(Orlax’s POV)
It has been several days since I left the capital and headed to the Eastern Empire.
I moved from city to city, person to person, searching for the witch—but it was all in vain.
It was as if she had vanished without a trace, which stirred a wave of frustration within .
Due to the exhaustion and fatigue from days of travel and searching, my ntal state began to deteriorate, and I was nearing my limit.
Currently, I was in a city located in the southern part of the Eastern Empire.
"Alex, any news?"
"Unfortunately, Your Majesty, there’s no trace of the witch’s whereabouts."
I was currently lying on the rooftop of one of the houses while speaking to Alex on the phone.
"Alright, keep looking. If you find anything, call ."
"Understood."
I ended the call and slamd the ground in frustration.
"Where the hell did you go?"
I looked up at the night sky and began to gaze at the stars that lit it.
Suddenly, I felt a sense of danger. I imdiately stood up and leapt backward.
I cautiously scanned my surroundings and extended my senses as far as I could to detect who was watching .
I raised my sword quickly with my right hand and blocked a blade that appeared from my right side.
Clang!
Sparks flew from the collision, and I felt a trendous force strike my right side.
’This level of power... Grandmaster.’
As soon as I gauged my opponent’s level, my caution heightened. I began thinking of all the swordsn I knew at Grandmaster level.
I stepped back several paces after deflecting the strike and watched carefully to see where the next attack would co from.
’Is this so kind of concealnt technique? I can’t feel anyone at all.’
"Who are you? And why have you been searching for for days?"
I heard a voice from behind. I turned to see a figure shrouded in darkness, making it hard to identify them.
The voice was so disturbing, I felt like my ears would bleed if I continued listening to it.
"Are you the witch?"
"Yes."
After hearing that answer, I relaxed slightly and lowered my sword to indicate I didn’t intend to fight.
"I’m Orlax Tirshtain. I ca because I have a question I believe only you can answer, Witch."
I lowered the hood that covered my hair and removed the mask from my face, revealing myself entirely.
I noticed the witch flinch slightly upon seeing my face. The surrounding darkness dissipated, and she dropped to one knee hastily.
"I didn’t know it was you, Your Majesty. Please forgive the sudden attack, but I had to be cautious due to my current circumstances."
"It’s alright. I understand your position, and you didn’t hurt anyway."
I waved my hand dismissively to show that I didn’t care and signaled for her to rise.
"But I didn’t know you’d reached Grandmaster level in swordsmanship. Why didn’t you announce it?"
"Well, I have many enemies and don’t want them to know all I’m capable of."
’Hmm, she’s unexpectedly respectful. She answers all my questions without hesitation.’
"You’re answering all these questions without hesitation."
I observed the witch speaking with respectful but not fearful tone.
"Of course, Your Majesty. You’re the emperor who rules the empire I belong to. It’s only natural I show respect."
’So she respects my rank, not specifically. Huh.’
[Loyalty: 98]
’That’s extrely high.’
"So, Your Majesty, what is it that you wanted to ask ?"
Her voice pulled from my thoughts, and I began explaining my problem.
The witch stood there thinking, placing her hand on her chin.
"So, in short, you can’t sleep, and you heard I might be able to fix that?"
"Yes."
"I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I honestly don’t know anything about that."
"Hah. I figured as much."
That answer was sothing I already expected.
In the ga, there was never any ntion of the witch having healing abilities that could solve other people’s issues.
’Then why did that voice urge to find her? Could it be...’
"Witch, what are you doing here?"
I sensed the witch was slightly startled by the question and hesitated before answering.
"I... I’m chasing soone."
"Who?"
She seed reluctant to share this information, but eventually spoke.
"I’m after the White One."
’The White One? Why is she chasing soone that dangerous?’
As I pondered that, I recalled so news I had received a few days ago.
"Is the fortress that was found destroyed in the eastern part of the Empire a few days ago..."
"Yes. It was the White One’s base. Originally..."
The witch began explaining the events of that day and told everything.
"I see. I understand now. But did you figure out how they managed to make an entire fortress float in the sky?"
