[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-armed-witch":3,"chapter-armed-witch-armed-witch-chapter-951":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Armed Witch",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2354491,4604,"Chapter 951: Unexpected Guest","armed-witch-chapter-951",951,"\u003Cp>In the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun had just dipped below the horizon, painting the sky’s sea of clouds in brilliant orange and red, a stunning sight; within that cloud sea, the massive floating city was adorned with lanterns and decorations everywhere, bustling with lively energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the witches were preparing for a grand birthday banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a celebration celebrated by the entire world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragon King’s Palace, usually so imposing that no one dared approach too closely, now seemed surprisingly approachable, as countless witches from all corners of the world entered the vast palace with excited expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Dragon King’s Palace rarely opened its doors to outsiders; but this time, His Majesty the Dragon King had personally promised that during these seven days of celebration, anyone could enter the palace and enjoy the festivities—as long as they carried in their hearts a sincere wish for the young lady’s birthday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might be the only chance most ordinary witches would ever have to visit the Dragon King’s Palace—they simply had to seize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those ordinary witches who had traveled great distances looked up, watching the various luxurious vehicles and elite mounts flying overhead, gazing at the powerful figures atop those extravagant beasts, their eyes filled with envy and longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is how a great witch should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though to mortals, even the most ordinary witch seemed like a divine messenger, witches themselves had their own aspirations—not all ordinary witches were content with a simple life; some were ambitious, craving progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For witches yearning for opportunity, such a grand gathering, with so many powerful figures in attendance, was also a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, tonight’s banquet drew the world’s attention, and everyone awaited its commencement—except.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, except the guest of honor of this birthday banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy sat listlessly on the vanity, letting Guinevere, still cosplaying as the head maid, dress her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t we just do this this morning? Why again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s common knowledge for noble ladies to change outfits four or five times a day. That morning outfit was only for the breakfast banquet—it’s just casual wear. Tonight’s banquet is the main event, so you must prepare properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Queen Mother spoke as if it were self-evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh, this is such a hassle. I’m not even a real noble lady, you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing she’d have to change outfits so many times, the otaku witch rolled her eyes and protested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, you’re the Dragon Witch, born a witch noble, and more than that—you’re a descendant of Jörmungandr, a bloodline heir of the Dragon King. That makes you nobility among nobility. You’d better get used to these customs early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guinevere, carefully applying makeup to the otaku witch’s face, smiled as she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy nodded reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she didn’t particularly care for nobility or not, the world operated this way regardless—wherever there were people, there were classes, privileges, nobles; even the Three Kings couldn’t change this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look how long the witches have been shouting “equality among witches”—for over a hundred thousand years—and yet today’s witch world is far from equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when a truly omniscient and omnipotent god is born, and no one needs to worry about resources or be ruled by desire, might true universal harmony be possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The otaku witch thought this to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, such a fairy-tale world remained distant from reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There. Perfect. Dorothy, tonight you will be the brightest pearl in the entire witch world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Guinevere packed away her makeup kit and gazed at the stunning face before her with admiration, happily declaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, I guess I really owe you thanks, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy replied, somewhat speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when she opened her eyes and looked into the mirror, she was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy crap—is this some princess stepped out of a fairy tale? She’s ridiculously beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the white gown, the radiant girl glowing like a little sun, whose very presence seemed to illuminate the surroundings, the otaku witch couldn’t help but marvel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d really wanted to complain earlier—why bother with manual makeup? It’s the age of magic; why not just cast a makeup spell? But now she had to admit: magic wasn’t always all-powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belief is your magic—but if your heart cannot imagine it, even magic is powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy could hardly believe that the cheerful, sunny little princess in the mirror was herself—the gloomy, reclusive otaku witch she usually was. All she could say was: the Queen Mother’s makeup technique wasn’t magic anymore—it was divine creation ex nihilo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, all arts ultimately stem from the heart—just like Dorothy’s magical cooking; no one else could replicate her dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So perhaps makeup was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy had made no demands on the makeup—she left it entirely to Guinevere’s discretion—so this final result meant it was the Queen Mother’s own vision of the perfect self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, so the version of me that Wei'er considers perfect is this cheerful, bright, confident girl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mused inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, reality and fantasy never matched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, but if it were the version of me from the first cycle, maybe she really would’ve looked like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy recalled the self-righteous, otaku girl from her first cycle who believed herself the chosen protagonist—and immediately felt embarrassed, scratching her arms as goosebumps rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black history, vanish. Black history, vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve lived three lifetimes now—I’m past that otaku phase. Whoever wants to be the chosen one can have it; I sure don’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I think you’re deceiving everyone. The young lady in everyone’s heart isn’t nearly this perfect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun-like princess in the mirror made several silly faces, then said to Guinevere beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense. I say you’re good, you’re good—you’re my little sun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guinevere insisted firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine. You’re the Queen—you say it’s so. Who dares oppose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The otaku witch chose to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing Dorothy’s makeup, Guinevere snapped her fingers casually, transforming back from the head maid into the dignified, majestic, empress-like Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re just like that? So casually?