Ander’s reply undoubtedly shut down all remaining possibilities, leaving Anthera with no choice but to sigh helplessly.
“Well then, but at the very least, I’ll go find Big Sister as soon as she’s free.”
After all, she still believed that Lanafit should not go to the Lower Realm.
“You’re worried Lanafit will collapse under the weight of her responsibilities? I believe Big Sister has considered that too, yet she still didn’t stop Lanafit’s actions.”
“Then why?”
Anthera was confused.
Not only did she not understand the will of the Demon God, but she also couldn’t grasp the First Witch’s decision.
“I suspect it’s because of the uniqueness of the Thirty-Fifth generation.”
Even though they didn’t know the First Witch’s true intentions, it didn’t stop them from speculating.
Ander’s own theory was just that.
“The Thirty-Fifth Witch governs a domain of chaos and disaster—something none of the previous Witches ever have. And let’s not forget, she also retains her past personality and memories, and her origin is especially unusual.”
As she contemplated this, Ander shared her thoughts aloud.
But her reasoning clearly wasn’t enough to convince Anthera, who responded in protest.
“It’s precisely because of that that I think she must be restricted to the Sky Islands.
Her nature is inherently kind.
If she witnesses the destruction caused by her own dominion, she’ll undoubtedly defy the Demon God.
Who knows what might happen then?”
Lanafit’s personality hadn’t been newly forged by the Demon God, but carried over from her previous human life.
Because of this, her loyalty to the Demon God was the lowest among all past Witches—one could even say she had none at all.
That was Anthera’s greatest concern.
Witches typically possessed an instinctive loyalty to the Demon God—perhaps a brand of devotion embedded in their very souls.
But Lanafit, having come from another world with an existing self, lacked this brand entirely.
The fear and confusion she showed toward the Demon God’s will were evidence of that.
Therefore, if for any reason Lanafit were to reject the will of the Demon God, it would amount to outright rebellion against her master.
Compared to the Witches, the Demon God was like a force of nature—cold, unfeeling, and merciless, a being that maintained balance without compassion or pity.
No one knew what would happen if a Witch ever disobeyed the Demon God’s will.
Because in the past 3,000 years, not a single Witch had ever done so.
But a servant who disobeys their master’s command rarely meets a good end—especially when the master is this merciless.
Anthera wanted desperately to prevent such a thing, which was why she refused to let Lanafit leave the Sky Islands.
She had even devised a plan to gradually erode Lanafit’s lingering human empathy through time and guidance—shaping her into a proper Witch and helping her sever ties with her former human self.
“But her existence was never meant to be bound—not by Big Sister, not by you, not by anyone.”
Ander’s words left Anthera stunned.
She stared at Ander in confusion, waiting for her explanation.
“Think carefully, Anthera,” Ander said with deep emotion.
“Why did the Demon God go out of Its way to bypass you this time and personally carry out the summoning and reincarnation ritual for the Thirty-Fifth Witch? Do you think it was because you’ve done poorly in past summonings?”
“Absolutely not!”
Anthera instantly rejected the idea without even thinking.
Her voice was resolute. “I have always obeyed the Demon God’s will. Not once has any Witch’s reincarnation gone wrong under my watch!”
“Exactly. All of us sisters believe in your dedication as well.”
Ander nodded, affirming Anthera’s commitment.
But then her tone suddenly shifted.
“Then why, despite your impeccable record, did the Demon God choose to bypass you and handle the Thirty-Fifth’s summoning personally?”
“That’s because Lanafit’s soul was in another world, and my authority only applies within this one.”
Anthera didn’t hesitate to answer—she had already thought about this long ago.
But when Ander heard her response, she shook her head.
“It’s not just that. After all, Lanafit’s journey to another world was itself an ‘accident’ arranged by the Demon God. If the Demon God wished, it could summon Lanafit’s soul into this world at any time and have you perform the reincarnation ritual.”
All of the Demon God’s actions are marked by reason and order.
If it were truly due to Lanafit’s soul being in another world, the Demon God would first summon her soul into this one, then allow Anthera to conduct the ritual—admittedly more complicated, but still within the bounds of divine principle.
“But the Demon God did not let you perform the usual reincarnation of the Witch. It even preserved Lanafit’s personality and memories after the summoning—and didn’t implant the seal of absolute loyalty. Why do you think that is?”
Ander looked at Anthera and spoke in a tone that peeled back the layers of the mystery for her.
Then, Anthera’s eyes widened.
She spoke in disbelief, voicing a sudden, seemingly impossible thought.
“…The Demon God wants a Witch who is connected to this world, yet not bound by it…”
“Exactly. That’s what I think as well.”
Ander nodded with a slight smile.
What it meant to be “connected to this world” was that Lanafit’s soul originally belonged here.
Yet she didn’t grow up in this world, had no loyalty to the Demon God, and possessed an independent personality—therefore, she was not constrained by the world’s rules.
“But even so, Lanafit still became the Demon God’s servant. She’s bound by her duty. And just by arriving in this world, she’s already under its influence, isn’t she?”
