Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

"King of Heroes? You mean Kranar, who uses those immoral methods to control and keep witches?"

"That wasn't my ancestor's fault. Just as my birth can't be blamed on my father..."

Tipalotura's eerie words shifted the blame to the other party in the story—the witch's bloodline…

Just when Ryūka thought that her thoughts were also on the side of the Ottus royal family, Tipalotura suddenly changed the subject:

"Of course, after all, my mother was too charming... and my father was too infatuated when he was young..."

After the murmur, those deep blue eyes stared intently at Ryuka again:

"If your hostility towards Otus stems from the instigation of the witch beside you, if you believe the Otus royal family is an evil family that raises witches, and if you believe her idea that destroying us will free the witches from their fate, then I can only tell you..."

Tipalotura spread her hands: "Otus no longer imprisons and keeps witches. And the idea that 'ending the bloodline of King Kranar' can break the witch's curse is also impossible."

Should he believe her or Kania? Ryūka naturally chose the latter, and asked with a cold smile:

"No longer keeping witches? Then who was that girl who hid in the shadow of the Blue-feathered Raven and delivered a message to my territory? She looked so young, yet she already... had witch powers..."

Hearing Ryūka say this, Tipalotura sighed softly:

“I knew it, you must have found out about her. That child is not good at lying.”

Liu Xia scoffed, "You're the same."

"Can't you listen to me properly?" Tipalotura's face flashed with a hint of displeasure, but it only made her eyes appear even more alluring. She glanced at Linor, who stood motionless behind Ryūsha, and said after only one look:

"If I told you I could awaken her witch powers instantly while she remains a virgin, would you believe me?"

Ryuka frowned. Could a witch awaken her powers without needing to unite with someone?

What's the point of having him then?

No, that's not right. That would be the complete opposite of what Kania said.

What about the curses of lust and fidelity?

At least in Kania's case, these things came true. As the daughter of a forester, those changes in her did indeed occur after her first time with him.

Seeing Ryūka's disbelieving expression, Tipalotura rested her arm on the table, propped her chin up, and smiled at the boy, saying:

"Liu Xiaqing~ Have you ever thought that the Primordial Witch could possibly have men climb into her bed?"

Chapter 25: The Story of Another Witch

Tipalotura's pale pink arm rested on the table, supporting her dazed, intrigued face. Perhaps it was the few spirit dumplings she'd eaten, but this dignified princess seemed slightly tipsy, even her tone carrying a hint of flirtation…

As for her question, can a man climb onto a cruel witch's bed?

Of course not! That was an evil being born from the chaos that erupted from the realm of gods! If Ryūka hadn't actually spoken with Bell's consciousness, he would have thought the real Cruel Witch was a twisted monster incapable of communicating with humans, or perhaps an existence similar to an ancient god. After all, that's how it's recorded in the epics and ancient texts of this world.

Ryūka knew what Tipalotura was trying to say: that a witch's abilities were unrelated to whether or not she was bound to a human. But he frowned, pointing out the flaw in Tipalotura's words:

"The witch's curse was formed after King Cranar killed the cruel witch."

“That’s right~” Tipalotura clapped happily. Ryusha didn’t understand what she was so happy about. Ever since the two of them entered this time-frozen scene, the princess had become less and less like the person he had just met.

Her deep blue eyes held a hint of dreamy amusement as she spoke mysteriously to Liu Xia:

"But what if I told you that this curse wasn't cast by the cruel witch, but by King Kranar?"

"What do you mean? You mean... Oh!"

Ryūsha pondered for a moment, then suddenly widened his eyes. He considered another possibility from Tipalotura's tone, though he wouldn't readily believe it, but that didn't mean it was illogical.

Could it be that……

"That's right~"

Tipalotura chuckled, her demeanor increasingly resembling that of Kania. The bound remains of the witch behind her were slowly releasing a dark and profound power, the darkness and golden light mingling to create an eclipse-like apocalyptic spectacle, making the princess's swaying, laughing figure resemble a dance in the apocalypse.

"The witch's short lifespan and inability to use her powers are both the result of King Kranal's sealing. It's because when he killed the cruel witch, he discovered one thing: witches cannot be killed!"

It's not that any particular witch can't be killed, but rather that the concept of 'witch' cannot be killed. Tipalotura explained with a smile, like 'her daughters' separated from the corpse of a cruel witch. No matter how many witches King Cranar kills, new witches will always be born from them.

Like viruses, they multiply endlessly, greedily devouring the world's power and splitting apart. And each witch inherits a portion of the cruel witch's abilities, as well as her deadly attraction to living beings.

“That’s right, this thing can’t be destroyed.” Tipalotura smiled and pointed with her thumb to the bound remains of the witch behind her. Even after a thousand years, Ryuka could still feel that there seemed to be an invisible heart beating inside 'her' body.

"Therefore, he performed a sealing ritual, imprisoning these malice embodiments of witches within real bodies, forcing them to reproduce like ordinary creatures. Yet even young witches always display a deadly allure and power; this is their purpose: to seduce and dominate other beings, uniting with them to give birth to new witches. So, clever Liu Xiaqing, your little brain must understand what would happen if this situation were left unchecked."

