You think you're worthy of saving the world?

"What's wrong? Are you still thinking of eloping with this brat?!" the head maid demanded angrily.

Stella shook her head and said softly, "There's no need to continue the ceremony..."

"What did you say? You plan to make Lord Dragon God go berserk again? Haha! If you want to do it, then do it! Let the world be destroyed along with it!"

The head maid roared hysterically.

Stella felt that she could understand her feelings.

While I can understand her sense of responsibility, I cannot accept her actions.

Stella, an orphan herself, could not tolerate the act of using innocent children as firewood.

"I mean, even without the heart of an innocent brat, I can keep this monster asleep for a thousand years! I'll do it, I'll do it!"

With a sense of realization, Stella declared loudly, "Therefore, from this day forward, the history of the Crimson Festival ends here."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" The head maid frowned unhappily.

"Sorry……"

Stella lowered her head and murmured softly.

She wasn't speaking to the head maid, nor to the people of the island, but to Yuri.

Then, Stella turned her head to the head maid, closed her eyes, and said softly.

"I don't need the witch's power that these brats offer me..."

When she opened her eyes again, the silver-haired girl's jade-like pupils had turned into a bewitching, burning crimson.

"Because I myself am a real witch."

160 "The Ash Witch"

About six years ago.

Two years before the attack on Alavent Monastery.

That evening, Sister Rosette, who was quite old, returned to the convent after buying necessities in town and happened to see Stella squatting outside the iron gate.

The girl stared silently at the ground beneath her feet.

"Stella, what are you doing?"

As the old nun asked, she leaned closer and saw a line of ants marching neatly on the ground, laboriously carrying the carcass of a huge insect.

"Haha... What a boyish hobby."

Sister Rosette stroked the back of Stella's head as she spoke.

Her wrinkled hands trembled slightly with instinctive fear.

Sister Rosette knew Stella's true identity two years ago, after Stella excitedly pulled her aside and showed her her self-taught fire magic.

At that time, she told Stella very seriously that she should never show magic in front of others again.

Under Stella's persistent questioning, Sister Rosette told her, "Your true identity is that of a witch, and this must never be known to anyone."

Looking back now, this was Sister Rosette's most regrettable decision.

From that day on, Stella changed.

The once cheerful girl became quiet and withdrawn.

Even children understand what the word "witch" means, let alone orphans raised in monasteries—witches are terrifying legends used to scare children when they refuse to sleep.

Sister Rosette deeply regretted her words that day, for they had alienated young Stella from those around her.

Although she knew very well that once Stella revealed her identity, she would probably lose her place in the convent.

The old nun is still terrified of witches, but she knows very well that Stella is a kind-hearted girl.

If she didn't have witch blood flowing through her veins, she would surely have become an excellent and devout nun.

As Sister Rosette pondered how to reopen Stella's heart, the girl, staring at the ants on the ground, suddenly spoke.

"Should I keep hiding the fact that I'm different from everyone else?"

Among the ant column in front of the girl, there was a red ant that was clearly different from the others.

It tried to join the large family of black ants, but was ostracized and ruthlessly torn apart by the other ants.

Even ants, which lack logical thinking and rely solely on neural reactions to act instinctively, understand the principle of "those who are not of our kind."

"..."

The question posed by the young girl made Sister Rosette take a deep breath and carefully consider her words.

"Yes, it's true that society still finds it hard to accept..."

Stella is an obedient and good girl; she hasn't done anything wrong. However, even to protect herself, she must continue to keep it a secret.

“I understand…” Stella nodded obediently.

"Whether human or witch, there will come a day when we can coexist peacefully, hehe," the old nun said with a smile.

It seemed that her message had been conveyed to the girl, and Stella's guard relaxed slightly.

"Must I continue to keep it a secret forever until that day comes?"

"No...it doesn't necessarily have to be like that..."

Sister Rosette thought for a moment and said, "The world is very big, and there may be people in this world who can accept witches."

If you look carefully, you might be able to find it... I've heard there are witches who form families with humans.

He accidentally said something that a clergyman shouldn't have said.

Sister Rosette apologized to the goddess in her heart while stroking the girl's head.

From that day on, Stella became a little more cheerful again.

She no longer felt inferior because of her witch identity and started interacting and playing with the children in the monastery again, integrating herself into their lives.

Several months passed in this way.

"Sister Rosette... I want to know, when can I tell everyone about my past?"

Stella is too kind.

She seemed to think it was wrong to hide her witch blood from her friends, so she subtly asked her best friend for her opinion on witches.

The girl's disdainful attitude deeply hurt Stella, leaving her somewhat dejected.

She believes that people treat her kindly because they don't know her true self.

This caused the girl to feel a strong sense of guilt.

If this continues, new psychological problems may arise.

“Let’s make a deal, Stella.”

"What agreement?"

The old nun thought for a moment and said, "Stella, the witch's power is not a terrible curse, but a talent."

You were born with talents that others don't possess...

So one day, something only you can do will appear before you, and someone only you can save.

When that time comes, use your power without hesitation.

"But……"

Stella hesitated; she was very resistant to her magical abilities.

"It doesn't matter if others discover that you are a witch. There will definitely be people in this world who can accept you."

Sister Rosette herself didn't know if what she was doing was right or wrong.

Will things really go as smoothly as she says?

Why do people readily accept Stella just because she did something good? What if she's betrayed?

But in the end, she decided to believe in the goodness of humanity, just as she chose to believe in Stella's goodness instead of exposing her.

……

……

……

For Stella, now is the time to confront the sinful blood within her.

Whether it's a singularity or the real world, it has nothing to do with those things.

Four years ago, Stella failed to keep her promise to Sister Rosette because of her cowardice and timidity.

They escaped, they ran away.

Stella didn't want to relive those painful memories again.

So it's now.

Stella had a premonition that if she didn't confront herself now, she would live her whole life as a monster disguised as a human.

They will surely regret it deeply when they are about to die.

"I don't need the witch's power that these brats offer me..."

Stella declared solemnly, "Because I myself am the true witch."

"Wait, Miss Stella... what are you saying..."

Chaika's mouth dropped open. She noticed that when the silver-haired girl opened her eyes again, her deep topaz pupils had turned into a burning, bewitching crimson.

The head maid and the other maids also showed expressions of shock.

"How is this possible... You're not the 'Dragon Priestess'... Who are you...!?"

"Dragon Priestess? How cheesy! I'm not one of those fake witches who needs to eat children's hearts to maintain my witch powers."

Stella gave a disdainful smile, and a surge of magical energy swirled beneath her feet.

The magic density was extremely high, even forming a visible red mist.

The silver-haired witch smiled and said, "If you absolutely must have a title, you can call me 'Dragon Witch,' and that'll be recorded in the temple's archives."