Chapter 860

How tragic, the Blood Witch clans really are suffering.

Originally, Dorothy had believed her stepmother's words, thinking the Blood Witches had grown disloyal after fulfilling their contract with the good sister and no longer wished to serve the Witch.

But now it was clear the opposite was true—the real heartless one was their own good sister.

Indeed, the God-King treated the Blood Witches as mere tools; after she ascended to Heaven and completed her revenge, she fulfilled her contract with them—and afterward, she couldn't even be bothered to glance at these devoted followers who had worshipped her so faithfully, simply turning her back and walking away.

Of course, the God-King didn't abandon just the Blood Witches— the Angel Witches had their own grievances too.

In truth, the good sister had abandoned the entire world, retreating into solitary seclusion, refusing to speak to anyone.

Yet the Blood Witches' loyalty exceeded all expectations; after the God-King vanished, the Witch world entered the Dragon King's era.

And the Dragon King was a perfect monarch—diligent, hardworking, fair in rewards and punishments. Had the Blood Witches chosen to pledge allegiance to her then, their problem of being bound by True Ancestor bloodlines would have been resolved long ago.

But sadly, the thirteen Blood Clans at that time remained staunch loyalists to the God-King. They acknowledged the Dragon King's authority but refused to abandon their faith by bowing to a new sovereign. The demon witch legions they led were notoriously reclusive and dangerous, never fitting in.

The Dragon King deeply respected the Blood Witches' loyalty and admired their self-reliant spirit, so she never interfered.

Thus, the Dragon King's era passed with the Blood Witches stubbornly enduring alone—until the Demon King's era arrived.

When the Demon King first rose to power, she immediately delivered a shocking blow to the Blood Witches, stripping them of their position as Demon Witch Queen.

Indeed, already at their waning end, their situation plunged into even deeper despair.

After waiting through an entire major era, the Blood Witches finally realized they had been callously abandoned by the God-King. Now they sought a new master—but they discovered in despair that this new Witch Queen, the Demon King, played by no rules.

Ordinary people manipulate others for profit: inviting them to dinner, beheading them, or forcing them into servitude.

Though the Blood Witches were indeed angry that the Demon King had overthrown their position, they still recognized her power. Had the Demon King demanded their submission then, they might have been willing to negotiate.

They had even prepared their proud, reluctant compromise: "We acknowledge your strength—let us help you ascend the throne." But the Demon King never showed up at all.

Indeed, this joker wasn't tormenting the Blood Witches for any gain—she merely did it for amusement. She had no intention whatsoever of accepting their submission.

Thus, these oldest of witches found themselves with no one to turn to, slowly descending into decay and annihilation amid despair and anxiety.

They were truly broken by the Three Kings.

Witches are no fun at all. Let whoever wants to be one, be one. We're returning to the Abyss.

It's completely understandable they'd think this way.

Yet Dorothy really wanted to tell the three dukes before her that the Demon King hadn't entirely ignored them—some Blood Witches had indeed made contact with her.

That person was their own stepmother.

As she knew, Anne was a spy planted by the Demon King within the Blood Witches. Her stepmother even planned to betray other clans to secure the survival of the Dracula lineage.

Why the Demon King did this remained unknown—even Dorothy struggled to fathom the mind of this brat, Arti.

Perhaps the joker's obsession had flared again, reminding her of the Blood Witches as a former toy, and she'd idly dropped a pawn, eager to watch them struggle in despair until they destroyed themselves in grotesque fashion.

Yes, that brat Arti would absolutely do something like this.

Alternatively, this might have been a test from the Demon King—if the Blood Witches could remain steadfast in their loyalty despite despair, they would earn the King's reward and soar beyond all bounds.

Yes, though this sounds too serious for Arti, sometimes being serious when you're not supposed to be—that's also a kind of absurdity.

It's even possible the Demon King deliberately preserved the Blood Witches, using them as bait to fish for something else.

In short, don't try to guess the Demon King's mind—you'll only waste your effort.

Still, who cares what Arti does? Dorothy's current unease stemmed mainly from the fact that the God-King's abandonment was clearly the root of the Blood Witches' suffering.

And that was her own good sister.

The sins committed by her sister made the sister feel strangely guilty.

After all, the one who drove her good sister to abandon everything and retreat into solitude was none other than herself.

Though that was all karma from a past life, it didn't stop Dorothy from having a clear sense of her own identity as the true source of all evil.

"Alright, I admit you've convinced me."

Dorothy looked at the forlorn elder across from her and nodded, acknowledging the Blood Witches' motive to return to the Abyss.

Yes, the Blood Witches were truly tragic, and their betrayal had justification—she sympathized. But sorry, she was a judge, representing the stance of the Three Kings and the interests of the Witches.

Your position determines your thinking. No matter your reasons, the fact of rebellion stands confirmed.

How to judge you is up to the higher-ups. I only deliver you to them.

The House Witch is too kind to play the villain—let the Dragon Witch handle it.

Fairy King, activate again.

"Sorry, but I have to decline. I'm just a lowly employee—I have no authority to decide whether you can defect. So, in my mercy, I'll give you the chance to ask directly."

The Dragon Witch shrugged and said this.

Giovanna: "???"

Ask directly? Ask whom?

The Eternal Night Duke, whose mind was already dulled by weariness, couldn't grasp the meaning of the judge's words.

But before she could voice her confusion, the Dragon Witch spoke again.

"All eyes back on me—I have an announcement."

Dorothy raised her hand and addressed the Grand Judges behind her.

