Chapter 26

The next morning, the luxurious carriage of the Dragon Witch arrived precisely at the front gate.

As Dorothy stepped out of her room with her suitcase, she immediately saw Euphelia seated on the sofa—the tall Dragon Witch still radiated overwhelming presence, dominating the space; though a guest, she had turned the tables, making the homeowner across from her struggle to hold her ground.

Seeing Dorothy with her suitcase, Euphelia’s eyes flickered with delight—she believed her daughter had made the right choice.

On the other side, Adam’s eyes darkened with sorrow; he opened his mouth to speak, but finally sighed and said nothing.

He had said yesterday: no matter what choice his daughter made, he would support her.

Moreover, after years of living together, Adam knew his daughter’s nature—she was more human than witch; even if she truly chose the path of arms, she would never become as bloodthirsty or mad as other witches.

Even if his daughter ultimately became fully witch-like, Adam accepted it—over the years, his views had changed from what they were ten years ago.

Back then, he had viewed his daughter as a future war criminal, obsessed with reforming her, but now he found that laughable.

This was his daughter, his bloodline, not a crystallization of his sin, but an extension of his life, a divine gift of redemption, and an independent person—what right did he have to force his will upon her?

His hatred of war was his own matter; whether she liked it or not should be her own decision. In a world ruled by witches, people like him—idealistic but powerless—were the sick ones; why should he make his daughter sick too?

Forcing a carnivorous beast to eat grass under the guise of “for your own good” is true evil. Even now, Adam still firmly believed it was not he who was wrong, but this cruel world—that virtues like kindness, justice, and mercy must be upheld and promoted, and that savage aggression and slaughter must never be accepted as natural, no matter the excuse.

But unlike before, he no longer demanded Dorothy adhere to his own beliefs.

As long as her daughter could live happily every day, that was enough. As a father, he no longer wished to ask for more.

“Merciful Lord, if good and evil truly bear their due retribution in this world, then should Dorothy one day walk the same path as her mother, I beg you to lay all her sins upon me.”

For the first time, this man who had spent his life seeking truth prayed to the elusive divine, wishing his daughter a life of peace and happiness.

Yet when Euphelia rose and stepped forward to take the suitcase from her daughter’s hands and bring her home, she found Dorothy’s grip on the suitcase had not loosened.

The Dragon Witch frowned, studying the young witch before her, waiting for her answer.

“Mother… Mother, I thought deeply last night, and I’ve made up my mind: I want to control my own life. If you can accept this, I ask you to witness it.”

Though the misunderstanding between mother and daughter had been resolved, they had only met three times in strict terms—Dorothy could not bring herself to say “Mom,” so she stepped back and used the formal “Mother,” declaring her resolve.

She was nearly an adult; children chose between two options. As a mature witch, she chose three: I want it all—and nothing at all.

“I don’t want to return with you and follow the life you’ve planned for me under your protection. This isn’t because of my father’s influence—it’s my own will. I want to live my own life.”

“I’m going to attend the Witch Academy. After graduation, I may find like-minded companions and embark on adventures, to establish my own witch domain. Though you think my father’s ideas naive, ridiculous, even cowardly, I agree with some of them. This world shouldn’t be merely one of oppression and being oppressed. I want to build a unique witch domain where my companions and subjects all live happily.”

“Mother, there are always beautiful things in this world that shouldn’t be forgotten or scorned—not everything the majority believes is right. I want to try doing what I can, and I hope you’ll forgive my stubbornness.”

Dorothy mustered courage and fixed her gaze on the stern Dragon Witch’s eyes, speaking earnestly, then bowed, seeking and hoping for understanding and respect from this blood-bound kin.

On the other side, Euphelia studied her stubborn daughter intently—the young witch’s eyes burned with fire, the pure, radiant light of one who holds ideals, so beautiful and true that even the peak witch herself was subtly moved.

But…

“I refuse.”

The Dragon Witch coldly uttered those three words.

Uh…

Dorothy looked up, stunned, at her mother.

Mom, how are you not following the script? Shouldn’t this be the touching, tear-jerking moment of maternal love? You’re exactly as Father said—you simply don’t understand people.

Rejected, she grew angry. Who cares if you support me or not? Her path was already decided. Since the planned cozy homebody life was shattered, and she couldn’t stay home anymore, she might as well do something meaningful. She’d only get one chance to be reborn—she’d do what she truly wanted.

Returning to inherit billions was impossible—absolutely impossible. The Dragon Kingdom was full of war-mad fanatics; its air reeked of muscle and sweat. She didn’t belong there at all. If she went back, you’d drag her straight to the battlefield and beat her half to death. She really wasn’t good at fighting.

With this thought, she subtly stepped back, putting distance between herself and the towering Dragon Witch, watching her warily, fearing the woman might get angry and just bind her on the spot.

Though it was useless—everyone in the family combined couldn’t match one of Euphelia’s hands. Dorothy and Alice? Their combat power wasn’t worth mentioning. Father was a high-rank mage, but a theoretical genius stuck with human garbage stats.

Stepmother Anne was a true great witch—even now doing research, she was a retired battlefield veteran who transitioned from combat to research. Though short and seemingly harmless, her real combat power was terrifying; even the Lord of Haiyue City, the Haiyue Witch, might not beat this best friend.

But the opposing mother was a peak witch—and the undisputed top combatant of her rank. Anne’s skills wouldn’t last three strikes against her.

Fortunately, Euphelia still seemed calm, showing no intent to act violently without reason, so Dorothy gathered courage and asked carefully.

“Why not?”

“You’re too weak, my daughter. In this world, no one listens to your reason without strength. You must first learn to dominate through force. If you want my support to venture out alone after graduation, prove your strength to me first.”

Euphelia spoke bluntly, face still stern.

Though spoken by a peak witch—her own mother—Dorothy found the words harsh and irritating. Now she understood why the Dragon Kingdom had such a terrible reputation: beyond their sheer power, their blunt, foolish personalities were likely a major cause—just speaking offended everyone.

“So how do you want me to prove my strength? You’re not asking me to become a peak witch, are you?”

Dorothy frowned slightly.

“No need. Just defeat her. She’s my disciple, same age as you. If you defeat her before graduating from the academy, your strength will be sufficient. Then I’ll allow you to venture out independently. Otherwise, return with me and train more. Wait a few years until you meet the standard.”

The Dragon Witch pointed to her attendant beside her.

Dorothy followed her mother’s finger—and froze at the familiar pure white.

“You?”