Millennium Witch

Having received notice yesterday that she would be leaving this afternoon, Yvette slowed her pace slightly, her gaze falling on the white cotton balls that were scattered like clouds in the distance.

Those were sheep raised by the kingdom's shepherds, mainly to provide food for Dugrabi.

But perhaps because of the bond they had developed, when he learned that everyone was about to leave, especially the dragon, the village shepherd was the only puppet to show any joy, probably because he felt that his sheep could finally live a good life.

Standing on a black rocky ridge, Yvette watched the sheep grazing for a while, and suddenly thought of the food chain in the End of the Land, where wild animals, especially herbivorous ones, are truly an indispensable link.

After all, mutants devour each other, like raising poisonous insects, until a higher-level mutant is produced. Their numbers will inevitably decrease, and the mutant factors will become more and more concentrated. At the same time, mutants cannot mate and reproduce. The only way to increase their numbers is by infecting various wild animals.

Therefore, once the number of wild animals in a place decreases, it won't be long before the number of low-level aberration variants also becomes scarce. During this period, wild animals will take the opportunity to reproduce, and the number of low-level aberration variants will increase again...

While insects are also included in this model, their small size and low intake of mutation factors make it much more difficult for them to become aberrant variants. Furthermore, once aberrant, they often become easy prey for other aberrant variants… Of course, this is a snowy region; in the south, the presence of insect aberrant variants would likely be much stronger…

As for higher-order aberrations?

This should be considered another race called the Divine Heirs, since their intelligence level is different; they are naturally outside the Three Realms and outside the Five Elements.

Lost in thought about the food chain in a very unromantic and unpoetic way, Yvette stared blankly at the sheep in the distance until, after more than ten minutes, a figure lurking in the meadow below suddenly caught her attention.

That is……

Spider Witch?

Yvette blinked in surprise and saw that the fifth-stage lord who had once shattered a magical mech with a single slap was now crouching behind a large rock, staring menacingly at a sheep not far away, looking like a mother leopard poised to pounce.

Compared to when she was released two days ago, she looked much more miserable. Her gorgeous black backless dress had been reduced to strips of cloth resembling straps, revealing black armor that looked like underwear. Her once fair skin looked like it had been washed with mud and was covered in grime. She was missing one of her high heels, and it was unclear what kind of willpower made her insist on wearing the other one.

Yvette looked surprised, thinking that she was, after all, a stage 5 aberration, and an aberration with human intelligence. Even if she lost most of her aberration factors, she shouldn't have ended up like this, right?

How come they're almost turning into wild men now? Are their survival skills really that bad?

However, after hesitating for a moment, she did not go over to disturb them immediately. After all, they were hunting, and what if she ran over and scared away their prey?

She remained standing, looking down at the scene below, and saw a sheep approaching from behind the rock where the spider witch was lying in ambush.

This seemed like a good omen; a normal hunter would surely have had a successful hunt. But then she saw the spider witch, perhaps lacking strength, being thrown aside by the struggling sheep just as she grabbed it.

The scene that followed was even more horrific. Upon seeing this unexpected intruder, the lead sheep of the flock charged forward and rammed into the Spider Witch's waist, causing her to lose her balance and tumble down the grassy slope. Even after getting up, she was still being chased around by the lead sheep, completely powerless to fight back...

Yvette lowered her eyes silently, thinking how terrifying this was.

Chapter 89 Maid

Since advancing to the third stage of elite status and gaining knowledge and wisdom from fragments of human memory, Abella had never experienced two days of such hell.

This feeling made her feel as if she had returned to the muddled days of the first and second phases.

The key point is that back then she had no memory, didn't know what was happening, and didn't care at all. Now it's different. She not only has high intelligence, but also has demands for quality of life and personal dignity. If you take away her abilities now and make her survive in the wilderness like a low-level mutant, wouldn't that be killing her?

Actually, on the morning before yesterday, when she was just abandoned by Yvette and Dugrabi, Abella was confused but didn't feel particularly desperate.

