Mystery: The Witch of Desire

“Miss Monroe, please rest assured.” Brett patted her shoulder, his gentle tone carrying a seductive power. “I’ll say it again: in this play, as long as you’re there, no other role matters. You must be full of confidence, immerse yourself in the script, understand the core of the character, and play the witch Aidas well.”

Livr nodded emphatically, her eyes filled with "firmness" and "belief," as if she had truly taken his words to heart and was only focused on performing the play well.

But then, she changed the subject, feigning ignorance, and asked with a hint of doubt in her eyes:

"Mr. Bright, I have another question. If we don't keep the play a secret, how will we attract an audience?"

Bright chuckled softly:

"You don't need to worry about that. Besides the theater troupe, our Paria also has restaurants, bars, and accommodations. I'll find a way to attract an audience. You don't need to worry about anything. Just focus on rehearsing and play the role of Aida well."

Livre nodded, feigning relief, then pretended to look worried and tentatively continued to ask:

“But Mr. Bright, there are still many things I don’t understand about the logical chain of the whole play, and the core of the character of Adidas. I’m afraid I won’t be able to perform well and will let you down. But Ms. Fors has been taken away by the police, and I don’t even have anyone to consult now…”

As she spoke, she frowned slightly, putting on a worried and distressed expression, her eyes looking pitiful and touching, while subtly activating her dual abilities as both an actress and an instigator.

Bright himself was merely an instigator of Sequence 8, yet in his familiar territory, he was unknowingly influenced by Livre's abilities, his brow furrowing slightly as he fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his tone softening somewhat:

“I will find you a writer who has a deep understanding of the witch theme and have her guide you. However, I need to get her permission first. You should go back and prepare for the rehearsal. Don’t worry about this.”

Livre immediately feigned delight, gently lifting her skirt to thank Bright.

The writer he mentioned must be Luna Bell. If I could establish contact with her, I might be able to get some information. If I could demonstrate a special relationship with Chick, I wonder if I could gain a certain position within the Witch Cult?

Livre pondered, silently participating in the rehearsal.

At this moment, she was experiencing the script more intently than ever before, especially every word about the protagonist, the witch Aidas.

Because she already knew that this script was written under the instigation of a real witch.

……

The next day, Livr arrived at the Paria Theatre Company on time as usual and participated in rehearsals as usual, without showing any abnormality.

During a break in rehearsals, Brett mysteriously called her into his office, a smug smile on his face:

“Miss Monroe, I have good news for you. The author has agreed to guide you on matters related to witches. You can write to her for advice, and give it to me so I can pass it on to her.”

Livre's heart sank slightly: she couldn't contact Luna Bell directly, and she couldn't even find out her address. Mrs. Luna Bell was really cautious.

But she maintained a grateful expression and, unwilling to give up, asked another question:

“Mr. Bright, how should I address that lady? So that I may express my respect in this letter.”

“You can call her the Lady of Dark Magic,” Bright said slowly.

"Dark magic?"

Livre repeated the name, feigning confusion. This pen name, however, was quite fitting for the witch's mysterious aura.

Blait nodded, his tone carrying a hint of admiration:

"Yes, black magic. It's one of her favorite pseudonyms. You should ask her for advice; her teachings will benefit you for life. When it comes to understanding the role of a witch, few in all of Backlund can compare to her."

Livre nodded her thanks quickly, pretending to be full of anticipation, and turned back to the rehearsal hall, but in her heart she had already begun to plan the details of writing the letter.

After get off work in the evening, Livre went straight back to 27 Minsk Street. She first went to a nearby store to buy envelopes, paper, pens, and stamps, preparing to write a letter to the Dark Mage. Just then, she noticed a letter lying quietly in the mailbox by the door.

Upon opening the letter, I found it was from Hugh and Fors. The two briefly informed me that they were safe and sound, saying they had settled down in the East End, and left their mailing address: 32 79th Street, East End.

“Seventy-ninth Street…” Livre murmured to herself, a thought suddenly occurring to her, “It’s quite close to Eighty-fifth Street where Beatrice’s family lives. Next time I go to the East End, I can stop by and visit Beatrice’s parents.”

After burning the letter, Livre sat at the table, spread out the letter paper, and began to carefully consider how to write this letter to the dark magic lady, so that she could find out the information she wanted without revealing her purpose.

After much deliberation, she picked up her pen and wrote a letter to Mrs. Luna Bell.

To the revered Lady of Dark Magic:

Hello.

