She Is Not a Witch

Chelsea’s cold voice immediately dampened these people’s hopes. What the head maid said was indeed correct, but they were human too and wanted to survive.

“Please, you can lock us up if you want, just don’t send us away. We can work for the association in the future.”

“Yes, just tie us up and give us some food, please, kind and beautiful Young Miss Lacey.”

Several of them began pleading again, but the head maid remained unmoved and prepared to send them away.

“Wait, Chelsea,” Loranhil stopped the head maid beside her.

“You can stay, but I have some questions that I need you to answer truthfully.”

Loranhil recalled Bard’s description of Gretet that night, feeling somehow familiar.

Gretet came from Nid County in Western Wind, exactly where Pullman and his group had started their uprising. His words and actions could be said to be at odds with the current society, which made Loranhil suspect he might be from Western Wind’s rebel army.

“Are you all locals, or from elsewhere? Also, who was very close to Gretet? Does anyone come from his hometown?”

“I hope you can recall carefully and answer my questions truthfully, without lying or concealing anything,” Loranhil emphasized again.

The group before her was surprised, and after slow recollection and consideration, they began to gradually answer the girl’s questions.

“Gretet came several months ago…”

“He usually had many friends, including…” another person began to recall slowly.

“Besides Bard, there was another fellow countryman from Western Wind who was close to him.”

“Did that countryman come with him?” Loranhil asked curiously.

“Yes, but that person was quite reserved and usually kept a low profile. If we hadn’t thought carefully, we might have forgotten about him.”

“What’s his name, and where is he?”

“His name is Wood, and he lives in the area near the harbor.”

“Do you know the exact location?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, you can rest well tonight. Tomorrow, take me to see this Wood.”

Loranhil instructed, then had the guards find a room for them and prepare some food and hot water.

“Young Miss…” Head Maid Chelsea still seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

“It’s alright, Sister Chelsea. Just have a few guards watch over them.”

“Yes, you can even lock us in the room if you want,” these people eagerly offered, fearing the young miss might be persuaded by the cold head maid.

“Very well,” Chelsea finally yielded to Loranhil’s decision, as she was the family head after all.

Then they began arranging accommodations and other matters for these people.

After this, the night deepened, and Hopland was immersed in tranquil darkness. The usually busy docks had been much quieter these past two days, with large ships gently rocking with the tides at the harbor, and waves lapping against the beach creating a watery sound.

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The next day, the Agdelin family visited Master Helan, the current leader of the White Orchid Cross Sword. This master, who had been at Sequence 6 for many years, received the Agdelin group in his family courtyard.

“Old Master Helan, it’s been a long time.”

Jelinc greeted this master warmly as soon as he entered. In his youth, he had studied swordsmanship with the White Orchid Cross Sword for a while. Though he had never formally become an apprentice, he had known Master Helan for a long time, back when Helan wasn’t yet the leader of White Orchid Cross Sword.

“It’s been a while, Jelinc. I wonder if your skills have deteriorated?”

The old master with graying beard smiled, and the two briefly embraced before walking together into the open-air venue in the courtyard.

On the lush grass were tables covered with white cloths, laden with abundant and exquisite food including pastries, fruits, roasted meats, and seafood.

The venue was mostly filled with young people from White Orchid Cross Sword, as well as visiting guests friendly with the sect.

Soon, a rather tall young man approached, surrounded by companions. This was Nell, Master Helan’s most promising disciple and Rachel’s betrothed.

He seemed somewhat unskilled in conversation, with a rather stern expression. After politely greeting Rachel, he had little else to say, much to the dismay of his junior disciples.

Rachel carefully observed her fiancé. He had a tall, straight posture, with large hands and long finger bones, appearing very capable—seemingly the type of ascetic practitioner who cared little for the outside world beyond his training.

The young woman’s thoughts wandered, feeling a bit disappointed but also relieved. Though not the handsome and dashing young man of her dreams, he clearly wasn’t the type to have bad habits.

They exchanged a few words, mostly with Rachel asking questions and Nell answering. After a while, both felt the conversation growing dull and awkward, so they parted ways.

On the other side of Hopland, Loranhil was also led by the group from yesterday to find Wood, Gretet’s fellow countryman.

One of them knocked on the door, and after a while, a man wearing a hat carefully opened a crack in the wooden door. Seeing it was someone familiar, he then opened it fully.

“Why have you come?”

This person called Wood had a very ordinary appearance, quite different from the handsome Gretet. If thrown into a crowd, he’d probably be indistinguishable after a while.

“I asked them to find you,” a girl’s voice came from behind the group. A figure in a black robe stepped forward, then removed her hood, revealing clear eyes and soft hair—it was Loranhil.

Wood seemed very surprised, his usually calm expression flickering slightly. It took him a moment to regain his composure.

Looking at the people around the girl, he understood that trouble had come knocking. But there was nowhere to hide now, was there?

He frankly invited Loranhil inside. The small room contained only a bed, a table, and two stools.

After a brief survey, Loranhil seemed to notice something. She turned around and introduced herself.

“I am Lacey, the current head of the Carithes Merchant Association.”

“Hello, Lady Lacey.” Wood, in his late twenties or early thirties, wore brown clothing and slightly bowed his head.

“Don’t worry, I mean no harm. I just want to learn about Gretet.”

Wood thought for a moment before answering.

“Gretet is my fellow countryman. Things have been difficult in Nid County recently. We both came south seeking a living, that’s true, but I don’t really know much about him.”

Loranhil looked at the man before her, knowing he was lying, as she had noticed many clues since entering.

But she couldn’t blame him, after all, his work did require secrecy.

After having everyone else leave and move away from the small house, Loranhil closed the door. In the dim room, only a few rays of light slanted through the window cracks onto the floor. In the quiet interior, occasional shouts could be heard from the nearby docks.

“I know what you’re worried about, but I’ll repeat: I mean no harm. On the contrary, I come with good intentions.”

With the girl’s words, she drew a star pattern on the table with her finger.

“Gretet’s comrade, Mr. Wood.”