She Is Not a Witch

“Angus and his daughter Eileen were killed by assassins from the Tisphone family.”

Loranhil slowly sat down on the sofa opposite Jelinc and began to recount her experiences since coming to Hopland, as well as the ambitions of the Tisphone family.

When Loranhil mentioned the Tisphone family’s new firearms, Jelinc furrowed his brow slightly. He picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, then asked:

“Do you know where they got those firearms from?”

Jelinc seemed familiar with these new weapons.

“They should have been imported from Ruluna, then secretly transported by the Nisos family’s fleet.”

After hearing Loranhil’s answer, Jelinc fell into thought, unconsciously interlacing his fingers and slowly tapping the back of one hand with the other.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

“Niece Lacey, I’m afraid this matter isn’t so simple.”

“Firearms, or rather inferior versions of magic crystal guns, are still in the experimental stage even in Ruluna. Magic crystal guns are Ruluna’s cutting-edge research direction, with various security measures firmly in place.”

“Even after our agreement with Ruluna earlier this year, very little information on this has been shared externally. Ruluna officials also claim these are still experimental weapons, unstable and not for sale abroad.”

“The Tisphone family wouldn’t pay an exorbitant price for a new type of weapon still in the experimental stage, especially not for an inferior version.”

“Although firearms are stronger than previous bows and crossbows, they don’t reach the level of silver-grade supernatural artifacts, yet their manufacturing costs are no lower than silver-grade items. It’s definitely a loss-making business.”

“People might do life-threatening business, but no one would engage in a loss-making industry.”

“Unless these new weapons were free or very cheap.”

“Only top-level factions within Ruluna could provide experimental weapons to the Tisphone family.”

“Once they get involved, it means the balance and tacit understanding between the Snow Flower Seven Countries is about to be broken.”

Jelinc expressed his greatest concern.

“Could it be that Ruluna considers the firearms unsuccessful and is casually disposing of them?” Loranhil asked.

“No, I’ve been to Ruluna with Angus and representatives from other major merchant associations. Those mages value technology extremely highly. Even within the country, it’s divided into several factions that don’t easily share core knowledge externally. Generally speaking, whichever academy you graduate from naturally labels you with a certain faction’s tag, and if you want to learn from other factions, you’ll face many obstacles.”

“Doesn’t that limit technological development?”

“Yes, but they have their reasons.”

“This is valuable data obtained through generations of experimentation and accumulation by their teachers and their teachers’ teachers, involving countless people’s efforts and resources. Why should they let you see it unconditionally? So, it’s very difficult for people outside a faction to learn about other factions’ cutting-edge technologies.”

“Then what about this year’s agreement?” Loranhil asked, puzzled.

“Well, the agreement allows us to purchase artifacts from various factions without restrictions, but they won’t tell us how these things are made.”

“For merchants, as long as the price is reasonable, this is acceptable,” Jelinc replied.

“Actually, your earlier deduction might be true. Ruluna has likely started interfering in Vegar’s internal affairs. As for Yuberei, being closer to Ruluna, it’s very possible they’ve already succeeded there.”

“In other words, given time, you’ll not only face the alliance of Tisphone and the other two families in Hopland but also enemy reinforcements from Yuberei.”

“Whoever is plotting in the shadows, gaining control of all of Vegar would maximize their benefits. They won’t give up on Hopland.”

“So, my ‘niece’ Lacey, Angus’s entrusted person, are you prepared?”

Saying this, Jelinc slowly unclenched his hands, picked up his teacup again, and took a sip to moisten his throat.

Looking at this middle-aged man about Angus’s age, calmly holding his teacup, Loranhil smiled.

“Since you put it that way, clever Uncle Jelinc, you must have a solution in mind.”

“So don’t keep me in suspense, please tell me.” Loranhil blinked her eyes, rarely acting a bit coy.

“Hahaha, am I that easy to read?”

Jelinc laughed with a hint of pride, then without further delay, began to speak.

“Back then, Angus and I became successful thanks to a stroke of luck. We discovered an ancient ruin and handed it over to the mages of the Crescent Moon Council. From then on, we established connections and obtained trade permits for the Southern Islands that many major merchant associations didn’t have at the time, and our fortunes soared.”

“If you’ve studied the history of the two countries, you’d know that Ruluna and the Strawberry Moon Kingdom have long been at odds. Although both are mage countries, they view each other as heretics. This is why the Crescent Moon and Red Berry United Kingdom refused to join the Snow Flower Seven Countries back then.”

“Both countries believe they are the rightful heirs to the former Oz Country, and they’ve been arguing about it for hundreds of years.”

“Carithes’ rise can be attributed to the support of the Crescent Moon Council. If you seek help as Angus’s heir and explain that this is due to pressure from Ruluna, they might not help you defeat Yuberei, but they can definitely help you keep Hopland.”

“Because they also don’t want to see their opponent expand their territory and power so recklessly.”

Jelinc pointed out a clear path for Loranhil.

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After the banquet, as the Agdelin family prepared to leave, Rachel pulled Loranhil aside for a private conversation.

“Lacey, if things get too difficult, just take a ship and leave. I heard my father say that Carithes established quite a few branch offices in the Southern Islands years ago. Although they’ve been neglected in recent years, they’re still usable. At least you could keep yourself safe there.”

She looked at her friend with concern. Although Rachel had many familiar faces around her since childhood, this was the only one she could truly talk to about anything.

“Thank you, Rachel.”

Loranhil hugged her friend, feeling a warmth in her heart, then said:

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect myself.”

“Have you been practicing with what I gave you before?” Loranhil whispered in her ear.

“Yes, it’s amazing and powerful,” Rachel’s eyes lit up as she said this.

“So, since I could give you that information, I’m certainly not weak either. Don’t worry about me. As for yourself, you shouldn’t linger in Hopland during this time. Come back when everything has settled down.”

“Mm, I understand.” Rachel nodded, then let go, preparing to leave.

“Well then, see you later, Lacey.”

“Mm, goodbye.”

Loranhil waved her hand, watching as the Agdelin family boarded their carriage and slowly departed.