Holy Empire.
Guardian Bureau, Red Tower, Interrogation Room.
Ophelia, the workaholic female director with chestnut hair, amber eyes, and delicate yet capable features, interrogated the problematic witches for the 9th time.
Because she always pursued perfection in her work, was strict and demanding, had no personal life, and always wore a stern face towards her subordinates, Ophelia was also known as a harsh and cold-blooded leader. Those who offended Ophelia generally met a bad end, so Ophelia also gained a reputation for being petty and vindictive.
But it was this kind of director that the witches were loyal to, not just because of the influence of the [Ear of Folly]. Most of the witches regarded her as a mother figure.
They were unwilling to do anything that would hurt Ophelia, and in order to get closer to the witches, Ophelia was even stricter with herself, making herself like them, a person who selflessly dedicated herself to the empire.
During her tenure as Director of the Guardian Bureau, Ophelia secured three rights for the witches.
The first was the right to education, allowing the witches to start reading and writing, becoming cultured, rather than simply being killing machines. Although the Witch Covenant promised that witches should enjoy noble rights before obtaining the Berserk trait, this law was just a piece of paper, because all witches were without desires, they did not need fiefdoms, knightly orders, and money. Nor did they have the desire to receive a noble education. Because of this, before Ophelia became the director,
many witches were illiterate, they couldn't even understand the most basic letters, and all arrangements were at the mercy of the lords and deacons.
The second was the right to abundant food. In order to increase training time and go to the territory as soon as possible, the witches usually ate energy bars, but Ophelia hoped they could eat better.
The third was the improvement of living environment. Due to the special physique of the witches, most of them were insensitive to cold and warmth, and could adapt to living anywhere. The former witch dormitories of the Guardian Bureau were basically no different from prisons. They lacked relevant knowledge and did not feel that there was anything wrong with it, until Ophelia came to power and transformed the witch dormitories into noble apartments, allowing them to live in a better environment.
These three rights, although seemingly insignificant, had never been fought for by any director before Ophelia.
From birth to death, the witches lived like weapons, honing themselves and fighting.
What noble honor was, was just to deceive ordinary people, to convey to them a value that sacrificing for the empire would win the empire's respect.
Ophelia knew that these poor witches were weapons created by the empire from the very beginning.
Because of this, Ophelia, who failed to find any family bonds in the Frank family, developed different feelings for them, treating the witches as family.
She was incredibly angry when she learned that Randall had used the Gift to kill the 10 war witches she had carefully selected.
The witches had clearly worked so hard and done so much for the empire, yet someone still ruthlessly killed them for personal gain.
Although she couldn't change the fate of the witches, Ophelia would never allow anyone to change their fate in this way.
Ophelia vowed to collect evidence of Randall's crimes and send him to the Supreme Court. Let him pay the price for his evil deeds.
"Forest Witch Aisley Ross, Gourmet Witch Milia Ramsey, Rain Witch Anita Raymond, Storm Witch Clothilde Russell, Explosion Witch Quilly Peak, Smooth Witch Rachel Raya,
Wax Witch Lisa Truman, Flower Witch Sophie Louise, Bubble Witch Shirley Riley, Thread Witch Blair Berry, do you remember the fact that you have already died?"
Ophelia's female secretary, Syndra, asked.
The ten witches shook their heads. How could they remember the fact that they had died?
They had clearly been reborn. When did they die?
It was just that the price of rebirth was the loss of their former memories.
But the witches did not feel empty, they had no unforgettable memories from before.
Amnesia might be difficult for ordinary people to accept, but for witches, it was precisely the easiest thing to accept.
"What is your relationship with Randall?"
Female secretary Syndra did not get a satisfactory answer and continued to ask.
"Randall is His Holiness the Pope, the person we should respect and offer our loyalty to. Every follower of the God of Tigre should do so."
Witch Aisley said, and the other witches agreed with this statement.
Ophelia frowned slightly and asked,
"Did Randall ask you to kill Leon Moriah?"
Witches Aisley and Milia no longer had any emotional ties to Ophelia. Facing her questions, they chose to lie without any psychological burden.
"No."
"When did you learn to lie?"
"Director, we are not lying."
"Then why did you attack Leon Moriah?"