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy blinked, asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m an old woman now—why complicate things? Besides, tonight you’re the star. Come on, my little sun—it’s time to let the world know you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guinevere smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They really don’t need to know me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The socially anxious otaku witch muttered, but knew resistance was futile—she let the Queen take her hand and led her out of the dressing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to the banquet hall, she reunited with her sisters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, her sisters had also been made to change clothes—but overall, their styles hadn’t changed much from the morning; none of them had turned from otaku to sun like her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sisters were all amazed by her new look, especially Alice—the little witch rubbed her eyes, looking like, “Who are you? My sister isn’t this cheerful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, this outfit really suits you, Young Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sophie Lyra, however, studied Dorothy’s new appearance carefully, then—rarely—smiled and said so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then your taste must be terrible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy rolled her eyes, assuming the maid was being sarcastic—after all, this woman had always been sharp-tongued toward her, constantly complaining daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m being sincere this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pure White Witch smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She meant it—because for her, the sun that illuminated her life stood right before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing that from the maid, the otaku witch suddenly felt shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sophie Lyra, be normal—I prefer you when you’re always annoyed by me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blushing, she turned her head away, refusing to engage with this woman who could be either stubbornly aloof or startlingly blunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph, you made my birthday so complicated, putting me on display like this—I haven’t settled the score yet. Just wait—I’ll make you regret it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The otaku witch thought to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group arrived at the entrance to the banquet hall, where Nidhogg, tall and imposing, still dressed as a knight, seemed to have been waiting for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome back, my little sun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously, you guys are too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really wanted to say that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But remembering this was the Dragon King—the true Witch King—she cowered, nodding meekly instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m back, Your Majesty the Dragon King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She followed Nidhogg’s lead in answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The perfect Witch King paused, a strange light flickering in her eyes—slight disappointment, then quickly replaced by a radiant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can just call me Nidhogg.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she dare? To call the Witch King by name was grave disrespect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as she looked up into the eyes of this towering Witch King, filled with hopeful expectation, she suddenly sensed something familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those golden dragon eyes were too clear—just like the gluttonous dragon from her memories, always chasing after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were no longer the same being, they were still reincarnations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The otaku witch felt a complex mix of emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’m back, Nidhogg.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought for a moment, then spoke as such.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, since we haven’t entered the banquet hall yet and there’s no one around, a little boldness is fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the House Witch finally change her address, the Knight Witch froze, then smiled even brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she truly wished to hear another name, this would do for now; once everything was ready, everyone could return to how things were before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, let’s go in together. Today, you’ll be the most radiant person in the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nidhogg extended his hand to the House Witch with perfect gentlemanly grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The House Witch really didn’t want to hold hands—this role felt oddly off to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially with the Dragon King dressed as a knight and her dressed as a princess—couldn’t we switch roles?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought this in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt she’d be more suited playing the role of the King’s Front Knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, she dared only think these thoughts inside her head; in the end, she reached out and placed her hand in the Dragon King’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the great doors of the banquet hall slowly opened, and everyone stepped inside the grand scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering, Dorothy instinctively tightened her grip on Nidhogg’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no help for it—she was nervous. She felt countless eyes fixed upon her, and in that moment, she fully understood why Audrey suffered from social anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To remain calm under so many stares truly required extraordinary mental strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, she wasn’t truly timid; she feared attention only because it was troublesome, not because she was afraid. After a brief adjustment, she grew accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, just pretend all these people are potatoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at a time like this, all you need to do is keep smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy smiled, and switched into her service mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, there were no awkward speeches or thank-you rituals at this banquet—she only needed to be a smiling machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she secretly glanced around at the banquet hall’s guests, and then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, how many big shots are among these potatoes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she looked, the worse her social anxiety became—how could anyone remain calm upon realizing there were over a dozen Sages right before her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sage Council had only thirteen Sages total, yet her birthday banquet had more Sages than the Council itself—this was truly overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy regarded the Sages with reverence, noticing they all dressed similarly to the Dragon King—in full knightly armor, differing only in the details of their battle robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the House Witch also spotted an acquaintance: Lord Arthur, clad in blue-and-white knightly armor, now gazing at her with gentle warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, these must be the legendary Round Table Knights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy speculated in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they entered, the guests, led by the Round Table Knight Sages at the front, prepared to rise and offer their blessings—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong. Dong. Dong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, bells rang from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Dragon Palace’s welcoming bell, rung only when a guest of great status arrived, as a mark of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those atop the Peak could ring it—usually six strikes for nobles, nine for Sages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong. Dong. Dong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bell rang without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy hell, is the bell broken—or has some colossal figure arrived?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone thought this in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the outer door, opposite the inner gate through which Dorothy and the others had entered, burst open—and the special guest stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guest entered.\u003C\u002Fp>",2037,"2026-06-21T03:49:48.467Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9b4077951f0b9419b173f987f7f6b3304bd50cf45f047e49d128788101fba342","armed-witch-chapter-952","armed-witch-chapter-950",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Farmed-witch-cover.jpg"]