Chapter 14: The Makings of a Witch
The polished floor, gleaming under the soft glow of the magical lamps, reflected his image like a mirror. The bed, large enough to accommodate a small army, was piled high with fresh linens, its inviting softness beckoning him closer.
Every item in the room, from the toiletries to the towels, was brand new, meticulously arranged. Emperor Wadsworth had clearly spared no expense in ensuring the Hero’s comfort.
The adjoining bathroom boasted a spacious bathtub, its waters perpetually heated by a series of embedded Fire Mana Crystals.
A sturdy wooden desk, piled high with books detailing the history and geography of the Heavenly Continent, occupied one corner of the room. The paper, coarse and yellowed, hinted at the limitations of their world’s papermaking technology.
A milky white magical lamp, resembling an oversized oil lamp, was mounted on the wall above the desk, its soft light casting long shadows across the floor.
On the opposite wall, a bas-relief depicting the Goddess of Holy Light shimmered with an ethereal glow, its serene features radiating an aura of peace and purity.
A large wardrobe stood against one wall. Curiosity piqued, Qin Chu opened its doors, his brow furrowing as he surveyed its contents.
Dozens of outfits hung neatly inside, only a fifth of them intended for him. The rest… were clearly meant for a woman.
Lacy maid uniforms, revealing leather armor for a rogue, a bikini-style warrior’s breastplate, high-slit robes for a sorceress, elf ears, cat ears, a fluffy tail, a leather collar…
He shuddered, his lips twitching involuntarily. Was this Emperor Wadsworth’s idea of a welcome gift? Did the man think he was some kind of insatiable pervert?
The sheer variety of costumes was both impressive and disturbing. Was this… some kind of elaborate seduction scheme? The lengths they went to to appease the Hero were truly astounding.
The most perplexing items were the nun and priestess outfits, in various shades of white, black, and even a rather daring black and white combination that reminded him of Saint Monique’s attire.
Was this… sacrilege? Wasn’t Wadsworth afraid of divine retribution?
As if to complete the ensemble, a box containing ten vials of a pale green liquid sat on a shelf beside the costumes.
Qin Chu recognized the potion. He had consumed it countless times in his previous life.
Battles against Demons were exhausting. A single dose of this elixir would banish fatigue, restoring his energy and stamina. It also had… certain other benefits, making it a popular choice among the Heavenly Continent’s more virile inhabitants.
It was a complex alchemical concoction, its ingredients rare and expensive. Each vial cost at least ten thousand Mana. The Emperor had clearly spared no expense.
Qin Chu shook his head, marveling at the extravagance of the wealthy elite.
He returned to the desk, adjusting the lamp’s brightness before settling into the chair. He picked up a book, flipping through its pages.
It contained basic information about the Heavenly Continent, its history, geography, and political structure.
The continent, it seemed, was more of a massive island surrounded by a vast, unexplored ocean. Similar to Earth’s Australia, but on a much grander scale. What lay beyond the ocean’s horizon?
No one knew.
For millennia, countless explorers and adventurers had attempted to cross the ocean, to chart its depths, to unravel its mysteries.
None had succeeded.
Those who returned spoke of an impenetrable darkness, of raging storms and ash-filled skies.
Even Sages, upon approaching these forbidden zones, felt a primal fear grip their hearts, their magical shields easily shattered by the relentless winds.
The ocean’s depths had claimed countless lives, its secrets remaining hidden.
The Heavenly Continent was divided into thirteen nations, the Auville Empire being the most powerful. Had it not been for the Demon Beast invasion, Emperor Wadsworth would have likely unified the continent under his rule.
The continent’s religious landscape was diverse, but only two faiths held significant sway: the Holy See, worshipping the Goddess of Holy Light, and the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.
These two churches, along with the Auville Empire, were locked in a constant power struggle, vying for dominance.
Qin Chu, however, wasn’t particularly interested in these matters. He had lived through this history once before, its intricacies etched into his memory.
He skimmed through the book, then set it aside, his gaze drawn to the window. He cracked it open, extinguished the lamp, and climbed into bed.
Within minutes, the sound of his soft snores reached Nikles, standing guard outside.
