Witch Redemption

Li Lan didn't stand on ceremony with Lana. He took the short dagger while flipping through the relevant information in his natal magic book.

At the last moment, Lana casually tossed him the core of the Archangel Angel's wisdom. He didn't have time to check what the core was like then, but now he finally had the chance.

But there it was, the core of the wisdom of the Archangel Angel was lying quietly in the magic book, with the corresponding icon under the golden text, "Origin Flame". Could this be another item that can be used for "life alchemy"?

Perhaps we can resurrect Archangel Angel once again!

The thought of this terrifying guy today filled Li Lan with both anticipation and dread.

Regardless, resurrecting such a monster as an ally is something we would be very happy to do, but its appearance is just too terrifying, with so many tentacles and black mist, and its whole body exudes a terrible corrosive stench.

"You can't have both talent and beauty!"

According to Li Lan's gaming philosophy, it boils down to whether you prioritize power or female characters. Many games have incredibly powerful but ugly characters, yet everyone still loves using them. Meanwhile, those die-hard fans who refuse to believe in this often end up getting crushed by those who prioritize power.

After confirming this, Li Lan took the initiative to speak, "I currently have two intelligence cores from demonic creatures. You should know which two they are. If you need them for your life refinement, then..."

“My life creator is a bit special. It doesn’t need any End Flame, which is strange,” Lana said, puzzled. “It only needs a magic core, a large amount of source of fire, life elements, and a little bit of my blood as a catalyst.”

"Forehead……"

Li Lan was stunned for a moment, never expecting that there would be such a big difference between the two secondary professions, "Life Creator".

However, neither side knew what the other's magic book was, so after discussing it for a while, they had to stop. Since they didn't know what it was, talking too much would be like a cross-server conversation, which was meaningless.

"Sunset Temple, Archangel Angel, the fourteenth pillar god Lerakin, I think this world is indeed a continuation of the world view of our game." Li Lan pondered everything that had happened recently and made this judgment.

“Yes, if that’s the case, we might be able to find some clues in other temples as well, and we should also pay attention to other side quests in the original game,” Lana thought for a moment, then looked somewhat dejected. “However, so much time has passed, and many things have changed. The information we had before is of very limited help; we can only get a general idea.”

"That's enough. Perhaps we can have a goal to strive for in the future."

This is much better than knowing nothing at all, at least that's what Li Lan thought.

"By the way, what should we do about this witch?" Lana was referring to Della.

Chapter 69 Return to Mori City

Because she was afraid of being overheard, Li Lan thought for a moment, then took out the paper and pen stored in the magic book and said, "I can't worry about too much."

That's what they said verbally, but what they wrote on paper was, "She and her accomplices were probably used. If they hadn't been instigated by the Witch Cult, they probably wouldn't have turned on each other after entering the Sunset Temple."

Seeing Li Lan's actions, Lana also took out paper and pen, "So, should we treat her the same way as before?"

In any case, after this incident, this small group of eight will really be reduced to just one witch. I suppose the Witch Cult won't treat her the way it used to.

However, this is also a good opportunity. Li Lan and the others want to see what tricks the Witch Cult will come up with next. Will they still treat each other with sincerity on the surface as before, or will they kick each other away directly?

“I don’t know, but I’m sure of one thing: she’ll probably have a hard time after this. Being ostracized is one thing, but I’m worried that the Witch Cult might accuse her of something out of thin air, just like we were accused of being traitors.”

When Li Lan wrote these words, she was clearly moved by compassion.

Regardless, he was someone who knew a lot of secrets, and he was a good person, so naturally he couldn't just stand by and watch some unjust tragedies happen in front of him.

If he could, he definitely intended to unite all the witches, but unfortunately, not everyone is sincere at this time; everyone is wary.

This reminded Li Lan of her school days, the innocence of elementary and high school, when it was easy for people to become good friends. But once they entered university and stepped into society, many people became materialistic and wary of each other because of their own interests.

And it's the same now; mutual wariness is what keeps people at a distance.

"Perhaps we need to lend her a hand, otherwise I feel she's in a pretty bad situation."

Lana recalled Della's distraught state after Britney's death, and it was impossible for her not to feel sympathy for her. After all, people aren't plants or trees, and even if the two had had many unpleasant experiences before, and even if they might have come from different worlds.

"Leave it to me. Anyway, my leveling speed can't keep up with yours at all. Your priority and Lolina's priority is to level up as soon as possible so that we can face the next Crimson Night Torrent with peace of mind."

