Chapter 114: Lucy Philiaz
BOa“Who did you kill, you ask?”K6pYj9g
icSF0Lucy smiled calmly as she took a puff from her pipe.B5Ccv2
cvz3“Hmm, it would be wonderful if I could know something that convenient, little one. That way I could help these girls whenever they come to me for advice.”zPu
iaevInxLucy tapped the ashes into an ashtray.WeBO
leKoGf“But I do know the name of the person you killed recently.”edjEBBZ
aHCuMFBLucy snapped her fingers.eGSB
p5ESnap!AwIY
xglgThen one of the pillars covered in multiple layers of vines surrounding the garden moved toward the pavilion.5Tz
62hjWhen it got close enough to Lucy, the vines slowly began to unwind.3lH1
ut2Perda realized it was not a simple pillar.by8nHpq
EcY8AKIt was a crystal.zJc4
vaXLLike a mosquito trapped in amber, a woman was sealed inside the transparent crystal.bSaP1l
GU0“Little one, do you know this girl’s name?”R4PXeZo
AB6qpIt was a very simple question.0vRLUH
OZWI8LC“Echidna Philiaz.”6IP8
45U1oOIt was Echidna.iDVnS3
4mjFVWqShe wore an expression as peaceful as if she were lying in an open coffin before a funeral.eTdjzv
hqOCbpF“The rune you created left this girl in that state.”cOYWHy2
qVX35XLucy pointed at the crystal with a finger.J8B8l8
mnipEcK“If you have something to say, say it.”2TUEr
aiobvoHer tone made it clear that he should choose his words carefully.pPD
lmbDBtgWhile observing the scene, Perda asked,7SJ
Uo3e“Did she pass away without suffering?”kLd9XWD
FIciS2A completely indifferent tone.YY7cH9z
SB9uGnj“Ha.”r6w
2HeLucy’s laughter echoed throughout the pavilion.cVIs
XwWrf“Hahahahaha…”lrXcu1A
auZZkThe witches seemed to tense up upon hearing it.ylXLhK0
lvkDemonic energy spread outward.GNPCMi1
KW6AXpA pressure comparable to Dragon Fear swept through his entire body.ylgY0nC
FFeVbX“Little one, you are truly… truly shameless.”Rmygrze
viPLucy rose from her seat and descended the stairs.Lbw
X3eTo59“After killing a daughter of Philiaz, the only thing you ask is whether she died without suffering?”xb7FUE
Jn5TShe stopped in front of Perda.yM0O
1xDYHe had not noticed it from afar, but now he was certain.cWjATfe
MIHjMmZShe was shorter than Ruri.Jsz
ePfY“The resentment of a witch is like a frost that lasts a hundred years. It does not simply mean that you will die suffering.”eB3RCy0
5bPtycWHer voice carried mana.raXWed
8JaAnd that mana stimulated Perda’s five senses.XsqMsC
m64LDIt did not sound like a simple threat.ChHq
tfa5It was as though she were showing him the future awaiting him.XXn
1Xy“I will slowly destroy everything around you, prevent you from even choosing to take your own life, and make you collapse completely until the very last moment of your existence.”HwYtT
uiPMany had lived and died that way.IBRnK
NjJKx9yThe records proved it.xTFn2G2
bkfpBut Perda did not waver.W3ioZg
ExUzklBecause he already knew something.lmzMYGf
hd28eShe was bluffing.f8m
SrZ5Q2U“It seems we are both equally shameless, aren’t we, Mistress of the Pavilion?”fhQdps8
gTnX“What?”wACHqTr
F0Q0One of Lucy’s eyebrows rose.CA7a
BqWPerda tilted his chin toward the crystal containing Echidna.QaIbqm
uvd“If it isn’t shameless to lock someone alive inside a crystal and claim that she’s dead, then I don’t know what is.”VC5
USlFjAt that moment, the situation changed.a9D
vOvLucy’s oppressive aura vanished.F90
08dhAnd the anger disappeared from her voice as though it had never existed.qEH
zs6qf“How did you know?”QPLS3o
ZVw“Didn’t you say it yourself? That a witch’s resentment lasts a hundred years and that their curses are passed down from generation to generation.”LNCHvS
j2S62kPerda looked back toward the crystal.srBqg
NbRlHHe observed Echidna’s peaceful face.gMI
