Miss Witch, it's time to clean up the entries

Chapter 275 The Seed of Survival
Holy Empire.

Guard Bureau, Red Tower, Interrogation Room.

Ophelia, the workaholic female director with long chestnut hair, amber eyes, delicate features and a capable demeanor, is interrogating the problem witch for the ninth time.

Because she always pursues perfection at work, is strict and harsh, has no private life, always has a stern face to her subordinates, and is unkind, Ophelia is also known as a mean iceberg leader. People who offend Ophelia basically have no good ending, so Ophelia also has a new reputation for being petty and vindictive.

But it is precisely such a director that the witches are loyal to her, not only because of the influence of the [Ear of Ignorance], but most witches regard her as a mother.

They were all unwilling to do anything to hurt Ophelia, and in order to get closer to the witches, Ophelia also demanded more of herself, trying to become someone like them who selflessly dedicated herself to the empire.

During her tenure as director of the Guardian Bureau, Ophelia fought for three rights for the witches.

The first was the right to education, allowing witches to learn to read and become literate, rather than simply killing machines. Although the Witch Convention promised that witches would enjoy the rights of nobility before acquiring the Out-of-Control Item, this law was a dead letter. All witches were selfless and had no desire for fiefdoms, knightly orders, or money. They also had no desire for an aristocratic education. For this reason, before Ophelia became director, many witches were illiterate, unable to even read the most basic letters, and were subject to the orders of their lords and deacons for all arrangements.

The second is the right to abundant food. In order to increase their training time and go to the territory to serve as soon as possible, the witches usually eat energy bars. Ophelia hopes that they can eat better.

The third is the improvement of the living environment. Due to the special physique of witches, most of them are not afraid of cold or heat and can adapt to living anywhere. The witch dormitories and prisons of the Guardian Bureau were basically no different. They lacked relevant knowledge and did not think there was anything wrong with it. Until Ophelia came to power, she transformed the witch dormitories into aristocratic apartments so that they could live in a better environment.

Although these three rights seem insignificant, no director has ever fought for them before Ophelia.

From birth to death, witches live a life like weapons. Apart from honing themselves, they fight.

The so-called honorary nobility is nothing more than deceiving ordinary people and conveying to them a value that they can win the respect of the empire by sacrificing for the empire.

Ophelia knew that these poor witches were weapons created by the empire from the very beginning.

Because of this, Ophelia, who could not find any family ties in the Frank family, developed different feelings towards them and regarded the witches as family members.

She became extremely angry after she knew that Randall used the gift to kill the 10 war witches she carefully selected.

The witches have worked so hard and done so much for the empire, but there are still people who ruthlessly kill them for personal gain.

Although she could not change the fate of the witches, Ophelia would never allow anyone to change their fate in this way.

Ophelia vowed to collect evidence of Randall's crimes and bring him to the Supreme Court to make him pay for his evil deeds.

"Forest Witch Ashley Rose, Food Witch Miria Ramsey, Rain Witch Anita Raymond, Storm Witch Clottey Russell, Explosion Witch Querry Peake, Slippery Witch Rachel Raya, Wax Witch Lisa Truman, Flower Witch Sophie Ruiz, Bubble Witch Charlie Riley, String Witch Blair Berry, do you remember the fact that you are dead?"

Sindra, the female secretary beside Ophelia, asked.

The ten witches shook their heads. How could they remember the fact of their own death?

They were clearly reborn, so when did they die?

The only thing that comes with a new life is the loss of past memories.

But the witches did not feel empty, and they did not have any unforgettable memories in the past.

Amnesia may be difficult for ordinary people to accept, but for witches, it is the easiest thing to accept.

"What is your relationship with Randall?"

Secretary Sindra did not get a satisfactory answer and continued to ask.

"Randall is His Holiness the Pope, someone we should respect and be loyal to, just as any follower of Tiger God should be."

Witch Ashley said, and the other witches agreed with this statement.

Ophelia frowned slightly and asked,

"Did Randall ask you to kill Lee En Moriah?"

Witches Ashley, Milia and others no longer had any emotional ties to Ophelia. Faced with her questions, they chose to lie without any psychological burden.

"No."

"When did you learn to lie?"

"Commander, we didn't lie."

"Then why did you attack Lee En Moriah?"

