Witch Redemption

"You are a smart person."

Clearly, Ivan was also wary of the witch of unknown origin before him. He was very cautious, and even though he was very strong now, he still had to be on guard against the witch's attacks at any time.

Because this woman must be a witch who defected from the British Empire; she wouldn't have been able to cross two thousand kilometers to reach the border of the Viana Theocracy without some serious skills.

Behind Ivan, a phantom made of black mist began to appear, half of which was fused into his body. Its appearance made the surrounding air several degrees colder, and an incomparably powerful pressure spread in all directions.

Li Lan recognized this ghostly figure; it was similar to the method used by the clergy of the dark cult last night, but it seemed to be quite different in nature.

That is, the ghostly figure behind this man is ten times more dangerous than the ones he saw last night. Just looking at it gives one a chilling feeling.

"Holy Light!"

A pure white ball the size of a ping-pong ball lit up in her left hand, instantly illuminating the area. Without thinking, Li Lan slapped the ball onto the greatsword in her hand.

This "enchanting" method was discovered in today's experiment. It allows the use of a priest's "orb of light" to enhance the Libra Cross Greatsword, although the effect will only last for about fifty seconds, which is not a big deal.

Seeing the greatsword in the witch's hand emit a soft glow after her series of steps, Ivan finally understood why this person was able to kill the Dark Child. This kind of divine power was indeed a great restraint on the natives of the theocratic kingdom who were born as half-spirits.

“I have no ill intentions, Miss Witch. Rather, I’ve come here to make a deal with you.”

Ivan spoke in a hoarse, middle-aged voice. Although he did not remove the ghostly protection behind him, he pulled down his black hood, revealing a slightly haggard face.

"who are you?"

Although Li Lan had anticipated that his identity might be exposed, he never expected it to be exposed so quickly.

The fact that Newood's appearance was described in such a brief way already revealed his identity as a "witch," which further proves that he was right not to enter the city rashly.

Feeling utterly confused, Li Lan had been pondering for a long time whether witches could integrate into the human world. Now it seemed that this was indeed the case. Their appearance was too striking and too unique. Although clothes could conceal them to some extent, it was only a temporary solution.

“Ivan Hank, one of the noble families of the Viana Theocracy, is currently one of the three leaders of the Bei City Merchant Guild, the second largest power in Bei City,” Ivan said with a forced, business-like smile. “Miss Witch, you can call me Viscount Ivan directly. Also, please rest assured that I will not reveal your secret as a defector from the British Empire.”

This sentence shocked Li Lan to the extreme. More than half a month had passed, and he had been living in fear and anxiety, doubting countless times whether the so-called "Book of Judgment of Fate" could completely hide it from the Empire. But he did not expect that the Empire was not so easy to deal with after all, and that it could still find out about their defection.

The worry—the worry for Lana, Lolina, Della, Peggy, Sherry, and Matilda—reached its peak in an instant.

Li Lan's face was very pale. He only knew that he was having trouble controlling his pessimistic emotions, and his mind was completely blank.

In Ivan's eyes, his behavior was that "this witch is too cautious, almost like she has a persecution complex." The moment the word "defection" was mentioned, Ivan's mentality exploded.

"The Empire has dispatched personnel, and they're currently in this border city? They want to hunt down the escaped witch?"

After finally calming himself down, Li Lan asked earnestly, even though he also doubted the authenticity of this information.

"The empire did send envoys, but they are not in this border city, but in the capital. There are no further indications in this city that the higher-ups want to hunt down anyone."

Ivan's judgment was based on existing intelligence, and he did not know that the Empire was actually searching for a terrifying abyssal monster. When it comes to such a powerful creature, it is basically only possible to send high-ranking members of the royal family or the Dark Order to take action. Naturally, they would not dare to disturb the people below.

"Also, please rest assured that currently only I know your true identity; even this guy on the ground doesn't know it."

It must be said that, in Ivan's eyes, this witch was a person with extremely strong mental fortitude, and her knowledge was probably quite terrifying. Ordinary people would not know that there was a race called Dark Elves in the wild lands of the Northern Continent, and she even used it as a cover.

What is your purpose in contacting me?

Li Lan took a deep breath. Indeed, if killing could solve the problem, he would definitely target this guy right now. But unfortunately, he wasn't a combat-type witch, and apart from the "Book of Fate's Judgment," he didn't have any other trump cards to change the course of the battle. Instinct told him that this might be an excellent opportunity.

"This despicable Serpent of Kobe told me that you could implant a monster's magical core into his heart, saving his life and more than doubling his magical power. I'd like to know, what are the conditions for using this method?" Ivan asked.

This is the best way to make his power stronger in a short period of time. It might even allow him to truly contend with the city's number one power and take the first step towards revenge.

Faced with this trump card, he had already made up his mind to win before he even arrived.

