Mystery: The Witch of Desire

Livr listened attentively, feeling her mind become much clearer. She smiled and reiterated her assurance:

"Don't worry, I would never offer sacrifices to those evil beings. You should know that I cherish my life. After all, I have a beautiful and knowledgeable friend like you, how could I bear to die?"

Edwina looked slightly embarrassed, a blush spreading across her cheeks. She wanted to say something polite to Livre to change the situation of being constantly teased, but even though she racked her brains, she couldn't come up with a suitable sentence from her vast knowledge.

“It’s alright, no need to answer. In this situation, a lady’s blush is more important than anything else.”

While Edwina remained silent, Livre smiled and left, returning to her room where she performed a prayer ceremony to Mr. Fool, and told Klein about the knowledge she had gained regarding sacrifice.

After finishing all this, Livre felt her smooth and delicate skin after her promotion, and took a short rest in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere to replenish her energy.

……

late at night.

Inside a meeting room at the Steam Church in Backlund, Queens.

Iconsel Bernard, looking somewhat haggard, leaned back in his chair, listening to his team's report:

"According to a businessman who was 'dreamed of' by the evil tree spirit, the tree spirit's appearance seemed to be very similar to that of Mr. Waffle's wife, one of the victims, who had recently passed away due to illness."

“Similar?” Iconsel Bernard asked, somewhat puzzled. “Tell me more about it.”

The team member nodded and continued:

"The businessman was Mr. Waffle's business partner. According to him, he was once very infatuated with Mrs. Waffle. After learning of her death from illness, he cried bitterly. Not long after, he often dreamed of Mrs. Waffle, who looked like a tree spirit, and having sex with her in his dreams. At first, he enjoyed it very much, but gradually, he found that his body was becoming weaker. After hearing rumors about evil tree spirits, he came to the church for help."

After a moment's thought, Iconsel Bernard said:

"Could it be that the tree spirit can transform into the appearance of the victim's object of affection? This has happened before."

The team member nodded and said:

“That is indeed possible. However, I specifically investigated Mr. Waffle and discovered something interesting.”

Chapter 182 The Battle with Edwina in the Illusion of Knowledge

"What is it?"

Iconsel was anxious about the pause in his subordinates' actions.

The member of the Mechanical Heart team said calmly:

"All the victims died after a period of time, but Mr. Waffle was not one of them. He belonged to the earliest group of victims, yet he is still alive, and several prostitutes around him have died because of dream sex..."

Ikonser Bernard nodded.

After a moment's thought, he hesitated before taking out the Mirror of Arodes, which was adorned with ancient silver patterns.

Ikonser looked at his subordinates and pointed to the Mirror of Arodes:

“You take control of it and ask Mr. Waffle if he has any connection with that evil tree spirit.”

Upon hearing this, the subordinate immediately stood at attention and said nervously:

"Team leader, Mechanical Heart Squad Manual. Level 2 sealed artifacts can only be used by squad leaders and diocesan bishops! I apologize that I cannot use it!"

Damn it! Calling and using are two different things! Aren't you just afraid of negative consequences?

Ikonser inwardly grumbled, but didn't say it aloud, after all, he wasn't a captain who was good at exploiting his subordinates.

He picked up the Mirror of Arodes with a hint of helplessness and recited with a touch of nervousness:

"My question is, what is the connection between the evil tree spirit that drains people's life force in dreams and Mr. Waffle, who lives at 27 Minsk Street in the Georgewood District?"

The surrounding darkness suddenly became hazy, and ripples of water appeared on the surface of the silver mirror.

Soon, images appeared in the silver mirror:

That was a picture of Mr. Waffle, who was still in good health, having sex with different beautiful women.

It was a picture of Mrs. Waffle, all alone, weeping sadly.

Gradually, Mrs. Waffle seemed to lose all hope. She began to despair and stopped pinning her hopes on Mr. Waffle's change.

Just then, a mysterious person appeared, wearing a hooded robe. His face was completely covered, and even his gender could not be identified.

The mysterious man enlightened Mrs. Waffle and revealed to her the name of a being, instructing her to offer sacrifices to that being.

Then, Mrs. Waffle, who was almost in despair, actually performed a sacrificial ceremony to that being.

The video abruptly ends there.

All the names mentioned in the image have been hidden, whether by the power of that being or because Arodes was afraid of angering that being and deliberately concealed them.

"This was an accident caused by a sacrifice to an evil god. Mrs. Waffle has probably been corrupted, but we don't know who the evil god she prayed to was..."

Iconsel made up his mind: Mr. Waffle had a big problem.

Suddenly, several lines of Old Fussac words appeared on the silver mirror:

"Based on the principle of reciprocity, it's my turn to ask a question."

"If you answer incorrectly or lie, you will be punished."

Having already experienced it once, Iconser immediately tensed up, taking deep breaths and preparing as if facing a formidable enemy.

Immediately afterwards, the silver mirror shimmered with water, and a new line of words appeared:

"Which member of your team is your favorite?"

In an instant, Ikonser Bernard's face turned pale, and even the other team members sitting around the conference table tensed up, along with a hint of secret curiosity.

After a long pause, Iconsel Bernard, who had been speechless, wore a look of resolute determination, as if facing certain death.

"I choose to accept the punishment."

boom!

A bolt of silvery-white lightning struck down, hitting Ikonser on the head and charring his already messy curly hair black.