Sawfok“If she had truly died because of me and wanted to curse me, I don’t think you would have left her with such a calm expression for me to see.”ni7
T06BR“Heh. It seems you know quite a bit about witches.”XaktkwE
aoFJLucy slowly rose into the air, clearly pleased.HSFb3
c1fUThe fabric of her clothing fluttered as she flew toward the crystal containing Echidna.IbqQCl
uIxgsxX“Echidna, poor child. I warned you so many times that loving a man only brings tragedy, but you always insisted on following your own path.”Y0VsqO
DRFx“The person who expelled her is pitying her now?”hJU
AMLh“She simply did not fit the name Philiaz. But the affection I feel for this child has never changed.”Nd8DvJ
vAZKNHoThey were not words one would expect from the leader of witches who hated all men.AOTMhQ
xSnrLucy gazed at the crystal for a few moments before continuing.4KCIE7
RWQo5a“Little one, since she died because of your mistake, this child will be returning with me.”n4dUL1
CeSj1DdIt was a unilateral declaration.CRBZjDD
GTtTNbRPerda responded immediately.hN2
QCQysAM“I refuse.”xlLWi9
XkamEU7This time, the witches reacted.FM6
8HaEDemonic energy overflowed.vdmiJ
8pF“How amusing. Do you really think you’re in a position to refuse?”nO3ZUPI
83H2yb“I think we’ve been too kind to you. Perhaps we should teach you how bitter this can be.”xS9zaTn
9iWz3HLaughter echoed from all directions.NEf
A9MNJQdBut behind it lay hatred and fury.NUn
LWE“Silence.”ZO57F
JQITCAnd once again, Lucy’s two syllables were enough to extinguish everything.sAH4
iQj0MWatching her restrain that mass of malice, it was easy to understand how much control Big Sister exercised over the witches.lne6
pflvnw“Don’t worry. I’m not foolish enough to confuse personal matters with official ones. If someone loses something, they should gain something as well.”5T1Hsu
8lt“Hmmm…”KHo0
dYFz2Lucy deliberately released a long exhale as she smoked.G27L71
E9gao0nFinally, she opened her mouth.m0K
F9Kp“What do you think of this?”JQIPD
LRLOPsA small spark appeared above her index finger.ouB3h
JzRA red spark.cJ9
3cQF‘Lightning Against Heaven.’E7UR
ocg80Lucy Philiaz was effortlessly manifesting that pure power which could normally only be used through a special medium.5A5Kjp
f7mmg8“You’re a mage, and it seems you also have talent for lightning. If I taught you a little, I’m sure you’d quickly grasp the principles. What do you say? I’ll make an exception and teach you personally.”tBUCga
oOVmr5zWhat was she saying?0jbxX
BaSImss‘It’s a tempting offer.’PeVjPLf
jprV0zLightning Against Heaven was still a legendary element whose secret Perda had never managed to comprehend.elVtj4
5WpLTQSHe had researched it countless times using branches from the World Tree that had been struck by the Lightning Against Heaven Lucy left behind, but he had not found even a clue.rvsiX
qtqXqonEven using the staff created from those branches, his research had failed to produce significant results across entire generations.9dAd
zUuD‘If I could master that power…’Xx48
QMHMe4He would become stronger.lK2b
UDiAs strong as he had been when he was an Eight-Circle Archmage.IcLh
5gxSo Perda answered,OEZwn0
NQE“I refuse.”DW9
QhTLucy’s hand paused for a moment.lsZ6
UCCEven she had apparently not expected him to reject the offer.vxoF
FPrmqd“Oh, little one. Does this child mean that much to you?”osFCr
S0i“She is important.”9SN
kDG44KW“More important than Lightning Against Heaven?”qw7
kbtbZThe greatest magical element possible for Perda to increase his power.Gis
CREqGrowing stronger had always been a necessity for him.qRxr8Y
58BLf“It is more important.”ui8
zoPaMTxBut now, becoming stronger was a secondary matter.OtrVZv
