Chapter 59: Killing the Witch

Chapter 59: Killing the Witch

In the end, the farce was resolved by Archbishop Theodore declaring it "just a misunderstanding."

"I will personally explain to His Majesty tomorrow morning," the Archbishop stated in his resting room, his gaze coldly fixed on the patrol officer outside, "Now, please allow me a comfortable night's sleep."

"Yes, yes, of course, Your Grace," the patrol officer stammered an apology and left.

The door quietly closed, and the black moonlight spilled into the room, Theodore finally relaxed his arms, previously held behind his back.

His white robe was stained with large patches of thunderstruck soot, the remnants of the witch's magical assault, impossible to clean with ordinary magic.

Theodore’s expression turned terrifying and sinister.

"Just a foolish witch..."

"But she spoke it."

Suddenly, a small orb of light flew out from behind the Archbishop's ear.

The distinctive sound of electricity in the silent midnight was jarringly loud, "She spoke it, I heard her say 'cage,'"

The pronunciation of “cage” was strange yet smooth, not of this continent's languages. Theodore, as a child, had secretly heard similar pronunciations from the ancient rituals, recognizing it as the language of the supreme divine realm.

Now, even though he was reluctant to admit it, Theodore's face stiffened when the soul of the ritual itself confirmed it.

"Maybe it was just a coincidence—" the Archbishop rubbed his nose bridge, his palm shadowing the gloom in his eyes.

After being away from its own world for so many years, the chip did not react immediately at that moment.

Only now did it realize what the girl had uttered.

Having spent so long in this backward, filthy world with nothing but magic as its highlight, it finally encountered someone who could speak a familiar language.

At that moment, the chip even wanted to fly immediately to the witch's side to inquire who she really was.

But it was not yet time.

Its ultimate goal was to return to Blue Star with everything from here.

Observing these people struggle for so long, and just before their success, it couldn't dismantle the stage at this moment.

But it also needed to understand the true identity of that witch.

The pale blue orb kept spinning and floating, eventually settling gently on a hidden bookshelf.

The fragmented light hovering from the chip gradually revealed the bookshelf, which quietly held the 'Ritual' inscribed in Blue Star's script.

Watching that book, Theodore’s restless heart finally began to calm.

As he had done many times before, he knelt devoutly before the bookshelf and orb.

"I will prove to you that I am the one most worthy of ascension, your sole and most loyal servant to command!"

Envy blazed fiercely in his chest.

Before, Theodore had intended to deal with the witch slowly, at least until he had full control over the Followers. But now, that word suddenly spoken aloud was like a fire, burning away all his plans and rationality.

He could wait no longer; he would not allow the soul of the ritual to focus on anyone else.

Faye Luo must die!

*

Faye struggled until the first light of dawn to finally escape the officials’ interrogation.

As expected, to avoid trouble, Theodore chose to "tacitly" help her resolve the matter.

She returned to the resting hall successfully, where Xir was already preparing to escape the palace.

Although Xir was woken up in the middle of the night to meet her friend, she indeed had ample rest and her magical powers were at their peak.

"You must wait for me to bring the teachers back," Xir, dressed in a maid's outfit, said seriously as she firmly grasped Faye's hand, "Promise me, I will see you alive again, okay?"

Faye gave a big smile, "Of course!"

At the early morning flower viewing event, gigantic magical flower floats created by the royal family meandered through the vast palace, surrounded by dancing sprites, as beautiful as a true dream.

The palace was abuzz with guests shoulder to shoulder, their cheers and exclamations rising wave after wave, filling every corner with unmatched liveliness.

Nobody noticed Xir blending into the crowd of servants, her head down, slowly approaching the towering palace walls.

The festive celebration of the Summer Ceremony continued into the evening, climaxing with the thrilling beast-fighting event after the wine party.

Magical fireworks exploded over the palace, the din of people's shouts and cheers deafening.

The only one calm was the girl in the black dress, sitting quietly in the count's seat.

Seats were arranged according to status, and, perhaps intentionally, Faye found herself closest to the beast-fighting entrance.

Layers of large prohibitions and shielding magic floated around, set to deactivate once the ferocious beasts entered the arena.

The brilliant magic lights dyed the girl's skirt in fantastical colors.

Faye looked for two seconds, then sat down without hesitation.

Above her, three rows away, sat the most venerable Archbishop.

The sky, bright as day from the fireworks, perfectly concealed any luminous little objects.

The chip slowly rotated its form, peering through Theodore's earlobe, fixating unblinkingly on the witch below.

Its faint glow flickered subtly, resembling greedy eyes, precisely targeting her amidst the noisy crowd.

"Bang!"

Just then, the most splendid firework shot into the sky! Its sparks exploded in front of the Archbishop, all deflected by a golden barrier.

More people looked over in alarm, and the chip slowly retreated.

"Faye."

A whisper in her ear from her small world cautioned, "Something’s not quite right."

"I know," the girl lowered her eyes, "Theodore can’t hold back any longer, eh? Good, I don't want to drag this out either."