"There are two conditions. One is that my specially made magic cores need a certain amount of time. Based on the current success rate, it may take about a week to make two. The other is that this is just an experiment of mine. The guy on the ground was injured by the Dark Order's Dark Heirs. Their injuries are very special. Perhaps only when they are on the verge of death can I perform the surgery and implant magic cores into them."

As a dishonest adult, Li Lan did not tell the whole truth. In fact, it was the first time he had encountered a situation where he had to use his magic core to save these two guys.

“Very good! Very good! I wonder if this lady is interested in cooperating? I swear in the name of the Hank family that while I am alive, I will protect you in this city. In return, I need your help to make me and my men stronger. As long as you can use this method for me, I can meet a series of your needs, including arranging a legitimate identity for you!”

Ivan Hank, the famous gentleman viscount of the Viana theocracy, remains unknown to this day to the extent of his madness and rebelliousness.

As a man of action who always "does what he says," his determination goes far beyond mere words.

It has to be said that Li Lan was tempted when this guy made these offers, but he also considered that it was very likely a huge trap!

"Do you know that I am a witch?"

"I know, but I don't care. For me, I only care about interests! Everyone can be divided into those who can be used by me and those who cannot! Let alone a witch, even if the empire comes, as long as there are enough benefits, I can even betray my country to cooperate!"

With his blunt remarks, Ivan tore off his mask and looked like an enraged wild beast.

"What is your purpose?"

"revenge."

A brief silence fell between them. Li Lan was questioning the veracity of these words, while Ivan Hank was waiting for a response.

After several seconds, Li Lan tentatively asked, "What if I refuse?"

"You won't refuse."

"..."

"I believe you are a smart man, and I also believe you are a gambler! If you weren't a gambler, it would be impossible to escape the British Empire. Even though I haven't personally witnessed the empire's strength, I only know that the empire's control over witches has been foolproof for thousands of years, and no witch has ever been able to successfully defect."

This was Ivan's understanding: as the three strongest nations on the Eastern Continent, they were by no means to be trifled with.

Since this witch was able to escape from the empire, it's impossible that she only had tricks and trump cards; more importantly, she also had to be prepared to gamble!

The two sides maintained a certain distance, but Ivan's words were crystal clear: "Mrs. Witch, what do you think a person can do on their own? Killing one person is easy, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, but what about killing ten people? A hundred people? When the hatred between people escalates from a single unit to a certain quantity, it becomes a conflict between forces. To overthrow a major force, there must be an equal force involved!"

"You don't actually think you're completely safe after escaping the Empire, do you? No, that's impossible. In this world, even a small country like the Viana Theocracy can't protect itself on its own. Everything is based on power. The larger the group, the more secure you feel. Otherwise, why do you think this despicable guy on the ground would risk his life to betray you? Because he lacks security. He needs his own power, he needs his own sense of security!"

"Humans have their limits. To break through those limits, one must either cease to be human, or seek out a large group of people to band together for mutual support, hoping that quantitative change will lead to qualitative change. Witch, I'll say it one last time: cooperate with me, and I can give you everything you desire! If you can help me achieve my revenge, even if you want to confront the Empire in the future, I might consider it..."

This was Ivan Hank's promise, and his obsession. It's just a pity that no one knows why he would go to such lengths for the sake of so-called "revenge".

But it must be said that this guy is very sincere, and Li Lan is indeed on the verge of being persuaded by him.

However, there was one thing Li Lan was always very clear about: his enemy was indeed the Empire, but how long would it take him to prepare for revenge against the Empire? And where would he find a large number of like-minded accomplices?

Currently, the only ones they can rely on are Lana and her six companions, and whether they can rescue more witches from the Empire in the future remains to be seen.

"What I need is to survive and become stronger. I don't belong to this world. I have my own homeland. I need to find a way to return to my homeland and rescue Lana and the others."

Survival is the top priority, the second priority is to help Lana and the others find their way home, and only then can we seek revenge.

Revenge is precisely the most difficult thing to do right now, and also the most hopeless thing!

The witch can only seek revenge on her own, which is an unsolvable problem.

Li Lan pondered for a long time before calmly replying, "I don't need revenge. I just want to live peacefully. If you can fulfill this request, I can cooperate with you. I'm willing to take the gamble!"

Ivan grinned maliciously, but the crazed smile only lasted a second before he immediately returned to calm.

He very gentlemanly adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, then deliberately dispelled the guardian ghost behind him and stepped forward to extend a hand of friendship.

"Ms. Roman Hydra, from now on you will be a special doctor for the Bay City Chamber of Commerce! Tonight I will take care of all your identification documents! Within this week, I will prepare the items you need, and then you will personally perform the magic core transplant surgery for me!"

Before seeking revenge, Viscount Ivan also needs strength—the strength to overturn the status quo. He's taking a gamble!

I'll risk everything in this life!

Li Lan hesitated for a few seconds before finally extending her right hand.

At that moment, both of their hands were incredibly cold, devoid of any warmth.

Chapter 13 The Kingdom of the Dead

Night had fallen, and Li Lan made her final decision, following the red-haired middle-aged man without hesitation, along with Thomas and the little girl Yu Hui.

