That's not how you use a witch!

Chapter 1 Welcome Chapter

"Sir! Something has happened!"

what……

Startled awake, Ronan adopted the expression of a workstation cat.

If all the neighbors call him that, he'll probably have to write a self-criticism on Qidian.com.

Yes, Ronan is a local police officer. Although he has dreamed of being a police officer who solves major cases since he was a child, after putting on this hat, he mostly deals with trivial matters.

This includes, but is not limited to, mediating marital conflicts, proving that your mother is your mother, and finding lost Pinhaofan.

However, when he opened his eyes, what came into view was not the familiar police station, but an unfamiliar brick house, with simple, even rudimentary, furnishings, containing only the most basic table, chairs, and bed.

A slightly messy stack of scrap paper lay scattered on the table, its rough texture completely different from the office printing paper. It was written in neither Chinese nor English characters, but in a kind of worm-like script he had never seen before. The ink bottle and quill pen next to it exuded a retro vibe, and a few drops of undried ink remained on the table, emitting a faint plant fragrance.

"Sir? Where are you?"

The shouts from outside were even clearer.

"What have you done to me?"

Ronan looked blank.

Immediately afterwards, a strange yet familiar memory violently rammed into his brain, almost suffocating him—

Ronan Sterling, a member of the Blackrock Empire.

His father was originally a knight of the Royal Knights Order. Because of his skill in raising warhorses, he was favored by the king and was granted the title of Baron of Thorns, which can be described as a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

However, Thorn Territory is remote and desolate, with a harsh climate and sparse population. Although the land appears large, it is actually very difficult to develop, making it a typical example of a poor and inhospitable place.

According to my memory, the reason why this dog father, whom I had never met, was promoted in name only but demoted in reality was largely because he had made some inappropriate remarks that offended the church.

Fortunately, he was exiled by the king to a remote and impoverished area, where the church's influence was limited. Otherwise, if he had remained in the capital, he might have been stabbed in the back and committed suicide at any moment. In a sense, this was also the king's effort to save his father.

Unfortunately, on his way to his new post, old Sterling caught a cold and died of depression a few days after arriving in Thornlands.

As his only son, Ronan Sterling, who had just turned eighteen, succeeded his father and became the new lord of Thornholde.

Ronan was no ordinary man. Before his father's seven-day mourning period had even passed, he threw himself into farming. He not only formulated ambitious plans but also personally visited the front lines of farming to conduct inspections. He was an absolute anomaly among the nobles of this era.

This room is now his temporary office—the pile of papers on the table are the notes and materials that the original owner compiled since taking office as lord. The sheer thickness of the paper shows how rich it is. Compared to this, even the tentacle monster authors of his previous life are like salted fish.

"Am I going to time travel too?"

Ronan felt incredibly frustrated.

He does read some online novels regularly and has even fantasized about time travel, but now that he's inexplicably actually time-traveled, he's a bit bewildered.

What about his parents? What about his girlfriend, whom he's never met and who's still waiting for him in the future?

Well, it wasn't entirely out of the blue—Ronan remembered: he was on his way to work as usual when he noticed a passerby who looked remarkably like the wanted fugitive on the warrant. This fugitive was very adept at counter-surveillance and took off running. During the process of subduing him, Ronan was accidentally stabbed in the chest and lost sight after his colleagues arrived… If nothing unexpected happened, he was probably dead.

As for the original owner—after becoming the new lord, his workload was always very heavy. Instead of enjoying himself like ordinary nobles, he often worked through the night until today, when he finally succumbed to overwork and unfortunately collapsed in the battle to build up his territory.

If time travel hadn't happened, these would probably be two heartbreaking and sad stories.

But now, everything has changed because of time travel.

Although it has a medieval art style, having the chance to live again is not bad, is it?

"Who cares about this or that? I got this life for free, might as well live it!"

Ronan quickly accepted this reality.

The most urgent task is to play the role of the original person well and not reveal any evil intentions so that they are mistaken for some kind of demon incarnate and burned. Other matters can be discussed later.

Perhaps due to the transmigration, the original owner's recent memories are fragmented, but fortunately, they are sufficient for the time being.

"My lord! We've finally found you!"

At that moment, the shouters rushed into the house.

This tall, handsome man clad in silver armor was named Bart Joyce, and was his chief knight.

As his father's knight apprentice, Bart had followed his father in battles since childhood and was a senior who had watched Ronan grow up. He was one of the few confidants that Ronan could absolutely trust.

"Several villagers discovered a witch while working in the fields. She is currently trapped in a snare. Please send a message to the Holy See as soon as possible to request her assistance!"

"Witch?"

Ronan chewed on the word.

Unlike Earth, on the land of Terra, where evil beasts roam, mystery and the extraordinary have never gone away. Humans can awaken their spiritual power through the cultivation of secret techniques and become powerful knights.

