She Is Not a Witch

The residents of Hopland had breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that after tonight’s peace talks between the five major merchant associations, peace would return to their city.

However, as moving lights and marching groups broke through the night, the brief calm was shattered once again. Then came the earth-shaking battle by the coast, causing the city’s inhabitants to cautiously peek out from their homes.

After the towering golem was shattered on the ground, like a fallen myth, it shook the souls of the city’s residents. Gradually, the sounds of battle within the city diminished.

Occasional cannon fire could be heard from the fleet outside the harbor, though much less frequent than before. As squads of purple-clad armed personnel gradually took control of the city, by dawn, no more cannon fire could be heard.

With the main heir Fernelton dead and the old family head senile, the Nisos family was left leaderless. Their headquarters were quickly breached by Carithes’ armed forces and taken over.

After the Tisphone family’s defeat, the family head committed suicide by poison, but the third son of the main line, Abel, had disappeared. Later, a small number of personnel escaped the city, while the rest who remained surrendered.

The Anemis family attempted to break out of the city but was blocked by a small force from the Helis family. Then, Carithes’ main force arrived, forcing them to retreat and defend their association headquarters.

By noon, Carithes’ purple-clad forces controlled several city gates, walls, and the southern port of Hopland. A lockdown was implemented that day, temporarily halting all entry and exit.

The next morning, Miss Lacey of the Carithes family led people into the Helis family headquarters.

At noon, during a banquet at the Helis family, the former head Hoss announced that he and his son Bel would permanently renounce their inheritance rights. The position of family head would continue to be held by his eldest daughter Melu, and future transfers and inheritances of the family head position would be decided solely by Melu.

The original relatives of the Helis family and family head Hoss would all relocate to a spice plantation in the southern islands, where the climate was suitable for retirement. The original family guard captain, Gerald, was relieved of his duties and transferred to the fleet to pioneer distant eastern sea routes.

On the third day, outside the Anemis family headquarters.

The combined forces of the Helis and Carithes families surrounded the walls, maintaining strict vigilance but not attacking.

For the past two days, the Carithes family had been busy controlling the entire city, confiscating and seizing the Nisos and Tisphone families. It wasn’t until today that they finally had manpower to spare.

Loranhil and Melu sat in a carriage, looking at the gates of the Anemis family in the distance. The autumn wind was desolate, and many ornamental trees in the courtyard peeked over the walls, their yellowing leaves swirling and falling in the gentle breeze.

“Do you want to plead for the Anemis family?”

Loranhil held a cup of hot tea in her hands, her silver hair casually draped over her shoulders. She wore a simple white dress and leaned back against the sofa.

“Yes,” Melu nodded, her eyes fixed on the clear, greenish transparent tea in her cup, seemingly nostalgic.

“Fenrai and I are the same age, we practically grew up together.”

“When I was little, I didn’t like going out much. It was often her who came to play with me, sometimes inviting me to their house.”

“The Anemis family had many flowers, blooming in every season, and the trees in the courtyard were lush, their shadows connecting into a canopy.”

Melu raised her head, looking at the grove outside the window, and continued.

“I loved playing at her house back then because it was close to a hillside with some strange rocks under the trees. It was very quiet there, with no other relatives’ children to disturb us. I would sit on the rocks and read books, looking at the stories and illustrations, while Fenrai ran around the courtyard, occasionally fishing or catching butterflies to show me.”

“Uncle Noys would sometimes come by, bringing some nice ornaments and small objects, not just for Fenrai, but for me too.”

“Besides my father, he was the elder who treated me the best.”

“Although we’re now estranged and opposed to each other, I still want to plead for them.”

After speaking, Melu seemed to have let go of something. She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

“Although Fenrai is the daughter of the Anemis family, she basically doesn’t manage affairs and didn’t participate in the conspiracy. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to spare her.”

“But Noys is different. He not only participated fully but personally led the attack on the Helis family. You haven’t forgotten this, have you?”

Loranhil paused slightly but still stated this uncrossable bottom line.

Many things, once they happen, must have someone bear the consequences. As the family head, Noys had an inescapable responsibility.

“I understand, but it would be good if at least Fenrai could be spared,” Melu whispered softly.

Inside the Anemis family mansion, Fenrai looked at the confronting personnel outside the window and angrily pulled the curtains shut with a swish.

“It’s alright, young miss, don’t be angry,” Penny said, comforting her mistress as she walked to her side.

“But I just can’t calm down,” Fenrai said, sitting at the table, somewhat anxiously.

“Father has locked himself in the study for two whole days now, not letting anyone in.”

“Outside, Carithes and the Helis family are guarding day and night, they could attack at any moment.”

Tears seemed to flow from the corners of her eyes as she turned and hugged the maid beside her, burying her head in the white apron at her waist, making muffled sounds.

“Will we be killed, Penny?”

The maid stroked her young mistress’s hair and spoke slowly.

“No, the young miss will survive because your hands are not stained with blood.”

“What about Father? What will happen to him?”

“Master Noys… Master Noys will make his own decision.”

“Will Father die?” Fenrai said in a low voice, her voice a bit hoarse.

“I don’t know, young miss,” Penny placed her hand on Fenrai’s back, gently stroking.

“What about you, Penny? Will you stay with me?”

“I…” Penny was slightly surprised, and after a while, she answered.

“Yes, I will stay with you, young miss.”

“Forever?”

“Yes, forever.”

At this moment, shouts came from outside the window. With a loud crash, the iron gates of the association were pushed down, falling heavily to the ground, raising clouds of dust and blowing up fallen leaves.

Squads of armed personnel began to enter the association’s courtyard. The sounds of footsteps, cries, and killing arose as the attack began.

On this gloomy autumn day, the sea breeze carried a hint of dampness, making people feel a chill. Just as both sides of the conflict thought everything was about to be settled, a series of rumbling sounds came from the distant sky.

Propellers spinning like shadows dispersed the atmosphere, their sound connecting into one. Iron-gray airships emerged from the clouds, leaving trails of navigation clouds around them. The reinforcements from the east had finally arrived, fashionably late.

About twelve huge airships hovered above the city. At the bottom of the airships, hatches opened, and lights began to charge up.

These airships were emblazoned with blue frost rose patterns, as well as the celestial emblem of the Vegar Commercial Alliance. The two logos side by side seemed to herald the rise of a brand new power on the continent.

The Frost Rose, blooming with seven petals, seven petals united as one.