Mystery: Good Witch

Chapter 1364 Half of the Old Days
Within the now-peaceful consciousness space of the "City of Calamity," the black and white dragon bodies intertwined and merged. The enormous figure of the three-headed evil dragon, each with its own function, had vanished, leaving only the massive staircase leading to the upper levels and the faintly visible black throne stained with deep red blood.

Angel's body returned to its normal size, and her thick, long snake hair no longer fluttered behind her. She stood steadily on the steps, not in a hurry to go up.

Beside her, a thick fog of war continued to spread, and deep within, a huge figure seemed to be constantly hovering, its shadow covering most of the steps.

A faint gaze drifted from the shadows, fixing on Angel.

That was a manifestation of the "evil dragon" having been destroyed and contained, but still having some independent consciousness, just like Chik and Tudor that Angel had previously recreated in the consciousness space.

In a short time, Angel cannot truly destroy and assimilate the spirit and consciousness imprinted within her extraordinary characteristics, uniqueness, and source essence. She can only coexist with them, occupy an absolute dominant position within them, and gradually absorb them through her own anchored stability, making them an insignificant part of her complete consciousness.

Compared to Chik and Tudor, who are merely true gods, the consciousness of the "City of Calamity" itself is undoubtedly a more difficult part to deal with.

At this moment, countless memories of Dao-merging beings of the Source Essence still flickered in Angel's mind.

She lifted her foot and stepped onto a higher step, then another step, gradually approaching the blood-stained throne, while scenes of the experiences of thousands of Dao-merging practitioners in the "City of Calamity" of the Western Continent flashed through her mind.

It possesses the tenderness of a peerless beauty seducing a hero, the mentality of a favored concubine manipulating her ministers, the heroic spirit of an emperor looking down upon the world, and the magnificent feat of a victorious general conquering an enemy country.

Angel did not immerse himself in these scenes, but rather observed everything from an outsider's perspective, as if watching a movie in which someone else was the protagonist.

But these memories were too numerous and too complex. Even when she was detached from them, she was gradually influenced by them, and her steps toward the throne of godhood gradually slowed down.

The enormous figure in the thick fog around it became excited, constantly circling on both sides of the steps, sometimes expanding as if to break out of the fog, and sometimes shrinking to a point, as if to hide its existence.

Even as a vassal, devoid of self, the "evil dragon" still possesses the instincts of "conquest" and "destruction." If Angel relaxes even slightly, it will attempt to seize control.

It was only then that Angel realized why the conclusion drawn from the research on the "Ancient Sun God" was that first accommodating the source matter was the optimal choice, rather than becoming a dual-path or even multi-path true god, and then confronting the consciousness of the source matter with a stronger posture and defeating the opponent in a simpler way.

At this stage, if Angel's own state becomes even slightly unstable, or if his self-awareness becomes unclear, he will fall into the memories of the "Daoist" accumulated over countless years within the activated consciousness of the source matter. And first accommodating the "Red Priest" to become a dual-path true god will inevitably cause a split in personality, or rather, in divinity, allowing the divinity within him to overwhelm his humanity.

If the source matter is contained in that state, it will either be replaced by the consciousness of the source matter itself and become another "evil dragon", or it will merge and mix without any dominant force, becoming a being with only a part of itself and the rest being an indescribable mad thing.

Thankfully, she wasn't.

Everything Angel did before and after her time travel, Klein's companionship and support, and the great and ordinary people and events she encountered all enabled her to develop a clear self-awareness, which served as an anchor to stabilize herself.

The experiences of the last five years have left a deeper imprint on Angel's mind and spirit than even the long lives of those who have devoted themselves to the "city of calamity."

Under the influence of his own "anchor," Angel observed the memories of many Daoists without being affected. He simply absorbed the knowledge and memories that were useful to him, keeping the spiritual imprints that eroded his consciousness at bay.

Finally, as the scenes of different disasters and wars receded, Angel's gaze focused, and he found himself standing before a colossal throne, the monstrous dragon that had been swirling in the fog of war vanishing without a trace.

