She Is Not a Witch

Loranhil examined her status panel as she slowly settled onto the bed. Comparing the Demon Sequence to other sequences she knew, she had a faint realization. Demon Sequence abilities were generally few but highly focused, often reaching extremes in certain aspects like speed, lethality, strength, or toxicity.

Although typical Demon Sequences had many shortcomings and weren’t as well-rounded as hers, they were more dangerous than other sequences of the same level. Placed in mortal peril to emerge stronger, life-risking, blood for blood – perhaps this was the belief left behind by the pioneers of the True Red Empire era.

She got out of bed, drew back the curtains, opened the floor-to-ceiling window leading to the balcony, and stepped out.

A full moon hung in the sky, its silver light pouring over the world. The balcony floor, wicker chairs, small table, and railing were all coated in a faint silvery-white sheen.

She sat quietly at the small round table, occasionally hearing distant waves and tides gently lapping at the shore. The moonlit sea surface shimmered, rising and falling with the waves, flickering indistinctly.

Soft sea breezes swept through the night city, weaving through streets and alleys, sometimes carrying the fragrance of bay laurel trees. The small potted plants on the balcony trembled slightly in the breeze, swaying gently.

Smelling the faint scent of bay laurel in the air, Loranhil was unconsciously reminded of long ago, her first time boarding at school. It was a golden September when she entered, and several osmanthus trees below the dormitory filled the air with fragrance every time she entered or left the building. It was often near the Mid-Autumn Festival then, leaving her with a deep impression.

Once again, it was the season for Mid-Autumn reunions, but now those familiar faces were long gone. After completing this mission, she would likely leave Carithes, once again gaining freedom and solitude.

For some reason, she felt reluctant to leave. Although Chelsea often complained that she didn’t take care of herself, Chelsea had always been very caring and attentive.

She often visited the workshops in the association, curiously asking the craftsmen uncles about the functions of this and that, and many little bits of knowledge not found in books, like how to maintain wood to prevent insect infestation, or which shipping routes could only be taken in specific months.

When the guards were training, she would sit under a parasol to watch, often calling over a guard or two to tell them what they were doing wrong and how to improve, then enjoying the feeling of being admired as they looked at her in shock.

Sometimes she would hide in her little courtyard, telling the other maids not to follow, and tinker with some foods she liked, boiling or baking. She even wanted to try stir-frying, but was stopped by Chelsea, who rushed over, saying the noise was too much and would damage the young miss’s image.

Resting her arms on the round table, Loranhil recalled her various experiences since coming to the association and the gradually familiar faces. After the initial adjustment, she had always been loved and respected by everyone in the association, something she rarely experienced in her previous life.

It was said that she saved Carithes, but hadn’t she also been warmed by the people of Carithes, giving her a sense of home? From not knowing where anything was in her room at first, to now being able to walk through the mansion blindfolded without hitting a wall.

But all good things must come to an end. Meeting means there will be a day of parting, and she couldn’t live forever as Angus’s daughter. She was destined to seek her own world.

She wondered if everyone at Carithes would still like her as before in the future.

With these thoughts of nostalgia, she leaned on the round table and unconsciously fell asleep. The moonlight shone on her silver hair, a faint light flowing through it.

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The next day, the Agdelin family visited the Carithes Merchant Association.

Although the city gates and walls of Hopland were still controlled by the three major merchant associations, they didn’t prohibit others from entering or leaving. Even if they did, Carithes and the Helis family could still leave and enter the city through the harbor, making closure meaningless and likely to provoke resentment among the city’s residents.

Jelinc, the head of the Agdelin family, along with his daughter Rachel and sons Wayne and Daniel, stepped down from their carriage. The spacious courtyard had been cleaned, with no trace of the previous chaos, but guards still patrolled and stood watch everywhere to deal with any unexpected situations.

Although Jelinc had heard about the battle, it wasn’t until he saw the collapsed walls, broken battlements, and scorch marks that he realized how intense the fight two nights ago had been, with even Carithes’ interior caught in fierce combat.

Lacey, wearing a white dress with purple lace trim, greeted them in front of the great hall, displaying all the composure and elegance of a young lady.

“Lacey, it’s been so long~”

Rachel immediately grasped her friend’s hand, greeting her joyfully. If anyone in the Agdelin family was most concerned about Lacey, it was her.

Not only were they kindred spirits who got along well, but Loranhil had also gifted her a set of inheritance gems for her own sequence advancement path before leaving, from Sequence 1 to Sequence 7, complete and even more powerful than the Agdelin family’s own inheritance.

Such a precious gift naturally made her extremely grateful, but she dared not tell her father. Supernatural knowledge inheritance was extremely valuable and generally had rules against casual transmission to others. Although Lacey hadn’t mentioned anything when she left, Rachel didn’t dare speak carelessly about it, choosing to keep it secret.

During this time, she had already advanced to Sequence 2. Though her combat power was average, she could now fly on her own, which made her very happy and grateful.

“It’s been a long time, Rachel.”

Loranhil noticed that Rachel was now at Sequence 2 · Emerald Wind Messenger and congratulated her, making her even happier.

The men present looked at the jubilant Rachel with confusion. Was friendship between young women really this simple? They had only met a few times. Weren’t girls supposed to be easily jealous and scheming against each other?

Loranhil had Chelsea arrange dinner to entertain the guests, followed by more conversation and introductions.

The eldest son, Wayne, was captivated by Loranhil’s beauty, barely able to move his feet from the moment he saw her, and speaking less confidently than usual. Although Daniel was also entranced by Loranhil’s figure, his gaze was complex, as if hesitating over something.

After dinner, Loranhil met with Jelinc alone in the study. She knew that Angus’s good friend hadn’t come just to share a meal and maintain connections.

When Jelinc sat on the sofa, looking at the dreamlike girl standing by the window sill, he finally asked the question he had been suppressing for so long.

“What was the real reason for Angus’s death?”