[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-armed-witch":3,"chapter-armed-witch-armed-witch-chapter-995":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},2354535,4604,"Chapter 995: Ah! Me?","armed-witch-chapter-995",995,"\u003Cp>In the following days, Dorothy unexpectedly found herself with some free time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the celebration for her birthday had not yet fully ended and it was still a mini-holiday, the pace of the Dragon Kingdom had gradually returned to normal, the earlier frenzy now faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duel Tournament was still ongoing normally, but Dorothy no longer went to watch; although the Unlimited Division matches were truly the most spectacular, with the masters’ battles shaking mountains and reversing stars, the scenes were immense—but the gap was too great, so the Zhaimonv  barely understood much of it, many of the masters’ techniques were only half-known to her, leaving her merely to admire the visual effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After casually watching a few matches of the Peak or Sage level to broaden her horizons, she stopped watching altogether; aiming too high was better replaced by grounding herself and returning to study more books to improve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, what puzzled her was that over these days, Long Wang seemed to have grown busy again; apart from appearing punctually at the dining table for her three daily meals—prepared jointly by her and General Galahad—she was nowhere to be seen otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left the Zhaimonv , who had originally planned to carefully observe whether Long Wang was truly Eemora, feeling confused; after all, no matter how she looked at it, this Long Wang seemed merely greedy for her cooking, with no particular interest in her personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So was that cliff-jumping encounter truly just a coincidence, not an arrangement? Did I imagine too much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy began to doubt herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she could no longer directly observe Long Wang, she had taken time these days to casually chat with Galahad in the Imperial Kitchen, or Guinevere, who still occasionally cosplayed as the Head Maid, or the often-bickering Arthur and Lancelot, and other big shots, subtly probing about Long Wang, hoping to find some commonalities between Nidhogg and Eemora from these longtime associates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But sadly, after careful verification, she learned nothing; indeed, Nidhogg still appeared the perfect Witch King, and Eemora—the lazy, cowardly, timid fellow—could not be said to share even the slightest resemblance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh, she had clearly overthought it; perhaps she’d developed some PTSD from her good sister and that Artie fellow, becoming so self-obsessed as to think everyone had feelings for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Dorothy still hadn’t fully let go of her suspicions—she still felt something was off—without any evidence, she eventually lowered her guard slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, since Long Wang had stopped arranging things for her, the now-free Dorothy began actively preparing for her upcoming journey to the Mechanical Wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This expedition into the Nine-Star Golden Pact world was a massive joint operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Ma had already arranged the Longqi Army from Ye Meng’s household, Sophieelia’s Apocalypse Battle Group had prepared long ago, and Dorothy’s own domains—the Eastern Isles and the Moon Rabbit World—had already sent word that they were ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Mia had been busy these past two days; having reclaimed her P5 Xu Kequan, she had just made another all-in bet, converting all the hard-earned resources she’d accumulated into war materials—everything from mana reserves, alchemical equipment, to magical potion supplies, all fully stocked, sufficient to secure their early foothold in the Mechanical Wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Dorothy secured Sterle, and Miss Mia “accidentally” leaked a bit of information about the Golden Princess, the Golden Realm’s attitude had suddenly become courteous; previously, many had tried to obstruct Miss Mia, but now everyone had grown friendly and enthusiastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Silver Princess Melanthe’s earlier remark about wanting to be friends with Dorothy had clearly not been a joke—she was utterly serious, spending this time inventing ways to offer friendship fees to the Zhaimonv ; as a weapons merchant, her friendship fees mostly consisted of war supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the logistical support for this operation had been maximized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Aphrodite had also sent word that she would dispatch a specialized auxiliary battle group; its members were seasoned spies and operatives carefully selected by the two ladies, whose direct combat strength might not be formidable, but who were experts in infiltration, intelligence network construction, and intercepting enemy communications—exactly the specialized talent Dorothy’s side lacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Altogether, Dorothy realized she had unintentionally assembled an impressive force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at this setup: command, logistics, scattered guerrillas, regular core units, elite strike teams, and even intelligence operatives—all present; this was a perfect hexagonal configuration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh, we’ve never fought such a well-funded war before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even this was still not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the battlefield they were about to enter was a level-nine difficulty, a top-tier world barely one step away from becoming a new calamity; caution was essential, and no amount of preparation could be excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The above arrangements were merely the direct forces of the Witch