Chapter 4069

Clang!

The teacup on the tray held by Miss Lorin, who had just pushed the door open to enter, fell to the floor. Lightning continued to strike above Arcadia City, making the figure of Adele Isabella, now being watched by the great witches, appear more imposing than ever before.

The thunder suppressed the sound of speech, so for a moment, no one spoke. Only the stunned Miss Lorin and the maids were scrambling to clean up the tea set that had just fallen.

Adele observed everyone's expression with a solemn face. The witches were intimidated by her expression, all panicking as they wondered when this person had arrived. Everyone's thoughts were as complex as a vortex in the abyss at this moment, and even Agelina, who was not in the room, looked up toward the floor above due to those complex and chaotic emotions.

And after that burst of thunder completely faded, the solemn expression on Adele's face vanished, replaced by a look of confusion:

"Why are your expressions so strange? Why are you so surprised to see me appear here?"

Vanessa, who had just been thinking about whether she and Xi Wei combined could subdue Adele, hurriedly said:

"Your Excellency, Speaker, we just didn't expect you to appear here."

The others then spoke up as well, realizing it belatedly. Adele stepped into the study and looked at the nine witches present:

"I'm the one who finds it strange; why have you all come? I remember Galina's grandniece was supposed to come to Viga's place today, so I thought I'd come over to check on the situation."

Galina then pursed her lips and asked very cautiously:

"Your Excellency, Speaker, did you just arrive?"

"Of course not, I arrived over an hour ago."

Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.

"But when I first approached Gray Rock Pass, I sensed something was wrong. The deployment of the Mystical Lock forced me to take a detour, but afterwards, I encountered that group from the 【Saint Child Alliance】."

Adele let out a "humph." Everyone could hear the dissatisfaction in it; as for who exactly she was dissatisfied with, only Adele herself knew.

"This time I finally found the local stronghold of that group from the 【Saint Child Alliance】. I don't know who killed the Madonna of the Infants, but when I broke into their stronghold, the Madonna had just been resurrected and was no match for me at all. However, that terrifying thing they created..."

Adele's face darkened:

"Viga calls that thing an 'Abomination.' I saw its true form, but I cannot be certain what it actually is. During the fight just now, I felt as if I were fighting that thing through a veil.

It seems to have not yet been fully born and does not exist in this world at all, yet it can interfere with the material world."

"So, *ahem*, you defeated it, is that right?"

Viga asked. Adele shook her head noncommittally:

"It is as if it doesn't exist at all; how could I defeat something that doesn't exist? But at least I figured out why the 【Saint Child Alliance】 loses high-ranking sorcerers every time, yet never feels any heartache.

Most of the people in this organization are not living beings; I saw a lot of ashes. These people lodge their souls in the ashes, obtain bodies through the power drawn from the 'Abomination' by the 'Madonna of the Infants,' and return to the 'Abomination' after death.

The connection between the Madonna and the 'Abomination' is even more bizarre. Even I cannot be certain that what I saw is the whole truth. The Abomination is not just a container; it is also the mother, and the infant... I need to go back and look up information before I can provide an accurate judgment."

"So, you have been dealing with them this whole time? And only just entered the city?"

Flora also asked cautiously. Adele nodded:

"Yes, the 【Saint Child Alliance】 was heavily damaged by me, and this stronghold has been completely eradicated. The 'Abomination' has vanished without a trace. Although it's hard to say when it might appear again with the 'Madonna of the Infants,' they will certainly be more cautious when they show themselves next time after this lesson.

I found some materials in that stronghold; let's look at them together at the next meeting. Our enemy this time is very likely something that has never appeared before."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Viga again:

"My experience is told. Now, let us return to the initial question—Viga, tell me, why are they all here at your place?"

Viga actually wanted to say, "This question should be asked of them, not me," but she didn't dare say it. She stammered for a while, but Galina, who was beside her, spoke up:

"Your Excellency, Speaker, it was I who called everyone here. Viga has been facing an increasingly worsening situation lately, so I thought that while Agelina was coming to Viga's to study, I would call everyone to see if Viga needed any help.

It just so happened that we encountered the events outside the city this afternoon; first the pseudo-people fought with Hermons and the Madonna of the Infants, and then the Summoner entered the fray and defeated them. The scene was truly grand."

Adele looked at her expressionlessly:

"You called everyone here? Since when can everyone in the Council be called together by you directly without my summons?"

