Spell Pasci was silent for a moment before speaking, "Is this a threat or an invitation?"

"Of course, it's an invitation," Nightingale spread her hands, "His Highness does not approve of using coercion to compel any witch. In fact, I also hate that approach."

"Then I refuse," Spell said without hesitation, "If he really needs my help, he can bring the witches to the Dragonfall Ridge and pay a visit with noble etiquette, instead of sending people sneaking into my castle. Of course, if it attracts the Church's attention, I can't guarantee the witches' safety."

This answer was not unexpected for Nightingale. In fact, it's quite difficult to get a complete stranger to agree to a rather difficult request. Generally, there are only two ways: coercion and inducement. The former she didn't want to use, and the latter she couldn't use. Marquis Pasci was already the lord of a city, and above that was the guardian of a territory. However, His Highness not only didn't plan to grant fiefdoms and titles, but also intended to take back the power of all enfeoffed nobles, which he called centralisation. So, in a roundabout way, if she served His Highness, it would actually reduce her status in the eyes of traditional nobles.

As for following Roland to create a new world, and fighting the terrible enemies in the war of divine will, she probably wouldn't believe it if she was told.

"I understand," Nightingale pouted, "Then allow me to take my leave."

"Wait..." Spell looked very surprised, "Just...like that?"

"I'm responsible for bringing Prince's message, now you know, and you've given your answer, so the task is naturally completed," she grinned, "Or do you want me to tie you back?"

"How do you know my ability is magic passage?" The Marquis hesitated, "...Have you had contact with those witches who plan to go to the Fiord Islands?"

"You guessed right, the leader of those witches, Tilly Wimbledon, is now staying in Border Town, fighting against the demons' moon with her brother," Nightingale shrugged, "His Highness learned of your existence from her."

"They didn't go to the Fiord?"

"No, before they went to the Fiord, they didn't know that Roland had already established a foothold in the Western Region, and they only made contact after settling on Sleeping Island," she briefly described the alliance process, "This time, Tilly came to the Western Region at his invitation, just like you."

"The Fourth Prince really...established a system in his territory where witches and ordinary people coexist?" Spell frowned, obviously not believing it.

"Not only that, but he also drove the Church's forces out of his territory," Nightingale smiled, "Now there are more than a dozen witches living in Border Town, and the townspeople are used to their existence. I never lie about this."

"..." The Marquis stood up and poured her a cup of tea, "Can you tell me more about it, how did he do it?"

"If you want to know," Nightingale turned around and went back to the table to sit down. These deeds may not change the other party's decision, but deepening mutual understanding is never a bad thing. She decided to focus on telling about His Highness's formation of the Witch Alliance, the war with Duke Ryan, and the governance situation after the recapture of Longsong Stronghold, so that the other party could roughly understand the witches' situation in the town. When His Highness unifies Graycastle in the future, this witch marquis shouldn't put up too much futile resistance.

Just then, there was a sudden urgent knock on the window.

"This is..." Spell looked at Nightingale in surprise.

The latter opened the window, and crouching outside was indeed Maisie, "Danger, gu! Lightning discovered an unexpected situation, gu!"

"What happened?"

"A troop of the Judgment Army is heading towards the castle, gu!" The pigeon flapped its wings, "At least twenty people, gu!"

"Church Judgment Army?" Nightingale turned her head and frowned, "Are they here for you?"

"No... I didn't have an appointment with a church priest today," the Marquis also seemed particularly puzzled, "Could it be that your whereabouts were discovered?"

"Unlikely," she shook her head, "Unless the Church has the ability to monitor every bird in the sky."

"That's strange..." Spell pondered. "If they were here for me, they shouldn't have dispatched so many Judgment Army soldiers. This is almost all the manpower of Dragonfall Ridge Church."

"What are you waiting for? They're about to enter the castle area!" A golden figure darted in from the window, landing lightly beside Nightingale, it was Lightning.

"Although the situation is unclear, I suggest you better avoid it for now," Nightingale said solemnly, "Or let the guards stop them outside the castle and find out the reason before talking."

"This is my castle, where can I avoid going? Don't worry, without my permission, these guys can't get in. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to protect those witches before," Spell sighed, "It's just that this meeting may have to end here... If you're not in too much of a hurry, I'd like to..."

Before she could finish her sentence, there was already a chaotic sound of footsteps under the castle, and even the light clanging of swords, which was particularly clear in the castle embedded in the mountain. The Marquis's expression couldn't help but change, "Who let them in? Guards!"

Spell called out several names, but no one outside responded, and the footsteps were getting closer and closer.

"It seems they're coming for you," Nightingale gestured to Lightning, reminding her to leave first, "It's not too late to leave now, we can protect your safety."

"No, I'm not going anywhere! This is my territory, how dare they be so presumptuous—"

Before the words were spoken, the door was slammed open, and a group of fully armed Judgment Warriors walked in. They held up their sword and shield, surrounding the Lord.

At the same time, Nightingale disappeared into the mist, and with a flash, retreated to a position near the corner—this was both convenient for escape and suitable for observing the situation in the room. She noticed that Lightning and Maisie also did not leave. The former was sticking her head out from above the eaves, peeking at the enemy's actions. The latter simply squatted on the top of the roof beam, tidying up her wings in an orderly manner.

These two little devils are simply a little too reckless. I'll have to ask His Highness to discipline them properly when we get back... She shook her head helplessly and turned her gaze to the Church's Judgment Warriors—each of them wore God's Punishment Stones, and the lightless black holes overlapped each other, completely covering Spell. She could only hear the Marquis issue an angry rebuke, "Redwine, are you crazy, how dare you bring them into my castle without permission?"

"Of course not, my dear sister," a man's voice rang out from the crowd, "Father was wrong to pass the title to a devil's pawn. I'm just correcting his mistake."