The Shadow of the Witch, as the name suggests, is an underground organization composed entirely of women.
Its main headquarters is located in the kingdom’s capital, but its operations span across the entire country, even reaching the whole continent.
It is one of the largest dark organizations within the kingdom.
Its function, simply put, is to conduct various cross-border trades and black market dealings.
Without crossing the legal red line, it sells many goods monopolized by the nobles at low prices, as well as “improper” goods that are hard to find through normal channels—such as various advanced bedroom utensils and rather risqué manga works…
Because of the organization’s loose structure and the black market it operates being widely welcomed by the common people, the kingdom’s Law Enforcement Organization and the Knights have generally turned a blind eye to it for many years.
…Of course, there’s another reason why this organization has grown to such a scale.
That is because its founder was actually Floria, who at the time still officially served as the Knight Commander.
“…Julian, spare the formalities. I’ll get straight to the point.”
Floria’s petite figure sat on the sofa in the private room, legs crossed as she faced the roaring fireplace.
Underneath her pleated skirt, those smooth, firm, fair legs, wrapped in knee-high socks, swung carelessly in mid-air.
Her youthful face opened her mouth, yet her tone carried the commanding aura of a queen:
“Help me find some high-level Magic Curse Removal Scrolls and Magic Source Nurturing Potions. The higher the grade, the better, and as soon as possible.”
“Yes, my lady. May I ask… what is your Budget—?”
Julian, standing carefully nearby, asked cautiously.
“What? I’m buying these myself at the organization. You actually want to charge me?”
Floria pretended to be angry.
“N-no, not at all…”
Julian quickly waved her hands in fear.
Everyone knew that the Witch Lady of old was not only unfathomably powerful but also notoriously bad-tempered, capricious, and inscrutable.
Her methods of controlling her subordinates were decisive and ruthless, striking terror into anyone who heard of them.
If anyone accidentally broke her rules or displeased her, they would immediately suffer punishment in the Dungeon, enduring cruel tortures.
“I’m just asking, my lady, roughly what price range you want to purchase at, so that my subordinates can start sending people out to find them sooner…
“Also… you know the organization’s trading rules… I don’t have any spare funds here… can’t offer much subsidy, so I hope you’ll understand—”
Julian put on a flattering expression, smiling nervously while rubbing her hands.
“Hm… fine, fine. If I had to say, the pocket money I’m carrying right now is about this much.”
Floria said as she took out a pouch of gold coins from her pocket.
This was taken from the last remaining piggy bank she had saved before.
Julian took the pouch and glanced over it roughly, her expression becoming somewhat complicated.
“My lady… this amount of money…”
“What’s wrong? Isn’t this enough?”
“Um…”
Julian tilted her head in confusion.
…Not nearly enough.
This money is barely enough to keep the wolves from the door—
Julian really wanted to ask if this suddenly returned Witch Lady still had the price concepts of the capital stuck ten years ago.
In recent years—especially these past few months—due to unknown reasons, the prices of all magic-related resources and items have been soaring, more than twenty times higher than ten years ago.
“Well… how should I put this, my lady…”
Julian racked her brain to find a tactful way to tell Floria that even this amount was barely a fraction of the price.
“Is—Is that so… really…”
Floria’s tone showed some surprise, but she controlled her expression well and did not lose composure in front of Julian.
“Ahem… It’s fine… Anyway… take this money and send someone to inquire and contact suppliers. Be ready at any time… I’ll find a way to get more money later…”
“Understood, my lady. Then you now…?”
“…That’s all. I’ll go out for a walk. I won’t disturb you—don’t let anyone know I was here.”
Floria’s delicate face tightened with seriousness.
“Yes, understood!”
Julian watched Floria’s petite figure, which looked even smaller than before, slowly lean on the wall and leave.
“The little Witch Lady… so cute.”
“My goodness… twenty times…”
Floria trudged along the bustling street, her spirit dampened, wandering aimlessly toward the Commercial Street.
The lively night market bustled with people passing by, children and couples laughing and chatting filling the air.
Only Floria’s slender, lonely figure swayed awkwardly on the street, looking completely out of place.
Money, oh money… it really can bring even a hero to his knees—
She had originally hoped to use this escape opportunity to make a comeback and suppress Sofia, the one who had dared to insult and tease her.
But now it seemed that to restore her strength and return to her peak, the small amount of pocket money she had saved was far from enough…
What is going on… how can prices soar over twenty times… this is pure bullying!
Floria grumbled resentfully, her delicate cheeks full of grievance.
“Gurururu—”
At that moment, her stomach growled loudly, drawn by the scent of grilled delicacies drifting through the night market, breaking her anxious thoughts about money.
“Sigh… oh well… I’m rarely back in the capital, might as well buy something good to fill my stomach first.”
Glancing around, Floria finally found a stall that looked like it was about to close.
“Boss, give me five Mushroom Skewers—”
“Little girl, you’re late. There are only three left.”
“Three is fine. I’ll take them all. Put extra sauce on, please, ma’am.”
“Alright—”
The glistening bamboo skewers speared various mushrooms sizzling on the greasy stove, the sound making Floria’s mouth water.
“All done. Here you go, little girl—”
“Thank you.”
Floria took the skewer, eagerly biting into one.
“Crunch crunch crunch… nothing beats the Mushroom Skewers here in the capital… the most authentic…”
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly noticed a smooth arm pulling up the curtain of the stall that was about to be closed.
Then, a clear and melodious female voice sounded beside her, calm and cool:
“Ma’am, don’t close yet. I want two Mushroom Skewers.”
“There’s none left. The last three were sold to that little girl just now.”
“Is that so…”
The voice’s owner sounded quite disappointed, almost bitter and aggrieved, murmuring to herself:
“I’ve already run through the whole street… and still can’t buy any…
“It’s all my fault… I came too late…”
Hearing the slightly familiar voice from behind, Floria blinked in confusion, then instantly stiffened and her pupils shrank sharply.
That voice… no… it can’t be… things don’t just happen to line up like this…?
Cold sweat dripped down her forehead, her heart pounding wildly.
Floria was about to quicken her steps and leave, but a fair hand radiating a Saintly Aura landed directly on her shoulder.
“Little sister… sorry to trouble you, but could I borrow one Mushroom Skewer?
“Today is the anniversary of a friend’s passing… I probably will never forget her this lifetime.
“She loved these the most when she was alive.”
Floria nervously swallowed the mushroom in her mouth.
Her neck twisted stiffly and slowly, so hard she could almost hear the creaking of bones.
Before their gazes met head-on, Floria caught sight out of the corner of her eye… the black nun’s habit, the elegant slender figure, the graceful waist, the smooth and tender calves…
And most notably… the familiar, perky chest that strained the front of the habit to the point of tautness.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.