Mystery: Good Witch

Chapter 1381 Faith and Anchor
In Backlund, Audrey, standing by the French windows of her bedroom, also saw that radiant figure reflected in her eyes.

Of course, given her location, it was impossible for her to traverse half of the northern continent, the Sunia Sea, and thousands of kilometers of desolate, god-forsaken lands to directly gaze upon that great being. Even if she could see him, she would lose herself in the instant her mind was filled with mystical knowledge and the whispers in her ears.

However, as a "Dream Weaver," Audrey, a Saint who had just digested all the potions and made preparations for her advancement, found a giant of light emerging in the depths of her subconscious. This giant was in the same state as Grisha Adam, who had merged with two gods and was about to become a true "God," but no longer possessed the overwhelming aura of terror.

Standing on her own subconscious island, facing this enormous figure whose head seemed to stretch endlessly, Audrey felt no fear, but rather a genuine sense of peace, as if she had gained absolute security under the wings of a deity.

Not only her, but also the saints and angels of the five paths of "Dreamer", "Hanged Man", "Sun", "Tyrant" and "White Tower" that are spread across the North and South continents all had similar experiences at the same time. They were puzzled and they were terrified, but none of that could compare to the sense of security that followed.

Regardless of whether they were inside or outside the barrier, all intelligent beings seemed to see a radiant giant with an endless starry sky above his head, standing on chaotic liquid that encompassed all colors, trailing a shadow with five heads behind him, surrounded by storms and lightning, with a scorching sun above his head, and holding a white tower made of countless books in his hands.

This even affected some angels in the depths of the starry sky outside the barrier, whose abilities and authority involved the astral plane. Their perception of the astral plane was momentarily confused, as if this space, which encompassed all abstract concepts and symbols, rejected their contact.

Consequently, all ownership powers have undergone considerable changes, with some merging and others separating, leading to deviations in many real-world phenomena anchored by these standards.

That "God," who is also the "Creator, Maker, Omniscient and Omnipotent One, Lord of the Stars," has returned!

At this moment, even the ancient forces that had just attacked the barrier and surrounded the Earth showed signs of retreating.

They then realized that their momentary hesitation seemed to have caused them to miss the best opportunity to destroy the barrier in advance.

As this master of the astral plane returned, the barrier, which had been teetering on the brink of collapse due to the fading consciousness of the original creator and the constant attacks from the ancients, became extremely stable, as if it no longer had any flaws.

This is thanks to changes in some of the rules and authority of the astral plane. Although these changes are temporary, they are enough to maintain the seemingly fragile barrier for another year or two.

One after another, gazes that had suppressed their malice and represented "waiting" and "expectation" fell on the blood-red full moon.

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 Audrey regained consciousness, she found that the sky outside the window was already turning white.

She actually stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window all night, but she didn't feel tired or sleepy at all. On the contrary, she was full of energy, as if her mind and body had undergone a baptism.

But she didn't quite remember what had just happened; she just felt that subconsciously she had encountered something that made her feel joyful and at ease.

By the way, I went to the "Goddess of Calamity" last night, which is the Queen's subconscious, and digested the remaining potion there, completing the ascension ceremony ahead of schedule... Her somewhat scattered thoughts, as if they had merged into the sea of ​​subconsciousness, became sharp. She looked up at the wall clock and found that this morning came much earlier than usual.

The changes in the sun... Oh, right, I also saw the symbol of "storm" and "white tower" merging into "shadow" in the Queen's subconscious. This means that the "true creator" may have already defeated the Lord of Storms and the God of Wisdom in the divine war, and He has gathered the authority of all adjacent paths... The situation at that time was obviously beyond the Queen's expectations. He sent me back to reality, and then I also saw a giant of light...

Audrey instantly considered many possibilities and subconsciously wanted to recite the name of the Fool or the Goddess of Calamity to inquire about the development of this matter, but then realized that she was only a Sequence 3 Saint, and that the more she knew, the greater the danger.

This was an insight she gained after nearly encountering danger while traveling through the subconscious of the gods.

"Phew, Audrey, put away your curiosity. Let's ask her again at the Tarot Club. If the Queen thinks we should know, she will tell us..." she muttered, pushing open the bedroom door. Only then did she notice that Susie, who had been guarding outside all night, was still lying in the same spot. Her intelligent eyes immediately looked over.

Once I've sorted out my advancement to Sequence 2, it'll be time to help her get a "Manipulator" trait from the Tarot Club so she can advance to demigod... Sigh, Alfred hasn't even had a chance to advance to demigod yet, soon he'll be less than a dog... Audrey smiled and patted Susie's head, then went downstairs to the dining room, where she found her father, Earl Hall, and her older brother, Hilbert Hall, had already finished their breakfast and were discussing something in hushed tones.

