The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch

"So you mean… everything has been resolved?"

"Pretty much… things should have come to an end."

On the bed, Avena lay on Ciel's chest, just like that, resting on Ciel and chatting casually. Both of them were enjoying this moment of relaxation.

Especially Ciel, who had been through more. At this moment, holding Avena, she basically didn't want to move at all.

A taut string had suddenly loosened, making Ciel feel so lacking in energy that she almost didn't even have the motivation to open her eyes, as if she had been affected by the "Coroner" potion.

She felt like her battery was running low, and the posture of lying down and holding Avena seemed to be slowly "recharging" her energy.

"So, do you have any plans for later?"

Avena tilted her head slightly, looking in the direction of Ciel's face, and asked softly.

"Plans?"

If nothing unexpected happens… it should be to get the remaining few paths after the system upgrade is completed…

To avoid wasting time, she could even complete some potions that were difficult to obtain or some time-consuming reconstitution rituals in reality… such as "Blood Painter" and "Musician."

Without Forte's control and blockade, obtaining the "Musician" potion and reconstitution ritual should be simpler.

As for how to obtain it, Ciel had already thought about it.

Find that Princess Vitalis.

Now that Forte had "mysteriously" died a violent death, Princess Vitalis should be popping champagne somewhere. The person most eager to inherit Forte's power now must be her.

Ciel would not concern herself with how Vitalis went about vying for power and profit, as long as she didn't affect her.

"Learn a few more sets of potions and reconstitution rituals… probably."

Ciel replied.

"Right… you still haven't drunk the potion yet."

Avena said. Suddenly, she remembered something. She propped herself up on her arms and slowly lifted her body. Looking at Ciel, who was under her, she said, "Oh, by the way, there's something."

"What is it?"

Ciel saw Avena's somewhat conflicted expression and asked, "Is it urgent?"

Ciel had experienced today's events in the previous simulations many times. Avena didn't seem to have told her about anything important.

"My father wants to see you again,"

Avena looked into Ciel's eyes, her expression a little hesitant. "He… said if you come to see me, I should invite you to have a meal with him."

My father-in-law wants to see me?

Ciel blinked.

Ciel had met Charles many times in the simulation. Overall, he was a mature and steady, quite old-fashioned Grand Duke. It was just that he was sometimes a little stubborn in his thinking.

Why did he want to see her?

Was it because of Forte's matter? Or was it because of… Avena's matter?

No matter what, when Forte attacked the hotel that day, Charles also came to the rescue and took Avena away. He was also Avena's father. Sooner or later, they had to meet and have a serious talk.

"Okay."

Ciel nodded and asked, "When?"

"How about tonight?"

Avena asked tentatively.

"Or maybe a few more days of rest?"

"I'm fine."

Ciel nodded. "Then let's make it tonight."

"He should be in the Parliament Building or Vitalis Palace right now. I'll have someone go tell him first…"

Avena said. She was about to straighten up and get out of bed, but Ciel directly grabbed the shawl that was hanging down.

"No rush…"

Ciel slowly pulled Avena towards her with a little force.

"Stay with me a little longer…"

…

"William, do you know why I called you back from North Ansu?"

Interior Minister William Winston stood in front of the desk, looking at the serious, rigid, and dignified middle-aged man before him. He slowly shook his head and said, "I do not know."

"Robert will announce his resignation as party leader later, and he will recommend you as the new party leader."

"And Her Majesty the Queen will directly accept the Prime Minister's proposal to dissolve Parliament and hold new elections."

"The Conservative Party no longer has its backbone. The Liberal Party will win most of the votes in the House of Commons in the upcoming general election. And the person who will take office as the new Prime Minister… is you."

Charles looked at William before him and said.

"This…"

William seemed not to have reacted. He had only been in North Ansu for a few days, and it was as if the internal affairs of Ansu had undergone a complete upheaval. The Conservative Party, which had held a majority of seats, had suddenly collapsed.

Hadn't the policy of strengthening the empire, which the Conservative Party had promoted, also received the Queen's approval? Why would even the Queen side with the Liberal Party?

"We are the party that advocates for resolving the North Ansu problem. How could the Queen…"

William's eyes were filled with confusion. He looked at Charles and asked, "What exactly has happened?"

"You just need to prepare well. I will handle everything for you."

Charles stood up, looked at William before him, and said, "I know what you want to do. I also believe it is good for Ansu… It will only offend a few people."

"Charles…"

William looked at the man before him, who seemed somewhat unfamiliar to him. He slowly exhaled and said, "You have changed."

"Perhaps."

Charles's thoughts also gradually drifted away.

He had once focused solely on the eternal survival of his family. Only when he looked back did he realize that his own family was already on the verge of falling apart.

He didn't know if it was because of the conversation with that red-haired young girl, but Charles knew that the moment he saw Avena again and her indifferent eyes, he knew he had made a mistake before.

Now, if he had to make a choice again, he would put family before the family name.

If he couldn't even maintain a happy family, what kind of cohesion would a family built through such means have?

"Have you seen young Avena?"

William looked at Charles's expression and seemed to understand something.

"Mm."

Charles nodded. "She's home."

Strange. If it were just young Avena, it shouldn't have caused such a big change in Charles's views… Did something major happen in Ansu City during this time?

Knock knock knock——

Just as William was wondering whether to ask directly, a knock sounded at the door.

"Please come in."

A properly dressed secretary walked in. He greeted William Winston, then turned to Charles.

"Duke Charles, a maid from your household is here. She asked me to deliver a message to you."

"Mm."

Charles subtly nodded, indicating for him to continue.

"This evening, Miss Avena invites you to have dinner with Miss Ciel, who is visiting."

The secretary slightly lowered his head and repeated what the maid had said.

Not until the secretary left did Charles seem to come back to his senses, thinking about something.

"Who is Ciel?"

William looked at Charles, who was unusually nervous, and asked curiously.

"Avena's… mm… good friend."

Charles took a deep breath. As if he had found a savior, he looked at William before him and said, "Are you coming to the dinner tonight? I'm not very good at talking to children of this age group. You are."

"I am very sorry, Your Excellency Charles,"

William bowed slightly and smiled. "As you can see, I have to prepare for my speech within the party. I'm afraid I don't have much time to have dinner."

"Alright."

Charles paced around the office a couple of times. He didn't even notice when William left.

Soon, he settled his mind, went downstairs, and got into the carriage back home.