedly, the shy Tilulu stood up and shouted. Although her face was flushed with nervousness and embarrassment, she furrowed her brows and glared angrily at Liti.

This feels like a children’s squabble.

Watching her younger sister and a girl of similar age staring each other down, Fia couldn’t help but think so. If there weren’t so many people here, the two of them might have started fighting—no, looking at Milu’s hostile gaze on the side, it would definitely be a three-way loli fight.

“Her Highness the Third Princess, Mr. Radric, everyone, please calm down. I have an idea.”

Just as the situation was becoming tense, Nagg finally found an opportunity to step in as a peacemaker. He held out his hands and urged them with a wry smile.

“Since Mr. Radric and Princess Tilulu fled here after being pursued by the Lionfolk faction, we can help Princess Tilulu rescue the elderly and children still left in the village and have them temporarily reside in Yureidon territory. In return, if Princess Tilulu becomes queen in the future, your side will transfer the mining rights of the Lionfolk’s mithril mine to us.”

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“This will ensure that Princess Tilulu does not lose the hearts of her people, nor will it affect Silvar’s interests. As for the rescue party, I and these three magic caster teachers will take on the task. The four of us are all Sixth-Tier magic casters, so our strength is guaranteed. What do you think?”

Hearing they had a chance to help the Moon Dragon and Fia, the eyes of the three old men lit up, and they nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, yes, we are willing to lend a hand!”

“Mere Lionfolk pursuers. I’ll kill as many as they send and bring the people back safely.”

Radric frowned. He felt that this reward was not proportional to Silvar’s contribution. But on second thought, the reward Nagg was asking for was in the future. Silvar would only get it after Tilulu became queen. If she didn’t, then it was all for nothing. It could be considered an investment in Tilulu by Silvar.

Moreover, the meaning and value of a single gold coin given when one is penniless is completely different from a single gold coin given when one already has ten thousand. Therefore, this matter couldn’t be judged by the outcome. Besides, due to the difficulty and limitations of mining technology, the annual output of the Lionfolk’s mithril mine was not large. Even if they got it, it wouldn’t be of much use. In terms of returns, Tilulu was still getting the better end of this deal. The lives of her followers were more important.

Radric felt a tug on the corner of his clothes from Tilulu. He looked down and saw her pleading eyes, her lips pressed tightly together.

“Radric, let’s agree. I’m worried about the people in the village…”

With even Tilulu saying so, Radric had no reason to refuse. He exhaled heavily through his nose and slowly sat back down.

“We agree.”

“What do you think, Your Highness, the Eldest Princess?”

“If it’s just rescuing people, I have no objection. But to be safe, I will accompany you.”

If Radric was hiding the true strength of the beastfolk pursuers, Nagg and the others could be in danger. They currently didn’t know if there were any Seventh-Tier individuals among the beastfolk. Although Fia was not fond of the three old men, the loss of four high-tier Elf Tower administrators at once was a blow that even Silvar could not afford. This was a very high level of combat power.

As she spoke, Fia pulled the standing Liti back to her seat. Although Liti had been confrontational with Radric, Fia only felt that she had done a good job.

“By the way, there is something I would like to ask you, Radric. Do you know anything about the White Night Goddess and the Polar Night Goddess? I heard they are famous in the south of Silvar. If you can give me information, I will provide a corresponding reward based on its authenticity and importance.”

“I do not know. At least, Tilulu and I do not. Those two goddesses are indeed worshipped by everyone in the Cold Night, but no one has ever seen them in person.”

Radric was adamant, but he soon hesitated.

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“However, that Holy Son of the Fire Cat Tribe has certainly seen them. But I do not think she will honestly tell you the goddesses’ whereabouts. She is the leader of the Holy Son Faction, and they have always been radical. They not only want to become the rulers of the Cold Night but also want to reclaim the lands swallowed by neighboring countries in the past. Silvar has taken a lot of territory from the Cold Night over the past few hundred years. Although the land was bought with money, all that money went into the pockets of the king at the time. The Holy Son Faction does not want to acknowledge this debt. They will not be friendly to you.”

The Holy Son Faction seems much more troublesome than Tilulu.

Perhaps I should consider which of the factions—the Holy Son Faction, the Royalist Faction, the Regressionist Faction, and Tilulu’s orthodox royal family—poses the least threat to Silvar, and then secretly help that one.

With this thought, Fia sighed softly.

“It seems I’ll only get an answer when I see the Holy Son in person.”

“What do you need the goddesses for?”

“I need a small favor from them.”

Saying it out loud would make Claire feel indebted, so Fia didn’t want to linger on the topic. She stretched her neck and looked towards the main entrance of the hall. Anastasia had been gone for a while. Although she had gone to kill a count, given her clean and efficient style, she should have been back by now. After all, Anastasia was not familiar with the soldiers here and wouldn’t chat with them for long.

“Why isn’t Anastasia back yet? I’m going out to see.”

“Together.”

“I want to go too!”

Seeing Fia get up, Milu and Liti followed one after another. The remaining Claire showed a soft, wry smile.

“Should I come with you too?”

“You stay here, Claire. I’m just going to see what Anastasia is doing. I’ll be back soon.”

“Then I will act as the host in your stead, Fia.”

“Mm.”

Nodding lightly in response to Claire, Fia quickly led Liti and Milu out of the hall.