Chapter 13: Interesting

“Alright.” Caroline nodded. “Do you have any other information about her? The more, the better.”

“Well…” Isabena lifted her hand. The motes of light circling her suddenly spun faster, then fell neatly, assembling themselves into a bumpy map—like mountains and rivers were folded into it. On the map, a long streak of light was darting forward so fast it almost left a trail. “She seems to be riding a very fast horse. Still on the road.”

Thud!

“Speaking of which, did you hear something strange? There’s been noise ever since I came in.” Caroline turned her head, trying to locate the sound, but found nothing after glancing around.

Isabena smiled and lifted her chin toward a corner of the room. “Probably a little guest. Come in!”

At her words, the previously empty wall rippled.

A door with no visible material slowly opened.

A tiny figure stood behind it—a timid little loli. Her long white hair fell from her narrow shoulders, revealing only flushed ear tips.

The purple eyes on her cheeks shimmered like grapes veiled in mist, bright enough to show the dew swirling inside.

Her eyelashes trembled, delicate as the wings of a frightened butterfly. She wore a coat clearly too big for her; the hem dragged on the ground, the sleeves so long they swallowed her hands.

Only one hand was visible, clutching the sleeve while raised high—almost as if she had wanted to knock, though her trembling legs made it hard to believe she had the courage to lift her arm at all.

Caroline stared at the suddenly appearing girl, frozen for a long moment before speaking. “…Who is she?”

Isabena also studied her for quite a while. Then she pinched her chin, her voice amused. “Oh~ oh~ You must be little Scarlet Night, right?

Caroline actually saw her once, though I’m sure she doesn’t remember.” She turned toward Caroline.

“Let me introduce her properly. This is one of the Tower’s ancient members—Night Witch Scarlet Night. Hehe, I was the one who named her back then. Isn’t it lovely?”

“Her? An elder?” Caroline’s eyes widened, disbelief written all over her face.

She might have been born later among witches, but in these eight hundred years, she had met every witch in the Tower.

There was no way someone with such seniority existed without her knowing.

“Nothing to be done about it.” Isabena shrugged. “

Little Scarlet Night is painfully shy. After I brought her back, she stayed in a small room on the seventh floor of the Tower and never came out.

It’s been centuries. Even I almost didn’t recognize her just now.” “Alright~ Little Scarlet Night, come over here and let big sis give you a hug.” Isabena opened her arms and waved gently.

But at some point, Scarlet Night had already hidden behind the door. Her hands clung to the frame, only half her head peeking out, cautiously observing the two inside—like a skittish kitten wary of strangers.

“Ahhh, does Little Scarlet Night not remember big sis anymore?” Isabena softened her voice. “Don’t be afraid, it’s me.”

“N–no… I… I…” Scarlet Night’s voice was as thin as a mosquito’s, trembling badly.

‘Aaaahhhhh… I’m going to die… They’re talking about Sister Qingcheng, right? What do I say so they’ll take me with them… I’m so nervous my tongue’s tying itself into knots…’

Isabena seemed to read her thoughts and smiled. “Oh~ oh~ I understand now. Little Scarlet Night wants to follow Caroline to the human kingdom, right?”

Scarlet Night jerked her head up, eyes brightening. She nodded frantically. “Mm! I… Scarlet Night wants to go with Caroline.”

Her mind was full of confusion. She hadn’t said anything—how did Isabena know? Isabena must be an angel!

“How did you know what she wanted to say?” Caroline couldn’t understand it. Even between the closest people, no one could deduce so much from two stammered words.

“This is simply the heart-to-heart intuition between beautiful girls~” Isabena blinked mischievously.

“Hss—” Caroline sucked in a breath. “Strange. Since when are your prophecies this accurate? Last time you gave me one, only the first point was right. Everything else was wrong.”

“Who knows~” Isabena squinted one eye and made a tiny gesture with her thumb and index finger. “Maybe my luck is just the teensiest bit better this time.”

“…Tsk. Amazing. Truly incredible, Isabena.” Caroline resisted the urge to roll her eyes and raised her hands to clap symbolically. Thousands of years old, the leader of all witches, and still this childish. Utterly helpless.

