Witch Redemption

Li Lan was also helpless. Based on his memories from his previous life, in reality, when it came to disputes between countries, even uttering a few harsh words required careful consideration of the potential repercussions.

When it comes to "politics," it's never that simple.

After all, the British Empire is a superpower in this world, and it must have the means to destroy the Dark Kingdom and the trump card to crush these witches. However, using these trump cards may come at a price, so this superpower chose to back down after weighing the options.

The Dark Kingdom, to which Li Lan belongs, is the same; it has the confidence to come and negotiate, but not much confidence to push its luck and make unreasonable demands.

While they can certainly say some harsh things, there's a limit to how much they can say. If they go beyond that limit, it's not harsh talk anymore, it's just courting death.

As the saying goes, "everyone has their own expertise." Li Lan admitted that she was not a political expert or a negotiation genius, and that she could not grasp the "degree" of negotiation. So she might as well give up and settle the matter peacefully, thus showing the magnanimity of the Dark Kingdom's envoy.

This also involves the concept of "deterrence." If the stronger party resorts to violence or makes threats, its deterrent effect may be greatly diminished if it provokes resistance from the other party. However, if one can simply flex one's muscles in front of the empire without saying anything, thus deterring the empire from taking the initiative, the resulting pressure will be far greater.

That's why the negotiations in the latter half of today were so easy. It's because the Empire was in the wrong, and Li Lan inadvertently used this injustice, along with the super strength and pressure shown by Lana and the others, to make the Empire make concessions.

Being unforgiving even when you're in the right is a major taboo in negotiation.

In response to Lana's question, Li Lan offered a brief explanation: "The biggest problem isn't making threats or saying hurtful things, but how to clean up the mess after doing such a thing. Politics is very complicated."

"Yeah, the adult world is troublesome. If things were like before..."

"Yes, if things were like when we first escaped the empire, where we could act swiftly and decisively no matter what, we wouldn't be so conflicted now."

Li Lan frankly stated that there are definitely differences in how personal issues and collective issues are handled.

"What a pity, I was originally planning to come here and make a big splash."

“Heh, there will be opportunities in the future, no rush,” Li Lan waved her hand. “Besides, this trip wasn’t without its gains. The slimes have returned successfully, but it will take some time to reawaken them. And, more importantly, there are those two’s families…”

Memories drifted back to a distant past, and everything that had happened on the borders of the British Empire seemed like it had occurred just yesterday.

Thinking again of those two brothers who rarely showed kindness, both Li Lan and Lana felt a strange pang of sorrow.

Lorina, her expression somber, spoke up, "Kallen, are we going to take them back to the Dark Kingdom next?"

"Yes, no matter what, they are Ryan and Reiner's family. They have fallen to this state because of us, and I cannot stand idly by."

Unable to repay the kindness shown to him in the past, the only thing Li Lan can do now is to ensure that Ryan and his family leave the British Empire alive and bring a new life to these two single-parent families.

Moreover, Li Lan didn't know the extent to which Ryan Reynard's family knew about her husband's actions, or whether they would hold a grudge against these runaway witches because of it.

Della picked up the conversation, "I also think we should take them back to the Dark Kingdom, but judging from their condition, it will probably take us a long time to get back."

The group consists of two women and four children—all ordinary people, without a doubt.

Humans living in this world also have differences in talent and bloodline.

Ryan and Lina were originally from a declining noble family. Even if their ancestors had good bloodlines, by their generation, those bloodlines had been diluted considerably. Moreover, it was precisely because neither of them possessed any talent that they remained at the Bronze-level adventurer level their entire lives, living at the very bottom of the empire.

Actually, compared to other countries, the Empire was quite a good country.

At the very least, the military's recruitment system allows even those from less privileged backgrounds to climb the ranks and gain the wealth and status they deserve, as long as they possess exceptional talent.

Talent is the key to a person's future, while family background and lineage are just icing on the cake.

Another point is that if we exclude the factor of talent, women have the lowest status in any country. Therefore, the wives of Ryan and Leiner are dispensable to the British Empire.