For example, Bart is a four-star knight, and he can be considered a master in the knight circle.

However, the knights are far inferior to the evil beasts in both average combat strength and total number. Even the most elite knightly orders would find it difficult to resist a large-scale evil beast tide.

The "witch" is an even more unique being.

They were originally ordinary women, but for various reasons they awakened magical powers, thus gaining extraordinary power that even knights could not match.

It is because of their role as humanoid strategic weapons that human nations have been able to survive under the iron hooves of the evil beasts.

However, the witch's power comes at a price; each time she uses her magical energy, it accumulates a certain amount of pollution, which can only be slowly cleared through rest and recuperation.

If magical energy is unleashed without restraint, once the pollution accumulates to a certain level, the witch will lose control and fall into depravity, transforming into an even more terrifying evil beast.

Therefore, witches are often regarded as the embodiment of bad luck, and they are feared wherever they go.

They will either be incorporated into the Papacy or by a lord, or be physically eliminated.

Finding a witch in the fields is obviously more unusual than finding money on the street.

"You mean, a few farmers managed to trap a wandering witch using traps designed to protect against wild animals?"

Ronan realized something was amiss, because those traps were set up by the original owner of the body at the behest of his people, and he knew their quality very well.

"If she really is a witch, would you have been able to come back and deliver the news?"

"The tainted crystals on her body are indeed something only witches have, confirming that she is undoubtedly a witch. However, she did not resist when we discovered her."

The chief knight scratched his head.

"I'm not entirely clear on the situation either... but just to be on the safe side, please contact the church as soon as possible to handle it!"

"Tsk, how can I not know the situation? I'll go check it out first, just in case they've made a mistake."

As Ronan spoke, he put on his coat—the original owner's hands-on style was certainly unusual for a nobleman, but it was quite easy for him to adapt to, and he didn't even need to act anymore.

"My lord, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Bart's mouth dropped open. "You haven't awakened any psychic abilities. Approaching the Wandering Witch so rashly is too dangerous!"

"This house is only a hundred paces from the fields. If what you say is true, I'm in grave danger if I stay here."

"I...I will protect you with my life!"

"That settles it then? Come with me."

Ronan had already left the house while he was speaking. Bart was just a mere brute; how could he possibly win an argument against a seasoned police officer who had trained for two and a half years?

The two of them trudged into the fields, their steps uneven.

It's only the end of October, and the weather is clear and sunny, but Ronan already feels a chill that only comes with deep winter, and he has a real understanding of the inhuman climate of Thorn Territory.

"The lord has arrived?"

"They must have come to subdue the witch!"

"Shh, be careful that witch doesn't hear us..."

Farmers and soldiers present quickly made way for them.

Then Ronan saw a girl with purple hair reaching her waist, wearing a tattered black robe:

She knelt on the edge of the field, one foot bound by a vine rope, her slender ankle looking as if it could be snapped with a single hand; her beautiful face was covered in dust, and her pale pink eyes were trembling slightly.

At first glance, she was clearly just a weak and helpless little girl.

However, several dark crystals suddenly appeared on her bare left shoulder, and the surrounding skin was covered with fine cracks, which looked very shocking.

Even more bizarrely, large patches of skin on her arms were gray, gleaming with a metallic sheen in the sunlight, and even showing faint signs of rust.

"She really is a witch?"

Ronan blinked.

"I'm sorry, sir!"

The girl immediately lowered her head towards Ronan, her voice trembling slightly, "I didn't mean to steal food, I was just too hungry, I couldn't stand it..."

"Don't rush, tell me slowly."

Ignoring the chief knight's attempts to stop him, Ronan took a few steps closer to her. "What's your name? Where are you from?"

"My name is Madeleine. Madeleine Miller."

The girl didn't dare to look up, her voice still very low, "I come from... Dragonfang Territory in the North. I used to be the guardian witch of Dragonfang Territory."

"So you're not the Wandering Witch?"

"Um……"

After a brief inquiry, Ronan quickly learned the whole story.

Maidall Miller was born into a merchant family, but due to the war, she had not been in contact with her parents for a long time and had been living in the home of a distant uncle, where she lived in poverty.

As a quiet and reserved girl who wasn't good at communicating, Meidel was never the center of attention.

After she unexpectedly awakened her magical powers at the age of fifteen, her uncle sent her to a witch academy under the Vatican.

During her three years at school, she adhered to her principles, devoted herself to her studies, and graduated successfully as an outstanding student.

After that, Medal became the guardian witch of Dragonfang Territory, a major town in the North.

During her two years of service, she saved hundreds of civilians and killed countless evil beasts.

But in the past month, Maddale's magical energy has suddenly become extremely unstable.

