When Noah's gaze swept over her, she immediately shrank back with a terrified whimper, tears welling in her eyes, as if just a slight scare would reduce her to tears.
This was the Witch of Lust—Carmilla. Authority: Faceless Bride.
People who looked at her would see the person they loved most in their dreams, and lose all rationality, sinking into a delusion of love so deep they'd forget to breathe. Even if death loomed before them, they wouldn't resist. Their very cells would forget to function—dying peacefully in her gentle love.
After receiving her authority, she did nothing—she merely existed. Yet nations collapsed around her as people fell in love at first sight, fought over her, started wars. Entire countries fell into madness. Eventually, she perished in the fires of the very war her presence had caused.
"You're the Creator. We don't even know how to face you. There's too much fear, too many worries. I'm furious with myself for being so helpless!"
A golden-haired, blue-eyed girl full of excessive energy appeared. The Witch of Wrath—Minerva. Her voice brimmed with stubborn fire.
After her words, a languid voice followed. A purple-haired witch appeared lazily on the grass, seemingly too tired to even breathe.
"Your power surpasses anything a witch can comprehend. Like ants trying to gaze at the stars. No matter what you do, we can only accept it."
"No... to be accurate, nothing you do even registers with us. Our thoughts, our destinies—they're meaningless."
One by one, the witches appeared.
"Big shot? I don't really get it, but Typhon can feel Big Brother's amazingness!"
A ten-year-old girl with green hair in a white dress popped up in front of Noah, tilting her head adorably.
"Wow, Big Brother showed up and everyone else came too. So rare."
Clack!
A crisp sound rang out. A black iron coffin with slender legs appeared and opened, revealing a drooling girl around thirteen or fourteen, bound in chains like a criminal.
"Since everyone came, Daphne will too. Mmm... mostly because... for some reason... I can't say no to the Creator's presence."
"Also... when the Creator appeared, I wasn't hungry anymore. I feel... really comfortable."
Buzz...
Satella appeared last, shrouded in ominous black magic. Her power far surpassed the other witches, radiating a pressure that made them all uneasy.
Her voice was soft, gloomy, filled with sorrow like a girl suffering from heartbreak.
"...I'm sorry."
Noah looked over the assembled witches and tapped his finger on the table.
Each of these witches checked his XP boxes. But he wasn't some lecherous fool—he believed in nurturing things slowly.
On the thread of fate, they would all eventually arrive at Eden.
In his eyes, time was cheap. Slowly grooming each favorite girl from the lowest depths to the highest peaks...
Only when they stood atop the mountain, basking in the blinding sun, would it be time to harvest.
It was like gacha games—you didn't just pull a powerful unit. You raised it to unleash nuclear-level strength. That's real power.
"You all understand my will now. And the staircase to what you desire has appeared. I want to see how you'll strive to climb that mountain."
His golden eyes swept over these extreme, obsessive witches.
"Don't disappoint me."
Before any of the witches could respond, his golden eyes shimmered.
Buzz!
The surrounding scenery shattered like glass.
The witches instinctively tried to react, but found their Authorities completely ineffective.
An incomprehensible force enveloped them.
"This is...!"
"The aura of life...?"
"The world's affection...?"
The Castle of Dreams shattered, and the witches' vision went dark.
At the same time, the Sanctuary of Kremaldy gave off a radiant light. A beam of light shot into the sky, eventually connecting with the heavens.
All the residents of the "Sanctuary" were shaken by the sudden phenomenon.
A pink-haired elf, who looked no older than ten, rushed out from a small wooden house and stared in shock at the glowing grave. Though her voice was young, it carried the tone of an elder.
"W-What's going on? Why is the Witch of Greed's Graveyard acting like this?!"
"Hey, old hag! What happened?!"
A blonde beastman boy with a scar on his face came rushing over, shouting urgently.
Ryuzu Bilma didn't answer. Her wide eyes remained fixed on the beam of light.
"This… this aura… Yes, it's unmistakable—this is a witch's aura. Such a powerful witch's aura! Could it be—!"
Realizing something, Ryuzu immediately ran toward the grave.
"Garfiel, come with me!"
"Wait! Old hag, that place is dangerous!" Garfiel's expression shifted dramatically. As an Apostle of Greed, he could sense the overwhelming energy—but no one knew whether it was safe.