"The extinction of other species...?"

Ryuka's lips twitched. In Tipalotura's words, witches seemed to be like goblins, rampant and harmful. Witches only gave birth to witches, but they were much more charming than goblins...

But this... is ridiculous! The world won't be destroyed by a great flood! It won't be by a cataclysmic event! It won't be by a battle between gods!

Rather... desire and reproduction?

"Therefore, King Kranar sealed, or rather cursed, all future witches, preventing them from using their witch powers and shortening their lifespans. But as they mature, if their desires are not satisfied, these witches will transform into even more terrifying creatures... They will lose all reason, and the suppressed power will erupt. Then, the only option is to control their minds by exploiting their desires, forcing others to satisfy their reproductive urges. But once their bodies are nourished, you understand what I mean... after their first night, they can regain their witch powers. And the blood of a witch must never truly merge with the blood of King Kranar, unfortunately..."

Tipalotura spoke, her supple body leaning back, hands supporting her behind her, her legs naturally shifting from a kneeling position to an extended and bent position, one delicate toe peeking out from under the hem. She seemed to be venting to Ryūka about her ancestral history as if chatting with a drinking buddy…

"Therefore, this seal is merely a delaying tactic. As for the mission of King Kranar and his descendants, they become the guardians of these beautiful yet evil 'cages'."

She chuckled: "Like a shepherd raising monsters..."

Her sneer seemed to carry a hint of self-mockery regarding her identity as a witch.

"Therefore, from the Kingdom of Unora, founded by King Kranar, to the later Gamma Dynasty, and now to Otus... regardless of changes in surnames or successions in royal power, every emperor who inherits Kranar's power must be the most steadfast member of the royal family, one who will not be tempted by witches. It's just a pity..."

Ryusha looked at Tipalotura in front of her. Her existence meant that the current emperor of Otus had broken this boundary.

As for what kind of story lies behind her saying 'the father is amorous and the mother is charming,' it seems that only Ryuka can imagine it herself.

"So, you can make witches awaken their powers directly because you are not only a witch, but also inherited the power of King Kranar, which allows you to break the seal on their powers, is that what you mean?"

Faced with Ryūka's question, Tipalotura laughed self-deprecatingly: "It's not inheritance, it's theft... From the moment my mother conceived me, I stole the 'fragments of order' that belonged to my father. The one sitting on the throne is no longer a monarch with the abilities of an ancient hero, but just an ordinary person desperately trying to make up for his failures..."

Tipalotura laughed miserably, picked up a plate from the table, lifted her veil, and heartily poured the spirit dumplings on the plate into her mouth. Even though Ryūka only caught a glimpse of her face, his heart was shaken as if by a collapsing mountain and a tsunami.

It's not a question of whether Tipalotura is pretty or not, but rather that her appearance seems to possess an irresistible allure.

"I'm sorry, this body has too many problems."

Noticing that Ryukyu's heart had suddenly raced, Tipalotura shrugged and apologized to Ryukyu.

Tipalotura's story is interesting, but Kania's is equally so. Ryūka looked at the princess before her, calming the ripples from that fleeting glance, and asked calmly:

"So, why are you telling me all this?"

"Because this is the first time in all these years that I've met someone other than myself and the Holy See who possesses a 'Fragment of Order'..."

Her tone became playful: "Perhaps, you are the hero that fate has bestowed upon me?"

“You are drunk, Your Highness. Besides, someone has already said this to me.”

Ryuka's face darkened. "What? Besides your innate seductive abilities, are your speech patterns also strikingly similar, you witches?"

"Moreover, just recently, someone tried to control me with the power of a witch."

At least Kania, she never did that to herself.

Tipalotura smiled and waved her hand: "Sorry, sorry~ because this ability is really useful."

Okay, at this moment, Ryuka admits that Tipalottura and Kania are nothing alike. While both are alluring and charming, Kania is gentle and tender, possessing a soft, feminine allure. But Tipalottura…

Ryuka watched as her long blue hair was spread out on the ground, her legs spread wide, supporting her body...

This girl is surprisingly easygoing, like a tomboy.

I don't know if this is her acting or a witch's disguise.

But her words did provide Ryūka with useful information. Besides her, the Vatican also possessed a 'Fragment of Order'.

“I’m glad to see that the holder of the other fragment is not one of those madmen in the Vatican, but someone who can have a rational conversation. So, Liu Xiaqing, you must help me put an end to all of this.”

Ryūka rolled her eyes: "Speak plainly, what do you mean by putting a period? What does this have to do with the heretical ruins in the east?"

"Of course, it's about cleaning up the mess from a thousand years ago, resolving all the witch problems, and restoring the power hidden behind this world to its rightful place..."

Tipalotura pointed to the side: "The remaining fragments of order are on the Heretical Continent, and they're always thinking about returning. So why not take the initiative, gather all our strength, and send the witch and goddess back? Does that make things clearer?"

"Not really sure..." Ryuka retorted expressionlessly. Clearly, Tipalotura knew more about witches and goddesses than she did, but she was obviously too tipsy at the moment; it was unclear whether it was due to the spirit balls or because she had been using the power of the witch's remains on her back for too long.