They were both weak women who couldn't even be considered bronze-level adventurers, and their four children were ordinary, unambitious people from the bottom of society, so their future was predictable.

A combination of factors has led to the Empire's current indifference towards Li Lan and her group taking away these six humans. From the beginning, the Empire knew these six humans were nothing more than a burden. Even if they were taken away by these rogue witches, it wouldn't cause the Empire any loss.

Lana added, "Originally, I was thinking of using the dragons to send you back to the Dark Kingdom as soon as possible. But with these ordinary people around, we'll have to use another method."

Riding a dragon to achieve super-high-speed movement places enormous demands on the rider's physical abilities, making it clearly impractical for ordinary people to ride dragons at present.

"It's alright, we'll walk back, it'll just take a little longer." Li Lan calculated the journey; returning to the Dark Kingdom would probably take more than half a month.

"Then it's settled. We'll set off tomorrow."

With that decision finalized, Li Lan checked the peace treaty in her natal magic book space again, and her mood gradually improved. "I'll go talk to them. You all should get some rest."

This imperial expedition has come to an end; all that remains is for the forces under the Dark Kingdom to focus on their development.

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

In the empty room, four children, aged five to ten, were quietly huddled together on a large down bed, fast asleep.

By the bright light of the magic crystal lamp, two worried women could be seen sitting on the edge of the bed, with tear stains on their eyes.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside, followed by the creaking of a door opening, and then a familiar female voice.

"Miss Betty?"

The one who entered was an elven witch. Her long silver hair and beautiful face caused Betty Anfer's memories to return to ten years ago.

She vaguely remembered that the elven witch's name should be "Karen Elf," one of the witches who should have died that year.

She never imagined that this elven witch was still alive, and not only alive, but had even saved them today.

"Just call me Karen, there's no need to be so formal with me."

The witch's smile was gentle, instantly calming her downcast mood and making her fear disappear quickly.

"Th...thank you..."

Ten years have passed, but these witches have not aged. They are still as radiant and beautiful as they were ten years ago. The only change is perhaps the sense of vicissitude that their behavior exudes.

And she, Betty Anfer, an ordinary human being, had some gray hairs at her temples and many wrinkles on her face from years of hard work.

It could be considered a reunion with an old friend, and Betty Anfer was quite excited. She quickly introduced the other woman.

Ange Lizette, Rainer Lizette's wife, is quite different from Betty Anfer, who comes from a modest background. Rainer Lizette's wife is a complete "fool," and it is said that she was not "properly married" but was "bought" by Rainer Lizette by chance.

This woman, who looked quite ordinary, was much more timid than Betty Anfer. While expressing her gratitude to Li Lan, she also showed some fear.

After all, Li Lan and his companions' appearance today completely changed their doomed fate. Anyone with a modicum of sense could guess that Li Lan and his group were no ordinary people. Why would such important figures appear at the empire's highest execution ground and then save them?

Indeed, in order not to implicate their family, the Ryan and Reiner brothers kept their contact with the witch, or their subsequent contact with the slimes, a secret from their family.

Unfortunately, the situation after the slimes were captured was extremely unusual. So, even though the Empire knew that it would be pointless to execute these mortals, it still brought them back to the capital, intending to use their deaths to force the two rogue witches to take action.

In other words, they still don't know the specific reasons that led to their husbands' deaths, which ultimately resulted in them being sent to the guillotine as well.

Li Lan only discussed the matter briefly before learning the general facts, and ultimately did not tell the truth.

The death of Ryan and Rainer is inextricably linked to these witches. If there is anyone these orphans and widows should resent, it is not just the Empire; Li Lan feels that she cannot escape blame as well.

However, due to her guilt, Li Lan ultimately decided to hide the truth of everything.

“We are currently living in the Dark Kingdom, which I remember used to call the Viana Theocracy. We will escort you there, and you can settle down there from now on.”

Faced with Li Lan's words, Betty Anfer remained silent for a long time before finally managing to squeeze out a sentence, "We are all very weak, it will be very difficult for us to cross the Monster Forest..."

"It's alright, we have six real experts with us, your journey will be absolutely safe."

"Why help us? We're just..."

