chapter 9
Chapter 9: Morning Greeting
Passing through the narrow corridor, the witch Stacey pushed open the door.
The curtains were tightly drawn, and the fireplace light illuminated stacks of paper documents piled high on the desk. Behind it, in the shadows, a black-haired girl was dozing, her dark skirt and soft hair flowing down the chair legs onto the oak floor.
“Lady Chessia, the mist isn’t heavy today. Please ensure adequate lighting when working.” Stacey stepped in quickly and efficiently pulled open the curtains.
The dim room instantly brightened, fully awakening the drowsy girl at the desk.
“It’s Stacey… thank you.” Chessia rubbed her eyes, then stretched slightly with elegant movements. “Since you’ve come to find me on your own, I assume there’s been progress?”
“We’ve discovered who manufactured that batch of ‘Whisper’ potions—it was the Blood Wine Society.” Stacey handed Chessia a copper plate engraved with text from a difference engine. “They’re likely also the ones kidnapping young girls to create new witches. As for who’s leading them—”
The wine-red in the lazy girl’s eyes suddenly turned fierce. Her sleepiness from moments ago seemed like an illusion as the Blood Witch’s cold ruthlessness returned to her demeanor.
Stacey knew this was the attitude Chessia only displayed toward enemies; the girl’s true nature was actually gentle and kind.
The potion “Whisper” was the basic formula for inducing mutation and transforming witches. The surgery and subsequent torment were called the Whisper Trial. Young girls would experience unimaginable pain and suffering during this “trial.”
And anyone attempting to profit from creating new witches was an enemy to the Blood Witch.
“I doubt it’s our esteemed Lord Joseph of Gray Cloud Castle, since he’s the one who invited us here to resolve several ‘troubles’ for him.” Chessia quickly scanned the information on the copper plate. “But he couldn’t possibly be unaware of what these gangs in Gray Cloud Castle are secretly plotting. Lord Joseph has no reason to hire us to investigate his own operations.”
“Yes, it’s contradictory,” Stacey nodded. “Perhaps his subordinates are secretly expanding their business behind their leader’s back? A healthy young witch can fetch a high price at underground auctions.”
“It seems hasty action on our part would only alert them,” Chessia rubbed the hair beside her cheek.
“But girls continue to disappear in Gray Cloud Castle. Last week, I happened to find a poor girl who didn’t survive the Whisper Trial abandoned in an alley. She was left there with maggots covering her body…” Stacey sighed with her hand to her forehead; the bloody, horrific scene of flesh and bone separating and peeling away still left a deep impression on her. “And I’m worried about Moira too. She’s been missing for almost two weeks. All the sisters are looking for her. We can’t do nothing.”
“Stacey, don’t rush,” Chessia stood up and patted Stacey’s shoulder, smiling gently. “I never said we wouldn’t take action. The Black Rose Society won’t abandon any sister.”
“But you said it would alert them…” Stacey’s words trailed off as she suddenly seemed to remember something, covering her mouth in surprise. “Do you plan to let that child…”
“‘We’ taking hasty action would indeed alert them, but what if there’s someone among ‘us’ who has never appeared in Gray Cloud Castle before?” Chessia smiled slyly. “Almost no one knows of her existence, even our sisters in the society know very little. In this situation, having her step forward is most appropriate.”
“But I remember you said you wanted to hide her forever, keep her in the palm of your hand and—”
“Stop! Stop! That was a year ago!”
Stacey had barely opened her mouth and said a few words when Chessia covered it again.
The Blood Witch, rumored to be as cold and cruel as a tyrant, now appeared to Stacey like a shy maiden in love. She had never seen Chessia so flustered and embarrassed before.
Stacey could understand Chessia’s reaction.
She had only caught a glimpse or two of that mysterious girl who followed Chessia, yet she had been captivated by her dazzling brilliance. If given the chance to meet again, Stacey would certainly cherish the precious opportunity.
Unfortunately, the girl seemed to be hidden away by Chessia for some unspeakable reason, leaving even the witches of the Black Rose Society with little knowledge of her.
Chessia was the society’s founder and leader. She had saved countless witches from tragic fates, and Stacey always respected her choices and decisions.
Even if it meant keeping a beautiful girl confined to a bedroom as a lover…
Stacey felt she could easily turn a blind eye.
Though Stacey still felt curious—
She couldn’t forget that crystal-bright girl, even dreaming of seeing her again.
“Yes, it’s been almost a year since you brought her to the society… Do you really not plan to introduce her to the sisters?” Stacey probed Chessia’s thoughts indirectly.