"We sensed the aura of heresy on him. He is not a faithful follower of the God of Tigre. He is a heretic. He approached the God of Tigre with ulterior motives. We must kill him before he becomes a Golden Follower. This is what every devout follower must do, to cleanse heresy."
The answer was completely consistent with the previous times.
In fact, this kind of interrogation was meaningless.
Whether interrogated separately or collectively, their answers were the same.
Ophelia thought that she probably couldn't find a breakthrough with the problematic witches, until the return of Leon Moriah and others.
Ophelia clapped her hands, and Secretary Syndra led Parker into the interrogation room.
The witches were immediately stunned, especially Parker's fiancée, Witch Aisley.
Aisley frowned almost imperceptibly. The most disgusting situation had appeared.
"Parker, you shouldn't be here."
"Aisley, you are my fiancée, I must come to see you."
Parker looked serious.
Aisley could only see sincerity on his face.
She sighed, a little helpless, and a trace of tenderness flashed in her eyes.
Gourmet Witch Milia swallowed. "Parker, did you bring food?"
"I brought some for everyone."
Parker carried a basket filled with bread. He glanced sideways at Ophelia. "Director,
can I give the bread to everyone?"
Ophelia nodded slightly, and the witches looked at each other.
Parker distributed the bread to the witches in the interrogation room.
Glutton Milia was the first to take the bread. While biting into the bread, she couldn't help but cry.
"Waaah, damn Parker, you only brought me two pieces of such delicious bread."
"It's okay, Milia. When you get out, come to my house as guests. I can treat you to even more delicious food. You can eat as much bread as you want."
Parker comforted her.
Milia cried even louder. "Waaah, waaah."
She knew there wouldn't be a chance.
Female Secretary Syndra looked at Ophelia with surprise and whispered,
"Their performance has been like a stagnant pool during this time. We can't get any answers no matter what we ask. I didn't expect that Parker Moriah's appearance would make them so active. Maybe this time we can really make a breakthrough."
Ophelia remained noncommittal, her gaze sweeping over the ten witches.
Their expressions varied, and they were all looking at Aisley.
Unlike the simple glutton Milia, they knew what Parker's appearance here meant, and they also knew that the bread might be problematic.
They were waiting for Aisley to give the final result.
In the previous nine interrogations, they had been completely watertight, taking all the responsibility on themselves, even knowing that they would eventually be sent to the gallows.
But now, they were clearly wavering.
Parker handed the bread to Aisley. Aisley's hands were cuffed with magic-suppressing handcuffs made of Sage's Stone. When she raised her hand, the chains made a cracking sound.
She looked at Parker. After a brief silence, she took the bread and took a bite.
Parker breathed a sigh of relief.
When the other witches saw Aisley's statement, they also took the bread, no longer hesitating, and began to eat. "Thank you, Aisley."
Parker was very moved. Aisley finally chose to believe him.
Aisley shook her head. She actually wanted to thank Parker. Parker gave her a way out.
She couldn't forcibly violate Randall's orders and betray him, but now she couldn't bring herself to go to her death peacefully.
She had bonds.
She became Parker's fiancée.
Even knowing that her life was short, she wanted to continue to be with Parker, even if it was just for one more day.
"What you just ate was Honest Bread. Now, every word you say must be the truth."
Parker suddenly said, "I'm sorry, I lied to you. I just wanted to know the truth."
The witches had expected this, so they didn't show any surprise.
"Were you resurrected by Randall using the Gift, God's Hand?"
Ophelia asked.
"Yes."
The witches replied.
"Do you remember who killed you?"
"I don't remember."
"After Randall resurrected you, what did he ask you to do?"
"Kill the heretic Leon Moriah."
"Why didn't you kill him?"
"Leon Moriah is too powerful. Our assassination failed."
Parker stood by and listened. Ophelia and Syndra's interrogation became very smooth.
If Parker said it was ordinary bread, the witches probably wouldn't believe it.
Unfortunately, the ten witches could only prove that Randall ordered the assassination of Leon, but they didn't remember being killed by Randall. They couldn't retrieve that part of their memory.
Even Dorothy's potion couldn't affect the witches' memories.
This was because part of the ten witches' former memories were fabricated, from the [Ear of Folly]. The memories that truly belonged to them were the boring training in the Guardian Bureau. This memory was not considered a core human memory, so the potion couldn't help them remember the past.