Anthera voiced her doubts.
After all, even if Lanafit wasn’t loyal, she still feared the Demon God’s will and dared not defy it.
And truth be told, was there truly any existence completely free from restraint?
“That, I don’t know. Let’s not even talk about how accurate our guess is. Even if we’re right, the deeper intentions of the Demon God are beyond our understanding.”
Ander shook her head, admitting she too didn’t know how to answer Anthera’s question.
Though the idea was fanciful—almost absurd—it still seemed more plausible than any other explanation.
“Perhaps Big Sister considered all this—and even more—and decided not to restrain Lanafit. After all, we Witches are products of this world. If the Demon God desires a Witch unbound by the world, then we must not interfere. Do you understand, Anthera?”
Ander looked at Anthera seriously, but Anthera’s expression was complicated.
Worry and sorrow flickered across her face as she silently pondered.
But just then, a staggering figure emerged from the mist, catching both of their attention.
“Huh? Sister Ander, Sister Anthera—you’re still here?”
The figure stepped out of the mist, and her identity became clear—it was Roseithe?
How should one describe her state… She looked utterly miserable.
Her whole body looked like it had been frozen.
Icicles clung to her skirt, and the other side of her previously intact face was now swollen—with a clear fist mark imprinted on it.
But more puzzling was the direction from which she came.
It wasn’t from her own little island—she came from the direction of… the Shudell family’s island?
Didn’t she just try to pounce on Lanafit earlier?
Why had she ended up over at Shudell’s?
“Why are you coming from that direction?” Anthera asked in confusion.
At this, Roseithe immediately pulled a pitiful face and began wiping imaginary tears.
“Wuwuwu, Sisters, you have to get justice for me!”
If Lanafit had seen this performance, she would’ve sighed, “That’s some serious acting—makes her look more wronged than Dou E herself!”
After the dramatic outburst, Roseithe peeked at their expressions.
Only to find both Anthera and Ander staring back at her coldly.
Justice? That’s not happening.
Everyone on the Sky Islands knew what kind of person she was.
Frankly, Ander was already struggling to resist the urge to instinctively punch her again.
But Roseithe ignored this and began whining again.
“I just wanted to get a little closer to Sister Lanafit, that’s all. But who knew she’d learn Sister Ander’s moves and punch me straight into the sky. It broke my heart!”
“Closer”? Anthera rolled her eyes.
That’s what you call getting close?
You were clearly lusting after her.
You’re shameless!
Thankfully Lanafit is always on guard, or she’d already be at your mercy—like what happened with the Thirty-Third Witch…
She might’ve ended up like Golia, the Thirty-Third Witch—completely traumatized.
“All right. Verdict: the thief cries ‘stop thief.’ Case closed.”
With ruthless finality, Anthera dodged Roseithe’s attempt to dive into her arms.
“Wuwuwu, Sister Anthera, you’re so biased.” Roseithe sniffled (though she had no actual tears).
“Come on, give me a hug to comfort me!”
“You keep this up and I’ll call Sister Seharei. She told me last time she wasn’t finished with you!”
Hearing this threat, Roseithe didn’t look scared this time.
“Heehee~ Sister Seharei went to the island furthest from here today. Your voice probably won’t reach that far~”
Good grief, did this pervert really have a full grasp of every Witch’s whereabouts?
“How do you know that!?” Anthera exclaimed in shock.
Roseithe looked smug as she replied, “I know all the little fairies on these islands. They report everyone’s movements to me daily~”
If any fairy dared disobey, Roseithe would “punish” them with kisses. After all, even if they were small, they were cute girls. Stealing a kiss was still satisfying.
Besides, fairies were a race created to serve Witches.
They couldn’t refuse her requests.
But just as she was bragging, Roseithe suddenly felt a murderous aura behind her.
She turned her head—just in time to see a fist rapidly enlarging before her eyes (or rather, rapidly approaching).
Only then did Roseithe remember: fairies were Ander’s creations.
And saying something like that in front of her… yeah, that was suicide.
But it was too late now.
“BANG—!”
With a deafening thud, Roseithe was launched straight through the mist, temporarily knocked unconscious.
A moment later, there were crashing sounds and Shudell’s startled screams in the distance.
Seems this was the third time today Roseithe had dropped in on Shudell’s place.
Hopefully, Shudell wouldn’t be traumatized forever.
As for Ander—she was now wiping her palm with a handkerchief.
After scrubbing for a bit, she frowned and muttered with disgust, “Ugh… touched Roseithe twice. So filthy. I have to go home and take a bath.”
Having mumbled to herself, she turned to Anthera and said:
“Sister Anthera, let’s end our discussion here. I’ll take my leave.”
“Ah… okay…”
What else could Anthera say?
She could only nod and watch as Ander disappeared into the mist.
After weighing things in her heart again, she finally decided to go speak with Lanafit.
As for Roseithe?
Let her be.
Hopefully, Shudell freezes her for a few days.
That’d finally give everyone some peace.