When Nightingale finished, the room returned to silence, with only the occasional crackling of the burning candles.

Roland looked serious, he finally had a general understanding of the witches as a group.

Most witches awakened during the Months of the Evil, which was said to be the day the gates of hell opened. Generally speaking, adulthood was a dividing line for witches. Women who had not awakened after the age of ten were unlikely to become witches, and those who awakened before the age of ten would suffer the pain of being devoured by evil on the day of their awakening every year.

The pain was unimaginable to ordinary people. Nightingale's voice trembled when she talked about this part. According to her own experience, it was as if something wanted to burst out of her body. Every blood vessel and tendon was unbearably swollen. In the end, blood would seep out of her skin and her eyeballs would bulge out of their sockets...

If they could survive, their bodies would slowly recover after four or five days, but those who couldn't would die in this torment, and their deaths would be horrific.

Nightingale had witnessed the passing of her companions several times. Their bodies lost their support and turned into a bloated mass of flesh. Blood mixed with internal organs sprayed out from the holes in their bodies and turned into a cloud of black mist when exposed to the air. Finally, when everything that could be sprayed out was sprayed out, only a layer of charred skin was left on the ground.

This was the evidence that witches were regarded as the embodiment of demons.

Ordinary people would be scared out of their wits at this scene. Who would care about the real cause of death? Coupled with the church's fueling of the flames, claiming that believing in demons would lead to this end, witches gradually became the representatives of evil.

Regardless of what outsiders thought, this torment was real, and the reason why witches generally had short lives was because of this. The later it got, the harder it was to endure, and many chose to end their own lives.

The evil devouring during adulthood at the age of ten was considered the most difficult hurdle to overcome. In fact, the magic that witches had obtained before was not complete. Only after adulthood would this power be stabilized. The stabilized magic was a significant improvement compared to before, and new branch abilities might even be derived.

Unfortunately, the stabilization process was extremely painful, and the power of the evil that devoured the body exceeded the limit that ordinary people could withstand. Many witches would die on this day of adulthood.

After listening, Roland was silent for a long time before asking in a low voice, "Ancient records say that witches can only obtain eternal peace on the Holy Mountain and no longer suffer the torment of being devoured by evil. Is this true?"

"No one knows, because the Holy Mountain has only appeared in legends. However, taking them to the camp of the Witches' Co-operation Union increases their chances of survival. If witches don't have to hide themselves and can live freely, the power of evil devouring them will be greatly reduced compared to before."

Roland was in a state of confusion. His plan required the help of Anna and NanaWawa, but he couldn't bear to let them bear such great risks because of his plan. In the end, he said weakly, "Anna is downstairs. I'll go call her over. If she's willing, you can take her away. As for NanaWawa, I won't be able to see her until tomorrow."

"Thank you for your understanding. I was right about you," Nightingale said, rising and bowing.

Anna was still awake at this time. When Roland went to call her, she was hunched over the table, copying something. She looked a little surprised when she saw Roland. When she heard that she was going to the prince's room, Anna didn't ask any questions and obediently followed him upstairs.

The girl was really startled when she entered the room and found that there was another person inside. Roland took her hand and briefly introduced them. The three of them sat around a round table. Nightingale repeated what she had said before, "...In the camp, there are many people like you. They are all your companions."

"That's pretty much the situation, Anna Xiaojie. Although I signed an employment contract with you, I must respect your opinion if your life may be in danger. If you agree—"

"I'm not leaving."

Roland was stunned. "What did you say—"

"I said I'm not leaving," Anna interrupted Roland quickly. "I want to stay here."

"Anna, I'm not lying to you," Nightingale said, frowning. "I can feel the surging magic in your body. It's almost mature. The Months of the Evil in two months will be your day of adulthood. The sooner you get to the camp,"

"You will be safer."

She ignored her and turned to look at Roland.

"Your Highness, do you remember when you asked me if I wanted to return to Karl's academy like NanaWawa and study with other children?"

Roland nodded.

"I didn't answer at the time. I don't care about what you said later... living like a normal person or anything like that," Anna's voice was calm and natural. "I just want to stay by Your Highness's side, that's all."

Roland thought he understood Anna's psychology, but now he realized that he didn't understand at all.

He couldn't see any emotion in her eyes. Not dependence, not love, nothing... only bottomless tranquility.

He remembered the scene when they first met, also with such a calm look.

The difference was that her face was now full of vitality, like a budding flower. She was still not afraid of death, but she no longer looked forward to it.

"Evil devouring won't kill me," Anna said, word by word. "I will defeat it."

Nightingale closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "...Alright, I understand."

"So, you'll leave alone?" Roland asked.

"No, I might as well stay here too," she pulled up her hood and stood up. "Anyway, the camp won't move before the Months of the Evil end."

"Why?" Roland was shocked. Was she going to monitor him all winter?

"I think a fledgling who hasn't experienced adulthood won't understand its danger. I've struggled on the edge of death several times and witnessed the passing of my companions. When that day comes, I can at least help her. If..." Nightingale shrugged. "If she doesn't make it, I have experience in handling the aftermath."

She walked to the door, pulled out a bishou, and bowed to Roland again. "Then, goodbye." After saying that, her figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, like a mist leaving no trace.

Was this Nightingale's ability? Roland wondered. A silent stealth technique, she was simply a born assassin. And judging from her bishou throwing skills, she must have received relevant training. Was the Witches' Co-operation Union developing its own power in addition to taking in its own kind? Or had she mastered these skills before being recruited into the Co-operation Union?

There was too little information about this organization. Roland couldn't find any useful information in his memory, but he had a feeling that he would meet this organization again in the future, as long as he insisted on taking the witch farming route.

"It's getting late, you should go back to sleep," Roland said, patting the girl's head.

To his surprise, Anna pushed his hand away and walked out of the room without saying a word.

Closing the door, the light was blocked behind her, and shadows enveloped her. She leaned gently against the door panel, and the eyes that were like a lake before were no longer calm.

She raised her head, put her arm in front of her face, and finally murmured in an almost inaudible voice.

"...Idiot."