……

The following day, in the waters off the Rothschild Islands, at a private port south of Bayam.

The Golden Dream docked and entered the harbor.

First mate Blue Walls skillfully assigned a series of procurement tasks. After receiving their funds, the crew members took small boats ashore one after another, temporarily escaping the monotonous and tedious days at sea and taking a short rest.

At this moment, Livre sensed something and returned to her room.

Crimson spread, and she was carried above the gray mist to listen to the 'teachings' of the Fool Klein:

“Miss Justice has sent intelligence that Zilingus has left Backlund and sailed out to sea from Prydz Harbor. An informant has spotted him.”

Livre was taken aback and asked uncertainly:

"Could this be a diversionary tactic? Qilingus has the ability to disguise himself, so why was his true identity discovered so easily?"

Klein shook his head and said:

"It is indeed possible, but according to the substitute, it is unlikely. He was discovered by the substitute when he was hunting a homeless man in Pulitzer Harbour, and a conflict ensued. Later, an official informant witnessed him escaping from the port on a privateer."

"Zilingus actually ran away..."

Livre was momentarily taken aback, but this was just right; Fors and Hugh wouldn't be in danger, and she wouldn't have to waste any more time returning to Backlund.

After leaving the gray fog, Livre went to the captain's cabin, where Edwina was sitting at the table, quietly flipping through a book related to the giant race.

"People who love reading always have a special quality, don't you think, Captain?"

She walked to the table, casually took the book from Edwina's hand, and began to read it herself.

The page that was turned to told the story of the giant king Ormir and his queen Omibella.

Liviel couldn't help but feel a little strange: the Giant King actually had a queen? Why hadn't the Sun ever mentioned her?

Edwina was not displeased that Livre had interrupted her reading; instead, she calmly said:

"We have arrived in Bayam. You may disembark now."

Her brows were slightly furrowed, and she looked troubled by something.

Livre said with a bit of a laugh:

"Are you trying to kick me out? Can't you let me stay on the ship a little longer?"

Edwina said slowly:

"Tomorrow, the Golden Dream will depart at noon for the Carcas Islands. You can stay on the ship until then."

Livre noticed the reluctance in Edwina's heart. She smiled gently, said nothing, and slowly walked to Edwina's side. Leaning against the table, she said in a wistful tone:

"What's on the other side of the sea? The Giants' Court? How intriguing..."

Edwina looked up at Livre with some surprise, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes:

"Aren't you going back to Backlund?"

Livre sighed deeply, feigning seriousness:

"Yes, if it weren't for the emergency, I really would like to go to the Gargas Islands with you."

Livre had already decided to travel with Edwina, but due to the witch's wicked sense of humor, she planned to tell Edwina the news tomorrow at noon.

Upon hearing this, the glimmer of hope in Edwina's eyes vanished, and her expression dimmed once more.

She took the book back from Livre's hand and continued flipping through it, saying calmly:

"Since you have urgent business, let's go now. There's no need to wait until tomorrow. If you can't buy a ticket back to Backlund, you can ask me for help."

Livr smiled faintly:

"Even if you're in a hurry, a little longer won't make a difference. Let me spend one more day with you."

Upon hearing this, a hint of panic appeared in Edwina's sorrowful eyes.

She stammered:

"You should leave now. I... I have other things to take care of!"

Upon hearing this, Livre said with amusement:

"What are you talking about? I just wanted to sit with you around the fireplace, read a book, drink some Rembrandt wine, and exchange knowledge about the Court of Giants."

Edwina was stunned, her cheeks flushed red, and she was speechless.

“Besides…” Livre smiled slyly, “Look how anxious you were just now, how could I be so insensible?”

"No, that's not what I meant..."

Edwina immediately denied it, her usually icy cheeks turning as red as the morning sun at eight or nine o'clock, enough to melt the coldest iceberg.

"What I mean is, not anywhere!"

Livre chuckled:

"Alright, alright, madam, don't get agitated. Be careful your crew might overhear something they shouldn't. After all, they seem to enjoy eavesdropping at your door."

Just then, Danitz knocked on the door of the captain's cabin. He walked in and noticed the somewhat awkward atmosphere inside, which made his sallow eyebrows twitch.

"What's the matter?"

Edwina resumed her icy expression.

"Um, Captain," Danitz stammered, "I came to ask if you and Miss Monroe would like to go for a stroll in Bayam?"

"I'm not feeling well, so I'll stay on the ship."

Edwina flatly rejected Danitz.

"Uh, okay, Captain, you should get some rest."

After saying that, Danitz glanced at Livre, hesitated for a moment, but still didn't say anything and left the captain's cabin.

He felt too embarrassed to go out with Miss Monroe alone, bypassing the captain, as it might affect his impression on the captain.

In the evening, since most of the crew went ashore to relax, the restaurant on the Golden Dream only offered simple meals.

Livre sat at a table by the window, gently putting small pieces of fried steak into her mouth.

Since leaving Edwina's room, she had not seen the beautiful pirate general, and she had not appeared in the restaurant since.

Is it because we're about to part ways that you can't even eat? Am I that important to you?

Livre thought to herself with amusement that the thought of Edwina's sad face brought a deep satisfaction to her wicked side.

If Edwina were to become even more distressed, to the point of suffering, would I be able to process the pain potion?