He knew all too well how dangerous the grave could be—he had undergone the trial himself.
Shaking off his fear, he chased after her.
Soon, they reached the entrance of the "Trial." Garfiel and Ryuzu stared in awe at the seven figures emerging within the pillar of light.
Among them was one aura in particular—one that filled Garfiel with instinctive fear and revulsion.
"The witches… they're all back!" Garfiel's voice trembled as he locked eyes with one figure. His teeth chattered uncontrollably.
Silver hair. Deep violet eyes. An ominous aura that screamed danger.
The Witch of Envy!
Ryuzu's staff clattered to the ground. "The witches…" Her gaze fell upon Echidna, now brimming with life.
As one of the original clones born from Ryuzu Meyer, she retained Ryuzu's memories.
Ryuzu was originally created as a vessel to house Echidna's soul—one could say she was Echidna's creation. Their connection was direct and deep.
Under the watch of Ryuzu and Garfiel, the Seven Great Witches were revived within the pillar of light, regaining their physical forms.
Only once the revival was complete did the light begin to fade.
The witches gently descended upon the grave's steps.
Echidna looked at her hands, then placed one over her heart. The pulsing beat of her heart confirmed the vitality of life.
"I felt nothing at all… and yet I've returned to life. This is… the power of the Creator."
Minerva inhaled deeply, then shouted at the top of her lungs: "AAAAAAHHHHHH—!"
Already overwhelmed with fear, Garfiel collapsed onto his rear with a thud.
Typhon tilted her head innocently. "Why did Minerva scream?"
Minerva put her hands on her hips. "Because I felt like screaming! I'm super mad right now! AAAAAHHHH!"
Typhon: "Then Typhon will scream too! AAAAAAHHH!"
Sekhmet let out a sluggish breath. "Sigh… being dead wasn't so bad. Sleeping forever was kind of nice."
Carmilla shrank in on herself, speaking timidly. "Now that I've revived, I'm going to cause misfortune again… I need to hide in a forest where no one can find me."
Daphne sniffed the air, drool spilling from her lips. "Smells so good… Daphne smells so much yummy stuff! I can't take it… totally can't take it…"
Satella said nothing. She simply pulled down the brim of her hat to obscure her face.
"Witch… have you been revived?" Ryuzu asked Echidna gently.
Echidna looked at her with a warm smile. "Ryuzu."
The moment the witches were revived, both the Divine Dragon at the Great Waterfall and the current Sword Saint in the royal capital sensed it.
Reinhard looked toward the fading pillar of light. At his waist, the Dragon Sword trembled faintly.
"The world… something unimaginable has just happened. Is this… truly a good thing?"
Reinhard van Astrea was utterly bewildered.
The world had changed so drastically in an instant that he no longer recognized it. Worse still, the mysterious connection he once had with the world vanished without a trace.
The world would no longer grant him any new "Blessings."
"The world's transformation… it's because the gods have now taken notice of this world."
It wasn't a guess—it was a certainty.
His consciousness turned to the divine artifact that suddenly appeared in his mind.
He had been pulled into several "groups," and the influx of knowledge explained everything.
One such group was specific to this world, composed entirely of its most powerful beings.
[Pandora: My, so the very fabric of this world can now connect its residents for communication?]
[Pandora: Though it seems only a select few have been invited. The Sin Archbishops have not entered—clearly, they are not among the chosen.]
[Reinhard: Witch of Vainglory?]
[Echidna: Pandora, you detestable creature. A rat scurrying in the dark.]
[Minerva: Yes! The true mastermind! The one who controls the Witch Cult and pinned all the blame on Satella! I'm furious! I want to punch you square in the face!]
[Daphne: Daphne's hungry. Really wants to eat.]
[Pandora: It seems I've become quite disliked. My apologies.]
[Echidna: You're worse than me, Pandora. Compared to Satella, you're utterly revolting.]
[Priscilla: Hehehe, what a delightful little farce—unearthed skeletons and drama. Please, do continue. Pollute my ears with your old grudges.]
[Pandora: Oh my, long time no see, Archbishop of Pride.]
