บท 6: Intermission "Witch's Tea Party"
Od Laguna Realm:
In the midst of a half-frozen capital of the kingdom of Lugunica, a meeting of the council of wise men was held in the grand hall. The air was thick with tension as cold's chill seeped through the stone walls, creating an atmosphere both solemn and urgent.
Elders clad in warm, richly adorned robes gathered around a long table, their faces reflecting years of wisdom and concern. They were there to discuss the disastrous event which happened in their kingdom—The Beast of End has rampaged, freezing half of the capital, killing many in progress.
"We are here to discuss the results of the attack of The Beast of End." Miklotov stated, eyeing other sages. The troubled looks could be seen across the whole table "Approximately yesterday, at midnight, The Beast of End has rampaged in the northern part of slums, it was identified that the Great Spirit has a spiritual contract with one of the Royal candidates, hatl-elf Emilia."
Shocked gasps and disbelief could be seen on the faces of the most sages, Bordeaux slammed his fists on the table. "Of course it's going to be a half-witch's doing, I say we must put all demi-humans on leash to avoid their uncontrollable behavior!"
"Sir Bordeaux, don't be too rash in your decisions." Miklotov said, looking at him with a tired expression. "One of the reports says that the Royal Candidate, Emilia-sama, was attacked and assaulted in the process. It could be the Great Spirit's grief that made him attack the capital."
"Why would someone attack the Royal candidate? Who was the attacker?" One of the sages puzzlingly asked.
"It was identified that the attack was the infamous Bowel Hunter, the assassin was sent after her due to her heritage or some other reasons we may not know of."
A low murmur spread among the sages as they exchanged their thoughts and insights, before being interrupted by the opening of the main door.
"Excuse my lack of absence, Reinhard Van Astrea, the Sword Saint has arrived at your request." The Sword Saint knelt down and bowed deeply in sign of respect towards the council of the wise men.
"Reinhard, just In time. We'd like to hear your testimony, since you have been there firsthand."
Reinhard nodded in affirmation. "During my patrol across the capital trying to complete my mission, The Beast of End has started freezing the capital, uncaring of everyone. The Great Spirit has been quickly dealt with, however…" Reinhard's face became more solemn, his eyes filled with guilt.
"Many have fallen during the rampage, anyone who was close to its attack's range has been frozen solid. If only I was quicker enough, I am sorry." Reinhard casted his gaze downwards.
Miklotov was looking at him with understanding. "Reinhard, you saved a lot of people during that midnight, if it wasn't you who knows how many would have died. You are a hero, Reinhard."
'No, I am not a hero. I failed them, I was responsible for the death of my Grandmother. Now because of my sloth, many have died. I am nothing but a monster.'
"If you excuse me, I would like to continue on my mission."
"You may go now, Reinhard."
Reinhard bowed once again before leaving the grand Hall.
"Death of the Royal candidate and the rampage of the Great Spirit will surely shake our reputation. Has our court mage responded yet?" One of the sages asked.
"We have sent multiple letters to his domain, we have yet to receive his response to any of them. He has become unresponsive."
A low murmur spread among the sages yet again.
"These are rather unfortunate days for the kingdom, let's pray to Divine Dragon Volcanica to support us during such time."
Castle of Dreams:
In a vast expanse of the green hills, Blue sky and white clouds, a lone beautiful pale girl sat on the table, with a cup of tea in her hand. Her black eyes, her long straight hair reached down to her back and was as white as her skin, the rest of her figure was wrapped in black clothing.
"How curious…" She said to herself, sipping her tea.
"This is not the result that I anticipated, but it's rather delightful in its own way." Echidna, the Witch of Greed, leaned back in her chair, her black eyes glinting with a mixture of intrigue and amusement.
"It seems that the threads of fate are more tangled than I had imagined. To think that someone could diverge so drastically from the paths set before them. It's almost...endearing."
"Ah, the possibilities. Each choice, each moment, cascading into an array of potential futures. It's a mesmerizing tapestry, isn't it?" She said, staring deeply into her cup.
She felt another presence in her realm, in her Castle of Dreams. After recognizing the presence, her face immediately scrunched, turning into disgust.
"To think that you would barg into my realm, you have no shame, right whore?"
In front of her stood a girl covered in what can be described as shadows, her amethyst eyes shined showing many years of loneliness. Her silver hair descended, a shadow veil covering her head.
"I have not come to cause any problems, Echidna." The silver-haired beauty said.
"Your whole existence is already problematic for me." Echidna spat in disgust. "Why don't you just stay in that stupid seal of yours for the rest of your time?"
"I have an arrangement for you, a contract which would satisfy both your curiosity and my needs."
