Only God

"How interesting, those who wanted to become witches ended up bringing a woman and a man,"

In the dark alley, the liaison of the Witch Gathering watched the two unsolicited guests, her gaze lingering on Eden for an extra moment,

"So, you wish to become a warlock? Sadly, our gathering does not accept warlocks."

Just last night, the two had decided to use the ritual on the wanted poster to contact the Witch Gathering, and today, they put their plan into action.

Shortly after the ritual was performed, the liaison of the Witch Gathering appeared before them.

"Is the ritual on the wanted poster for recruiting witches?"

Arsia asked.

"Miss, what else could it be?

We never complain about having too many people."

With that said, the liaison witch scrutinized Arsia,

"Tsk, you do have the beauty fit for a witch.

Plus, you're tall, especially suitable for a pointed hat; add a broom, and, my God, you'd embody the look that witches dream of, only I wonder which noble lady you might be."

As the liaison witch admired her, her moist tongue licked her lips, which made Arsia rather uncomfortable as she felt the witch seemed to have some carnal desire.

Beside her, Eden seemed to catch something from her words.

"My God?

You... all are True Believers?"

Eden asked somewhat surprised.

He heard the witch, when speaking just now, exclaiming subconsciously with "my God," and although he knew that to exclaim did not necessarily signify belief, using "my God" as an exclamation meant that she had some connection to the True Religion.

The witch first looked surprised and then laughed darkly,

"Very perceptive, like a born warlock."

Was that an acknowledgment?

Eden thought.

"Alright, this isn't much of a secret, and there's no harm in telling you.

We aren't all True Believers here, but a large number among our gathering are,"

said the liaison witch.

Arsia's face showed astonishment,

"This is not what I imagined."

Being in Ausenco, a country of different faiths where people worship various divine beings, she and Eden initially thought that the Witch Gathering was composed of believers of other deities, but the reality was far beyond their expectation, with the majority in the witch chance being True Believers.

"What did you imagine? A group of young and beautiful women working alongside a band of haggard witches? They desecrate the divine all day long, scorn grace, and take pleasure in insulting Angels? Not only that, but they're also adept at seducing all manner of men, cavorting naked in dark forests for fun?"

After thinking for a moment, Arsia said:

"From your tone, it seems... these are all stereotypes."

The liaison witch laughed mockingly,

"Of course. Although wizards never talk about rules, we of the Witch Gathering are the most rule-abiding among the ruleless."

Hearing this, Eden's curiosity about the Witch Gathering grew.

"Be careful, though, even though we're the most rule-abiding, in your world, we're still on the edge of the law,"

the liaison witch said with a light laugh, issuing a warning, then swiftly changing the subject:

"Now, back to the matter at hand. Miss, do you want to become a witch? A mysterious world awaits you, where you can even make soup out of children.

As for your little boyfriend, I'm sorry, but please ask him to find a gathering for warlocks, if there is one."

"Oh... he's not..."

In the alleyway, Arsia's face grew hot, then she quickly changed the subject:

"I didn't come here to become a witch, although I don't mind learning some witchcraft."

"Oh?"

The liaison witch raised her eyebrows,

"So what are you here for? Seeking our help?"

Arsia nodded.

The liaison witch waved her hand dismissively and said,

"Stop kidding, we're too busy as it is, short-staffed."

Suddenly, Eden asked,

"Is it because of the Devil?"

The liaison witch froze for a moment, then narrowed her eyes at Eden,

"How did you find out?"

"Unfortunately, we've been attacked by the Devil, as well as a group of Zor Elves. I've heard you've been opposing them."

Eden said calmly,

"We could cooperate, couldn't we?"

The liaison witch pondered for a moment, as if contemplating something, then slowly replied,

"Interesting, from the sound of your voice, you seem to have been targeted by the Devil, and more than once.

Hmm... I believe there's something valuable to you, something worth the Devil's attention. Can you tell me what that is?"

Eden was about to speak.

Arsia, keenly picking up on something, spoke up first,

"Why don't we get to know each other better first?"

Having lived in the Imperial Capital for many years, Arsia had seen her share of ups and downs. How could she not see that the witch was trying to get more useful information for free?

The witch looked at Arsia with a meaningful glance,

"You're quite perceptive. I've said it before, you'd make a good witch.

Alright, I'll have my animal friends report back.

Let me introduce myself, my name is Rita Refos, the secretary of the Witch Gathering."

............…

Afterward, following a brief farewell, Eden and Arsia left the alley, waiting patiently for Rita's response.

That witch had told them that she would bring them a sure message at noon the next day.

Even though the witch hadn't given them a way to contact her or a meeting place, Eden and Arsia weren't worried.

They knew that Rita must have her own methods for doing things this way.

A day passed just like that.

When the midday sun hung high, a raven with blue eyes landed on the city wall.

Eden saw the peculiar raven from afar and immediately realized something.

He jingled the bell on his waist to call over Arsia, who was instantly alert upon seeing the odd raven, her eyes shining with intense curiosity.

As the two of them got moving, the raven flew down from the ramparts, leading them through the city's large and small streets.

Turning left and right, darting up and down, they both forgot the way back amidst this complex process, and the Princess felt so dizzy that she slowed down.

After a short while, the raven finally stopped. It led them to a small yard that seemed to be a remodeled dive bar, as they could still see through the cracks in the wall to the barrels inside.

The raven stood atop the yard wall, cawing a few times, urging them to enter.

After they pushed the door open and entered,

They saw a group of witches wearing pointed hats, who had been waiting for a long time.