She didn't disturb the two of them, but instead had a servant bring her her breakfast, quietly spreading jam on her bread.

But her extremely keen hearing picked up on their conversation:
Having worked in several government departments, accumulating relevant experience and building a sufficient network of contacts, Hibbert, who plans to enter the Upper House in a few years, has some reservations about the recent decrees and policy adjustments issued by the Kingdom of Rune. He believes that the kingdom's reform pace is too radical and that it is not a reform but a top-down revolution.

What's even more surprising is that some members of parliament who initially opposed the policies stood firmly on King Edsack II's side during the vote, even though they were conservatives and even though these policies would harm their own interests.

In the past two years, they seem to have all become saints who disregard their own interests and consider the overall interests of the country!
Upon hearing this, Audrey took a sip of her coffee with extra milk and sugar, and had the servant beside her bring her father and brother the same cup.

The two men seemed to only then notice her arrival, nodded to her, and continued their hushed but rapid conversation.

Earl Hall believed that policies such as limiting working hours, raising the minimum wage, increasing taxes to improve public welfare, and gradually abandoning the colonies in the South Continent would not last. He believed these were merely deals made by Edsack, who had inherited the throne during the war due to his father's death, to weaken the nobility and to strengthen his relationship with the military and church that had supported his rise to power.

As far as he knew, not only Ruen, but also Feneport, which defected in the later stages of the war, Intis and Fussac, which were defeated, and even small countries like Remnburg, had undergone similar changes in the past two years. Many of their decrees were issued under the interference of the Steam Church, the Church of War, or the Church of the Earth Mother.

The count believed that although the church had extraordinary figures and a wide following, its interference in the royal family and government would inevitably provoke a backlash. Before long, the king would realize that only the nobles would truly uphold his rule and stand on his side, thus distancing themselves from the church and returning to the "right track".

Listening to his father's analysis, Hilbert subconsciously looked at his sister.

Audrey works at the Rune Charitable Educational Fund, founded by the Church of the Night. She is also an extraordinary individual and has close ties with the church. In the Hall family's plan, she is a member who is to develop into the "church".

“I know you’re listening, Audrey,” Earl Hall turned to look at her, suddenly wanting to ask his daughter’s opinion for some reason, “What are your thoughts on what’s been happening lately?”

Gently setting down her coffee cup, Audrey smiled and said:

"I believe that His Majesty the King's actions were all at the behest of the Church, and there was a certain tacit understanding among the various churches. This led to the climax of the Southern Continent Liberation Movement and the concessions made by the old nobles in terms of their respective interests."

“I once heard an archbishop say that in this world, extraordinary power is the source of all power. Even a powerful military can only obey in this matter, let alone ordinary nobles?”

This somewhat sharp answer caused the count and his eldest son to catch their breath, their expressions showing surprise, as if they were recognizing the youngest member of their family for the first time.

Hibbert then felt a surge of anger because his brother, Alfred, another extraordinary being in the family, had said something similar.

This gave him a sense of isolation and a feeling of being threatened in his position.

After a brief moment of surprise, Earl Hall laughed. He nodded slightly, as if he had suddenly realized something, and stopped discussing this serious topic with Hilbert. Instead, he remarked that this morning was earlier than usual.

"...Father should understand what I mean. After the countries of the Northern Continent withdraw their power and cede their colonies in the Southern Continent, they will inevitably have higher requirements for the faith within their countries. At this time, it is already good enough that the nobles can maintain their achievements... It's a pity that Hilbert doesn't seem to understand. He has never truly come into contact with extraordinary powers, and his vision in this regard is not even as good as Alfred's, nor as good as Susie's..."

Audrey muttered to herself as she returned to her bedroom. As soon as she opened the door, she found Fors Wall, whom she hadn't seen in real life for a long time, in the room.

"Fors?"

She didn't use the other person's code name, but called them by their full name, her expression puzzled.

The angel, dressed in a thick, long dress and with a somewhat languid expression as if just awakening from a dream, nodded to her and said:
"The Queen instructed me to help you solve the problem of that mental dragon."

Solving the problem... Audrey was taken aback, then understood what the other party meant. She knew that after delivering a message to the deity behind the "Psychological Alchemy Society," her Sequence 2 characteristics finally had a solution.

