Whose youth romance story begins with a witch's trial?!

Clang!

The next second, the headband guard was thrown into the punishment room by Kurobe Nanoha.

"..." "Waaah..." "Hey, now we're cellmates too, take care of each other~!" "...Hiss..."

The three witches, a strange group guarding the place, looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Only Tachibana Sherry, as always, greeted her 'Big Sister' with a carefree and cheerful attitude.

"Seriously, big sister... I already said that Chang Rong needs to rest and recuperate, so please stop causing trouble! And then you even tried to persuade me... No matter what, you can't be thinking about that kind of thing while he's recovering!"

Outside the door, Kurobe Nanoha Kaori blushed and complained softly. From her words, Leia also realized that Meruru was locked up for instigating kissing a fan, Sherry was locked up for trying to kiss a fan, and "Onee-sama" was both instigating and trying to do all five vices.

...Looking at it this way, isn't it a bit unfair that I was thrown into this mess because of Fu Rui control?

"Hiss..."

The guard with the hairband shook his head helplessly. He could admit that he was outmatched by Chang Rong and had to accept defeat, but his younger sister was simply hopeless.

"Hehe, there's no need to be so pessimistic~! Rhea said that as long as you can get 100 points, you can leave the punishment room. This little obstacle, which isn't even a puzzle, is a piece of cake for the great, cute, and kawaii Sherry-chan! Hmm, eh? Hmm...tsk—"

Snap!

"Waaaaah, Miss Sherry!? No matter what, you shouldn't have poked a hole in your phone!? Waaaaah... Ming, our budget for this month was already almost gone because of shipping fresh ingredients..."

"—v—Who told this little bird to be such a tough guy? It would rather die than submit."

Meruru clutched her shattered phone and started dropping tiny pearls.

"...Um, Nanoha Kaori. So, in the end, it was Sawatari Coco who went to take care of Changrong?"

Ignoring her fellow inmates, Leia inquired with concern about the winner who ultimately lifted the trophy.

"Well, it wasn't Zedu Coco. Chang Rong seemed to have thought of something at the time, so he suddenly decided to choose Baosheng Mag."

"—Marg?" "Eh?!?!"

Everyone was taken aback by this strange choice, and even Meruru stopped dehydrating.

"Why is it Mag?" Hasumi Ryoya asked, frowning.

“Hello, Coco, and Emma are also curious, but there’s no need to worry. Chang Rong once told me that she cares about Baosheng Mag, but that concern is just from a friend’s perspective, right?”

Nanoka Kurobe smiled and reassured everyone.

"..." The group looked at each other, stopped arguing, and finally focused their attention on Kurobe Nanoha Kaori, who had a smile on her face.

This guy...this guy is a complete nobody!

as well as--

Buhou, the mysterious con artist, is going to take a solo storyline and overtake others!

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Thanks to Chenguang Moxin for the sudden burst of attention; I've received my share of red bean bread for today.

Thanks to Sakamaki_Shameimaru Aya, Phoenix Soaring to the Nine Heavens, Connecting Fantasy Bonds, Beiming Salty Fish King, Dr. Moshou, Saegusa Gudako, and Endless Sorrow Beyond Dreams for their contributions.

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I'm so engrossed in climbing the tower that I'm practically delirious; there will only be one update today.

Today's update is 9K, [46.5 - 2.5 = 44]

I said Chicken Pot Dynasty, you understand?

I said Chicken Pot Dynasty, you understand?

209. Mysterious con artist: It's one thing to fool others, but don't fool yourself too.

Inside the infirmary, a purple-eyed girl with a small top hat, short black hair, and an off-the-shoulder kimono with black and white grid and butterfly patterns is looking at the white-haired boy lying on the hospital bed with a mysterious smile, her hand resting on her lips.

"Oh dear, among so many beautiful girls with different and incredibly cute personalities, why did you choose someone as insignificant as me? Could it be that Brother Chang Rong has always harbored some special feelings for me? Or perhaps, Brother Chang Rong, you think I'm very good at taking care of others? You're completely wrong."

Baosheng Mag spoke with a smile, but that smile revealed a clear sense of pretense and distance.

"No, no, no, I knew long ago that you weren't good at taking care of others—at least the weight loss master who peels potatoes and turns them into fries has absolutely nothing to do with taking care of people."

Chang Rong waved her hand and responded confidently, while also mentioning the 'great achievements' Bao Sheng Mag had made while cooking.

“Oh dear, this is really…” Marg gave a wry smile, and it was rare to see an expression of 'embarrassment' on the face of this con artist.

"As the saying goes, everyone has their own expertise, Chang Rong. I'm really not very good at cooking, there's no denying that. But I'm quite good at 'fortune telling' and 'gambling.' Although I don't know why you suddenly chose me, Chang Rong, just consider it a way to pass the time—would you like me to tell your fortune?"

