Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 830 - 155:

"Perhaps, that red-haired woman is just bluffing."

He racked his brain, realizing that they actually knew nothing about the Other Shore's origins and identity. They only guessed she might be a survivor from the annihilated clan through her hair color and interactions with Cedric Thorn. So, how credible could the words of this wild woman who appeared out of nowhere be?

At least from her table manners and her attitude towards the Eldest Prince, she exuded the aura of the Empire's lowest commoners.

And in the eyes of the nobles, the Empire's lower commoners have always been ignorant.

Their narrow vision dictates the limits of their thinking. If not, the Empire wouldn't be able to sway people's hearts through a game of hunting nobles.

Ignorance and fear prevent commoners from resisting the nobles because this game has planted a notion deep within everyone's hearts — that it is the Empire and the nobility protecting them from the onslaught of the Demon King and its minions. Without the Empire, those evil entities could intrude into their homes anytime, tearing them to pieces.

Enjoying privilege is the rightful power of the Royal Family and the nobility.

The man in the black cloak highly doubted how much credibility the Other Shore would have if she grew up in such an environment.

The supposed destruction of an era sounds more like some exaggerated propaganda by the Empire.

"Maybe it's not as bad as we think."

"Regardless of whether her words are credible, it is a good thing, isn't it?"

The Eldest Prince, having secluded himself for an entire night, had his usual smile emerge on his face once again. Of course, he wouldn't fully believe the nonsense of such an unknown woman, but the intimidating advice suddenly gave him another brilliant idea.

This could be an opportunity for him to access the "fireseed."

This is also the destiny appointed to the Henry Royal Family — that when the day of destruction comes, only this "fireseed" can bring them hope.

"The new Demon King has appeared."

...

Meanwhile, Ilya embarked on a journey completely opposite to the Eldest Prince's.

Although the secrets revealed by the Other Shore sounded like fantastical tales, she fully believed the warnings, so she knocked on the door of Great Sage Sera's residence overnight. Inside the door came a series of chaotic stirrings, followed by a disheveled Sera impatiently opening the door.

"It's you again, Ilya."

"Sera, I need you to perform a prophecy."

"What madness are you up to again?"

Sera blurted out.

"I've uncovered that white-haired woman's identity, the Lindong Witch, the sinner who destroyed an era!"

This time, she had ample reason, enough to make Great Sage Sera perform a prophecy that would damage both her lifespan and soul.

Because compared to the destruction of the Silver Radiance Empire, this slight loss of soul and lifespan was insignificant.

"Lindong Witch? Sinner of the Age of Destruction? Where did you hear this from?"

"That survivor from the annihilated clan."

This is the art of speaking.

If Ilya directly spoke of "Miss Red Hair," or "a wild woman whose real name isn't even known," Sera would most likely shut the door and keep her out.

"Cedric Thorn?"

Sera paused.

Since this is the first name Imperial People would think of.

And the words of the commander of the Imperial Army naturally hold high credibility.

Ilya neither confirmed nor denied it. She emphasized her purpose, "A prophecy, Sera, this concerns the Empire's future. I need to know what kind of conspiracy the Lindong Witch is brewing now!"

Considering Lindong Witch's identity, Ilya suspected that the entire Royal Palace might already under her control.

At this moment, the Lindong Witch must be hiding somewhere in the Royal Palace, plotting to destroy the Imperial Capital.

She was deeply convinced of it.

But she still needed Great Sage Sera to prove her judgment, for the scenes sensed by prophecy spells are predetermined facts, and no one can question the authenticity of prophecy, which would mark her beginning to challenge the Witch.

Of course, she couldn't confront the Lindong Witch head-on, but the title of Holy Mage and Great Sage was enough to secretly persuade many people, including the commander of the Imperial Army, Cedric Thorn, who would become the trump card against the Lindong Witch.

"… Come in."

Despite the hundreds of unwillingness in Sera's heart, she could only compromise when faced with such a serious matter.

The residence has an array arranged for prophecy spells, with a dedicated prayer room set up downstairs. However, since the end of the journey to vanquish the Demon King, her prayer room has never been used for prayer again but was instead a secret tutoring place for many curious little boys.

The lights in the prayer room were still on, replaced with an ambiguous hue.

"You go out first."

Sera instructed with a stunned face, and a similarly disheveled little boy wrapped himself in cloth and ran upstairs with his head down.

With the spell materials set, Sera came to the center of the array, cutting her wrist with a ritualistic dagger, letting the blood flow into the ceremonial bowl, along with obscure incantations. The copper mirror reflected the scenes taking place in the Royal Palace.

Ilya held her breath.

Wicked Lindong Witch, let me uncover your true face!

"Ah—!"

Yet, the scene reflected in the mirror made her limbs go cold, frozen in place.

The white-haired girl was found sitting on Ethan's lap in an intimate posture, holding a plate in her left hand filled with delicate pastries. She squinted her eyes, with a face full of blissful smiles.

"I found some ingredients in the kitchen, look, this is your favorite fruit jelly."

The crystal-clear fruit jelly had an allure no less than those served at the Eternal Crown Restaurant, with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and a tiny red fruit smaller than a fingernail.

The tempting fruit jelly was offered to Ethan's lips, while Ethan showed a troubled expression.

Ethan's expression became Ilya's last hope.

Maybe…

Ethan, too, was bewitched and coerced by the Witch, and within the seemingly ordinary fruit jelly laid some terrifying ingredients.

"Sera, that red berry! The Witch mixed it with other fruits, it must be something to bewitch people's hearts..."

"That's a damn goji berry!"

Sera was so furious that her lips trembled, barely holding back her curses.

She had consumed both soul and life force, only to witness someone displaying affection.

She could even foresee what would happen next.

"Here, it's all yours."

The white-haired girl in the mirror fed the fruit jelly into Ethan's mouth, watching with a smile as she ate the whole plate.

Does this have even the slightest connection to the witch of the Age of Destruction?

"Don't rush, the witch is certainly next to cast a real spell on him! Look..."

Ilya's words were once again cut off.

The Lindong Witch indeed moved. In the mirror, the two faces leaned closer together, their lips growing nearer, the white-haired girl's eyes shimmering before she expectantly closed them...

The mirrored image was cut off.

She looked tremblingly at Sera, finding her pressing down on the wrist wound, her face as frightening as a back spike dragon ready to lash out at any moment.

Sera was all too familiar with such a scene, including the use of goji berries.

"Sera, actually..."

"Ilya!"

Sera strained to suppress her rage, simultaneously blacklisting Ilya permanently from her life, "Get out of my house immediately!"

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

"Actually, I just remembered there is something urgent."

Ethan swallowed nervously, with Lindong clinging to her like a big cat.

As a magic-user, from waking up today for the celebrations, she hadn't stopped running errands and was now exhausted, her body aching, limbs cramping, all energies depleted.

"What urgent matter?"

"Actually, the hero has arrived in the Imperial Capital, I need to liaise." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Aren't you too tired to move?"

"But this matter..."

"It doesn't have to be you personally."

Lindong determined, "You go lie down inside, I'll meet him later."