Witch Redemption

But she was now in a bind, and her usual toughness wouldn't allow her to back down at this moment. "If you don't hand it over, you'll suffer the same fate as those two. From now on, you'll be considered a traitor! You'll also lose all the benefits you're entitled to in the Witch Cult!"

"I understand. I'll pack up and leave right away."

Lorina immediately put away the recovery potion in her hand and straightened her posture. "The specifics are the same as those two traitors. They have to come to the witch's residence to report once a week, right? I will be with them then, so there's no need to worry."

"you!"

The anger that surged within Cagalli almost made her teach this ungrateful witch a lesson.

However, the next second, a voice rang in her mind, calming her anger.

“Priestess Cagalli, this is an opportunity. Make good use of it.”

That was the voice of Priestess Monica.

Cagalli's dark cloud dissipated slightly, and she laughed angrily, "Fine, very well! Since this is your choice, I won't stop you. Before you get out of here, go register with Priest Monica."

Lolina was quickly evicted from the building.

After she left, Cagalli turned to the eight witches in the living room and said, "Did you see that? This is what happens when you approach those two traitors without permission. After being bewitched, they dared to defy the Witch Cult. You understand what you should do from now on."

“But,” asked Lancy, codenamed 077, a witch of the raccoon-orc race, “why not punish them more severely? They’re despicable, especially this one codenamed 099. Since she betrayed us, she must pay the price.”

"Because it's not the right time yet. We need to wait until we lure out their mastermind. Also, if nothing unexpected happens, one day you will have to take action against them yourself. Until then, you need to be prepared."

………………

Lorina went to the familiar building to consult with Chairwoman Monica, who was noticeably easier to talk to than the previous one.

She simply took a briefcase from the room and handed it to Lorina, saying, "Since you've chosen to give up the benefits of the Witch Cult, you only need to come here to register once a week from now on."

After briefly explaining that her clothing and appearance would be similar to Li Lan's, Monica casually remarked, "Judging from your conversation, you are indeed from the same world. Your other accomplice is much more rational than you."

Lolina was taken aback for a moment, but didn't say anything. "Thank you, Chairperson. I will remember that."

Half an hour later, Lorina returned to her residence and changed into another outfit, burying half of her face under the hood of a black cloak.

Ann Gnath called out to Lorina just before she was about to leave.

"Lorina, I've heard about what happened. It's not too late for you to back out now."

“An, you are a very thoughtful person. You know why we are being ostracized and why I did this.”

Lolina stopped and turned around to see Ann Gnath's somewhat gloomy face.

It's hard to imagine why Ann Gnath, who has always appeared quite petite, would often wear such an emotionless face, so dull that it's almost frightening.

"The reason is simply that we don't fawn over Major General Aibo like the others. However, your actions were too impulsive. Do you understand what leaving here and joining those two wandering witches means?"

Ann Gnath said earnestly, "We can live here now and enjoy the Witch Order's three meals a day. We also have monster-hunting missions every day to earn rewards. No matter how much they ostracize us, as long as we stand on their side, they won't stand idly by if we encounter any danger."

“But once you’re branded a traitor, you’ll lose everything you have right now. Lorina, this is the last time I’m saying this, don’t be so hard on yourself.”

Anyone with eyes can see that the Witch Cult is currently pouring resources into them, giving them very preferential treatment.

“An, I understand everything you’re saying, but there’s one thing I’m also very clear about: I’ve found people I can trust. As long as I follow them, I’ll definitely be able to survive in this world. And if you…”

"I'm sorry, I'm not like you. I will not give up."

Like Lolina, Ann Gnath's gaze was exceptionally firm, and she too was adhering to her beliefs.

Lolina remained silent for a few seconds before turning around and taking a step forward.

"Thank you, although I know your advice just now wasn't sincere."

No turning back, the only remaining goal is to follow in the footsteps of those two!

Chapter 46 Departure

Chapter 46 Departure

At dawn, Li Lan and Lana arrived at the witch's residence on time, as agreed upon with the old woman Monica in their previous mission.

However, when they arrived at a large area of ​​ruins outside the witch's residence, they encountered an unexpected person.

"Lolina?"

To her surprise, there was a third witch dressed exactly like them, and Li Lan almost didn't recognize her at first glance.

"Oh my god, I've finally found you! I wanted to go look for you last night, but I couldn't find you."

Luo Lina had not had much contact with Li Lan and the other person before, so she was unaware that they had been living in either a remote slum or renting a hotel room during this period.

"Um, what's with your outfit?"

Lana was also quite surprised. Didn't Lorina always wear cute gothic dresses before?

Lolina sighed dejectedly and gave a brief account of what had happened the night before.

Knowing that all conversations here would be overheard by the chairpersons, she simply explained that the conflict with the chairpersons was due to accepting the recovery potion given to her by Li Lan, which ultimately led to her being expelled from the witch's residence.

Li Lan never expected that simply giving away some medicine would lead to this incident for Luo Lina, and for a moment she felt that she had done something wrong with good intentions.

"Feel sorry……"

"No need to apologize, this was my own choice. Indeed, I'm happier with you guys."

