Chapter 89: The Complete Witch of Light

As time passed, the number of light elements surrounding Peretti dwindled—not because they disappeared, but because they were slowly being absorbed into her body. Meanwhile, her magical power surged at an astonishing rate.

Third Tier of Starlight…
Fourth Tier…
Fifth Tier…
First Tier of Bright Moon!

After breaking through all the way into the Bright Moon rank, only a faint veil of light elements remained around her. She loosened her grip and looked at Vinika, who hung her head limply, unconscious. A haze clouded Peretti’s mind.

“So this is… the Witch’s Feast…”

Just as Feiye had said, the Witch’s Feast was very different from hunger. Her consciousness remained clear—she knew exactly what she was doing. Though there was still hunger, what dominated more was an inexplicable irritation rising from deep within.

Those chaotic noises felt like buzzing flies—annoying, unbearable. She wanted to smash everything around her.

She looked at her hands, clenched them tightly, and felt a strength far greater than before.

Peretti grasped Vinika’s injured wrist, and a gentle stream of light flowed into her body.

“It’s over? Faster than I expected.”

At some point, a small figure with shoulder-length green hair and golden eyes appeared behind her. Arms crossed, she stood there with over a hundred emerald spears floating silently behind her—identical to the one Peretti had thrown earlier. Her gaze was filled with dissatisfaction.

She looked like a miniature version of Caroline.

“You’re… Xiaolu?”

“Who else would it be? You made such a huge mess—I was worried sick!”

Xiaolu walked up to Peretti and carefully examined her condition.

“First Tier of Bright Moon… tch, that high? Did you take some kind of drug or something?”

She looked thoroughly displeased. After all, Peretti was just a newly awakened witch, yet her mana capacity had already surpassed that of an alchemical creation like herself.

“What, jealous?”

“As if. Since you’re recovered, hurry up and take this one and leave. I’ll cover the rear.”

“Cover the rear?”

Almost as soon as Xiaolu became alert, more than a dozen dark figures appeared in the distance.

They wore uniform red-and-black outfits, golden emblems on their shoulders, long blades at their waists, and crimson cloaks billowing in the wind.

Among the three leading them, one face was familiar.

It was Irene.

She gripped her blade tightly, her gaze trembling as she looked at Peretti, filled with disbelief.

“The Regulation Squad? How did they get here?” Peretti asked, puzzled.

Xiaolu bristled in anger, clenching her fists and pointing viciously at the massive light spheres Peretti had left behind.

“And you still have the nerve to ask?! Look at what you’ve done! Do you have any idea how eye-catching those things are? If I hadn’t stalled them, they would’ve reached you already!”

“I see. Thanks.” Peretti casually patted Xiaolu on the shoulder.

As the members of the Regulation Squad watched Peretti walk forward calmly, their expressions grew tense. Sweat dampened their hair, and their hands trembled slightly on their weapon hilts.

Their original mission had been simple: protect civilians and assist evacuation. But after the appearance of those light spheres, their orders were changed—to hunt the witch.

A witch.

A being of terrifying power.

With a mere gesture, mountains could turn to dust. A single spell could destroy the heavens and the earth. One person alone could rival an entire city. Their mana far exceeded that of humans, paired with absolute affinity for a single element.

A monster.

That was the only word fitting.

Until now, these had only been exaggerated legends—stories passed down for over a century without a single eyewitness. But now, seeing it with their own eyes, they finally understood—

It was all real.

“Hey~ Irene, long time no see. You don’t look so good. Anna’s here too—what a coincidence.”

Peretti swept her gaze across the group, speaking lightly as she took a deep breath.

“Peretti? Why are you here… and why are you standing with that person?” Irene’s shoulders trembled uncontrollably. The others could clearly tell there was history between them.

“…You really are a fool.”

Peretti’s expression turned cold.

Her identity could no longer be hidden.

She had already said those things to Aerbana, and now Irene had seen her like this.

Rather than make excuses, it was better to reveal everything—to sever this relationship completely.

Dispel was dead.

That name could no longer protect anyone, nor change anything, nor achieve what she once wanted.

Standing here now was only the Witch of Light—

Peretti.

It was time to say goodbye.

And if so… she might as well make it final.

“Let me introduce myself,” she said calmly. “I am the Witch of Light, Peretti. That is my real name. As for why I boarded that train—it was for personal reasons.”

“So… you’ve been lying to me this whole time?!” Irene demanded.

“Yes.”

Irene’s trembling paused for a moment.

“Captain…” Anna stepped forward, her voice full of concern.

The two leaders beside Irene also looked at her, their expressions complicated.

Irene raised a hand, signaling she was fine. Then she straightened up, drawing her blade with a flash of cold light.

“Regulation Squad, Fourth Unit Captain—Irene Shirlin. I swear… I will kill you, Witch Peretti!”

At her words, everyone present drew their weapons and took their stances.

All of them were weapon-artists—fighters who specialized in single-point breakthroughs. Compared to traditional mages, they excelled in close combat and could unleash their full strength even in confined spaces, making them ideal for field missions.

“Regulation Squad, Eighth Unit Captain—Tamiya Harvey!”

“Regulation Squad, Sixth Unit Captain—Nar Diaz!”

The two captains beside Irene stepped forward, weapons drawn, eyes blazing as they locked onto Peretti.

Unlike Irene, they had arrived as reinforcements after hearing reports of a witch appearing in Falisa.

A witch’s individual strength was terrifying. To prepare for this unknown threat, Aerbana had issued a request for aid under her brother’s name. Due to limited nearby forces, only these two squads had arrived in time.

“Aren’t you afraid of death?” Peretti asked.

“If we feared death, we wouldn’t wear this uniform!”

“…Good.”

Peretti nodded slightly.

With a flick of her finger, a deafening rumble echoed in the distance. The previously suspended light spheres responded to her call, rapidly flying back toward her. As they approached, their enormous forms shrank—from the size of buildings to small spheres no larger than a fist, hovering around her.

Irene couldn’t help but tense.

She had felt their power firsthand—far beyond what their small size suggested. Even without touching them, the emitted light alone could reduce a person to ashes.

“Xiaolu, keep an eye on Vinika.”

“Hey—what, are you planning to hog the spotlight all by yourself?”