Compared to those boring memories, what happened in the human naval base had a greater psychological impact on the witches, allowing them to truly experience the feeling of being alive.
Even though Parker spent a very short time with them, that memory became their precious core memory. Not only the Forest Witch, Aisley, Parker's fiancée, but the other witches also regarded Parker as a friend.
They were subconsciously willing to believe Parker, so they were guided.
This bread didn't actually have the power to make people honest, but Parker had the desire to make them want to live.
Ophelia had overlooked this point during her previous interrogations.
How to get a group of witches with a death wish to speak?
The simplest way was actually right in front of them, which was to plant a seed of wanting to live in their hearts, so that they would want to fight against fate.
After the interrogation, Ophelia and the secretary left the interrogation room, leaving Parker alone with the witches.
"Everyone, I'm sorry, please forgive my selfishness. I made the decision for you without permission. I don't want to see you die. Aisley and I haven't entered the wedding hall yet, and you haven't attended our wedding, so please give me some time and don't rush to die."
"Parker, what are you talking about?"
Aisley's cheeks flushed slightly.
Parker took Aisley's hand. "I've already told Grandpa that I have a fiancée. Grandpa didn't object. When this is over, I'll take you back to see Grandpa and we'll set a wedding date."
"Waaah, I'm so envious of you, Aisley."
Milia wiped her tears. She actually liked Parker quite a bit.
"Don't be silly. Even if it's not our subjective intention, we did participate in the assassination of Leon Moriah.
How could Grand Duke Moriah agree to Parker marrying Aisley?"
Bubble Witch Shirley asked coldly.
"Grandpa has already agreed."
Parker emphasized again.
Storm Witch Clothilde shook her head. "That must be a deception. In any case, we will also be sent to the gallows. Are you still going to marry a dead person?"
"Grandpa wouldn't lie. He wouldn't deceive me. I guarantee you won't die."
Parker looked serious and stubborn.
"Are you referring to Leon Moriah letting us go, or the Church and the Guardian Bureau letting us go? Or the Empire letting us go?"
Clothilde asked.
Although the witches had amnesia, although they were simple, they were not stupid.
They knew that an out-of-control sword would not be used by anyone.
Randall would abandon them because of their betrayal, the Guardian Bureau would abandon them because of their mistakes, and the Empire would abandon them because of their uncontrollability.
"This world is too cruel to witches."
Rain Witch dropped the bread in her hand and squatted in the corner. "In any case, we will be abandoned. Don't let us struggle anymore. If your goal has been achieved, then leave here."
Parker was stunned, and the other witches also became dejected.
Aisley released Parker's hand. "Parker, thank you. Although it is a very cruel thing for others to have hope,
and then have that hope shattered, but for me, having had hope is already precious enough. Leave here. We will handle the rest ourselves."
"Aisley, I won't leave here. If you don't leave, I won't either. I'll go to the trial court with you, face it with you, just like you faced the Curse Worm with me."
Parker forcibly pulled Aisley into his arms.
"Just like you said, giving hope and then shattering it is incredibly cruel to others, but to me, having had hope is already precious. You are my hope. Even if one day you really leave this world, at least we won't have any regrets. So don't push me away, I want to be with you."
"Parker."
Aisley bit her lip, her eyes reddening.
The witches were all moved by Parker. Although they hadn't experienced love like Aisley, they witnessed the most sincere emotion in the world, and a glimmer of hope rose in their hearts for the future, hoping to meet someone like Parker.
Of course, Ophelia didn't violate the rules by locking Parker and the witches together, but she did grant him the right to visit at set times.
So, after Parker delivered his bold declaration that he would never leave Aisley's side, he was forcibly taken away.
Parker even cried, which made Aisley's heart ache.
"Aisley, I'll come back."
"Don't hurt him."
Aisley clenched her fists. If her magic wasn't controlled, she would have really taken action and beaten up those guard witches who were forcibly dragging Parker away.
After Parker left, the witches were also taken out of the interrogation room and locked back in the Red Tower.
Aisley looked out from the tower and saw Parker's familiar golden hair.
Parker began to sing poetry loudly, the kind of love poems that bards write specifically for lovers.
He held the strings and gently plucked out harmonious melodies, his deep and charming voice drifting with the night breeze: "At the sound of your voice, my heart leaps, throbbing as if terror stirs within; one glance from you, and I instantly lose my power of speech; my tongue fails me:
A consuming passion burns through my whole being like a flame, and all around me is darkness."