She thought that, no matter what, she was a fifth-stage lord. At most, she had run out of evolution factors and needed to replenish her food. Once her body converted the food she ate into evolution factors, she could gradually recover her strength through eating. The future was still very promising.

Moreover, as the guardian of the Pale Mother Nest, she was very familiar with the situation around Cooks and knew that the place was about to be plundered until nothing was left.

Living alone in the wild, as long as you don't get close to the Cooks and are careful to avoid the mountain whales, there's not much chance of encountering a second mutant, so there's not much risk.

With this in mind, she simply decided to settle down in that ruin, at least to find shelter from the wind and rain.

But then, when hunger struck, she suddenly realized that she seemed to have no way of solving the problem of food sources.

After all, for many years, as a guardian of the hive, she has been fed with nutrients provided by the hive, and because of these nutrients, she does not need to eat regularly; one meal a month is enough.

Now, due to her physical weakness, she has actually degenerated to the point of having to eat three meals a day like an ordinary human being!

Where is she supposed to find a suitable food source?

So Abella had no choice but to leave the ruins and begin wandering the cold northern wastelands in search of food.

Then she searched for a whole day and night, enduring wind and rain, and she didn't know how far she had gone. She just kept moving in the direction the black dragon had flown away. Along the way, she encountered some animals like goats, but she couldn't catch them at all. The things she could catch were all strange insects, which she found disgusting and would rather die than eat.

Thus, on the third day, before Abella, who had not eaten for a long time, fainted from hunger, she finally made a discovery—a flock of snow-white and plump sheep.

At this point, she no longer cared about why there was such a clean flock of sheep here. She just wanted to catch one as soon as possible, tear it apart with her snow-white, sharp teeth that were different from those of humans, and quickly regain her strength to end this nightmarish wilderness survival.

but……

The outcome of the hunt was far beyond what was expected.

She never imagined that she would be so weak that she couldn't even beat a sheep! She was chased away by a particularly fierce sheep, not daring to look back!

This shocking fact stunned Abella. She had been fantasizing bitterly that she would lie low for a while to recover her strength, and then make a comeback. One day, she would become a commander-level expert and launch a magnificent revenge against the silver-haired girl who had abandoned her, making her pay a bloody price for all the suffering she had endured today...

But now it seems I might die before I even get started?

A few minutes later, Abella was once again knocked to the ground by the fierce ram. Her mentality finally shattered and she lost her balance, lying on the ground, refusing to get up.

After all, as long as she didn't get up, she wouldn't be pushed up, and she was too hungry to stand up. If she forced herself to get up, she would fall flat on her face after only a few steps.

This tactic worked quite well. Seeing that she was lying on the ground and wouldn't get up, the lead sheep stopped attacking and just waited by.

After lying there for a while, Abella felt incredibly wronged thinking about her current situation, and tears started streaming down her face. She thought that since she couldn't even beat a sheep, she definitely wouldn't get to eat mutton, so she might as well just die.

She could accept being killed on the battlefield by a commander-level powerhouse, but she absolutely could not be humiliated like this! It was too much of a blow to her pride!

Just when she was at her lowest point, she suddenly saw an unexpected figure standing on the grassy slope, quietly watching her.

This was the person she hated most these past few days, the one she wanted to tear to pieces. Even in her dreams, she wished she could devour him alive.

Unlike in her dream, now that she saw him, Abella felt an overwhelming excitement, as if she had met an angel from under the goddess's throne, and she was so happy that she almost cried.

Of course, the goddess has no angels under her, and she wasn't truly grateful. She just wanted to rely on her to get through the current difficulties first.

"Lady Loshivia, have you finally come to rescue me?"

As Yvette approached, Abella struggled to stand up, but fearing she would be pushed up if she did, she rolled over and crawled toward Yvette, then knelt before her as if performing some kind of kneeling ritual.

Looking at her once beautiful face, now disheveled and unkempt, Yvette didn't know what to say. Seeing that she was still somewhat afraid of the lead sheep beside her, Yvette went over and kicked it, driving the sheep away, before saying, "Wait a minute, I'll go get you something to eat."