I am Monroe, an actress with the Paria Theatre Company. Thanks to Mr. Bright's introduction, I have the opportunity to ask you for advice on how to portray a witch.

I am currently preparing to play the lead role of Edas in "The Witch Trial". Although I have studied the script repeatedly, I still have many questions. I would appreciate your guidance.

In the script, Aidas is a witch who assassinates corrupt officials. This contrast fascinates me, yet it's also difficult for me to grasp. I can't understand why a witch would make "punishing evil" her obsession. Where does this obsession come from? Is it innate kindness, a hidden past, or some kind of guidance?

I particularly admire the portrayal of witches in *The Long Night*. These witches possess both an evil core and a moving struggle, yet they never quite grasp the essence of the story. I imagine you have a unique understanding of the nature of witches. In your opinion, what should a true witch be like? Where does her power come from, and how should she face the world?

Sincerely,

salute!

[Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Monroe]

……

……

Tingen City.

May 3, weekend.

The warm spring sun shines on Vlaar Park on the outskirts of Tingen, and a gentle breeze carries the faint fragrance of grass and wildflowers.

Emily and her siblings Melissa came here for a picnic, a rare moment of relaxation for her since joining the Night Watch.

Although Emily was no longer a governess in Elizabeth's household, the time she spent together forged a deep friendship with the Klein siblings. Even after they became busy with their own lives, this friendship never faded, and they would occasionally meet up to enjoy each other's company and spend pleasant moments together.

Benson, somewhat excited, found some strange plants and shared them with the others:

"Look, I found some beautiful plants. Their colors and shapes are quite unique. Do you recognize them?"

Melissa glanced at it casually, while Klein was deep in thought, clearly neither of them were very interested.

Emily laughed and joked:

"The two of them were busy with mechanical knowledge and Quaternary history, so they had no time to appreciate flowers and grass."

As she spoke, she naturally took the weeds from Benson's hand, and after a quick glance, she recognized them immediately:

"This is a bamboo grass, but it's a special variety with longer, thinner leaves than the common ones; this one with small white flowers is Solona, ​​which can be used in medicine and has a bitter taste; and this one is Kentucky bluegrass, which feels soft underfoot and some wild animals use it to build their nests."

Benson looked surprised, his eyes widening slightly:

"Miss Emily, how do you know so much? I remember you were also a mechanical engineering student, how do you know so many wild plants?"

Emily's eyes crinkled into a gentle smile:

"I used to be completely absorbed in machinery, but now I feel that I prefer the feeling of being in the wild to cold mechanical parts."

As she spoke, she gently sniffed the air with her small nose, then bent down and squatted down, her gaze falling on a series of shallow footprints on the grass, a playful glint in her eyes:

"Melissa, Klein, come here, I've got something fun to show you."

Upon hearing this, Melissa, somewhat curious, quickly moved closer. But Klein remained unmoved, his thoughts still entangled in those historical mysteries.

Emily deftly slipped behind an old locust tree, flicked her fingertips with a light and skillful motion, and when she raised her hand again, a squirrel was in her palm.

Melissa's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but gasp softly:

"Hmm! How did you find it?"

Emily smiled without saying a word, but her mind was in turmoil:

Since becoming a hunter, my senses have been enhanced significantly. The pristine natural environment now appears to me more like a hunting ground...

She couldn't help but recall that afternoon when she took the magic potion:

After a struggle with her inner thoughts, she finally chose to drink the Hunter's Potion and become a Hunter, the only Hunter among the Night Watchers of Ahova County.

Looking back now, I really don't understand why I made that choice...

Emily stroked the once lively squirrel with a touch of emotion. The squirrel was unusually quiet in Emily's palm, its small body slightly curled up, as if it were afraid of her presence and dared not move at all.

Klein, standing to the side, was still lost in thought.

Melissa couldn't help but laugh at his absent-minded look, so she walked over and gently patted him on the back.

"Quaternary Period, Quaternary Period, all you can think about is the Quaternary Period! You're out on a picnic and you don't even know how to relax. Be careful not to burn yourself out."

Benson also smiled and tried to smooth things over:

"Let him think about it. After all, he's about to graduate and is focused on getting a teaching assistant position in history. So he has to make the most of his time to think about these things."

Klein remained oblivious to everything happening around him, muttering to himself:

"Why did the Antigonus family suddenly perish? Where are their ruins hidden? What unknown connections did they have with the Tudor dynasty... I really want to get firsthand information about the Antigonus family..."

……

……

Early in the morning, Livre arrived in Paria as usual.