"We sense a heretic aura in him. He is not a faithful follower of the God of Tiger, but a pagan. He has other purposes in approaching the God of Tiger. We must kill him before he becomes a Golden Follower. This is what every devout believer must do. We must eliminate the heretics."

The answer is exactly the same as the previous times.

In fact, such a trial has no meaning at all.

Whether they were interrogated individually or collectively, their answers were the same.

Ophelia thought she could not find a breakthrough with the problem witch until the return of Li En, Moria and others.

Ophelia clapped her hands, and Secretary Sindra led Parker into the interrogation room.

The witches were stunned, especially Parker's fiancée, the witch Ashley.

Ashley's brows frowned slightly, and the most disgusting situation occurred.

"Parker, you shouldn't be here."

"Aisley, you are my fiancée, I have to come see you."

Parker looked serious.

Ashley saw only sincerity on his face.

She sighed, somewhat helplessly, with a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

The gourmet witch Milia swallowed her saliva and said, "Parker, did you bring any food?"

"Yes, I brought some for everyone."

Parker was carrying a basket filled with bread. He glanced at Ophelia and said, "Chief, can I give everyone some bread?"

Ophelia nodded slightly, and the witches looked at each other.

Parker distributed bread to the witches in the interrogation room.

The foodie Milia was the first to take the bread. She couldn't help crying while biting the bread.

"Woo woo, damn Parker, such delicious bread, you only brought me two."

"It's okay, Milia. When you get out, come to my house and I can treat you to more delicious food. You can eat as much bread as you want."

Parker comforted.

Milia cried even louder, "Wuwu, wuwu."

She knew there would be no chance.

Secretary Sindra looked at Ophelia in surprise and whispered,
"They've been acting like a stagnant pool lately. No matter what you ask them, they can't get an answer. Unexpectedly, they became active after Parker Moriah showed up. Maybe this time we can really make a breakthrough."

Ophelia remained silent, her eyes wandering over the ten witches.

Their expressions varied, and they were all looking at Ashley.

Unlike Milia, who was just a foodie, they knew what Parker's appearance here meant, and they also knew that there was probably something wrong with the bread.

They were waiting for Ashley to give the final result.

In the previous nine interrogations, they performed flawlessly and took complete responsibility on themselves, even though they knew they would be sent to the gallows in the end.

But now, they are clearly shaken.

Parker handed the bread to Ashley. Ashley's hands were handcuffed with magic-controlling handcuffs made of the Philosopher's Stone. When she raised her hands, the chains made a clicking sound.

She looked at Parker, and after a brief silence, she took the bread and took a bite.

Parker breathed a sigh of relief.

When the other witches saw Ashley's statement, they also took the bread, no longer hesitated, and started eating.

"Thank you, Ashley."

Parker was very touched, and Ashley finally chose to believe him.

Ashley shook her head. She actually wanted to thank Parker because Parker gave her a way out.

She couldn't force herself to go against Randall's orders and betray him, but she couldn't let herself die peacefully now either.

She had a bond.

She became Parker's fiancée.

Even though I know my life is short, I still want to stay with Parker, even for one more day.

"You have just eaten the bread of honesty. Now everything you say must be the truth."

Parker suddenly said, "I'm sorry, I lied to you. I just want to know the truth."

The witches had expected this, so they didn't show any surprise.

"Were you saved by Randall using the Hand of the Gifted God?"

Ophelia asked.

"Yes."

The witches answered.

"Do you remember who killed you?"

"do not remember."

"After Randall resurrects you, what does he ask you to do?"

"Kill the heretic Lee En Moriah."

"Why didn't you kill him?"

"Leen Moriah was too powerful. Our assassination attempt failed."

With Parker standing by and listening, the interrogation of Ophelia and Sindra went smoothly.

If Parker said this was ordinary bread, the witches probably wouldn't believe him.

Unfortunately, the ten witches could only prove that Randall ordered the assassination of Li En, but they did not remember the fact that they were killed by Randall, and they had no way to retrieve that part of their memory.

Even Dorothy's potion couldn't affect the witch's memory.

This was because the ten witches' past memories were partially fabricated, originating from the "Ear of Ignorance." Their only real memories were the tedious training in the Guardian Bureau, which wasn't considered core human memory, so potions couldn't help them recall the past. Compared to those dull memories, the events at the human naval base had a far greater psychological impact on the witches, allowing them to truly experience what it felt like to be alive.

