Chapter 859

Chapter 859: Departure

After Lolan Hill left, the high tower returned to silence once more. Many of the magic mirrors dimmed their glow and were placed back in their original locations. In the vast tower, only Chris and Night Mistress remained.

Chris approached Night Mistress and looked ahead at the empty space before speaking.

“Now you can come out, Tides,” she said.

“Hmph.”

A shadowy figure coalesced within the tower, and a blonde-haired, silver-eyed witch stepped out, landing gracefully before them.

“Are you worried about us bullying little Lolan? That’s why you followed her,” Chris said, placing her hand on Night Mistress’ shoulder and looking at the phantom witch.

“There’s a bit of that. Although you and Night Mistress wouldn’t trouble her, other witches might not be so kind,” she replied after sitting down, fanning herself with a black silk fan.

“It won’t happen,” Night Mistress finally spoke, her words filled with certainty despite her porcelain-like appearance.

“See, Night Mistress has spoken. You should feel reassured now,” Chris said, trying to mediate.

Witches were notoriously capricious beings, rarely compromising or changing their ways due to external factors. If conflicts arose among witches, they often reached an impasse where neither side would yield.

Ordinary witches could still find mediators among those with high reputations, but if Night Mistress and Tides were to clash again, finding someone to mediate would be difficult.

Could one wake up that senior Befas? Chris thought, recalling the terrifying title of the witch who deprived others of their powers. Even she was somewhat afraid. That cold-hearted witch, perhaps the most senior among them, almost no one could challenge her except for Keti. Her power was like a bane to other witches.

Compared to their last meeting, Tides seemed more composed this time. She looked at the petite black-haired witch, reflecting on the changes over the past thousand years.

Unlike other witches, Night Mistress initially did not stand out and had no notable achievements. She was someone more powerful than ordinary people but unknown among witches.

But why did such a Night Mistress eventually become the representative of that faction?

The answer lay in accumulated knowledge and experience.

Knowledge is power, though not universally applicable, this phrase perfectly described Night Mistress’ abilities.

With time, the witch from the Sealed Book gradually sealed captured demonic beasts, recorded heaven-consuming flames, and contained world-shaking floods. The books in her hands documented all she had seen, and through these records, her strength grew.

She could handle various situations, solve numerous problems, and understand extensive knowledge and history. Despite seeming ordinary, she possessed unparalleled breadth of experience, making her the witch from the Sealed Book, Night Mistress.

Her most glorious achievement was defeating the renowned spatiotemporal witch Dorothy, leading to the collapse of Oz Country.

“I should say thank you. Although we can’t be as close as before, I won’t hold grudges against the past,” Tides said softly after a moment of silence.

“This time, before Lolan’s operation, she shared much about Dorothy with me. It’s clear she knows a lot about the sealed history and wants to change something,” Chris continued.

“Though many witches are tired of this world, they don’t reject such successors.”

“Let’s hope she brings fresh changes and awakens more sleeping witches.”

“Rarely do I hear you speak so sentimentally, Tides. What happened?” Chris turned to look at the phantom witch, but the latter turned away slightly.

“I’ve grown accustomed,” her words carried a hint of sorrow.

—

After Lolan Hill left the tower where Night Mistress and Chris were, it was already deep into the night.

In the dark mountains, orange lights dotted the lakes and castles, and the night at Fortress Academy was as beautiful as ever.

The evening breeze brought a coolness from the lake. Lolan flew over the forest and landed near the lake.

Underfoot were familiar paths, the white stone slabs still prominent in the night, winding through layers of trees all the way to the lake.

She remembered coming here often with Keti to pick mushrooms; the fire witch seemed to have a fondness for round ones.

Ten years passed in a flash, and everything had changed.

Grass blades brushed against the young lady’s legs, causing a slight tickle. Her fingers instinctively plucked the leaves, feeling their smooth surfaces and intricate veins, the deep green leaves emitting a subtle fragrance.

When Lolan emerged from the forest, she saw a vast expanse of grassland. The clear lake reflected the night sky, the vast Milky Way studded with stars, showcasing the grandeur of the universe.

The distant galaxy, countless stars like sand.

Under the starry sky, students at the lake’s edge laughed and chased each other, occasionally squatting around campfires, discussing what to cook for dinner.

Lolan had once been part of these gatherings, laughing and playing with her roommates.

When would everyone be able to reunite, free from burdens and worries?

Perhaps when dreams came true.

Lolan stopped and gazed at the endless starry night sky.

—

A week later, the silver-haired wise maiden made her first appearance at the Sage Council meeting and soon left Emanas afterward.

Back at Maple Courtyard, the maiden prepared some things and set out again.

“Lolan, are you returning to the Empire this time?” Night Spirit asked, somewhat reluctant to see Lolan leave.

“Yes, there are some things I need to do,” Lolan replied gently, looking at the girl slightly shorter than herself.

“Will it be dangerous?” Night Spirit felt a hidden worry.

“There will be some challenges, but it won’t endanger life, so you don’t need to worry, Night Spirit,” Lolan reassured.

“But I want to go too,” Night Spirit raised her hand.

“No, not right now,” Lolan patted Night Spirit’s head.

“When can I then?” Night Spirit pouted, feeling underestimated.

“If you can reach Dragon Sequence 8, come find me,” Lolan set a high goal, knowing it would take many years, by which time she hoped to resolve internal issues in the Empire.

“Sequence 8, I understand. I’ll work hard,” the dragon maiden nodded, seemingly confident, almost ready to grow a swaying dragon tail.

“Alright, let’s say goodbye for now,” Lolan smiled, waving and floating upward, flying toward the eastern part of the Sighing Mountains.

~End of Chapter~