It's noon now, and Dugrabi is probably preparing for their last roasted whole lamb before parting. She could go and borrow some.

"Thank you, Lady Loshivia!" Abella said excitedly. Due to exhaustion, she could not follow and could only continue to rest on the grass.

After Yvette's figure disappeared into the valley, Abella breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, she even felt that her enemy's face did not look so hateful anymore, and she even felt a little grateful.

After lying on the ground for a while, Abella felt it was too undignified to lie there, so she decided to stand up.

But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she shuddered and instinctively looked to her side. Sure enough, the sheep had come closer again, staring at her with its devilish sheep eyes, as if it were waiting for something.

Abella took a deep breath and silently lay back down, thinking that after she had eaten and drunk her fill, she would definitely start her revenge on this stinky sheep.

Even if I can't beat Lady Loshivia, do you think I'd be afraid of you?

……

A few minutes later, Yvette, using wind magic to lift a perfectly roasted lamb leg that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, approached Abella. Watching her wolf down the entire leg and let out a satisfied burp, she asked, "What are you planning to do next?"

“Me?” Abella looked puzzled, knelt on the ground, and suddenly said in fear, “You…you still won’t allow me to follow you?”

“I told you, I don’t have a mother nest. I won’t help you advance, nor will I have any extra nutrients for you. There’s no benefit for you to follow me,” Yvette said, crouching down to look Abella in the eye.

In truth, she wasn't averse to Abella. After all, in a world where humanity had perished, and she had no allies left, what conflict of interest could she possibly have with the aberrations? She simply consumed the lower-level aberrations as nourishment to replenish herself. But the aberrations themselves did the same thing, so it wasn't surprising at all.

And what if she really is a mutant? The kind with a special mutation?

However, she didn't know what Abella, as a mutant, truly thought.

Without the constraints of the mother nest, can she maintain loyalty like a human? Could she harbor ulterior motives, outwardly submitting while secretly plotting to devour me?

“But I still want to follow you…” Abella looked at her pitifully, like a puppy worried about being abandoned by its owner.

Of course, she was sincere at this time. After all, if she didn't cling to this powerful figure, she would have to go back to the wilderness to survive, which was no way for a human to live. Even the divine heir couldn't handle it.

As for revenge, that's a long-term plan, there's no rush.

Yvette stared at her face for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "For now, that's fine."

She planned to take Abella on a trip for a while, to deepen her understanding of the higher-level aberrations through long-term contact. Once Abella's strength recovered to around stage three or four, or when she wanted to leave on her own, Yvette would release her voluntarily.

"Really?!" Abella exclaimed in surprise, then immediately knelt down again, saying sincerely, "I will definitely not let you down, Lady Loshivia!"

Yvette nodded, admitting that the key to making this decision was that Abella's evolved form was a beautiful, mature woman who looked almost identical to a human, making her very pleasing to the eye.

On future journeys, it wouldn't be bad to have a pretty maid to serve me, drive me around, and do chores like dusting.

Chapter 90 Farewell

Standing on the grassy slope outside the valley, ignoring the curious gazes of the sheep nearby, Yvette used water magic to wash Abella's body, and then used hot air created by the elements of wind and fire to give her a simple drying.

At this moment, Abella was naturally much more pleasing to the eye. Her long, jet-black hair swayed gently in the breeze, and her clean face was as beautiful as a flower. From any angle, she was a great beauty.

Yvette admired it with satisfaction, then reached out and stroked Abella's hair like she was petting a dog.

Abella paused slightly, then immediately lowered her head obediently, seemingly embracing her role as a servant quite naturally.

But amidst this seemingly heartwarming scene, Yvette suddenly asked, "You'd probably really like to eat me, wouldn't you?"

"How...how could this be?" Abella was startled and almost blurted out the truth, but thankfully she stopped herself in time. "I am absolutely loyal to you...Master!"

Yvette hummed in agreement, not paying any attention. In any case, her defensive spells were always fully in place 24 hours a day. For a long time to come, even if she stood still, Abella would not be able to pose a threat to her. This sudden remark was just a warning in advance.

