“Remember, Signora. If I hear anything about you getting involved in more killings…”“No, master! I swear I will follow what you told me! With this artifact, you can contact me anytime you want.”The red-masked Velvet Signora handed a precious contacting artifact to Zeke before grouping all the subordinates who had heard her summon.The grotto was dominated by a brief bout of silence as the confused silver-robed cultists stood at a corner and watched in silence.“You can go now. Keep me updated.”“Yes, Master.”She deeply bowed before leaving along with everyone else. Meanwhile, Zeke sat down and sighed in exasperation.The Ascetic Blasphemers were his mortal enemies, but the main objective was catching Red Mask Fanti Fan, possibly the only person who would know what Zeke was looking for.‘If it means consorting with the devil, then I won’t mind. Sacrifices have to be made… there’s no room for morality anymore.’Silya Hext was saved, however, all the other soldiers were brutally kille
All hell had broken loose on that once-peaceful valley. Bubbles of blood were appearing in the air and shooting at the rapidly-moving maniac, who, although cornered by several agents and Arbert, could still hold his own quite efficiently.“Hohohoho what a monster! The Blood Dawn Society sure knows its stuff!”After fighting for barely five minutes, Arbert changed from a youth to a middle-aged man, his long red hair almost reaching the ground as it danced in the air each time he moved.The magically-empowered sickles were ripping into everything coming straight at it, whether it was the nefarious Blood Magic or the agents’ enchanted bullets.Clones identical to Arbert appeared all around him, all conjured using the blood dripping off his fresh wounds.With his command, they charged at the crazily laughing assassin, trying to tackle him to the ground while the leader of the agents was completing his masterful spell.…“Where’s Arbert?”Zeke was sweating profusely and breathing heavily
“You’re refusing to speak? On the account that you’ve been caught within our territory and being implicated with the Ascetic Blasphemers, I have enough reason to execute you this very instant.”Jennifer had her arms crossed as she glared at the pale-faced Zeke sitting across from her. He was brought to her tent along with Jack and Sulong. Only Arbert, due to his injuries, was spared the Witch’s menacing eyes and threatening voice.“What do you want me to do, huh? I helped commander Hext then I left. Why are you insisting I did something wrong?”Even though he was exhausted due to over-exertion, Zeke refused to be bossed around, especially after all the trouble he went through to save Silya’s life.“Tell the truth.”“I already did! Instead of going out there and trying to minimize the damages after a whole outpost was wiped out, you’re trying to push the blame on me? Hah! I’m a citizen of the Nezulian Republic and I have no obligation to answer to you. If you want to execute me or lock
“So there’s nothing you can do?”Zeke faced the tall Silya Hext and inquired with a worried expression. He glanced at the small tent behind him, feeling guilty about entering and seeing Arbert’s current condition.The spawn of the Blood God had grown from a middle-aged man to an elderly barely capable of moving. His skin had wrinkled and his bones became fragile.Were it not for the Witches’ help and the recovery potions in their possession, Arbert’s body would have crumbled due to over-exerting himself.“With the resources currently available to us, there’s no way to treat whatever is ailing him.”She approached Zeke and patted his shoulder apologetically, “Zeke, you and I both know he’s not a normal human. The fact that he’s aging fast means he’s one of the failed ‘experiments’ of the Blood Dawn Society. I’m truly sorry.”“But…”“I know you want to help him, but there’s really no alternative. Yes, there are special kinds of monsters from which you can harvest potent healing material
Arbert, whose body turned dangerously thin and on the verge of collapse, moved his head to the side and looked at the three standing next to the bed.He focused, especially, on the tearful Sulong who was holding his hand. The local physician under Jennifer’s command had informed them that Arbert wouldn’t be able to make it past today. Instead of letting him suffer for a bit more, Sulong, after a lot of convincing, reluctantly agreed to let the Witches offer Arbert a peaceful death.Although Arbert had been with them for a short period of time, no one of them considered him strange or unworthy of sympathy and grief. “If there is a way to bring you back, we will find it.” Resolutely stated Zeke as he stared back at the hollow eyes of the red-haired old man.“N-no…”Arbert shook his head while faintly smiling. “I’m happy.”“Come on, man. You’re one of us now, surely there’s a way to get you back.”Jack turned his head to the side and stutteringly uttered those words.“I…”Sadly, Arber
“Is this truly necessary?”“...”Katrina glared at the short and slim agent with an expressionless face. He was also a special agent, one of the best in the Department of Defense. He was part of a large contingent sent to retrieve Zeke Orland and bring him back to the Nezulian Republic.The bearded and muscular agent from before was also present, but he just stood obediently at the back. In addition to the short and brown-haired agent with a cloth mask covering the lower part of his face, there were also three other high-ranking individuals who were all equipped with a power no weaker than a 4-star Witch.Since Jennifer cooperated with them, there were no unexpected complications or fights. However, whether it was the Witch commander, the other witches, or even Katrina, they all frowned in displeasure when they saw how Zeke was being treated.The moment the agents arrived, they handcuffed the youth and put chains around his ankles and neck. They even went a step further and covered h
Ironically, the Witch Association wasn’t a democratic nation; It was ruled by a monarch entity known as the Witch Queen, a woman who was presumably hundreds of years old. As a 7-star Witch, the ruler of the Witches was a merciless woman that stood at the peak of the world. She was, undoubtedly, the strongest living being on the Aether Planet, and through strength alone, her position remained unshakable and allowed her to maintain stability and peace in the country. North of the Whitefrost Planes, between a long mountain range stood the towering capital of the Witch Association. An ancient city surrounded by protective magical barriers and mountainous stone walls that rendered it impregnable. Inside the black castle overseeing the entirety of the city, precisely in a cold and relatively empty spacious hall, all the high-ranking Witches were summoned to meet their leader. Whether it was Silya Hext, Jennifer Savbra, or the other Witches. In total, there were 72 4-star Witches and 36
“You wished for a private meeting. I am listening.”A towering man with long crimson hair and a grizzly-looking face was facing Edward Orland.The man was one of the strongest people in the Nezulian Republic and the one with the highest authority in the Department of Defense.As a democratic nation, the Nezulian Republic wasn’t solely ruled by one entity like the Serey Zhan Empire or the Witch Nation, nevertheless, the man was one of the pillars holding the country together, and seldom were his decisions erroneous.“General Zhang, before I say anything, I want you to grant my brother full immunity.”“Immunity? It has already been decided that he wouldn’t be locked up. What else do you want?”Edward, although feeling pressured to be alone with General Zhang, still kept his calm and clarified,“A vocal minority might try things behind the curtains. If that were to happen, any retaliation from Zeke or I wouldn’t be viewed as treason, even if the mastermind were to be a high executive of