Shaking her head, she focused her mind and shrunk the black iron throne, its surface stained with deep red blood, changing its shape to transform it into a familiar single sofa, which she then sat on.

Roar--

She heard the final, unwilling roar of the evil dragon.

At this moment, she had truly overcome the consciousness of the city of calamity's revitalization, survived the initial mental shock of the incorporation, and had not lost herself.

She has truly mastered this source essence.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Outside the seal of the Western Continent, the angels connected to the two pathways of the "City of Calamity" sensed, to varying degrees, the anomalies at the top of their respective pathways and experienced the corresponding changes in authority.

Some of them are ancient beings who have lived from the Quaternary Period or even earlier. They have seen the second "Blasphemy Tablet," know that Sequence 0 is not the end, and what the great beings above it mean. They have some guesses about the current situation.

Some are extraordinary individuals of the new generation who, through hard work, luck, or connections, have become Sequence 2 angels. They can only obtain fragments of information about the secrets above the sequence from other angels, and while they are surprised, they find it difficult to realize what has happened.

But regardless of the type of angel, they all noticed a great being appearing at the top of the path.

That was an anomaly that had never occurred even when the true gods "Witch" and "Red Priest" were born.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After the bloodline curse disappeared and "Conqueror" Vermonda Sauron fell, Gled Sauron, who reactivated Red Swan Castle and made it his residence, was in a secret chamber talking with the other two "War Bishops" of his family, asking for their opinions on the current situation in order to determine who was more capable of leading the family and had the opportunity to obtain another Sequence 2 trait of the Sauron family and advance to "Weather Wizard".

Of course, the "ageless" witch Elaine Soren, who is not here, also has a chance, but Glad is unsure how the "Golden Queen" and "Goddess of Calamity" will arrange things, and whether she will make her "Church of the End" archbishop turn back into a hunter and have a male body.

After all, compared to the “Red Priest” path, which He has not yet mastered, the “Witch” path is undoubtedly easier to control and better reflects the Church’s exclusivity in the extraordinary path.

Suddenly, Glad raised his head, instinctively wanting to look west, towards the direction where Intis was right next to the Sea of ​​Mist, but then shook his head, as if he had gotten the wrong direction and froze.

At the same time, He sensed familiar movements coming from different directions and even from the place beneath His feet. These movements resembled the power of the "source of war" that He had prayed for many times when He was the "Conqueror," yet they were subtly different, as if they were mixed with the aura of another adjacent path.

The origins of war, combined with the power of the Red Priestess and the Witch… Glad frowned, then relaxed, muttering to himself:
"So fast... I knew I hadn't misjudged him... Medici wanted to first obtain the Sequence 1 trait from the Einhorn family, and then rely on the help of His omniscient and omnipotent Lord to seize uniqueness and become the 'Red Priest.' It seems he suffered a complete failure before he even took the first step..."

The two tall, red-haired saints of the Soren family beside him listened intently to His self-talk, not daring to utter a single word.

……

Somewhere in the Republic of Intis, inside the stronghold of the "Iron-Blooded Cross," Medici, the "Red Angel," wearing a blue shirt and gray trousers, holding an apple in one hand and a black iron puppet in the other, was about to place it on the chessboard when she suddenly stopped. The piece was taken back as soon as it touched the chessboard.

Opposite him stood Distant, a weatherman dressed in a neat military uniform, with his deep red hair combed back and prominent incantations on his forehead. Distant didn't seem to care about Distant's act of retracting his move. Instead, he exclaimed "Eh?", looked around, and frowned as he asked:
"Did you feel it?"

“Of course, even a deaf person could hear that unwilling roar…” Medici chuckled, tossing down a chess piece. “Tsk, they dealt with the consciousness inside the source so quickly. I thought they could give me some time…”

He immediately lost interest in the chess game in front of him, stood up from the sofa, walked to the bedside, and looked at the sea not far away. It was as if he could see the other side through the boundless and impassable foggy sea, and see the western continent that sealed the "City of Calamity".