Not only does the pollution accumulate at a rate far exceeding normal levels, but each time the magic power is activated, the body becomes extremely weak, and one can hear incoherent, low-pitched delirium.

For safety reasons, Madale proactively reported her unusual behavior to her lord and submitted a request to retire.

However, the Lord of Dragonfang considered this an ominous sign, deeming her an incarnation of the devil. He arrested and tortured Maddale, and decided to execute her immediately.

However, the guards responsible for escorting her couldn't bear it and secretly loosened the ropes on the way to the execution ground, releasing Maddale. She trekked alone for who knows how many days, and only when she was starving and freezing did she see the farmland of Thornholde.

She knew that the world would never accept a witch, especially a wandering witch like herself who was heavily polluted, so she dared not disturb the farmers and only wanted to quietly find some food.

However, due to her extremely weak body and poor energy, Madale did not notice the traps set between the ridges of the fields and was caught red-handed, which is how the busy farmers discovered her.

Ronan frowned slightly and asked Bart in a low voice, "Witches are usually very good at fighting, right?"

The chief knight replied in a low voice, "Witches have different abilities, so it's impossible to generalize. However, if one can serve as a guardian witch, their combat strength will definitely be outstanding, and their role will often be unmatched even by elite knight orders."

"So she didn't resist being treated like that by the lord?"

"My lord, once a witch forms a contract, she can no longer unleash her magical power against the will of the contractor. With just a thought from the lord, they will become no different from ordinary women."

For witches who are not bound by a contract, the Church's Divine Punishment Stone can also imprison their magical powers. Once they come into contact with the Divine Punishment Stone, even the most dangerous wandering witches can only surrender.

This is why the Wandering Witch rarely poses a substantial threat to the Church and the Great Territory.

"Tsk..."

Following Bart's gaze, Ronan noticed the black choker around the girl's neck, with a bright red, translucent crystal set in the center.

No wonder those witches who were bound by contracts in the original owner's memories rarely disappeared afterward.

They did not receive any salvation as the church claimed. Instead, like Madonna, they were cruelly abandoned once their value was exploited.

The church preached the evil of witches, causing the general public to be hostile to them out of ignorance and fear; it also portrayed the indenture as "atonement," using this kind of psychological manipulation to make witches work for them; and it launched a cruel crackdown on wandering witches, stigmatizing them as the incarnation of the devil.

They were clearly the heroes fighting on the front lines, but in the end, they were treated like used tools and discarded.

Perhaps people in this world have long been numb to this, but it's hard for any modern person with normal values ​​not to feel ashamed upon hearing it.

"Now that you've escaped the execution ground... why are you still wearing the Stone of Divine Punishment?"

Ronan tried to keep his voice calm, "How can you use your magical energy while wearing this? How will you protect yourself if you encounter danger?"

"My lord, my corruption is already severe. If I use magic power again, it is very likely to get out of control, which will endanger many innocent lives. The Stone of Divine Punishment is the last resort."

As if sensing that the young lord's anger was caused by her, Meadow hurriedly lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to offend your territory, I was just too hungry."

"No, we are the ones who should be apologizing."

As the girl stared in astonishment, Ronan used his sword to cut the vines binding her and helped her to her feet.

The surrounding crowd gasped in surprise and retreated.

"My lord! You mustn't!"

"She is an ominous symbol, bringing misfortune to Thornlands!"

"That's right, even if we don't kill her, we should at least drive her away!"

Chief Knight Bart's eyes widened, and he immediately stood protectively beside Ronan, drawing his sword in an instant: "My lord, this is too risky. Shall we contact the Holy See?"

"Contact the Vatican my ass! Don't you understand the consequences of doing so?"

Ronan glared at him.

"My chief knight is known for his integrity and uprightness; I have no recollection of him as a cold-hearted, ungrateful man."

"But……"

Bart nodded slightly, his right hand still gripping the hilt of his sword, his gaze towards the girl still filled with vigilance.

"And you all listen up! The reason she became like this is all to protect this damned empire, to protect you, understand?"

Ronan then shouted at the crowd.

"Everyone, disperse now. I will handle today's matter myself. No one is allowed to discuss this without my permission; violators will be severely punished!"

The peasants dared not disobey the lord's orders and left, exchanging bewildered glances.

"Alright, don't be afraid. This is my territory, and I call the shots here. No one will hurt you anymore, and no one will dare to kick you out."

Ronan helped Madonna up and, after confirming that she was only weak and had no broken bones or other injuries, gently draped a coat over her shoulders.

"You've been starving for days, haven't you? Come eat with me first, we can talk about everything after we've eaten."

The girl pursed her lips, her expression troubled: "But sir, my corruption is too severe; I may no longer be able to fight for you..."

"You don't need to fight; the Thorn Clan will take care of you from now on."

