Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 250 - 233 Carrier Host Kurona

The Vengeance Witch had a very strong sense of collectivism, just as they vehemently pursued harsh honors. This was also one of the reasons they could immerse themselves in revenge. Now, the unity of the Vengeance Witches manifested in the mockery of their opponents. As Sesela’s words ended, the Witches surrounding her joined their Witch Mother in laughter, like crows cawing over a field of wheat.

Lily did not make any unnecessary gestures, as if the laughter around her was no more than the buzzing of mosquitoes by her ear. Her gaze was cold, straightforwardly staring back at Sesela.

"Sesela, Lily is the Witch Mother of the Witch of Death, and she is naturally one of us. She is certainly qualified to listen to our meeting. Moreover, her presence at a gathering with the Vengeance Witches represents, does it not, the intent of the one behind you?" Vinny pointed at the cat’s nest on the stone throne, reminding of the changes within the Vengeance Witches.

Sesela’s eyes, full of malice, did not manifest as she glared at Vinny’s hunched back. "Her presence won’t bring any change, Vinny; you can’t stop me," she said fiercely.

"I have no desire to stop you, dear Sesela," Vinny responded. "I only hope that your plan is more perfect and that having two ears allows you to hear more."

The Witch Mothers’ Council is the Witches’ leadership meeting. The only difference is they are witches, skilled at discerning hearts, understanding each other, and thus, all that is discussed here is more straightforward. They seek help directly instead of burying their desires in a web spun round and round, waiting for their conversation partner to fall into it. Despite ongoing private feuds, they all exhibited absolute cordiality during the meeting, as the current environment allowed no time for scheming. Even Sesela, once in her Witch Mother state, reached several mutually beneficial agreements with Lily.

But this Witch gathering’s mutual aid segment was very succinct. Everyone had their thoughts, all waiting for the proud and reticent Sesela to reveal her real plan, the one depicting a beautiful future for the Witch community.

Sesela, with her eyes closed, opened them. Her gaze swept over everyone like a unsheathed blade.

"You’re all expecting something, and I can feel it, just as I feel every time I lead my people to retaliate against those who harm us, looking at the bodies of tortured sisters. I can feel it."

"Witchcraft, our own power, has changed us. We’re no longer locked in our homes by men or treated as objects. It has brought us the dignity of being independent beings, even beyond death."

"I am disappointed some of our sisters treat this blessing as a curse. They are uneasy because of their own witchcraft. They despise themselves for it. I know you all feel this inferiority to some extent. You think we are aberrations, freaks. We were supposed to be women, to bear children, to stay in our three acres, praying to God, praying that our husbands would be adequate providers."

"You are wrong! Whores! We are born free, just as the gods made us! We are not vassals to anyone! We are noble, unique souls! I am proud! I am proud to be a Witch! Facing the choice between the warmth of a peaceful room and the wilderness where only the fittest survive, I choose the wilderness! For the threats of this land remind me constantly that my existence is worth more than twenty-five pounds of flesh. I live for myself!"

"I may not be the first to speak up, nor will I be the last. Even if we cease to exist, the Witches vanish, witchcraft disappears, there will eventually be women who will stand up and speak out for our god-given rights."

"Nations need kings, towns need lords, and we Witches too; we need to unite, we must have a strong leader, our Matriarch."

Sesela paused for a moment, "Naturally, that person is not me. Although I’d be glad to do so, I don’t have the courage to lead the Witches. I am not powerful enough."

"You should know the ultimate Witch plan. The oldest and most solemn witchcraft. An altar, a subject with exceptional potential, a great force. We will bring forth our leader with our own hands, the Matriarch of all Witches. She will lead us in building our own realm," Sesela looked at the silent Lily, her eyes carrying a hint of a smile, "a nation that will not be destroyed."

The peaks of the mountains pierced the clouds, revealing their sharp points. There was no thick fog here, and while still chilly, the unusual brightness in the distance coupled with the sun cast a warm hue over the strange-patterned black pillar in the center of the primordial altar. The girl knelt in front of the chilling black pillar, wearing a garment woven of light black feathers, the cold wind causing the feathers to rustle. She prayed to the eerie stone pillar with the devotion of a nun.

A shadow crawled up the girl’s back, and a paw swept away her hat. The deep blue, short, jagged hair was stirred by the wind, revealing the girl’s young and tender face, a beauty in the making.

"My lovely Kurona, did you miss me?" The shadow transformed into the shape of a cat. Veraliz lay on the girl’s shoulder, replacing her scarf with her own tail.

Kurona turned her head, and the concern in her watery eyes turned into tears.

"Lady Veraliz! Wuuu, I couldn’t find you anywhere, I was so afraid..."

Watching the girl cry her eyes out, Veraliz the cat felt a twinge of guilt for her sneaky escape. However, after all, she was a cat, and there was nothing wrong with seeking freedom, meow!

Veraliz extended her little paw to wipe away her tears, having previously tried to lick them with her tongue, but the barbed tongue only made Kurona cry louder. Her skin was as delicate as a baby’s, it really was a wonder how a Vengeance Witch living in the wilderness managed to keep her skin that way.

Veraliz looked up at the black pillar, a solemn aura weighing down on the kitty.

"So if you couldn’t find me, would Kurora just wait here by the pillar? It’s so high, and cold."

"Kurona didn’t know what else she could do, the only thing to rely on was the stone pillar that Lady Veraliz brought. If I prayed, maybe you could hear it."

Veraliz looked at those citrus-colored eyes reflecting her own image; this silly girl had really done it.

"This pillar isn’t a deity that grants wishes, you know. It’s just my coming-of-age pillar. In my home, whenever a child reaches adulthood, we set up a pillar like this. I brought it over just because it seemed fun."

The black cat jumped off Kurona’s shoulder, tugging at the hem of her dress to pull her down the mountain.

"Are we going back, Lady Veraliz?"

"Let’s go play at the gathering."

"No! Lady Veraliz! Sesela said we are the hope of the witches! We have an important role! We should be conserving our energy here at the altar." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Veraliz cocked her head to the side. The serious Kurona looked so boring; even her moments of crying were more adorable than this, albeit a bit troublesome.

"Kurona, who will you listen to? Me, who lives with you day and night, or the Vengeance Witch, Sesela?"

"Uh... Sesela..."

"Hmm~~~" Veraliz drew out a long note, her mouth puckering up.

"It is Lady Veraliz, Kurona will listen to Lady Veraliz!"

The kitty was having none of it. She fell to the ground, all four paws in the air, wriggling her body like a caterpillar. "I don’t care, I’m so mad, the most important person to Kurora isn’t me, I won’t play with Kurona anymore, I’m going to cry too, wuu wuu wuu."

Now it was Kurona’s turn to be flustered. Eventually, she caved into Veraliz’s demands in her confusion.

"Then let’s play at the gathering for just a little while, and return before our sisters come looking for us. You have to promise."

"Mhm." Veraliz the cat smiled, silly girl, once you get carried away with fun, if you can even find north, I might just turn it into south.