Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 104

Witches could change their own appearance and that of others at will and could possess others through their pupils, using dark magic, to monitor and pry into others’ lives.

The mentally unstable aren’t trustworthy.

Liars aren’t trustworthy.

The ruthless aren’t trustworthy.

If she invades the marketplace, then no one can be trusted.

“Most women have reduced their outings, and those who must go out wear red aprons or headscarves, trying to prove that they aren’t witches or possessed by one.” Eugene shared his latest observations from the city. “It’s said that witches neither cry nor bleed, as God has deprived them of their human rights; hence, they cannot wear red.”

“That’s just a common rumor,” the rabbit-headed shopkeeper said softly.

He didn’t have many witch friends, but those who dabbled in black magic in the gray areas had known some, and such placebo tales concocted by laypeople could spread across the continent. It also suited the witches, who were happy to blur the lines of perception, making it easier for them to escape.

Eugene stroked his chin, now unaccustomed to its smooth touch after a period of neglect during their escape. “Actually, regardless of gender, most commoners now try to be home before sunset… Meanwhile, the number of bounty hunters and mercenaries has increased. Almost every tavern is buzzing with talks of Witch Elena because, with so many competitors, disputes arising from the circulation of false news are heard everywhere. If the witch isn’t caught soon, the security forces might step in to stabilize the situation by deporting some of the bounty hunters.”

“In other words, this witch-hunting movement wasn’t instigated by city hall,” the rabbit-headed shopkeeper mused. “Something must have happened in the city to suddenly make Elena an easy target.”

To be honest, Elena had always been a nonconformist, even during her schooling, and had her own way of thinking. She was also very guarded and aggressive, making it difficult for others to understand her thoughts and actions.

As she delved deeper into her powers as a witch, she became even more paranoid, often in a state of communication breakdown. It was fine as long as she remained a recluse, but any contact with people was bound to cause trouble.

“About that, I spent some money to get some information from a local,” Eugene said. “Witches usually don’t commit evil acts themselves. They use animals or magic to harm people. But somehow, a few nights ago, she openly attacked someone on Clove Street and then fled.”

Clove Street.

The familiar name made the rabbit-headed shopkeeper’s eyelids twitch, but he remained silent.

“So it was that person’s doing?” Shiloh pondered. “To face a witch and not be defeated, even managing to drive her away, that person can’t be ordinary. Either they have a powerful background, money, or both. The witch’s failed attempt backfired, leading to the current situation.”

Eugene shook his head. “Not exactly right.”

The Duke, who had been silent, fiddled with the emerald on the top of his cane and suddenly spoke up. “That person spread the news.”

Eugene, who had been about to play coy, suddenly wore a face of “How did you know?”

The hunting campaign against the witch was indeed not initiated by the attacked person, but he was the source of the turmoil due to “Witch Elena’s appearance in Fortuna City”.

Elena’s appearance—public panic—disturbed the black market and even shut down, affecting the underground traders of Fortuna City, who then issued a high bounty.

“…If of high status, then even if one tries to hide the news, it will eventually be uncovered. It’s better to release the news directly, create panic, and divert conflicts to another group.” The Duke scoffed. “Who is that person?”

Eugene thought for a moment. “A young cadre from the Wolf Family—quite influential—named Louis.”

At this revelation, everyone except Shivers subtly glanced at the rabbit-headed shopkeeper, with the Duke and the youngest, Shiloh, notably pausing their gaze on his long ears for several seconds.

Though no one spoke, Charlie could almost hear everyone’s thoughts, such as:

Oh~~~

So that’s how it is~~~

A big rabbit jumps out of the wolf’s den~~~

Maybe he left home because he doesn’t eat meat but only grass~~~

No matter.

He wasn’t familiar enough with them to break character, and indeed, they weren’t close at this point.

The rabbit-headed shopkeeper kept his composure. “If so, the main force behind the witch hunt should not be the Wolf Family, but the Monkey.”

According to Eugene, the siege on Elena happened after the disruption of underground trading, so it was most likely the Monkey Family, who transport and sell everything.

“Although the effort is massive, I believe most people wouldn’t dare confront a witch directly. Although Fortuna City is a hub, the influx of outsiders these past few days is too large, and coupled with rumors, the city is no longer safe,” Shivers also said. “Erica sent word that Miss Priscilla has decided to board a ship before sunset today.”

The Duke, sitting at the end of the long table, looked up at Shivers with a somewhat cold expression.

“And then?”

Although phrased diplomatically, Priscilla’s refusal to let him meet with “Ceylon”, saying she didn’t want to complicate things, didn’t sit well with Dwight.

However, a pregnant woman’s mood took precedence, and ultimately, the Duke didn’t resort to having someone eavesdrop under his sister’s window. Since they had successfully made contact, it meant that someone from White Bridge would also escort Priscilla. At least from this, he could learn Ceylon’s family name or real name.

“There will be two small warships and a three-tier passenger ship accompanying her. The passenger ship is the ‘Azalea,’ stopping from Nabibo Bay, belonging to the Wolf Family, while the two cannon-equipped warships are from the Monkey fleet, as their route has pirates, so they are heavily armed,” Shivers recalled Erica’s words. “Miss Priscilla requisitioned these ships in the name of Earl Lestrop. The Azalea had already disembarked its passengers yesterday, specifically to accompany her.”

The Duke remained silent with a stern face.