This time, they may have survived the Crimson Night Flood by luck, but the next time it might not be so easy.

During this period, Li Lan didn't know when she would be able to upgrade her magic book to level 4, but it was definitely possible for Lana and the others to upgrade from level 5 to level 6. As long as they could become stronger as soon as possible, they could better protect Li Lan.

Well, although it sounds like I'm sucking up to someone's coattails, what's so shameful about sucking up to someone's coattails?

As a hardcore gamer, what online game hasn't Li Lan played? As a poor guy with a low to middle income who feels the pinch even when spending money on in-game purchases, what big spenders hasn't he fawned over? He just enjoys playing, gets carried to victory, and then shouts "666, holy crap, eight nines!" Isn't that all there is to it?

“It would be best if we could bring her into our camp,” Lana had already vaguely sensed that Li Lan might be considering leaving the Empire. He was a smart man, but he never pointed it out. “Actually, I have another concern: Della’s memories have been spied on.”

Seeing the information Lana wrote on the paper, Li Lan replied, "It's alright. Most of it was told to us by Senior Number 47. We've been spied on before. I originally thought our memories would be spied on today, but they weren't. So there's a possibility that each witch might only have one chance to have her memories spied on, otherwise the Empire would definitely not have remained indifferent to us."

"As for the many secrets in the magic book, it doesn't matter if they are known. The empire certainly won't take the initiative to teach this to witches."

This would make the witch stronger, but it would also increase many unstable factors.

Li Lan already knew that she had a secondary profession as a "pharmacist," which, if used properly, could potentially bring enormous profits to the empire.

However, he believed that the Empire would never so easily use his abilities to make money. The Empire was not short of money, and the Empire must have a deeper purpose in keeping the witches imprisoned within its borders.

"Let's just take it one step at a time. If nothing unexpected happens, what we've seen so far is only the tip of the iceberg. This world is too dangerous; it's hard to even survive. Our top priority should be how to survive; we can ignore everything else."

How one escapes the empire, whether one seeks revenge after a successful escape, and how one finds a way home are all things that are far in the future, so thinking about them now is not very meaningful.

"Too."

The silent conversation continued for a while, and then the two tacitly tossed the paper and pen back into the grimoire, ensuring that the information recorded on it would never appear outside the grimoire again.

………………

Major General Aibo, Major General Aisen, and General Victor, the city lord of Dawn City, the three "heroes" of the empire, once again arrived at the ruins of the Temple of Sunset.

Aibo was holding an ancient bronze mirror, which reflected the state of the coffin in the central underground hall.

That was an indescribable darkness and nothingness that instantly drove ordinary people who looked directly at it to madness. The coffin was still in the same state, but unlike before, there seemed to be a strange color in that darkness and nothingness.

Silver, or if I'm not mistaken, those are faintly visible silver tentacles.

"Indeed, we can only find Him after the Archangel Angel has completely perished."

General Victor said with a grave expression.

“According to the plan, the warden will arrive tomorrow and completely seal off the entire Dawn City. It will probably only be open once a year,” Eisen said. His left hand was empty; after a simple bandage, he had not yet opted to have a prosthetic limb attached.

"Everything is for the Empire, for the last remaining humans; all sacrifices are worthwhile!"

Victor said this, then turned and slowly walked out of the temple. In that instant, his tall figure appeared much older.

“Starting tomorrow, I will organize most of the civilians of Dawn City to move to Mori City. Given the dangers along the way, I'm afraid many people will have to be abandoned.” These people who need to be abandoned are basically ordinary people who are unwilling to leave Dawn City. They have lived here all their lives and would never want to come into contact with the dangerous world outside.

If they choose to stay here after tomorrow, they will face the prospect of becoming sacrifices to seal this city.

General Victor had been the lord of Dawn City for nearly twenty years, and his feelings for the city were deeper than he had imagined.

"General Victor need not worry. When the prophesied day comes, all beings will be equal. Until then, we should do our best."

Abbott spoke words that sounded like comforting words, with a sunny smile on his face.

The three "heroes" of the empires walked out of the temple as the sun was about to set and the world would once again be plunged into night.

They all harbored the illusion that every night after today might become increasingly long.

………………

On April 18, 10003 in the Gregorian calendar, Li Lan, Lana, Lolina, and Della, four witches, embarked on their journey back to Mori City with a large procession.

Unlike last time, this time a large army, a large number of civilians, and a large number of adventurers also went with them. It can be said that the whole team was huge and the number of people was so large that it was a bit frightening.