Ronan didn't save her so she could continue fighting—if he did, what would be the difference between him and those born charlatans and the wealthy and powerful?

No matter what, it was something he could not tolerate for a soldier who had dedicated his youth and life to defending his country to the point of almost starving to death on his own territory.

Not to mention that she was just a young girl in the prime of her life, not much younger than him. She was at the most beautiful age, yet she had to traverse extremely dangerous battlefields. She would rather die from hunger and cold than increase the risk of losing control.

If something similar had happened before the time travel, the relevant leaders would probably have lost their jobs long ago, like butter melting away...

Of course, Ronan did not make this decision out of kindness.

Even if she can no longer fight as a witch, Madel has other irreplaceable abilities, such as insight into the battlefield situation, understanding of evil beasts, and knowledge of combat, all of which are urgently needed by the Thorn Territory.

To gain a foothold in this world where war is frequent, one cannot lack sufficient martial virtue.

If possible, Ronan intends to have Madonna serve as his military advisor, which would relieve him of a lot of pressure.

Of course, these are things for the future. Before that, we need to find a way to integrate into the present and then get the fields planted as soon as possible.

After all, this isn't some peaceful and idyllic country...

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"The food will be ready soon, you can rest for a while."

Ronan brought Madonna back inside—it was freezing outside, and they couldn't leave her out there any longer.

"Your contamination is indeed a problem. To be on the safe side, you can make a pact with me first, which should buy you more time to recover."

Ronan looked at the black crystal on her shoulder, a symbol of pollution.

Besides the church's control, there are also practical reasons why witches actively seek contracts: only in this way can they hope to advance and thus increase their tolerance to pollution as much as possible.

As the saying goes, hell is divided into eighteen levels. Even if they are exploited without restraint by the lord, their lifespan is often longer than that of the wandering witches. Moreover, because they have the opportunity to advance, their combat power is often greater than that of the latter.

"But if I lose control, you might suffer the consequences."

Madonna lowered her head. "This is too risky for you."

"I don't see this as a risk. It's my honor to share the burden of those who have contributed to the defense of our country."

Ronan tried to make his smile look more relaxed. "Of course, this is indeed a bit sudden for you, and I completely understand. You can take your time to think it over, and whatever you decide, I respect your choice."

"Thank you, sir... I've made up my mind."

The girl did not hesitate for long; after a moment of silence, she slowly stood up.

"Since you are willing to believe in me, I am willing to use everything I have left to repay your trust."

Maidall Miller swears to you—

From this moment forward, I am willing to serve you without fear or regret, until my last breath!

After saying this, she clasped her hands together and bowed to Ronan.

"...Very well. I, Ronan Sterling, in the name of the Baron of Thorns, accept your allegiance."

With slightly mixed feelings, Ronan gently stroked the girl's palm, following the etiquette he remembered.

As a young man of the new era raised under the red flag, Ronan hoped that the girl would see him as a comrade-in-arms rather than a master—but he also understood that any social relationship is a product of a specific social existence, and equality divorced from reality is meaningless.

He will find it difficult to act against the powerful elite he represents before he has personally buried them. Of course, he can take action to change the status quo and hasten that moment.

The instant he made this move, a silver ribbon of light appeared out of thin air, connecting the two people's hands at their respective ends.

Ronan saw a ring-shaped mark outlined by light slowly emerge, and the same mark appeared on the back of Madonna's hand.

This signifies the establishment of a contract, and Ronan officially becomes her contractor.

"grown ups?"

Meidel noticed that Ronan looked surprised.

At this very moment, in Ronan's eyes, the azure light screen was constantly displaying text—

[Personal information matching successful. Reactivating your plan sequence.]

[The "Prairie Fire" plan is being restarted... but the plan has failed.]

[Project "Martial God" is being restarted... No response.]

[The "Fusion" project is being restarted... but there has been no response.]

[Project "Spark" restarting... Project restart successful—Welcome back, Administrator.]

[Core permissions have been reactivated: Purification protocol level C1]

[Agreement Details: The pollution removal efficiency of the contracted object is increased by 5% (upgradeable). The pollution reduction of the contracted object will be converted into psionic energy in real time, which will be simultaneously gained by the contractor.]

[Current Witch: Medallion]

[Status value: 5%]

[Note: 1. The efficiency of the contamination removal of the contracted party is affected by a combination of factors such as stress, emotions, and physiological indicators, and has been automatically quantified as a status value for reference. 2. When the contamination of the contracted party rises again, the psionic energy already acquired by the contractor will not be deducted; however, before it returns to the corresponding level, the reduced contamination will not be converted into psionic energy again.]

[Phase Quest Updated: Clean up 1000 units of contaminant (1/1000)]

[Permission escalation nodes: 100/300/500/1000]

You have one unsealing memo to view...

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