……

Judith, the Ash Saintess stationed at St. Angelica's Church in Partis, the "City of Dreams," and protecting the headquarters of the "Church of the End Times," is startled awake from her boring afternoon tea. She quickly puts down the latest volume of "The Great Pirate Angelica" in her hand and goes to the Hall of Mirrors in the church headquarters to look at the mirrors belonging to different witches.

Soon, the two mirrors belonging to "Yellow Witch" Tisavika and "Purple Witch" Eugenia lit up, and two misty figures appeared within them. "You sensed it too?"

Judith immediately asked.

The two angels, who were also "disaster" witches, nodded in agreement, and Eugenia's voice came from the mirror that belonged to her:
"It's somewhat similar to the fall of the original... witch, and the goddess's ascension to the divine throne, but this time the shock from the mirror world and the change emanating from its extraordinary characteristics are much stronger... I even feel that my control over the mirror world has become stronger."

Long before the "Primal Witch" Chik fell and Angel truly became a god by embracing the last Sequence 1 characteristic, they had already sensed the aura naturally emanating from the top of this path and noticed the changes in the authority they could utilize.

This time, it is undoubtedly because the "Goddess of Calamity" has undergone some change. The uniqueness of the "Red Priest" pathway and at least one Sequence 1 characteristic are in the hands of the goddess, making it impossible for a true god of an adjacent pathway to be born.

This is also why the three disaster witches wanted to contact each other and discuss this anomaly as soon as possible.

Compared to the Purple Witch and the Yellow Witch, who only truly became angels in the Fifth Age, "Grandmother" Judith was a child born of the Primordial Witch. After the War of the Four Emperors, she became an angel and accompanied Chick to the Southern Continent to ally with Death, participating in the entire "Pale Calamity." She knew many secrets unknown to other witches. Seeing the other two's gazes focused on her, she calmly said:

"On the second 'Blasphemy Slab,' in addition to recording the potion recipes and rituals for twenty-two paths up to Sequence 0, there are also secrets hidden above the sequence."

Above the sequence... Eugenia's expression changed. Although she couldn't see what Tisavika's mirror image looked like, she believed that the other party must be just as surprised as she was.

Before He could ask further, Judith continued:

"At the top of the 'Witch' path and the adjacent 'Red Priest', there lies a great being known as the 'Cataclysmic Destruction'... I believe that the goddess may now have mastered the power of the 'City of Calamity'..."

Destructive natural disaster? A great being? Although the other two "Calamity" witches had not heard their grandmother reveal this knowledge before, they immediately realized that the "Goddess of Calamity" they worshipped was likely to surpass all the gods and ascend to a more powerful order.

No wonder He asked us to develop the church and spread the faith. The faith and anchor required by the great being above the order are certainly not comparable to those of ordinary gods... The two archbishops of the End Times Church, whose hearts were filled with only joy and fear, immediately cut off the communication through the mirror and prepared to gather the believers for a grand Mass.

Now is the perfect time to show your loyalty and contribute to the divine!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When Angel opened his eyes again, he was back beside the stone tablet at the foot of the wooden tower.

Her gaze shifted from the stone tablet inscribed with "Locking the evil dragon here" to the Taoist priest beside her.

The latter stood beside the stone tablet with the Holy Monk, the Headmaster of Haoli Sect, and the Master of the Dark Lodge, his expression showing tension that was inconsistent with his age and cultivation.

Deep within the clouds, a gaze was fixed on Angel's location.

Even after receiving Grey's answer and witnessing the complete destruction of the "evil dragon's" physical body, they still needed to confirm this with their own words before they could truly feel at ease.

Before the other party could ask, Angel smiled gently and said:

"Thank you all for your help. The evil dragon has fallen, the disaster has ended, and I have also gained control of the 'City of Calamity'."

