Chapter 151: The Witch’s Misunderstanding

Alice Liddell was a little bewildered.

Why would a witch’s intuition activate here?

She was certain this chill stemmed from her witch’s intuition, and she could distinctly feel that its source was Jeanne Decker herself.

The chill was subtle, almost imperceptible, suggesting an uncertain threat.

Regardless, it implied a certain animosity from Jeanne Decker towards her.

Jeanne Decker’s behavior was also peculiar. Ever since Alice Liddell had entered, she had remained seated with her back to her, not once turning around.

“Um, is something wrong?” Alice Liddell inquired cautiously.

After an unbearable silence, Jeanne Decker finally turned. Alice Liddell noticed her face was flushed, bearing an expression of indignant shame.

“You… what kind of expression is that?” Alice Liddell was utterly bewildered.

To Jeanne Decker, however, those words took on a completely different meaning: ‘Is this the attitude one shows to their savior? Be a little more obedient! What’s with that rebellious look in your eyes?’

In her imagination, Alice Liddell’s face beneath the veil even wore a mocking smile.

“There are some things I must make clear to you. You’ve saved me three times, and I am truly grateful. I am willing to repay you, even if it means sacrificing my life.”

Jeanne Decker spoke with unusual solemnity, preparing to clarify her stance to Alice Liddell. “But I still have my bottom line. There are some things I cannot easily accept!”

Alice Liddell froze.

To her, Jeanne Decker’s words were drawing a line between them—because Alice Liddell was, after all, a witch.

This was not surprising. Jeanne Decker was a true imperial knight, even a Paladin canonized by the Church. The beliefs instilled in her since childhood could not be easily overturned.

Alice Liddell was precisely the witch regarded as an impious heretic by both the Empire and the Church.

Moreover, the charge forcibly leveled against Jeanne Decker when she was condemned to the stake was that of witchcraft—she had been falsely accused of being a witch.

“You… cannot accept a witch?” Alice Liddell asked calmly.

Jeanne Decker pondered for a moment before giving a rather indirect answer: “I’m not saying I completely reject it, but I am a Paladin, and you are a witch. Our beliefs are bound to have some differences.”

Having gradually witnessed the Church’s darker side, she no longer clung as fiercely to everything the Church had indoctrinated her with. She felt a need to re-examine the ‘heretics’ she had once condemned.

Yet, this did not mean she would accept everything associated with heresy. In her impression, witches seemed to hold a relatively indulgent attitude towards desire, caring little for so-called chastity.

Contrary to her initial misunderstanding, the actions of the witch before her fully confirmed this impression.

However, this was a point on which she absolutely could not easily yield. If the witch truly made such a request, it would be incredibly difficult for her to accept.

To Alice Liddell, the meaning of these words was, once again, different.

As a Paladin, Jeanne Decker truly found it difficult to abandon her faith and could not easily accept this witch.

Jeanne Decker was willing to repay the kindness in various ways, but she still wished to maintain her distance.

“Is that so? Well…” Alice Liddell lowered her eyes, her voice suddenly dropping. “I understand.”

A sharp pang shot through her heart. Despite her understanding, Alice Liddell was wounded by her friend’s thoughts, even if they were a misunderstanding.

Before reuniting with Jeanne Decker, she had been contemplating revealing her true identity and was incredibly excited about it.

After all, Jeanne Decker had lost her former status, and there was no longer any need for them to be adversaries.

Yet, the other party declared that her fundamental beliefs made it difficult to accept a witch. This was a profoundly heavy blow.

She tried to mask her emotions, but failed.

Her reaction left Jeanne Decker utterly stunned: ‘I mean, is it really necessary to be so distraught!?’

Through the veil, she couldn’t see Alice Liddell’s full expression, but she could at least see her eyes.

Alice Liddell’s pitiful gaze was hard to witness without feeling guilty. For a fleeting moment, Jeanne Decker even had the self-reproachful thought: ‘I’m truly not human.’

‘No, no!’ Her rationality pulled her back in time.

‘I merely rejected those shameless demands in advance. Is it really necessary to look so pathetic!?’

Jeanne Decker was deeply shocked. Could it be that this witch’s feelings for her were serious?

‘No, not necessarily. Witches are skilled in魅惑, so I mustn’t be easily deceived!’

Jeanne Decker hardened her resolve and spoke earnestly: “I apologize, but even if you try to look pathetic or use your abilities on me, I will not yield!”

‘Look pathetic? Use abilities on you? Is that how you see me?’

Alice Liddell looked up sorrowfully. Hearing such words when she was already wounded truly saddened her this time.

‘Eh?’ Jeanne Decker’s head buzzed. She suddenly realized she seemed to have said the wrong thing.

‘You always used to get hung up on certain things. I truly don’t know whether to call it a strength or a flaw.’

Alice Liddell forced a bitter smile, but no genuine amusement reached her eyes.

‘Used to?’ Jeanne Decker blinked.

She had guessed correctly—this witch had indeed known her before!

“I understand. I will maintain my distance from you from now on.”

As Alice Liddell spoke, she pulled down her veil, revealing her face. “As promised, I’ll let you see my true appearance.”

“M-Miss Liddell!?” Jeanne Decker’s eyes widened.

“I am Alice Liddell. I am, in fact, a witch.” Alice Liddell replied coolly.

In that moment, Jeanne Decker finally understood why the witch had appeared so timely, time and again. The two times the witch had saved her before, she had been with this very Alice Liddell!

However, this did not explain everything, especially Alice Liddell’s motivation.

‘But… why? We’ve only met a few times. Why would you be so good to me?’

Even knowing her true identity, Jeanne Decker remained utterly confused.

Indeed, she and Alice Liddell knew each other and had a certain acquaintance, but such a shallow connection could never warrant three life-saving acts.

“There were indeed other reasons,” Alice Liddell replied dispassionately. “But since you insist on keeping your distance from me, a witch, I have nothing more to say.”

If Jeanne Decker could not overcome this mental hurdle, there was no need to reveal that she was Levi. Saying it would only add to the awkwardness. Not saying it might preserve the preciousness of past memories.

Moreover, and most importantly, she had her own temper.

Jeanne Decker noticed Alice Liddell’s distinctly colder attitude and cautiously asked, “Um, are you angry?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“Do you think that’s possible?” Alice Liddell retorted.

Jeanne Decker was momentarily speechless.

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