The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

Sunlight streamed through the ancient oak forest, scattering shimmering gold across Lake Chun Jian. Two newly graduated witches stood at the end of the cobblestone path, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Is this really the former residence of the Card Witch?" Kira looked at the scene before her with suspicion. "The information says it's the courtyard transformed from the {Mobile Residence Card}. Although the main structure of the house is still intact, it's obvious that no one has taken care of it for a long time..."

But before my eyes, dark brown vines as thick as an adult's arm meander and coil, their flowers blooming wildly and magnificently, pale purple flower spikes cascading down like waterfalls.

A delicate two-story wooden house with a pointed roof is partially visible.

The vines climbed up the outer wall of the wooden house, extending all the way to the roof, half-hiding the reddish-brown tiles under a purple cloud, leaving only a breathing space around the chimney.

In the vegetable garden, the roots of a large tree laden with orange-red fruit spread directly into the flower bed area, intertwining with the roots of other flowers and plants.

“But…” Kira hesitated, “it doesn’t look completely abandoned!”

Indeed, while the courtyard is as wildly beautiful as rumored, a closer look reveals something different.

The moss on the path had been neatly parted, revealing the smooth pebbles underneath. Although the wisteria was in full bloom, it did not completely block the entrance. The gate was closed, and there was not a speck of dust on it. Even the wooden table and chairs in the yard had been cleared out, and the tabletop was clean and free of fallen leaves.

“A huge wisteria tree, huge lantern tomatoes, and this place!” Nina pointed to the engraving on the fence gate: “‘Moran’s Cottage’, the words are still there! That’s it! Maybe the Card Witch has returned to this place!”

Nina excitedly opened her gacha interface.

A legend circulates among the witches: the Card Witch Moran once lived here for a long time, and although she has not returned for a long time, this place still retains her magical aura.

Many witches come here to pray before drawing cards, supposedly to increase their chances of getting the cards they want. However, out of respect, they never step into the courtyard and only pray silently by the roadside.

But today is different; there are obvious signs of recent human activity in the courtyard.

"Come on! We're sure we'll get the cards we want this time!" Nina's eyes sparkled.

Kira became excited upon hearing this.

She opened the card pool interface, clasped her hands together, and prayed devoutly: "Card Witch, please bless me with a {Space Tent Card}! The smallest one will do! I just need a small space that can unfold to three square meters, enough to fit my alchemy workbench..."

"I want the {Space Greenhouse Card}, or the {Mutant Hollow Tree Seed Card} will do! Oh, all-powerful Card Witch, please grant my wish!" Nina then made her wish.

After making their wishes, the two of them simultaneously reached out and reverently touched the inscription "Moran's Cottage" on the fence gate, a mark that remained clear despite the passage of time.

The moment your fingertips touch the wood grain, you seem to feel a touch of warmth.

I don't know if it was just my imagination, but a faint golden light flashed across the engraving.

"smoke!"

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously clicked the card draw button.

The gacha pool interface is filled with shimmering light—white, green, blue, purple… finally settling on a brilliant gold!
"It's out!!" Nina almost jumped up, her voice filled with uncontrollable joy. "It's the {Mutant Hollow Tree Seed Card}! I really got it! Hahahaha!"

"Ahhh! I got it too!" Kira screamed, holding the card in both hands. "{Space Tent Card}! It's a full 100 square meters when unfolded! And it even comes with a temperature-regulating magic circle! It's perfect!"

……

Meanwhile, in the backyard, there's a fishing platform.

Moran lay on a rattan chair entwined with moss, two lantern tomato leaves covering her eyes, and the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.

Beside it, a bamboo pole leaned casually against the railing, a fishing line dangling into the lake, the float swaying gently with the waves.

The fish basket was empty, with only a few fallen leaves and a fallen wisteria flower lying at the bottom.

Squeaky hugged the fish basket and looked at it again and again: "Master, you won't be able to eat fish again today!"

"If we can't eat today, there's always tomorrow!" Moran said nonchalantly. "You can solidify a high-level luck spell at the door for those witches praying for cards outside, why don't you make a lucky fishing rod?" Zizi still didn't understand.

The owner said he would fish for food, but he casually cut a green bamboo, wrapped a fishing line and float around it, tied an iron thorn to it, and just threw it into the lake.

Does this person want to eat fish, or not?

Moran finally chuckled and removed the leaf from her eye, waving at Zhizhi.

The silver-haired monkey jumped onto her lap, found a comfortable position to lie down, and let its owner stroke its fur.

"Squeak, if we use the lucky fishing rod, we won't be able to enjoy this warm sunshine anymore, will we?"

Squeak was comfortably petted and rolled over on its back, completely forgetting about the empty fish basket.

Just then, the seemingly ordinary rattan bracelet on Moran's left wrist vibrated slightly, and pale blue light patterns appeared on its surface.

She raised her wrist and tapped it lightly; the communication interface unfolded in mid-air.

[Shana: The Mermaid Tavern is choosing a new singing star, wanna come?]

Moran glanced at it and replied with two words: "Not coming."

Shana: The tavern has new items.

A close-up of the wine list was attached.

New arrival today: Whispers of the Moon.

【wait for me. 】

After sending the message, Moran picked up Zhizhi and got up.

"Squeak?" The little monkey tilted its head in confusion.

"The Mermaid Tavern has new wines, we'll fish again tomorrow," Moran said succinctly.

Squeak immediately perked up: "(★★)!"

It jumped off Moran, ran to the wicker chair, and patted the moss that had wrapped around the chair.

The moss and vines gently loosen, spreading and weaving along the little body of the squeaky creature like living things, finally becoming a well-fitting vest with natural moss texture, which it wears.

"I'm going to call Kaba!" Zizi excitedly ran towards the pavilion.

Regardless of whether your friends can drink or not, they still need to look presentable when they go out.

Moran bent down, picked up the fish basket and fishing rod, and walked to the pavilion. Just then, Zizhi was still banging on the coffin lid.

Although Kaba isn't afraid of the sun, he still prefers to sleep in the shade.

The gazebo in the backyard, almost completely covered by pothos, has become its favorite place for an afternoon nap.

After a while, it opened the coffin with a click, tilting its head slightly. Even without the wooden sign that read "?", its confusion was palpable.

"Let's go out! Click!" said Squeak.

Kaba nodded, climbed out of the coffin, and followed Boss Zizi.

A man, a monkey, a vine, and a skeleton walked towards the small wooden house. (End of Chapter)