The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

Chapter 834 Anna and Anne

“To be honest, senior,” Anna said with genuine gratitude, “if it weren’t for your card magic, which allows us to buy necessary supplies from the card shop even in the Black Forest, and more importantly, with the blank cards that can perfectly store and convert finished fabrics and clothing into corresponding {fabric cards} and {clothing cards}, our Hope Village would probably have had a hard time maintaining its current scale.”

Anne nodded vigorously in agreement: "Yes! Now the fabrics the girls weave and the clothes they make can be packaged directly into {blank cards} and sold in the card shop, steadily exchanging them for food, tools, and other necessities. They can finally live with dignity using their own hands! Seeing them get better and better is more joyful than any revenge."

Moran looked at this land of hope that had stubbornly grown out of a land of despair, and at the girls whose faces were tired from working but whose eyes were full of peace and brightness. He deeply admired everything Anna and Anne had done.

The witches are very willing to lend a helping hand to the weak, but only on the premise that it does not affect their own cultivation and life.

But people like Anna and Anne who dedicate themselves to helping others as a selfless, long-term endeavor, and even find joy in it, are extremely rare.

This requires not only kindness, but also immense courage, perseverance, and a spirit of sacrifice.

Even though these rescued girls are now able to support themselves through work, Anna and Anne still need to continuously dedicate immeasurable time and energy to the safety, operation, and future of the village.

Adult women who have experienced the cruelty of the outside world and know how hard-won stability is may be content with the status quo and cherish this peaceful place.

But what about the children who grew up here?

As they grow older and become more curious about the outside world, and as their youthful blood surges with a desire for exploration and adventure, will they still be willing to stay forever in this small village that is dark all year round, with monotonous scenery and almost isolated from the world?

If those who leave take news of the village with them, this idyllic paradise is likely to be disturbed by outside curiosity or malice.

Moran directly raised this concern, as well as questions about the children's future.

"We've thought about this issue and have been preparing for it," Anna replied calmly, indicating that they already had a well-developed plan.

“Annie and I are now systematically learning mage magic to improve our knowledge and magical abilities. When the children reach the age where they can take talent tests, we will conduct unified tests on their magical talent and initial mental strength.”

Anne continued, "For children with magical talent, we will do our best to provide them with magical enlightenment and lay a solid foundation. We will also try to recommend and help them sign contracts to become members of the Dawn Society, so that they can obtain magical resources on their own."

"What about the children who don't have magical talent?" Moran pressed.

“Then we’ll teach them a skill based on their interests and strengths. Sewing, weaving, herbal identification, business calculations, even combat techniques… We hope that regardless of their talent, they can all acquire the skills to survive in this world.” Anna’s tone was very pragmatic:

“We respect everyone’s choice. We even encourage them to leave Hope Village and see the outside world after they come of age. However, before they leave, they must sign a confidentiality pact with magical power, promising not to reveal the exact location and internal situation of Hope Village. After that, we will blindfold them and then safely send them out of the Black Forest.”

“And those who are unwilling to leave and choose to stay,” Anna’s gaze swept over the busy figures, “then they need to work hard in Hope Village, take on their own responsibilities, support themselves through labor, and work together to maintain the operation of this home.”

"Hope Village is a haven for the girls, but we never intend to, and will never, raise them to be dependent on others. We provide opportunities for growth and strength, but the real path is for them to walk on their own two feet." Hearing this, Moran's last doubts dissipated. Anna and Anne were not just driven by passion; they had a very clear vision and strict principles for the girls' future.

“You two would be perfect to be the deans of the witch academy!” Moran exclaimed.

Their feelings for the girls in Hope Village were exactly the same as those of the Witch Academy for the little witches.

The independence and strength they convey is the most precious asset of these girls.

Upon hearing this, Annie quickly waved her hand, but a longing smile appeared on her face. "We've already inquired about it. To become the dean, you have to be at least a top-tier witch! We're still far from that level!"

Anna nodded and said solemnly, "Once we truly reach that level of strength, we will definitely give it a try!"

After taking a general look around Hope Village and getting a feel for its layout, Moran, at Anna and Annie's invitation, went to their home in the center of the village for lunch.

Their "witch's house" was made entirely of black deadwood, using locally sourced materials, but the deathly power within it had been purified.

The interior was decorated with exceptional warmth, illuminated by magic lamps, and filled with hand-woven blankets, curtains, and decorations. The air was filled with the aroma of herbal tea and freshly baked bread.

It is extremely rare among witches for sisters like Anna and Anne to build and use a witch's house together.

Most witches, after reaching adulthood, tend to have their own independent homes to satisfy their different research interests and lifestyles.

Anna and Anne's home, though not particularly spacious, is filled with traces of their shared life in every corner.

Anna's collection of dark magic materials coexisted harmoniously with Annie's sewing tools and colorful threads.

The bookshelf contained both culinary magic manuals and encyclopedias of curse magic.

Even their bedrooms were together, separated only by a curtain.

They are not only sisters, but also each other's strongest comrades and most understanding partners.

After the meal, the three drank the herbal tea that Anna had prepared herself, and Moran took the opportunity to bring up another purpose of her trip:
"Anna, Anne, I wonder if I could also buy a small plot of land in Hope Village and build my own little house?"

She didn't have the same dedication as Anna and Anne, but that didn't stop her from occasionally visiting Hope Village to offer other assistance to the girls there.