Date a Witch: Reborn as the Witch of Lust! (GL)-Chapter 89: Embervale - Where a Large Tortoise resided (?)

As Mel stepped onto the stoned ground, she first glanced at the town stretching below her vision, the morning sun dangling just atop the walls.

The Memorial Whale had settled on what appeared to be a landing platform, resting steadily at the edge of the vast structure.

Looking down, the nearby settlements seemed clustered right at the center of the platform.

"Here is the Voluntus, the Southern Ashen town of Embervale."

Mel and Lila’s glances focused on Samantha, as she explained. "As you may or may not be aware, this Ashen Town was one of several safe zones in Embervale, marked by the Holy Armies after the <Unprided Crusade>."

Her sharp eyes fell on Aria, who gave the teacher a subtle nod.

With a groan under her breath, she continued. "As students of Class 1-A, your duty is to clear out the monsters that have been empowered by the lingering essence of Pride’s familiar."

As Samantha’s gaze flickered to the right, Mel caught the sneaky glance and followed it, looking in the same direction.

Far from here, across the town, a wall separated Voluntus from the Kingdom, towering like an imposing giant against the sky.

She frowned slightly, then glanced toward the town itself surrounded by much smaller walls, the uneven parrellels inviting more questions than answers.

"But before our expedition beyond the safe zone, you’re allowed to explore the area on your own," Samantha’s voice boomed, sharp with caution. "But be absolutely clear: you must never leave Voluntus. Under no circumstances."

Her expression softened upon meeting Mel’s gaze, before turning away. "The Seniors will guide you through the town otherwise, and if any danger arise, they will guide you to the nearest Knights stationed."

The teacher waved as she stepped back into the Whale. "The time now is half past Eight. We’ll gather at one on this <Sky Haven>. Have fun."

As Samantha’s back disappeared behind the closing door of the whale, the surrounding students began to chatter.

With a little yawn, Mel turned to Lila. "Want to have some breakfast first? It would be a long while."

Lila’s face gleamed, before nodding. "Anything with you, Mel."

"Then mind me joining as well?"

"Gr-"

Holding back a groan, Lila shot a glare at Rosana. "Don’t disrupt our date."

She allowed the Heiress accompany her once in lunch, but her genorosity had its limit, namely how much ’alone-time-with-Mel’ she could spare with others!

Rosana just grinned, flicking her thumb toward the smiley Aria. "You’ll be accompanied by a senior anyway, won’t you?"

"I don’t approve," Lila said, a flicker of frustration crossing her face before she pouted at Mel. "How about you, Mel?"

With a tap of her chin, Mel’s lips curled up. "I don’t mind."

"..."

Lila sprialed into a wordless rage, as her hand stretched to squish her Mel’s cheek, hard.

"Lila~" Mel’s little chuckle stuttered. "Don’t be mad at others following me. I’m just that famous~"

"Don’t you think you’re getting too carried away, aren’t you? Hmm?" Lila’s pout bloated into two dumplings.

[ Envy thought you were too lenient with others’ approaches! ]

[ Envy favourability: 94 -> 89 ]

"Alright, everyone!"

The elf interrupted with a clap. "We can argue for another time. Let’s explore for now!"

As Lila’s hands retracted for a conflicted stare at the Elf, Mel massaged her reddened cheek before poking her balloon-like cheek.

She heard as the soft poof of air escaping her lips, then chuckled. "So, breakfast first?"

Emerald eyes darted to Mel as Lila blushed beneath her playful smile.

Then, with a small stretch of her foot, Lila leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Mel’s cheek.

"Better make it up to me afterward," she grumbled, her voice low and tinged with a quiet weight.

"Of course."

Mel gently patted her easily jealous Lila, her doting affection overflowing, quietly contemplated sneaking Lila away later... only to devour her all for herself.

With a touch of curiosity, Mel scanned the crowds and Knights, trying to spot Wrath; yet no hooded figure was anywhere in sight.

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With Aria’s guidance, they stepped onto the elevator to the ground, an open platform powered by a steady wind current, a marvel crafted by the Artificers.

Eventually, they arrived at the ground floor, where a town of sulfur-brick buildings greeted them; low-built structures nestled to the scorched earth.

A faint scent of volcanic dust lingered as they exited the <Sky Haven>, the crowds dressing in light linen robes with fabrics dusted with ash.

"Hm..." The Heiress’s nose twitched, her eyes curving in delight. "Quite a curious scent. Normally this amount of dust would’ve felt suffocating, and yet..."

"That’d be because of the <Volcanus Tortoise>’s corpse, which settled around here!"

Aria took the lead as they walked, her tone bright and cheerful. "The dust spreading through this area is caused by mana, not a natural phenomenon. So even though it mimics the scent of volcanic ash, it isn’t actually harmful to the body."

"Heh..." Mel’s voice trailed off, already more interested at the stall’s skewers rather than the banters. "Does that mean Pride’s familiar accidentally create a special tourist spot?"

"More specifically, an economically self-sufficient settlement grew up around it." Aria continued. "The Magical dust enriched the land, coming with a variety of purposes."

Her finger danced through the air as Mel quickly surveyed their surroundings.

Fresh vegatables were put up for sales, alongside bountiful cut of meat that glistened in the sunlight.

Among the stalls were shops displaying glowing orange crystals, their enchanted edges shimmering behind glass cases.

"Crops that grew on lush earth, animals that thrived with the bountiful food that followed, then there were mana crystals spawning that imported to both Iron Kingdom of the West and our Kingdom of Veneralis."

She turned around with a small grin. "That was the official exerpt, disclosed by the Saintess."

Official, is it?

Pressing a finger thoughtfully against her cheek, Mel pointed outward toward the towering wall she had seen beyond the town.

"Then, what is that wall for?"

"Oh. The Wall, named as <Titan’s Barricade>, was a construction that seperated Embervale and the other Kingdoms."

The Elf stretched wide her hands. "It’s built in a circular formation, designed to ensure that no empowered monsters can escape."

"Empowered monsters?"

"Yep. Pride’s familiar death didn’t only enrich crops or animals after all."

A realization dawned on Mel, and she glanced at the Elf with a knowing smile.

"That is the official exerpt disclosed by the Saintess again, right?"

"Hehe. Of course!" The Elf’s eyes smiled. "The Saintess would never lie!"

Mel chortled softly, finding her partner’s words about as reliable as her acting skills.

’Partner. So is there some hidden political issues? Or...’

[ Well, it’s much simpler yet worse than that. ]

The Elf spun around, her posture distant and solemn as she strode ahead.

[ I’ll explain more tonight, but I can only say that despite Pride’s goofy naming sense, the <Volcanic Tortoise> was one of the hardest foe to remove, even for me. ]

Mel’s brow raised, before another intriguing message came from the panel.

[ Because if not handled properly, the entire Embervale will turn against us. ]

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