House, suitable for the vanguard and the initial, most difficult colonization mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they successfully established a foothold, however, they would still require a second-wave follow-up support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the difficulty of the Mechanical Wasteland was undeniable; unless they summoned dozens of Sages to charge head-on and crush it with sheer power, this would inevitably become a prolonged war, impossible to conclude quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, she had learned from her good sister that other worlds had also set their sights on the Mechanical Wasteland; they might have to compete with other races, possibly culminating in a hundred-race free-for-all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, Dorothy had prepared herself to spend decades—even a century—in the Mechanical Wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, she had to consider future support in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But finding such a support list was not easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she could simply release the fact that she held a Nine-Star Golden Pact, and support would come unbidden—numerous high-tier battle groups or elite noble houses would cry out, “I’ll aid you!” and sweep in resources in queues, offering money, personnel, anything she needed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since the Hunting Trip had clarified her inner self, and she realized she was undertaking a unique “conquest war,” she could no longer casually accept support that demanded repayment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fulfill her goal of winning hearts through virtue, she needed absolute command over this conquest war, without others meddling in her decisions; yet this meant few would be willing to invest in her anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, taking advantage of her free time, Dorothy began reviewing her personal connections, searching for potential angel investors who would fund without interfering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she did so, the Zhaimonv  was stunned to discover that her previously reclusive self had, without realizing it, accumulated quite a few friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, perhaps not just “quite a few,” but rather too many—and many of them were of considerable stature, each with deep backgrounds and considerable influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind anything else—even among the interns at Stellar Industries, who knew how many princesses and noble ladies were hiding?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she hadn’t spent long at school and wasn’t particularly close to those interns; even though many now worshipped her as a deity, Dorothy still found it hard to ask them for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she’d barely paid her employees a few salaries—how could she now demand they bring their family resources to help the company complete its mission? That would be like asking them to bring their own lunch and pay to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, Dorothy pulled out her Judgment Warrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, let’s see if any colleagues want to take on some side jobs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although most organizations discouraged employees from taking side jobs, the Judgment Court was unexpectedly not among them; in fact, it encouraged staff to maintain lives outside work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this helped keep the judges’ identities more concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most judges kept their identities secret; few were as conspicuous as Dorothy, though she hadn’t intentionally been so—she simply couldn’t hide it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed her Judgment Warrant against the door, then opened it; instead of the familiar corridor of Long Wang’s Palace, a vast, solemn hall appeared before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Judgment Court had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy stepped forward, and as she moved, her dignified Grand Judge’s battle robe naturally materialized over her, while the wide witch hat above her head sank down, transforming into a grinning jester’s mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Judge Jester, making a long-awaited return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as the Zhaimonv  entered the Judgment Court and prepared to contact several acquaintances via her Judgment Warrant, she felt as though everyone she passed was staring at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… sis, did you mess up your mask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy reached up and touched the mask on her face, then asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dorothy, how little you think of me—how could I possibly make such a simple mistake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister Vanni, annoyed, tightened her tentacles around the Zhaimonv ’s head in protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why is everyone staring at me? This never happened before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got to have some self-awareness, okay? You’re a big celebrity now—of course people are staring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mask-sister replied, again annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the Zhaimonv  shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My identity was already exposed before—yet people never paid me this much attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jester’s mask as the young lady’s alias had long been blown, and recently in the Dragon Kingdom, she hadn’t done anything major—just opened a shipyard and had Long Wang personally throw her a birthday party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that did sound outrageous, but while other organizations might grant seven-day holidays for her birthday banquet, the Judgment Court had no holidays—surely they weren’t staring because they couldn’t take time off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, perhaps it’s because of the Netherworld Faction; although no one knows you’re actually