She Is Not a Witch

Fireworks bloomed in the sky as Hopland’s residents and tourists remained immersed in the festive atmosphere. However, in the city’s secluded corners, an undercurrent began to stir.

Hurried figures moved swiftly through the streets, knocking on closed shops and doors, opening long-sealed warehouses.

A middle-aged man who had just gone to bed opened his door drowsily, wondering who could be knocking so late.

A dusty figure stood at the doorway, wearing a short robe, their face indistinct in the dark night.

“Are you Emerson?” the unexpected visitor asked concisely.

“Yes,” the middle-aged man replied, puzzled about who would seek him out so late.

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, the robed person raised a parchment scroll and said:

“The Tisphone family once helped you. Now it’s time to fulfill your promise.”

In the light of a brass lantern, clear black writing on the parchment revealed a summons, signed by the head and heir of the Tisphone family.

At the bottom of the scroll were three bright red seals: ‘A dagger piercing a skull,’ ‘A seven-colored jeweled flower,’ and ‘A tilted wine bottle,’ representing the most powerful merchant associations in Hopland—the united voice of Tisphone, Anemis, and Nisos.

Seeing the alarming red seals, the middle-aged man instantly awoke, all traces of sleepiness gone. He asked with a shocked expression:

“Is it happening now?”

“Yes. Bring your weapons, wear your armor, lock your doors, draw a symbol of three crossed long swords on your door, then immediately assemble at the Tisphone Merchant Association.”

“If you don’t have weapons or armor, the association will provide them, though they might not fit perfectly.”

“Alright, I understand.”

The middle-aged man nodded solemnly. The messenger, seeing his task accomplished, didn’t linger but immediately left for the next house.

The man rushed back to his bedroom, quickly lifted the floorboards to reveal a low, long, locked wooden chest underneath.

Opening the lock, he found a large sword and a set of chain mail wrapped in oiled paper. He immediately began removing his unsuitable outer garments and started putting on the armor.

“Dad, what’s happening? I hear a lot of noise from your room,” a young girl’s voice came from the adjacent room.

The man hesitated, then continued donning the chain mail while warning: “I need to go out for a while. I’ll lock the door. Remember, no matter what happens outside tonight, don’t open the door.”

“What’s wrong? Dad…”

A little girl in a light-colored nightgown opened her door, eyes widening in surprise as she saw her father in chain mail, holding a gleaming two-handed sword.

“There’s no time to explain, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be back in a few days. There’s food in the cellar, don’t let yourself go hungry. And most importantly, don’t open the door for anyone, no matter who it is or what sounds you hear. Understand?”

“I understand,” the little girl nodded obediently, looking at her father.

“Good, good. My sweet Susanna.”

The middle-aged man looked at his sensible daughter, embracing her with his rough, calloused hands, then lovingly stroked her head.

Afterwards, he took out a white chalk and drew three crossed long swords on the door, instructed his daughter to lock the door from the inside, and finally rushed into the night without looking back.

Similar scenes unfolded across Hopland. Carriages bearing the emblems of the three major merchant associations sped through the streets, forcing street vendors and tourists to hastily make way.

Among Hopland’s top five merchant associations, apart from the newly risen Carithes family of the past decade or so, the others were deeply entrenched, accumulating countless connections and relationships over more than a hundred years. It was within expectations that Angus would be set up in his time; if not for Madam Mela, there would have been a Madam Shera or Madam Mora, and so on. If Angus hadn’t prepared in advance, the newly promoted Carithes might not have been able to contend with the Helis family.

The powers of the major merchant associations in the city were intricately intertwined, with external personnel infiltrating each other’s ranks. As soon as these three families made their move, the Helis family immediately received the news.

“Young Miss, the other three families in Hopland have suddenly started gathering their people. Our informants say they’ve even prepared weapons and are ready for battle at any moment.”

In the dim candlelight, Melu, wearing her nightgown, had just walked out of her bedroom. Several messengers stood outside her door, along with the family’s guard captains, awaiting orders.

Although uncertain of the other three families’ specific goals, one thing was clear: they must be targeting Carithes and the Helis family, as these were the only two merchant associations in Hopland worthy of such a large-scale mobilization.

Melu’s expression was grave. Upon hearing the news, she issued orders without hesitation:

“Send messengers to notify Carithes immediately. Make sure they understand the severity of the situation. Ring the great bell to wake everyone in our association. As for our old friends, those we’re on good terms with, and frequent collaborators in the city—send familiar faces to notify them one by one. Tell them to move to our association headquarters immediately. The reason: there will be internal strife in Hopland tonight, and the Helis family will protect them.”

“Tell each family twice. If they still won’t listen, leave them and move on to the next.”

“Yes, Young Miss,” the senior managers who received the order immediately sprang into action.

“Also, send people to open the association’s underground warehouse. Bring out all the weapons and armor to distribute among our people. You disciplined guards, each lead a team of ordinary personnel. Every experienced guard is a team leader. Organize all the people in the association immediately.”

“Your will be done, Young Miss,” several guard captains hurried out.

Melu then turned to the only remaining personal guard captain, a Sequence 4 being who was her mother’s brother’s son—her cousin.

“Brother Gerald, please organize people to guard the main gate tonight. I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t worry, Melu. I’ll protect you,” the guard in dark gold armor looked at his sister reassuringly, promised, then quickly walked out, leaving behind a broad-shouldered silhouette.

Melu stood by the window in the corridor, watching as an urgent bell rang out in the courtyard. Scattered lights came on, and running figures appeared everywhere. The sounds of armor clashing, footsteps, shouts, and items being moved filled the night air.

“Young Miss, how can you still be wearing such thin nightclothes? This won’t do.”

The head maid walked up the stairs, calling out loudly to Melu, who was still standing by the corridor window.

“I remember the master kept a few pieces of supernatural soft armor. I’ll find them for you right away. You’re the family head now. If anything were to happen to you, the Helis family would truly be finished.”

“It’s alright, Aunt Liger. I trust everyone.”

“Besides, if even I am facing swords and blades, then the Helis family’s fate is already sealed.” Melu turned her head, her silhouette in the silver moonlight appearing somewhat desolate.

“No, you must put it on. This is no time to be stubborn like when you were little. The master doesn’t dare manage you now, but I do. I raised you, after all.”

The head maid forcibly pulled Melu back to her bedroom, still talking:

“I’ve spent more time caring for you than for my own children. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

As Melu was pulled along, though she didn’t verbally acknowledge it, tears began to glisten in the corners of her eyes.