Perhaps because of this, the pressure they faced after entering the monster area was much less than usual.

This is what is commonly known as "many hands make light work".

In fact, if it weren't for the fact that people hunt monsters for magical cores to make money, there probably wouldn't be so many lone rangers. Everyone goes out to risk their lives just to make a living.

In addition, Britney's body has been missing since yesterday, and Major General Abbott has been keeping quiet and in a daze since yesterday, unable to eat, like a walking corpse that is about to die at any moment.

Li Lan thought she needed to give her some time to face reality, so in the end she let her do as she pleased, only taking care not to let her attempt suicide.

It wasn't until noon on April 19th, 10003 (New Calendar) that the massive procession finally arrived in Mori City after a long day's journey. The witches were required to report to the witches' residence first, while Lord Victor and a series of officials, who were treated with great courtesy, began to handle the resettlement of the immigrants after receiving a warm welcome from the imperial high command.

On the same day, a major announcement from the Empire spread: due to the witches' failed mission, Dawn City would be under indefinite lockdown, prohibiting all adventurers from venturing there.

The news triggered a chain reaction, and people's hostility towards witches rose to a new level. Furthermore, due to the blockade of Dawn City, Mowai Hill became a veritable dead zone, and materials related to the monsters there rapidly increased in value, significantly impacting the economy.

Take, for example, the subspace cargo bags that Li Lan and Lana currently possess. These were originally only produced by the Devouring Python of Mowai Hill, but now, their price has skyrocketed, increasing more than tenfold.

At the Witch's Abode, Li Lan and her two companions led Della to Building Number One.

The old woman, Chairwoman Monica, had been waiting for a long time. When Li Lan pushed open the door, she saw eight unfamiliar witches sitting in the living room, and the eight unfamiliar witches' eyes were practically spitting fire as soon as they saw them come in.

Li Lan immediately felt a sense of foreboding. "What's going on? They left, and now they've sent in a witch? Did the Witch Cult believe from the beginning that all eight of them would die?"

Moreover, seeing the obvious hostility emanating from the eight unfamiliar witches, Li Lan had no doubt that the witch cult had once again exaggerated and smeared them, and in a very serious way.

"Perhaps the so-called witch summoning has no limit on the number of times it can be done, and it can be replenished at any time. There's no such thing as only one batch per year?"

Li Lan found it increasingly terrifying. They knew absolutely nothing about this and could only guess, but as things stood, it did seem like such a possibility.

After handing in their respective mission information cards, Monica gestured for Li Lan and the other two to leave.

The three hesitated for a moment, but in the end they went out first, leaving only Della standing alone in front of Monica with her head down.

"You've failed your mission. Losers will be punished. Have you thought it through?"

Monica's tone was very stern, while Della remained silent, standing there listlessly, it was unclear whether she had actually listened.

"After discussion, the Witch Order has decided that in addition to the deprivation of your property, you will also be expelled from the Witch's Abode. Your treatment will be the same as those three sinners; you will only need to report here once a week."

"In addition, one thing you need to do now is to hand over the identification document for Witch Code 015."

Since Britney's death, Della has been like someone who has lost all hope. These days, she has been clutching the Libra Cross sword that should have belonged to Britney (codename 015), refusing to let go for even a moment.

At this moment, after hearing Monica's request, Della's empty eyes finally changed slightly, and she hugged the Libra Cross Greatsword even tighter.

"Hand it over!"

Monica spoke sternly, but Della remained unmoved.

Monica repeated herself, a surge of anger rising within her.

Just as Monica was about to make a direct move to snatch it, Della suddenly raised her head, and her lifeless eyes made her swallow the words she was about to say.

What a look of despair it was! Monica saw not only despair in those eyes, but also a kind of resolute determination. She had no doubt that if she tried to forcibly take it, this guy would definitely launch a suicidal attack on her.

Although Monica was powerful enough to blast this ungrateful witch to smithereens, she had to consider the repercussions.

For each summoned witch, the Empire can only reclaim them after they have advanced to the Silver Magic Book. Before that, the Imperial Witch Order will do everything in its power to avoid eliminating them before they have grown further.

"It's not the right time yet. Forget it, let's keep this witch summoning spot for now and take it back in the future."

Having made up her mind, Monica ultimately didn't insist and gestured for her to leave.

The taciturn Della walked out of the witch's dwelling through the wooden door, her expression blank. From now on, where should she go from here? She didn't know; she was lost and confused, and even had suicidal thoughts.