"Well... I didn’t focus on that part, because I was chasing the White One."
The witch scratched the back of her head slightly embarrassed.
Sigh. "I see."
’Is the Great One’s treasure what gives them the ability to do that? I’ll find out once I eliminate them all.’
"Ahem, Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, may I leave?"
Her voice brought back to reality. I stared at her for a mont before answering.
"Actually, I need sothing from you."
"Alright, go ahead."
After thinking deeply about what I was about to say, I took a deep breath and spoke.
"I’m going to help you defeat the White One."
There were many reasons that led to this decision.
First, the White One is one of my objectives and must be eliminated to complete my mission.
Second, by following the witch, I might find a solution to my problem.
All these reasons made think that it would be more suitable to cooperate with her and destroy the White One.
Also, I’m sowhat curious about this woman—how can she be this strong, nearly matching my strength?
And what is it that drives her to seek revenge against the White One?
"What?! Did I hear you right, Your Majesty?"
"I will help you defeat the White One."
I repeated myself so she’d believe she wasn’t imagining things.
The witch cald from her shock and looked at strangely.
"Why do you want to help , Your Majesty?"
"Well, I want to eliminate the White One too, and..."
I looked her up and down before shaking my head.
"Nothing. Anyway, I’ll just follow your lead. Do what you were doing before—I won’t interfere."
"If that’s what you wish, Your Majesty, your help will be a great support."
She gestured for to follow, then started leaping across rooftops at a very fast pace.
’She’s extrely talented. I didn’t know anyone could reach Grandmaster level in both swordsmanship and magic. Let’s take a closer look.’
[Would you like to form a contract with the person before you?]
’Yes.’
[Contract successfully ford]
[Warning! You have reached the maximum number of contracts]
[To create more contracts, certain conditions must be fulfilled]
I stopped behind the witch as I stared at the blue translucent screen floating in front of .
’There’s a limit to how many contracts I can make? I didn’t know that. And what are the conditions I need to et to create more?’
The witch entered a hotel, climbed to the third floor, and opened the door to let in.
I stepped inside and observed the chaotic room—it looked like a fight had taken place here.
She sat on the bed and picked up a tablet that had been dropped nearby, and began reading the information on it.
"Do you know the White One’s current location?"
I asked while reading on the device that the last sighting of the White One was in the capital two days ago.
"Yes. I was about to head to the capital, but I was inford that soone was searching for my whereabouts, so I ca here instead."
"Hmm, alright. Let’s head out at sunrise."
"I have no issue with that."
"Good. Rest for now. I’ll go outside."
I closed the door behind and left the hotel. I climbed to the rooftop and began monitoring the witch’s condition.
[Na: Elena
Age: 15
Health: 100% (Feeling energetic)
Mana: 100%
Aura: 100%
Attributes:
-Strength: 91 (Affects physical power overall)
-Speed: 90 (Affects movent and reaction speed)
-Wisdom: 93 (Affects mana control, aura managent, and response speed)
-Intelligence: 94 (Affects mana capacity, aura levels, and overall intelligence)
-Endurance: 91 (Affects stamina and defense)
-Charm: 1 (Affects appearance and aura)
(The average person has a score of 5 in each attribute.)
Status: Active, Healthy
Personality Traits:
-[Pride]
-[Cold-blooded]
-[Patience]
-[Genius]
-[ORDER]
Skills:
-Sword Skills: Level 7
-Shadow Magic: Level 7
-Hand Combat: Level 3
Unique Abilities:
-Hyper Focus
-Shadow Realm
]
I rubbed my eyes as I looked over her stats to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.
"Seriously..."
I reviewed all her attributes and traits, which left stunned.
"Her potential is extrely close to mine. She even has many traits I also possess."
I finished reading everything and lay back on the ground, deep in thought.
’The important thing now is to figure out whether she’ll pose a threat to in the future. If she’s an ally, I’ll respect her and keep her close. But if she becos an enemy...’
I gazed at the stars while I was lost in thought, contemplating the future ahead.
"I’ll crush you myself if you ever beco a threat to my empire or my family."
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