sF4“There is someone who needs to learn what happiness is.”ZR4
eKwnnsFor Perda, Valdrova always came first.TYndSg
spfI5“And for that person to be happy, I need Echidna’s abilities.”1Gvd
cuLizMj“Then what you’re saying is that you want to use her, little one. As Big Sister and as the owner of this pavilion, I’m not foolish enough to overlook those words.”yq1I
JWZf“Don’t humans use one another all the time? Just as she uses me, I simply use her.”M2jW
N0MvAlthough Perda used the naïve Echidna, that did not mean she was someone who could be easily deceived.8yKdjWi
HhntzurAs proof of that, they could call Zed and Morida as witnesses.5Bhi
VNR2kD“Yes, that is exactly how society works.”HzlC
KGJK8gLucy exhaled a cloud of smoke as though sighing.dGuUDT
ElQThen she snapped her fingers.hidvQ
HAsJ7h1Snap!UOKJiz
pUF7SaAt that moment, the transparent crystal began melting like water.RJxHH5
kCtRThe witches watching the scene asked in surprise,6h8
5nIOT“Oh? Are you going to release her?”dios7f
kJerN“I thought it was an attractive proposal, but if he doesn’t need it, what can I do?”lOvB
OZ4RRzIt was strange for a witch to give up something so easily.zSu
DowDLucy never took her eyes off Perda.mMff
peRBeneath the black veil, the barely visible lower half of her face revealed an expression filled with interest.HjzxXC
Zk8PFinally, the crystal melted completely and awakened the one inside.4XwYwkM
gbtagShe appeared to have been unconscious, but miraculously remained standing on her own feet.uHX6J
O4eqHThe eyebrows of Echidna, who had been resting peacefully, twitched.QRBbuEM
lZ9eHbs“Huh? What just happened…?”klHh7
GjldCrLShe rubbed her head with both hands before looking around.B81
WLsCThe first person she saw was Perda.FsmZwc
kv8YPerhaps because she was accustomed to receiving looks full of hatred and contempt, his gloomy smile seemed like that of an angel.c2n
6EbcXx“My, Regent Perda. You look very handsome today as well. Hehe…”3HRNzD
quc5Then she slowly looked around.ssjY
dUg28og“Huh? This place feels familiar… It feels very similar to the Pavilion of Roses…”DJJKb8o
2PZSUaHer sentence cut off when she saw Big Sister Lucy beside her.MsEX
wHIm“A-Aaah!!! B-b-Big Sister!?”vO7rkd
TBRyEJEchidna was so startled that she bit her tongue.wfdwtE
6U8It was almost disrespectful, but Lucy did not seem bothered.CBR
VxyGJ“It has been a long time, child. Have you been well?”IYRRG
rxm5c“Y-Yes! O-Of course! I’ve been very well!”oW8Z
Kp4WM“I expelled you myself, but I clearly told you to keep in contact. It seems you didn’t listen.”2pUA
jcbYCBV“I-It’s just that… inside the castle I couldn’t communicate…”aRBQ
fYHKKL0“Oh, so you’re saying it’s the Regent’s fault. Tell me, should we give him a beating?”N5Sl
luSLIP7“Huh? N-No! Of course not!”2ga
lDwaEchidna spun around toward Perda.X4Hk3
KhcXvQA“I never meant anything like that!”L3yPZ
S2SWhether it was true or not.lOjHR
M240kDe“Of course I understand that it might be uncomfortable for you. But we’re practically family. Shouldn’t you at least let us hear your voice from time to time?”HkWf
RScb3Yo“U-Uncomfortable? Never, not even once, have I thought anything like that!”AduV0
GSBFShe was forcing a smile.oNF
pFsCxIt was not convincing at all.YBxlQ
bGVEThe other witches began laughing and throwing out comments.Wq8X
pj1SW“Oh? That was a lie.”q1g
rYx“A lie? Sisters, I never thought anything like that…”H3Pp
CiKe“Come on, be honest.”6RJ
dGor5“You’ve already been expelled. What does it matter now? Even Big Sister can’t say anything about it.”E5A
qv6Acq“Besides, it’s important to hear how others see you.”oRxDLv
UtodgThe voices chattered all around Echidna.HfOJ5I
