Chapter 54: Another Crushing Defeat

Green Family Residence, Above

The Space Gate opened wide, and several bedraggled figures tumbled down onto the lawn of the courtyard, their luggage neatly arranged beside them.

Yukla did a quick headcount, making sure no one was missing, then withdrew her magic and closed the Space Gate.

She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and looked helplessly at Ailaira beside her. “Boss, you really went all out this time. You just managed to offend all of them at once.”

Ailaira waved her hand indifferently, unconcerned. “It’s not like I came here to make friends with them.”

“So, you don’t need my help with what’s next?”

“No, you can go take care of your own matters.”

Yukla nodded, opened a space portal with a casual wave, and returned to her Secret Space.

After she left, Ailaira reactivated the Defensive Ritual enveloping the residence; without her permission, no one could enter or leave freely.

Only then did the people in the courtyard slowly regain consciousness.

The first thing they noticed was the change in their surroundings, and they instantly took up defensive stances, warily watching the area.

The one most affected was Kuchierkan, whom Ailaira had “looked after” especially well; even after waking, she still felt weakness in her limbs.

Kuchierkan immediately assessed her condition and confirmed she still had strength to fight.

The Dragon Princess, seething with rage, activated her Dragon Eye, searching for the enemy in every direction. In the end, she locked her gaze on the high platform above—the only magic user in the entire residence.

On the spacious terrace, Ailaira leaned against a red high-backed chair, her arm propping up her face as she gazed down at the non-humans below.

“Welcome, everyone, to the Witch’s residence.”

Kuchierkan suddenly stepped forward, the soil on the ground flying. She summoned her Greatsword with a sweep of her hand, pointing its broad blade at Ailaira as she roared in fury, “So it’s you! Despicable wretch, how dare you interrupt my honorable duel!”

Ailaira tilted her head, as if puzzled. “A duel? Are you talking about that little kids’ game at the city gate?”

At those words, Kuchierkan felt a wave of frustration well up inside her, but her remaining rationality helped her restrain her instincts as she pressed her question in a deep voice, “A mere third rank—let the one who used Space Magic and those bizarre tricks show themselves!”

Clearly, she had seen through the magic reserves within Ailaira’s body, and naturally didn’t believe that the massive spell that almost wiped them out earlier had been cast by the low-ranked woman before her.

Ailaira was a bit surprised, but not much, at being seen through. She commented with a touch of sentiment, “Those eyes of yours are truly something.”

“No need for words—have the one behind you come out! This isn’t over!”

“You talk of honor in combat, but you sure can’t judge people.”

Ailaira raised her palm, then pressed it down. Without warning, a Ceremonial Array formed of dozens of stacked Gravity Magic arrays appeared above Kuchierkan’s head.

This time, on high alert to avoid another ambush, Kuchierkan sensed the magical disturbance overhead at once.

When she saw the intricate, multi-layered array, a flash of shock crossed her eyes, but she neither dodged nor fled.

Her Dragon Horns and Dragon Wings erupted from her body, helping her rapidly gather magic power. The scorching Magic Source condensed before her mouth, turning to flame and charging forth.

A ray-like Dragon Breath shot out, arrow-swift, piercing through several layers of the Magic Circle. But the array’s activation was already complete—the crushing force bore down on Kuchierkan in an instant, caving in the earth beneath her feet.

Yet Kuchierkan showed not a hint of fear at being suppressed.

On the contrary, fighting spirit surged within her. She let out a thunderous dragon roar that shattered Ailaira’s magic directly. Kuchierkan climbed slowly out of the deep pit, her bold features blooming with a wild, unrestrained smile, her gaze toward Ailaira now rich with interest.

“That’s all you’ve got?”

“I still can’t figure out what your deal is, but it looks like that attack just now was your doing.”

“In that case, you can take the place of those Humans and give me a battle to remember!”

Dragon Wings fluttering behind her, Greatsword in hand, Kuchierkan closed in rapidly on Ailaira.

Ailaira remained calm, tapping her finger lightly on the armrest, her eyes mocking as she watched Kuchierkan’s ferocious charge. In her detached gaze was reflected that savage figure—yet the very next blink, Kuchierkan vanished from sight.

Kuchierkan’s body was slammed back by a powerful repelling force, sent flying once again into the crowd. At the same time, countless Magic Circles appeared in midair, surrounding the entire courtyard and leaving no one untouched.

Ailaira finally rose, stepping onto the railing. She looked at the Visiting Delegation’s tense faces, the corners of her mouth rising in a delighted curve.

“Do you like fireworks? Consider this… my Welcome Ceremony for all of you.”

“Thank you for coming.”

With a graceful sweep of her arm, the long-prepared Magic Circles activated in unison, dazzling beams of magic shining as brilliantly as the midday sun.

The sudden and ever-shifting situation left the non-humans no time to catch their breath. At first, they’d intended to sit back and watch the clash between Kuchierkan and this self-proclaimed Witch, deciding afterwards whether to demand their own justice.

But they hadn’t expected that Ailaira never intended to let any of them go; since she was showing off her strength, no one would be exempt.

After a round of relentless bombardment, there was barely any unscathed ground left in the courtyard. The Visiting Delegation barely managed to survive by casting every defensive spell they knew, but one by one they began to suffer from magic depletion, utterly unable to fight back.

Kuchierkan hadn’t used any Defensive Ritual at all—her skin was shielded by black Dragon Scale. Even in the midst of magical crossfire, she kept trying to approach Ailaira, but every time she got close, a wave of inexplicable exhaustion overcame her, and she’d be blasted away by Ailaira again.

Now she lay sprawled on the ground, smoke rising from her body, but still gripped her Greatsword tightly in her hands, murmuring to herself, “I won’t accept this…”

With Kuchierkan down, the other non-humans gave up on solving things by force.

Some had been caught off guard and hadn’t managed to use all their tricks, but seeing Ailaira’s effortless demeanor, it was clear she hadn’t even shown her full strength. For now, it was best to try talking things out.

A girl of the Elf Race spoke first, her clear, melodious voice reminiscent of birdsong and flowers in the jungle, carrying a soothing warmth.

“Honored Witch, we have come as an envoy from each of our races, to observe and learn from the workings of Human society. We have no intention of conflict.”

“For the sake of peace and goodwill between our peoples, we hope you will cease your attacks. We will act according to your arrangements.”

Ailaira raised an eyebrow. Seeing someone finally willing to yield, she turned and sat back down in her chair, crossing her legs and waving her hand. “The relationship between races has nothing to do with me. I’m just temporarily looking after you all.”

“Besides, I wanted to do some business with all you elites from the non-human races.”