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

"I always felt that your view on life and death was a bit abnormal, Miss... But it's true, it's just that it's a bit too... easy?" Chang Rong complained to Gao Yuanlihua, who was preparing to use her credit card to get out of hell, and then frowned as she pondered the so-called 'rebirth' mechanism.

Honestly, isn't that a bit too lenient? It's practically like going to a concert by a third-rate celebrity; as long as you buy a ticket, you can go in whenever you want.

“Perhaps this place was originally just a rest stop for witches to stop, chat, and then move on to the next chapter of their lives,” Alice said softly, withdrawing her magic, unlike the two puzzled individuals.

“That is indeed a possibility… but what about those ‘remains’? Why are they like that?” Chang Rong had hardly seen any witches along the way; the only ones she could see were the old veterans who would quickly stack power on themselves, the very old veterans, the legendary old veterans.

"Those are the remains driven by obsession. They have gradually forgotten their own existence, but some obsession still remains. These obsessions make them refuse to leave and can only wander here."

"However, as time goes by, when their last obsession dissipates and they have forgotten why they were angry and resentful, they will eventually choose to leave this place."

Alice rubbed her palms together as she softly explained to Chang Rong. Compared to having her hair tortured and tormented by that cheapskate mother, rubbing against her reliable father was definitely more reassuring and comfortable.

"So those remains are still the witches from before...? Then I, am I—" Chang Rong swallowed hard. He had always been afraid that the remains of the witches he had killed were actually witches who had once shared his precious memories and relationships.

"Stop spouting nonsense, you commoner. I'm perfectly fine here, aren't I?" The young lady interrupted Chang Rong rudely. She had been personally 'dispersed' by Chang Rong by this lake, but now she was able to reach this place, even retaining her former appearance. This at least proved that Chang Rong's actions hadn't caused their 'souls to be scattered'.

“That’s right, Dad, you don’t need to blame yourself or worry. Those remains are things whose self has been worn away, leaving only a last bit of obsession. Dad, you just helped them speed up their passing. And those witches who are freed in the mortal world will, like her, rediscover their human form and will here.”

Alice looked at the young lady, Gao Yuanlihua, who, like herself, maintained the human form she had taken in life, and said softly.

"No wonder I was already here when I came to my senses... and before I even understood what was going on, you dragged me here without saying a word." The young lady snorted and awkwardly turned her head away.

"Just like Miss Drew before, there are actually some witches who can maintain human form and consciousness. They will leave here on their own after a short stay. So it's not that there are only remains in the limbus, but rather witches who couldn't get rid of their obsessions and left. Their obsessions gradually became remains, and they can only wait for time to eliminate everything, or... like you, Dad, to be cool and free them."

Alice looked up at Chang Rong. She always looked sleepy, but she was willing to say so much. What she really wanted to say was very simple—you didn't do anything wrong. On the contrary, your actions were helping them to no longer be bound here.

"So, people come here after they die, 'rest' here, and then move on to their next life? But some people are too attached to their past, so they linger here, and can only start anew when they forget and let go of everything?"

Chang Rong briefly summarized the information currently known about limbus.

“Yes, but this should be a place reserved for witches only,” Alice added.

“Indeed, if everyone’s resurrection matches were held here, this island would probably be several times more crowded than a train station during the Spring Festival travel rush. I reckon anyone who becomes a wrecked person could just eat in the cafeteria on the spot.” Chang Rong nodded in agreement.

"Hmph, so all that effort to create this place was just for a 'tea room' to chat and reminisce with others after death? Witches are truly bizarre creatures..."

The young lady crossed her arms and complained bitterly. As a victim who had been tricked by the witch factor, she really couldn't have a very good impression of the 'witch' race.

“【Tea break room】...that’s quite an interesting description.” Chang Rong rested her chin on her hand thoughtfully.

—If the witches actually knew about the existence of this place all along… no, they must have known, since the existence of this place is all thanks to the witches' magic.

Since they know about this border of death, and know that letting go of their 'obsessions' allows them to leave anytime, anywhere, then perhaps... perhaps for the witches, 'death' is just a kind of rest, a way to chat about over tea?

Judging from the contents of the videotape at the time, these witches had almost no 'obsession'. Even if they came here, they would probably just continue playing music and dancing in the castle as before.

...Except for the great witch with the greatest 'obsession,' the forgotten witch, Yuki.

This conjecture was too unrealistic and 'optimistic,' and it didn't help the current situation at all. Chang Rong shook his head and decided not to consider it any further, while looking at Alice in his arms.

"If that's the case, then why are you still here, Alice? Since you're still maintaining your original form and consciousness, Alice, shouldn't you leave? After all, this place is full of wreckage and it's very dangerous."

"The wreckage won't attack Alice, after all, they're all 'the same kind,' but..."

The blonde girl in the Lolita dress was silent for a moment, then spoke softly.

