Chapter 860

Chapter 860: Guest from Afar

**Hopeland, ‘Flower Beach’ Cold Drink Shop**

“Welcome!”

As the glass lattice door was pushed open, the clear sound of wind chimes echoed inside the shop. The maidservant looked curiously at the distant guest who had arrived, dressed in a white hooded cloak. The material of his clothes was unique, smooth yet textured, without the lightness of ordinary fabrics.

“Hello, may I ask if Lady Phyllis is here?” The man’s voice was rich and clear, causing the maidservant to blush slightly.

“Yes, she’s on the third floor. Are you here to see the teacher?”

“Teacher? Yes.” He seemed to recall something and nodded.

“That’s right. I come from Emanas. Could you please notify her for me?”

“Of course, no problem.” Hearing such polite and refined words, the maidservant’s adoration seemed to deepen.

Under the teasing of her companions, she took small steps toward the stairs, while the man walked to a corner table and sat down temporarily.

Soon after, the maidservant came down the stairs with a thud, turning her head to search the shop for him.

“Hello, the teacher asked you to go up directly,” she said, looking at the visitor with some curiosity, guessing that he might be someone of significance.

“Thank you.”

Nodding, the man stood up and walked towards the stairs.

On the third floor, Lady Phyllis was sitting on the sofa, with a music score still wet with ink beside her. Upon hearing the door open, she looked up and saw the familiar face.

“I wondered who it was. It’s you, Yarde.”

Lady Phyllis picked up the coffee pot from the coffee table and poured him a cup of coffee before continuing to inquire.

“What brings you here this time? I remember you’re a busy figure in the Wise Council, always traveling around.”

“Nothing much, but I do have something to discuss with Phyllis.”

The man removed his hood, revealing short golden hair like gold, his face as perfect as a sculpture, making one want to look again.

“It’s about that Star Witch, Lady Lolan Hill.”

He picked up the coffee, blew on it lightly, and took a sip.

“There was another meeting at Emanas recently, and both the Sage and the Witch from Clancia were present.”

“That’s quite surprising,” Lady Phyllis blinked, saying something that didn’t surprise her at all.

“Hmm.”

“At the meeting, this Star Witch proposed many suggestions, some about internal reforms of the Wise Council and others about the world situation.”

“How bold,” Lady Phyllis said with a smile of approval.

“Yes, even though she is a witch, she is still a newly born one. Her strength cannot match those who have lived for ages.”

“Although there are rumors that she manipulated the Solar Crown that year, according to many sages and witches, such a possibility is too low.”

“The records of the conflict between the Solar Crown and the Moon Crown can be found in the murals from before the First Era. At that time, the elves had conducted extensive research on the ruins left by the era of dragons and giants.”

“According to the records, if one completely controls the Crown, they would be equivalent to a deity, capable of changing the order and rules of the entire world.”

“Since historical records began, the only one who might have come close to the Crown should be the Blood Moon Witch Jules of the First Era. Under her intervention, human destiny underwent a drastic change.”

“Afterward, humans gradually mastered the powers of the Demon Sequence over several centuries and broke free from their bonds, establishing the Crimson Empire.”

“Though the Crimson Empire did not fully succeed, it symbolized the gradual rise of humanity until a thousand years later when the Mercury Dynasty cleared all obstacles and enemies.”

“Over these thousands of years, extraordinary power has favored humans extraordinarily. Not only have cultivators advanced to Sequence 9 at a rate several times higher than other races, but even fragments of deities have also possessed humans, creating such unusual existences as witches.”

“A single brief contact with the Crown brought about such significant changes; if one could fully control it, the impact would be unimaginable. It certainly wouldn’t just be the current state.”

“If she cannot stand on the divine throne, then she is not a deity but still a mortal.”

“Even a witch is merely an unusual mortal.”

“An entity walking the earth, playing tricks like a deity—it is ultimately just hyperbole. A witch is still mortal and can die.”

“Could it be possible that she voluntarily stepped down from the divine throne?” Lady Phyllis speculated.

“This hypothesis does not hold,” the man with the sun-like aura shook his head.

“If she could become a deity, she would use divine power to fulfill her desires and wishes, rather than standing here talking with you and me.”

“To abandon divine power, to wallow in mud and filth, to humiliate oneself with a life full of twists, deception, and failure—this is not something a high-level being would do.”

“This is not a game but self-deception, going against one’s own will, enduring false and hypocritical torment. It goes against the instincts and wisdom of life, a double negation of oneself.”

“So I say, she is not a deity, at least not now.”

Gentle applause came from the attic. Lady Phyllis looked at the golden-haired man and couldn’t help but sigh.

“No wonder you are called the Sage of Holy Radiance, Yarde. I feel I can’t refute you.”

“So what exactly do you want to ask this time?”

“I want to learn more about the personality and behavior of this witch.”

“Why?”

“To see if she has the qualifications to lead such grand ideas and plans.”

“You won’t believe this witch based on my words and suggestions, or perhaps you don’t believe anyone’s words, Yarde.”

“Yes, but actions are the continuation of will. She will eventually speak through her deeds and tell us.”

“And now, I want to learn about this witch’s past.”

Lady Phyllis shook her head, then slowly nodded.

“You are still the same, although your actions are impeccable, they never make people like you.”

“Many girls fall in love with you at first sight but flee in fear over time. Perhaps this is why you remain single?”

“Enough, I am not interested in reproduction and mating, you should know that.”

“Yes, so it is only after getting to know you better that one can feel safe and trust you.” Lady Phyllis took a sip of coffee to moisten her throat.

“As for that Star Witch, I don’t know much about her, but fortunately, I’ve had several conversations with her. This story starts in a small town on the western border many years ago, where I first met this silver-haired girl.”

In the quiet attic, Lady Phyllis began recalling the various aspects of the silver-haired girl—her innocence, shyness, hesitation, as well as her determination, wisdom, gentleness, and decisiveness.

(End of Chapter)