Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 162 Mission in Progress (Part 3)

Sharon did not reply to Altair, but instead looked at Marich, who was slumped on the ground with a look of grief and pain on his face, and shook her head, indicating that he needed to restrain himself and not act impulsively.

After calming Marich down, Sharon looked up again and, without any emotion, repeated her previous question: "What kind of cooperation do you want?"

Altair's eyes crinkled slightly, and with a smile on his face, he said in an unquestionable tone, "I need you to trade me all the extraordinary books of knowledge that you took with you when you defected from the Rose School."

January 1348, 7, afternoon.

After writing the letter of thanks, Altair picked up a book of knowledge about extraordinary research from the Rose School that Sharon had just given him.

But soon after, she closed the book, preparing to put it back, and gave up on studying it. Because it didn't offer her any useful knowledge.

The Rose School's research into extraordinary knowledge mainly revolves around the "Bound Ones" pathway. Most of the books Altair obtained teach newborns of this pathway how to effectively utilize their abilities, how to create beneficial environments in combat—the Temperance school's ideology—and research on the high-sequence advancement rituals for this pathway.

However, the study of the advancement ceremony is like an incomplete version, which only details the advancement ceremony of Sequence Four, and does not mention the advancement ceremonies of Sequence Three and above.

A smaller portion contains knowledge related to vampires, black magic, extraordinary potions, primitive moon worship, and prayer rituals.

These books are like a spark left to posterity before the collapse of civilization. They do not record past glories and honors, nor do they inscribe the prosperity and skills of a golden age. They only leave behind the simplest, most basic, and most life-saving ways of survival.

Putting the books back where they belonged, Altair muttered to himself, "I should have known better than to be so foolish as to go to the Brave Ones' Bar and rummage through the Temperance Faction's secrets. Now, not only have I failed to fill in the 'missing' Extraordinary knowledge, but I've also become my own babysitter!"

The night before last, after Altair proposed to trade the knowledge they had preserved and brought out, Sharon only hesitated for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

He further explained that they did not need something as "vulgar" as gold pounds.

Sharon's first demand was for Altair, or rather, for the power or family she represented, to provide them with three years of protection so that they could recuperate.

The second and final requirement is that, if necessary, Sharon is willing to pay a price to have Altair and others directly intervene and help her stop the Hedonistic Extraordinaries from carrying out her revenge.

Of course, given the disparity in their strength, Altair added conditions after Sharon made her two requests.

First, it's impossible for Altair's Sheffield family to actually become the nannies of the Rose School and the Temperance School; they can only come to them with problems they can't solve.

Second, based on the first premise, Altair will only solve problems she can solve, such as when the enemy is stronger than her.

There was nothing she could do to help.

In layman's terms, it means, "If we can't win, I can provide the necessary assistance; if we can't win, then we'll all go our separate ways when disaster strikes."

July 28, 1348, 7 p.m., Backlund, Queens, at the Duke of Negan’s residence.

After dancing a few dances with several familiar young noblemen, Altair used his "psychological invisibility" ability to reduce his presence, left the dance floor, and headed to the dessert area to replenish his energy.

Altair's purpose on this trip was the same as a few days ago: to continue George III's mission of using his extraordinary abilities to instigate and persuade the people to implement the repeal of the Grain Law and the enactment of the bill.

Before the ball began, during casual conversation in the living room, she subtly influenced everyone's thinking.

However, since the host of this banquet was Duke Negan, Altair decided to give up today and abandon the idea of ​​chatting with people or changing other people's perceptions. She really didn't want to do anything futile.

Before long, Altair spotted Audrey not far away. She was choosing desserts, just like Altair.

"I don't think the Battenburg cake tonight was very good; it was way too sweet."

Upon hearing this, Audrey slowly turned around, and when she saw who it was, she smiled and said, "Good evening, Sister Altair."

"Good evening, Audrey," Altair greeted politely, then asked thoughtfully, "Why are you walking around alone? Where is Mrs. Hall?"

At this time, Audrey had not yet held a social coming-of-age ball, so theoretically, she could only stay by her mother's side and observe and learn when attending the banquet.

Do not initiate dance invitations with men, or accept invitations from men. Do not wander out of your mother's sight. Do not wear the kind of ornate jewelry typically worn by adult women.

Audrey said with a smile, "The Duchess of Negan just invited many noble ladies to a side hall for a talk, and Mother was one of them. But since the content was not suitable for me to hear, I came out."

"Hmm~~ Sister Altair, you should know about the matter of the Grain Law."

"The Duchess of Negan said: 'For the common people to live better lives and not be exploited by factory owners, we nobles should protect the Grain Law—'"

Altair chuckled softly, almost inaudibly, and said, "For the common people?"

"They really dare to speak their minds! If they were truly ordinary people, why would they raise their land rent this year?"

Audrey nodded and said, "I just heard about that too. Apparently, the Negan family's land rent this year is higher than..."

The amount increased by more than 40 gold pounds in previous years.

After thinking for two seconds, Audrey continued, "Sister Altair, what do you think about abolishing the grain law for the sake of the common people's livelihood, according to those new nobles?"

Altair sighed and said, "Their explanation doesn't hold water either. If they were truly commoners, why didn't their wages rise even slightly when food prices were high?"

Audrey paused for a moment, then lowered her voice, "If neither side works out, then what are they fighting for—from beginning to end, just for their own interests?"

Altair: "It was more than just fighting."

"The Grain Act stood in the middle, with landed nobles who relied on high grain prices for stable income on one side, and factory owners who wanted to reduce costs on the other."

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"They argued fiercely, but it wasn't about the common people's bread; it was about who got a bigger share and who got a smaller share."