Witch Redemption

"Who knows? Ten years ago, we never thought we would come to this world by accident, let alone survive after time travel. As long as we work together, we should be able to achieve anything, probably."

Lana offered a few words of comfort, then began to think of Lorina and Della. "I wonder if Lorina and Della have arrived in the city you mentioned yet. We haven't seen each other for so many years, sigh."

"They should have arrived by now. With two creators by their side, I feel quite at ease."

Compared to her worries about Lolina and Della, Li Lan was more concerned about the slime in the British Empire, which had been missing for many years.

"After we reunite, Karen, what are your plans?" Lana asked again.

"Hmm, let me think." Li Lan pondered for several minutes, and Lana wasn't in a hurry either. The two of them just stared at the blazing campfire, lost in thought.

Lana understood Li Lan. She glanced over and saw Li Lan's bewildered and even somewhat pained expression, and naturally felt sorry for her.

"Let me think," Li Lan murmured again, paused for a long time, and finally sighed. "First, we need to bring the slime out, and then we'll probably try to eliminate the witch's summoning. This kind of ritual can't continue. I don't want to kill more transmigrators in the future. Perhaps Shub and Leviathan have some ideas that can help us deal with it."

Over the years, Li Lan gradually discovered that the greatest enemy was not only the natives of this world, but also the transmigrators.

Regardless, even after so much time has passed, Li Lan still feels a strong aversion to killing, especially eliminating every transmigrator, even those from the same world and country. It would be impossible for him to be completely numb to it.

There was nothing he could do. He had thought that it might be easier for fellow countrymen to talk to each other, but thanks to the efforts of many major powers, Li Lan had lost all hope for dialogue between fellow countrymen.

"Karen is really kind, she's always been like this." Lana sensed Li Lan's thoughts and sighed softly.

"If only you were as kind as you say, but unfortunately you aren't. I've killed far more people, or rather, more witches, than you have," Li Lan said with a hint of helplessness.

"That's a different story; there's nothing we can do about it."

Upon hearing this, Li Lan's gaze became somewhat unfocused. "Sometimes I envy Ann Gnath. She doesn't think about anything, she just goes all the way down the dark path, siding with some creator, and then gradually obtaining everything she wants. Just think about Helen Kingsley and Connie Jo, how glorious and carefree they were after becoming Abyss Gods?"

Lana nodded. "Yes, binding ourselves with unnecessary morality is a flaw we all share. But I guess Karen, like me, quite enjoys this flaw, enjoys this uncompromising attitude."

"Speaking of which, you said you've now sided with two creators, so it wouldn't be...?"

“Unlike Ann Gnath, I only received the blessing. It's called immortality, but that's only within this world. Once I leave this world, it's hard to say what will happen.”

Li Lan thought of Hei Fa Yu Hui and Leviathan, and was immediately filled with longing. "Don't worry, you'll be able to see those two creators soon. Then you'll know what kind of people they really are."

Those were two idiots, Li Lan was that sure.

"This is really unlike you. I originally thought you were an upright and honest person." Lana never expected Li Lan to do something like this, trying to curry favor with someone powerful.

"It's a pity, I've disappointed you, Lana," Li Lan relaxed a little and smiled slightly. "I'm just an ordinary person, a mortal, a poor guy with a lack of spiritual life. When we used to play games together, I always liked to cling to your coattails, let alone in real life."

If a wealthy woman in real life stretched out her leg for Li Lan to hug, Li Lan might hug her tighter than anyone else.

Why put in so much effort when you can just coast along?

Ultimately, however, it was only after witnessing the power at a higher level that they had no choice but to do so.

The Creator, in the vocabulary of Li Lan's original world, is "God." Their true form is that of an being above all else; to oppose "God" is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock. It's better to settle scores and deal with whoever has wronged them, rather than idly seeking trouble with "God."

"Uh, you really are..." Lana felt as if the two of them had returned to the time before they traveled back in time, two silly friends who had never met, bragging to each other online.

Ten years have passed, and everyone has remained true to their original aspirations. Perhaps the only things that have changed are their capabilities and future goals.

They've already managed to survive, but what will they do after that?

This is what they want to think about now.

“Karen, it doesn’t matter whether I can go home or not anymore,” Lana said sincerely after a moment of contemplation, as if he had something difficult to say. “But you are different. If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely find the way home and send you all back.”