Galina's heart sank. She realized what a severe accusation this was. The others also held their breath; the youngest, Sylvia, even hoped that Xia De would return right now to save the situation.

Adele's eyes were fixed on Galina. The usually tough Duchess pursed her lips and lowered her head; she really didn't know how to answer such an accusation.

But at this moment, Viga spoke up:

"Your Excellency, Speaker, it was after consulting with Galina that I called everyone here."

She coughed softly twice, looking even more frail than usual:

"Flora, Megan, and Bella all helped me some time ago. Vanessa happened to be in Moon Bay with Bella, and Sylvia and Flora were both in Willandale, so they came together.

Claire didn't have anything to do recently, so I invited her too. Only Xi Wei was invited by Galina alone; Galina has been on very good terms with her lately."

Just now Galina had helped her out of a tight spot, and now Viga was also making excuses for Galina.

Adele didn't speak, her eyes scanning the two of them. After a long while, she nodded:

"That sounds reasonable, but afterwards, each of you must submit a report explaining the reason why you 'happened' to gather here. I want to hear each of your explanations... You few, you have nothing to hide from me, right?"

"No, no."

The nine people answered in unison, and Galina added:

"Viga was injured just now, so we all entered the Council to heal her, and we have only just returned from the Council."

Adele glanced at her again and nodded nonchalantly:

"You intend to stay for the night, is that right?"

The witches looked at each other:

"The great battle this afternoon has just ended, and we are not at ease leaving Viga here alone. Although we won't be staying the night, we won't be leaving immediately either."

As the host, Viga had to state her position:

"Your Excellency, Speaker, please have dinner with us as well. It just so happens we can tell you about what happened this afternoon."

If Adele said she wanted to leave now, it would become very strange. Moreover, since she had appeared on her own initiative, it was because she didn't want these witches to have dinner with Xia De so smoothly:

"Very well, then I shall intrude. Including myself, there are 10 people here. The last time so many people gathered in one place in the Council was many years ago, I believe."

She sighed with such emotion. Galina, Xi Wei, and Viga moved aside to let her sit in the center of the long sofa. As Adele sat down, Galina and Viga exchanged a glance, and surprisingly, they felt a strange sense of shared camaraderie against a common enemy.

Precisely because of Adele's arrival, Luvia and Dorothy, who had just seen Xia De off at home, soon heard Xia De's footsteps appearing downstairs again.

Xia De had just invited them to go to Viga's place together, which would have counted as a formal meeting with Viga, but Luvia and Dorothy both said it was a gathering of witches and that they could find another opportunity to get to know Viga Astley individually next time.

So, after Xia De sent Ellie back to Saint Byrons, he set off alone. Even Winnie did not go back with him; Winnie went to the Radiant Messenger, intending to wait with Miss Ilithyia for the witches' meeting to end.

She took the initiative to hold Viggo's hand. As a Dragon-born, she could endure some of Viggo's constitution:

The two, who had just been discussing what dinner to prepare for Little Mia, went to the stairs to welcome Xia De again. Xia De shook his head:

"The Speaker of the Witches' Council went to Viga's mansion. It's not convenient for me to show my face, so I came back."

Dorothy laughed:

"It's a good thing Luvia and I didn't leave immediately. Well then, come and taste my cooking tonight. My skills are no worse than Winnie's."

Before Winnie appeared in the household, Dorothy had always been the girl who could cook best besides Tifa.

Luvia was well aware that Adele Isabella had long ago established a strange relationship with Xia De, so she didn't ask any more questions about that witch:

"Then you can go check on the situation a bit later; it gives the witches time to communicate with each other. Tell us in detail about what happened this afternoon later; no one could have predicted this sudden situation."

Speaking of which, how was the taste of that witch who is said to be the most beautiful? We asked you just now, but you wouldn't answer."

"I didn't do anything with her; it really was just... a slight contact."

"Yes, so how was the taste?"

"Oh, Luvia~"

"Meow~"

Little Mia stood on the dining table, very happy to be able to have dinner at home with Xia De.

Many things happened in the afternoon, the easiest of which to solve was the last one: the appearance of "Desire." In the past, Xia De tried his best to avoid the girls at home getting involved with that mermaid, but now that everyone had stepped into the Tenth Tier, he was also willing to share the problems he encountered.

Xia De had just explained the conditions the other party proposed to Luvia and Dorothy. Dorothy was still hesitating, but Luvia gave Xia De a very clear piece of advice:

"My thought is, you can agree to it."