It seemed that the relationship between Wolf and Monkey was indeed close, able to collaborate on such matters, making it still unclear whether the person who hooked up with Priscilla was a Wolf or a Monkey.

He didn’t like either.

“I was thinking, why would Elena appear in Fortuna City?” Just as the Duke pondered whether to stake out at the docks today, the rabbit-headed shopkeeper suddenly asked.

Their encounters with the witch had a ninety-five percent chance of being coincidental. If not for Kurt, he might never have taken this road back. Elena’s base was south of Mokwen, just as Columbus remembered. Witches usually lived reclusively and didn’t often contact people. For Elena to come to this hub just as the auction was about to start was illogical.

“My counter-tracking methods are still effective. She didn’t come following my trail.” Although the last unexpected encounter gave her a slight clue, the conflict shifted to Louis.

This coincidence wasn’t amusing. His own escape to the ship was followed by Louis strolling the streets here. Elena’s mental state was very unstable, and it was inevitable that she would offend Louis right away, and strange if they didn’t end up fighting.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for many years, Charlie still had a clear understanding of Louis’s character—that kid held grudges from a young age and liked to set covert traps for revenge. Using the Monkey Family’s power to deal with Elena sounded like something he would do.

Moreover, Fortuna City barely fell within White Bridge’s sphere of influence. In such a place, unless Elena had an accomplice, she likely wouldn’t stand a chance against Louis. If she persisted in believing that Louis was Charlie and continued her relentless pursuit, she might very well lose her life here.

The rabbit-headed shopkeeper felt that the situation had progressed beyond being described as “out of control”. Various accidents and coincidences had punctured the protective shield he had painstakingly constructed in the first half of his life, unable to plug all the leaks.

He wasn’t a saint to pity seeing Elena in danger, not to mention their old school camaraderie had been ground down during those tumultuous entanglements, plus Columbus and others hurt by the witch over the years. He didn’t really want to know, nor was he interested in watching, how Elena’s fate unfolded, especially since he was barely managing himself.

If Elena died, the curse on him would be lifted as well… If he were to revert to his original form in Fortuna City or even White Bridge, not to mention being discovered by those people, even if Louis saw him, he would chase him with a forty-meter long sword.

Charlie thought gloomily that it would be best to avoid such a dreadful outcome.

“Maybe the witch wants to attend the auction?” Eugene whimsically suggested. “Even black magic needs tools and materials, right? Spell books, human bones, and such—White Bridge is the kind of place that does business with anyone, fairy or mermaid, as long as they can pay.”

“If she can hide her identity well,” Shivers said realistically. “It’s not impossible what you’re saying, but it’s highly unlikely. In that place, it’s much more likely for a witch to be auctioned than to be a buyer. Do you think a witch, who everyone wants to hunt, hasn’t done enough evil deeds or made enough enemies? Just look at the bounty on her head… There are plenty willing to pay for her life.”

“I tend to think she came here for a meeting.” Charlie stretched his back, which was sore from sitting too long, and slowly said, “Witches aren’t completely isolated from the world. Consider how many people secretly collect or use items made by witches, and the royal family of Mokwen still won’t give up on their insane experiments. They also trade with people.”

“If it’s a trade of items, remote exchange or using puppets could suffice, but her appearance here indicates someone wants to hire her.” Dwight also realized this point. “Hiring a witch in this place is likely the doing of a Black Gold Family.”

Because of White Bridge’s influence, even though Fortuna City was part of the kingdom and had its own city hall and security forces, the economic and military power was mostly in the hands of the Black Gold Family, as seen from the high-profile actions of the Wolves and Monkeys here.

Fortuna City was practically the garden of White Bridge. Under their watchful eyes and claws, no nobility would stir up trouble—at least not here.

“But both Wolf and Monkey were involved in the witch’s siege,” Shiloh said. “Isn’t that a contradiction?”

Charlie opened his mouth but said nothing.

Dwight glanced at him.

“Louis alone doesn’t represent the Wolf Family,” he said. “Even if they share the same surname, internal strife is possible, especially in ancient families with complex dynamics. But we don’t need to analyze too much. As long as Elena dies, whatever deals she has behind her no longer need concern us…”

If not for the many people present, Charlie would have let his ears perk up and shouted at the Duke that Elena must not die now!

If she died, the rabbit head would be gone, and unless he welded another mask to his face, he couldn’t think of any way to leave Doran with all his limbs intact and continue his business back in Maplewood.

Perhaps although his ears didn’t perk up, his bristling was somewhat noticeable, as Dwight subtly paused for a few seconds before continuing, “Unless her purpose here is also the ‘Holy Grail’. If that’s the case, those who traded with her won’t easily watch her be killed. Once Priscilla is safely on board… we can still stir the waters some more.”

Muddy waters make it easier to fish*.

*Referring to the idiom, fishing in troubled waters, which describes a situation where one takes advantage of a difficult situation or someone else’s problems.

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The author has something to say:

Dwight: I had a nightmare last night.

Charlie: Oh? What about?

Dwight: Dreamed you were a monster, frighteningly ugly.

Charlie: ???

Dwight: Based on your bone structure and skin condition, you shouldn’t be ugly, but there’s always a chance, right? Are you ugly or not?

Charlie: I’ve told you I’m handsome and dashing. It’s just the coat that’s thick. Don’t overthink it.

Dwight: Haha, can’t sleep now.

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