Chapter 95: The Path of Promotion and a Grim Farewell

The word “promotion” had first reached my ears from a witch. Hearing it again from Rodd now marked the second instance.

“While witches certainly possess wondrous power,” Rodd explained, “most of them are quite weak when they first begin. Only through promotion do their abilities continuously strengthen.”

“This path, certain scholars knowledgeable about witches, refer to as—the irreversible journey to the devil.”

“As far as I know, there are two ways for witches to achieve promotion,” Rodd patiently explained.

“The first method involves fully mastering existing extraordinary powers, then creating a magic potion using a specific formula, and absorbing it under special conditions to achieve promotion.”

His words instantly brought to mind the very moment I had first become a witch.

Lulu had brewed a peculiar potion, then forcibly shoved me into it.

Could that method also be considered absorption?

“The other method is through absorbing the extraordinary substance left behind by a witch after their death. Some scholars believe that witches absorb the devil’s power from potions, and even upon death, that power—uncontained by this world—does not dissipate, but remains within their remains.”

He held the crystal-like heart I had given him, examining it closely.

“This crystal-shaped heart might just be what they refer to as the manifestation of the devil’s power. Truly wondrous.”

“Then… how does one absorb something like this? And what exactly is the purpose of promotion?”

My small face, fraught with worry, furrowed slightly. My teeth involuntarily nibbled at my pink lips, betraying a deep unease.

“I recall hearing of a method… Come, give me your hand.”

I hesitated for a moment before extending my hand, placing it upon his large, broad palm.

Compared to his, my hand looked like a mere toy—thin, frail, and utterly devoid of strength.

“It might sting a little. Try to bear with it.”

With that, he took a dagger and gently sliced a small cut onto the underside of my hand.

“Mmm…”

I watched as a pool of crimson blood welled up in my palm, slowly tracing the lines of my hand before dripping onto the crystal.

A wondrous sight unfolded. The heart-shaped crystal slowly absorbed the blood, and then, as if imbued with life, it began to throb softly.

“How incredible… What happens next?”

And then…

Rodd looked at me, a flicker of worry in his eyes, and shook his head.

“Let’s not talk about that for now. Just hold onto this heart-like object. Later, follow me, and we’ll run somewhere secluded.”

“As for why we must do this, it goes back to what I told you before: extraordinary powers will always attract one another.”

“That is to say, when you undergo promotion, all the witches in the vicinity will sense your transformation.”

“Sense my transformation? Wouldn’t that make the witch even harder to catch?”

I asked, bewildered.

“No, she will surely come. Unless that individual… can truly suppress the urge to plunder extraordinary power!”

“My Lord, Governor Sherlock instructed us to return as soon as possible if the target isn’t found.”

Several ugly-faced mortals knelt before me, their voices trembling like withered leaves in the wind.

“Your sudden request to turn back… this matter… it seems… it seems rather inappropriate?”

“Seems what?” I asked, my voice flat. “Inappropriate?”

They remained silent, yet their silence spoke volumes.

“Hehe…”

Inappropriate?

Utterly laughable!

Had these arrogant fools forgotten what kind of terrifying entity stood before them?

“Just now, you were the one who thought it inappropriate, weren’t you?”

I smiled, raising a hand to lightly caress the head of one of them. Under his horrified gaze, I twisted his head off as effortlessly as plucking a ripe fruit.

With a wet thud, blood gushed forth like a spring. I didn’t hesitate, catching the warm torrent and swallowing it mouthful by mouthful, as if it were fine wine.

“Mmm-hmm~”

I knew my current appearance must be an utterly terrifying spectacle in the eyes of those cowering on the ground.

But it was precisely this fear, only this fear, that could excite me.

What I desired was for them to fear me, completely and utterly!

“As if you could stop me anyway…”

I casually tossed the head aside. My eyes half-closed, I flashed what I believed to be a beautiful smile at them, though my voice dripped with mockery.

“Now, who among you wishes to be the traitor?”

No one dared to utter another sound. The remaining mortals prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, not daring to even breathe.

Mortals were, after all, mere mortals.

Even the slightest display of extraordinary power would make them subservient, like ants.

They bowed to authority when facing that fat man, and before an existence like me, they could only prostrate themselves before power.

I wasted no more energy on these insignificant beings. Every drop of blood in my body boiled, urging me to find that pitiful wretch undergoing “promotion.”

“Go back and tell that fat man that when I return, I will have a grand surprise for him.”

With a sneer of disdain, I turned and vanished into the night.

To lure the witch, Rodd placed me in the back seat of a carriage. He personally drove the horses, taking us to a grassy hillside.

I glanced around, realizing this was the very spot where I had encountered those beggars earlier.

With a dark moon and howling wind, and not a soul in sight, this truly was an ideal place for murder and burial.

“Why here?”

I nervously stared at Rodd’s broad back, unable to resist asking, “Shouldn’t we try to stay closer to the harbor? What if that witch doesn’t sense my promotion?”

“She will.”

Rodd’s voice was calm, yet resolute.

“As long as that witch is still on Moon Island, she will definitely sense it.”

“But what if she really doesn’t?”

I grew anxious.

“In that case…”

Rodd turned his head, his gaze deep and tranquil.

“You’ll come with me.”

“Go? Where to?”

“To sea.”

“To sea? Oh… you want me to be a pirate?”

I raised an eyebrow, attempting a joke to ease the tense atmosphere.

“You?”

Rodd chuckled, a hint of teasing in his tone.

“You’re not cut out to be a pirate.”

His voice softened, his words carrying a touch of comfort.

“I intend to open an inn on the other side of the sea. I do, however, need a… housekeeper.”

“A housekeeper?” I froze. “You think I’m suited to be a housekeeper?”

“Yes, weren’t you a housekeeper before?”

“Uh… that’s true, but you—”

“Aren’t you a pirate captain?” I asked, utterly bewildered. “How much money can opening a shop make? Can it compare to robbing?”

“Of course not,” Rodd said softly, his voice tinged with a newfound gravity. “But at least… no one will die.”

At this moment, a faint sorrow emanated from Rodd’s handsome face.

‘I don’t want to see familiar people die in front of me anymore.’

I was speechless for a moment, then finally asked, “Are you planning to disband your pirate crew?”

“That depends on their wishes,” Rodd shrugged. “But I plan to hand over the leadership to Second Sister.”

I paused, then realized he was referring to Miss Sharon.

“That child, I’ve trained her since she was young. Although she’s a woman, her methods and resolve are quite excellent.”

“Mmm-hmm… Wait a moment, are you going to retire—”

“Something like that,” Rodd admitted candidly. “I’m just taking this opportunity to say it.”

“You,” I stammered, then my eyes widened in unease. “Why are you saying this now?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” he countered with a raised eyebrow.

“Because… because it sounds too much like setting up a…”

“Like what?”

“It’s just—”

Before I could finish, a round of applause suddenly echoed from a distance.

Rodd and I immediately stopped talking, turning to look into the distance where a dark silhouette slowly approached.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… This is the first time I’ve seen a witch and a human in love. How incomprehensible~”

A chilling voice drifted from the darkness, laced with a hint of mockery.

“I, being kind-hearted, cannot bear to see separation, so…”

The voice drew out, full of scorn.

“I will send both of you… to your deaths together.”

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