The love poem attracted many onlookers, and the witches all became curious about Parker.
Even the witches locked in the Red Tower leaned out to look.
Aisley wiped away her tears. Although she didn't quite understand what Parker was saying, she could feel the burning love.
"Director, are you just going to let Parker Moria run wild like this? Half of the Guard Bureau's witches have gone to watch."
Female secretary Cindra was a little worried.
Ophelia raised her eyes. "What are you worried about?"
"I'm worried the witches will want to fall in love."
Female secretary Cindra had to admit that the men of the Moria family were quite charming, especially with their handsome appearances. Even if they did something outrageous, people would think it was romantic.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Ophelia asked rhetorically, "They can finally be like normal people."
Cindra was slightly stunned, and after a moment, she looked at Ophelia and said, "Director, you've changed."
"I haven't changed, I just understand some things."
Ophelia put down the document in her hand, took off the director's hat that represented power, and placed it on the desk.
"What?"
Cindra looked at Director Ophelia in confusion.
"My cousin, Viva Frank, she was only 20 years old. For the stability of the Northern Continent, for the friendship between the Holy Empire and the Burns Empire, she married far away to Burns and became the new queen of the 76-year-old emperor."
"Not long ago, she died on the East Mirror High Wall, stripped naked by the Burns people, without a shred of dignity."
"On the day the Burns Empire declared war on the Holy Empire, she lost all her glory and was abandoned by her family and motherland."
Ophelia said slowly.
Cindra's brows furrowed more and more.
"I'm sorry, Director, I am sorry for the matter of Princess Viva Frank."
"What's the difference between Aisley and Viva? What's the difference between me and them? The Empire and the family have been using us all along. When we lose our value, we will be ruthlessly abandoned. So, while we still have value, why not enjoy life?"
Ophelia stood up, patted Cindra on the shoulder, "Your decision to get married and have children was the right one."
Cindra was stunned.
She remembered that Ophelia had mocked her for 10 years since she got married.
She never thought that Ophelia would now say that her decision was correct.
"If the witches want to fall in love, let them fall in love. If Parker wants to pursue Aisley, let him pursue Aisley, let them become more and more like people. This is the only thing I can do for them."
Ophelia took off her uniform, changed into casual clothes, and left the office. This was the first time in her more than ten years of service that she had left the office early.
Cindra looked at Ophelia's back, her eyes slightly red.
"Director, Cindra is very worried about you like this."
Ophelia walked out of the Guard Bureau, did not take a carriage, and walked through several blocks on foot.
The stone tavern was hidden on a street corner, with deep traces of time left on its walls.
A faded sign hung at the entrance, and wind chimes rang in the breeze.
Ophelia pushed the door open. Warm yellow candlelight and a wooden bar first came into view, and the air was filled with the smell of malt and alcohol.
At the bar, the bartender wiped a glass, a trace of loneliness flashing in his eyes.
Firewood crackled in the fireplace, and the firelight danced on everyone's faces, casting shadows of varying depths.
The patrons sat around the tables, talking in low voices. The clinking of iron cutlery made a crisp sound, intertwined with the sound of rain outside, creating a symphony of life. The atmosphere of the tavern was warm and melancholy, as if everyone's thoughts were gently floating in the air with the alcohol.
A bard sat in the corner, gently playing his lute, his deep voice accompanied by the vibrations of the strings, bringing a touch of artistic comfort to the small tavern. The poem he sang was exactly the love poem that Parker sang in the Guard Bureau. This poem has recently become popular in the streets and alleys of the capital.
Ophelia had previously thought that Parker wrote it himself, but now it seems that he was just following the trend.
In the corner, a golden-haired, blue-eyed boy was sipping amber beer from a wooden cup, a satisfied foam rising at the corner of his mouth.
She walked to the golden-haired boy, sat on the wooden chair, and knocked on the bar,
"A glass of rye whiskey."
The boy pushed the glass in front of him to Ophelia, "Long time no see, Ophelia."
"You're back. Why didn't you meet at the Guard Bureau? Why did you make an appointment in a place like this?"
Ophelia picked up the glass and frowned.
The boy gave her the wine he had drunk.