[Priscilla: Don't you dare use such titles on me, witch. I've never consorted with you detestable Witch Cult lunatics.]
[Volcanica: It's been a while, witches. So, you've been revived by the gods, haven't you? Even here at the Great Waterfall, I sensed it.]
[Volcanica: But it's reassuring. With so many gods watching over this land, your powers now mean very little.]
[Crusch: Lord Volcanica...]
[Echidna: Hmph. Aside from Satella and Pandora, you're the most detestable one, you overgrown lizard.]
[Volcanica: Ugh, I have no interest in arguing with lunatic witches. Sword Saint, you're still in Lugnica, right?]
[Reinhard: Yes, Lord Dragon. Do you have instructions for me?]
[Volcanica: Just fulfilling destiny. Lugnica is without a king, isn't it? There's no need for royal selection. The royal bloodline hasn't died out.]
[Crusch: The royal bloodline still exists? Is that true?!]
[Reinhard: There's a descendant? Where is she now?]
[Volcanica: She's currently in the slums of the royal capital. Her name is Felt, fourteen years old.]
[Volcanica: In the future I've seen, she will become the greatest queen this world has ever known. She will unify the world, end famine, and even receive constant aid from the gods.]
[Volcanica: Eventually, my contract with Lugnica will end in her hands. I'll return the nation to humanity—and I will no longer protect Lugnica.]
[Volcanica: Well... the main reason is, frankly, she won't need me.]
[Reinhard: Fourteen years old… Could she be the one who vanished during the upheaval and ended up in the slums? I understand. House Astrea and the Knights of the Kingdom will fully support Felt.]
[Crusch: House Karsten will also offer full support to the heir of royal blood.]
She had long desired to end the contract between Lugnica and the Divine Dragon.
Because of Volcanica's protection, the nobles of the nation had grown complacent, indifferent, and inert.
Though Lugnica was peaceful under the dragon's protection, it was also the poorest nation. This stemmed from the negligence of those who held the reins of power.
While the conversation continued in the group chat.
Divine Dragon Volcanica had already made contact with the upper echelon of Lugnica—the Council of Wise Men.
At the same time, Reinhard led the Royal Knights to the slums, where they found Felt.
Felt stared at the Sword Saint kneeling before her, surrounded by knights.
She hadn't expected her wish to come true this quickly.
"So, I'm really royalty?"
Reinhard replied, "Yes. Your full name is Felt Lugnica. This message was personally conveyed by Divine Dragon Volcanica to the Council of Wise Men."
"The Royal Knights will clear all obstacles in your path."
Felt looked over the kneeling knights, a mischievous smile spreading across her lips. "So the Dragon said it, huh? Let me make one thing clear—if I become queen, I'll make sure all you nobles and knights are out of a job."
"Because I hate nobles. I hate knights. I hate this rotten country."
"I'm going to destroy everything about this kingdom. Tear down the nobility. Make this country's air breathable again. You still want me as your queen?"
Her crimson eyes sparkled with mockery as she stared at the knights.
Reinhard said solemnly, "Yes. No matter what you do, the Royal Knights will support you. We serve the crown—and this nation."
After all, Volcanica had already stated that this heir would become the greatest queen in the world—one who would end hunger for all humanity.
"We will forever serve the royal family!"
All the knights declared in unison.
Felt swallowed hard, staring at them.
In her mind, she could still hear the voice of the god:
You will become the darling of the world. The entire world will revolve around you.
And now… it really was.
She hadn't done anything yet—just wished to be queen—and now she was about to be crowned.
Even the Sword Saint himself, Reinhard van Astrea, was obeying her unconditionally.
Reinhard respectfully said, "Then, Lady Felt, please accompany us to the royal palace. The nobles who run this nation await your arrival."
Felt sneered. "Fine then. Reinhard, Knights of the Realm—I'm about to overthrow every last noble."
Reinhard: "Yes. You have our unconditional support."
Under the protection of the Royal Knights, Felt boarded a dragon carriage and made her way to the royal palace.
As the capital stood on the brink of transformation—
At the mansion of the Margrave on the border—
A magical letter from the royal capital arrived in Emilia's hands.
She stared at it, biting her lip.
"Puck… the royal selection is already over…" she whispered. In that moment, tears welled up in her violet eyes.
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