The Hero was exhausted, he thought. It was understandable. To be ripped from his world, thrust into this strange land, then subjected to hours of travel and tedious formalities… it was enough to drain anyone’s energy.
His duty was simple: protect the Hero, ensure his safety, and prevent any disturbances.
He failed to notice, however, a small, black bat slipping through the open window moments later.
On the bed, Qin Chu’s body remained still, his snores undisturbed.
Illusion Creation.
Despite his depleted Mana, he could still manage basic illusions. With his previous life’s experience, both with skills and magic, he could easily project an image of himself sleeping soundly.
He wasn’t worried about being discovered.
The guards, though skilled warriors, weren’t particularly sensitive to magic. None would detect his absence.
And even if they did, he had a ready-made excuse. As the Hero, his actions were beyond reproach.
The Hero’s mantle was truly a convenient shield, its power extending far beyond mere combat prowess.
He had initially found the bat form disorienting, but he quickly adapted, his senses adjusting to the new perspective.
Shapeshifting was a surprisingly useful Ability, its applications extending far beyond combat. He soared through the night sky, his wings beating silently, the wind whispering through his fur.
The twin moons, now past their zenith, cast long shadows across the sleeping city.
A few late-night revelers stumbled through the streets, but none paid any attention to the small bat flitting overhead.
He flew over the city walls, leaving the opulence of the inner city behind.
The outer city was shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from the twin moons overhead. This, Qin Chu thought, was the true face of the city, its poverty and despair hidden from the privileged few.
Following his memories, he navigated the labyrinthine streets.
Minutes later, he landed in front of a dimly lit tavern.
The “Brave Adventurer,” a twenty-four-hour establishment catering to the city’s less savory elements.
His bat form dissolved, reshaping itself into that of a handsome young man, his features youthful, his clothes those of a traveling mage.
He glanced at the tavern’s faded sign, its crimson paint peeling, its message still clear.
He had many enemies. Tonight, he would enact his revenge on one of them, using the most devious of methods.
It was a risky plan, but he was confident in his ability to pull it off.
He was a mysterious stranger, a master manipulator.
He smiled, pushing open the tavern’s glass doors.
The interior was deserted, the only sound the soft clinking of glasses as a lone figure wiped down the bar.
A single oil lamp cast a flickering light, its smoky flame filling the air with a pungent odor.
The woman behind the bar was tall and strikingly beautiful, her lavender hair cascading down her back, her amethyst eyes shimmering with an alluring intensity. Her skin was flawless, her figure, accentuated by a form-fitting black dress, a masterpiece of curves and angles.
Of all the women he had known, only the Great Mage, Athena, a member of the Hero Squad, could rival her in sheer physical perfection.
Her beauty, her allure, had attracted countless suitors, many of them wealthy and powerful. But she had rejected them all, choosing instead to run this humble tavern.
She glanced up as he entered, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, her eyes seeming to pierce through his carefully constructed facade.
A new customer. Interesting.
“Welcome, sir,” she said, her voice smooth and melodic. “What can I get for you?”
Qin Chu smiled, taking a seat at the bar.
“A Witch’s Heart, please,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers.
She nodded, her slender fingers moving with practiced grace as she began mixing his drink.
He watched her work, mesmerized by her skill.
“Princess Candice,” he said, his voice soft yet clear, “your bartending skills have improved.”
“Thank you, kind sir, but I still have much to learn…” She stopped mid-sentence, her hand hovering over the cocktail shaker.
A heavy silence descended upon the tavern.
After a moment, she resumed her work, her voice carefully neutral. “You must be mistaken, sir. My name is Catherine. There’s no one named Candice here.”
She placed the finished drink, a swirling concoction of crimson hues, before him, her expression unchanged, as if their previous exchange had never occurred.
Shaye materialized beside him, perching on his shoulder, her bare feet swinging back and forth, narrowly missing the glass.
He winced, hoping she wouldn’t accidentally kick it over.
“Why are you out here?” he asked mentally, his voice laced with annoyance.
She ignored him, her gaze fixed on the woman behind the bar.
“This one…” she murmured, her voice taking on a contemplative tone. “She has the makings of a Witch.”
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