Chapter 4080: Stories of the Past

Hearing Princess Lei Lei Qianya's words, Vige's face suddenly flushed red, not knowing what she had thought of, and Angelina beside Lei Lei Qianya had the same reaction; it seemed Angelina was indeed suited to study under Vige.

Vige then invited Yi Lu Na and Princess Lei Lei Qianya to stay for lunch, and the young ladies all agreed, each going to their rooms to change clothes in preparation. Then, when Xia De shared with Vige in the study the intelligence he had obtained from the bloodsuckers, the witch glanced at the study door, then lowered her voice and asked Xia De:

"Just now, when we were preparing the ritual in the underground palace, I heard that Miss Beyas say that Lei Lei Qianya Cavendish is also a Chosen One?"

"Yes... didn't Miss Jia Lin Na mention it last night?"

Xia De was somewhat surprised; he had thought Miss Jia Lin Na had already told Vige everything last night.

"Last night we kept chatting about the stories of you and her. She repeatedly told the story of how she once tested you, making you search for some Holy Grail, inexhaustible wine, and the like."

Vige said somewhat discontentedly. Xia De thought of those past stories and couldn't help but smile as well:

"That really is Miss Jia Lin Na's style. Yes, Lei Lei Qianya is indeed one, but she's only a quarter-Chosen One. Their situation is rather special; I'll explain it to you later."

Vige then asked in surprise:

"Then in that case, isn't the Cavendish family bloodline somewhat too excellent? Miss Jia Lin Na is a Great Witch, Lei Lei Qianya is a Chosen One, Angelina is an apprentice candidate—within three generations, this family has produced three such special individuals. Is that really normal?"

Actually, it's five; the Twin Princes' candidate status is also quite miraculous, but Xia De wouldn't mention them again:

"You're not the only one to raise this question. Perhaps it falls into the category of low-probability events. The world is about to reach its end, and this era will always produce some very miraculous things. I even knew a person who grew in reverse before."

Since there was time now, Xia De informed Vige of all the current Chosen Ones' information. Miss Jia Lin Na had only told Vige about the female Chosen Ones. The Chosen One of Darkness, Ivan Dac Dac Nisi, was dead, and the Chosen One of Knowledge and Wisdom had not yet been chosen, so the surviving Chosen Ones numbered seven.

Vige listened carefully as Xia De described the identities of the seven, then summarized the pattern:

"All seven of them are connected to you. Even the Chosen One of Light, with whom you have the shallowest connection, is your good friend."

"You could say that."

Vige then said softly:

"If Mother's soul awakens and can take the initiative to come find me... that would be wonderful... In that case, this Chosen One would also be connected to you. Even if Mother isn't suitable, that sister of mine would be fine."

"Don't think too much about it. There's still a hope on Dannist's side, but things aren't clear yet... Last night you and Miss Jia Lin Na discussed until two in the morning. Were you really only talking about the past?"

Vige glanced at him and guessed what he meant:

"Of course not. Miss Jia Lin Na also warned me not to take advantage of you when we're alone. Although she didn't explicitly say she didn't want you to sleep with me, I could tell—she's jealous of me."

The "she" by his ear laughed softly, but Xia De shook his head:

"I'm not talking about that. I mean the matter of the Blessing of Chaos. Including you, there are currently ten witches in the Parliament who support me, and now that the 'Mermaid' has appeared, you've even seen it yourself and know how terrifying it is. I need that Blessing now."

Vige nodded with some lingering fear, taking the opportunity to let Xia De hold her:

"Thinking about it now, I'm still a little scared. It's not the kind of terrifying and eerie existence; it's that feeling of looking at it once and instinctively wanting to slide toward the deepest darkness in your heart. I've never encountered that before. Even the most ascetic person would probably find it hard to maintain self-control when facing such an existence."

"Next time I'll go see it myself. At least until our cooperation breaks down, it won't come trouble you."

Vige didn't say anything like "I want to accompany you"; she already fully understood the horror of an Unknowable-grade relic:

"I'll be able to activate the Blessing again very soon—at most another week. When the time comes, I'll call everyone together. Even without the President, ten Great Witches should be enough to give you the ability to resist it."

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes fixed on Xia De:

"Besides, you seem to be able to resist part of its power on your own. I was in such a state, yet you could still hold back..."

It was unclear whether this was praising Xia De or complaining, but since the topic had come up, Xia De said again:

"The desires your mother has implanted deep in your heart, although not fatal, should still be dealt with if there's a chance to eradicate them."

Vige's face flushed red, and she buried her face in Xia De's embrace:

"I understand, but this involves influence on the essence of the soul. I don't have the ability to interfere for now. I'll ask the President's opinion at the next meeting. Flora, as the Great Witch of Death, should be able to help; she's very knowledgeable about soul techniques. However, I want to make one thing clear: what I want with you... is absolutely not just about reproduction. I truly like you."

She expressed her feelings so directly, and Xia De nodded gently:

"I understand, I understand everything. I'm not deliberately trying to push you away; I just don't want to... while you're not fully conscious. Understand?"

