Chapter 210 - 20: Your Curiosity is Dangerous
"So it’s true!"
Seeing Hecate admit it herself, the other Witches grew even more excited, each one eager to share the rumors they’d picked up.
Then again, "rumors" might not have been the right word. Much of it was simply the outside world’s reasonable speculation about Westheid.
After all, he’d received an immense amount of help while retaking the Qinghui Territory. It seemed like everyone was rushing to throw resources and military strength at Duke Qinghui. No matter how promising his future seemed, why would they bet so heavily on him?
What could a destitute Westheid possibly have to make others give so willingly?
The terrifying part was, they weren’t wrong. Whether it was Reiya, Luyetan, or even Hecate herself, it was hard to deny they were all lusting after Westheid.
The Red-haired Witch wanted to defend him before her companions, to prove that Duke Qinghui wasn’t just selling his body. But the more she tried to explain the facts, the more she dug her own grave, effectively confirming Westheid’s reputation as a Succubus.
"Hahaha... To be honest, I’m getting quite interested in this Duke Qinghui. If he can get so much help with his Charm alone, what an alluring seduc... ahem. Anyway, Sister Hecate, you’ve successfully piqued my interest."
Ailu’er said, a playful smile on her delicate face as she leaned back in her seat.
"Me too."
"Is the Qinghui Bloodline really that useful?"
’I should probably look into this. Could be a research project in it, at the very least.’
"It would be even better if I could meet Duke Qinghui in person. A man that handsome... I must admit, I’m getting curious."
As the teasing atmosphere intensified, Elaine sighed and cut in.
"That’s enough joking. Regardless of how we feel, Hecate is determined to pledge her loyalty to Duke Qinghui. We should consider a sister’s choice carefully. After all, Hecate isn’t one to make rash decisions."
Ailu’er shook her head.
"Elaine, I have nothing against Sister Hecate, but... have we all forgotten what the Imperial nobility is like?"
The delicate Witch’s eyes turned cold. "To make their own territories prosper, they’ll do anything. At the end of the day, the Branch of Prosperity is an Autocratic Duke of the Imperial system, a Holy Spirit Descendant. Why would he ever truly respect a group of Demon Practitioners like us?"
"They’ll play nice when we’re useful, then wipe us out the moment we’re not. Hecate, don’t be fooled by a man’s sweet talk and handsome face."
Hecate just smiled. "You don’t need to worry about that."
"Because Duke Qinghui is also a Demon Practitioner."
’Hm?’
"!!!"
Hecate continued, "And a very advanced one at that. Duke Qinghui’s knowledge of Demons is on par with anyone in this room."
Ailu’er wasn’t the only one left stunned—every Witch was shocked by the news.
Their reaction was identical to the Red-haired Witch’s when she first found out. Becoming a Demon Practitioner was not a desirable path. You’d spend your entire life unable to set foot in the civilized Land of Order, all for a power that came at an unforgiving price. No one would choose this life if they had any other option.
’Why would the Branch of Prosperity, a man of such unimpeachable background, choose such a dead-end path?’
"Furthermore, the Demon contracted to Duke Qinghui is, in his own words, a benevolent and merciful Great Demon. The Duke promised me that once he forges a deeper contract with this Great Demon, he will lend us its Demon Power... and we won’t have to be the ones to pay the price directly."
Hecate continued to raise the stakes, and quiet gasps rippled around the table.
"Is such a thing... even possible?"
"To bear the cost of a contract alone... It’s theoretically possible, but the burden would be staggering."
"The price also depends on the Demon. Some demand a truly trivial cost."
"..."
If the conversation before had been lighthearted, it was now deadly serious. This touched upon the very foundation of being a Witch, and no one was laughing anymore.
The Witch class was powerful, to be sure, but its drawbacks were immense. They were completely dependent on their relationships with Demons. While there was no strict rule about drawing on Demon Power, without sufficient Sub-Deity Power, many of the powerful Techniques developed by the Ring of Clear Skies were impossible to cast.
Even the crucial Circle of Clear Skies itself ran on Demon Power.
This was a fundamental matter of survival for the Ring of Clear Skies.
Hecate continued:
"Duke Qinghui warned me not to rely on the Master of Greedy Banquet. He seems to know something we don’t."
Elaine shook her head slowly. "No Demon is ever worthy of trust or reliance. We are merely maintaining the current status quo while constantly looking for other options."
"If Duke Qinghui can truly provide us with Demon Power, then full cooperation would be a godsend. But a benevolent Great Demon... I find it very hard to believe such a thing exists. I’m not questioning you, Hecate, I’m just being properly cautious."
Hecate glanced around the room. "...In any case, the Qinghui Territory will continue to expand, which means it will inevitably come into contact with the Chaos Domain. In that, at least, we share a common goal. Sisters, Duke Qinghui has already signed a decree. As long as we report in advance, any Witch from the Ring of Clear Skies will be free to operate within the Qinghui Territory."
Elaine looked surprised. The raven-haired Witch Speaker extended a slender finger and tapped the table. After a moment of silence, she spoke.
"If he’s also a Demon Practitioner, that does make him much more credible... Let’s do this: everyone is free to act as they see fit. Those who wish to make contact with him may do so. We can reconvene later to discuss our next steps."
"What say you all?"
"I second that."
"I second that."
"No objections from me."
"That’s the only way."
The Ring of Clear Skies was, after all, a secret Society of equals. With no clear hierarchy among its members, a democratic decision was only natural.
Letting everyone make their own judgment was the most fitting course of action.
And so, the Witches’ council concluded, with each member lost in her own thoughts as they departed one by one.
SIGH...
Hecate let out a deep breath and also rose from her seat. She had done everything in her power to persuade the council. She’d been so zealous, in fact, that one might wonder if she was a lobbyist for the Qinghui Territory rather than a Witch of the Ring of Clear Skies.
’Even she wasn’t sure what was driving her to push for this so fervently.’
’Was it a rational calculation? Or an emotional infatuation?’
She hadn’t gone far from the door when she overheard Ailu’er talking with someone else. The delicate girl, dressed in a short skirt and holding an umbrella, tilted her head up slightly as she spoke.
"I still think Duke Qinghui sold his way into his position. If that’s really the case, then I’m getting curious. To get so much aid just by using his Charm, he must have something special going for him."
"The rumors we’ve heard might not be so baseless after all."
Seeing the Red-haired Witch approach, Ailu’er smiled and waved.
"Sister Hecate, take me with you next time you go to the Qinghui Territory. I want to see for myself what kind of man could captivate one of our own."
Hecate’s expression was complex. "Your curiosity is dangerous..."
"Don’t be so stingy. Or are you just jealous? That’s not very sisterly of you."
The Red-haired Witch thought for a moment, a flush rising to her cheeks. She then gave a disdainful smile.
"No. I just think you’re overestimating yourself."
"Why would I have any reason to refuse your request?"