Chapter 46:
Good Girl
The next day, at noon, during the free period.
Ophelia sat alone on a bench at the edge of the courtyard. It was overcast today, with thick dark clouds covering the sky. It was a rare occasion for her to be able to move around in broad daylight.
irujinu stood about two ters away from her, leaning against the wall with her arms folded.
"On the east side of the courtyard, the woman wearing a gown and a wide-brimd wizard hat, sunbathing, is the witch Dailey," Ophelia's lips moved slightly as her eyes focused on the two prison guards patrolling below.
"Dailey..." irujinu squinted her eyes, "Is it the witch Dailey who lives in the Shadow Ruins?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know much about her background."
"Then, is she very skilled in summoning demons?" irujinu inquired.
"Yes, she uses a short ebony wand. I've seen her summon three different kinds of demons before."
"Then it seems it's indeed her," irujinu affird.
"Do you know her?" Ophelia asked.
"No, I've only heard her na. She's a prominent figure in the 'Witch Gathering,' but it's been many years since I've heard anything about her. I didn't expect to find her here."
"So you are indeed a witch too" Ophelia glanced over at irujinu.
When irujinu helped her undo the curse mark on her neck, Ophelia had already suspected that irujinu had a witch background.
"I should say, I used to be," irujinu let out a sigh.
Yes, she was expelled from the "Witch Gathering" a long ti ago.
She was once quite famous in that world, excelling in potions, demon contracts, and sealing spells — She uses these thods to train those children into formidable killers.
"Does she not have to wear a prisoner's uniform in this prison?" irujinu asked.
"That's a privilege for inmates with high-level treatnt. They're allowed to keep a certain amount of their own clothes," Ophelia explained. "By acting as lapdogs for the warden, they can secure better treatnt levels."
"Where is that necromancer you ntioned?"
"Arsena, she's not here right now, but you've probably seen her. She's the librarian designated by the warden."
"The girl who always sits there buried in a book and wearing glasses?" irujinu recalled.
"Yes, that's her," Ophelia paused for a mont, adding, "a rather dull woman."
"Do you know her?"
"We had a slight acquaintance before being thrown in here," Ophelia said indifferently, "and then, the last one, the Tainted Blood Evangeline..."
As she spoke, she shifted her gaze to the small figure in the corner of the courtyard.
But irujinu interrupted her, "You don't need to tell
about this one, I know her."
better than anyone else...
After all, that child was the one she had personally nurtured.
"I only know of these three. There might be others, but I believe it's unlikely," Ophelia said in a composed tone, "living people would find it very challenging to bear too many demonic contracts."
"So, that ans..." irujinu's lips curled into a faint smile, "as long as we turn them against each other, the warden will end up all alone?"
"But the premise is that you can truly lift the death contracts from them," Ophelia added, "can you really do it?"
"In this regard, I'm sowhat confident," irujinu responded nonchalantly.
"When are you planning to take action?"
"I'll let you know later. You have to give
so ti to set things up."
"Then I'll patiently await your good news." Ophelia got up and headed towards the dormitory building.
If any of the more perceptive prison guards were to see the new inmate alone with her for so long, they might beco suspicious. Their plan is still in the preparation stage and they must be cautious.
irujinu turned to look at Evangeline in the corner, staring at her for a while. Then she turned to check the movents of the guards before heading towards the corner of the courtyard.
"Vanee." Standing behind Evangeline, she called Evangeline nickna in a low voice.
Evangeline turned her face in surprise, and irujinu took the opportunity to unseal her mories.
Seeing the "mother" from her mories standing in front of her, Evangeline widened her eyes. It was only then that she recalled the fact that her "mother" had infiltrated this prison.
She actually forgot such an important thing!
Just as she was about to say sothing, irujinu raised a finger, making a "quiet" gesture.
Evangeline imdiately closed her mouth, swallowing back her words. Obeying the woman in front of her was a deeply ingrained reflex from her childhood.
"Mom heard about it," irujinu's lips curled slightly, but there was no amusent in her eyes, "You're working for others, aren't you?"
In that mont, Evangeline face lost its color.
The mories of being with her "mother" for many years told her that the current "mother" was angry.
Speaking words that angered "mother" would bring a punishnt worse than death.
As long as she pleased "mother," she would be loved.
Never defy "mother"—this was the survival rule she had repeated countless tis and summarized.
But now, irujinu reached out and gently touched her head, speaking in a tender tone, "You've suffered, being forced to work for others... that damned man actually threatened you with your life."
Evangeline stared blankly, not reacting for a mont.
irujinu took the opportunity to sense the demonic contract placed on Evangeline.
"But rest assured, this level of restraint won't trouble Mom," irujinu smiled, "soon, I'll take you away from this wretched place, and you'll be free in no ti."
"Leave... from here?" Evangeline suddenly showed a bewildered expression.
In an instant, the words Aiden had once said echoed in her ears: "This is the only place you can seek refuge, leaving this prison will have you hunted to the ends of the earth. In this world, there's no corner left for you to live freely."
"What's wrong?" irujinu sensed the other's party unease, "Are you Doubting Mom's words? That's not like you at all."
"But, Aiden said..." Evangeline said stiffly.
"Are you going to repeat what others say to Mom? Is this how I've taught you? Or Have you already forgotten?" irujinu suddenly stopped smiling.
A bone-chilling coldness surged through her body, and Evangeline tongue seed to knot up.
Even though she had lost the ability to feel pain, those painful mories from the past were deeply etched into her soul.
Finally, she chanically opened her mouth, and answering with a lifeless voice, "No."
"Good Girl." A smile once again appeared on irujinu's face.
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