"Furthermore, Your Highness, you are pointing west, while the Heretic Ruins and Heretic Continent are to the east."

*Slap!* Tipalotura slapped her forehead, rolled her eyes dramatically, and said, "Sorry, I was confused."

She's quite confused. Looking at her like this, Liu Xia couldn't help but laugh in exasperation:

"Why should I help you? Or rather, why should I believe you? I just want to be my own little tyrant, give the crumbling Otto a push, and try to lift the witch's curse on my woman. So I can be with her forever!"

“And you.” Ryusha squinted at Tipalotura, who was swinging her toes. For some reason, even though he was not short of women and did not even know what Tipalotura looked like, her exposed toes were stirring his heartstrings.

"You want me and my men to fight for you against heretical races I know nothing about. If, as you say, the witch's lifespan is beyond saving, then frankly, I don't want to believe it. And what will happen after you put an end to this, after sealing the witch? What will happen to Kania? Your Highness, no, Tipalotura, aren't you being too wishful?"

"Is that so?" Tipalotura blinked at Ryukyu's refusal. She still didn't tell Ryukyu everything, only vaguely saying, "Hmm...it's okay, we have plenty of time to get to know each other."

As she spoke, she suddenly laughed and lifted one leg, using her toe instead of a finger to point at Ryūka, lifting the smooth but covered hem of her skirt.

"Believe me, Liu Xiaqing, if I propose that we coexist peacefully for now, you'd better agree. I said that Otus no longer keeps or imprisons witches because they, as my sisters, are all staying with me..."

Her fair, pearl-like toes twirled before Ryūka's eyes, and Tipalotura, leaning against the ground, chuckled threateningly:

"A group of witches with different abilities hiding in the shadows, how can the two of us get along?"

Ryusha narrowed his eyes. He hated threats, but Tipalotura was right. And it seemed that Tipalotura had only proposed the idea of ​​cooperation, without any further hostility.

"Of course, if that's not enough..."

Just as Liuxia was trying to avoid looking at the princess's jade feet, she smiled and moved a little closer to him.

"I might be able to give you some other rewards that would be more enjoyable than the witch by your side~"

Chapter 26 Don't flirt if you can't fulfill your promises

Her crystal-clear, white jade feet swayed before her eyes. Her pink and natural toenails were as translucent as if they had been coated with oil. The faint blue veins on her fair instep, the perfectly arched foot, and the delicate wrinkles on the sole all continuously showcased the charm of this princess as a witch.

The blurry, fleeting glimpse he'd just caught was still fresh in his mind, and a surge of heat rose within Liu Xia. He wanted nothing more than to pin this arrogant princess to the ground and give her a good beating, to teach her who the real father was.

But he suppressed his anger and sneered at Tipalotura:

"Your Highness, do you treat everyone like this?"

"What?" Tipalotura was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. She wasn't angry; instead, she quite amused herself as she got up from the ground and crawled towards Ryūka.

Ah, I get it now!

Her breath was as sweet as orchids, her body exuded a delicate fragrance, her deep blue eyes stared at the young man, and her red lips parted slightly beneath the white veil.

"Liu Xiaqing, your little brain is really filthy. Do you think I would treat just anyone like this?"

Liu Xia remained expressionless: "This is the first time we've met."

"But I've been watching you for a long time."

The noble princess teased the 'little brother' in front of her, who was two years younger than her but whose face was beginning to become more angular, transitioning from a boy to a young man.

"Although I have no experience, I have a lot of knowledge about witches in my mind. To be honest, this also makes me quite annoyed. If the target is the holder of another fragment of order, I wouldn't mind giving it a try."

Ryuka was familiar with this kind of light laugh.

This is a deceptive laugh, a manipulative trick, exactly the same expression he has when disciplining other women.

How ridiculous! This princess actually thinks she can 'tame' herself with such a weak and ineffective temptation?

Instead of directly rejecting Tipalotura, he posed some questions that puzzled the princess:

"You want to send troops to the Heretic Continent?"

"Yes."

"To collect fragments of order, to accomplish some grand purpose?"

"of course."

Tipalotura's expression shifted from the allure of a girl next door to a more formal posture. She straightened her shoulders, placed her hands on her knees, and said to Ruka:

"To wipe out the heretical races across the sea and to completely end the bloodline of witches and heretics is exactly what I, as a princess—no, as the successor of King Kranar and the ruler of humanity—should do."

Ryuka smiled.

He finally understood why, despite finding Tipalotura so captivating, he always felt a sense of unease and disharmony.

She was merely inheriting the will of King Cranar; everything she did stemmed from her origins, her family, and her bloodline.

As a princess wielding both fragments of order and the power of a witch, she should have been easily defeated by the other royal heirs. However, in Ryuga's understanding, she was always a princess detached from cause and effect. Whether it was Hetia or Anyaberg, sent to Linhu Town early on, they were all pawns to be manipulated. The game she wanted to win had nothing to do with the world beneath her feet; it was driven by the forbidden union of her parents, and by the guilt and sense of mission she felt for seizing her father's power.