“It’s not that I deliberately hide her away,” Chessia shook her head. “I just don’t let her leave the society’s hideout. It’s her own choice not to appear before you all.”
“Is she shy?” Stacey didn’t quite understand Chessia’s meaning.
“She should be practicing shooting now. Come with me to find her, and you’ll understand.” Chessia gently took Stacey’s arm. “Do you mind? Do you have other work?”
“Of course I don’t mind!” Stacey was somewhat surprised by this turn of events. “Those unimportant tasks can wait.”
She could hardly believe that Chessia would one day invite her to meet that mysterious girl.
Leaving the room, Stacey and Chessia walked together through the corridor toward the training ground that almost no witch would actively use—these activities were too rough and savage for the girls, who preferred to research and improve their extraordinary abilities rather than swords and weapons.
Even from a distance, Stacey could hear the sound of a revolver.
Was it that girl practicing shooting?
Stacey had trouble imagining such a frail and petite girl holding a gun, but Chessia had no reason to deceive her, and the thunderous gunshots were undeniable facts.
Standing at the door, the black-haired witch’s expression suddenly turned cold and solemn as she gripped the handle. Intense killing intent seeped through the door, and something invisible seemed to be gathering in the air, colliding and compressing.
Sensing the atmosphere was not quite right, Stacey instinctively hid behind Chessia.
“Click.”
The mechanism turned, and the door opened, revealing the training ground scene to Stacey. Dummies made of copper, iron, and sandbags, along with targets arranged at different distances, made up almost all the elements of the place.
She noticed the dummies were already battered, and the bulls-eyes of each target were densely packed with practice bullets.
Finally, Stacey’s gaze involuntarily focused on the slender girl standing at the firing range.
She gasped.
The girl wasn’t tall—her miniature frame under five feet tall nevertheless possessed a breathtaking presence.
Nearly three-inch heels adorned with butterfly decorations, pure white patent leather platform Mary Jane shoes stood proudly on the wooden floor. The snow-pink delicate feet inside only revealed smooth, shell-white insteps, with the shiny heels rising above delicate, petite ankles.
Long, straight legs were covered in white silk thigh-high stockings, as if dusted with fresh snow between the delicate leg muscles. The calf curves were enchantingly beautiful, the thighs round and full without appearing bulky. The tight lace stocking hem left a circle of pink marks on the skin, and every inch of her porcelain skin was so proportionate, so perfect.
A pure white sheer off-shoulder gown cinched her willowy waist, with shoulders smooth as cream silk. The front hem barely covered her thighs, while the back floated down to her ankles.
Knee-length silver hair cascaded like a magnificent waterfall resembling a starry river. The lily headdress was elegant and serene, with blue satin ribbons tied into butterfly shapes wrapped around transparent horns, and a string of silver bells hanging from the base of the left horn.
“Ding—”
Clear and melodious.
The girl holding the golden revolver turned gently. Her exquisite face was cold as frost, and her crystal-clear light purple eyes like grape wine gazed sharply as a knife.
To Stacey, this girl was both elegantly noble and crystal-clear brilliant.
Yet also like the green vines of a rose.
Thorny.
Sharp and dangerous.
Familiar somehow.
But before Stacey could observe and admire the crystal girl’s beauty and elegance more carefully, a short thrusting sword with bright silver luster suddenly flew through the air, its howling sound piercing to the ears.
Chessia calmly raised her hand. The orderly floor before her suddenly burst open, and green vines grew and shot out from the cracks, twisting around the butterfly-shaped guard of the sword, stopping this long-distance thrust.
The two incubi stared coldly at each other.
Like enemies.
Like sworn foes.
Only now did Stacey finally understand where that strange sense of familiarity came from. The girl’s dangerous aura was identical to Chessia’s when angered; in some ways, they seemed as if cut from the same mold.
Stacey had always thought she couldn’t remember the crystal-like girl’s name, but in fact, that short and pleasant name had always been hidden deep in her memory.
The girl’s name was Finis.
A year ago, personally transformed by Chessia’s knife, she was the Black Rose Society’s first and last living experiment of an “improved witch.” Stacey had strongly opposed this at the time, never imagining this petite and fragile girl could endure the hellish potion trials.
But the girl was unaware, and perhaps would never have the chance to know, nor did she have any interest in knowing.
The girl’s light purple eyes reflected only Chessia.
She could only see her.
She only cared about her.
“Miss Witch, good day.”
Like a noble lady or royal princess, the girl curtseyed, lifting her skirt.
She smiled.
Dignified.
“Today, would you be willing to kill me?”