Game World: I Can Share Talents

Hecate’s suggestion was incredibly earnest, but it wasn’t well received.

The Witches exchanged glances, their expressions subtle, and began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Qinghui Territory..."

"The territory of an Imperial Branch of Prosperity. It’s where Hecate has been staying recently."

"Of course I know. Qinghui Territory has been causing a huge stir in the Borderland lately. The only time Chaos has been pushed back in nearly a hundred years..."

"And Duke Qinghui... have you heard the rumors about him?"

"Of course. After all, those rumors are... legendary."

The Witches all had their own information channels. Coupled with the major stir Qinghui Territory had created, all of them knew something about it.

Elaine let out a soft sigh and said,

"Hecate, you know that for the Ring of Clear Skies to survive, we must walk a fine line, playing all sides and keeping a respectful distance from every power. In fact, some of the sisters already believe you’ve grown too close to Qinghui Territory."

"It’s your prerogative to think Qinghui Territory is a worthy investment, but for all the sisters to approve your decision, you need a more convincing reason."

"It’s not really an investment. To be precise, it’s a pledge of allegiance."

Hecate added coolly,

"I have already been appointed as one of Duke Qinghui’s Courtiers. From now on, I will be serving him."

She toyed with a lock of her crimson hair, her gaze sweeping over her fellow Witches as she spoke coolly,

"Because I am utterly convinced that Duke Qinghui is worthy of being followed. I’ve spent time with him. He takes the threat of Chaos more seriously than any of the great figures from the Realm of Order, and he already has a detailed plan in place."

"Reclaiming Qinghui Territory isn’t the end. In the future, the territory will continuously expand into the Chaos Domain. If the Ring of Clear Skies provides its full support during this process, liberating our homeland might no longer be just an empty dream."

At the mention of returning home, the expressions of the assembled Witches grew stern and solemn.

The founding of the Ring of Clear Skies, the very birth of the Witches, has always had but a single purpose: to fight Chaos and, one day, liberate their fallen homeland from the Chaos Domain.

Even if nothing living—not even ruins—remained on that land, as long as it could be properly purified, it could one day be brought back to life.

As a people born of the land, their very blood was bound to it.

Elaine tilted her head slightly and said,

"...If Hecate guarantees it so fervently, then perhaps Duke Qinghui truly has such intentions. But for so many years, the Borderland has never been short of people who despise Chaos, and there are countless souls willing to sacrifice everything to purify the Chaos Domain. Intentions have never been the most critical part. The key is having the ability to make it all happen."

"Ability?! If we’re talking about ability, you think Duke Qinghui isn’t capable enough?"

Hecate’s fine brows knitted together as she argued heatedly,

"If you all want to find someone who can launch a massive crusade against Chaos right now, we shouldn’t be in the Borderland. We should be begging the Imperial elite or the Yonglan Knights. Duke Qinghui has limitless potential. Given time, he will inevitably grow into a colossal power."

"Sisters, if you knew more, you would understand the immense developmental potential of Qinghui Territory. You might think a single, once-destroyed Branch of Prosperity isn’t very convincing, but what about everyone else? From the Empress Princess to the border’s Pioneer Territories, from the other Branches of Prosperity to the Celestial Vault Kingdom—they are all sparing no effort to support Qinghui Territory."

The Red-haired Witch confidently recounted the glorious tale of Qinghui Territory’s restoration to her companions.

This was a speech she had prepared long in advance. Hecate had gone to great lengths to bring the Ring of Clear Skies closer to Qinghui Territory and pull her sisters onto what she was certain was the path to a brighter future.

Just as she’d hoped, after hearing so many inside details from Hecate, a direct witness, the Witches around the table began to buzz with discussion.

"It’s true, it’s highly unusual for Duke Qinghui to have reclaimed his homeland so quickly."

"The main thing is the sheer amount of aid he’s received. Never mind that Yuanxi Palace and the Shadow Flame Duke, fellow Branches of Prosperity, have helped him at great cost, but many of the border’s Pioneer Territories have also submitted to him."

"And the Empress Princess. A great personage from the Royal Family even brought the Army of Light to help Duke Qinghui."

"Even the Celestial Vault Kingdom helped Qinghui Territory? Those Celestial Vault People would actually give the Borderland a second look?"

"If the Celestial Vault Kingdom’s technology and facilities are put in place, rebuilding the territory would be the work of a moment. It’s no problem at all."

"......."

Even Elaine couldn’t help but frown in deep thought. ’Now that you put it that way, the outside aid Qinghui Territory has received is rather excessive. So much so that it’s abnormal.’

Hecate smiled faintly. "It’s because they believe in Duke Qinghui’s future."

"Hecate, you’re so eager to sing Duke Qinghui’s praises. That’s not how one acts toward a simple partner. Even for a Monarch you’ve sworn fealty to, this is a bit much."

A member sitting across from the Red-haired Witch twirled the small parasol in her hand and said slyly,

"You know, your whole aura seems to have changed, Hecate... You haven’t become Duke Qinghui’s lover, have you?"

Hecate froze for a moment, then pressed her lips together and gave a slight nod.

"No wonder. You have that lovesick glow."

The pretty, parasol-wielding Witch flicked her ponytail from her shoulder and chuckled.

"I never would have guessed. You actually gave your virtue to him. I’d heard Duke Qinghui was a man of peerless beauty, and it seems he’s completely bewitched one of our own sisters."

Hecate was no young maiden, after all. She showed little embarrassment as she admitted,

"Ailu’er, I don’t deny it. I do love Duke Qinghui. But that doesn’t invalidate what I’ve said... though perhaps it makes me a little biased."

Ailu’er stood up and clapped her hands.

"Aha! Now I finally understand how Duke Qinghui managed to get so much support. I’ve heard that when he was in the Imperial Capital, he had relationships with many noblewomen."

"He must have started using his own... assets... to plan the reclamation of his lands even back then."

"The only business in this world that requires no starting capital is selling..."

The Red-haired Witch’s eyes flew open as she retorted,

"Absolutely not! Duke Qinghui didn’t accept a single bit of help from the nobles of the Imperial Capital during his campaign."

With Ailu’er leading the charge, the Witches’ imaginations took flight, weaving together all the rumors they had heard.

"Then how do you explain Yuanxi Palace? The loan from the Yuanxi Spirit can’t be explained by an ordinary relationship."

Hecate retorted, "That’s false. As far as I know, Duke Qinghui has no such relationship with Yuanxi Palace."

Another Witch spoke up. "I heard that your own Apprentice abandoned the plan for White Rock City because she was infatuated with Duke Qinghui’s good looks."

Hecate frowned. "That was a rational decision. It was later proven that we couldn’t have controlled White Rock City anyway."

A hooded Witch, arms crossed over her obscene bust, blushed beet red and stammered,

"I also heard that Duke Qinghui is a master of the Revolving Wheel Technique... that he can... he can walk while ’wheeling the jade gate’..."

’Wheeling something? Like pushing a cartwheel? This is getting more and more ridiculous.’

Hecate was about to object, but after a moment of thought, she recalled her own personal experience and hesitated.

"Well... that part... seems to be more or less true."