Baosheng Mag took out a box of tarot cards that looked very fancy from his sleeve and showed it to Chang Rong. At the same time, the smile on his lips became more and more seductive, which reminded people of a fluffy salesperson who tricked little girls into becoming magical girls but did not care about after-sales service.

"Fortune telling? I always felt that you were the type to deliberately guide the results of fortune telling in order to have some fun... But just treat it as a way to pass the time, a little test is fine too, uh... what's the fee?" Chang Rong asked cautiously. He already owed this guy a mountain of gambling debts, and if he got involved in some other inexplicable debts, he was afraid that he would really only have the option of taking out loans to pay off his debts.

"Oh dear... I'd be really sad if you said that, wouldn't I? I won't try to guide you, I'll just... gently touch on everyone's concerns. As for the fees, since Brother Changrong is currently a patient, consider it a limited-time free service~"

As she spoke, Baosheng Mag walked to Chang Rong's bedside. She placed the tarot cards one by one in front of the white-haired boy with an elegant, slow, and professional touch, quite different from dealing cards in poker.

"Margot, when you were living on Witch Island, did you ever feel nervous or confused at times?"

While Mag was arranging the tarot cards, Chang Rong suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

"Feeling lost? Hehe... Generally speaking, during a divination, I'm the one who guides and prompts the questions. But since you're so curious, Brother Changrong, it wouldn't hurt to chat a little, would it?"

The essence of divination is actually more of a 'negotiation' based on dialogue and a mysterious atmosphere. Whoever is responsible for asking questions and guiding the conversation has more advantages and initiative in the negotiation process. Marge naturally knew this, but surprisingly, she did not choose to interrupt or evade Chang Rong's topic.

"Everyone on Witch Island is more or less influenced by the 'second loop memories' that Coco and Hiro mentioned, and their behavior is also changed because of their past memories. But... only you, Mag, have always been a loner and kept your distance from almost everyone. Although it may sound arrogant to say this, I am very worried about Mag."

Chang Rong looked at the black-haired girl in the kimono in front of her and spoke in a serious tone.

In the so-called "third cycle," most people gradually recognize their current situation and, because of "past events," also gain a certain understanding of the current situation.

Baosheng Mag was different. Chang Rong couldn't see much of her past in her. Even now, as she sat smiling by his bedside, Chang Rong still couldn't see through this girl at all.

"Hehe, I'm sorry to have troubled you, Brother Chang Rong. I've made you worry so much, but I prefer this kind of distance, so you don't need to worry too much about me. In fact, now that even the so-called 'behind-the-scenes secrets' have been captured by Brother Chang Rong, I naturally have nothing to worry about."

Baosheng Mag presented the tarot cards to Chang Rong, seemingly intending for Chang Rong to choose one from them.

"Since this is in the infirmary, let's keep it simple. Let's draw a card that represents destiny, Chang Rong. But speaking of which, it seems there's a possibility that everyone is teaming up to prank me. If that's the case—I'm really sorry, I haven't been able to provide any entertainment. It must be a big blow to the ratings."

"If it really is a prank, that would be great... What does this mean?" Chang Rong asked Mag, tilting her head as she drew a card.

“Oh, it’s the Lovers card~” Marge glanced at the tarot cards in Chang Rong’s hand and smiled in response.

"Lovers? I see, I get it, I get it. I have to say, this divination is really something." Before Mag could explain, Chang Rong nodded seriously, looking like she was saying, "Oh my god, this is me."

"Did Brother Chang Rong actually know the meaning of Tarot cards?"

“当然了！这个【恋人】的意思就是说我很耐揍，能够被活生生欧拉三页半对吧！确实占卜的很精准啊，毕竟我的体质就是这么特殊又耐草，梅露露都说了，我的失血情况对一般人来说大概是会直接嗝屁的程度来着。”

"...?" Looking at Chang Rong, who was muttering to himself with a confident expression and starting to analyze himself, Bao Shengma blinked, showing a rare look of confusion, "What is this guy saying?"

"The Lovers card symbolizes your fortune related to love. Chang Rong, you might soon start a new and passionate romantic relationship, and the person you fall in love with might be right in front of you?"

Baosheng Mag is indeed a top-notch rhetorician. She was only slightly affected by Chang Rong's nonsense, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled as she spoke to the white-haired boy in an almost seductive tone.

"A brand new romantic relationship, huh? I see. May I have another reading? Since it's free for patients, it shouldn't be a problem to come back a few more times, right?"

Chang Rong wasn't led by Mag's rhythm and hoped to have another chance. Mag, on the other hand, smiled and happily put the 'Lover' card back into the deck.

"Of course, no problem, Brother Chang Rong. The night is long; we have plenty of time to peer into your heart and destiny."

"Marg, is there someone you're particularly attached to? Someone you want to see immediately after leaving here, or someone you want to leave Witch Island to see?"