The Grand Judges, who had assumed the Blood Dukes were shaken by the revelation of the Three Kings' abandonment, instinctively looked up, curious what this hyperactive new superstar planned to pull next.

Frankly, they were disappointed with this mission—they'd come primarily for the reputation of the newly appointed Grand Judge of the Underworld faction, Hei Hei Wuchang.

They wanted to see what kind of deity this sudden Grand Judge was, whether to join the Underworld faction.

But now they'd seen nothing—the Grand Judge Hei Hei Wuchang hadn't come; only this new clown had appeared as her representative.

No wonder this clown was so outrageous—she too was a sudden appointee. Everyone had assumed she was from the Dragon King's faction, but she was actually from the mysterious Underworld faction.

Yes, she must be Hei Hei Wuchang's trusted aide, the future second-in-command of the Underworld faction—worth investing in.

Hence, the Grand Judges had obeyed this newcomer's orders—all out of respect for Hei Hei Wuchang behind her.

Under the gaze of the Grand Judges, Dorothy reached into her pocket, pulled out the same two flags she'd produced earlier.

Execute first, report later. Authorized by the Three Kings.

Question marks rose above the heads of the Grand Judges.

What, you're going to say this again?

Come on, this phrase was just a PR slogan for the Tribunal itself—used to project authority and legitimacy, to command respect.

But they knew better—it was pure theater.

Many judges had joined the Tribunal precisely because they'd been fooled by this slogan. After all, who among Witches wouldn't revere the Three Kings? Everyone dreamed of joining this direct branch of the Three Kings, hoping to one day see those legendary figures.

But now they were Grand Judges, the highest-ranking officials beneath the Three Kings—or now, the Four Grand Judges.

So, had they ever seen the Three Kings?

Thousands upon thousands of years—do you know how we've lived all this time? Why did I work so hard, complete so many tasks, level up? Was it really just to protect the peace of the Witch world?

Protect my ass. We all just wanted to see the Three Kings with our own eyes. Even without guidance, just seeing them once would make our lives complete.

But sadly, only the Grand Judges themselves had ever seen the Three Kings.

But the Grand Judges are all Sages—and isn't it natural for Sages to meet the Witch Kings? Then why even join the Tribunal?

Ugh, so no matter how you look at it, the Tribunal's claim as a direct branch of the Three Kings isn't truly legitimate. We can joke about it among ourselves, but don't parade it around—it's embarrassing.

Still, this clown Grand Judge was a newcomer who'd joined only months ago—she might genuinely not know these secrets. Everyone knew she loved parading this slogan everywhere. Might as well remind her now.

One Grand Judge was about to speak up.

But the Dragon Witch spoke faster.

"I declare: from today onward, this phrase is true—at least within my Underworld faction."

Dorothy said this.

The Grand Judges: "???"

In that instant, everyone froze, then realized what the clown Grand Judge meant.

The Underworld faction is directly under the Three Kings?

At this moment, even the most seasoned Grand Judges gasped, their eyes brightening.

Not everyone believed it—some veteran Grand Judges frowned, still skeptical.

After all, they'd served the Tribunal for thousands or even tens of thousands of years; some were founding elders. They knew well: the Tribunal rarely received direct orders from the Three Kings.

It made sense—the Three Kings each had their own devoted followers, their true personal troops. Why would they need the Tribunal for anything?

The Tribunal was essentially an internal surveillance body created by the Sage Council, borrowing the Three Kings' name.

The Three Kings might know of its existence and tolerate it, but they didn't care about it.

Now, if you claim your Underworld faction is truly directly under the Three Kings, then produce proof.

They remained skeptical.

They'd already been fooled once by the Tribunal—no one would be fooled again by the same trick.

But the Grand Judges never imagined the proof would come so fast.

Facing the Blood Dukes' confusion and the Grand Judges' doubts, the Dragon Witch offered no explanation.

Nor did she need to—she hadn't lied. It was all true.

The three bosses of the Underworld faction were the Three Kings' three incarnations in the Underworld. Her tasks as Hei Hei Wuchang came directly from them.

Well, mostly from her good sister.

But if I say "directly under the Three Kings," is there any problem?

None whatsoever.

Even if I boastfully claimed "directly under the Four Kings," would Sister Fan have any objection? After all, this embarrassing sister was destined to be the Underworld Queen.

Of course, these details couldn't be explained—not with her clown identity. But she could act directly.

The Dragon Witch silently switched the Joker's Silver Dragon Warrant in her pocket for the jet-black Hei Wuchang Warrant, then pulled it out.

I don't have any other talents, so let me start by showing you all how to open a door.

The Gates of the Underworld, open.

Dorothy quietly placed the two flags she held—one to the left, one to the right—then, from behind her, an ancient, exquisitely carved gate rose up, the two flags now resembling ornate couplets on either side.

Though I already had ready-made couplets.

Though the gate was undeniably beautiful, it was also terrifying, for any living being that gazed upon it would feel the threat of death, catching a glimpse of their own deathly visage within.

"Gentlemen, it is truly time to depart. Go—beyond this gate lies everything you desire."

The Dragon Witch spoke thus to the three vampire Dukes before her.

Unfortunately, only silence answered her.

Corpses are always silent.

"Well, since vampires are best at resurrection, you'll pay your own resurrection fees—I won't charge you for opening the gate."

Dorothy thought to herself.

May the three Dukes find all they seek in the Underworld.

The House Witch prayed.

(End of Chapter)

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