Becoming a god by raising witches

Katerina sat on the throne, wearing a crown and holding a scepter, radiant like a goddess.

But Locke still preferred Eileen, because he felt more power struggles and oppression from Katerina.

Beneath her perfect exterior lay a burgeoning ambition and an iron fist; even though the people were being fooled, Locke remained perfectly clear-headed.

The best approach when facing a queen like this is to keep a low profile, play it safe, and develop your strength discreetly.

"Your Majesty the Queen."

Locke looked at Katerina's outstretched hand and politely kissed it, saying, "Your beauty shines as brightly as the sun and moon."

Katerina gazed at him intently with her pale blue eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you for your compliment, Locke Bemon. I've heard some interesting rumors."

"Oh? What rumor is it?"

If they need to summon me to the palace, it must be to discuss some gossip about me, right?

Could it be that Her Majesty the Queen has found out about my affair with Rhaenys?

Logically, Rhaenys should have kept it a secret, and she would most likely have blamed it all on the clone, refusing to admit it herself.

Locke was lost in thought when Katerina continued.

"I heard that you had an illness three years ago, and after you woke up, your personality changed drastically, as if you were a completely different person."

You're investigating me?

Locke, still wearing a warm smile, spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Anyone's personality changes after experiencing death. You can't imagine what I went through. I was tormented by illness for a long time, but when I was in despair, I was miraculously cured. I think it must have been the goddess's blessing."

"I heard that you've become obsessed with finding the witch ever since."

Katerina spoke slowly.

"Those are all slanders. I just like young and beautiful women. Everyone is impetuous and ignorant when they are young. I am mature now."

Locke said seriously.

So why did you call me here? Do you doubt that I am the real Locke Bemon?

Locke muttered to himself silently.

'The familiar aura emanating from her, coupled with her strange attraction, my motive to find the witch, and Rhaenys's unusual behavior—all of this indicates that the person I've been searching for is actually right under my nose.'

Wait, who are you looking for? Who is the person you've been looking for? Be clear.

Locke, having overheard Katerina's thoughts, asked a question.

"Didn't you join the Bureau of Exorcism to make it easier to find witches?"

Katerina asked.

"of course not."

Locke was telling the truth this time; he joined the Bureau of Investigation because he needed to make a living.

"The Witch's Heart of the Forest Witch, is it with you?"

Katerina continued to ask.

What is the Witch's Heart?

Trying to trick me? No way.

Locke looked at Katerina with a blank expression.

Katerina explained, "It's the core of the witch, didn't Boyd tell you that?"

Even my partner and teacher, Boyd, knows about me. It seems Your Majesty is quite attentive to me.

Locke calmed his nerves with a silent remark, then shook his head and said, "No, Boyd never mentioned that witches have cores, but he did tell me that if I encounter a witch, I must stay away."

"Is that all?"

'Eileen Mostia, still pretending? Do you think I won't recognize you just because you've changed bodies? The Witch's Heart of the Forest Witch has been missing for so long; you took it, didn't you? No one but you knows the Witch's Heart's purpose.'

Katerina looked at Locke suspiciously, and added in her mind.

This is the second time Locke has been mistaken for Eileen.

The first time was with Hannah, who thought he was Miss Rococo, but he was actually Irene.

The second one was Katerina, who, for some reason, mistakenly thought she was Irene.

No, I know the reason myself.

First, his strange attraction to Katerina led her to misunderstand.

Secondly, his strange attraction to Renis led her to misunderstand.

Third, the fact that the Witch of the Forest's Heart had not been found made her suspicious.

This is such a huge blunder! How can I explain that I'm not Xiao Ai?

Explaining it face-to-face would not only expose my ability to hear thoughts, but also reveal that I know Xiao Ai, which is something only a fool would do.

My current situation is like a mute eating bitter melon; I have a bitter pill to swallow but can't express it, and there's no way to explain it.

"That's true, but if we encounter any strange events involving witches, I will still step forward without hesitation, because I am a proud investigator and I need to protect the safety of Kosork."

Locke said seriously.

"Shaluna said that she happened to run into you in the tavern that day when she was searching for the Witch's Heart. You even chatted for a while. Actually, you already had a clue that day, right?"

Katerina was convinced that Irene had taken the Witch's Heart from the Forest Witch, and that wasn't wrong. The only mistake was that she mistook the current Locke for Irene.

She had walked up to Locke, reached out, and placed her hand on his chest.

If it were his own clone, such close contact would surely allow him to absorb her soul back.

This is also why Eileen always avoids her; her and Katerina's relationship is very special—whoever is stronger can attract the other.

Katerina is currently in much better condition than Irene.

Katerina frowned slightly, her fair and slender hand resting on Locke's chest, but Locke did not react at all.

Except that my heartbeat seemed to have increased slightly.

She moved to a different spot, placing her hand on Locke's abdomen, but still couldn't feel the missing part of his soul returning.

'what happened? ’

The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.

Katerina realized that she seemed to have mistaken him for someone else, and that she was touching Locke all over, which was not in line with her image as Her Majesty the Queen.

“Your Majesty, I am very sorry, although you are a very charming woman, I already have someone I love and cannot become your prince.”

Locke politely stepped back and said with his head bowed.

Katerina's cheeks flushed slightly, and she laughed in exasperation at Locke's words.

'Who asked you to be my prince? I didn't expect a little investigator like you to be so confident.'

"You've misunderstood. I will dedicate my life to Tumen and will not get married."

Katerina said calmly.

"It was my overstepping of authority, please forgive me, Your Majesty, my beautiful and noble Queen."

Locke said, looking down.

Katerina nodded slightly. "Tell me about you and Renis."

Um, are you trying to change the subject by using Renis?

"Director Renis is an excellent leader. She always thinks about our well-being and never forces us to work overtime."

Locke said.

"That sounds good, but that's not what I'm asking about."

Then what are you asking? Are you asking me why I slept with her? She forced me to.

"The director is absolutely loyal to you. Even though I have expressed my deepest affection for you, she remains steadfast in her devotion to you."

Locke continued.

"Alright, let's not talk about Renis anymore, let's talk about how you've been lately."

Katerina sat back on her throne, looking down at Locke.

'He's not Irene Mostia, so why do I find him so charming?'

"During my two-day vacation, I went to a nearby town for a trip to relax, but I still unexpectedly encountered some strange events. In the town of Holman, I discovered a wicked necromancer who deceived a group of kind students, making them sacrifices to please the devil..."

Locke selected some of his experiences from the past two days and recounted them to Katerina.

Katerina nodded slightly, finding it quite interesting.

It seems I was really wrong; Rock Bemon might not actually have anything to do with Erin Mostia.

After a pleasant two-hour chat with Her Majesty the Queen, Locke left the palace, just in time to brush past Rhaenys.

Renis looked at Locke in surprise. "What are you doing here?"