"Of course I understand. Yes, I understand everything! That day really wasn't appropriate, but there will be an appropriate opportunity."

The witch's lips curved into a smile. She raised her head to look at Xia De's face, then embraced and kissed him.

But soon they heard Princess Lei Lei Qianya and Angelina returning to the study. Vige smiled and pushed Xia De away, yet Lei Lei Qianya, upon entering, still noticed something was amiss.

But she wasn't Miss Jia Lin Na. No matter how rapidly Xia De and the witch's relationship progressed, it wouldn't affect her. On the contrary, Lei Lei Qianya was actually quite curious about what reaction her great-aunt would have on the day Vige Astley truly became "family."

Vige was very generous, gifting Princess Lei Lei Qianya and Yi Lu Na many perfumes before lunch. During the subsequent lunch, everyone also had a pleasant conversation. Vige invited Yi Lu Na and Princess Lei Lei Qianya to visit often and praised Lei Lei Qianya for having great Princess bearing.

After lunch, Xia De escorted Princess Lei Lei Qianya and Yi Lu Na back to the Blue Ink Library.

When Xia De returned to Vige's residence, Vige was talking with Angelina. Although Angelina had arrived yesterday, Vige clearly hadn't been in the mood to pay Angelina much attention at the time. Now that the matter between Xia De and the witch had temporarily settled, Vige finally had time to speak with Angelina alone.

Angelina's attitude was very proper, and Vige was also very satisfied with her. When Xia De returned, their conversation had already reached its end. Seeing Xia De appear at the study door, Vige beckoned him in, then said to Angelina:

"You know him better than I do. I won't say more. In short, if I'm not in this house, Xia De will temporarily manage all affairs here."

Angelina nodded, feeling that the current situation didn't seem much different from when she was in Tobesk. In fact, without the various constraints of the Yodel Palace, she felt much freer after leaving home.

Angelina's Carsonric was very good, and she could communicate normally with everyone in the house. Although she came from a prominent background and would very likely become a formal apprentice in the future, she was very affable with everyone in the house, and showed even more respect to Miss McDonald, whose current status was somewhat awkward, so Xia De wasn't worried she wouldn't adapt here.

Vige gave Angelina a few more instructions, then assigned her some simple reading tasks and let her leave the study.

Thus the study returned to a state with only Xia De and Vige. After Xia De sat down, the witch said with some grievance:

"Now that they've all left, I can say this. Although you once said the truth would surprise me, having truly learned the truth, I still want to exclaim at your boldness.

Especially Miss Jia Lin Na, that lucky fellow... But Miss Jia Lin Na did say one thing right: although I met you later, it also means I don't have to bear as much pressure. Now we are the majority."

Her stance shifted very quickly; she had now fully accepted the situation. The conversation Miss Jia Lin Na had with her during her overnight stay last night had ultimately played a role.

"From meeting Miss Jia Lin Na two years ago, step by step to where we are now, I'm also very surprised to have reached this point. In short, I admit I'm a greedy person."

Xia De said, and Vige laughed:

"I'm the latecomer. If you weren't greedy, I'd actually be unhappy. Besides, in our relationship, I'm the more proactive one. But now that I know everything, don't think I'm so angry with Miss Jia Lin Na—in fact, I'm quite satisfied with the current situation. The Summoner... what more could I possibly be dissatisfied with?

Life goes on. Although the surprise Miss Jia Lin Na and the others brought this time was a bit too great, at least the pleasant part was as great as the surprising part. I'm still very satisfied with the outcome."

"Really not a single thing you're dissatisfied with?"

Xia De asked. Vige pouted slightly, glanced at Miss Lorin, and the head maid immediately left the room.

"If we're talking about that, there is indeed one more thing... Who are all the young ladies you have intimate relations with? I already learned about the witches last night. I want to know about the ordinary young ladies—after all, we'll be family in the future."

She did indeed have the right to know these things.

"Luvia, Dorothy, Princess Lei Lei Qianya, Dannister—I mentioned them yesterday as well. Miss Jia Lin Na must have introduced Luvia's situation to you in detail. Princess Lei Lei Qianya just left. Dorothy is the author of 'The Hamilton Detective Story Collection.' She, along with me and Luvia, belongs to the correspondence-study group of St. Byron's, and like me, she is also a Ten-Ring."

Viego nodded:

"I'm very curious about the female writer who wrote such interesting prose, and I look forward to meeting her in the future."

"There should be an opportunity soon. As for Dannister, it's a bit embarrassing to bring up, but actually she taught me a great deal of knowledge related to the moon; most of my Red Moon power comes from her."

"At first I actually suspected that the witch you knew was the Great Witch of the Moon—I never expected the answer to turn out to be the 'Red Moon Witch.'"

"Besides them, there's also Margaret—yes, the very Margaret you know."

Xia De added that neither he nor Miss Jia Lin Na had mentioned Margaret before. Upon hearing this, Viego laughed and teased:

"You've gathered the princesses of both the northern and southern kingdoms—what kind of special quirk does this count as?"