Alice... is afraid of being alone. She is afraid that she will never see her parents again, and never see them again. So, Alice has been waiting here for her parents to come.

"But Alice waited a long time and still didn't see it—poof!"

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry, Alice. And Miss, I’m sorry too…I—I couldn’t help you, and I couldn’t respond to your pleas for help…”

Just imagining Alice all alone in this remote area made Chang Rong feel incredibly breathless. He held the girl tightly in his arms, using the warmth of his body to tell her that he was there, while repeatedly apologizing to the young lady beside him.

"Don't be so self-righteous, you commoner!"

"Well--!"

A sudden, somewhat harsh complaint interrupted Chang Rong.

"So that's what commoners are! They always try to take the blame for everything. If you ask me, this kind of despicable thinking will only keep them poor for life! Truly strong people should understand one principle: know your mistakes, correct them, but don't admit them!"

"Where are you from, a powerful figure..."

"Besides—even if someone really has to apologize, it should be me apologizing to Alice..."

Although she uttered some strange words that sounded plausible at first glance but were quite meaningless upon closer inspection, Gao Yuanlihua immediately deflated. She looked at Alice, her gaze shifting between embarrassment and regret.

During that witch trial, Gao Yuanlihua, overwhelmed by pressure, killed Gu Yuanyuan, a young female criminal who called herself "Vulture." Alice witnessed this scene, which ultimately led to Alice being killed by the young lady to silence her.

This is her original sin as a young lady, a sin that she can never shake off no matter how much she deceives herself.

"Alice... doesn't blame you, and even Miss Gu Yuan has long since stopped caring. She was actually the first to leave here. At that time, Miss Gu Yuan left with a sense of relief, saying something strange like, 'It was indeed this chaotic world that ruined me, it was all fate.'"

"...Waaah!"

Chang Rong wiped his sweat. Although the 'Vulture' was already a vigilante who would use extreme methods to kill scum who attacked girls before he was arrested, he was indeed more open-minded about life and death than others. However, Alice's description still made Chang Rong wonder if she had been corrupted by something.

"Tsk...that bandaged madwoman...good, she's let go, so am I! I can immediately have an epiphany too...no, if it were really that easy, I wouldn't have been wandering around in such an ugly and miserable state all this time."

Gao Yuanlihua, with her competitive and spoiled young lady nature, even wanted to compete with others in something as simple as being in a hurry to be reborn. However, her tone gradually softened as she spoke.

"If it weren't for your help, you commoner, I'd probably still be wandering around like that... I haven't been able to forgive myself for being abandoned by my family, and even now, that anger still lingers. But—since you two commoners are here, as a princess, I should naturally set a good example for the commoners, right?"

“That’s right, Miss. You are as dazzling and noble as ever!” Chang Rong smiled as she recalled their conversation when they first met.

"Hmph, anyone can flatter. Since you're basking in my glory, you might as well show some sincerity. Although you, a poor commoner, don't seem to have anything to offer, your looks are barely acceptable. Or... or perhaps—"

"Speaking of which, Alice, how have you been spending this time?"

"Hey you idiot, stop changing the subject and interrupting me!"

No matter what, she had struggled through that hellish environment since childhood. Before the young lady could overcome her shame and boldly plant the flag, Chang Rong had already pulled it off and thrown it away.

"You clearly possess self-awareness, yet you never leave, waiting for us but never seeing us... This must be very agonizing for you, Alice, right?"

Chang Rong looked at the little girl in front of her and asked her with heartache.

"No, Alice... I'm very happy." The girl shook her head and replied softly.

"The fact that I didn't see my mom and dad means they must still be alive and well, and just thinking about that makes Alice happy."

"And... Sister Forte also stayed with Alice for a while, but Sister Forte eventually left. She said that she was really happy and proud that she was able to help everyone in the end, and that gave her the courage to leave."

"Sister Fute also said, 'I hope Arong won't be too troubled—of course, if he's not troubled at all, then it'll be my turn to be troubled!'—something like that."

"...Rongrong, that dropout idiot, of course I'm troubled, super super troubled. After all, with her level of photo editing skills that she can't even do properly, she should probably go deliver food."

Chang Rong hugged Alice and gently stroked her, while half-jokingly complaining.

Her petite frame concealed an undeniable strength. Chang Rong couldn't fathom the courage it took to stay here simply because she 'didn't want to be alone.'

"Alice... Mom is actually the 'mastermind' behind everything. She really is a great witch... That's why she didn't appear here, and that's why you've been waiting here all this time... I'm really, really sorry."

Chang Rong didn't know how to tell Alice about the 'Great Witch,' which was another tragedy. All she could do was keep stroking the girl and apologize to her over and over again.

Although Alice initially acted out of a 'survival instinct,' she deliberately adopted an overly naive and innocent demeanor, like a fledgling bird, when facing Yuki after careful consideration.