5bDPerda immediately understood their intentions.04SHKH4
PUYepHThey were trying to lure her into a trap as if tempting prey.FggH3VE
Qnrb“Umm…”w9gFZSY
RtgQ4p6Curled up like a frightened turtle, Echidna looked at everyone’s reactions before speaking.ksfUeuo
jw7t“Well… maybe it is a little uncomfortable…”VBsRX74
T2aLucy’s hand, which was holding the pipe, froze.LNsQSbP
pqT“T-To be honest, it also makes me uncomfortable every time someone older than my own grandmother calls herself a young lady…”cBKsong
o0EBJF“Pfff…”GOPf
c6U“Hehehe…”Wirk
zkebyThe witches could barely hold back their laughter.QTA
Ya6Lucy’s reaction was very simple.wx05C0
OwfSnap!BsX
cDXWith a snap of her fingers, the roots that had transported the crystal immobilized Echidna’s entire body.aetogK0
PBgL“Echidna. Our pitiful Echidna.”hP56Hbm
VS7wkcHer voice was filled with anger.wAv8
oT3EFVery different from the one she had shown in front of Perda.qpDLg
wr6“Since it’s been so long since anyone gave you a proper beating, you’ve started saying things you don’t even mean again. You mustn’t speak so carelessly in front of others.”kEb
9vhVjXy“Aaaah! My arm! My arm, my arm!”5e0ZK
tzMpel“Don’t worry. If one of your arms falls off, I’ll tear off your legs as well so they won’t feel left out and use them as decorations.”DzHOG
uJsBc“I’m sorry! You’re not small! You’re a very petite young lady! A beautiful young ladyyyy!”eQX
g3CsOThe witches burst into laughter as they watched Echidna being tortured.4FR
m0z19JnOnly after brutally tormenting her with thorn-covered vines did they finally release her.JFm
eImYlWith her hair completely disheveled and her eyes red, Echidna crawled over to Perda while trembling.FcIjm
5gK5C“Buaaa… Regent Perda. My arms and legs hurt so much. It hurts so much that I need a hug…”GxnuWIc
HxSkRThump!D8Pd
SDkh8g“Stay away.”wxY
xqgC5DPerda pushed her head back.k8Rnp
1hrThe witches erupted into laughter.fni
DtCRo9With nowhere else to go, Echidna lowered her gaze to the ground and whimpered.wPbDN
6KR2“Do you really intend to take her back with you?”EXEF2
7dXqThe question now seemed to express concern for him.AUkw2kh
RBzq“If something like this had been a flaw, I would never have brought her with me in the first place.”7eEd
RNN“If that is your will, then I will accept it.”JBrLW
TAnxLucy gave up far too easily.wrWEku
PnKHEverything was ending suspiciously smoothly.s6o
wWtWas she plotting something?k9eVLFK
SkSspKPerda did not lower his guard for even a moment.rXK2e1t
Puqx“Go back, Echidna. And make sure to contact us at least once a week.”toN
XpTBvu“Yes, I will. Regent Perda, shall we go?”omxwO5k
SfMdWz7When she tried to extend her hand toward him, Lucy forced her to lower it.0mj
dvauZh“The Regent will stay with me a little longer.”CkqEUwO
Aw72“Huh? Here by himself?”UGh
ZjsQqREchidna was bewildered.MelYhT
0FX53This was the headquarters of witches who treated men like toys.FnjCF12
D5ISPerda was little more than defenseless prey.93niKX
h6yLucy scolded her with an annoyed expression.zFX
zWrlGL6“He has already reached the very heart of this place. What difference does it make whether you’re here or not?”IdwDP
Bfw1Ki“W-Well… that’s true, but…”dQsVT
RclR4Like a prairie dog watching a storm approach, Echidna looked anxiously at Perda.krhu
CwpoOPerda understood the expression on her face.WLr8eDo
4nFciz1“You have nothing to worry about. Go back and deliver a message to Ruri.”PhjgyJO
LLhj“W-What message should I give her?”hSfD2
BG8DA1“Tell her I’ll be back soon. That’s enough.”2Pu
vLi“Y-Yes! Of course!”EtdVcW
g81YO8With a gesture from Lucy, Echidna’s body broke apart and vanished.hk9vYu
