Chapter 1642: Chapter 1205: Witch and Empress
In the Imperial Palace of Yisu, all the guests had already been sent away, and even the attendants controlled by the Gospel were only allowed to stay in the front hall. The thirteenth witch, Hapi, wanted to report to the chief but was not allowed; only Chief Hanna, Deputy Qinna, and Seventh Seat Nona remained in the palace. Everyone suspected that the chief and deputy were involved in a distribution of benefits, and the Gospel would be divided anew by the two Legendary Mages. Members of the council urgently contacted family consortiums, countless signals carrying conspiracies shuttled in the night sky, it was destined to be a memorable sleepless night for many.
However, the reality was somewhat different from what they imagined. The Chief Witch was indeed doing something very important, and even more important than they imagined—she was tucking in the young empress.
Hanna looked at Diya sleeping quietly on the bed, the little empress with delicately sculpted features did not like lying on her back, curling up on her side like a little koala hugging a tree. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, it was unclear what she dreamed of, but it should not be a nightmare, Hanna had never seen anyone drool like a waterfall during a nightmare.
The witch sat by the bedside, reaching out to gently stroke the empress’s hair.
Upon closer thought, their relationship was indeed quite strange. At first, Hanna felt nothing for Lissdia; she wasn’t like Ash, yearning for family. Though her father died early and her mother was neglectful, she had Banjee taking care of her, and her childhood and youth were joyful. As an adult, she traveled across the Gospel, witnessing joys and sorrows, forming well-rounded and stable views that could not be shaken by Lissdia, a little girl of unknown origin.
Their relationship deepened when Ash was teleported to Senluo. Banjee had turned into a child due to the Miracle’s price, leaving only her and Diya from the old Funeral Service Office. She didn’t know what to do for a moment, nor did Diya know how to govern the country. They were like two little puppies left to care for the house. Before leaving, Ash entrusted her with caring for Lissdia, turning Hanna, who had been a daughter for twenty years, into the guardian of the country, the empress, and her own housekeeper.
For what reason do I like this mischievous Her Majesty?
Is it because she fully supports my reforms?
Or because she acts coquettishly to make amends after angering me?
Or perhaps because she is so attached to me every night as she sleeps?
Hanna leaned down to kiss Diya’s forehead, and Diya let out an adorable whimper, cute enough to melt Hanna’s girlish heart. The reasons were no longer important, some people unknowingly enter your heart, like Ash, like Diya; the crucial thing is that her life gained another bright color.
After confirming the room’s temperature and humidity to be Diya’s most comfortable setting, Hanna adjusted the light to a dim and soft level, gently closed the bedroom door behind her. She walked into the front hall, seeing Ash chatting with Qinna.
Having not seen each other for over half a year, although Ash looked unchanged physically, there was a change brought by either strength or experience. He shed the youthful innocence, like a piece of jade washed free of dust, radiating flawless brilliance. Dressed in palace attendant clothes, arms crossed against the wall, he stood beside the tall Elf Clan Leader without losing any presence, exuding an aura of authority and power from within to outside.
Qinna noticed Hanna’s gaze, her eyebrows curved, exuding a bit of charm in her expression. She suddenly leaned close to Ash’s ear and whispered something before gracefully leaving under Hanna’s murderous gaze.
Until the elf mother disappeared into the corridor, Hanna walked over, grunted, and asked, "She didn’t say anything untoward to you, did she?"
Ash seemed to only now return to his senses, blinked and asked back, "What do you think she would say?"
"Some very inappropriate suggestions." The Gospel’s Chief Witch fidgeted slightly, "For example, help me ascend to Demigod, or help her step into the Divine Domain, or... serve you together with me."
Even Hanna’s face flushed to the point of dripping blood despite trying to maintain composure when saying the last sentence. She didn’t know why she said it, making it seem like she was teasing Ash. Whenever she saw Qinna, she returned to being a flustered little girl... or maybe upon seeing the man before her she couldn’t resist being the bold and reckless young lady.
Ash chuckled, pulled her hand to sit on the sofa, and said, "Lady Qinna suggested either scalding you with hot water, or freezing you with cold water."
"What?"
"Basically, not to wear you down with lukewarm water." Ash said, "She hopes I can be decisive with her daughter, either move towards you or reject you."
Hanna was taken aback, a warm yet bittersweet emotion spread through her heart. She looked away to stare at the carpet’s pattern, softly saying, "She now still plays the motherly role... you don’t need to bother with her."
Ash could naturally see Hanna’s inner turmoil. The fact that Hanna allowed Qinna into the Witch Government Establishment Bureau already showed she wanted to accept her mother, yet the hatred in her heart couldn’t be put down. Such familial grudges were not something Ash had the right to intervene in or wished to.
However, he thought Hanna might be under Qinna’s thumb for a lifetime, because Qinna wasn’t simply good or bad. On trivial matters, she made Hanna grit her teeth in hatred, but on crucial matters, she was always on Hanna’s side, so Hanna both hated and loved her, couldn’t forget her; rationally wanting to distance herself yet couldn’t help but draw near her... Such feelings are often the most unforgettable.
"How is Diya’s condition?"
"Sleeping soundly, her body temperature has returned to normal levels, but it’s unknown when she will wake up."
"That’s good." Ash exhaled deeply, as if releasing a heavy burden, feeling much lighter, "For we are undergoing a very crucial trial; going home might significantly benefit Diya. During this period, she needs to sleep in the palace. But to avoid Dazzling Star’s attention, I need your assistance."
