Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

When the witches finally realized what kind of farce they had created, they looked at each other awkwardly with perhaps a hint of fear in their hearts. They never expected to risk so much to rescue Hessiana just to screw up her big plan. They had even run the risk of giving away the hibernation spot of an ancient vampire. Hessiana’s anger may not be the most terrible thing; it was the wrath of the Blood Clan that the witches could not afford to face. To the Blood Clan that placed particular importance to social hierarchy and seniority, a 10,000-year-old ancestor had to be held in unimaginably high regard. If those reclusive Blood Clan members learned that it was they who drew the demon hunters to the “tomb” of their ancestor, the witches were afraid that none of them would get to live another day.

The witches still had no idea of Vivian’s notoriety—the pauper of the Blood Clan.

Hao Ren looked at the indignant Hessiana and the silenced witches, wondering how history had originally played out. In actual history, Lily and he did not exist in that era to help with the rescue operation. So the witches may not have succeeded at all. Even if they did, they caused no significant impact. After all, in the eyes of the demon hunters, one hundred witches posed the threat of a single werewolf.

“All right, since things have come to this, we should consider our next move,” Hao Ren broke the silence while the witches and Bain remained quiet. “The demon hunters will definitely get the wind. Since they have not come for us, maybe they are calling for reinforcements just as Hessiana has said.”

Hessiana sighed. “Things have already happened. I know it is not going to change anything even if I get angry. By the way, I have not asked for your name yet. You are a friend of Lady Vivian’s. How did you come with those clueless witches? Who is this werewolf with you?”

There was a hint of respect in the way Little Bat looked at Hao Ren. Apparently, Hao Ren’s efforts to build trust and establish authority had worked.

“My name is Hao Ren, and this is Lily, the werewolf. We both came to know Vivian a long time ago. As you know, Vivian is an oddball among the members of the Blood Clan. As long as no one provokes her, she is able to mix with everyone. As for these witches, we just happened to meet one another. I did not know about your plan at the time. I thought that the humans had captured you, so we came to your rescue.”

“Lady Vivian has acquainted herself with a werewolf?” Hessiana stared at Lily like she was a rare animal. Others did the same. “Lady Vivian indeed befriends many races, but none of which is a werewolf, as far as I know. This werewolf must be a weirdo.”

Ordinary werewolves would have been up in arms when they heard Hessiana’s remarks, But Lily just frowned and grimaced, then she continued to eat her snacks.

“She is indeed a weirdo,” Hessiana said quietly.

“What are you going to do next?” Hao Ren looked at Little Bat. “The demon hunters will come over sooner or later, and it definitely will not just be one or two. I am afraid we cannot protect Vivian’s place of hibernation. Do you want to get reinforcements from the City of Shadows?”

“The City of Shadows will not send reinforcements,” Hessiana said, biting her lip. Her face was full of disdain. “Those people in the City of Shadows are a dead loss. They flinch at the thought of the demon hunters; they would rather die. No sanctuary nowadays can confront the demon hunters. Once the City of Shadows is exposed, the demon hunters will surely raid it. No one wants to take the risk.”

It seemed that the current Hessiana had yet to establish her own influence in the Athens Sanctuary. She still lacked the right to speak and appeal, and she rode on Vivian’s reputation. There was no wonder that Hessiana was all alone in her actions; not a follower was around her.

“Then we can only consider moving Vivian.” Hao Ren figured that he may be able to fight the demon hunters alone. But then, he quickly realized that the demon hunters’ target was Vivian. “Do you know her hibernation location?”

“You do not know it?” Hessiana became suspicious.

“I only know that it is in this area, not the specific location,” Hao Ren said, spreading out his hands. “She ran away suddenly when I saw her the last time.”

“Hmm, this seems to match her style.” Hessiana let down her guard. “I have the same thought too. Maybe we should move Vivian to another place, but it is not easy. I need a few people to help me deal with the magic spells there. How many of you are familiar with Shadowmancy?”

Hessiana looked at the witches and the wizard. Madam Marie nodded. “Shadowmancy is the foundation of our black magic. Are we really of help with the strength of just a few of us? We are talking about the hibernation place of an ancient Blood Clan member here.”

Apparently, Madam Marie was wary that Hessiana might use them as cannon fodder in the mysterious hibernation place.

“Do not worry as long as you know Shadowmancy,” Hessiana said. “I will handle the most difficult and dangerous parts. I just need someone to help maintain the stability of the shadow enchantment. Lady Vivian is hibernating in an old castle nearby. But no one has ever found clues of where she is in the castle because there is a spell. The true side of the castle is always hidden from prying eyes, and half of the castle is in the shadowy realm, which is unreachable. I know the route to the shadowy realm, but because Vivian is in hibernation, she will not open the door for us. We can only open the door from the outside. Witches and wizard, your job is to prevent the power of Shadowmancy from leaking into the real world and attracting the demon hunters while I open the door. I presume you all can do that? If you can help on this matter, I will overlook the mess you have caused and take you all to the City of Shadows.”

The witches were delighted, and they nodded.

“There is a key to the shadowy realm.” While she spoke, Hessiana took out a little black crystal, which looked like a piece of obsidian but with pulsating blood-red lines on it. “It is also the guiding light in the shadowy realm. You should first memorize its scent in your mind. If any of you accidentally falls into the illusion or shadowy cage, just follow the direction of the scent, and you will be able to come to me.”

Bain could not help but look at the key and marvel at it. “It is pure shadowy energy. I am afraid this is something out of reach for an ordinary human wizard.”

The witches shared Bain’s awe. Only Lily could not care less. In her eyes, her stone collection was far more beautiful than that piece of black rock.

Hessiana passed the black crystal around. Everyone carefully memorized the magic energy that the crystal emitted. The witches first took it in their hands, followed by Hao Ren and Lily.

When it came to Bain’s turn, he caressed it. Hessiana began to explain her plan, “The demon hunters are mobilizing their people now. We have very little time. We will settle for the night and set off at dawn tomorrow, and hopefully, we will reach the castle before noon. When the sunlight is at its strongest at noon, it will weaken the shadow spell on the castle, and I will be able to open the door quickly while I avoid alarming the soulless guards of the shadowy realm. Vivian has been hibernating for more than 200 years this time. The soulless guards could have become violent, hence we need to avoid them.”

While Hessiana spoke, Hao Ren suddenly sensed a strong sense of danger.

Hessiana’s reaction was not any slower; the color on her face drained. “Watch out!”

A few bright silver lines suddenly appeared in the misty air; they were the trails of sacred silver bolts cutting through the air. Hessiana and Lily instantly dodged in different directions. Hao Ren summoned his Steel Membrane Shield at once. But the witches were slow; one of them was hit by three bolts. Before the witch could scream, the sacred power on the bolt tips had consumed her in Sacred Flames. Two more witches were lucky enough to escape the fatal attack, but they were scratched by the powerful bolts and fell to the ground with severe injuries.

Almost immediately, a rain of runic spells and more bolts flew in all directions. It was like the coming of the god of death.

By then, the witches seemed to have finally come to their senses. They began to scream.

“Demon hunters! It’s the demon hunters!”

“Take cover!”

“Hide! Hide!”

Everyone hid while they summoned protective spells to buy some time. Wizard Bain summoned a large block of mud to shield the witches from the most violent attacks. It gave them a momentary respite. Hessiana crouched behind a fallen stone statue and gritted her teeth, preparing to fight back. “Hell, how did they get here so fast?”

Hao Ren shouted, “Looks like those demon hunters did not ask for reinforcements from their headquarters. They’ve come for us right away!”