4AeC51BShe had probably returned to the library where she had originally been.jbbl36D
hWbLucy watched her disappear before turning to Perda.YKy0Nf
qWZ“Let’s take a walk. I want to discuss this alone with you.”8O0
8KuwULeaving behind the witches who remained quietly seated, she began to walk.niIkcCZ
2j9hz2They left the Pavilion of Roses and moved through the garden.mZj5
klXoXIt was a place where nature did not exist.NOF0EC
ZINEverything had been created solely by Lucy’s will.NJcCeKJ
gntThat was why the colors and shapes were completely different from anything that could be found in the natural world.sez
j5W5E3The leaves were sky blue.fow5I
zaDThe sky was purple.tLuqswM
bwGFSz“Isn’t it a beautiful garden?”D1nM
53XVvLucy asked.XhN
DAqfd“It’s grotesque.”7dEO
W1WIu4“Then I’m glad to hear that.”2XWQOA
dULKShe brought the pipe to her lips.sqd7JO
iWxsJBV“That means you haven’t gone completely insane yet.”wlf
RkCrThat sentence, spoken with a smile, put Perda on edge.umI
uOVMrvHe tried to decipher the meaning behind that smile.3Ei1I
SnP3HGThen it happened.VvhOwKq
u5YeLHe sensed a presence among the thorny vines.6KrOE
d2wlPerda used the Shadow Hand hidden beneath his clothing to yank his own head backward.zNFLNp
R4booSomething passed through the exact spot where he had been standing a moment earlier.6iY
x2JoAWhoosh!ObKr
tCazTA giant cavalry lance.xlrEf
h0Zp0LbNo, it was a rose thorn so enormous that it could easily be compared to one.vWI5Z
muxLzFPerda quickly retreated.InF
46P86kx“What is the meaning of this?”cEGiZY
665bC“You don’t need to think too hard. It’s exactly what it looks like.”Nmai
AwKJuLucy pointed with her pipe.X3OlX1e
c8y6“I attacked you.”nHT9U
gOLm“Why?”DAZD
FgtPb“Because it’s better to get straight to the point than waste time with shallow provocations and pointless conversations.”qlw5
1K4In other words, she wanted to force him to fight.8htA9Z
lXJDJust as she had said, Perda had no intention of being dragged along so easily.VSwD
OHahFalling into her game would be madness.Um94
Z2VcHe might have been an Archmage in the past, but now he was only a 4-Circle mage.TtxrzF
1UsAs5OHis opponent was the leader of the witches, someone even 8-Circle mages struggled against.w7s
SuMW8And on top of that, this was her territory.O6y
RFdplvH‘And Lucy isn’t someone so obsessed with combat that she’d provoke a fight without reason.’Rpaaj5
hqQNtThere was definitely a reason behind this provocation.mmJ4h
2aFJWhat was she trying to accomplish?lQc6i2t
lXBU“Wondering about my intentions?”HL9wUqA
ed4K1FfLucy was a mage who had lived for countless years.KgyJN
v9s8Reading Perda’s thoughts was as easy as breathing.HdgD
ywbJ“Rather than explain it to you, I’ll give you a reason why you won’t have any choice but to move.”vpoM
zHiPao8She moved the pipe as though pointing at him.9JEj
ZJc4co0The garden’s vines began twisting like thorn-covered worms.aviny
AJu“If you don’t attack me, I’ll erase your existence from that unfortunate lizard girl’s life.”IzEMt
5wdPA smile dripping with malice appeared on her lips.LBOGzD3
N0WIt was such a transparent provocation that it was almost insulting.kGq6
11gHPerda’s eyes flashed brightly.BaH
fD7iCHe could not back down.tXmFoi
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationShe have a death wish.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationShe is loli and bitch.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationGood one perda.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationShe’s the little one perda should call her little one
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji
MortalA esperar 🥀
Fernando
Qi RefinementJust mentioning Valdrova is enough to piss him off.