Then she instructed, "Wait here for a moment. We'll be leaving this afternoon. Wait outside for me to bring the car out."

She could, of course, bring Abella directly into the village, but that would require introducing her to each villager individually, which would be too much trouble.

Abella nodded, watching her new master's figure disappear into the valley, then immediately turned her head and looked coldly at the still proud lead sheep not far away.

"I'll kill you!" She charged forward, only to be knocked over again.

……

The atmosphere in the valley was somewhat lonely, as it was clear that they would be leaving today, and many of the puppets came out to see them off.

Before leaving, Yvette took a projection portrait created based on light and shadow magic, the subject of which was naturally Rosalyn. She handed the portrait to the caretaker, Copper, gave him some information, and asked him to keep an eye out for the woman in the painting.

Copperplate happened to have something to ask of him, and after a moment's hesitation, he nodded happily and then handed a letter to Yvette.

"What is this?" Yvette stood by the RV, looking at the envelope in her hand with surprise. Although the writing on it was crooked, she could barely make out the words "for Bellflower".

“Miss Bellflower used to be a member of our kingdom, but after the appearance of the Mountain Whale, she chose to leave because the kingdom became too dangerous. I only know the general direction, but I don’t know where she went afterward,” Copper Skin said. “Miss Yvette, I hope that if you meet her on your journey, you can help me pass this letter on to her.”

"You want to call her back?" Yvette guessed.

“No, I just wanted to let her know we’re safe and sound, and I hope she won’t worry about us,” Copper said.

“I will do my best,” Yvette said with a serious expression.

“Thank you, Miss Yvette.” Copper’s voice sounded somewhat pleased, then it suddenly added, “Um, may I ask you something?”

"whats the matter?"

"Are you... a divine messenger?"

"If I said I was human, would you believe me?" After saying this, seeing Copper Skin freeze in place, Yvette smiled, got into the driver's seat of the RV, and drove to the valley entrance.

"It shouldn't be... impossible..." Seeing that everyone was about to leave, Copper Skin finally came to his senses and rushed over to wave goodbye with the others.

However, this time, having received a hint, Copper Skin began to carefully observe the details of Ivy's body, searching for the various hidden seams that would appear on Miss Ice Rain, in order to verify her identity as a fellow member of the mechanical race.

But perhaps because the clothes were blocking its view, it didn't get anything.

"It shouldn't be...impossible..." It muttered again as it watched the RV getting further and further away, as if trying to convince itself.

……

To make travel easier, Bingyu placed the motorcycle on the roof of the RV. However, due to limited space and the lack of a second bed, she would have to sleep on the roof whenever she wanted to rest during the trip, unless it was raining.

Dugrabi was left alone; it was too big to fit in the car anyway.

As Yvette drove the RV down the slope, she saw Abella standing conspicuously on a rock, while the lead ram reappeared nearby, still eyeing her menacingly.

Looking at the bits of grass on Abella's body, she could roughly guess what had just happened and shook her head.

Soon, Dugrabi swooped down from the sky, startling the sheep on the ground. Looking at Abella on the rock, it said warily and hostilely, "What are you doing here? I'm warning you, the teacher is right behind you!"

It suspected that the female demon had regained her strength and was planning to take revenge. It immediately recalled the terrible experience of being pinned to the ground and kicked by her two days ago, almost being kicked to death, and couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"It's you." Abella was startled when a huge creature suddenly landed, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was her former defeated opponent. Then she raised her face arrogantly and said, "What, can't I be here?"

“She’s now my subordinate… and will be traveling with us for the time being,” Yvette said as she got out of the car.

"Subordinate?" Dugrabi was slightly taken aback, then saw Abella jump down from the rock, walk to her teacher's side, and respectfully call out "Master." She received a nod of response from her teacher, her lowered head and submissive appearance making her no different from a docile little lamb.

It was speechless for a moment, wondering why its teacher would take in a vixen as a subordinate. But then it thought that as its teacher's student, the junior brother of a legendary mage, and someone who had arrived first, its status in its teacher's heart must be higher than that of this spider demon woman, and it felt a little more at ease.