the Grand Judge of the Netherworld, Black Warden, on the surface, you’re currently the only Grand Judge Jester in the Netherworld Faction, so everyone probably wants to ask you about the new faction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister Vanni offered a rational analysis, then said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That does seem likely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recalled that after she had raided the thirteen vampire clans, she had not yet returned to the Judgment Court to submit her mission report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, this was a serious dereliction of duty; a strict superior might even charge her with negligence—but she herself was the head of the Netherworld Faction; Black Warden was her, Grand Judge Jester was her—could she possibly convict herself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, who says I didn’t report? I reported it mentally—go ask Black Warden if you don’t believe me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhaimonv  reasoned to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, mentioning the Netherworld Faction, she suddenly had an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk, she’d just been wondering how to get colleagues to take on side jobs—but now she remembered she was the top boss; what difference was there between public and private work? Black Warden’s matters were the Netherworld Faction’s most urgent mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cough cough, well, it wasn’t entirely self-serving—there truly were official duties involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy touched the mask on her face again, her mind now made up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, she quickly sent out a group message, then rose and headed toward the office area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, she wasn’t going to the small world office previously assigned to Grand Judge Jester—she was heading to a much larger base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Netherworld Faction’s base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the official document had been issued, the Netherworld Faction’s status as the fourth faction of the Judgment Court was legitimate, so its benefits and facilities naturally weren’t lacking; its office district had long been built—but Dorothy had never come to take charge; now that she finally had time, she naturally needed to visit, just to check in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I didn’t expect the Netherworld Faction’s territory to be right next to the Interrogation Department.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy followed the signs to her future office, then couldn’t help remarking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, now this is perfect—after interrogation here, we directly transfer to the Netherworld; one-stop service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she mentally mocked this, she presented her Judgment Warrant to the door’s access system and swiped to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome, Great Black Warden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy had swiped her Black Warden ID card—only this could activate the highest permissions for this base; as soon as she entered, the base’s intelligent spirit respectfully greeted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhaimonv  glanced at the intelligent spirit and realized it was merely a low-grade artificial idiot, lacking true consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she supposed this was normal; no one would use an external management system for a faction base—they’d always bring their own—and a low-grade spirit was sufficient as a temporary interface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, Zero, take over the system.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy didn’t bother with politeness; she pulled out her spellbook and instructed the hologram emerging from its cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mechanical maid Zero replied respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At work, use your title—call me Grand Judge from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhaimonv  said sternly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, although the Jester alias was exposed, the Black Warden alias remained secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hehe, didn’t see that coming—I’m a thousand-layered pancake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Black Warden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh, this mechanical familiar must surf the magic net too much—she’s become surprisingly human, even capable of smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy mused to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after careful thought, she decided to carefully protect the few masks she still had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, entering the massive office of the Great Judge of Black Death, she stared at the brand-new uniform set in the cabinet, then reached up and removed her mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, quickly put on the uniform—the organization has decided you’ll be the one to play Black Death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, she realized that appearing in person made her masks easy to drop, so this time she decided to stay behind the scenes—she’d remain the clown, and let Senior take the Black Death mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Sister Fan was already designated as the King of the Underworld, and the Netherworld faction was officially under her name; it made no sense for the top leader to play the second-in-command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebellious witch, taken aback by being overthrown from below, blinked in confusion and extended a tentacle to point at herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Witch’s Rebellion from Below\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2282,"2026-06-21T03:49:48.467Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b8fd6a49f4fec193ec220e29a858b6e471a9f20dcea970f156cf2a1929c9c2e5","armed-witch-chapter-996","armed-witch-chapter-994",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Farmed-witch-cover.jpg"]