The next day, Roland walked into the office humming a tune, only to find Wendy already waiting in the room.
“What’s wrong?” He stepped over the scattered books on the floor and poured her a cup of tea.
“Congratulations, the town has gained another witch,” she said with a smile, recounting the events of the past few days in detail. “If you need it, I can notify Asha to go to the castle at any time.”
The first witch to awaken in his territory… This was also the first gain after the public recruitment. Roland's mood couldn't help but become more cheerful. However, hearing the second half of the sentence, he asked curiously, “Isn’t she in the castle right now?”
“No, because Nightingale is not here, and her identity cannot be verified,” Wendy repeated Scroll's insistence. “We sent her back home and prepaid her first month’s salary.”
“That’s not a bad decision,” Roland nodded. “Let her come over this afternoon to sign the contract.”
“Yes…” Wendy responded, looking hesitant.
“What’s wrong?”
“Aren’t you angry… about what those people think of you and the Witch Union, and…” she hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, “and that my abilities may not be suitable for managing the Union? Scroll is more experienced than me and more mature. I think it would be better if she managed it.”
“I guess you’ve mentioned these words to Scroll as well?” Roland asked with interest. “And she thinks you are the most suitable candidate?”
“Eh?”
“Looks like it…” He exhaled. “And my feeling is the same as hers. Management skills and methods can be mastered through practice, but one’s personality is difficult to change. Haven't you noticed that among the witches, besides Maisie, you are the most loved by everyone? Besides, Scroll is mainly in charge of the Ministry of Education and will become more and more busy in the future. She won't have much time to interact with new witches. This is also your strength, so have more confidence in yourself. I’m very accurate at judging people.”
Before Wendy could reply, the prince continued, "As for the misunderstanding of the Witch Union by the foreign residents, it was my negligence. I didn't expect that my reputation... no, my previous reputation could spread throughout the kingdom." He pondered for a while, “If we want to change this view as soon as possible, in addition to increasing publicity, I think it's better to let the organization operate independently as soon as possible.”
“Independent… operation?”
“Yes, turn it into an independent department like the Town Hall.” Roland had considered this issue before. Now the Union only has more than a dozen witches, and he can still handle it. If it expands to hundreds or even thousands, like Taquila in the Holy City, it is obviously impossible for him to arrange work for them one by one. They need to establish a functional system that can operate on its own to solve the witches' employment arrangements, and he will only provide guidance on their abilities, uses, and evolutionary direction.
After explaining his ideas to her, Wendy hesitated, “But the Town Hall has hundreds of people, and we only have a dozen sisters, most of whom have their own things to do… Also, what does this have to do with changing the residents' perceptions?”
“Rumors and fear both come from the unknown. The residents of the town can accept witches because they have experienced the benefits brought by Nana Wawa and Lily up close,” Roland said with a smile. "If ordinary people can also join the Witch Union, it can solve the problem of insufficient staff in the Union and allow them to understand the organization more deeply—the public's spontaneous publicity will undoubtedly be more effective in changing outsiders' misconceptions about witches, and your work content and important contributions to the town will also be widely known."
Just like the Academy of Science is not all scientists, daily chores, administrative reception, and research arrangements all require the participation of a large number of ordinary people. If you want witches to be accepted by all the people, the most important thing is mutual understanding. Putting witches in various industries and letting ordinary people participate in the work of witches is the same principle.
“I see,” Wendy nodded. “This is indeed a good method. But how should the candidates be determined?”
“Since it is an independent operation, of course you have to recruit and select them yourselves.” Roland stroked his chin and said, “You can ask Earl Speel for advice.
She should be very good at how to build an organization centered on witches. But now the Union has a small number of people, so you can first recruit an assistant or clerical staff to practice. After the Evil Moon ends, I will also build a new building next to the Town Hall to serve as the Union’s dedicated office space.”
He didn’t say the second half of the sentence. Since it is the Witch Union, it is impossible to only govern the witches of the Western Region or Graycastle in the future. If the framework can be built, it can also play a role in quickly integrating other kingdoms' witch organizations when they are absorbed in the future.
“I understand,” Wendy took a deep breath. “If you decide to give me this task, I will try my best to do it.”
……
After Wendy left, Roland continued to tidy up the books he hadn’t finished yesterday.
Seeing the scattered pages on the ground, he couldn't help but think of the hot and suffocating kiss yesterday. Whether it was the fragrance in Anna's hair, her water-like eyes, or her soft body, they all made him feel a strong impulse. Although she burned her clothes in the yard without hesitation when they first met, he didn't feel so excited like this now.
Perhaps she was a thin and helpless little girl at that time, but now she has grown into a graceful and moving girl—so many changes have taken place in her in just one year.
Maybe he should be more proactive in responding to her feelings… As Roland was thinking, his outstretched hand touched another finger. When he came back to his senses, he realized that Nightingale had handed him a book. "Let me help you."
“Uh…” Roland suddenly choked. Anna took only a few seconds from entering the office to hugging him, and he didn't notice whether Nightingale followed into the room after the banquet.
“Don’t worry, I left immediately last night and didn’t stay to make trouble.” Nightingale rolled her eyes. “I guessed that she hadn’t seen you for a long time, so she would definitely come to you to vent—she never suppresses her feelings.”
“Is… that so?”
With Nightingale's help, the books were quickly sorted and placed in the cabinet, filling the empty cabinet to the brim.
“Okay…” Roland stuffed the last book into the gap that he had managed to squeeze out. “Thank you.”
“What about you? How long are you going to drag it on? Don’t keep her waiting…”
Roland was stunned. He turned his head, but found that Nightingale had disappeared, and her half-sentence still echoed in his ears. Although the voice was very low, he was sure he had heard it correctly.
"...don't make me wait too long, either."(.)