But everything seems to be happening too fast, including last night's dream of the gods... Sure enough, something big is about to happen, and I seem to be the first to receive preferential treatment and be promoted. Is it because becoming an angel through the "audience" route will allow me to better help the other members...? Without hesitation, she created a virtual personality, which twisted and transformed into another Audrey with the same appearance as herself, and then pulled Fors's outstretched arm.

The next second, the two entered the spirit world and were "teleported" to a distant place.

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.

In the Twin Towers of New Silver City, in the room where the Council of Seven is on night watch, "The Sun" Derrick Berg has just woken up from a strange dream.

He seemed to have just seen a giant of light with the sun shining on his head and shadows beneath his feet, and for a moment he took the giant as the light he was chasing and the target of his righteous deeds.

Derrick was startled awake because he remembered that the "Eternal Sun" had been defeated and stripped of its authority by the "True Creator," and that this sun was likely an influence that deity had exerted on him!
He pushed open the door and stepped onto the balcony, gazing thoughtfully at the sea in the east, where a pale white light was beginning to appear.

A little later, after hurriedly putting on his clothes, he knocked on the door of another council member, Lovia Tiffany of the Triads.

Wearing only a thin nightgown, Elder Lovia, whose figure was curvaceous, opened the door almost immediately. The two looked at each other and realized that they had the same dream.

"That giant of light..."

Derrick had barely opened his mouth when he was interrupted by the other person's suppressed excitement:

"It is the Creator who created everything, who is all-knowing and all-powerful, who has finally taken back all authority!"

Derrick's remaining words were stuck in his throat.

Although he followed the light and the sun, his faith was still in the great Fool, and his perception and interpretation of dreams naturally differed somewhat from that of the devout believer of the "true creator" before him.

However, the discussions within the Tarot Club clearly told Derrick that the "True Creator" was indeed gradually reclaiming authority from other adjacent pathways, as if to reproduce the power of the Creator recorded in the City of Silver.

In the legends outside Silver City, He is also known as the "Ancient Sun God".

That too was the sun, the light that dispelled darkness and illuminated everything… At this moment, Derrick’s own practice of justice, the light he pursued, overlapped with the “Creator of the Silver City,” the “Ancient Sun God,” the “True Creator,” and the great being born now.

He had long ago resolved in the darkness of the Forsaken Lands to be the light that would ensure the continuation of his people, serving as a beacon in his ceremony to become a “Mentor of Justice,” and now aiding him in digesting the potion and practicing justice.

Could this be the reason why His Highness Saint Viev of the Eternal Sun Church left Silver City with the "Light Chaser" trait...? He was filled with emotion, and his gaze toward Lovia became even more resolute.

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.

In the North Side of Backlund, in the sunroom behind a two-story building not far from St. Samuel's Church, Sherman, dressed in a loose dress, was reclining in an armchair, enjoying the spring sunshine.

Her protruding belly stretched the waistline of her dress, making her look somewhat bulky, but this did not affect the actions of a witch who had already reached Sequence 4.

I'm lying here so early in the morning, entirely because of my laziness and inner peace.

Of course, this is also related to that strange dream I had last night.

Could the Giant of Light foreshadow some future event...? Let's do a proper divination with the magic mirror later, hmm, later... Sherman squinted in the sunlight.

Beside her, Leonard, with his slightly disheveled hair but a very energetic expression, sat in another chair, scribbling something on a piece of paper padded with a hard board.

A faint shadow naturally surrounded him, but it cleverly avoided Sherman, instead allowing the sunlight to focus on her, making her curl up comfortably like a kitten.

Leonard glanced at his lover and continued writing:

"...The trip to Dixi Bay ultimately didn't happen. Sherman thought it would be nice to spend the winter in Backlund, where the environment was getting better and better, and she was worried about the children, as was I."

"If everything goes smoothly, the baby will be born in early June. I don't know if you will be able to wake up by then, or if you will have the chance to name him."

"Yes, I haven't decided on a name yet. Sherman has a few options, but I think we should take a look at your opinion first, and see what Angel thinks."

“I think this can be considered a blessing from the gods. He will be born at the end of this era, in the days when the end of the world is coming. Although it is not a good time, Sherman and I both want to leave some hope and expectation.”

As he wrote this, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, and he added a somewhat strange sentence:
"I hope it's the same for you and Angel."

Leonard's gaze lingered on the letter for a moment, waiting for the ink to dry naturally. He then got up and returned to his room, set up a simple altar, drew a pattern belonging to "The Fool," and chanted Klein's name, letting the sleeping God watch over him.

A moment later, silence fell over the spiritual wall. Leonard stared blankly at the letter that remained on the altar, unsaved.

(End of this chapter)