She Is Not a Witch

Wood stood in front of the table, silently staring at the star for a long time before finally answering.

“You didn’t summon me just for Gretet’s matter, did you?”

“Indeed, I want to get in touch with Pullman,” Loranhil said with a slight smile.

Upon hearing this name, Mr. Wood was quite surprised. It wasn’t strange that his identity as a rebel from Western Wind had been exposed, but why would this young lady specifically ask to contact the leader of the rebellion? What was her purpose?

“But…” he seemed hesitant to speak.

Loranhil slowly paced around the room, addressing Wood’s concerns.

“Although you’re not yet recognized by the Snow Flower Seven Countries, I have more faith in you. Besides, I’ve met Pullman before.”

Loranhil’s fingers slowly traced the wall as she turned around. Her golden hair was divided by several beams of light, with tiny dust particles dancing in the light.

“I hope to send a letter to Pullman. Once he reads it, he’ll naturally understand who I am, as well as the help and advice I’m offering.”

It was just mailing a letter. Hearing this, Wood seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. In this situation, he couldn’t refuse, could he?

“I can help you contact our comrades in the north, but it might change hands several times before reaching Commander Pullman.”

“That’s fine. How long will it take?”

“At the quickest, 4-5 days. That’s the limit, even messenger birds need to rest,” Wood replied.

“Good enough.”

Then Wood took out some special paper, and Loranhil began to write.

This is all I can do for you now, Pullman.

With a strange sense of wonder, Loranhil used her pen to write on the paper in a special order, then drew a simple illustration at the bottom.

A small figure stood under a tree with a small box in front of it. Three things were popping out of the box: wheat, a book, and a fruit. Above the figure’s head was a shining star.

This should let him know it’s from me, Loranhil thought. Feeling it wasn’t enough, she drew a few mushrooms beside it, with what looked like ghosts floating above them.

Looking at this peculiar letter, Wood wondered if this was just a prank, but he dared not comment. Perhaps this young lady really did know Pullman?

After all, he had heard that Miss Lacey of Carithes grew up in Western Wind.

After finishing the letter, she handed it to Wood. He added some special markings before placing it in a bamboo tube. Then, he led Lacey to a grove by the shore. After a few special whistles, a somewhat plump bird flew over from the sea, still holding an unfinished fish in its beak.

Its brownish-gray feathers shook off some water droplets as it landed on a branch in front of Wood. It swallowed the small fish and made cooing sounds.

Looking at this chubby partner, Wood felt a bit embarrassed. It was all because the food in Hopland was too good – not only was there fish to eat, but also many food scraps scattered from the cargo.

“You use this kind of bird to deliver messages?”

“Yes, although it doesn’t fly very high, it has good endurance and is quite obedient and easy to take care of.”

Wood tried his best to find some positive points, not wanting the merchant association’s young lady to look down on him and the rebels.

Looking at this well-fed, sleepy bird, Loranhil nodded noncommittally.

After tying the letter to the bird’s leg, Wood seemed to have a hard time negotiating the reward with his companion. Then the bird took off, swaying as it slowly disappeared into the horizon.

After sending the letter to Pullman, Loranhil returned to the association and wrote another special letter. This letter contained many instructions and was directly recorded in a legacy jewel.

After writing, the legacy jewel was carried by a silver-winged warbler, which swiftly cut through the sky, flying towards the distant mountains and forests.

According to recent reports, the rabbit-eared tribe had completed training their new legion, and now it was time for them to take the battlefield.

Past humiliations, misfortunes, and contempt must be washed away by their own hands.

War would be like a giant hammer, shaking people’s hearts, constantly striking, forging, and tempering a nation’s character, recasting their own confidence, pride, and dignity.

Only through strength can one gain others’ respect.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Over the next few days, Hopland seemed to return to its usual peace, with no major conflicts occurring. Then one day, Loranhil suddenly received a letter and a messenger.

“Miss Lacey, I come as an intermediary on behalf of my family.”

Nell of the Agdelin family, dressed in proper attire, stepped down from the carriage, holding a special scroll of official documents.

The gist of the letter was a request for both parties to engage in peace talks. The location would be provided by the neutral and mutually trusted Agdelin family, at a seaside mansion. The time was set for tomorrow.

At the end of the letter were the seals of approval from the Tisphone, Anemis, Nisos, and Agdelin families. Behind Nell stood representatives from the other three merchant associations, ready to answer questions about the peace talk arrangements.

After inviting Nell to sit down, Loranhil asked, “Uncle Jelinc didn’t come?”

“Father has been busy dealing with some affairs and worrying about my sister’s marriage these past few days,” Nell replied calmly.

“I see. So Uncle Jelinc also agrees to the peace talks?”

“Yes, Father agrees as well. After all, this standoff is too dangerous to continue.”

“I understand.”

Loranhil lowered her head, looking at the teacup in her hand, then instructed Chelsea to contact the Helis family to discuss the location, time, personnel limits, and other matters regarding the peace talks.

By the time the Helis family representative arrived and the discussions were completed, it was already evening.

Loranhil didn’t participate in the discussions but instead stood alone on the gallery of the building. Lanterns hung along the corridor, and outside the gallery was a starless, moonless sky obscured by dark clouds.

The Agdelin family had always had good relations with Carithes, and there was a deep friendship between Jelinc and Angus. They were trustworthy people. Having them arrange the venue and act as intermediaries should put the young lady of Carithes at ease.

This kind of thinking was normal, especially since Jelinc’s son had come as the messenger, representing the Agdelin family.

Standing in the corridor illuminated by the flickering lantern light, Loranhil recalled the scene of her first visit to the Agdelin family. It was also like this, with a butler leading the way through a dim, long corridor, but she knew what happened afterward.

Since they want to achieve their goals this way, so be it, Loranhil thought. It’s also good to avoid casualties for Carithes.

She took out the [Shadow Candle] she had been carrying for a long time, a gift from that witch senior.

[Shadow Candle] (Perfect Coral grade): When lit, the ghostly flame can materialize things imagined by the user. The materialized objects last for three days, with a maximum quality of Gold grade. (The materialized items must be understood by the user.)

A dark blue flame rose from the candle, gradually spreading and enveloping her body. Then, a magnificent scarlet gown appeared on her, with azure frills decorating the sleeves, hem, and chest.

The extraordinary gown provided supernatural protection and strength, but the setting that it would disappear after three days was like Cinderella’s glass slippers in the fairy tale. What she needed to do was to resolve everything by her own hands before these glass slippers vanished.

Whether it was Angus’s regret, the sacrifices of Carithes’ people, or those innocent lives lost in the conflict, she would make these people pay the price, and return it a thousandfold.