When Mag was arranging the tarot cards, Chang Rong once again took the initiative to ask.

“In my interactions with everyone, I noticed something – An An and Noah weren’t particularly enthusiastic about leaving Witch Island. Noah seemed to be indifferent to where he was, as long as he could… uh, as long as he could pursue art.”

After a moment's thought, Chang Rong believed that Noah's goal was to reach the pinnacle of art papermaking, rather than ultimately inventing a special colorless and odorless sedative to knock him out and drag him away to become a work of art.

"As for An'an, she didn't want to leave Witch Island at first, and even felt that life here would be better, until recently she has slowly changed her mind."

After that conversation in the recreation room, the fluffy girl who was actually a pigeon spirit finally mustered up the courage to make a decision. She decided to leave Witch Island and return to her parents to find a way to cure the aftereffects of the hypnotic magic.

"During this time, everyone has gradually become more determined to leave Witch Island—so what about Margot? Do you also want to leave this isolated island for someone?"

Chang Rong drew a tarot card from the deck that was handed to him, but he didn't even look at the contents of the card. Instead, he looked at Bao Shengma and asked in a calm yet serious tone.

"Oh dear... Can I take it as Brother Chang Rong, you're trying to find out about my family? This method is a bit too crude~ But it's okay to say it out loud, my father and mother are both alive and well~ and they are living very healthy and peaceful lives."

Baosheng Mag responded with a smile, placing one hand to her lips, deliberately feigning annoyance at being asked about her privacy. However, as always, her true emotions remained hidden on her face.

"Since that's the case... Marge, don't you want to go back and see them? At least from the way you've been acting so far, I feel like you also want to stay on this witch's island," Chang Rong asked, frowning.

"Oh dear, another 'Lovers' card. It seems your luck with women is unstoppable, Chang Rong. Hehehe~ As for why I don't feel like going home? Well, the one who's really 'problematic' is probably me..."

Baosheng Mag put the tarot cards away again, but this time a crack appeared on the almost unwavering smile on her face.

Chang Rong didn't ask Mag anything further. He realized that he had touched the edge of this 'fraudster's' self-defense line. If he continued to rashly try to explore further, it might lead to bad results.

Chang Rong chose to cooperate with Bao Shengma Ge in the tarot reading, but after a while, Bao Shengma Ge's expression became more and more serious, or rather, bewildered.

"This time it's still the Lovers... Counting the first card, there are now 13 Lovers cards... This is really something, there's no way to analyze it anymore."

Baosheng Mag blinked as he looked at the card Chang Rong handed him. As expected, it was still the "Lovers" card. He had drawn 13 cards, and all 13 times he got the same result.

At first, Marge would smile and jokingly say that Chang Rong's love luck was soaring, and that she was in the most passionate and exciting time of her life, and that she could probably easily win over even the warden or the remains by confessing her feelings.

But later on, even Marg himself didn't know how to make up the story. He couldn't very well say that this guy had 13 wives in one go!

"This...that...it must be the effect of magic, right?"

For some reason, Chang Rong was even more nervous than Mag. He wiped away his cold sweat and forced a smile, wondering if the old man's magic had worked.

"If it's not magical interference, then Brother Chang Rong, you've cheated. Considering my pride and professional confidence, magic is the more acceptable reason..."

Baosheng Mag smiled and put the tarot cards away. She was a little worried that 13 was not Chang Rong's limit. If she continued to do divination like this, she would draw a witch Liang Shanbo for him.

"Let's call it a day for today's divination session. Chang Rong, would you like to make a small bet with me?"

"Please allow me to refuse solemnly." Chang Rong was quite self-aware; if he gambled a few more rounds with Mag, he would probably have to spend the rest of his life digging coal underground until he was sick of it.

“Oh dear, what a pity…” Marge shook her head with a smile, then sat down next to Chang Rong. She crossed her hands on her chin, revealing a playful yet mysterious smile, and stared at the boy in front of her at close range.

"Now that you've experienced divination and don't want to gamble again and try to turn the tables—Brother Chang Rong, shouldn't you tell me the real reason you called me here?"

Baosheng Mag knew from the very beginning that Chang Rong invited her to be a 'caregiver' not for any reason of loving and beautiful communication, nor was it because he was interested in her costume.

"...Margot, why did you hide the Witch Killer Potion back then? This item could affect everyone's judgment of the facts and almost led to an irreversible result."

Now that things had been brought to light, Chang Rong stopped with the preamble and directly asked Bao Shengmage the question she most wanted answered.

"Oh my, that's a really straightforward and difficult question to answer... Why did I do that back then? It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing—I'm afraid you wouldn't accept that reason, Brother Changrong."

Marge stopped smiling, then got up and walked to the balcony next to the infirmary, turning her back to Chang Rong and looking at the scenery outside the castle.