When the illusion disappeared, the hall fell into an unusual silence.
After a long while, Juan let out a breath. "No wonder your Second Sister was so frightened that she fell to the ground. Such a scene is indeed a bit... terrifying."
"The ability to create mass illusions is quite rare, but it's not unheard of..." Agatha said slowly, "I knew at least two people with similar abilities when I was in the Association. One of them was a high-level witch from Falling Star City."
"How many times a day can you use this ability?" Wendy asked. "Can you control the specific time period when the illusion appears?" According to His Highness's habit, the next step should be a comprehensive test of the ability to understand its characteristics, consumption, and uses.
"Probably... two or three times," Asha replied softly. "What is the time period? Do you mean how far back can I see?" Seeing the former nod, she touched her head embarrassedly, "I haven't tried it, but it seems the further back I go, the more effort it takes..."
Wendy couldn't help but laugh. "It's not that it takes more effort, but that you're consuming the magic in your body."
"Magic?"
"You should be able to feel it, like water flowing in your body, or like swirling mist. Each time you use your ability, you need to use it," Juan explained. "There are many characteristics of magic that we will slowly teach you in the future."
"Okay," Asha nodded slightly.
Afterward, Wendy asked her to use the illusion with all her strength again. This time, the result showed almost a day and a half ago. You could see the lights in the hall were already on, and the sisters of the Witch Union were sitting at the long table enjoying dinner. After that, Asha's magic was completely exhausted. The girl panted and lowered her arms, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Wendy recorded the results of the two tests in her notebook one by one. As for the uses... she couldn't think of any for the time being. After all, the illusion can only show what happened in the past and cannot predict the future. Perhaps only Roland can make a judgment after he returns. [] Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. His Highness had revealed to her that he intended to turn the Witch Union into a self-operating organization, with her in charge of the work. However, she did not have His Highness's broad experience, and she could not consider the application of her sisters' abilities as comprehensively as he did.
Collecting her thoughts, Wendy was about to encourage her when Juan gestured to her.
The two walked aside, and she whispered, "What's wrong?"
"Are you planning to tell Asha that if she doesn't want to go home, it's okay to stay here?" Juan frowned. "Have you forgotten the review that must be conducted before joining the Witch Union?"
Wendy certainly knew that foreign witches had to answer ten general questions about their identity and origin under Nightingale's lie detection ability before they could be considered one of their own. "But it's unlikely that Asha is faking it... her ID card was made by Soloya, and her origins can be matched. What's more, she has only just awakened and is a non-combat witch. Even the church cannot predict this situation."
"It's not just magic that can hurt people. A bishou or a bag of poison can have the same effect, or even better."
"No, how could she—"
"But you can't deny that there is a possibility," Juan interrupted. "The check-in review is the responsibility of the City Hall, and it won't check every family member. At this time, a sudden awakening has become the best opportunity to sneak into the castle..." She paused. "Of course I know that this possibility is very small, but don't forget that Roland is the person we can least afford to lose. Moreover, Princess Tilly lives in the Witch Building now. If something happens to her, the sisters of Sleeping Island are afraid that they will completely break with Border Town, and everything His Highness has done will be in vain. We can't afford such a price."
"..." Wendy was silent. She knew that Juan's worries were not unreasonable, nor were they directed at Asha personally, but she still felt a little unacceptable. Asha, as the first witch to awaken in the town after Roland became the lord, had to be guarded against as a potential enemy. This contrast was really uncomfortable. After a long time, she said, "I understand. I will send her back."
"I'll go with you to send her back," Juan sighed.
……
After leaving the castle, the girl suddenly seemed much more lively and began to take Wendy's hand and ask about more things about the witch and the lord.
"What's wrong," Wendy asked casually after satisfying her curiosity, "You seem very happy that you don't have to live in the castle?"
"Uh..." Asha choked, then lowered her head embarrassedly. "I heard that the lord, that is, His Royal Highness the Prince, is a very terrible person who tortures the women around him many times every day."
"Pfft," Wendy almost choked on her saliva. "Where did you hear that?"
"Isn't he the Fourth Prince of Graycastle? I've heard it many times in Eagle City. There are even songs being sung there. The Second Prince is sinister and despicable, the Fourth Prince is greedy and lustful, and only the Third Princess of Clear Water Port is the real good king." Asha whispered.
"I see..." Juan said with interest, "This is probably Garcia's way of promoting herself. It's quite unique."
"He... isn't he like that?"
"O-Of course not," Wendy said with a flushed face. "You will know later that he is the most trustworthy lord for witches!"
Arriving at the residential area where Asha's family lived, the three walked up to a two-story flat building and knocked on the door of her house.
The one who opened the door was Asha's mother.
"Mom, I'm back." Asha shouted happily.
"How did you..." She was stunned and looked at the two people behind her daughter, her expression a little flustered. "Did she do something wrong? Don't you want her?"
"His Highness has not returned yet, so—"
"She can live in the castle and wait for His Highness to come back," the woman said eagerly. "Asha is very good. Although she is a little dull, she is willing to do anything."
"Madam, the Witch Union is not what you think it is—" Wendy felt a fire rising in her heart. She had only said half of it when Juan stopped her.
The latter took out a gold dragon from her waist pocket and waved it in front of her. "Your daughter is indeed a witch. When His Royal Highness the Prince returns, she can sign a contract. This is the first month's salary. Take it."
"Yes, yes," the woman's attention immediately shifted to the golden coin. "Thank you, my lord!"
"Remember, you are now taking care of her on behalf of His Highness, understand?"
"Yes, my lord, I will take good care of Asha."
……
Leaving the residential area, Wendy couldn't hold back the annoyance in her heart. "Why did you give the salary to that kind of person? Even if it's paid in advance, it's still the reward that Asha deserves."
"Can Asha keep that gold dragon?" Juan's answer surprised Wendy. "If she can't keep it, it will fall into the hands of her family sooner or later. If she can keep it, it will be even worse. I'm afraid those people will completely regard her as an outsider. On the contrary, if you give it directly to her mother, Asha will not only have no burden, but they may even treat her better because of it. The days ahead are still very long. If this gold dragon can be exchanged for a more comfortable living environment, it may not be a worthwhile deal."
"..." She thought for a while before saying, "You're right. I was thinking too simply."
The repeated setbacks made Wendy feel very down. She thought sadly that she might not be the right person to lead the Witch Union.
"But no one cares about them more than you," Juan said with a smile as if she had seen through her thoughts. "After experiencing Hakala's Co-Assistance Society, I realized that... a person who cares about witches, regardless of their abilities, and is willing to think about the many sisters is the most trustworthy leader. And that is the one thing you cannot replace."(。)