Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

The next day, before dawn.

Marco took Kaven on the road.

Without saying goodbye or exchanging pleasantries, while most people in the camp were still asleep, two figures, one tall and one short, shouldered their packs and headed towards the capital along the path on the south side of the valley, bypassing the main road to Bellino.

As the sun rose, the procession set off.

The morning light spread from behind the eastern ridgeline, painting the entire sky with a faint orange-red hue.

After traveling for more than an hour, Emma poked half her head out of the carriage window, looked around, then pulled back and looked at Wayne.

"Master, where are Uncle Marco and Kaven?"

Wayne leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed.

"They have their own things to do."

Emma blinked.

"Isn't he coming with us to Bellino?"

"Yes. He'll take another route and meet up with us in the capital once he's finished with his business."

Emma simply said "Oh" and didn't press the matter further.

The carriage continued on its way.

The walls of Bellino didn't truly appear on the horizon until around noon. From a distance, the walls were considerably taller than those of Aldrian, constructed of bluish-gray stone bricks, with a flag planted at intervals atop them.

The city gate was almost twice as wide as Audrien's, and people and vehicles were constantly flowing in and out of the city. Several guards in leather armor stood at the city gate, checking the luggage of those entering the city one by one.

The procession slowed down at the city gate.

Emma leaned against the carriage window, looking up at the walls of Bellinor, and exclaimed, "Wow...it's huge!"

Vera sat next to her, clutching a new hat in her hand. She opened her mouth, but after a long pause, she managed to stammer, "This...this is so much bigger than Audrian's..."

Ella then asked, "Master, should we go straight into the city, or wait for someone to pick us up?"

Just as Wayne was about to answer, a small group of people was already heading this way on the official road ahead.

The leader was a middle-aged man in a dark robe, slightly overweight, riding a ponies with a warm smile on his face. Behind him were several uniformed attendants and a young man who looked like a clerk carrying a stack of account books.

The middle-aged man reined in his horse at the front of the procession, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before quickly locking onto Wilford, who had just alighted from his carriage.

"Wilford! You old geezer, you're still alive!"

He dismounted and strode toward Wilford, his tone carrying an undisguised warmth.

Wilford's face was still a little pale, but he was in much better spirits than yesterday. When he saw the man, a smile appeared on his face. He took two steps forward, shook hands firmly with the middle-aged man, and then the two patted each other on the shoulder.

"Duterte, you've gotten quite rounded."

"Hahaha, you've gotten thinner. I heard you caused quite a stir in Audrian this time?"

Wilford's expression faltered for a moment, then he quickly changed the subject: "Alright, alright, stop standing at the door. Let me introduce you, this is Bishop Wayne of Frosttown."

He turned to the side, drawing Dutt's gaze toward Wayne.

Dutt's gaze fell on Wayne, he sized him up for a moment, then took a few steps forward and gave a slight bow: "Bishop Wayne, I've heard so much about you. I am Dutt, the administrator of Bellino City, and an old friend of that old man Wilford. You must be tired from your journey."

Wayne returned the greeting: "Lord Dutt, you are too kind. The journey has been long, and our safe arrival in Bellino is thanks to the help of everyone along the way."

Dutt smiled and waved his hand: "Of course, of course. Her Majesty the Queen personally signed the relocation order, so we subordinates will naturally cooperate. I have already had a resettlement area cleared in the western part of the city, enough for your team to settle down. Settle down today and rest for two days. I will arrange the subsequent supplies and formalities."

The panel popped up at that moment.

[Duterte - Biographical Information]

[Position: Treasurer of Bellinor, Viscount, an old acquaintance of Wilford.]

[Background: The two met during a border trade trip when they were young. Wilford had lent him three hundred gold coins when he was in dire financial straits, without a written agreement.]

[Note: Dutt is one of the few people in Bellinor who knows Wilford inside and out. He knows Wilford's reputation in Frosthold isn't great, but he never asks about it or mentions it in public. Some things don't need to be said too clearly between friends.]

[Note 2: Duterte's attitude towards the Vatican is neutral to lukewarm. He tends to leave room for maneuver, neither taking sides nor making public statements. His priority is maintaining his own stability.]

After reviewing the panel, Wayne showed no extra expression, simply nodding to Dutt: "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Dutt."

Dutt smiled and waved his hand: "Of course."

Then he turned around and gave a few instructions to the clerk behind him. The clerk immediately dismounted and ran quickly into the city to make the arrangements.

Duterte bowed slightly to Wien:

"Bishop Wayne, a simple welcome feast has been prepared in the city. Would you like to come into the city with me and rest for a while?"

After hearing Dutt's invitation, Wayne did not immediately accept. He shook his head slightly, his tone polite:

"I appreciate Mr. Dutt's kindness. However, I have just arrived in Bellino, and according to the rules of the Vatican, bishops from other regions should first visit the local church and pay their respects to the local bishop upon arriving in their diocese. This is a basic courtesy that cannot be omitted."

After hearing this, Duterte's smile didn't diminish; instead, it gained a hint of understanding.

"I understand, I understand. The Vatican has many rules, and it's not appropriate for me, an outsider, to keep you here any longer. You can go to the church and attend to your business. I'll keep an eye on the resettlement area for you. Once you're done, just send someone to call me. There's no rush for the welcome banquet; we can discuss it whenever you're free."

Thank you for your understanding.

After saying goodbye to Dutt, Wayne turned and went back to the carriage. Thomason was standing by the carriage, holding the reins. When he saw Wayne approaching, he quickly straightened up.

"Sir, where are we going next? Straight to the church?"

Wayne didn't answer, but instead took out five gold coins from his pocket and handed them to Thomason.

Thomason paused for a moment, then didn't answer.

"My lord... what is this...?"

"You've had a tough time these past few days." Wayne stuffed the money into his hand. "You're a married man now, it's not appropriate for you to come all the way to the capital with me. Stay in Bellino, live a peaceful life with Mayor Wilford, it'll be more stable."

Thomason clutched the still-warm gold coins, opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, and after a long pause, he managed to stammer, "My lord... then, who will drive you to the capital?"

Wayne chuckled. "I have hands and feet; can't I even drive a carriage?"

Thomason's lips moved, but he swallowed the rest of his words, took a step back, and bowed deeply to Wayne.

As he straightened up, his eyes were already red-rimmed, but he didn't let the tears fall: "My lord, take care."

"Take care of yourself."