“Lana…” Li Lan was about to ask the reason, but seeing Lana’s expression, she knew that he probably wouldn’t explain, so she shook her head. “Actually, it’s fine as it is now. I don’t care whether I can go back or not. All I want is revenge, and not to die too pathetically in the end.”

"I see. You seem to have changed..."

"Goals may change, but one thing has never changed: I don't want to leave any regrets," Li Lan murmured, as if she had come to terms with it. "Destroying the Witch's Summoning is practically destroying the path to return. I have that intuition. After resolving this matter, I should probably take revenge on Ann Grenas and the many great powers, right? We'll see about that later; I don't know how long that will be."

Returning to one's hometown?

I no longer have such extravagant hopes. Living in the present means only doing what I can in the present moment.

Li Lan's goal is not only to thwart the witch's summoning, but also to destroy this world!

"Your idea is dangerous."

"Yes, a little."

"Then I'll stay with you until the end. I think Lolina and the others feel the same way. Let's all leave without any regrets, how about that?"

Lana understands Li Lan best, and it is precisely because of this understanding that her words resonate most deeply with Li Lan.

"It's like the Oath of the Peach Garden, where people don't ask to be sworn brothers in the same year, month, or day."

Lana chuckled, "Isn't that great? Cheers to our friendship!"

The two chatted about everyday things for an unknown amount of time.

Unlike previous years, this New Year's Eve was also a sleepless night, but instead of the usual panic and fear, it was filled with peace and joy.

They all knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

It is precisely because we know this that we cherish it so much and feel so reluctant to part with it.

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

Winter passed and spring came, time flew by, and Li Lan and his group, who had embarked on their journey once again, traveled quietly for half a year, traversing a long road, bypassing the border of the United Duchy of Ries, and were finally about to reach the territory of the Viana Theocracy in the eastern continent.

Li Lan had not returned to this place for many years, only occasionally hearing about some global intelligence events that had broken out in this region.

For example, at the end of 10009 in the new calendar, the Dark Order seized power from the entire Viana Theocracy, which then erupted into a brutal war that killed countless people. Overnight, about 80 percent of the population of the entire country was serumd, and all the demigods belonging to the Viana Theocracy perished.

This was said to be a war of revenge against Viscount Ivan, initiated by Archbishop Christian Will of the Dark Order and Saintess Lachesis Wagner of the Dark Order. The battle was said to have shocked the entire world, especially when the Goddess of Darkness revealed her true form, displaying power no less than that of any superpower's current god.

When Li Lan heard these two familiar names and learned that they had achieved a complete victory, she probably felt nothing but blessings.

Viscount Ivan's death was once a thorn in Li Lan's side, just like Ryan Litt, who had to take his own life for the sake of these witches.

This world has all kinds of people, and naturally, there are plenty of "naive" people as well.

Unfortunately, Li Lan was unable to respond to these people and could only watch helplessly as they headed towards their doom.

Besides the epic battle, Li Lan also heard that the rebuilt Viana Theocracy had changed its name to "Supreme Dark Goddess Worship Country", or "Dark Country" for short.

I don't know which idiot came up with the name of the country; it puzzled Li Lan for a long time at first.

So much so that he kept wondering if the name was related to the black-haired Yu Hui? Or perhaps to Archbishop "Luciara," the loyal sycophant of the black-haired Yu Hui?

That's one thing. Li Lan also heard that the rebuilt Dark Kingdom has become an immigrant nation. Any adventurer who can pass the Dark Order's test can become a resident of the Viana Theocracy and swear eternal allegiance to the Goddess of Darkness.

Furthermore, this country, using some unknown method, is currently undergoing a frenzied expansion. Countless monster-infested areas have gradually been transformed into normal lands, and after absorbing some of the "technology" of the British Empire, it is showing signs of becoming increasingly powerful.

There are even rumors that many major powers have begun to pay attention to this emerging nation and have already considered nipping it in the bud.

In any case, most of the information was overheard during the journey, and Li Lan didn't know if it was true or false. She could only wait and see.

"Following this itinerary, we should be able to reach Kobe City in two hours."

Li Lan explained a few times as she walked.

Unlike her last departure from Kobe City, Li Lan's return this time was accompanied by an extremely luxurious team.

