The Witch’s Schemes and Unspoken Truths

Iordera was startled, her hands instinctively throwing the book away.

An invisible, transparent hand in the air caught it, gently returning it to the bookshelf.

Hecate stood nearby, observing her with a smile.

“Don’t be so tense; I wouldn’t harm you.”

Iordera unconsciously recoiled, the words reminding her of that dream where Hecate had asked, ‘Have I ever harmed you?’

“Sheila’s exposition on high-level powers,” Hecate remarked, circling the bookshelf, “They’re excellent books, but perhaps a bit difficult to grasp.”

‘Indeed,’ Iordera thought. ‘After all, an exposition on high-level powers is, in short, a ‘high-level exposition’.’

It was then that she suddenly recalled Mrs. Lailila, the Curator’s, words: that Hecate never lied. Steeling her resolve, Iordera pressed on with a question:

“Hecate, you must know something about my origins, mustn’t you?”

“Once you gain access to the forbidden section and read the books there, you’ll understand,” Hecate replied evasively, “There’s no need to rush.”

Iordera, however, discerned the unspoken meaning: she was not yet ready to accept the truth.

“Oh, and I heard you were looking for me,” Hecate said, leaning closer. “Is there something you need, my dear?”

Iordera pursed her lips, thinking, ‘Mrs. Su, you were supposed to inform me of her return, not Hecate.’

‘By informing Hecate, she came over and startled me.’

‘If she had informed me, I would have run over to startle Hecate… though, she probably wouldn’t have been startled at all.’

Nevertheless, with the two of them standing face to face, Iordera felt no apprehension. She placed her small hands on her hips, ready to make things clear:

“Hecate, you haven’t laid out any schemes or traps for me, have you?”

Hecate tilted her head, her gaze innocent and bewildered.

“After I arrived in Saroyan, you first took me to the night market, told me how to earn a fortune, then demanded valuable gifts, making me inclined to take on quests for money,” Iordera stated, her argument sound. “So, these quests aren’t also arranged and guided by you, are they?”

Hecate suddenly sighed with a hint of sorrow. “My dear, why would you ever think such a thing?”

Her tone was imbued with a slight grievance, leaving Iordera utterly dumbfounded.

“Leaving aside the fact that I’m living incognito and lack such capabilities, even if I possessed them, I wouldn’t resort to such direct methods,” Hecate murmured, her hazy eyes brimming with reproach. “You underestimate me too much, my dear.”

“Oh, is that so?” Iordera stammered, slightly taken aback. “My apologies, then.”

“Furthermore, to suggest that I’ve arranged or guided anything is quite unfair,” Hecate said airily. “Even in Juneburg, I merely supported whatever you wished to do, easing your worries and solving your problems, wasn’t that the case?”

Ah, well, upon closer reflection, it seemed she was right.

Yet, from another perspective—she had provided various precise clues, answered questions, and supported Iordera in pursuing her desires.

In the end, Iordera had barely escaped Juneburg with her life, spending most of her travel funds in a desperate scramble, while Hecate had been freed from the strongest seal in the world.

It was as if Hecate had wholeheartedly helped her achieve her goals, only for the Witch herself to reap the greatest benefits.

She might even have to thank her.

“Had I not fully supported you, you would not have found your salvation, nor could you have saved your friends,” Hecate murmured darkly. “You owe me thanks.”

Iordera’s mouth twitched. Mimicking the tone of Teacher Fan Wei (TL Note: A famous Chinese comedian known for his distinctive speaking style), she said, “Oh, thank you!”

Still, it was a small relief to know that the night market quests had nothing to do with Hecate.

Hecate remained silent for a moment, then abruptly spoke. “Are you preparing to take on quests at the night market?”

“Of course,” Iordera replied, adding after a moment’s thought, “Wasn’t it your suggestion?”

“Indeed, it was a suggestion, but I must offer a reminder,” Hecate said with a smile. “Just be careful not to provoke any insurmountable enemies or get entangled in major affairs again; I won’t be able to help you then.”

“Why? No, wait, I don’t need your help.”

After speaking, Iordera hesitated, then whispered, “I was just curious, why wouldn’t you?”

Hecate extended her slender, beautiful fingers and began to explain logically:

“Firstly, if you were to get involved in something significant, there would undoubtedly be exceptionally powerful enemies, correct?”

Iordera nodded her small head.

“They would possess considerable strength, and if I were to assist you, I would have to reveal some of my own abilities, wouldn’t I?”

Nodding in agreement.

“If I were to act seriously, it would be easy for others to notice something amiss with my identity and then deduce my true nature, wouldn’t it?”

She continued to nod.

“That would then attract all the empire’s supreme experts, who do not concern themselves with right or wrong, only with allegiance. If you are associated with me, you and all your friends would be branded as ‘Witch Faction’,” Hecate said, idly tracing her fingertips. “You should be well aware of the consequences.”

‘The Witch’s fingers are quite lovely… Ahem, this is no time for such thoughts.’

“I understand, but I don’t believe such a situation will arise,” Iordera declared confidently. “I’m merely looking for work, taking on a few quests; it won’t escalate to that.”

‘Without you, the Witch, meddling, how could things possibly spiral into such a grand affair?’ she thought.

Hecate offered a mysterious smile, neither confirming nor denying.

As class time approached, Hecate left the library and returned to the academic building.

Iordera tidied her books and also headed home.

She planned to take on quests that evening, so she would go home early to rest.

“Young lady, you’re back so early today?”

“Could it be that you didn’t serve Lady Witch well, young lady, to be sent back so soon?”

Good heavens, the warmth of home greeted her immediately upon her return.

Iordera felt a warmth in her heart—a warmth entirely composed of high-pressure dragon’s breath.

“Go make dinner, all of you, and stop spouting nonsense.”

Honestly, they spent all day hoping she’d be annihilated by Hecate. How could that be? Besides, hadn’t they noticed Hecate’s recently gentle demeanor towards her?

Speaking of which, Hecate’s personality was truly peculiar: one moment sinister and terrifying, the next gentle as water.

Capricious? That didn’t seem quite right either.

Iordera reflected carefully, realizing that Hecate’s behavior actually followed a pattern.

It had been the same back in Juneburg; at first, she was incredibly fierce, like a neurotic deviant, but then she would immediately become utterly gentle.

It was no different after arriving in Saroyan. On their first day, on the rooftop, Iordera had thought she was about to see blood.

And a particularly gruesome kind at that.

But soon enough, Hecate had switched to her gentle mode, making Iordera sometimes touch the bone ring and feel, for a fleeting moment, as if they had already become intimate.

Was there a pattern to these two phases: gentleness and deviance?

“Dinner’s ready.”

The fragrant dinner was placed on the table, and Iordera picked up her spoon.

She wouldn’t dwell on it. What was the point of thinking about such things? It held no meaning.

Better to focus on earning money!

Resting until evening, as darkness enveloped Saroyan, Iordera donned her ‘bare-leg’ suit and took the night monorail, arriving once more at the East District’s night quest market.

This was her second visit; while not yet completely familiar with the area, she recognized the paths and knew where to go.

****