“Eh? Look, look!” Isabena suddenly pointed at the map. “

That child’s slowing down. Looks like she’s reached her destination. Little Scarlet Night, stop standing by the door and come in.”

“I… I’m scared…” Scarlet Night’s voice trembled more, her eyes fixed on the darkness inside the room. She shrank back instinctively.

“What’s there to be afraid of? There are no outsiders here, and no one will hurt you.”

Caroline stepped beside Isabena, eyes falling on the map.

The streak of light that had been racing moments ago was now almost still, resting within a city’s borders.

“So this is it…” Caroline murmured as she looked at the unfamiliar city outline. “Well, it has been centuries since I visited any human nation. Of course I wouldn’t recognize it.”

“So then, dear Caroline, ready for a thrilling grand adventure?” Isabena tilted her head with a smile.

“Of course. A request from you is…” Caroline paused, then turned to the girl at the door. “Hey. You, Night Witch. Are you coming or not?”

“Coming! C–coming…” Scarlet Night nodded quickly, still trembling.

“Alright, stop scaring her.” Isabena spoke as she tried to stand. But the moment she lifted her hand, her body swayed dangerously.

Caroline moved in an instant, catching her. Isabena’s weight was feather-light, her bones pressing sharply beneath the bandages—almost painful to the touch.

“Thanks~” Isabena leaned softly against her.

“I just saw you couldn’t stand. Honestly, in this condition, you’re still pushing yourself… Aren’t you afraid—” Caroline turned her face aside, her tone awkward.

“Alright, alright. I’m a witch. I won’t die that easily.” Isabena cut her off gently.

“…” Caroline didn’t continue. But her supporting hand tightened.

“Eh? Are you angry?” Isabena noticed her silence and quickly added, “Really now, you’re just as childish as I am.

Fine, fine, I won’t say it again. Little Scarlet Night, come.

Big sister will send you to play a game called ‘Truth or Dare.’ Remember—you must answer truthfully.”

She walked to the door, struggling a bit as she gathered Scarlet Night into her arms. The little witch’s body was soft and obedient, not moving around at all.

But when Isabena turned to return, she found Caroline already beside her—holding a white envelope without sealing wax, clearly freshly written.

“A leave letter. This trip might take a while. Please hand it to Princess Olivia for me.” In truth, Caroline had written it secretly the moment Isabena mentioned a Light Witch. She also served as the elf princess’s tutor; leaving without notice would be rude.

“Oh~ So the ‘important matter’ you mentioned was teaching the elf princess~” Isabena waved the envelope teasingly.

“…Nothing much. Just something only I can teach her. Enough. I’m leaving. Take care of yourself.” Caroline turned away, sounding a bit uncomfortable.

Before the last word finished, Caroline and the Scarlet Night in Isabena’s arms dissolved into two tiny motes of light. They drifted gently into Isabena’s palm.

In her other hand, she held Caroline’s leave letter.

She walked slowly to the center of the star map and placed the two motes onto it.

The moment they touched the map, they sank into it, moving toward the city.

“I know, I know…” Isabena murmured into the empty room. “You’re still the same. Caring, but always pretending otherwise.” “Mm~ mm~ But that’s also… quite interesting.”

Just then— Knock, knock, knock.

Isabena raised a brow and smiled. “The Tower is unusually lively today. Come in, come in!”

The door opened once more. Outside stood a simply dressed girl, a faint gray veil covering her face. Only a pair of pale-blue eyes showed—clear as the lakes in the elven forest.

“You are…?” Isabena frowned. She remembered every witch in the Tower, but this girl didn’t match any of them.

“It’s me.” The girl’s voice was soft, carrying the elves’ natural coolness. She lifted a hand and gently removed her veil, revealing a refined face, its features calm and cold.

“Oh~ Princess Olivia, what a rare guest. You wouldn’t come unless it was something serious, right?”

“Mm.” Olivia nodded. “I wish to go to a human nation. But I can’t let my people know. I need your help.”

She took out an envelope and handed it over. “And this leave letter—please give it to Teacher Caroline. I’ll be gone for around half a month. I’ll return quickly.”

After Olivia left, Isabena looked at her left hand—Caroline’s letter meant for Olivia.

Then at her right hand—Olivia’s letter meant for Caroline. She couldn’t help laughing, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“This is truly… far too interesting.”

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