That's just how Lolina is; even when she's happy, she still acts somewhat cold. Combined with her current attire that covers half her face, she appears even more gloomy than before.

"So, Lolina, you wouldn't have..."

Li Lan wanted to ask, "Will you stay up all night?"

As a result, Lolina waved her hand and said, "Since I couldn't find you, I came here and had to sleep in the open. I have to say, the wind here is really strong at night—I have to go now, the agreed time is approaching."

"No matter what, I'm now relying on you, so you have to take responsibility for me!"

"Forehead……"

Li Lan really didn't expect Luo Lina to be so straightforward, and a feeling of being touched welled up in his heart as they talked.

Perhaps only at this moment did Li Lan wonder to herself, "Senior No. 47 entrusted the secret to me, even at the cost of his life, to leave us with hope for survival. Now, aren't Lana and Lorina's lives also on my mind?"

The witch's only end is destruction, but how can Li Lan change their fate before that end?

"No matter the cost, I am determined to change all of this! From this moment on, I will make my utmost effort to achieve this!"

While they were deep in thought, the three of them arrived at the witch's residence, where Monica, Abbott, and eight other witches had been waiting for a long time.

………………

The old woman, Monica, took one last headcount and made some notes in her notebook.

"Now that everyone is here, I'll get straight to the point. Our mission this time is to work with Major General Abbot to escort a caravan to Dawn City in Mowai Hill. The reward is three hundred Browns."

Monica explained in detail the tasks the witches would need to do along the way, "The specific tasks will be assigned by Major General Abbott, and you will simply follow his orders."

Previously, Li Lan and her companion had not observed the young man closely, but today, upon seeing him, they felt a chill run down their spines.

Because this guy was wearing a black trench coat with red trim and a top hat, Li Lan and Lana would never forget such features. The last guy from the Crimson Night Torrent was dressed the same way and attacked them.

Upon closer inspection, the blond hair, handsome face, and smiling eyes seemed to bear a resemblance to one of the guys.

"The Inquisitor! He is very likely the one who killed Senior Number 47. We cannot be careless!"

Although they were inwardly panicked, neither of them dared to show the slightest hint of their panic on their faces.

Monica glanced around at the people around her. The eight people, including Della (codename 013), were all staring at Abbot with eyes shining with girlish admiration. In contrast, Karen (codename 001) and the others seemed quite indifferent.

She concealed the look in her eyes that seemed to be staring at dead people, and continued, "The mission will last for seven days. Given the special nature of this mission, you will be exempt from participating in the fight against this month's Crimson Night Torrent."

Li Lan and Lana quickly exchanged a glance. They already knew what the Crimson Night Torrent was like from Senior Number 47. It was something that no witch could escape.

I thought that since it was April 11th, escorting the caravan would only take three days at most, and we would be able to catch the Crimson Night Torrent by then.

Unexpectedly, the old woman gave them seven days for the mission. Did escorting the caravan to the Sunset Temple in Dawn City of Mowai Hill really take that long?

"Something's fishy about this mission!"

The moment their eyes met, they both knew what was going on.

Soon, after Monica finished explaining the relevant matters, she handed Abo a card containing the person's information, and then the cheerful young man began to walk.

Along the way, the witches, including Della (codename 013), chattered around the handsome imperial man, mostly about their recent monster-slaying experiences and the status of the magic book.

Li Lan and the other two followed behind them somewhat out of place, simply listening quietly.

An hour later, outside the city gate of the border region...

"Major General Abbott, hello. I am Cole Frank, the president of the Mori Trading Company."

The slender gentleman in the high-class tuxedo noticed Abbott and the witches behind him, and quickly came forward to greet them.

This was the second time Li Lan and the others had seen this middle-aged man. It seemed that this guy had an extremely close relationship with the Witch Cult, and they might encounter him many more times in the future.

"Hello, are your men all ready?"

Aibo smiled and shook hands with the middle-aged man.

"Yes, all the necessary materials have been collected in the past few days and can be sent out at any time."

“Very good. You will come with us to Dawn City this time. After the matter is settled, the imperial government will personally deliver the funds.”

"No rush. It is my honor to serve the empire!"

Cole smiled broadly, then he beckoned, and four burly men dressed in adventurer attire such as soft armor, carrying huge bundles, came over and stood with Cole.

"Since the only way to get there is on foot, your safety will be their responsibility from now on. Don't worry, they are very strong."

"Abbott said."

"What about the Survey Corps..."

Cole was a little surprised. According to the agreement, the Survey Corps members would also be coming along, so why were there only these witches in the end?

"The Survey Corps is no longer needed. I will personally accompany you from here."

"That's even better!"

Cole was even happier. The man in front of him was a major general-level hero, and his strength might even be at the level of a lieutenant general. Having someone like him, who could roam freely in the Mori Defense Forest, as an escort was much more reliable than having the lowly soldiers from the Survey Corps help him.

"You guys keep up, the task of clearing out the monsters along the way will be yours."

………………

Unlike their previous trip to the Southern Plains, this time Li Lan and her group traveled north, much like when they went out hunting monsters on their own.

However, there are quite a few accomplices today. Although the other eight people are responsible for the security of the right flank, Li Lan and the other two are responsible for the left flank.