“Yes, of course I understand.”
The young Witch nodded slightly, knowing that Jialinna’s words carried a hint of threat:
“I have no ill will towards Hamilton, but I want to confirm his situation.”
“The cause is currently unknown, but it’s certain that it cannot be replicated.”
“That’s good.”
Sylvia nodded, her brow still furrowed, and then looked at Xia De, who was wiping his lips:
“But how can this be?”
Only by becoming a Great Witch could one truly understand what the Witch system meant. As a price, the curses borne by Witches should absolutely not have such a loophole as Xia De:
“Jialinna, are you really sure that this gentleman is a man?”
“Yes, he has even slept with my grandniece. I once examined his hair and blood, and I am certain he is an ordinary human, with no special Xenomorph bloodline.”
Hearing Jialinna say this, Sylvia stopped asking questions, but it was clear that she was more concerned about the reason for this phenomenon than whether Xia De’s existence would affect the Witch Council.
Jialinna said nothing more. Tifa stood quietly behind her. Xia De held Mia, suddenly realizing how he had brought this cat along. Mia squinted, held by Xia De, while Sylvia hesitated for a moment, then asked:
“Hamilton, I remember you said earlier today that you could use the power of Time-Space.”
“Yes, my core Ling Rune is 【Time-Space】.”
The Witch blinked:
“I have friends at Saint Byron's Comprehensive College. This Summer, I heard rumors that the History Academy had enrolled a correspondence student with a Time-Space Ling Rune. Was that you?”
“Yes, I…”
“Now is not the time to discuss this.”
Jialinna interrupted, looking at Sylvia:
“What do you think of Xia De’s existence?”
The latter immediately understood the meaning of the question, and hesitated again, glancing at Xia De:
“I will not disclose his existence to others in the Council, but I hope Hamilton can cooperate with me on some research, research concerning space. Today in Huntington City, the spatial Miracle he used, which I sensed through a wall, was unlike anything I know.”
She then added:
“Duchess, you must also hope that Hamilton can go further on the Ring術士 path, right?”
“So, that’s all you ask?”
Jialinna seemed somewhat disappointed.
“Duchess, what do you want me to do?”
Jialinna thought for a moment:
“You’re right. Given that I’m vouching for him, openly showing a close relationship, and he is valuable to you, this situation is quite normal.”
“And I am the lowest-ranking member of the Council. Such a matter, which could shake the Council’s foundation, is not something I should get involved in.”
Sylvia said cautiously. Jialinna nodded, losing interest:
“Things are simpler than I thought. However, since you’ve agreed to keep Xia De’s secret, I think we can be closer. Are you interested in accepting my investment?”
She proposed, and Xia De clearly saw an eager expression on Sylvia’s face, but she still didn’t agree immediately, instead pursing her lips and softly saying:
“I need to consider it, Duchess.”
“No problem. When you arrive in Tobesk, we can discuss this again. However, Xia De has something to ask you.”
She looked at Xia De. Xia De had mentioned this during dinner at the manor.
“Madam, what exactly is Margaret Anjou’s relationship with you?”
Sylvia lightly tapped the table with her fingers, recalling:
“Three years ago, after she returned to the United Kingdom from Cerces, I became the princess’s tutor, responsible for subjects like mathematics, dance, and etiquette. Besides that, I deliberately let her discover my Ring術士 identity and bestowed upon her the power of a Witch. Margaret Anjou knew I belonged to the Witch Council, but she wasn’t very accustomed to the Witch’s power and also lacked spatial talent, so I had no intention of cultivating her to become an apprentice.”
Being granted the power of a Witch by a Great Witch meant being constrained by the Great Witch, so there was no need to worry about this princess betraying them.
“This is the first time I’ve heard you mention this. I didn’t expect you to be so close to the Anjou Royal Family. But three years ago? That would be around the time your teacher passed away due to the New World incident. Did you give her the power of a Witch to influence the Anjou Royal Family through her?”
Jialinna asked curiously. Sylvia hesitated for a moment:
“It’s not about influencing; it’s just an investment. The Anjou Family’s bloodline is not as prosperous as the Cavendish Family’s. Margaret’s right of succession is fifth in line, and I just happened to become her tutor. She is very capable. Even if she cannot become queen in the future, she will definitely influence the United Kingdom’s political scene, most likely becoming a powerful Duchess like you.”
Xia De listened with some surprise, sighing inwardly that the Great Witches of the Witch Council were indeed women who possessed both power and ambition.
“This is indeed a good investment. However, the Orthodox Church protects the safety of human royalty, so you must be very careful not to be targeted by the Church.”
Jialinna reminded her again. Sylvia softly thanked her, while Xia De asked again:
“So, your relationship with her isn’t particularly close?”
