Fifth Hundred and Ninety-Five Chapter Germination

"Injured during the capture?"

"Yes, she took a bullet to the leg. Though the bleeding has stopped, she probably won't be able to walk."

"Is everyone else alright?"

"Another Bloodfang Witch named Tianyan died that night," Tilly sighed. "Our people didn't sustain any injuries."

Roland nodded. "I'll have Nana heal her. Let's talk about the rest back at the castle."

...

Compared to interrogating the Bloodfang leaders, the Church's impending invasion of Graycastle was the top priority. Back in his office, he first inquired about Sleeping Island's situation, then handed the letters from the Northern Lands to Tilly and the others to read. Because the three great families of Dawn Capital were involved, Ashes and Andrea were kept behind.

Since receiving the warning message, Roland had contacted Hill Fawkes, the spy in Radiant City, twice, and finally had a rough understanding of what had happened. As he recounted the entire story, Andrea couldn't help but shake her head repeatedly. "Otto is such an idiot, just like he was when he was little. If he hadn't urged Auro along, he definitely wouldn't have dared to enter the palace alone."

"At least he let us know about the Church's movements in advance," Ashes shrugged. "And a large part of the reason for this is you."

"Did you reply to him?" Tilly asked.

"I advised him not to act rashly. If that witch can really ignore God's Stone of Retaliation, it will be difficult for ordinary people to restrain her, not to mention that Prince Anpein also mentioned 'God's Punishment Warriors'." Roland poured a cup of tea for everyone. "Graycastle and Dawn are too far apart, and I can't give him direct help, so it's wise to hide the secret for now and wait until the Church focuses all its attention on Graycastle before making a decision."

"He might not be able to restrain himself," Andrea frowned. "Otto Losi has always been impulsive since he was a child."

"He will listen, because I also added a sentence," Roland smiled. "You are safe here with me, and even if we fight the Church, the enemy will not be able to harm you in the slightest, but if he dies, he will never see you again."

"That's a very effective persuasion," Ashes whistled.

"Alright," Tilly said, stopping the impending argument, and glared at Roland, as if blaming him for bringing up such a thing to tease her. "How do you plan to deal with the Church's attack?"

"Ahem... with muskets and cannons, and by building a defensive line below the Coldwind Ridge." He took out a map from the drawer, spread it out, and pointed to the northern border line. "After receiving the intelligence, I already ordered the First Army to transport war materials to Shallow Water Town, and at the same time, to clean up the Church's forces in the kingdom. This will inevitably make Hermes Holy City aware of Graycastle's movements, and in turn, discover my intention to move into the Coldwind Ridge."

"Deliberately letting the enemy know your actions?" Andrea asked in confusion. "Forgive my bluntness, but generally speaking, aren't such deliberately leaked messages fake?"

"Only in this way will I not have to guess where they will invade Graycastle from, and the people will suffer less losses," Roland explained his plan. "Facing the enemy head-on is the First Army's best way of fighting."

"I see," Tilly nodded. "It's indeed a simple and effective method."

"But there is a hidden danger, and that is the Purified," he continued. "In front of the firepower network, any visible enemy is not scary, but the Church's witches, whose abilities are completely unknown, may bring unpredictable trouble to the First Army. The best way to defend against them, I think, is with witches who can also sense magic."

"This is also the purpose of our trip," Tilly replied. "Don't worry, Brother, the Sleeping Island witches will join hands and fight alongside you."

*******************

Back at the Witch Building, Tilly moved back into her original room.

The furnishings in the living room and bedroom remained as they were when she left, and there wasn't a speck of dust on the table. Obviously, Roland had arranged for people to clean it regularly.

Three wooden basins for bathing were also placed in a conspicuous place at the door, with clean clothes folded inside, and slippers next to them for easy changing. Bathing had become an important part of life in the castle. Even in the palace, she had never tried to bathe so frequently, after all, the water came so conveniently.

Even when she opened the cupboard following the scent, she found it filled with all kinds of condiments, meat floss, and bread. It was obvious that these foods were freshly baked today, and she could grab something to fill her stomach whenever she was hungry.

Although she didn't particularly care about these external comforts, she still felt a warm current surging in her heart when she saw this scene.

"Ah... I can use scented soap to bathe again," Andrea exclaimed in the living room. "Hey, even towels are prepared in this basin, and they seem to be brand new."

"Is new not good?"

"No, I just think it's a bit of a waste to use it for you."

"What did you say?"

"I think that rag you carry around is quite suitable, after all, you can accept bathing in salty and fishy seawater, so what do you need towels for."

Hearing the familiar bickering, Tilly smiled silently. It seemed that everyone really liked this place. Even the Bloodfang members had become different after coming to Neverwinter.

At this moment, even she felt that way.

If it was about the affluence of life, it might be the case for other witches, but compared to her, who was once deeply favored by Wimbledon III, the degree of luxury was still a far cry from her life in the palace. Many things could only be said to be new and interesting, rather than how luxurious they were.

What attracted the witches here was something else.

Staying in this city made people feel inexplicably relaxed. She had never understood why before, but when Roland personally made tea for the three of them, she suddenly had a sense of understanding.

The other party was definitely not putting on an act because he needed the help of the Sleeping Island witches, but was doing it as a habit, as a matter of course.

Regardless of his identity as a lord, prince, or king, his attitude did not change in any way.

He treated the witches as friends—not a deliberately maintained facade, but an emotion that was revealed unconsciously.

"Are you alright?"

Ashes's question suddenly came from behind. Tilly turned around and saw her gently closing the kitchen door.

"Huh?"

"Why did you... suddenly call him Brother?" Ashes hesitated. "Back on Sleeping Island, didn't you say that helping him was just helping yourself? And... he doesn't look like that Fourth Prince at all."

"I don't think he is that foolish and cowardly brother, or rather, whether he is or not doesn't matter," Tilly paused. "Have you ever thought about what this war with the Church means?"

"Revenge?"

"No," she shook her head. "It's a life of freedom. Have you... ever thought about living here?"