Meanwhile, on a stretch of wilderness between the inner city and the border.
Princess Lia, carrying the injured Phyllis and Tyr, took refuge in a hidden cave to temporarily bandage their wounds and rest.
“Your Highness, don’t worry about us. Before that woman catches up, you should escape first. Maybe if you find Miss Tina, there’s still hope for us.”
Tyr pressed against his wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding, gasping for breath as he spoke.
“I won’t abandon you.”
Collapse.
Lia’s gaze stayed fixed at the cave entrance, constantly alert.
The memory of the sudden attack by the strange purple-haired woman was still vivid—the house had been nearly destroyed by her Summoned Beast in an instant.
During their desperate escape, Tyr and Phyllis had both been gravely injured trying to evade the assault.
Now, only Lia had the strength left to fight.
“Don’t worry, she won’t find us so quickly. This used to be my best refuge, the place I relied on to survive.”
But Lia knew her words were just to comfort the others.
The scent of blood was strong; it was only a matter of time before they were discovered.
She was just waiting—no matter what, she had to hold on until that person arrived.
“Clatter—clatter—”
Rain began pouring outside the cave.
But besides the sound of raindrops hitting the ground, there was the steady approach of footsteps.
“Hide-and-seek is over now~”
The visitor was the purple-haired woman in a black robe, soaked through from the heavy rain.
“Princess, let me guess—the two of them are hiding in there, right?”
“Whether they are or not is none of your business. As long as I’m here, no one will be harmed.”
“Ahahaha—what a brave princess! I almost don’t want to hurt you~”
Heather’s face twisted into a mad grin.
“How about this? If you hand them over, I could let you live a somewhat humane life, for the King’s sake.”
“Run… who exactly are you?”
“Oh? You don’t know who I am? That’s honestly disappointing.” Heather tightened her grip on the whip and suddenly lashed it toward Lia.
But the whip was deflected midair by Wind Magic.
The residual force struck the cave wall, causing it to rumble.
“Oops, missed. Looks like the Princess’s strength isn’t something to underestimate. Fine then, I’ll make sure you know exactly who you’re dying by.”
Heather retracted the whip, her expression turning pitying, “I’m the fifth Apostle of the Moonmist Sect, and one of the Archbishops responsible for operations in the Keliweier Kingdom.
Surprised? Three Archbishops came for this kingdom this time, and we are determined to take it.”
Lia gave a light laugh, mimicking the other’s confused expression, “But one of your comrades is already dead. After I finish you, I’ll deal with the last one, and you’ll be utterly defeated.”
“You’re right. That Uli fellow died miserably—ran into that Witch.”
From Heather’s mouth, Lia heard the terrifying name after a long time.
And Heather’s interest piqued at Lia’s surprise. “Looks like you still don’t know who that person by your side really is?”
“Are you trying to sow discord? I don’t believe such things.” Lia’s tone was indifferent, but a seed of worry had been planted deep within.
“I love that expression on your face—forcing yourself to believe a lie.” Heather’s pupils turned a vivid red. “Look closely. This is what I read from Uli’s corpse that day…”
Everything around them began to collapse and transform into a Blood and Fire Inferno.
Yet Lia standing there felt no heat.
“Don’t worry, it’s an Illusion. I’m just showing you what happened that day.” Heather explained, eyes fixed on the center of the scene.
A girl with blood flowing from the corner of her eyes stirred the rain, her expression utterly cold and emotionless—a machine.
“Do you see now? This is her true face. Everything you saw before was a lie, a disguise.”
“Shut up.” Lia said coldly.
“Fine, then let’s continue. Let’s see if her strength matches your impression of her.”
***
In the blood pooling beside the girl, a hand rose from beneath the surface, grabbing the soil, slowly pulling up a complete body.
A swordswoman, drenched in blood.
Or rather, she was made of blood.
In Uli’s terrified eyes, the swordswoman, wielding her flowing Blood Sword, leapt from the ground into the air and slashed toward the man’s neck in an instant.
The seemingly light strike struck Uli’s proud Blood and Bone Shield, but it cut through it as if it were paper.
Only then did the man realize what kind of monster could cut through the hardest shield with the softest sword.
“So, you… Witch!”
His body shattered under the swordswoman’s strike, which left afterimages behind.
The blood on the sword suppressed regeneration, acting like venom to slowly erode his sanity.
He tried to speak but could only writhe in fragments.
Piece by piece, he was sliced into dust. When only one piece remained, he gave up, dying in despair and agony.
The swordswoman confirmed he had no life signs, then returned to the girl’s side, merging back into the blood pool as if nothing had happened.
The girl lay on the ground, waiting for Lia and the others to arrive.
The following scenes matched Lia’s memories perfectly.
These were all true.
“Any thoughts?”
After the demonstration, everything returned to the cave.
The rain poured harder now, accompanied by thunder.
“In your heart, that girl is just a sheltered noble who can’t use any magic, right?” Heather’s crimson eyes still burned.
“You’re trying to confuse me, make me make the wrong choice.” Lia closed her eyes, refusing to meet her gaze.
“Tsk, as expected of the Princess, you’re smart enough to make me jealous. But everything I showed you is fact—are you still deceiving yourself?”
Heather laughed maniacally. “Should I tell you myself? She, Tina, is the Witch—the very Witch the whole continent fears and gives way to. Do you really think she follows you just to help you reclaim your kingdom?”
“Don’t be delusional! The so-called Witch is just someone who loves to toy with hearts. The deeper you fall, the happier she is, until finally, she makes you regret it bitterly, becoming just another small morsel in her endless existence!”
Anger.
Human.
“Enough!”
Lia summoned her Elemental Spirit, ready to fight the chattering Archbishop to the death.
No matter the truth, she would never side with the Moonmist Sect.
“Cut the nonsense. I only believe what my heart tells me.”
Perhaps it was Lia’s confidence, or the frustration of failing to incite discord despite all her words, that made Heather feel something unfamiliar rising in her chest.
“Then die!”
Dozens of whips lashed down from the sky, an overwhelming assault that seemed ready to gouge the entire mountainside into a crater.
“Boom—boom—”
Lia’s prepared countermeasures now barely served to keep her alive.
While fiercely protecting herself, she also shielded the two injured behind her.
As a whip on the left was about to sweep across her with devastating power, Heather’s attack was stopped midair as if hitting an invisible wall.
“Phew, just in time.” The girl turned back and smiled—a reassuring expression that made Lia’s heart skip a beat.
Even if you really are the Witch, I accept it…