"No problem." Hanna nodded without hesitation, "I have already activated the palace’s defensive barriers, and all attendants can only operate in the front hall. Except for myself, Qinna, and Nona, no one else can enter the rear hall. You can stay here with confidence."
"I’ll keep a close watch on the Permanent Void Gate, but if an Angel disguises their strength and sneaks in, the Gospel System might not detect it."
"That’s already enough. If an Angel descends, I’ll handle it." Ash paused for a moment, "After that time, did you all ascend to Legendary?"
"Yes," Hanna nodded, "We’ve been hunting and fighting in Ruby Mountain recently, and have all gathered uniquely colored Void Wings. We’re now considering adjusting the color proportions of the Void Wings, debating whether to mix colors or maintain a pure color."
"I suggest pure colors. Mixed colored Void Wings at most give you some combat advantage at the Legendary level, but for the Demigod ritual and the magical path afterward, pure colored Void Wings are more beneficial for a Mage." Ash advised, "If you want to change your primary magic focus, the Legendary level is the best time for you to switch paths. Changing magic focus at the Demigod level will forever cost you a pure colored wing..."
Hanna listened intently. Ash is no longer who he used to be. As the most famous Demigod Mage on earth, a chaotic outlaw personally ordered wanted by the Supreme Star across five countries, the advice he offers from his high position is an unimaginably rich trove of knowledge. Legendary figures from the five countries are willing to pay any price to gain even a few of his words on magic cultivation.
"How are they doing?"
"Freyja and Siflin haven’t revealed their Legendary prowess yet, still quietly cultivating in the hospital; Tamasi’s Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes is running quite well, seems she’s about to establish a town... By the way, Tamasi wants to return the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes to you, but she hasn’t been able to construct a Sky Gate connecting to earth, can you—"
"Let her keep it for now." Ash shook his head, "We don’t need a heavenly kingdom right now. Taking it back would hardly mean much, might even be a huge hassle."
Times have changed. For ordinary Mages, a heavenly kingdom is certainly an unimaginable treasure, but for Ash and the others, a ’fixed heavenly kingdom that can’t be moved’ is merely an additional resource point, not an irreplaceable base.
Not to mention that once Ash and the others pass this trial, they’ll elevate the heavenly kingdom. Even if they could elevate it now, they would never step into Heaven.
Heaven contains the Four Divine Lords and the Supreme Star. For them, Heaven is more dangerous than Hell; Ash would be foolish to send himself there. Although I don’t know where in Heaven the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes is hidden, Ash suspects once he steps into Heaven, it would alert four Divine Lords and a Supreme being simultaneously. Hence, he dares not touch the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes after taking it back, better to let Tamasi keep it.
Although the Wish Pool in the World Secret Domain is quite important, without the Eternal Wonder, it can’t transform into effective combat power.
Only when Ash becomes a Divine Lord can the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes and the Wish Pool truly unleash their value in his hands.
After exchanging the most necessary intelligence, Ash and Hanna simultaneously fell into a strange silence. After a while, Hanna covered her face helplessly, her tone complicated, "Why did you actively bring up that time... That’s a forbidden topic among us. Recently, even just mentioning your name made the atmosphere incredibly awkward."
Ash felt both embarrassed and amused, couldn’t help but ask, "So how do you feel?"
Hanna hesitated for a moment, "Pretty comfortable?"
The two looked at each other for a moment. Ash said quietly, "I actually meant if you’ve noticed anything abnormal after ascending to Legendary in this way... However, I think I got my answer."
Hanna pursed her lips tightly, her shoulders trembling with anger. She couldn’t help but punch him. In that moment, catching a glimpse of Ash’s barely concealed smirk, rage burned in her gut. At her Legendary level, she counterattacked against the strongest Demigod, "You knew exactly what you were asking! You did it on purpose!"
Click. Ash lightly touched Hanna’s collar with his finger, and Hanna halted instantly. It wasn’t that Ash controlled her, but rather this action reminded them of the same event.
"Back then, I had just escaped Blood Moon, landed only to be caught by you and Banjee." Ash said, "And you even put a Locking Technique collar on me, then sold me at a high price to the Four Pillars God Sect..."
"Actually, it wasn’t that high a price." Hanna said calmly, "I just wanted to obtain information on Foreign Travelers through the Four Pillars God Sect... Times changed fast, a year ago it was quite a hassle to find a Foreign Traveler, now there are thousands coming and going at the Sky Gate every day."
"Back then you collared me, now it’s my turn to collar you." Ash chuckled, "Finally got my revenge."
"Didn’t we agree to start fresh? Why are you still holding grudges?"
"Because recently, I’ve come to feel that even though our encounter was full of scheming, looking back now it was a precious memory." Ash said, "I actually miss our reckless days in the Gospel. Anyway, following the young miss everywhere was fine, we only needed to be your support."
Hanna lowered her lashes, speaking softly, "Now it’s you lot running around, and I’m your support in the Gospel."
She leaned forward, pressing against Ash. This most notorious Purple Moth in the Gospel, at this moment, her gaze was clear like a spring flowing directly into Ash’s eyes. She supported herself on the sofa with her hands, her softly pink lips trembling slightly as she slowly leaned closer.
Ash raised his finger to block her lips, gently shaking his head.