Even though Parker's time with them was brief, those memories became their precious core memories.

Not only Parker's fiancée, the Forest Witch, but other witches also regard Parker as a friend.

They are subconsciously willing to believe Parker, so they will be guided.

The bread actually does not have the power to make people honest, but Parker has the desire to make them want to live.

Ophelia had ignored this point when she interrogated them before.

How to make a group of witches who are determined to die speak?
The simplest way has actually been right in front of us. That is to plant a seed of survival in their hearts and make them want to fight against fate.

After the interrogation, Ophelia and the secretary left the interrogation room, giving Parker the opportunity to be alone with the witches.

"Everyone, I'm sorry. Please forgive my selfishness for making decisions for you without my permission. I don't want to see you die. Ashley and I haven't walked down the aisle yet, and you haven't attended our wedding yet, so please give me some time and don't rush to die."

"Parker, what are you talking about?"

Ashley's cheeks flushed slightly.

Parker took Ashley's hand and said, "I've already told Grandpa that I have a fiancée, and he didn't object. After this is over, I will take you back to see Grandpa, and we will set a date for the wedding."

"Wow, I'm so envious of you, Ashley."

Milia wiped her tears. She actually liked Parker very much.

"Don't be ridiculous. Even if it wasn't our subjective intention, we did participate in the assassination of Lee En Moriah. How could Grand Duke Moriah agree to Parker marrying Ashley?"

Bubble Witch Charlie asked in a cold tone.

"Grandpa has agreed."

Parker reiterated.

Storm Witch Clottey shook her head. "That must be deceiving you. We will be sent to the gallows anyway. Do you really want to marry a dead person?"

"Grandpa won't lie. He won't lie to me. I promise you won't die."

Parker looked serious and stubborn.

"Do you mean that Li En Moria will let us go, or that the Church and the Guardian Bureau will let us go? Or that the Empire will let us go?"

Clottey questioned.

Although the witches have lost their memory and are very simple, they are not stupid.

They knew that no one would continue to use a sword that was out of control.

Randall will abandon them because of their betrayal, the Guardian Bureau will abandon them because of their mistakes, and the Empire will abandon them because they are uncontrollable.

"This world is so cruel to witches."

The Rain Witch dropped the bread in her hand and squatted in the corner. "We will be abandoned anyway, so don't make us struggle any longer. If you have achieved your goal, leave here."

Parker was stunned, and the other witches also became dejected.

Ashley let go of Parker's hand. "Parker, thank you. Although it is cruel for others to have hope and then have it shattered, for me, having had hope is already precious. Let's leave here. We will handle the next thing ourselves."

"Aisley, I won't leave here. If you don't leave, I won't leave either. I will accompany you to the courtroom and face it together with you. Just like you accompanied me to face the cursed insect."

Parker held Ashley in his arms.
"As you said, having hope and then having it shattered is an extremely cruel thing for others, but for me, having hope in the past is already very precious. You are my hope. Even if one day in the future you really leave this world, at least we will not have any regrets. So don't push me away, I want to be with you."

"Parker."

Ashley bit her lip, her eyes red.

The witches were all moved by Parker. Although they could not have love like Ashley, they saw the most sincere feelings in the world, and a glimmer of hope for the future rose in their hearts, hoping that they could meet someone like Parker in the future.

Of course, Ophelia did not break the rules by locking Parker up with the witches, but only gave him the right to visit regularly.

So after Parker made a bold statement that he would never leave Ashley, he was forcibly taken away.

Parker even cried about this, which made Ashley feel very distressed.

"Aisley, I'll be back."

"Don't hurt him."

Ashley clenched her fists. If her magic power wasn't under control, she would really attack and beat up the guard witches who were forcibly dragging Parker.

After Parker left, the witches were taken out of the interrogation room and locked up back in the Red Tower.

Ashley looked out of the tower and saw Parker's familiar blond hair.

Parker began to sing poetry aloud, which were love poems written by bards specifically for lovers.

He held the strings and gently plucked out a harmonious melody. The low and charming sound drifted away with the night wind.

“…When I hear your voice, my heart leaps, leaps as if terror were troubling me;

I only have to look at you once and I lose the ability to speak; my tongue becomes ineffective.
The devouring emotions burned through my body like a flame, and all around me was pitch black..."