However, in their subsequent interactions, she did gradually come to accept Xiaoxue as her clumsy, incompetent, and paranoid stepmother.

As for Xiaoxue... she participated in this witch trial with a purpose from the very beginning. During the trial, she realized what she truly wanted to grasp, but because of her 'lie,' she ultimately paid an unbearable price of despair.

"Although Mom is an incurable idiot and a nobody, Alice... has never looked down on her. And she must be waiting for Dad somewhere."

"As for Alice... to be able to do this now, Alice has already received the reward for her perseverance..."

Alice narrowed her eyes and smiled as she spoke to Chang Rong.

She still loved that overly awkward, snowflake-like girl. Just knowing this gave Chang Rong a sense of immense salvation.

"Alice... Waaah, she's so well-behaved..." "She's just a commoner, yet she's made this young lady's nose tingle with tears...!"

Looking at the girl in front of them, who was like a fairy tale, a dream, and a rainbow, Chang Rong and the young lady both sighed.

"Seeing Alice again is the biggest surprise for me—wait, according to the previous setting, Alice and Miss, you can see me, so, doesn't that mean—"

Chang Rong finally recovered from the joy and shock of reuniting with his former companions, but at the same time, a question naturally arose in his mind:

Oh no, I'm dead again!?

Didn't I already win the revival match back in the old guard's generation? I was just accidentally killed and sealed by the Icebox. How come after being released by Hero this time, I've been dragged back again after all this time?!

"No, not just me, Meruru and Rhea too—"

Chang Rong looked anxiously at Meruru and Leia, who were still unconscious beside her, and her expression became tense and flustered.

"That's not how it is, Dad. You and they didn't really come here. What remained here was your 'consciousness.' This place is just a realm of consciousness. The more determined and resolute a person is, the more powerful they can be. Dad, you came here and are still very clear-headed, and you were able to destroy so many wreckage... This shows that you really have a strong sense of awareness."

"I see... So this is the Greenskin territory. So we're just temporarily staying here?"

“Yes, that’s about it. Unlike us, Father, you have a vessel that allows you to return. These… companions are the same.” Alice looked at the two people not far away. Although Hasumi Rhea was a complete stranger, the white jellyfish next to her was a familiar face.

"Meruru, she—"

"She's the one pulling the strings, isn't she? Even though I know about this, well... it doesn't really feel real." Gao Yuanlihua snorted and waved her hand to interrupt Chang Rong, as if retaliating against Chang Rong's earlier act of sabotaging her.

"As for you, a commoner... I never expected you to participate in another witch trial. Should I say you're just unlucky or what..."

"If I had to say... I think I'm very lucky. It was because I participated in yet another witch trial that I was able to meet those companions that I cherish just as much."

Chang Rong smiled and spoke to the two of them as if reciting a familiar story.

"Speaking of which, in the year I participated later, there was a prospective witch who really wanted to become a real young lady! Although she knew nothing about the etiquette of the nobility, she still tried to learn clumsily. But what truly made her shine like a princess was her simple, honest and down-to-earth heart."

"And another thing! There's a little girl—about your height, Alice—who really admires your rainbow magic! Every time I'm with her, she says that one day she wants to draw a rainbow in the sky, and it has to have at least 14 colors... Hehe, she's so cute, but she can be a little temperamental sometimes—"

As Chang Rong reminisced about her past with Tono Hannah and Shirosaki Noah, she happily recounted those trivial details to the two of them.

"You're all such lovely, good kids, aren't you—uh?"

When Chang Rong finally snapped out of her reverie of those happy fragments from the past, she suddenly realized that the real young lady in front of her was smiling at her with veins bulging all over her head.

"Although it's a bit too long as a last word, I've already understood. You, a commoner, like being lifted up high, right? In that case, I'll grant your wish—Highland Family Secret Technique: Mountain of Storms!"

"Wait, why do you know judo wrestling, young lady—Goo-waa!!!"

"Wrestling is a required course for elegant young ladies!" The young lady lifted Chang Rong upside down and planted her headfirst in the soil, clapping her hands as she spoke with a dashing and elegant air.

After Chang Rong scrambled to his feet, Alice walked over expressionlessly.

"So Daddy likes this kind of hypnotic play... Well then, Alice can do it too. Just by adjusting a specific spectral frequency, Daddy can become a silly guy who only knows how to stroke Alice—"

"Ughhhhhhh!?"

Does being a pampered young lady mean you have to act superior, while being a sweet and gentle girl means you have to betray me?

Chang Rong didn't consider his own problems at all, but instead kept cursing the Witch Island for causing so much harm. In a sense, he had achieved a higher level than "knowing his mistakes, correcting them, but not admitting them"—"not knowing his mistakes, not correcting them, and not admitting them." He was truly showing the signs of a dragon and the wrath of an emperor!