Sylvia nodded:
“At least not as close as between a Great Witch and an apprentice.”
She glanced at Tifa and added:
“But I am her teacher after all, and I gave her immense help in her Ring術士 studies. She wouldn’t refuse my general requests.”
Xia De nodded:
“Can you obtain a book from her? At least copy some of its contents. That is The Secret of Immortality, which Princess Margaret borrowed from Cerces.”
“Is that book special in any way?”
Jialinna asked. Xia De hadn’t mentioned this earlier.
“Yes, that book was once a collection of the Witch Emperor. Pages five to eight most likely contain a fragment of a poem.”
This was a task given by Edmund. Xia De was to use this content to exchange for one-third of the Time Mystery tablet. But now it seemed that if the Witches helped with this task, everyone could get what they wanted.
“What? A poem fragment?”
Sylvia looked at Jialinna inquisitively. The latter already knew that Xia De was also pursuing the Chosen One, so she wasn’t particularly surprised:
“Xia De’s intelligence is always so well-informed. If that’s the case, Sylvia, you must get that book. Not a copy; bring the book to the Council. His Excellency the Speaker will be very pleased.”
Sylvia also understood the book’s importance to the Council:
“If it’s a poem fragment, yes, I will bring it. It’s worth the risk. However, I can only do this after reaching Tobesk. I don’t want to cause any complications before the delegation departs.”
“No problem, just as soon as possible. Although this information was provided by Xia De, all the credit goes to you. I won’t get involved.”
The red-haired Great Witch said again, essentially using Xia De’s intelligence to gain a favor and further solidify their relationship.
“Duchess, thank you for your generosity.”
Sylvia said softly, then asked Xia De:
“Hamilton, are you available to meet tomorrow morning? I have some questions about the spatial Miracle you used.”
“Alright.”
Sylvia informed Xia De of the time and place for their meeting tomorrow, then left the Council. Xia De and Jialinna did not stay long either. After returning to the study in the manor in Tobesk’s southern suburbs, Xia De was still pondering his relationship with the new Great Witch. Jialinna smiled and said:
“Sylvia is definitely not just investing in Margaret Anjou.”
“Does she really want to help that princess contend for the throne? Leaving aside Cerces’s reaction, can she truly avoid being discovered by the Church?”
“What if she only provides help through ordinary means?”
Jialinna snorted, telling Tifa to prepare some snacks:
“Young Sylvia is smarter and more capable than most people I know. Relying on the influence of the Great Witches of the Council, plus her long-term mental influence and control over Margaret Anjou—don’t misunderstand, I mean suggestion. In short, given the current situation in Carson Rick, she really might succeed. At least, the probability is much higher than Leia becoming the Queen of Delarion.”
Because the Cavendish Royal Family of the Delarion Kingdom had too many descendants, and most of them were very capable.
Xia De held Mia, who was sleeping soundly in his arms, and hesitated for a long time. It wasn’t until Tifa and the maids came over with trays of pastries that he asked:
“The Council, is it really not a conspiracy to control the world?”
After asking, he chuckled himself:
“It just feels like the Witch Council of the sixth epoch seems to have inherited the Council of the fifth epoch, wanting to recreate its past glory.”
“Have you met any members of the fifth epoch Council?”
Jialinna, on the contrary, asked curiously. Xia De thought for a moment:
“No, the Felianna I know is only an alternate councilor.”
“The Great Witches of the fifth epoch should know more about the Council. When you travel through past times, if you occasionally encounter them, you can ask similar questions.”
“Speaking of which, you’ve always wanted me to meet Felianna again. What questions do you want to ask?”
Xia De brought up the matter again:
“The key I’m going to activate in a few days is set for the fifth epoch, 5177, which is the end of the fifth epoch.”
“I want to inquire about the ‘Demigods’.”
“Demigods?”
Xia De was puzzled, and even Tifa, who was coming over with a tea tray, blinked in confusion.
The Duchess shook her head, resting her left hand on the soft sofa armrest, gazing languidly at the starry sky outside the window:
“Xia De, you once told me about the Witches in the Divine Wine Party who would even seek help from evil gods for power.”
“Yes.”
“I am also pursuing power, not just advancing from the current Thirteenth Ring to the Twelve Ring or even the Thirteenth Ring. I crave a higher power. That legendary, true limit for mortals. And in the distant fifth epoch, Mana Feilianna was one of the few who truly touched that power.”
The Duchess’s delicate face tilted slightly upwards. She raised her right hand towards the window, as if trying to grasp the distant moons in the starry sky. Her red lips moved slightly, and in a deep tone like the end of an opera, she sang her current thoughts:
“That is the true power.”
The Great Witches of the Witch Council indeed all had ambition, and the Witch’s singing was truly beautiful.