The love poem attracted a lot of onlookers, and the witches became curious about Parker.

Even the witches imprisoned in the red tower poked their heads out.

Ashley wiped her tears. Although she didn't quite understand what Parker was saying, she could feel the burning love.

"Director, are you just going to let Parker Moriah do this? Half of the witches in the Guardian Bureau are watching."

Secretary Sindra was a little worried.

Ophelia looked up, "What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried that the witches might want to fall in love."

Secretary Sindra had to admit that the men of the Moria family were quite attractive, especially since they were born with good looks. Even if they did something ridiculous, they would still be considered romantic.

"Isn't this a good thing?"

Ophelia asked back, "They can finally be like normal people."

Sindra was slightly stunned. After a moment, she looked at Ophelia and said, "Director, you have changed."

"I haven't changed, I just understand some things."

Ophelia put down the documents in her hand, took off the director's hat that represented power, and placed it on the table.

"what?"

Sindra looked at Director Ophelia in confusion.

"My cousin, Viva Frank, is only 20 years old. For the stability of the Northern Continent and the friendship between the Holy Empire and the Burns Empire, she married into Burns and became the new queen of the 76-year-old emperor."

"Not long ago, she died on the high walls of the East Mirror. She was stripped naked by the Burns people without a trace of dignity."

"On the day the Burns Empire declared war on the Holy Empire, she lost all her glory and was abandoned by her family and motherland."

Ophelia said slowly.

Sindra's brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

"I'm sorry, Chief. I'm sorry about Princess Viva Frank."

"What's the difference between Ashley and the others and Viva? What's the difference between me and them? The empire and the family have been using us all the time. Once we're no longer useful, we'll be ruthlessly abandoned. So, while we still have value, why not enjoy life?"

Ophelia stood up and patted Sindra on the shoulder. "Your decision to get married and have children is the right one."

Sindra was stunned.

She remembered that she had been married for 10 years and had been ridiculed by Ophelia for 10 years.

I didn't expect that Ophelia would say that her decision was correct.

"If the witches want to fall in love, let them do it. If Parker wants to pursue Ashley, let him pursue Ashley. Let them become more and more like humans. This is the only thing I can do for them."

Ophelia took off her uniform, changed into casual clothes, and left the office. This was the first time she had left the office early in more than ten years of her tenure.

Sindra looked at Ophelia's back, her eyes slightly red.

"Commander, Sindra is very worried about you."

Ophelia left the Guardian Bureau and walked several blocks on foot instead of taking a carriage.

The stone tavern is hidden at the corner of the street, and time has left deep marks on its walls.

A faded sign hung at the door, and wind chimes tinkled in the breeze.

Ophelia pushed the door open and entered. The first thing that caught her eye was the warm yellow candlelight and the wooden bar. The air was filled with the mixed smell of malt and alcohol.

At the bar, the bartender wiped off a glass, a lonely glint in his eyes.

The firewood crackled in the fireplace, and the firelight danced on everyone's face, casting shadows of varying depths.

Drinkers gathered around the table, chatting in low voices. The crisp clink of iron cutlery, interwoven with the patter of rain outside, formed a symphony of life. The atmosphere in the tavern was warm yet melancholic, as if everyone's worries drifted gently through the air with the aroma of alcohol.

A bard sat in the corner, cradling his harp and softly strumming. The deep sound, accompanied by the vibration of the strings, brought a touch of artistic comfort to the tavern. The poem he sang was the same love poem that Parker had sung in the Guardian Bureau, a poem that had recently become popular in the streets and alleys of the royal capital.

Ophelia had previously thought that Parker had written it himself, but now it seemed that he was just following the trend.

In the corner, a blond and blue-eyed boy was sipping amber beer from a wooden cup, with satisfied foam at the corners of his mouth.

She walked over to the blond boy, sat on the wooden chair, and knocked on the bar.
"A glass of rye."

The young man pushed the wine glass in front of him towards Ophelia.
"Long time no see, Ophelia."

"You're back, why don't you meet at the Guardian Bureau? Why meet at a place like this?"

Ophelia picked up the glass and frowned.

The boy gave himself the wine he had drunk.

　I updated 6000 words today. With the New Year over, I need to slowly recover, so the update schedule is a bit uncertain. Thank you all for your support! I will work hard to get back into shape.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)