She Is Not a Witch

Whoosh——

A signal arrow shot into the sky, catching the attention of the Anemis family. Several more arrows followed, launched from within the Helis family compound, clearly carrying rolled papers. They landed among the Anemis ranks.

Attendants retrieved these message arrows, quickly scanned their contents, and hurried to report to the family’s upper echelons.

In the light of the yellow flames, the messages were examined by professionals before being handed to Family Head Noys. He held them up to the firelight, scrutinizing them carefully.

“It seems the Tisphone family’s people have succeeded. Our assistance wasn’t in vain after all.”

“Should we continue the attack now? What if they truly become desperate and release that fire that can’t be extinguished by water, setting the entire city ablaze…”

Several advisors expressed their concerns. If it truly came to mutual destruction, Anemis wouldn’t be spared either.

“Quickly relay these messages to the Tisphone family. They’re responsible for this, and they should know Melu’s whereabouts. Besides, I believe Tisphone likely has more cards up their sleeve.”

“They started this, and they stand to lose the most.”

Noys ordered the messages to be delivered to Tisphone by fast horsemen, then began issuing more instructions.

“Elan, Bazel, take the family’s 600 cavalry to escort Fenrai out through the west gate. Observe from the hilltop. If things look bad, don’t try to help—leave immediately and head east to Ruluna after circling around. Understood?”

“Yes, Lord Noys!”

The two cavalry leaders began gathering their subordinates, while Fenrai was ushered into a carriage by maids, seemingly reluctant.

“Father!” she wanted to stay.

“My dear child, I’m just preparing for the worst. If Hopland truly burns down, our other branches can be preserved. As long as you live, Anemis still has hope.”

Noys looked at Fenrai with doting eyes, comforting her before having the carriage door closed and sending them on their way.

Upon receiving the message, the Tisphone family’s council hall fell into brief silence.

“What should we do, Edmond? Should we stop?” Vic asked, removing his glasses to clean them meticulously. Though he asked, he seemed to already know the answer.

“Stop? How could we?” Edmond chuckled.

“What we’re doing now—if we fail, it means death for us and destruction for our family. Even the organization could at best protect our younger brother Abel. You and I wouldn’t survive.”

“Announce to the whole city that the Helis family threatens to burn everything down, while we only seek to punish the wicked. Anyone who surrenders will not be harmed and can leave safely.”

“Do they think they can just burn the city as they please? Hopland has no shortage of hidden experts. Besides, this gives us a perfect excuse. Should I thank you or hate you for this, Gerald?”

Edmond rested his chin on his interlocked hands, instructing a nearby attendant.

“Send more people to urge the Nisos family. Tell them to attack Carithes from the west. If I don’t hear news of their attack within half an hour, they can forget about future benefits.”

“Yes, Lord Edmond.”

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As news spread, smaller organizations within Hopland began to stir.

Some agreed to assist Tisphone in quickly overtaking the Helis family. Others argued that Tisphone should halt and release Melu to prevent the situation from escalating. Some simply prepared to leave the city overnight, escaping this troubled place.

As these groups hesitated, the Nisos family finally began their assault.

Three heavy, sturdy ox carts were linked together, carrying a massive stone pillar as thick as five men’s embraces. Eight Sequence 2 · Black-Horned Raging Bulls, each taller than a man, pulled the carts.

The heavy wheels ground against the bluestone-paved streets, producing a teeth-grinding sound. As these giant bulls stepped forward, the huge stone pillar swayed and accelerated. The muffled footsteps sounded like a giant beast advancing.

As they neared the wall, supernatural beings from the Nisos family cut the ropes tethering the carts. The giant bulls moved aside while the massive stone pillar, carried by the carts’ momentum, smashed straight into Carithes’ surrounding wall.

Crack——

With the sound of shattering stone and brick, the huge pillar plunged into the wall, creating an enormous breach. Nisos family’s armed personnel rushed in with torches, clashing with the responding Carithes guards.

Atop the tower, Loranhil heard intense battle cries from behind. She turned to look towards the western rear of the association. Hundreds of gray-clad Nisos armed personnel had already poured into the courtyard, their weapons clashing with her side’s guard forces. Under the light of huge burning braziers, people frequently fell bleeding. The courtyard descended into chaos, filled with shouting crowds.

Can’t wait any longer! She made up her mind.

A massive colorless wind sphere began to gather above the tower, countless wind blades forming and swirling within.

Bang——!

Suddenly, a burst of fire fell from the sky into the enemy ranks. A thunderous explosion shook the entire city, followed by more blasts erupting throughout. Towering flames rose within the city, like the roar of an angry god.

“Fire!”

At the commander’s furious shout, hundreds of cannons roared in the night. Amid the intense thundering, the brief muzzle flashes revealed the silhouettes of long-sailed ships emerging from the darkness.

In the deep night beyond the harbor, warship after warship appeared, bringing with them a black tide that washed against the shore. This returning fleet filled the sea outside the port, hundreds of undulating ship hulls shattering the moon’s reflection. They aimed their cannons at targets within the city and continued firing.

[May the trade winds never cease, the long sails billow, and the treasures of the seven seas arrive as promised.]

As if to confirm the ancient proverb circulating in the Vegar region, Carithes’ three great fleets, riding the ocean’s trade winds and currents, returned as promised, arriving at the final critical moment.

Under the fierce bombardment, the headquarters of both the Tisphone and Anemis families were instantly engulfed in flames and chaos. Beneath collapsing buildings and high walls rose a cacophony of panicked shouts.

With the rising and falling tides, boat after boat rushed onto the beach. Fully armed warriors disembarked and began advancing in different directions.

Some charged towards the Tisphone family, while others rushed to reinforce Carithes.

The noisy city fell into disarray. This fresh force from the fleet immediately disrupted the previous arrangements. Various groups began to fight in alleyways, no longer in formation. The Nisos family members who had been advancing towards the Carithes Merchant Association headquarters faltered. Attacked by Carithes armed personnel from behind, caught between two forces, the advancing troops began to waver and hesitate.

In an instant, the situation within the city dramatically reversed.