That's not how you use a witch!

Chapter 36, the advanced stage begins!

"Little Mei'er, I really envy how popular you are."

After a lot of effort, Li Yan carried the gifts from the militiamen to Meidel's room, wiping away sweat as she jokingly remarked.

"Thank you everyone. And thank you to my seniors."

Meidel carefully placed each gift away, and then took out two pickled eggs from them.

Thanks!

Without any hesitation, Li Yan peeled the shell and ate it on the spot.

While the Witch's Eyes achieved freedom, it came at a heavy price: they lived in seclusion in the deep forests of the North for many years, having to find their own food and even daily necessities.

If they're lucky, they might manage to hunt some wild game to satisfy their hunger; if they're unlucky, they'll have to rely on wild vegetables or tree bark to fill their stomachs, or, when they're starving, they might take the risk of attacking a nearby lord's supply convoy.

Neither nobles, the church, nor rebels would accept them; they could only move between a few locations to avoid being targeted and wiped out.

The situation is completely different in Thorn Territory. Not only do you not have to live in fear, but you also have a warm bed to sleep in, delicious hot meals to eat, and friendly people. It's like a paradise experience.

"Feed".

Haiyue wrinkled her nose upon seeing this. "The other egg is obviously mine."

"Oh, I'm so sorry~"

Li Yan mischievously pressed her lips to his, "I'll give it back to Xiao Haiyue right now~"

Haiyue shoved her away with a look of disgust: "You're disgusting."

Meidel remained silent and quietly took two more pickled eggs.

Haiyue lowered her head to catch the egg, her face turning slightly red.

At this moment, Scarlett, who was on high-altitude patrol, also returned. She had surveyed another part of the area today and would draw up the corresponding map later. At the same time, she also reported on the movements of nearby level four and above evil beasts to help Thorn Territory and Mountain Territory prepare in advance.

Thanks to her early warnings, neither the Thorn Territory nor the Mountain Territory has been attacked by evil beasts since, and each time they have been able to wait in ambush.

However, the outside world was unaware of her existence—when people mentioned this matter, they only felt that the Thorn Lord was incredibly insightful and could discern the movements of evil beasts without ever leaving her home.

Ronan often felt ashamed about this, but Scarlett didn't care; she said that as long as the result was right, that was enough.

"Given your current situation, the advancement will be at the latest by early this morning. We'll handle the defense; don't get distracted, just focus on preparing!"

In the restaurant, Scarlett ate her rice heartily while talking to Madonna.

Ronan was initially worried that eating like this might aggravate her old abdominal injury, and wanted Li Yan and Hai Yue to persuade her, but the two of them ate even more than she had before.

Fortunately, all three witches are elite-level 1 powerhouses, so the probability of them being killed by Fan Dan is not too high.

What does it feel like when you begin to advance? Are there any signs?

After Scarlett shared a lot of her experience, Madonna asked in a low voice.

This seemingly simple question made Scarlett think for quite a while.

"Everyone's situation is different, but it's like the instinct of a caterpillar to transform into a cocoon. Even without any signs, you will understand."

Once you begin your ascent, you will enter a magical world made up of memories. As you become immersed in it, night will suddenly descend unexpectedly. You will gradually be enveloped, unable to escape, and can only try to break free.

"Conquer the long night, and you will see the dawn and find salvation; if you do not, you will be buried by the long night..."

"To put it simply, it's just your vision gradually going black. Why describe it in such a scary way?"

Li Yan tapped Scarlett, then turned to comfort Madale, "Don't be afraid, just be mentally prepared. We are witches who have already advanced, and we can enter your spiritual world at the time of your advancement through meditation, and monitor your situation if you don't resist. Although you won't be able to feel our presence then, we will accompany you through this difficult time in this way."

"Okay, thank you, Senior Liyan."

Meidel smiled, a rare occurrence for her. If she remembered correctly, it was Li Yan who had made the pessimistic assessment earlier. She knew that Li Yan had said that to comfort her.

Haiyue remained expressionless and taciturn as always, but she also said that she would do her best to help and would not let Meidel take two pickled eggs for nothing.

Scarlett joked that if pickled eggs were so effective, she could stuff two into her too to increase her chances of advancing to the next level. Unexpectedly, Madonna pulled out two eggs like Doraemon and said seriously that she had predicted Scarlett's words.

The witches laughed heartily, filling the restaurant with a joyful atmosphere, while Ronan remained expressionless throughout.

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"Tap tap"

Late at night, Meidel was reading in her bedroom when there was a sudden knock on the door.

She opened the door with some surprise and found that the person at the door was Ronan.

"What new arrangements are there this time?"

Meidel guessed that the reason he was looking for her was either because of the evil beast attack or because he had some other idea. At this critical moment, he must be looking for her because it was something very important.

"No... I came to keep you company."

Ronan took a deep breath.

"I said that no matter what the future holds, I will face it with you. If darkness is about to fall, then I am willing to wait for you to cross the long night and return to the dawn."

Maddie blinked. "I thought you only contacted me about work."

"Oh...so my image is actually so unapproachable...?"

"Of course not—it's just a joke between good friends."

Seeing Ronan's bewildered expression, Madonna tilted her head mischievously, a delighted smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you for coming to keep me company, I'm very happy."

He couldn't enter her spiritual world like the three witches who had already advanced, so he could only accompany her in reality—which is why Madale was happy.

She had Ronan sit on the edge of her bed and shared with him the book she was currently reading—coincidentally, it was also a book called "The Witch's Dream," but an illustrated picture book for women.

This book is popular not only among nobles and commoners, but also among witches.

Even the most radical witch, upon picking up this book, will remark: charlatans aren't entirely useless; at least they know how to appreciate the value of literature.

This is the third time that Meidel has read this novel, and each time she has gained different insights.

On her first reading, she was moved by the purity and beauty of love; on her second reading, she was amazed by the author's ingenious plot arrangement; on her third reading, she felt more powerless against the insurmountable fate.

"If Agatha wasn't a witch, and Paro wasn't a knight, that would be great."

The girl looked at Ronan and remarked meaningfully.

"It wasn't Agatha's fault that she became a witch, and Paro shouldn't see his knighthood as a shackle. What caused their tragedy wasn't some kind of destiny."

Ronan seemed oblivious to the hidden meaning in the girl's words. He seriously analyzed the church's hidden agenda in the book and its intention to actively spread it, starting from the main character's design, plot arrangement, and ending direction.

Meidel didn't find him a spoilsport at all; on the contrary, she listened intently.

When Ronan unveiled the ideological mystery behind the novel to her, she felt shocked and somewhat disappointed; but seeing Ronan's indignant expression, she gradually smiled.

Time passed by unnoticed, and a long time went by.

"If I were to write it, I wouldn't make them puppets bound by fate, but rather let them break free from destiny and become their own masters. They would eventually break free from the church's constraints, go to a completely new place, and start a completely new life... What do you think about changing the ending to them arriving in Thornlands?"

Ronan was speaking with great interest when he suddenly felt his left hand enveloped by a delicate and gentle touch.

He paused for a moment, turned his head to look, and found that Meidel had placed both of her hands on his.

"I look forward to the new ending you write, but night is about to fall."

After saying that, she released Ronan's hand and slowly stood up.

Ronan instinctively tried to grab her, but felt his body being repelled by a mysterious force, unable to get even half a step closer to her.

Under his gaze, Madale was enveloped in a soft, spherical white light, and more and more points of light emerged from the void, connecting with each other like bricks.

As her vision gradually closed off, the girl's face showed no fear, only gentle determination.

"When I cross the darkness and return to your side in the morning light, take me to witness that brand new ending."

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