Several days have passed since Fors's escape, but the police have not posted any arrest warrants for her, and Livre has not witnessed Clive's investigation into his imposter; it's as if everything has been ignored.

She was rehearsing in Paria as usual when, after a while, a waiter told her to go to Mr. Bright's office.

Bright smiled and handed her a letter:

"A reply from the Lady of Dark Magic; hopefully it will be of some help to you."

Livr expressed her gratitude, and after returning to the lounge, she opened the letter and began to read it:

To our dearest Marilyn Monroe:

I was delighted to receive your letter and to see how much you care about playing the witch. The performance of a witch is never about "imitation," but about inner growth.

You ask, where does Aidas's obsession originate? In fact, all witches' obsessions stem from "unwillingness"—unwillingness to be bound by worldly conventions, unwillingness to be judged by prejudice, and unwillingness to be corrupted by evil and powerless to do anything about it.

They are not inherently evil, but the nature of this world is evil.

The lower classes struggle to survive, factories exploit their flesh and blood, and starving people are everywhere in the streets and alleys; heavily made-up prostitutes sell their mutilated bodies just to get a bite to eat; soldiers from poor families lose their lives on the battlefield, simply to pay the price for the ambitions of those in power.

Meanwhile, the bureaucrats and powerful elites at the top are indulging in rampant materialism and extravagance. They ignore the suffering of the common people, using the blood and tears of the lower classes to build their own pleasure and power, their consciences long since corrupted by desire.

Even the Seven Gods tacitly approved of all this, becoming the support behind this evil.

As the dark side of society, witches naturally embody evil, because only evil can destroy evil.

And Aidas's reason for assassinating corrupt officials was not to act as a chivalrous hero.

The life or death of a few citizens is not important; what matters is the whole world and this society.

Let more people feel the fear of witches and hear the voice of evil.

In this situation, killing an official is far more effective than killing an ordinary person.

Therefore, the witch you are playing is essentially evil, and this evil can take many extended forms: such as making others feel pleasure, pain, or despair, but ultimately, it all comes down to the core of evil.

As for your question about the source of the witch's power and how to face the world, you will understand once you truly accept Aidas's "evil".

I admire your talent and dedication, and I'm happy to continue mentoring you. Feel free to write to me and share your new insights about the role. Remember, playing Aida well is not just about completing a performance, but also about a personal awakening.

I look forward to your next letter.

[The Dark Magician Lady]

Livr finished reading the letter silently, and a conclusion gradually formed in her mind:

Lunabell's letter has a strong indoctrination element, inducing her to abandon worldly constraints and move closer to the "evil" core of witches.

Their main purpose in creating this play was not for performance at all, but to promote the 'evil' qualities of witches and to fulfill their role as witches through the dissemination of the script.

Why doesn't Luna Bell directly play the role, but only participate in the creation and guidance of the script? Would that satisfy the requirements of the role and achieve the digestion of the potion?

Furthermore, she was certain that Luna Bell was a member of the Witch Cult, and that, like Ms. B, she believed the Seven Gods were the masterminds behind the world's corruption.

Livre frowned, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the letter, unable to grasp the key point.

Just as she was deep in thought, a slightly thin figure gently approached—it was Lucy. Since the morning rehearsal began, Livre had noticed that Lucy seemed somewhat distracted and her eyes were unfocused.

“Miss Marilyn…” Lucy’s voice was tinged with weariness and unease. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me these past few days. I always feel anxious and restless. I also have nightmares every night and wake up in a cold sweat. I can’t even sleep well.”

Upon hearing this, Liviel subtly activated her spiritual vision, her gaze falling upon Lucy. Her spiritual vision revealed that Lucy's overall health was relatively good, but her astral body was somewhat disordered, seemingly due to prolonged lack of rest.

But the next second, Livre's pupils suddenly contracted, and her eyes widened: deep within Lucy's celestial body, there were tiny specks of black hidden, and these black specks looked exactly like the color on Isabella's celestial body that had died before!

Chapter 119 The Cursed Will Eventually Die

Previously, she thought the black mark on Isabella's astral body stemmed from her anger and resentment in life, but now it seems that Lucy, who is gentle and never argues with anyone, also has the same mark on her astral body. This is probably not a coincidence.

Thinking of Isabella's later tragic death and the eerie black marks on her body, Livre felt a chill run down her spine.

The theater troupe was crowded and noisy, with people constantly coming and going; it was clearly not a place for detailed inquiries. Suppressing her doubts, Livre gently took Lucy's cold hand and spoke softly: