Chapter 676 Shocking Announcement
"It's the name of his fan group, but this fan group is more like a cult than anything else. They welcome anyone who shares their view and destroys anyone who opposes it. You can die from simply badmouthing their idol," Henrietta casually explained with a wry smile.
The Vaanatics' extreme actions were causing countless problems. However, these troubled waters weren't something Henrietta wanted to dip her feet in.
She would rather deal with the Transcendent Witches than intervene in the Vaanatic's matters. After all, the Vaanatics were led by a troublesome witch with mental issues – Aeliana Leclair.
"I see..." Victoria uttered with a lost look, not knowing how to react to the news.
With the last piece of information, Victoria no longer doubted that her missing grandson was most likely Vaan Raphna, the young man who had been the center of attention and talk of the town in every witch kingdom.
She had seen the portrait of the young man once, and only after recalling it again with attention to detail did she notice the young man's stunning resemblance to her fourth daughter.
There were even some of her features in him, like Henrietta mentioned.
Perhaps she had already noticed these details the first time she saw the portrait. However, she had chosen to ignore and forget about them. After all, her grandchild supposedly died two years ago.
How could she dare to hold extravagant hopes when the fire of life was extinguished?
Nevertheless, the more excellence Victoria learned about her missing grandson, the greater her worry. It was a new type of worry that sprouted just after her longest worry was finally put to rest.
"He did not have his family's support when he was young and weak. The hardship he suffered as an orphan must have been unimaginable... Now that he has grown powerful all on his own, I'm not sure he will accept us..." Victoria expressed her concern with a helpless smile.
After all, besides the blood they shared, they were no different from strangers.
"As an out... outsider, I have nothing to say about that," Henrietta thought about what to say before continuing, "However, your greatest concern had always been his safety and well-being."
"Now that you know his situation, you should be overjoyed and proud, Victoria. Also, the sufferings he had experienced since birth were what shaped his being and aided his growth to become the man he is today."
"As such, while it was unfortunate to be lost at birth, it might not have been a bad thing. Real men are forged by hardship," Henrietta added.
"You might be right, Sister Henrietta. I shouldn't expect too much. My grandson being alive and well is already the best thing I could ask for," Victoria acknowledged and made peace with herself, becoming accepting of reality.
Shortly after, Victoria glanced at Henrietta suspiciously and mentioned, "By the way, you've been acting rather strange since a while ago, Sister Henrietta. What's up with that? Are you hiding something from me?"
Cough! Cough!
Henrietta used a terrible distraction to change the topic, "Never mind that, Victoria. There's something else I want to ask you. The current Black Rose Kingdom is no longer the same as it was in the past; it has grown far more powerful, just as I have. Have you no thoughts of relocating here?"
"Your family doesn't need to hide in that Perilous Land anymore. Furthermore, it might be easiest for you to meet your grandson if you move here," Henrietta added.
"You have a point, Sister Henrietta. I suppose I should consider it," Victoria neither rejected nor accepted Henrietta's suggestion before mentioning, "But while you and the Black Rose Kingdom had shed their former shells and grown much stronger, you have also attracted more attention and made more enemies."
"Forget outside threats; even your issue with the other Transcendent Witches remains unresolved. How do you plan to deal with them?" Victoria asked.
"That's a good question, Victoria," Henrietta's eyes flashed with a cold glint as she smiled. "I was actually settling my matters with them after this. If you don't mind sticking around, why don't I show you how I will deal with them?"
"Alright," Victoria agreed, thinking she had time to spare, not to mention she was curious what Henrietta would do.
Shortly after, Victoria followed Henrietta to a private meeting room, where the long-distance voice transmission crystal pillar used to contact the other six witch kingdoms was located.
Henrietta used the communication crystal pillar to summon the remaining five Transcendent Witches, and surprisingly, they answered her call in a matter of a few dozen breaths.
"That was surprisingly quick. I had assumed you would all take much longer to answer my summoning," Henrietta commented with ridicule.
"I didn't answer your call to listen to your ridicule, Black Rose. Quickly explain the reason behind your call, or this Queen will be hanging up. I have other things to do," the Scarlet Flame Transcendent Witch frowned with impatience and impertinence.
"I also have things to do, Black Rose. Please make it brief, if possible," the White Serpentine Transcendent Witch added with slightly creased brows.
"Frankly speaking, I'm sure Black Rose has nothing good to say, and I don't know why I even decided to waste my time accepting this call. So, hehe, I'll be off first, Ladies," the Darkwater Transcendent Witch spoke frivolously, hoping to escape the call quickly.
However, Henrietta's following words made her freeze on the spot immediately.
"If you dare to leave this call without listening to what I have to announce, I will pay your kingdom a visit, and I will end you
—just like how I ended the Verdant Wood," Henrietta coldly stated.
"Well… It doesn't hurt to stick around and listen for a bit, haha…" Darkwater complied nervously, showing zero intention to refute and antagonize Henrietta as she was clearly intimidated by her threat.
Scarlet Flame, White Serpentine, Raging Tempest, and Everwinter also revealed signs of discomfort and unease in their breathing.
Evidently, Henrietta's threat didn't affect Darkwater alone. After all, even though Henrietta spoke to Darkwater, her threat was directed at all of them.
In a short instant, the group chat became ghostly silent.
"Since it's quiet now, I will announce a few things. In the future, the seven witch kingdoms will be unified under one rule – my rule," Henrietta announced.
"The Kingdom of Scarlet Flame, the Kingdom of Raging Tempest, the Kingdom of Everwinter, the Kingdom of White Serpentine, and the Kingdom of Darkwater will become vassal kingdoms of the Black Rose Empire."
"Each of you will turn in 20% of your kingdom's resource production annually as tax, in person, and at the same time. We will also use that opportunity to hold an assembly to discuss all affairs."
"All royal and noble offsprings must be sent to Blackthorn Royal Academy of Magic for education once they turn eighteen. Those who have already completed their study and are still under the age of thirty must also be sent over for re-
education."
"Any and all discoveries pertaining to the new knowledge of magic, technology, potioneering, mysteries, ancient inheritances, Gehenna, and Chaos, in general, must be shared with the Black Rose Empire."
"I will not be happy if you keep secrets, and when I am not happy, there will be severe consequences. So do your best to remember that~!" Henrietta warned.
Each of Henrietta's shocking conditions caused the five Transcendent Witches' expressions to darken until they couldn't tolerate it further and flush with anger.
"What the hell kind of announcement is this? There's no way I will agree to this! Black Rose, your joke went too far!" Scarlet Flame was the first to disagree, expressing her strong disapproval and dissatisfaction.
However, Henrietta remained indifferent to her protest.
"You must be muddle-headed and confused about something, Scarlet Flame. I am not asking you; I am telling you!" Henrietta coldly asserted.
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