They were just ordinary people, yes, just ordinary humans with no background whatsoever, like the lowest scum in the empire.

"Because of Ryan, and Reiner, that reason is enough."

No other reason is needed. The kindness shown to Ryan and Reiner in the past is enough for Li Lan and the others to repay with everything they have. Even though they are just six mortals, they are not a burden to Li Lan and the others, but rather a precious treasure.

"You all get some rest. We'll officially set off tomorrow. You might not be used to life in a foreign country at first, but I'm sure you'll adapt."

Li Lan explained the upcoming itinerary in detail, and the two women and four children, having exhausted all other options, accepted Li Lan's suggestion.

"By the way, Miss Karen, do you know Rem?"

Betty Anfer's expression was clearly downcast when Rem was mentioned.

Although the Empire claims that Rem and the Heart series are foreign spies, they have saved Reiner more than once over the years and have given Reiner's family countless favors and kindnesses, which are far more unforgettable than the ethereal national interests of the Empire.

So even though Reiner ultimately met his demise because of Rem and the Heartsmaid, neither Reiner, nor his wife, nor his sister-in-law Betty Anfer ever held a grudge against Rem.

They simply couldn't believe that the kind-hearted Rem and the Heart series ladies would do something that would harm the Empire.

“Yes, she is my…” Li Lan paused for a moment, “She is my family. I came here to rescue her, and I’m so sorry to have troubled you all because of this!”

“Oh, I see. Oh, Rem…” Betty Anfer’s expression worsened. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Miss Karen, do you have any paper or a pen?”

"Ah."

Taking the paper and quill pen from Li Lan, Betty Anfer quickly marked the approximate location on the white paper.

"Before Rem was arrested, she hurriedly went to her uncle and handed him something, saying that it was very important to her and that her uncle needed to keep it for her temporarily."

Rem is dead, that's an indisputable fact, and even if Betty Anfer is in pain and finds it hard to let go, she must move on.

Previously, Reiner clearly knew that his death was imminent, so he quickly hid the item, and only Reiner and Betty Anfer knew its location.

"This is......"

After looking at the general map and route, Li Lan finally understood why Betty Anfer had mentioned this.

Indeed, only witches like Li Lan can help her right now.

"Looks like I'll need to spend some time tonight."

A few minutes later, Li Lan walked out of the room.

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

Early 10009 of the Gregorian calendar, in the border town of Mori, at the residence of Rainer Litt.

"I don't know what happened. Rem and the others have been gone for quite a while now. It seems they were taken away by that guy named Krossan. I hope nothing serious happened."

Late at night, as Reiner sat at his desk reviewing documents, he felt a strange sense of unease.

After the New Year, his adventurer mercenary group severed its cooperation with the Imperial Witch Cult, and he was unemployed for a long time.

Furthermore, it is said that the leader of the adventurer mercenary group, Larenas, has been recalled by his original family. Rumor has it that the mercenary group they belong to will soon be disbanded, and leader Larenas will not reappear in the border town of Mori.

“A few days ago, Larenas approached me and said that Rem and the others’ identities were suspected of being exposed, and he planned to help us sever ties with them as soon as possible. But I refused. Although Larenas kept saying that our relationship with Rem was only one of exploitation, this kind of betrayal is clearly not my style.”

"No matter what, Rem's mastermind saved me and my brother Ryan, and Rem and the others have given me a lot of help since then. I can't betray them. I think I've made enough preparations. If something really happens afterward, neither Sister Betty nor my wife Angela are in the know. Given their status, nothing should happen to them."

"I hope things will go smoothly from now on. I felt that Rem and the others were acting strangely before they left, and they suddenly said they wanted to quit."

After pondering for a long time, seeing that it was almost time, Reiner was about to turn off the lights and rest when he was surprised to hear several urgent knocks on the door.

"It's so late, who would come knocking on our door?"

Reiner's unease grew stronger, and he quickly left the room and opened the wooden door to the living room.

"Rem? What happened? Are you hurt?"

When the door was opened, a tattered, emerald-green humanoid monster was revealed. Reiner had known the monster's true identity for a long time; it was Rem's real form.