She spoke in Chinese, but it wasn't her native language, and she lacked the context in which she used it, so it sounded somewhat awkward. However, the four Dao Integration cultivators from the Western Continent nodded in response, and their expressions relaxed.

The slaying of the evil dragon means that the cultivators of the Western Continent no longer need to invest a lot of manpower and resources to maintain the seal, and they no longer need to worry that the "calamity" will break free one day and continue to wreak havoc on the human world. It means that the heroes who voluntarily transformed into evil spirits and threw themselves into the well to imprison the evil dragon a thousand years ago can truly rest in peace. It means that the "City of Calamity" is truly in the hands of a clear-headed and humane being, rather than acting based on the inclinations of a living consciousness and a Daoist.

Most importantly, this means that within the barrier, there will emerge an "Old One" that transcends the potion sequence, a truly great being capable of fighting the Outer Gods without being at a disadvantage.

In this time of impending doom, it represents the dawn of victory.

Facing the eager gazes of the crowd, Angel's smile faded, and he said:
"It's not that easy. I'm not a true 'Old One' yet. I've only initially integrated the source matter and still lack another foundation to support it."

As he spoke, Angel looked at Gray, who was standing silently behind the Celestial Master and the other Daoists.

Regardless of the order of inclusion or whether their own state is intact, to become a "catastrophe," the uniqueness of the witch and red priest pathways and a Sequence 1 property are both essential.

Angel, a single-path true god who has contained source matter, can at best be considered "half an Old One." His status is far higher than that of ordinary true gods, but he is still somewhat different from those great beings outside the barrier.

Upon hearing her words, the Celestial Master, who had stepped forward from the crowd with his whisk in hand, nodded slightly and said:

"Regardless of the circumstances, you have rid the world of a great scourge."

“That’s not necessarily true,” Angel’s smile returned, but it was more vivid and cunning than before. “I am now equivalent to the consciousness of the ‘City of Calamity,’ and I have accumulated quite a few destructive desires within me.”

These words, whether spoken in jest or not, silenced the Dao-merging practitioners. After a moment, the master of the Dark Abode, whose body still contained Napolidisli, let out a wild laugh:
"Haha, I don't think you're as crazy as that evil dragon."

Perhaps. I can still maintain my self-respect now, but who can guarantee what will happen later... Angel didn't answer. Instead, he turned to look at the huge city that was divided in two by the river that flowed into the sea, looking at the bustling crowds on the streets and the mountains and riverbanks in the distance.

Under the watchful eyes of several Daoists, she disappeared along with Gray.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After a short rest, Angel used the control over the "Source Castle" that Klein had given her before he fell asleep to pull herself into the gray fog.

Of course, this doesn't mean she can control another source of power. Essentially, Angel prays to a "spirit worm" guarding the source fortress, which responds automatically and executes most commands that don't endanger its own safety, such as pulling a Tarot Club member into the gray fog, communicating with them, or granting power to the Fool's followers...

Angel simply made the request, which was then fulfilled by the spirit worms that Klein had created, but this could not exceed the scope that the latter had set beforehand.

It wasn't that Klein didn't trust Angel, but rather that he was worried that "Source Castle" might have some kind of stress response, treating Angel as an invading enemy.

Of course, Angel's ability to come to the Gray Fog again and sit in the high-backed chair belonging to the "Queen" was still beyond his expectations.

I thought that after becoming a "half-Old One," this spirit worm could no longer pull me along... She muttered to herself, continuing to manipulate the gray mist, pulling "Chariot" Gray onto the gray mist as well, so that he sat opposite her on the men's side.

Then she looked at the seat at the end of the bronze table, the seat of the "World," where a simple silver mirror, the "Mirror of Arodes," sat on the table.

Under her gaze, the surface of the silver mirror became deep and dark, a ray of silver light flashed, and then dimmed again.

Sensing something, Angel looked toward the head of the long table to his right.

The figure of "The Fool" Klein had already appeared in that high-backed chair that held special significance.

(End of this chapter)