Lana Sivir, a witch at max level, capable of contending with god-level beings; ten witches, including Li Lan, whose magic books are all above level 50 and capable of crushing any demigod-level being; Lily Williams, a demigod-level human adventurer; and Edith, a dragon-born witch who is still growing.

In addition, there were three demigod-level peak bodyguards who were freeloading meals: the human demigod Xiumen, the orc demigod Tagore, and the elven demigod Salamander, as well as 110 shadowy demigods carefully commanded by these three demigods.

With such terrifying combat power, they almost quietly crushed their way through the intersection of the four continents, killing gods and Buddhas alike, making their journey safer than ever before.

Moreover, it seems that after the resurrection of the Dragon God Reggios and the Dragon God Cassanea, the whole world inexplicably fell silent.

Even the Chaos Creator, who had been targeting Li Lan at every turn, has begun to disappear.

No one knows what these various forces are planning. We can only hope that the situation will not escalate too much in the future. After all, Li Lan and the others still need some "development time" and "development space".

"Go this way, we should be there soon."

As Li Lan rounded a towering ancient tree in the jungle, his heart began to fill with anticipation and excitement; he seemed to see new hope.

Thus, the long journey has finally come to an end today.

June 28, 2013 (Gregorian calendar). Looking back, ten years have passed.

Volume 7: Returning to the Old Ground

Chapter 1 The Dark Kingdom

The towering city walls completely surrounded the vast kingdom, with only the massive city gates guarded by a large number of soldiers providing access.

Li Lan had only heard that the territory of the former Viana Theocracy, now the Dark Kingdom, had doubled compared to its original size, but she hadn't expected it to be this exaggerated.

The border city they wanted to enter, Kobe, was no longer a border city, but the capital of the Dark Kingdom, located in a central part of the country.

Looking around, there were an absurd number of adventurers of all races crossing the border, and the entry procedures seemed to be much stricter than before.

"Karen, is this the Kobe City you've mentioned so many times before?" Lana looked at the prosperous land, wondering how Li Lan had become involved with this country in such a short time.

“No, the real Kobe City should be further inside. The development here is a bit beyond my expectations,” Li Lan explained. Anyway, the destination is definitely right. After thinking for a while, he added, “It will be incredibly complicated when it comes to the national level. This place may not be able to become our exclusive power, but it should be fine as a safe haven.”

It's easy to deal with just a few people, but if it expands to hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands, then it becomes much more difficult to coordinate.

Li Lan was aware of this and could understand it.

“I see,” Lana nodded. “Then, Della and Lorina should have arrived?”

Li Lan waved her hand, indicating her helplessness, "I don't know, let's go in and take a look first."

Leading a large group, they approached the military garrison area of ​​the checkpoint, only to find that the soldiers stationed by the Dark Kingdom were a "hodgepodge," representing all sorts of races. The most numerous were the Rune Orcs, these strong and robust pig-headed orcs fully armed, serving as the lowest-ranking henchmen, each one gleaming with spirit.

Secondly, the followers of the Dark Order, dressed in black religious attire, were quietly distributed throughout the area, appearing very low-key.

Finally, there are those who are active on the surface: elves, humans, fox-like beastmen, and all of them are at least diamond-level adventurers.

Li Lan had heard that after the super civil war at the end of 10009 in the new calendar, in order to make up for the population shortage, the Dark Kingdom purchased a large number of slaves through various channels, and even annexed a large number of migrant populations from small countries. It seems that this is true.

The registration was quick. Li Lan unusually used the real name of the magic book, "Karen Elf," openly and honestly. She even registered "witch" in the race column.

"A witch? That's quite a rare sight," the handsome elf in charge of reception said, quickly completing the registration before asking, "Miss witch, are you going to be an adventurer or choose to immigrate?"

Those who act as adventurers, meaning they belong to the transient population, are subject to more lenient registration requirements.

Immigration is different. Immigration involves specific residency status and various requirements, such as swearing allegiance to the Goddess of Darkness.

"Adventurers, I suppose," Li Lan replied, unsure of the situation in this country, so she wouldn't draw any conclusions for the time being.

"Okay, here is your identification card."

Ten minutes later, Li Lan, who had obtained the qualification to enter, led a large group of people into the checkpoint. What came into view was a network of roads leading in all directions. Moreover, all the buildings in sight were completely beyond his expectations, making him feel like he was dreaming.

"No way?"