Xir had left successfully; now she had no more concerns.

Theodore, with a god's body and absolute defense, was not an opponent the teachers could defeat by conventional means.

Was it time to witness another witches' union like many years ago?

No, she refused.

This time, no one could die.

The beast-fighting event officially began after the Emperor took his seat.

The master of ceremonies, honored to host the event, stirred the atmosphere with his spirited introduction. The appetizer match featured the Troll King versus the youngest son of a certain baron.

A typical struggle for power, the baron's son needed an opportunity to demonstrate his strength to his father.

Faye watched calmly as the Troll King emerged step by step from the entrance beneath her feet, its frightening appearance, coupled with its location, made it seem as if the girl in the black dress had summoned it.

But no one paid attention to the detail of her position.

Soon, the beast-fighting commenced.

The baron's youngest son, after a bloody battle, emerged victorious.

As the terrifying Troll King fell, the spectators in the stands erupted into even more vigorous cheers.

Seizing the moment's fervor, the master of ceremonies quickly announced the second beast-fight.

This time, it was an eight-headed serpent against a royal valiant knight.

Still full of passion, the escalating noise soon wearied the Emperor seated at the highest point.

Dein glanced around with narrowed eyes.

"Are you tired, Your Majesty?" Theodore noticed and respectfully lowered his head, "Shall I order someone to escort you back now?"

"Let's do that, and don't disturb me tonight unless there’s something else," Dein said, getting up with the help of a servant. Just as the Emperor, with his gradually stooping back, was about to leave, he suddenly turned to glance back at the Archbishop.

"Theodore," his voice wasn't loud, but the Archbishop clearly heard every word amidst the clamor.

"You remember what I told you a few days ago, don’t you?"

The Emperor stood atop the steps, with the Followers silent like shadows behind him.

The Archbishop paused for a moment, slowly lifting his head, his golden eyes reflecting the pitch-black sky.

On the day the Summer Ceremony began, after Theodore's conspicuous attention to Faye at the banquet, Dein had summoned him for a secretive conversation.

That day, the aging Emperor, resting his head on his hand, said to the increasingly powerful Archbishop below, “I have allowed you to sit in this position only because you are still of use to the empire. You may wield the authority I have granted you as you wish, but that does not mean you can ignore the rules I have set.”

“Theodore,” the Emperor’s gaze was as sharp as a knife on him, “Do not bring your personal vendettas before me. Settle your private matters; nothing and no one is above the empire’s interests, be it you or anyone else. Do you understand me?”

“How could I forget your advice?” Theodore smiled as he drew back the golden curtains of the Emperor's throne in the beast-fighting arena, “Whatever happens, I will not allow them to audaciously disturb your peace. You will have the best rest, just like every day since your ascension.”

Finally, Dein slowly withdrew his gaze.

He was very old now, feeling his strength ebbing away.

Years of warfare had taught him that as long as he lived well until his last day, with the empire's name still bearing his, his life would be complete.

What happened after his death, who the empire fell to, was of no concern to him.

In his life, he had seen and experienced everything. In a world without gods, filled with lies and deceit, he only wished to live out his remaining days as a mere mortal.

The Emperor left the arena with his Followers, his departure not dampening the fervor.

In fact, the crowd became even more frenzied with the King's exit.

The host finally announced loudly, "The final and most thrilling main event of the beast-fighting is about to begin!"

“The beast arriving today is unlike any you've ever seen, the most terrifying creature of darkness!” his voice boomed across the venue, “Believe me, tonight’s experience will be unforgettable in your lives!”

“Let’s welcome tonight's protagonist – the Demon God, Pemoris!”

"Boom!"

Countless layers of prohibition magic shattered as a monstrous figure, as large as a mountain, stepped out from the entrance!

Familiar black horns burned with scorching flames, the scaly body appearing like a demon incarnate!

Faye's pupils suddenly constricted as she saw the beast, supposed to be dead, emerging from beneath her feet, its body horrifically embedded with a familiar human head!

It was the head of the Dark Sorceress, Jenny!

Everyone was stunned by the terrifying demon, the previously lively stands instantly falling into eerie silence.

Then, at that moment, Jenny's eyes slowly opened.

Two black moons silently rotated in her sockets, interspersed with translucent, otherworldly script.

Faye abruptly stood up!

It was [Resurrection]!

The artificial demon's gaze fixed intently on Faye in her black dress, Jenny's pallid lips moving silently.

“For the witch, the most exquisite gift.”

The demon opened its massive jaws, and flames burst skyward, instantly incinerating the spectators in the adjacent stands!

“A witch...?!”

“It’s a witch! The woman in the black dress is a witch, ahhh!”

“Run!! A witch has descended—!!”

“Do not fear!” A thunderous shout exploded overhead! Theodore, their most venerable Archbishop, radiated holy golden light, standing like a reincarnated deity at the highest point!

"I am right here," the golden pupils fixed on Faye as he slowly spoke, "I will protect all of you from the witch's deadly assault!"

He intended to kill the witch in front of everyone, openly and righteously.