"Oh? I believe you don't have anything worth satisfying me, after all—"
"Your plan has failed, hasn't it?" Satella interrupted her, staring at her.
Immediately, the Witch of Greed expression turned neutral. She arched an eyebrow at Satella's bold interruption, her gaze unwavering. "Is that so? And what makes you so certain of my failures? Perhaps I prefer to consider them… experiments."
"Experiments that led you back to this very moment," Satella replied. "The last time I checked, your little 'pawns' aren't exactly making headway."
Echidna starred in her cup, seeing her pupil laying on the bed emotionless, unmoving, without a will to live.
"What I desire is ancient magic, which would transfer people to other dimensions, other worlds."
"And why would I agree to your terms? I have yet to see anything beneficial for me."
Satella's lips moved, no sounds came from it, however Echidna could comprehend that she said.
"I see." Her grin widened. "The Great Sage and I had a concept of such magic, various experiments were held in place. One of them was successful, however it would cost you dearly." In a moment, a black book materialised in her hand.
"I believe this book has everything that you need, Envy."
Unknown Location:
In a cavernous chamber, lit only by flickering torches casting long shadows on the stone walls, a meeting of Sins of Archbishops was held in place. Each of the Archbishops embodies a deadly sin, their very presence emanating an aura of power and menace.
"What a lovely sight! Indeed a lovely sight! All of us, the archbishops, gathered here, the very essence of our devotion woven together in this sacred assembly. Each archbishop, a pillar of faith, has journeyed far and wide to partake in this hallowed gathering, a testament to our diligence!" The Sin of archbishop, representing Sloth, Petelgeuse has exclaimed crazily.
"Excuse me, Petelgeuse, do you dare to presume to speak for me? I find this quite disrespectful, as you are infringing upon my rights. If there's one thing I despise, it's having my intentions twisted through the lens of someone so consumed with their own self-importance. I have my own voice, one that I intend to use." Regulus Corneas said, while staring at Petelgeuse with disdain.
"Gahahaha!" Capella looks down at both of them, clearly not amused by his impudent tone, a sinister smile on her lips. "Look what we have here. A little meat creature who thinks it has rights, huh? That's cute. You know what you really are, don't you? You're no more than a disgusting meatbag I wouldn't even use to clean my feet."
Regulus's eyes widened in outrage. "How dare you dismiss my rights as a person! You are worthless scum—"
"Now, now enough of all of you, we gathered here to discuss serious matters." Cold and yet beautiful voice resonated within the cave. The owner of that voice was no one but the Witch of Vainglory, Pandora.
Immediately, the sin of the archbishops calmed down and sat themselves on the table.
"We shall discuss the current goals of our Cult, they have drastically changed. Indeed, the Cult's ambitions have evolved," Pandora continued, her gaze sweeping over the assembled archbishops. "What once was a simple pursuit of influence has transformed into a desire for dominion over both this and the outside world."
"Other world? What do you exactly mean, Pandora-sama?" Petelgeuse asked.
"The world beyond the Great Waterfall, I am sure you heard the myths."
"Fascinating, dominion over both worlds, you say, tsu~?" A smirk of anticipation and hunger curls at Lye's lips upon hearing Pandora's words. His appetite, ever-present and voracious, was piqued by the prospect of new experiences, new abilities, new knowledge, new memories. "Sounds like a banquet i would sink my teeth in, tasting it, savouring it, biting it, licking it, tsu~"
"I've had my eyes set on certain key figures—those whose ambitions might align with ours." The Witch of Vainglory continued. "Unfortunately, one of the key figures has met the end of their fate while the other is not in the grasp of our hands."
"I believe we don't have any objections?"
"I had some doubts regarding our current ambitions, but seeing you being so considerate and respectful towards myself, I shall consider this option." Regulus Corneas has stated.
"Ohhh, oh~ another world filled with new meat bags? I shall show them how lovely Capella-chan-sama can be."
"Ah! Such diligence! Seeing everyone agreeing with each other in favor of the Witch! To be blessed by her love, we must serve, live and die for the Witch. We must be diligent in pursuing our goals to revive her! Ah, indeed, ah, my brain trembles, trembles, trembles!" Petelgeuse replied, twisting his body in bizarre and unnatural ways.
"It seems like the Sin of the Archbishop, representing Wrath, Sirius wasn't present during our meeting." Pandora noted. "Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti, please inform her about our current plans."
"Yes, Pandora-Sama!"
And with the meeting concluded, the cave died out, leaving nothing but torches and fresh footsteps.
A new message appeared on the Dragon Tablet, which would worsen the council of wise men's day even worse.
"The Witch has escaped its seal."
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