Although he was still on high alert and even harbored doubts about whether the man might be deceiving him, he desperately needed a breakthrough to avert a potential life-threatening crisis.

The reason he dared to follow them into the city was not because he was not afraid there might be an ambush, but because he still had a trump card.

If he encounters an uncontrollable crisis, he can also use the "Book of Judgment" to make a final stand.

Regardless, Li Lan is indeed a gambler, but he would never make any gambles without a solid foundation, because he hasn't reached that point of no return.

"If I can really cooperate with the forces in this city and settle down here for a while, that would be the best outcome. Right now, what I need most is a stable environment so that I can steadily upgrade my magic book and gradually become stronger. If I can settle down, then if other witches from the empire flee in the future, I might be able to provide some assistance."

Li Lan had a vague blueprint in mind, but to realize this idea, she still needed Viscount Ivan's honest cooperation, rather than simply selling him off.

Of course, the two had only known each other for a little over an hour, so they couldn't possibly understand each other's thoughts. For Ivan Hank, an action-oriented person, the plan to cooperate with this rogue witch had already been arranged after 1 p.m.

Whether it's replacing the soldiers guarding the city with Hank's trusted confidants, or preparing various false identities in advance, everything, including the arrangements for the ranaway witch's next residence, has been prepared in advance, which is why the journey has been so smooth.

Less than ten minutes after entering the city, Ivan delivered the witch to an abandoned shop near the city gate.

This three-story shop is located in the southern part of Kobe City. Its architectural style is Gothic spire, which is unique to the British Empire, and it blends well with the long street.

At this point, Wood Annason, who had already woken up, had been sent away by Ivan, leaving only Ivan and Li Lan alone in front of the building.

"This is your personal information card. Remember, you must never lose it. Only with it can you conduct all kinds of trade in Kobe City. As for this shop, it will be your residence. You can sell whatever you want, as long as it does not violate the laws of the Divine Kingdom. As for how much money you make from this shop, you will have to pay it to the Kobe City Chamber of Commerce in proportion: 70% to the Chamber of Commerce and 30% to you personally."

This is Ivan Hank's sincerity. The best way to settle a valued subordinate in this city is to give him a job, a responsibility with a promising future, and to completely bind him to this place.

Li Lan nodded and accepted the ID card and a heavy set of keys handed to him by the middle-aged man. At this point, he was already somewhat convinced that the man was indeed willing to cooperate.

At least from what I've observed along the way, this guy seems to have assumed from the very beginning that the two sides would definitely reach a cooperation agreement. He made arrangements in advance, so everything went smoothly without encountering any obstacles.

"Tomorrow, I will come in person to reach a written agreement with you. I will send someone to notify you in advance if there are any issues. Apart from that, our chamber of commerce will not interfere with your personal freedom in any way."

The implication is that you can go wherever you want, just like other adventurers.

“Furthermore, there’s a long-standing tradition of curfew in the territory of the Theocracy. After nine o’clock at night, it’s forbidden to go out to avoid encountering ghosts,” Ivan thought for a moment, then quietly explained a few more words, as if afraid that this guy wouldn’t believe it. “The Theocracy of Viana is a country of the dead. The soul of any intelligent being who dies here will remain in this country forever. Once night falls, only natives with Theocracy blood can move freely. Non-natives who rashly expose themselves will basically die a very miserable death.”

Seeing how serious the red-haired middle-aged man was, and with very few pedestrians left on the long street, Li Lan realized the importance of this statement. He asked, "In the Divine Kingdom, is there also such a thing as the Crimson Night Flood?"

With about a week to go, it's almost the middle of the month again, and Li Lan is indeed a little worried about it.

"Crimson Night Torrent? In the Eastern Continent, that's a term unique to the three great powers. It's unclear what secrets lie behind it. Outside the territories of the three great powers, other small countries on the continent won't encounter this situation. At most, they'll just be more restless at night than usual."

Ivan's words surprised Li Lan greatly. He thought about it for a while but didn't delve into the issue. "I will pay attention to the situation you described. You can hand over the relevant tasks to me starting tomorrow, and I will complete them on time."

This Viscount Ivan needs Li Lan to create numerous faith imprints for him and help him transplant them into living people.

Now that it has been confirmed that the two parties will reach this cooperation, and the man has already shown his sincerity, Li Lan is definitely a person who keeps his promise.

...... ...... ......

The State Religion Pilgrimage Church in the southern region of Kobe City.

A tall man dressed in a black robe, Blake, was waiting anxiously in the church's prayer hall. His accomplice, Karl Nassas, had not returned since the previous night, and it was clear that something had happened to him.

If it weren't for the fact that reaching the temple ruins of the goddess of the underworld required the guidance of "underworld fire" at night, he would have led a large number of people to check the situation during the day, instead of waiting until now.

Even if Karl was a good-for-nothing, he was still related to him by blood and was a relative he had to take care of.